Current Students

Are you a Detroit Mercy student looking for a rewarding and enriching way to spend part of your summer? The Charlton Center for Responsible Investing is seeking motivated student volunteers to assist with its upcoming Beginners’ Investment Summer Camp 101, a dynamic educational experience for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors from the metro Detroit area.

• Dates: June 23-27
• Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily
• Location: Commerce & Finance Building

This week-long camp is designed to introduce local high school students to the fundamentals of investing, and your support can make a meaningful difference in their learning experience. As a student volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to take on a variety of assigned roles and also have access to guest investment professionals.

• Flexible time slots to fit your schedule
• Hourly stipend provided
• Complimentary breakfast snacks and lunch
• A chance to build leadership experience and boost your résumé

Spots are limited, so interested students are encouraged to sign up soon.

To get involved or learn more, please contact Director of the Charlton Center Dawna Edwards-Rodgers at edwarddj1@udmercy.edu or 313-993-3259.

Take part in shaping the next generation of investors while gaining valuable experience this summer!

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) walk in Michigan is set for Saturday, Sept. 20 on the McNichols Campus. All are welcome to join!

No matter how you want to get involved, NAMI needs you!

Get involved and make a difference in the lives of Americans living with mental health concerns. If you shake a hand, give a fist bump or cheer with your team, this year’s NAMI Walk is one of the most powerful days of the year, and you can make a real difference.

Please save the date and consider signing up for the walk or donating to mental health programs. Further details will be provided soon!

For more information, please contact the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@udmercy.edu.

Titans, we need YOU! The Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) deliveries take place all summer long, and volunteers are needed to help deliver fresh produce to our neighbors!

Please consider lending a hand with your muscles and cheerful personalities while bringing some smiles to the Detroit Mercy neighboring communities!

Tap on the links below to sign up for bi-weekly Friday and Wednesday deliveries. Your participation is greatly appreciated!

For questions please email Chelsea Manning at mannincp@udmercy.edu.

The University held four Commencement ceremonies over two days, May 9-10, inside of Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus, with more than 1,100 Titan graduates participating in receiving their diplomas. Featured speakers at the ceremonies included the former Detroit Police Chief James E. White, U.S. Senator Gary Peters ’84, and three-time School of Dentistry graduate Cheri Newman ’89, ’90, ’98.

Overall, 1,400 Titans graduated following the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic year. Here’s the full breakdown of graduates:

• 1,022 total degrees awarded on the McNichols Campus (583 undergraduate, 439 graduate)
• 796 total Titans participating during Saturday’s McNichols Campus ceremonies
• 475 graduates walking during the undergraduate ceremony in Calihan Hall
• 321 Titans participating in graduate ceremony (44 doctoral candidates)
• 190 graduates from the Detroit Mercy’s School of Law
• 187 graduates from the School of Dentistry

Stay tuned for full coverage following Commencement, including live stream replays, photo galleries, profiles, social media content, and more.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025, you did it!

Each year, University of Detroit Mercy’s Marketing & Communications department profiles members of the graduating classes. Students chosen were nominated by staff and faculty for their contributions to the life of the University. Click here for more information about 2025 commencement exercises. 

Growing up outside of Detroit, Courtney Christian’s early life was steeped in a family tradition of medicine.

Her mother, as well her mother’s side of the family, work in the field of medicine. Naturally, Christian thought to follow suit and explore health care, and so she began her academic career at University of Detroit Mercy in the Nursing program.

UDM won Christian over with its intimate learning environment and dedicated faculty.

“I liked the idea of a smaller campus that is more close-knit,” she said. “That direct, one-on-one connection with the teachers that you get here, they care not only about you in the classroom, but outside of the classroom and in your career. They want to help you make those connections.”

Christian spent two years in the Nursing program before realizing her path lay not necessarily by a patient’s bedside, but more-so behind the scenes in shaping how care is delivered.

“I still wanted to be in health care,” she said. “But I want to be on the other side.”

The switch to Health Services Administration, which added only a year to her studies, made more sense in terms of fit. Many courses she already took carried over.

On Saturday, Christian will graduate from UDM’s College of Health Professions with her degree in Health Services Administration.

As a junior, Christian teamed up with other students for an artificial intelligence-based project called Detroit Urban Health AI Challenge, which the University hosted in partnership with Amazon Web Services.

This pitted her against other students and community stakeholders over a 48‑hour sprint challenge. Christian and her team’s idea — a smart, interactive tool and study aid built for Nursing students “to help bridge the gap between learning online versus actual, in‑person connection” — was a winning one.

Beyond recognition, Christian received a $500 Amazon gift card, access to UDM-AWS innovation programs, and a $4,000 TechTown Detroit MVP program that allowed her team to develop a functional app and prototype. The team’s proposal, which uses predictive modeling and targeted prompts, helped address low engagement at the Salvation Army’s downtown rehabilitation center.

“I didn’t think we were going to win, but we did and it was awesome,” she said.

