University of Detroit Mercy adopts renewed core values
University of Detroit Mercy recently announced a set of refreshed core values created through a collaborative effort involving students, faculty, staff and alumni. Using language that is easy to understand, the newly articulated values will guide the University's mission and future.
The launch and dissemination of these core values come during an exciting time of growth for the University, highlighted by strong national rankings and new academic programs. The new core values are:
- Educating the Whole Person: Fostering academic excellence, transformative learning and holistic well-being for every member of the community by integrating intellectual, spiritual, ethical and social development.
- Cultivating a Diverse Community: Nurturing an inclusive environment where every individual belongs and thrives
- Embodying Mercy & Compassion: Upholding a commitment to radical hospitality, respect for the dignity of each person and the care of all creation.
- Fostering Faith & Justice: Promoting academic inquiry and spiritual practices that inspire the pursuit of a more just world.
- Serving & Leading in Detroit: Working with surrounding communities and diverse partners to pursue the common good and optimal well-being for all.
"Our renewed core values are the result of a profound, University-wide reflection on our shared identity," said President Donald B. Taylor. "They speak to who we are as an institution, honoring our deep history while pointing toward a hopeful future.”
The collaborative group of faculty, staff, students and alumni that worked to develop the refreshed core values met for several months gathering input from stakeholders. In June, Fr. Charles Oduke, vice president for Mission Integration at the University, formally presented the values to the Board of Trustees, which approved them during the summer meeting. In mid-August, Taylor and Oduke formally announced the values to faculty and staff during the annual President’s Convocation.
The announcement of UDM’s new Core Values is timely. In the recent 2026 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings, the University rose to No. 36 in the nation, making it the No. 1 private university in Michigan and the No. 3 Catholic university in the U.S. This ranking reflects Detroit Mercy's exceptional outcomes in graduate salary impact and social mobility. UDM also received recognition in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report 'Best Colleges' edition, ranking No. 22 nationally in the Best Value Schools category.
This momentum is supported by the development of several new programs designed to increase accessibility and meet the evolving needs of students and the workforce. These include:
- The launch of Michigan's first fully online J.D. program at the School of Law, with the first cohort starting in fall 2026.
- The creation of the School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences and new undergraduate degrees in Health Sciences and Sports & Exercise Sciences within the College of Health Professions.
- A new School of Optometry and Detroit Mercy Eye Institute.
"These values reaffirm UDM’s commitment to our Jesuit, Mercy, Catholic educational mission emphasizing academic excellence, service and a deep sense of purpose," explained Oduke. "Combined with our climbing national rankings and new, innovative programs, we are confident these principles will strengthen our community partnerships and enhance the experience of our students for years to come."