Faculty, Staff and Administrators

Faculty/Staff Announcements from Campus Connection

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• January 20: Detroit Mercy Eye Institute offering $35 exams through March 31

  Tuesday January 20, 2026
  

  

  Now through March 31, the Detroit Mercy Eye Institute is offering complete eye exams for just $35.

  The institute is accepting new patients and offers comprehensive eye exams, contact lens exams and 40% of a complete pair of glasses, among other services and exams.

  Detroit Mercy staff, faculty, students and others can all take advantage of the opportunity through the end of March.

  The Detroit Mercy Eye Institute, located at 41555 W. 12 Mile Road in Novi, is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

  Learn more.

• January 20: Explore creative writing inclinations Jan. 22 with CWC

  Tuesday January 20, 2026
  

  

  Detroit Mercy students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends are invited to join UDM’s Creative Writing Collective (CWC) on Thursday, Jan. 22 from 5:15-6:30 p.m.

  Mel Converse and Ronan Mansilla will lead a conversation on “Going Cosmic: Poetry in Detail” for this first installment of the winter semester. The gathering will take place in Room 201 of the Briggs Building.

  No writing experience is necessary to join the CWC. You are welcome if you have an interest in exploring or developing your creative inclinations.

  Save the date for future Creative Writing Collective events this semester:

  • Wednesday, Feb. 11, 5:15-6:30 p.m., Room 201 of the Briggs Building, led by Amanda Hiber, senior lecturer in the Department of English
  • Tuesday, March 3, 5:15-6:30 p.m., Seibert Center for Innovation and Collaboration, Engineering Building first floor, led by Poet-in-Residence Stacy Gnall and Senior Adjunct Instructor Michael Lauchlan

  Please contact english@udmercy.edu with questions or to join the CWC mailing list. Keep up with the Detroit Mercy English Department on Instagram and Facebook @detroitmercyenglish.

• January 19: University Ministry to celebrate world interfaith harmony at panel discussion and dinner, Feb. 4

  Monday January 19, 2026
  

  

  University Ministry will celebrate world interfaith harmony at an interfaith panel and dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 6-8 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom on the McNichols Campus. All Titans are invited.

  Participants will share food together, hear personal stories from a panel of speakers of various religious perspectives on sustaining hope and enjoy a cultural drumming and singing group that includes one UDM graduate student.

  Free food for all in attendance includes halal, kosher, gluten-free and vegetarian options.

  It is a +1 spiritual opportunity for UDM students in leadership, and students can volunteer at the event as well to count toward service hours.

  For more information, please contact Director of University Ministry Anita Klueg at kluegag@udmercy.edu.

  RSVP here.

  

• January 19: Go Move Challenge returns Feb. 1

  Monday January 19, 2026
  

  

  The Go Move Challenge is back for 2026.

  This month-long fitness competition brings together faculty and staff across Jesuit universities nationwide to see which campus can log the most minutes of physical activity throughout the month of February. You can participate individually or as part of a team, and every minute counts.

  Throughout the month, we will be rolling out new fitness classes, mini challenges, weekly prizes and end-of-month awards for both individuals and teams. Stay tuned for further details.

  Register here.

  

• January 19: Industrial/Organizational Psychology to host chat with alumnus Arman Bonislawski, Jan. 22

  Monday January 19, 2026
  

  

  Detroit Mercy’s Industrial/Organizational Psychology M.A. Program will host an unscripted chat featuring alumni speaker Arman Bonislawski ’23 on Thursday, Jan. 22, from 5:30-6:45 p.m., in Room 234 of the Commerce & Finance Building.

  The conversation, titled Real Talk. Real Work Journeys. We Owe It to Each Other, is an opportunity for students to explore real-world career pathways in I/O Psychology through honest dialogue and professional insight.

  All are welcome to attend this free event.

  Bonislawski currently serves as people operations coordinator at Allstar Services, where he supports day-to-day people operations, including recruiting support, onboarding and offboarding, HR administration and employee relations. He works closely with leadership and operations teams to help with process improvement initiatives for the technical side of HR, talent, training, benefits and project management.

  Registration is encouraged.

  For more information, contact Program Director Kathleen Zimmerman-Oster at zimmerka@udmercy.edu or 586-873-1743.

  Register here.

• January 19: UDM to host presentation on ‘Justice, Violence and Social Determinants of Health,’ Jan. 29

  Monday January 19, 2026
  

  

  Detroit Mercy’s Women’s and Gender Studies Program will host a presentation and discussion by Julisa Abad titled “Justice, Violence and Social Determinants of Health.” The event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 29, from 4-5:30 p.m. in Room 124 of the Health Professions Facility, on the McNichols Campus. All are welcome to attend this free event.

  Abad is the LGBTQ community engagement liaison for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and an advocate for justice for transgender people.

  This event is co-hosted by the College of Health Professions and Office of Equal Opportunity.

  With any questions, please email Mary Liz Valesano at valesame@udmercy.edu.

• January 19: Sulman Hans named dean of School of Optometry

  Monday January 19, 2026
  

  Sulman Hans has been named the dean of the School of Optometry, effective Jan. 5.

  Hans is a founding leader of the School of Optometry and has played a pivotal role in the development and launch of both the academic program and the University of Detroit Mercy Eye Institute. Since joining the University, he has provided strategic leadership in curriculum design, clinical education, accreditation, and faculty development, helping to establish the School as a vital contributor to optometric education and eye care in the region. He has also served on the school’s leadership team and guided the program through its critical start-up and growth phases.

  Since arriving at Detroit Mercy, Hans has been instrumental in building a clinically integrated, mission-driven optometry program grounded in patient-centered care, academic excellence, and community engagement. Through his leadership, the school has developed strong clinical partnerships, expanded access to vision care for underserved populations, and created an innovative educational model that integrates didactic, clinical, and interprofessional learning.

  Hans holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Wayne State University, a Master of Science in Healthcare Management from the University of Michigan, and a Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry. He completed a residency in primary care optometry with an emphasis on ocular disease at The Eye Institute in Philadelphia.

  Prior to joining academia, Hans served as a staff optometrist and director of Clinical Services within the Henry Ford Health System, where he developed deep expertise in clinical operations, quality improvement, and healthcare administration. He remains actively engaged in professional leadership and service, including serving on the Michigan State Board of Optometry and working with organizations such as the Michigan Optometric Association, the Michigan Foundation for Vision Awareness, the Michigan Health Council, and community-based clinics serving Detroit’s underserved communities.