Christian is also a leader at heart and she made sure to take advantage of that by pursuing a minor in Leadership Studies. This culminated in a capstone project that connected her with elementary students, something she was familiar with by working multiple years in pediatric behavioral therapy. This experience tested her ability to apply administrative skills in real‑world settings and deepened her commitment to community health.

Outside school, Christian balances work and personal interests.

She cherishes being around family, often spending time with her younger siblings, who are 20 and 17. Christian also enjoys exploring downtown Detroit.

“I like to read, so I like to go downtown because it has so many interesting spots,” she said.

Christian is not pursuing a typical career path in health care. She envisions a career in policy to leverage her health care background to inform systemic change.

“I honestly would like to work in this area to create policies and regulations that make it easier for people,” she said.

Among the issues that fuel her passion, Christian points to maternal health disparities.

“I find Black women’s mortality rate very interesting,” she said. “It’s interesting that a Black woman can go and have a baby, and their chances of surviving are way lower than people of other races.”

As her college career draws to a close, Christian hopes those who follow her will make the most of their UDM experience.

“Take advantage of anything and everything that you can here,” she said. “Your time at college goes by so quick.”

Graduation brings excitement mingled with uncertainty. Christian will soon begin a rotational program with DirectRX, learning every aspect of pharmacy administration and discovering where she fits best as she enters her professional career.

But Christian enters the next chapter of her life as she entered her first class: with curiosity, purpose, an eagerness to learn and time to find her footing.

— By Hisham Almadani. Follow Detroit Mercy on Facebook, LinkedIn, X and Instagram. Have a story idea? Let us know by submitting your idea.

University Ministry is excited to launch a blog highlighting stories from student experiences of service immersion with UDM.

Titled “Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly,” after the biblical passage Micah 6:8, this blog serves as a record of students’ experiences, a way of sharing their thoughts with the larger UDM community and a place for students to learn from one another as people seeking justice.

Service immersions are key experiences of a transformative Mercy and Jesuit education, rooted in service and social justice. These experiences include serving in shelters, soup kitchens, after school projects, urban farms and many other important community-based projects. They integrate cultural learning, relationship building, presentations from local community leaders, prayer and reflection. They offer a life-long path for our students to become “men and women with and for others,” and we believe that these experiences form student leaders who have critical minds and compassionate hearts.

The first blog post comes from senior Tevon Conrad, reflecting on his spring break trip to Montgomery, Ala.—a historic hub for both slavery and the Civil Rights Movement.

Do you need a tutor or a place to study this summer? Come visit the Student Success Center (SSC), located on the third floor of the McNichols Campus Library!

The SSC is open for students and faculty during the summer terms, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tutoring appointments can be made on TutorTrac by logging into your MyPortal account.

If you cannot find a tutor for your summer course, email or call the SSC at ssc@udmercy.edu or 313-993-1143.

Other services, including the Testing Center, College Life Coaching and Academic Advising, are also available.

For a full list of services, please visit the SSC website.

Come on out to Jimmy John’s Field this summer for a fun-filled day of America’s favorite pastime—baseball!

As a marketing partner with the United Shore Professional Baseball League, UDM faculty, staff and students can receive a $5 discount off game day tickets this entire baseball season! When purchasing tickets online, be sure to use this promo code: PARTNER25.

Come cheer on the future stars of Major League Baseball!

Each year, University of Detroit Mercy’s Marketing & Communications department profiles members of the graduating classes. Students chosen were nominated by staff and faculty for their contributions to the life of the University. Click here for more information about 2025 commencement exercises. 

Cristal Guzman’s passion for advocacy and care for others started long before she stepped foot on University of Detroit Mercy’s McNichols Campus. 

It goes back to her childhood as a Mexican American in Hamilton, Mich., a rural community on the western side of the state. 

“I saw how not only immigration policy impacted my family, but how they were treated differently by society,” Guzman said. “I remember hearing insults and derogatory terms being thrown around at a young age and being so confused.” 

Those moments sparked Guzman’s interest in making a difference through advocacy and the law. They also inspired her to create a welcoming community at Detroit Mercy, where she’s served as a campus leader for the last three years. 

On Saturday, Guzman, a first-generation college student, will graduate one year early as the valedictorian of UDM’s Class of 2025. 

It’s an unexpected conclusion to Guzman’s undergraduate career — that’s because she never planned on applying to be valedictorian. 

“I ended up submitting my application the last day it was due,” said Guzman, a Political Science major. “Being a first-gen student, part of that journey is combatting a lot of imposter syndrome and feeling like it’s not a space that’s meant for you.” 

Finding community 

Guzman was first exposed to Detroit Mercy as a middle schooler, when her brother attended an event hosted by the Engineering program. 

When it came time to make her college decision, a “full-circle moment” brought her back to UDM. 

“It was kind of out of the blue,” Guzman said. “I was initially planning on committing to University of Michigan, and then something inside me just said, ‘I think this is where I’m supposed to be.’ 

“Having that smaller school creates a closer-knit community, and that was something that I really valued and still really value. I would not have gotten as many opportunities and support anywhere else.” 

