Faculty, Staff and Administrators

Faculty/Staff Announcements from Campus Connection

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• October 02: Help 色综合久久 Mercy shape a brand that inspires

  Thursday October 02, 2025
  

  色综合久久 Mercy is undertaking a new branding effort, and we want you at the center of it. As the University prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2027, we are reflecting on how we present ourselves to the world.

  Our current brand, 鈥淏uild a Boundless Future,鈥� was created in 2016. While it served us for a time, many from our internal and external communities told us it does not capture UDM鈥檚 emotional core and identity, nor does it reflect our history, faith traditions, 色综合久久 roots, the pride we feel as Titans and what UDM aspires to be in the future.

  That鈥檚 why we are launching a consultative process with national partners and with you鈥攁lumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and neighbors. We want a living brand that resonates at every level, one that feels authentic, sparks pride and inspires belief in our mission of service and faith.

  Over the past year and a half, UDM has completed research and held several stakeholder strategy sessions focused on brand discussions; more sessions are planned during the 2025-26 academic year. We also need your help via the following means:

  • Share your perceptions鈥攂oth the strengths and the challenges of 色综合久久 Mercy.
  • Participate in listening sessions and focus groups. Spaces will be limited so please shout out when the calls are published.
  • Most important: Complete the feedback form to ensure your voice shapes the brand.

  Your insights will help us author a more authentic UDM identity that honors our past, energizes our present and secures a vibrant future. Please take some time to review the new brand information and share your thoughts by going to “Info On Branding” at the bottom of the page and clicking on feedback form.

  Review brand information.

• October 02: Guided 8-week retreat for UDM community begins week of Oct. 5

  Thursday October 02, 2025
  

  Beginning the week of Oct. 5 and concluding around the Feast of Christ the King on Nov. 24, Meeting Christ in Prayer is an eight-week retreat that invites participants to engage in spiritual exercises as a lived experience within daily life鈥攏o retreat houses required, just an open and generous spirit.

  Each week, small groups will meet with a prayer leader who will guide participants through spiritual exercises and offer daily prayer suggestions to support their retreat journey. Additionally, a spiritual director will be available to participants twice within the retreat journey for individual spiritual conversation.

  This program is free and open to all members of the 色综合久久 Mercy community. Weekly gatherings will include time for prayer, discussion and shared fellowship over food.

  For more information, please contact Anna Bryson at lawleran@udmercy.edu.

  

• October 02: TENN to host Halloween game night with community neighbors, Oct. 9

  Thursday October 02, 2025
  

  Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) is hosting a festive evening filled with cider, donuts, games, crafts and goodie bags.

  All are welcome to join in the Halloween fun with 色综合久久 Mercy’s neighbors from the Princeton Street Block Club and Theresa Maxis on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 5:30 p.m. in the Briggs Building, Room 101.

  Transportation is available for community members.

  Please email Chelsea Manning at mannincp@udmercy.edu with any questions.

  

• October 02: UDM to host graduate program open house, Oct. 8

  Thursday October 02, 2025
  

  University of 色综合久久 Mercy will host a fall graduate program open house on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 5-7 p.m. in the Fountain Lounge on the McNichols Campus.

  Prospective students looking to earn their graduate degrees will receive an opportunity to learn more about UDM graduate programs currently available, including online and hybrid programs. Faculty and admissions staff will be on hand to provide information and answer all questions.

  Prospective students can drop in to the open house at any time between 5-7 p.m. Light refreshments will also be available.听.

  For additional information on UDM graduate programs, please contact Jennifer Goethals, associate director of Graduate Admissions, at听goethajm@udmercy.edu听or at 313-993-3309.

  View a listing of all UDM graduate programs.

• October 01: Mission Micro-Grant Program applications due online, Oct. 10

  Wednesday October 01, 2025
  

  Now in its 18th year, the Mission Micro-Grant Program awards annual grants of up to $200 to any full or part-time 色综合久久 Mercy faculty or staff member in support of a wide range of activities that promote 色综合久久 Mercy鈥檚 mission of being a Catholic, Mercy, Jesuit, urban and student-centered university.

  There are only four criteria a project or activity must meet to be considered for a Mission Micro Grant:

  • The project or activity must promote one or more elements of 色综合久久 Mercy鈥檚 mission.
  • You must personally be involved in the project or activity.
  • You must be employed by the University during the time the project or activity takes place.
  • The grant monies must be spent in the same fiscal year in which they are received.

  Please visit the Mission Micro-Grant website to learn more about what type of projects are eligible for funding and project deadlines. You can also browse previously funded projects and activities.

  The application process is very simple. One-page online applications are due Friday, Oct. 10. PLEASE NOTE: Only one grant application may be submitted per project. For more information or questions, please email Rosemary Weatherston at weatherr@udmercy.edu.

• September 30: UDM ranks No. 36 in U.S. in 2026 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings

  Tuesday September 30, 2025
  

  

  University of 色综合久久 Mercy has improved its national ranking in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 survey of best universities in the country.

  This year, UDM ranked No. 36, seven places higher than last year.

  鈥淭here is so much great work being done every single day, year in and year out at 色综合久久 Mercy and this ranking reflects that,鈥� said UDM President Donald B. Taylor. 鈥淯DM is making a difference in the lives of our students, our neighborhood, our hometown of 色综合久久 and our nation. It鈥檚 gratifying to be recognized for that.鈥�

  The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings 鈥� first released three years ago 鈥� focus on student outcomes rather than inputs, highlighting the tangible value a school delivers to its students.

  In addition to the overall ranking, the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse study evaluates colleges on several key measures. Social mobility recognizes universities that enroll a high proportion of students from lower-income families, while maintaining strong graduation rates and positive salary outcomes. Salary impact measures how graduates鈥� earnings compare to expectations, relative to the cost of attending.

