Faculty — H
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Hand, Jacqueline P.
Jacqueline P. Hand
Professor of Law, focuses on connecting her teaching and research interests in environmental, international and American Indian law. In 1996, she founded the American Indian Law Center at Detroit Mercy and continues to serve as the Center’s director. She is also active in numerous organizations in her field, including the Academy of the IUCN (World Conservation Union) and the Environmental and Indian Law sections of the State Bar of Michigan. She previously served as chair of the Environmental, Property and Agricultural Law sections of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS). In addition, she serves as the secretary and member of the board of directors of the Ecology Center Ann Arbor and as co-chair of the Southeast Michigan Fulbright Association. She joined the University in 1980.
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Harris, Karen D.
Karen D. Harris
Assistant Professor, Director McAuley School of Nursing Pre-Licensure Programs, teaches in the undergraduate Nursing program. She earned her R.N. from Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing, and B.S.N. and M.S.N. from University of Detroit Mercy. She is a certified adult clinical nurse specialist. Her areas of interest are care of vulnerable populations, end of life care, and engaging education of students.
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Harris, Troy L.
Troy Harris
Associate Professor of Law, teaches international commercial arbitration, sales, contracts, construction law, and alternative dispute resolution. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and serves on the International, Commercial, and Construction Panels of Arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association, on the Approved Faculty List for the Chartered Institute, and on the roster of the United States Department of State’s Fulbright Specialist Program, in the area of international arbitration. Harris earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, and a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in London. He joined the University in 2010.
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Harrison, Mary-Catherine
Mary-Catherine Harrison
Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of English. Harrison’s research and teaching interests include 19-century British literature, narrative ethics and the psychology of reading. She is founder and director of Rx for Reading Detroit, a non-profit literacy initiative that works to expand access to books for low-income children and families in the Detroit area (https://rxreading.org). Harrison is the past-president of the Midwest Victorian Studies Association. Previously, she directed Detroit Mercy’s Academic Exploration Program and was co-director of the University Honors Program. In addition, she founded 1stGen Network, a campus organization that builds support and community for first-generation college students at Detroit Mercy. Harrison received the University's Agere ex Missione Award in 2012 and the Faculty Achievement Award in 2013; she received the 2016 Bookwoman Award from the Detroit Chapter of the Women’s National Book Association. She earned a doctorate in English Language and Literature from University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University. She has been on the faculty of University of Detroit Mercy since 2008. Find out more at her website: https://mchharrison.wordpress.com.
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Heidgerken, Tadd
Tadd Heidgerken
Assistant Professor of Architecture, is the coordinator of the second-year foundational design studio and teaches advanced graphic design and computer graphics as well as the graduate level professions of architecture course. He is one of the faculty advisers for the Dichotomy Architectural Journal. Heidgerken creates environments that bring people closer together. He integrates techniques from a broad range of media to create experiences of intimacy and comfort. Heidgerken earned his Bachelor of Architecture from University of Detroit Mercy and a Master of Architecture from the Cranbrook Academy of Art. A registered architect, Heidgerken is a principal and founder of Et al. Collaborative, a Detroit-Brooklyn based architecture firm. He also serves as a visiting critic at universities throughout Detroit, the United States, and internationally. In addition, he sits on the board of several Detroit-area cultural non-profit organizations. Heidgerken joined the University in 2015.
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Hendry S.J., Simon J.
Simon Hendry, S.J.
Director, Catholic Studies Program. His research interests include spirituality and social justice. He joined the University in 2007. He as previously served as Superior of the Jesuit Residence at Detroit Mercy.
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Henning, Karen M.
Karen McDonald Henning
Associate Professor of Law, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she served as an executive editor of the Law Review and was a member of the Order of the Coif. Henning teaches applied legal theory and analysis, advanced advocacy, federal jurisdiction and a judicial clerkship seminar. She coordinates the Writing for Publication Program at the law school, as well as coaching national Moot Court teams. She joined the University in 2007.
