Owosso, MI – Jennifer Briggs, Director of the Auto/Diesel Institute of Michigan (ADI) at Baker College, has been selected to join the 2026 GEM Connect Leadership Cohort. Facilitated by the Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP), this high-impact program is a cornerstone of the Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) initiative—a $52.2 million federally funded effort to accelerate the growth of the region’s advanced mobility sector.
The DRP, a leading economic development organization, has attracted over $9.4 billion in investment to the 11-county region since 2020. By joining this cohort, Briggs aligns Baker College with a regional strategy that leverages Michigan’s status as the #1 state for automotive R&D and production and the #1 U.S. metro for engineering talent.
Briggs, an industry veteran with 22 years of experience in automotive operations, took the helm at ADI with a mission to solve the critical shortage of skilled technicians. As Director, she oversees a 43,000-square-foot facility where students train on the high-tech equipment required for modern consumer and heavy-duty vehicles.
“Being selected for the GEM Leadership Cohort is an incredible opportunity to ensure our technical education at ADI is in lock-step with the DRP’s vision for the Detroit Region,” said Briggs. “As the region nears its goal of attracting 50,000 new jobs by 2030, our role at the Auto/Diesel Institute is to ensure that talent is ready for the high-wage, high-tech roles in EV, autonomous technology, and smart logistics.”
Over the next nine months, Briggs will act as a “connector,” bridging the gap between ADI’s student pipeline and the regional mobility supply chain. The cohort will participate in immersive convenings across the 11-county footprint, including key sites in Detroit, Washtenaw, and Oakland/Macomb.
To learn about the Detroit Regional Partnership and the GEM initiative, visit detroitregionalpartnership.com
About the Auto/Diesel Institute of Michigan: A division of Baker College, ADI features ASE-Certified Master Technicians and industry-standard equipment, training students in automotive and diesel service technology to meet the modern demands of the global mobility industry.
The Auto/Diesel Institute of Michigan, located on the Baker College Owosso campus has a 43,000-square-foot facility packed with the same cutting-edge tools and diagnostic equipment used in today’s top shops. Learn directly from ASE-Certified Master Technicians who bring real-world experience and industry insight into every lesson—helping students excel in a world of ever-evolving vehicle technology.
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on six campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more at baker.edu and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram.