Faculty, Staff and Administrators

Faculty/Staff Announcements from Campus Connection

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• May 15: Detroit Mercy students needed for summer investment camp

  Thursday May 15, 2025
  

  

  

  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.

  Camp Details:

  • 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.

  Why Volunteer?

  • 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!

• May 15: Class of ’25: Dental Hygiene grad overcomes health scare, now hopes to help others

  Thursday May 15, 2025
  

  

  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.

  Jeanette Andrade ’25 wants to help people.

  It’s what she envisions doing with her Dental Hygiene degree from Detroit Mercy’s School of Dentistry.

  “I hope to be improving people’s lives every day, just because oral health is such a big factor in how people live,” Andrade said. “I hope to be improving their smiles and oral health.”

  But before helping others and finishing her degree, Andrade needed to pause her Dental Hygiene studies so she could take care of herself.

  Andrade was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the summer of 2023, following the completion of her first year of her program.At the suggestion of her oncologist, she halted her studies to focus on fighting the cancer.

  Andrade’s treatment included 12 rounds of chemotherapy.

  “I was terrified because I thought that I would forget everything,” she said. “I got so used to doing it for a year and then not being able to do anything, I was definitely missing it.

  “But in reality, I was working towards a health goal.”

  Many people were there for Andrade during the health scare, especially her parents, with her dad driving her to chemo appointments and her mom taking care of her at home.

  “They were there with me throughout everything, I am so appreciative of their help,” Andrade reflected.

  She also heard often from the Detroit Mercy Dental family.

  “I received so many messages saying they wished me the best, hoping for my speedy recovery,” she said. “Some of the faculty emailed me saying they couldn’t wait to see me back again.

  “Many said they were praying for me, and I appreciated that so much. Their prayers worked.”

  In May 2024, Andrade was told her cancer was in remission.

  She returned for her final year of Dental Hygiene school, joining the Class of 2025. Andrade quickly picked up her academics where she left off.

  “Everyone was really welcoming, they came up to me the first day and asked me if I needed anything,” she said.

  “The faculty were so, so helpful. They kept saying that it’s really like riding a bike for you. It’s muscle memory, and I was like, ‘I know, I’m surprised, too.’”

  Her graduation from the Dental Hygiene program marks the culmination of studies across two campuses at Detroit Mercy. She enrolled at the University as an undergraduate after a field trip to the University during her senior year of high school, which included a trip to the School of Dentistry.

  “I remember when I was on my tour in high school, I really liked the faculty when I met them,” Andrade said. “They were really kind and spoke highly of the school and the Hygiene program. They showed us around, it seemed very easy to find my way to everything, I loved the library. 

  “It fit like a glove for me.”

  During her undergraduate studies at UDM, Andrade worked as a receptionist in a dental office, which served as a good introduction to the profession, and helped solidify her career decision.

  “I remember getting to see a lot of the procedures that were being done, and I really enjoyed it,” she said.

  When it was time for Andrade to see her own patients during her second year of Dental Hygiene school, it was a transition, but through practice and her education, she fell in love with it.

  “It’s a tough transition at the beginning, you’re scared to use these small instruments in someone’s mouth, but eventually you get really comfortable, and you build a great patient base,” she said. “It started to feel like second nature.”

  It’s part of what makes the Dental Hygiene program outstanding, Andrade said.

  “I feel so incredibly prepared,” she said. “The program is rigorous, and they teach you so much. And they expect you to know so much because they want you to be good clinicians and good hygienists in the field.

  “I’ve learned more information in the past two years than I’ve learned in my whole life, and it’s valuable information that will help me in the long run.”

  She had the backing of the Detroit Mercy Dental family throughout her journey. One of the biggest supporters was Sally Ammar, the clinical director of the Dental Hygiene program.

  “She’s definitely been one of the ones that has helped me through everything,” Andrade said. “She was so excited to see me finally finish this era of my life. She was such a great help.”

  Now, Andrade looks towards a future, one where she can help others.

  “I thank God every day that I’m able to see a patient and that I’m able to change somebody’s life,” Andrade said.

  — By Adam Bouton. Follow Detroit Mercy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Have a story idea? Let us know by submitting your idea.

• May 15: UDM summer reading program returns for 2025

  Thursday May 15, 2025
  

  

  The Institute of Reading Development‘s Summer Reading Program is back for summer 2025.

  Since 1996, Detroit Mercy has partnered with the Institute of Reading Development, a nationwide leader in reading instruction, to help students in every grade–from pre-K through high school–build the reading skills they need to succeed.

  Did you know students can lose two to three months of reading progress over summer break? These summer reading programs turn potential setbacks into real gains and send students back to school confident and ready to excel!

  Unlock your child’s potential with fun programs that have already helped over 3 million students gain confidence and skills.

  Enrollment is now open! Limited spots are available. UDM employees receive a $99 DISCOUNT for enrolling their children.

  Secure your child’s spot here!

   

• May 15: Save the date: NAMI Walk Michigan set for Sept. 20 on McNichols Campus

  Thursday May 15, 2025
  

  

  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.

• May 14: Volunteers need for TENN summer deliveries

  Wednesday May 14, 2025
  

  

  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.

  Sign up for Friday Deliveries! Sign up for Wednesday deliveries!

  

• May 14: Input needed on future development of Livernois & McNichols corridors

  Wednesday May 14, 2025
  

  

  Live6 needs your input via a 10-minute online survey about the Livernois and McNichols corridors.

  Please take some time to complete this survey. The results will inform planning for future development, improvements and retail interventions in our district.

  Your perspective will help build our community’s five-year retail and market strategy in partnership with Main Street America.

  We appreciate your input as longtime stakeholders and supporters of the growth of the commercial corridors and the businesses that anchor Livernois and West McNichols.

  Start survey here!

• May 14: DMTC receives national recognition from Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

  Wednesday May 14, 2025
  

  

  Detroit Mercy Theatre Company (DMTC) received national recognition from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) for its production of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)[revised][again].”

  The awards are as follows:

  • The Company: Distinguished Achievement in Audience Interaction
  • Josiah Martelle and Li Udell: Distinguished Achievement in Backstage Run Crew
  • Alan Batkiewicz: Distinguished Achievement in Properties Design
  • Mason Modzelewski, Gavin Rapuzzi and Jordan Collyer: Distinguished Achievement in Performance Ensemble

  The KCACTF is a national theater program that engages 18,000 students each year, recognizing and celebrating outstanding and diverse work from college and university theater productions across the country. It provides opportunities for students to connect and develop their dramatic skills and seeks to improve the quality of college and university theater in the United States.