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Henze, Erin
Erin Henze
Associate Professor of Psychology, is a licensed psychologist as well as a State of Michigan and nationally certified school psychologist. She teaches courses in assessment and intervention for school psychologists, role and function of the school psychologist, systems-level consultation, developmental psychopathology in the school-aged child and introductory psychology. She also supervises the first-year practicum in School Psychology. Henze holds a Bachelor of Science from Western Michigan University and a doctorate from the University of Tennessee. Henze has worked in school and clinical settings with children and families. She practiced as a school psychologist in the Metro Detroit area before coming to University of Detroit Mercy in fall 2011. Her areas of interest and research include the development and validation of academic interventions for students with disabilities, school-based functioning of students with autism spectrum disorders and supervision and training issues in school psychology.
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Hibbard, Todd
Todd Hibbard
Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies, teaches courses in the area of biblical studies, including both Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament. In addition, his courses regularly examine religious texts and practices from the ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman worlds. His courses are also interested in interpretive questions raised by the reader's social location. He serves on a national steering committee for the Society of Biblical Literature and frequently teaches the Bible in local congregations. He has also served as a co-director of the University Honors Program. Prior to joining Detroit Mercy in 2011, he taught at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the University of Notre Dame. Hibbard's research focuses on the formation of the prophetic literature of the Hebrew Bible and its role in the development of early Second Temple Judaism; early biblical interpretation, especially in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint; and the narrative literature of the Pentateuch. Hibbard's research focuses on the formation of the prophetic literature of the Hebrew Bible and its role in the development of early Second Temple Judaism; early biblical interpretation, especially in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint; and the narrative literature of the Pentateuch. In 2006, he published "Intertextuality in Isaiah 24-27" (Mohr Siebeck), an examination of the latter stages of the formation of the book of Isaiah. He co-edited "Formation and Intertextuality in Isaiah 24-27" published in 2013 and "The Book of Isaiah: Enduring Questions Answered Anew" published in 2014. Previously, he served as co-chair of the University Honors Program. Hibbard joined the University in 2011 and became chair of the Department of Religious Studies in January 2019. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Lee University, Tennessee, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, Reformed Theological Seminary, Florida, and Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from the University of Notre Name. In addition, he holds a doctorate in Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity from the University of Notre Dame.
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Hiber, Amanda J.
Amanda J. Hiber
Senior Lecturer in English, received a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and History from Beloit College in 1996 and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Non-Fiction Writing from the University of Arizona in 2000. Her work has appeared in Clackamas Literary Review, In These Times magazine, Narrative Northeast and other publications. She has taught at Detroit Mercy since 2001.
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Hightower, Renady
Renady Hightower
Associate Professor, Health Services Administration, joined University of Detroit Mercy community in August 2014 as administrative chair for the Health Services Administration Program. She received her faculty appointment as associate professor January 1, 2016. Hightower served as the program chair August 4, 2014 thru May 15, 2018. During that period, Hightower oversaw both the undergraduate and graduate Health Services Administration programs; and the dual MHSA/ MBA programs held at the McNichols and University Center Macomb campuses. Hightower teaches both undergraduate and some graduate courses and supports interdisciplinary learning in the Health Services Administration Program.
In 2016, Hightower became a Fulbright-Hays Fellow when she was selected, along with several other Detroit Mercy professors, to participate in University of Detroit Mercy Fulbright-Hays Group Project Study Abroad to Brazil. The focus of the Detroit Mercy Fulbright-Hays GPA was the study of African Diaspora in Northern Brazil. The inter-collaborative cultural and scholar experience culminated in a project focused on the relationship between race, environment, and health outcomes in Northern Brazil. Hightower’s final Detroit Mercy Fulbright-Hays project was entitled “Race Does Matter in Community Health: Intersecting Cultural Anthropology and Community Health”.
In winter 2017, Hightower did a Directed Study with a MHSA student through collaboration with the University of Detroit Mercy MCD and the Cuba Study Abroad programs. The focus of the graduate directed study was on understanding quality in the Cuban healthcare system. One of the most important outcome(s) from that unique experience was the creation of a Health Care Day in University of Detroit Mercy Cuba Study Abroad program.
