Enjoy a decades worth of fantastic ATP broadcasts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!

Air date: 5/10/26

[00:28:45]

With Professors Matt Mio, Heather Hill, Stephen Manning, Erin Bell, Jim Tubbs, Dan Maggio, Danielle Maxwell, Beth Oljar and Dave Chow.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Air date: 5/3/26

[00:28:00]

With Professors Matt Mio, Beth Oljar, Dan Maggio, Heather Hill, Stephen Manning, Jim Tubbs, Dave Chow and special guest: Professor Kieran Aarons from Detroit Mercy’s Department of Philosophy.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Air date: 4/26/26

[00:27:45]

Host Matt Mio is joined by Professors Heather Hill, Stephen Manning, Beth Oljar, Dave Chow, Danielle Maxwell, Jim Tubbs, Dan Maggio and special guest: Professor Kieran Aarons from Detroit Mercy’s Department of Philosophy.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Air date: 4/19/26

[00:28:30]

With Professors Matt Mio, Heather Hill, Stephen Manning, Beth Oljar, Dave Chow, Mara Livezey, Jim Tubbs and Danielle Maxwell.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Air date: 4/12/26

[00:28:38]

Host Matt Mio is joined by Professors Danielle Maxwell, Jim Tubbs, Erin Bell, Brian Curtis and Dave Chow.

ATP 2632 transcript

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 2026 walk in Michigan is set for Saturday, Sept. 19 on University of Detroit Mercy’s 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 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.

The Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) will welcome spring and celebrate our community at the Spring Fling, an evening of crafts, food and fun. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 13 at 5 p.m., on the Fountain Terrace of the Student Union.

All are welcome to this FREE event. To RSVP or for more information, please contact tenn@udmercy.edu.

Detroit Mercy has once again partnered with the PGA as the exclusive university sponsor for the annual Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club this summer.

As part of the sponsorship, UDM has a limited number of general admission tickets available for each day of play. Proceeds from the purchase of these tickets will benefit the Detroit Mercy Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Each ticket purchase includes one entry for a chance to win a VIP Experience inside the ropes on a tournament day. Two experiences are available, each accommodating two people.

The winners’ names will be drawn the week before play begins.

PGA general admission tickets available here.

Detroit Mercy will soon transition from Paylocity to ADP Lyric as the new Human Resources and payroll system. This change will take full effect on June 13.

ADP will provide a modernized platform for managing timekeeping, payroll and employee information. The goal is to make processes more streamlined and user-friendly for employees and managers across the University.

The Human Resources and Payroll team will be sharing additional information in the coming weeks, including:

• Training guides and resources
• Key dates and reminders to help ensure a smooth transition

Cooperation and flexibility during this transition are appreciated, and updates will be provided as additional details become available.

Join Jesuit friends and alumni on Wednesday, May 13 for a wine and cheese reception at historic Gesu Catholic Church.

Program Details:

• 5:30 p.m.: Mass
• 6 p.m.: Welcome and Reception
• 6:25 p.m.: Program begins

The evening will explore the history, families, art and architecture of the parish, founded by Jesuits in 1922 and once home to four Detroit mayors, several congressmen and the renowned Fisher Brothers.

The event will feature rare architectural drawings and antique stained-glass window designs, some dating to the late 1800s, from two Detroit families who worked closely with the Jesuits and the Archdiocese of Detroit. These families, behind the firms Diehl & Diehl Architects and Detroit Stained Glass Works, helped shape the city’s sacred spaces.

Special guests include Paul G. Diehl, grandson of original architect George F. Diehl and a descendant of the founders of Detroit Stained Glass Works; Patricia Montemurri, an award-winning journalist; and Mary Clare McCormick, a Detroit sacred art archivist.

The evening will include Mass, a wine and cheese reception, and a tour of the historic worship site.

Register online by May 1.

UDM is set to deliver a lineup of summer camps and pre-college programs that offer students from elementary school through college a ticket to academic discovery, career exploration and athletic development this summer.