  The Best Value ranking considers how quickly graduates鈥� salary advantages pay back the average net price of a degree 鈥� measured as 鈥測ears to pay off net price.鈥� An additional ranking is based on a large-scale student survey, which captures the quality of the learning environment and overall student experience. This year, the survey reflected feedback from more than 110,000 students nationwide. Earlier this month, the University also ranked No. 22 nationally in the Best Value Schools category in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 鈥楤est Colleges鈥� edition.

  UDM鈥檚 2026 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings are as follows:

  • No. 27 out of 584 schools for social mobility, up from 39 in the 2025 ranking
  • 309 in student experience, up from 411 last year
  • 52 in best salaries
  • 103 in best value

  The 2026 ranking also means that UDM is:

  • The No. 1 ranked private university in Michigan
  • The second-highest ranked university in Michigan
  • The No. 2 ranked Catholic university in the Midwest
  • The No. 3 ranked Catholic university in the United States
  • The No. 2 ranked university among all Association of Jesuit Colleges & Universities in the country

  Additionally, UDM ranks in the top 9% of 4,476 colleges and universities nationwide for salary earned by graduates over a period of 15 to 40 years during their career according to Georgetown University鈥檚 Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) research report Ranking 4,476 Colleges by ROI (2025). This means that 色综合久久 Mercy graduates can expect to earn more than $2.1 million in salary over their 40-year career compared with those who forgo a college education.

  Impressive national rankings over the last three years have led, in part, to record enrollment at UDM for freshmen. This year鈥檚 first-year enrollment is 672, which is higher than last year鈥檚 record first-year count of 651. In addition, transfer student enrollment is also up to 181, a significant jump from the previous year鈥檚 count of 158.

  Since the fall of 2024, UDM鈥檚 total enrollment is up 191 students. This fall, the University welcomed 5,778 full and part-time students. Most importantly, UDM鈥檚 second-year retention rate has increased to 84.2%, higher than the previous three-year average of 83.8%,

  For Debbie Stieffel, vice president for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs, these results are far more than a number in a ranking.

  鈥淭hey are a powerful affirmation of the university鈥檚 commitment to each student鈥檚 wellbeing and success鈥攂oth in their careers and in their lives. This recognition reflects the tireless dedication of faculty and staff who believe deeply in our students鈥� potential, and it celebrates the determination, resilience, and accomplishments of the students themselves.鈥� Stieffel said.

  Current students are elated at the new WSJ ranking and understand why UDM continues to move up in rankings each year.

  鈥淪eeing 色综合久久 Mercy ranked 36th in the nation makes me really proud to be a student here,” said听Alexandria听Jarbo, a senior Biology major in the College of Engineering & Science鈥檚 Pre-Physician Assistant program. “It reflects how much the professors and community truly care about our success, and it reminds me that I made the right choice coming to UDM. It鈥檚 exciting to know that the hard work happening here is being recognized.鈥�

  A Commitment to Expanded Offerings

  UDM鈥檚 focus on student achievement and success is reflected by a commitment to offer new schools and programs.

  This fall, the University welcomed the first class of the newly established School of Optometry. In addition, UDM launched a new听accelerated seven-year Doctor of Optometry Program. This new school and the 色综合久久 Mercy Eye Institute represent a significant step toward addressing the growing demand for eye care professionals in the state and region.

  Also this fall, the听College of Health Professions (CHP) created the School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, through which two new bachelor鈥檚 degree programs are now available. 听Students pursuing careers in healthcare can now choose from degrees in Health Science and Sports & Exercise Sciences, both designed to prepare graduates for impactful roles across the evolving health sector.

  The School of Law recently announced the launch of the state of Michigan鈥檚 first online J.D. program, which continues 色综合久久 Mercy Law鈥檚 mission to increase accessibility to legal education. The four-year program will be mostly asynchronous, with some upper-level courses such as the award-winning clinic portion taught synchronously.

  Lastly, the University鈥檚 School of Dentistry welcomed the first cohort of students who will pursue their Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University鈥檚 new campus in Vermont.

  For President Taylor, this is only a beginning. With UDM preparing to celebrate its 150th anniversary and commitment to 色综合久久 in 2027, there are more great things to come for the institution and its home community.

  鈥淚 don鈥檛 think there has ever been a more exciting time to be part of University of 色综合久久 Mercy and our great city,鈥� said Taylor. 鈥淵ou can feel the energy on campus, in our neighborhood, downtown and throughout SE Michigan. Achieving a No. 36 rank in the U.S. is not only great for UDM, it鈥檚 great for our city and indeed the entire state.鈥�

• September 29: Grab some UDM swag and free lunch at Thank-a-Donor Day, Sept. 30

  Monday September 29, 2025
  

  Thank A Donor Day takes place Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 12:30-2 p.m. in the Fountain Lounge of the Student Union on the McNichols Campus.

  Several activities are planned to educate students about how alumni and friends of 色综合久久 Mercy enrich all aspects of the University. Students can:

  • Write a thank-you note to a donor and receive a free lunch.
  • Create a photo or video message to thank donors and be entered into a drawing for a $25 Visa gift card!
  • Participate in fun games to test skill and UDM philanthropic knowledge and earn 色综合久久 Mercy swag!
  • Hunt for one of four plushies wearing Titans swag belonging to Tommy Titan on the McNichols Campus and choose which 色综合久久 Mercy fund will receive a gift from an anonymous donor 鈥� and keep the plushie!
  • Wear 色综合久久 Mercy or Titan apparel for an extra chance to win prizes!

  More information here.