In 2018, Hightower was privileged to be selected to participate in Detroit Mercy's second award of the Fulbright-Hays GPA to Brazil. In this role, Hightower was not only a Fulbright-Hays fellow, but was also asked to take on the role of curriculum coordinator for this Detroit Mercy Fulbright-Hays experience as well. During this 2018 Detroit Mercy Fulbright-Hays GPA experience, Hightower chose to focus on the following topics: 1) Healthcare in Traditional Communities and Territories; and 2) the Evolution of the Concept Quilombolo.
Hightower’s research interest is in the study of health disparities, environmental racism, social justice and equity in medicine; and race and its effect on healthcare for African Americans and people of color. Hightower holds the following degrees: Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology along with a Master of Public Administration from Wayne State University; Master's Health Services Administration and Master's Business Administration from University of Detroit Mercy. Hightower earned her Bachelor's of Science from University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.
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Hill, Elizabeth
Elizabeth Hill
Professor of Psychology and Chair, Institutional Review Board, teaches courses in research methods, statistics, biopsychology and gender differences. She received her doctorate in experimental psychology from Tulane University. Her primary areas of research interest and activity focus on evolutionary and comparative psychology. She has investigated the interaction between biological and environmental factors in risk-taking behavior. In this research, she used evolutionary theory related to parental investment and life history strategies to conceptualize environmental factors, especially the impact of an unpredictable family environment. The areas of impulsivity, risky drinking and risk taking have been of most interest. She joined the University of Detroit Mercy faculty in 1997. Hill also serves as the chair of the Detroit Mercy Institutional Review Board (IRB).
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Hill, Richard
Richard Hill, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Assistant Dean for Research and External Initiatives, teaches courses in controls, dynamics, and instrumentation. His research interests are in discrete-event system modeling and control, nonlinear control, and vehicle and manufacturing applications. Hill holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.S. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California. Prior to joining the Detroit Mercy faculty, Hill worked at Lockheed Martin Corporation on satellite attitude reference and control and was a high school math and science teacher. He joined the University in 2008.
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Hill-Vasquez, Heather L.
Heather L. Hill-Vasquez
Professor of English. Heather Hill-Vasquez received a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Holyoke College and a Master of Arts and doctorate from University of Washington in Seattle. Her research focuses on issues of performance, spirituality and gender in medieval texts and her early literature courses consistently explore these topics. Her recent publications include an article on The Hunger Games and To Kill a Mockingbird; a critical edition of a medieval Nativity play; work on Chaucer’s Wife of Bath; on phenomenology and pain; and on women, leadership, and Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In. She is currently working on a book manuscript focused on the image of the spinning woman in the Middle Ages. Her book, Sacred Players: The Politics of Response in the Middle English Religious Drama, was published by the Catholic University of America Press. Hill-Vasquez served as associate dean for Academic Affairs for the College of Liberal Arts & Education for three years and returned to the faculty full-time in fall 2013. She previously directed the Women's & Gender Studies program and received University of Detroit Mercy's Faculty Achievement Award in 2007. She joined the University in 2003.
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Hillebrand, Gary P.
Gary P. Hillebrand
Lecturer in Physics, teaches general physics courses and laboratories for engineering, life science & architecture students. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and an M.B.A. from the University of Detroit. He joined the University in 2008 after almost 30 years of engineering and management experience in the automotive industry.
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Hoback, Alan S.
Alan S. Hoback
Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, teaches a range of design courses related to civil and architectural engineering. Hoback’s publications have dealt with structures, foundations, transportation, economics, pedestrians, and computer aided design. Hoback holds a B.A. degree from Hastings College and B.S., M.S., and Sc.D. degrees from Washington University. He joined the University in 1994.
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Hollier, Saran T.
Saran T. Hollier
Associate Professor, Director McAuley School of Nursing Graduate Programs, teaches in the undergraduate Nursing program. She earned her B.S.N. from the University of Michigan, M.S.N. from Madonna University, and her Ph.D. from Wayne State University.
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Howard, Terry L.