• Beginners Investment Camp, June 22-26
• Youth Exploration Camp, July 20-24 and July 24-31
• Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP), July 13-24
• NOMA’s Project Pipeline, July 27-31
• Dentistry Summer Enrichment Program, May 27-June 26
• Nike Soccer Camp, June 29-July 3 and July 13-18
• Summer Reading programs throughout summer
• Special Needs Basketball camp, dates TBD
• Tennis Program, dates TBD

Hosted across UDM’s campuses and online, the University’s summer programming reflects its longstanding commitment to community engagement in conjunction with academic excellence, with camp opportunities in health sciences, business, architecture, engineering, literacy and athletics.

Rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors can explore basic investment and financial concepts at the free Beginners Investment Camp, scheduled for June 22–26 on the McNichols Campus. Participants will also hear from industry professionals about career opportunities in the field.

Building on its 60-year legacy of educating high-quality health professionals to meet growing workforce demands, the University’s immersive Youth Exploration Camp aims to inspire the next generation of nurses and healthcare professionals. The camp offers two free, hands-on sessions, July 20-24 and July 24-31. Middle and high school students will be introduced to essential clinical and healthcare skills, including CPR training and emergency response procedures, and will take part in simulation-based escape room challenges at the University’s Simulation, Technology and Research (STAR) Center.

The College of Engineering & Science (CES) has once again partnered with the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) to offer a series of interactive STEM camps for students in grades two through eight, along with a digital advertising camp, at the McNichols Campus from July 13-24. CES and DAPCEP have partnered for more than 30 years to inspire and prepare hundreds of underrepresented minority students for careers in engineering and science.

Aspiring young architects can attend Project Pipeline Camp, hosted by the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), July 27-31 on the McNichols Campus. Designed for students in grades 6-12, the program connects underrepresented youth with design professionals and uses the city as a classroom to empower them to be advocates of change through design.

The Dental Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) is a fully funded, four-week residential early admissions program May 27-June 26 on the Corktown Campus for college juniors, seniors and recent college graduates. Through academic enrichment, mentorship, professional development and hands-on dental experiences, the program prepares students for the transition to dental school. SEP expands access, supports students facing systemic barriers and helps build a diverse, community-focused dental workforce.

Led by Steve Shelton, head women’s soccer coach at UDM, and the Titan coaching staff, the Nike youth soccer camp offers high quality training for ages 6–16 in a fun, challenging and supportive environment. Two sessions run on the McNichols Campus, June 29-July 3 and July 13-17, where players build strong fundamentals, elevate their game and learn to compete at their best.

Among other athletic camp offerings are a tennis camp and special needs basketball camp, with camp dates to be determined.

The University will also continue its partnership with the Institute of Reading Development, offering online summer reading programs for students from pre-K through 12th grade. The program focuses on building reading skills and cultivating a lifelong love of books.

Camp dates, age requirements and registration details vary by program. Learn more about Detroit Mercy summer camps or sign up for a session.

The Whitty Student Fitness Center will remain open throughout the summer to support your fitness routine. Summer hours are as follows:

• Monday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Tuesday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Wednesday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Thursday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Friday: Closed
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: Closed

The Titan community will come together at this year’s Spotlight on Excellence Celebration, which is set for Tuesday, May 12, from 2:30-4:30 p.m., in the Student Union Ballroom on the McNichols Campus.

The Spotlight on Excellence Celebration is a yearly event to recognize UDM employee milestones, achievements and honors.

Retirees will be honored as well as employees who have achieved milestones for their years of service. Promotion and tenure achievements and faculty recognition, Jesuit Community Faculty Stipend, Commitment to Excellence and Mission Leadership awardees will also be announced.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP as soon as possible.

RSVP for the Celebration.

The 2026 issue of the Economic and Community Impact Report on Metro Detroit & Fast Facts is now available. This year, this publication aligns directly with the institution’s Core Values and offers a global, high-level view of UDM to audiences.

View the 2026 issue.

Clinical Assistant Professor, Assistant Dean for Clinic Operations and Director for the Division of Clinical Dentistry Ashish Patel has been appointed to the Michigan Board of Dentistry, where he will serve as dentist representative for a one-year term. Patel joins Clinical Assistant Professor M. Lynne Morgan, who serves as a dental hygiene representative on the board. The Michigan Board of Dentistry regulates the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene, authorizes dental assistants and certifies dental specialists across the state.

In a recent interview with Roop Raj of The Pulse on FOX 2 News, Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences Jocelyn Boryczka offered insight on Michigan’s evolving political landscape, highlighting the significant changes expected across the state no matter what happens in the mid-term elections in November.