Guzman wasted little time forging that sense of community at UDM. 

As a freshman, she founded the Latinx Student Union and got involved with Titan Dreamers, an immigration advocacy group that is part of University Ministry’s social justice programming. 

With Titan Dreamers, Guzman was able to experience the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, one of the largest annual student social justice conferences that brings together Jesuit institutions from across the United States. 

Participating was meaningful for Guzman given her background, but it also provided her with an impactful teaching moment. 

“That involvement made me realize the importance of not only doing advocacy work but also taking the time to educate our fellow classmates and peers,” Guzman said. “We have to have patience and not expect everyone to come in with the same knowledge base, because everyone’s lived experiences are different.” 

Guzman later served as vice president of the Student Government Association as a sophomore. She also worked as a resident advisor and was part of the Feminist Coalition and Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. 

“To be able to have the sense of community meant a lot, because a lot of what I’ve done here has to do with my roots and my own lived experience,” Guzman said. 

It also helped Guzman with transitioning to college. 

First-generation college students can face several challenges and barriers during their educational experience. According to First Gen Forward, first-generation college students graduate with a bachelor’s degree at a rate of 24% versus 59% for continuing-generation students. 

While Guzman faced her share of challenges, what helped was knowing she wasn’t alone. 

“There’s a lot of other first-generation students on this campus, which I really love, because it’s such a good reminder that it’s OK,” she said. “We’re all facing imposter syndrome. We are all going through it; we’re not by ourselves.” 

Academically, Guzman — who minored in Women’s and Gender Studies and Philosophy — worked toward her goal of attending law school to become a policy writer. 

Detroit Mercy’s Pre-Law Program helped prepare her to achieve those next steps. 

She participated in moot court, law class simulations and legal research and writing courses. These hands-on experiences helped her gain internships with the Allegan County Public Defender’s Office and Friend of the Court after her freshman year. 

“Instead of being on the forefront of politics, I want to do more behind the scenes work,” she said. “I would love to be a policy expert that representatives come to.” 

Taking up space 

A lot of good has come of Guzman’s first-generation journey. 

She said it has helped her grow as a person and proves that she is worthy of opportunities. 

“Being able to prove to myself that I do belong in higher education and these spaces that I never thought I did before, it’s very validating,” she said. 

Guzman got a reminder of that earlier this year. 

Megan Novell, executive director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and her Honors thesis advisor, encouraged Guzman to apply as class Valedictorian. 

It was another opportunity to conquer imposter syndrome. 

“I feel like I’m always preaching to others to go for it and that was a moment where I had to prove to myself that you need to do it, too,” Guzman said. “You need to believe in yourself, even if you feel like you’re not good enough or not deserving. 

“If I’m going to preach these things, I also need to live them out. Don’t let your imposter syndrome stop you from reaching for opportunities. You belong in these spaces and are supposed to be here.” 

Guzman’s “incredible heart” has stood out to Novell. 

“She thinks and cares deeply about justice, about being a good person and doing the right thing, and she lives it in her academic life, in her work and in her relationships with others,” Novell said of Guzman. “Advising her on her Honors thesis was the best part of my year.  Cristal has so many gifts, and we have been very fortunate that she has shared them with us.” 

Guzman’s childhood experiences fueled a desire to make a difference in the world. They’ve also helped her create a welcoming community at UDM. 

As she prepares to walk across the stage in Calihan Hall and deliver her valedictorian speech, Guzman is grateful for what her journey has brought her. 

“Leaning back on that community and allowing others to be there for support has taught me a lot,” Guzman said. “And in creating the community, that brought me a lot of joy, because where I grew up, it wasn’t so accepting.  

“Being able to be the person that I needed when I was younger was very healing for me.” 

— By Ricky Lindsay. Follow Detroit Mercy on Facebook, LinkedIn, X and Instagram. Have a story idea? Let us know by submitting your idea.

Congratulations, Class of 2025!

The University of Detroit Mercy will confer nearly 1,400 degrees following the 2024-25 academic year, with approximately 1,150 Titans participating in Commencement ceremonies May 9-10 inside of Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus.

Of note, construction on Livernois Avenue is expected to continue through the weekend, which could cause delays in traffic. Detroit Mercy’s Public Safety is opening a third gate on Fairfield Street, near Florence Street, in addition to the Livernois and McNichols entrances.

All coming to the McNichols Campus over the weekend should utilize any entrance/exit that is available and should prepare to arrive early for the ceremonies. A live stream will be broadcast for all Commencement ceremonies, beginning with Friday’s 9:30 a.m. School of Dentistry ceremony.

• 9:30 a.m. — School of Dentistry Ceremony
• 2 p.m. — School of Law Ceremony

• 9:30 a.m. — Undergraduate Ceremony
• 1 p.m. — Baccalaureate Mass (Student Union Ballroom)
• 3 p.m. — Graduate Ceremony

Full information on Commencement, including maps, programs, live streaming, speakers, FAQ, etc., can be found at udmercy.edu/commencement.

Congratulations, Titans!