Terry L. Howard
Lecturer of Decision and Information Sciences, teaches information systems and technology, decision sciences, operations management, and e-business. Howard’s publications and professional presentations deal with managerial and technical aspects of the decision sciences and information systems fields. He has engaged in numerous professional activities in small business, workforce development, and strategic management, including lectures nationally and internationally. Howard has been recognized with various professional and civic awards. He is extensively involved in education and community organizations. He serves in Alpha Iota Delta, the international honor society in decision sciences, and is a member of the board of directors. He is actively involved with the International Association of Jesuit Business Schools (IAJBS). Howard holds a B.S. from University of Detroit Mercy and M.B.A., M.S.C.I.S., and M.S.I.A. degrees from University of Detroit Mercy.
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Hu, Hsiao-Lan
Hsiao-Lan Hu
Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Women's and Gender Studies, taught at Temple University before joining the University in 2008. She teaches broadly in Asian religions and women and gender issues in religions, and quite a few of the courses she designed after joining Detroit Mercy have won awards and grants. Her research on Buddhist social ethics under globalization won the Mellon Funds for Humanistic Studies from the College of Liberal Arts & Education at Detroit Mercy in 2009. In 2012, she received the Feminist Scholarship Grants from Women's and Gender Studies Program at University of Detroit Mercy for her research on "Identity and Unhappiness". Hu has published a monograph This-Worldly Nibbāna: A Buddhist-Feminist Social Ethics for Peacemaking in the Global Community and many book chapters.
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Huang, Nan-Chieh
Nan-Chieh Huang
Clinical Associate Professor
teaches clinical fixed and removable prosthodontics and implant prosthodontics in Detroit Mercy Dental Center. He is recently the course director of preclinical removable partial denture to sophomores and several guest lecturers into preclinical removable prosthodontics and implant restorations to juniors. Prof. Huang published several articles, book chapter into dental materials and prosthodontics field. Prof. Huang earned his D.D.S. and M.D.Sc degrees in Prosthodontics at Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan. He also received a certificate and M.S.D degrees in Prosthodontics at Indiana University. He joined the university since 2016.
huangna@udmercy.edu
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Huprich, Steven
Steven Huprich
teaches clinical fixed and removable prosthodontics and implant prosthodontics in Detroit Mercy Dental Center. He is recently the course director of preclinical removable partial denture to sophomores and several guest lecturers into preclinical removable prosthodontics and implant restorations to juniors. Prof. Huang published several articles, book chapter into dental materials and prosthodontics field. Prof. Huang earned his D.D.S. and M.D.Sc degrees in Prosthodontics at Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan. He also received a certificate and M.S.D degrees in Prosthodontics at Indiana University. He joined the university since 2016. Steven Huprich, Ph.D., is also the editor of the Journal of Personality Assessment and president of the International Society for the Study of Personality Disorders. Huprich currently holds an appointment as an adjunct professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He is the winner of the 2013 Theodore Millon Award, given by the American Psychological Association and American Psychological Foundation for mid-career excellence in personality research and scholarship and is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and Society for Personality Assessment. He joined the University in 2016.
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Hurt, Petra D.
Petra D. Hurt
Assistant Director and Affiliate Clinical Coordinator, Nurse Anesthesia, is senior assistant director and backup to the director. She is responsible for admissions, the first year clinical curriculum, the Basic Principles of Anesthesia course, the student schedule, and rotation schedule. She serves her profession as a team reviewer for the Council on Accreditation.
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Hsu, Yung-Ting
Yung-Ting Hsu
Clinical Assistant Professor, teaches Periodontics courses at the pre-doctoral and post-doctoral levels, in addition to graduate level didactic courses focusing on textbook reading, classic literature review, and case review. Prof. Hsu published more than 30 articles, book chapters, and abstracts. Her research interests focuses on periodontal regeneration, treatment and prevention of peri-implant diseases, and interdisciplinary therapy. She was awarded several teaching and research awards, such as AAPF Nevins Teaching and Clinical Research Fellowship (2018), Osteology Education Grant from Osteology Foundation (2018), and AAPF fellowship to the Institute for Teaching and Learning in the Health Professions (2016). Prof. Hsu received her D.D.S. and D.M.Sc degrees in Periodontics from Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan. She also holds a Certificate and M.S. degree in Periodontics from the University of Michigan. She joined the university since 2016.