Listen to the interview.

UDM will celebrate Senior Week with a lineup of events designed to honor and send off graduating students in style.

All graduating students are invited to take part in these Senior Week opportunities:

• Monday, May 4, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.: Job Search Bootcamp — Kick off Senior Week by preparing for life after graduation at the Center for Career and Professional Development’s Job Search Bootcamp in Room 206 of the Student Union. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
• Tuesday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m.: Tigers vs. Red Sox at Comerica Park — Join classmates for a night at the ballpark as the Detroit Tigers take on the Boston Red Sox. Tickets are just $10, and transportation will be available via the Student Life van. Purchase game tickets here.
• Wednesday, May 6, 2-4 p.m.: Graduation cap decoration workshop — Local hatmaker Andrew Wilson will be in the Lower Level of the Student Union to help seniors personalize their caps for graduation day.

Seniors, don’t miss out on these special events to wrap-up your journey at Detroit Mercy.

Looking to mix up your lunch routine on McNichols Campus? Stop by Food Truck Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Sacred Heart Square.

The schedule is always expanding, but as of now:

• May 5 – Pablo’s Tacos
• May 19 – Unique Eats
• June 30 – Sassy Z’s
• July 14 – Buck N Dink’s BBQ
• August 11 – Detroit Panzerotti

Interested in being part of an exciting new approach to the engagement portion of Prologues, Transitions and Viewpoint  (PTV) — the orientation program for incoming first-year students on the McNichols Campus?

We are reimagining the engagement portion using the “Immersion Day” model developed by University Ministry. While service remains an important component of PTV, the new approach will include community engagement elements to introduce students to Detroit and the amazing organizations and creative ideas used to address particular challenges.

We are seeking faculty and staff willing to assist on one or both mornings of PTV, August 26 and/or 27.

Faculty and staff who participate may use Mission Leave to get paid for their involvement. Learn more about Mission Leave. 

A planning meeting will be held between May 5 and May 15 to explain the new approach and begin developing plans. If you are interested in attending, please share your availability during that time frame.

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Fr. Tim Hipskind at hipskijt@udmercy.edu or 313-993-2003.

Professor of Biology Rachelle Belanger was selected by the Biology Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) for a Mentor Award (mid-career). The award review committee was highly impressed by her dedication and accomplishments in mentoring undergraduate research students. It’s the second time in her career receiving this honor (also in 2018).

The Detroit Mercy Commencement Planning Committee is seeking dependable student and employee volunteers to help make 2026 Commencement Day a special event for graduates and their families.

Two McNichols Campus Commencement ceremonies will take place on Saturday, May 9 on the McNichols Campus.

Please see sign-up below for volunteer opportunities and available time slots. Whether you have availability for one shift or for multiple shifts, your help is greatly appreciated! Breakfast and lunch are provided to all volunteers.

Volunteer Meeting
All volunteers are required to attend a mandatory meeting on Tuesday, May 5 at 1 p.m. via Teams. For more information, please contact Alysa Jackson (ouelleal@udmercy.edu).

Dress Code
Employee volunteers are asked to dress in business casual and/or Detroit Mercy gear. A volunteer name badge will be provided at check-in, which is located in the Athletics Office in Calihan Hall.

Thank you for supporting graduating Titans on this special and exciting day!

Sign up here!

President Emeritus and Distinguished University Professor Antoine M. Garibaldi will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the 158th Howard University Commencement on May 9. Howard University is the No.1 ranked historically black college and university (HBCU) in the United States.

Read more about Howard honorary degree recipients.

At Detroit Mercy, caring for the whole person is central to our mission.

The Financial Aid Office’s Little Red Food Pantry, located in the Student Union, supports our Titan family by providing quick, accessible food options for students who need something to get through the day.

The pantry is primarily stocked with snacks and grab-and-go items, with some meal options available, to help students stay energized and focused between classes.

How You Can Help

• Donate nonperishable snacks and easy, grab-and-go items
• Help ensure students have access to quick nourishment during busy days
• Contribute anytime — your support makes an immediate impact

Drop-Off Locations

• Financial Aid Office
• Pantry location in the Student Union

Every donation helps make sure no Titan has to navigate their day hungry.

