University Strategic Plan

Boundlessly Forward: Detroit Mercy 2019 - 2024

Strategic Plan Development and Purpose

The Detroit Mercy 2019-2024 Strategic Plan: Boundlessly Forward is a living document that serves as a touchstone for Detroit Mercy’s ongoing quest to fulfill its mission. It also supports and reinforces major elements of the Detroit Mercy Brand: academic excellence, a values-based education, excellent future outcomes and a thriving urban setting.

This strategic plan emphasizes enrollment growth, greater efficiency, return on investment and prosperity for the institution by:

Focusing university efforts on building a more vibrant campus that attracts, engages and transforms students
Offering dynamic and relevant academic programs that are mission-focused
Enhancing the pride and loyalty felt by the Detroit Mercy community through excellent customer service and a discerning corporate culture.

These efforts are aimed at ensuring financial sustainability of the institution. The plan serves as a guidepost for resource allocation, fundraising efforts and alternative revenue sources.

Strategic Plan Video

The plan builds on our recent accomplishments and serves as a framework to empower stakeholders to work together to create the best possible future for the University. Through numerous workshops and forums, more than 400 staff members, administrators, faculty and students contributed to this shared vision.

Mission Alignment

The three primary goals, along with the 10 supporting strategies, reinforce the University’s mission and the heritage of our founding sponsors, the Society of Jesus and the Religious Sisters of Mercy, in order to maintain our commitment to the cura personalis for each student who chooses to pursue his or her educational goals at Detroit Mercy.

Goal 1

Create Detroit's "College Town"

Enhance student engagement.
Improve student-centered facilities.
Connect to and enhance the surrounding community.

Goal 2

Deliver Relevant and Dynamic Academics

Establish a process for ongoing and comprehensive academic program evaluation.
Support the academic enterprise with alternative revenue streams.
Coordinate marketing and recruitment with academic goals.
Invest in effective and high-quality teaching, advising and mentorship.

Goal 3

Passionately Serve Students and Each Other

Create a culture of exceptional customer service to students.
Ensure that every student knows they are cared for.
Create a culture of respect and collaboration among employees.

Key Performance Indicators for All Three Goals

Student Enrollment Measures

Number of accepted students.
Number of newly enrolled students.
Full-time equivalent headcount of all enrolled students.

Student Retention Rate Measure

First-to-second year retention rate (target more than 84%).

Student Graduation Rate Measure

Five-year graduation rate (target more than 70%).

2022-2023 Strategic Planning and Budget, Facilities, and Safety Team

Dana Hart - Director of Business and Finance, School of Dentistry

Dennis Carlesso - Executive Director-Major Gifts, University Advancement

Fr. Gilbert Sunghera, SJ - Associate Professor of Architecture

Megan Novell - Title IX Coordinator & Equity Compliance

Pamela Zarkowski - Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

Paul Vandelinder - Senior Accountant

Rebecca G. Nowak - Director, Clinical Operations & Outreach, School of Law

Renady Hightower - Associate Professor, College of Health Professions

Steve Corder - Assistant Athletic Director - NCAA Compliance

Tammy Batcheller - Associate Vice President, Facilities Management

Todd Hibbard - Professor of Religious Studies, College of Liberal Arts & Education

Tom Manceor - Vice President for Business & Administration (invited participant)

2021-2022 Strategic Planning and Budget, Facilities, and Safety Team

Dana Hart - Director of Business and Finance, School of Dentistry

Dennis Carlesso - Executive Director-Major Gifts, University Advancement

Don DiPaolo - Professor & Coordinator for the Leadership Minor Program, College of Liberal Arts & Education

Fr. Gilbert Sunghera, SJ - Associate Professor of Architecture

Kimberly Koelb - Associate Vice President for Finance & Controller

Megan Conrad - Associate Professor, ME, College of Engineering and Science, & d MFA Representative

Megan Novell - Title IX Coordinator & Equity Compliance

Pamela Zarkowski - Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

Rebecca G. Nowak - Director, Clinical Operations & Outreach, School of Law

Steve Corder - Assistant Athletic Director - NCAA Compliance

Tammy Batcheller - Associate Vice President, Facilities Management

Todd Hibbard - Professor of Religious Studies, College of Liberal Arts & Education

Tom Manceor - Vice President for Business & Administration (invited participant)

2020-2021 Strategic Planning and Budget, Facilities and Safety Team

Anthony Neely — Associate Professor, School of Dentistry

Arnold D'Ambrosio — Vice President, University Advancement

Dan Pitera — Dean, School of Architecture

Dave Vandelinder — Director, Facilities Operations & Construction Management, Construction Planning

Don DiPaolo — Professor & Coordinator for the Leadership Minor Program, College of Liberal Arts & Education

Gnanada Joshi — Professor of Biology, College of Engineering and Science, and MFA Representative

John Hitchings — Athletics Administration

Karen Lee Associate —Vice President for Academic Administration

Kimberly Koelb — Associate Vice President for Finance & Controller

Megan Novell — Head of Circulation, McNichols Library

Pamela Zarkowski — Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

Rebecca G. Nowak – Director, Clinical Operations & Outreach, School of Law

Robert Vowels — Athletic Director, Athletics Administration

2019-2020 Strategic Planning and Budget, Facilities and Safety Team

Amy Smith* — Associate Dean for Operations, Law School
Anthony Neely — Associate Professor, School of Dentistry
Arnold D'Ambrosio — Vice President, University Advancement
Dan Pitera — Dean, School of Architecture
Dave Vandelinder — Director, Facilities Operations & Construction Management, Construction Planning
Don DiPaolo — Professor & Coordinator for the Leadership Minor Program, College of Liberal Arts & Education
Gnanada Joshi — Professor of Biology, College of Engineering and Science, and MFA Representative
John Hitchings — Athletics Administration
Karen Lee Associate —Vice President for Academic Administration
Kimberly Koelb — Associate Vice President for Finance & Controller
Megan Novell — Head of Circulation, McNichols Library
Pamela Zarkowski — Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Robert Vowels — Athletic Director, Athletics Administration

Note: *Fall 2019 only

2018-2019 Strategic Planning and Budget, Facilities, and Safety Team

Amy Smith — Associate Dean for Operations, Law School
Anita Klueg — Director, University Ministry
Anthony Neely — Associate Professor, School of Dentistry
Arnold D'Ambrosio — Vice President, University Advancement
Barraka Baber — Systems Administration, Network
Dave Vandelinder — Director, Facilities Operations & Construction Management, Construction Planning
Debbie Stieffel — Vice President, Enrollment Management & Student Affairs
Don DiPaolo — Professor & Coordinator for the Leadership Minor Program, College of Liberal Arts & Education
Gregory Grabowski — Professor of Biology, College of Liberal Arts & Education, and MFA Representative
Kim Koelb Associate — Vice President for Finance & Controller
Pamela Zarkowski — Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Robert Vowels — Athletic Director, Athletics Administration
Will Wittig — Dean, School of Architecture

For questions about the strategic plan, please contact us at strategicplan@udmercy.edu.