Episode 17 of the Titan Taxi is now out featuring Provost and host Pam Zarkowski driving students around the McNichols Campus for the final drive of the 2025-26 academic school year. Click on the YouTube link below to watch the full episode!

Email is one of the easiest ways to connect with people — as long as everyone can actually read and understand what you send. Accessible emails make sure your message works for all recipients, including people using screen readers, mobile devices or assistive technology.

The good news? A few thoughtful habits go a long way.

Don’t put information inside images 

It might be tempting to design a beautiful graphic and send it as your email. However, doing so creates major accessibility barriers, and many of your own colleagues won’t be able to read your message.

If your key message lives inside a graphic, some recipients may never receive it. Why?

• Screen readers can’t read text inside an image.
• People with low vision may not be able to zoom in enough to discern the content.
• People with colorblindness may not be able to distinguish the text from the background.

Instead:

• Put all essential information as actual text within the email
• Use images to support or enhance your message—not replace it
• Keep alt text short and meaningful for any images you include

Images are great for adding personality and visual interest—but they shouldn’t be the only way your message is delivered.

Quick check: If you removed every image, would your email still make sense?

Add alt text to images 

Alt text is a short description of an image.

• Describe the purpose, not every detail
• Keep it brief but meaningful
• Example: Instead of “image,” write: “Students working together in a chemistry lab.”

Why it matters: People using screen readers rely on alt text to understand images.

Quick check: If the image disappeared, would your message still make sense?

Use clear, simple structure 

• Use short sections with clear headings
• Break up long paragraphs
• Keep your message focused

Why it matters: Screen readers often scan emails by headings. If everything is one big block of text, it’s much harder to navigate.

Use meaningful links 

Avoid generic phrases like:

• “Click here”
• “Read more”

Instead, describe the destination:

• “View the event schedule”
• “Download the camp packing list”

Why it matters: Screen reader users often navigate by links alone. “Click here” gives them no context.

Quick check: Ask yourself—would this link make sense out of context?

Make your email easy on the eyes, choose Readable Fonts and Colors

• Use simple fonts (Arial, Calibri, etc.): Any text you use should be 12 point or larger for on‑screen readability and use sans-serif fonts, like Arial, Calibri or Verdana.  Sans-serif fonts don’t have the little decorative lines on the ends of letters, making them easier for most people to read.
• Keep text large enough (at least ~12–14px)
• Ensure strong contrast (dark text on light background works best)

Why it matters: Low contrast or tiny fonts make reading difficult for many people, not just those with visual impairments. 

Quick check: If you must squint, it’s probably not accessible.

Don’t rely on color alone 

If you’re highlighting something important:

• Don’t rely only on color (like plain red text)
• Add text cues or symbols (like making it bold or italic)

Example: Instead of just red text, write: “Important: Registration closes Friday.”

Why it matters: Some users can’t distinguish certain colors.

Keep it mobile-friendly 

Most people read emails on their phones.

• Use short paragraphs
• Leave space between sections
• Make buttons easy to tap

Why it matters: Accessibility and mobile usability go hand in hand.

Final thought 

Accessible emails aren’t about perfection—they’re about intention.

If your message is clear, well-structured and thoughtful, you’re already doing most of the work. These small choices help ensure that everyone—no matter how they access email—can read, understand and engage with what you send.

Related Links

• Make your Outlook Emails Accessible 
• Find out more about digital accessibility 

Looking for a place to study for finals? The McNichols Campus Library is offering extended hours to support students during final exams week.

Library hours are as follows for the week:

• Monday, April 27 — 8 a.m. to midnight
• Tuesday, April 28 — 8 a.m. to midnight
• Wednesday, April 29 — 8 a.m. to midnight
• Thursday, April 30 — 8 a.m. to midnight
• Friday, May 1 — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, May 2 — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Detroit Mercy Leadership Academy represents a significant investment in developing leadership excellence across the University. The program brought together staff, faculty, administrators and department chairs for a focused and collaborative learning experience designed to strengthen leadership skills, build institutional capacity and foster a shared culture of excellence.

The inaugural cohort participated in six monthly sessions, earned a microcredential in leadership and successfully completed the program on April 10. Participant feedback underscored the value of dedicated time for reflection, peer exchange and meaningful skill development.

The Leadership Academy has established a strong foundation for future cohorts and reinforces the University’s commitment to “growing our own” leaders. The Office of the Provost looks forward to continuing and expanding this initiative in the years ahead.

Special thanks to Professor and Coordinator of Leadership Minor Don DiPaolo for leading the program, with the support of Registrar Emeritus Diane Praet and Ericka Jones from the Office of Academic Affairs, for their leadership and commitment to this important initiative.

All are invited to a conversation with Catholic thought leaders to reflect together on the “Church’s Mission in this time and place.” The discussion will take place on Saturday, April 25, at 2 p.m., in the Student Union Ballroom, on the McNichols Campus.

Panelists are as follows:

• Archbishop Edward Wiesenberger, metropolitan archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Detroit
• Helen Marie Burns, RSM, former president of Leadership Conference of Women Religious
• Bishop John Stowe, O.F.M. Conv. of Lexington, Ky., president of Pax Christi, USA
• Matt Mio, professor of Chemistry, University of Detroit Mercy, expert on Laudato Si

The session will be moderated by Bridget Deegan-Krause, author of Together Through Reflection: Themes for Those Who Lead and Serve in Catholic Organizations.

Register here.

The Rocket Classic PGA Tour event at Detroit Golf Club is seeking volunteers for this year’s tournament. The event takes place July 29 through Aug. 2.

Volunteering at the Rocket Classic is a great way for students to gain hands-on experience in a professional sports and event environment. It’s an excellent addition to a resume and offers exposure to areas such as event operations, hospitality, guest services and more.

A variety of roles are currently available, and tournament organizers would love to welcome UDM students interested in being part of this unique experience. Please note that most volunteer roles require participants to be 18 years or older.

For questions, please feel free to reach out to volunteer@rocketclassic.com.

Register here.

Hear from two inspiring alumni who have used their education, resilience and vision to lead their industries and drive success at UDM’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) Leadership Slam.

The Leadership Slam is set for Tuesday, April 21. The first session is scheduled for 2-3:45 p.m., and the second slam 5:15-7 p.m., both taking place in Room 208 of the Commerce & Finance Building. Both alumni will be speaking in Slam 1 and Slam 2.

The slams offer a unique opportunity for students to gain valuable insights. This event counts as [+1 Leadership Development].

Angelo Vitale ’80, retired general counsel of Rocket Companies, and Michael Birney ’15, CMO of 1 Natural Way, will offer their experiences on their leadership journeys.

Vitale provided strategic business and legal guidance throughout his career, serving as the first CEO of Rocket Central and EVP/general counsel of Rocket Mortgage, where he specialized in leasing, litigation and regulatory compliance.

Birney drives business growth with advanced marketing tech, leveraging his experience as a former Google growth strategy manager and MLL champion to apply teamwork and strategy for success.

For more information, please contact Kathleen Zimmerman-Oster at zimmerka@udmercy.edu.

As finals approach, take some time to relax, recharge and have fun with a variety of stress-relief activities at the annual end-of-the-year De-Stress Fest.

De-Stress Fest takes place on Thursday, April 23, from 4:30-7 p.m. in the Whitty Student Fitness Center.

Whether you’re trying to chill, compete or just grab some food, this is the spot to be.

What’s going down:

• Photo booth, mocktails and esports lounge
• Arts and crafts (coloring and flower potting)
• Massages and sound beds
• Therapy dogs
• Active games (bubble soccer, yard games, water pong)
• FREE Food (taco bar, nitrogen ice cream, DNA candy)

No registration is needed. Just show up.

Bring your friends. Stay as long as you want. De-stress before finals hit.

Need to relax before finals? Engage in some retail therapy during De-Stress Fest by stopping by Titan Equity Nourish Network’s (TENN) Thrift Pop-Up Shop on the second floor of the Student Fitness Center.

Enjoy sustainable shopping while supporting TENN’s work. Join us starting at 4 p.m. on April 23 and shop till you drop! All proceeds go to a good cause.

Rescheduled to Thursday, April 23, at 1:30 p.m.

University Ministry will host a special time of prayer and reflection at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, inside of the Holy Spirit Chapel, located in the Student Union, Lower Level.

Together, we will pray the Rosary, a traditional Catholic devotion, in support of Pope Leo XIV’s monthly intention for April: that priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation may find the accompaniment they need and that communities will support them with understanding and prayer.

While the rosary is a traditional Catholic prayer, all are welcome to participate. Rosary beads and easy-to-follow how-to guides will be provided.

For any questions, please contact glafond@udmercy.edu.

Support Titan Equity Nourish Network‘s (TENN) food pantry and deliveries by donating clean plastic grocery bags.

TENN uses grocery bags for pantry and weekly produce deliveries. Your donation will help save funds and plastic by re-purposing gently used bags.

Drop off to the Commerce & Finance Building, Room 05, or email mannincp@udmercy.edu.

Dental Clinic IT Director Charles Laird ’97, Director of Axium Integration and Clinical Associate Professor Cindy Bauer, Director of Clinical Business Operations Gwendolyn Graham ’04, ’06 and ’10 and the School of Dentistry were awarded the Axium Summit 2026 Trailblazer award for their innovation, leadership and positive community impact in the Axium community. The award was announced and presented at the recent conference in Austin, Texas.

The 43rd annual Pax Christi Michigan State Conference will be held at Detroit Mercy, Saturday, April 18, in the Student Union Ballroom on the McNichols Campus. The theme of this year’s event is “Be Not Afraid: Living in Hope and Resistance,” and features keynote speaker Charlene Howard, national director for Pax Christi USA.

Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., and the event will run until approximately 4 p.m. 

Through humor, storytelling, music and innate wisdom, Howard will advise conference participants in the courage and resiliency needed to confront racism, violence and greed with Gospel-based nonviolence and effective activism.

A discussion will follow Howard’s call to action in which a panel of experts will offer insights and specific ways to effectively resist today’s culture of violence.

Panel experts include:

• Elly Jordan: Advocacy for immigrants
• Andrea Pierce: Advocacy for the environment and Indigenous cultures
• Saeed Khan: Advocacy for Gaza, the West Bank and Middle Eastern cultures.

Howard received her master’s in Religious Education and Catechesis from the Catholic University of America and has been a teacher, school principal and a religious department chair. In July 2024, she became the executive director of Pax Christi USA.

Pax Christi Michigan promotes peace locally, nationally and globally through prayer, study and action. Rooted in spirituality, the organization is dedicated to examining issues of justice from the perspectives of all involved and promotes peace with justice through nonviolent conflict resolution.

A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Cost for attendance:

• Early registration: $65 (includes breakfast and lunch). Registration after April 10 is $70.
• Student rate: $25
• Conference scholarships are available.

More information and register online here.

On April 11, UDM students enrolled in Introduction to Museum Studies served as volunteer educators at the Cranbrook Institute of Science during the museum’s Birds of Prey special program. Students connected with visitors by leading hands-on activities throughout the museum, helping them learn about birds and the environments they inhabit.

Are you interested in applying to graduate school? Make your applications stand out by attending the Graduate Admission workshop at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 14.

During the workshop, students will learn about best practices for requesting letters or recommendation and interview etiquette.

The session is offered in-person in the Office of Admissions, located on the first floor of the Student Union, in Room 181, as well as virtually.

The Graduate Admission workshop is hosted by the Center for Career & Professional Development and the Office of Admissions.

Click here to join virtually.

To wrap up this year’s Triptych virtual reading series, join the Department of English for Triptych +1, a special in-person encore showcasing original work by Detroit Mercy Creative Writing students.

This free event is set for Thursday, April 16, at 6:30 p.m., at Book Suey in Hamtramck. All are welcome.

Eleven Detroit Mercy Creative Writing students will be joined by special guest, alumna Sarah Pazur, to read their original work.

Detroit Mercy’s Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) is growing, and they’re excited to invite community-minded individuals to join the team this summer.

If you’re an individual who is passionate about food justice, sustainability and making a local impact, TENN would love to work with you!

They’re currently hiring for the following part-time positions:

• Garden Assistant (5+ hours/week) — Support all aspects of garden care under the guidance of the Garden Manager, including watering, weeding, harvesting and documenting harvest tools.
• Delivery Coordinator (5+ hours/week) — Coordinate and lead Friday and biweekly Wednesday food deliveries. Responsibilities including picking up food from Gleaners using the TENN van, documenting food distribution and leading volunteers to deliver food throughout the community.
• Social Media & Marketing Coordinator (5+ hours/week) — Manage TENN’s online presence by creating and scheduling mission-aligned content for Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, engaging TENN’s community and supporting flyer creation and event promotion.

TENN’s summer roles offer flexible hours, meaningful work and the chance to directly support the UDM community.

Interested? Apply to the links above or contact Chelsea Manning at mannincp@udmercy.edu.

The Campus Activity Board presents Titans Got Talent, where UDM students will take the stage to showcase their creativity and talent. The show is set for Friday, April 10, with doors opening at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom.

All are invited to come out and watch UDM student performers compete for a $500 grand prize!

Comedian Jake Russell will emcee the event, promising a night of great entertainment.

This year’s talent lineup features:

• Madisyn Wilcox
• Richard Wilks II
• Jahleel Hunley
• Gracelyn Peebles
• Evan Smith
• Fiona Louise Madarang
• Ashlee Jones
• Rylee Bourne
• Ally Don Jean-Francois

Detroit Mercy Theatre Company (DMTC) will close the inaugural season of the new Detroit Mercy Black Box Theatre with I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire by Samantha Hurley.

Six performances will run in back-to-back weekends, Friday through Sunday, April 10-19, in the new Detroit Mercy Black Box Theatre on University of Detroit Mercy’s McNichols Campus.

I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire is set in 2004 and follows 14-year-old Shelby Hinkley, who is obsessed with Hollywood star Tobey Maguire and creates a play to kidnap and marry him in her basement.

“This play is as hilarious as it is heartfelt,” said DMTC managing director Sarah Rusk. “Shelby truly believes Tobey Maguire is her destiny, and through her obsession we get a look into the complicated emotions of growing up during the Y2K era.”

“I absolutely love working with young actors,” said director Cassandra Svacha. “Watching them create and rise to the challenge is thrilling. I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire to college-aged kids is like a period piece; none of them were alive when this story takes place, so it’s extra fun to have them dive into this world in an anthropologic way. They aren’t reminiscing or remembering 2004, they have to study that world and build it for themselves.”

The DMTC Ticket Office is open Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with tickets being available for purchase anytime online. Individual tickets are $25 for adults; $18 for seniors and Detroit Mercy faculty, staff and alumni; and $10 for veterans and students (ages 4-college). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. To schedule your group, contact Sarah Rusk at 313-993-3273.

Those looking to buy tickets should note that the play is rated R and contains adult language and situations, including drug use, suicidal ideation and sexual situations. See full list of subject matter.

 SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS

• April 10: Opening Night Celebration.  Join the cast and crew following the performance for a reception in the Lower Level of the Student Union.
• April 11: Community Night. All tickets $10.
• April 12: Detroit Theatre Discussion Project.  Join in the discussion following the first Sunday’s matinee performance as we welcome Professor Erin Henze from the Psychology Department at Detroit Mercy to expand upon themes and ideas from the performance in a talkback.
• April 17: College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences (CHASS) at the Theatre. Join CHASS in celebrating the arts on campus with $5 tickets for CHASS students and alumni with coupon code CHASS_5. Free tickets to faculty/staff of CHASS by calling 313-993-3270 or email theatre@udmercy.edu.
• April 19: Closing Night

Get tickets here.

Join Detroit Mercy’s Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) as they team up with their partners, JB Urban Farms, to get their community garden ready for the upcoming planting season.

From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, April 13, volunteers will help with hands-on garden preparation tasks that support local food access, sustainability, and neighborhood wellness.

No gardening experience is required — just bring your energy, willingness to learn, and love for community.

The farm is located at 97 Geneva Avenue in Highland Park. With any questions, please contact Chelsea Manning at mannincp@udmercy.edu.

Sign up here!

As UDM continues to advance institutional branding efforts, please discontinue use of the ‘Build a Boundless Future’ brand across all materials, including email signatures, collateral, flyers and digital content viewed by internal and external audiences.

In the meantime, please use ‘The World Needs Titans’ as a bridge brand until a new brand is introduced and stakeholders have an opportunity to provide input.

Brand development is ongoing. As a reminder, updates and information are available on the Detroit Mercy rebrand page.

For April Service Immersion Day, University Ministry is partnering with Alumni Relations to beautify the Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) gardens.

Planting day is set for Saturday, April 11. Check-in will begin at 9 a.m. at the TENN gardens, located behind the Health Professions Facility, with a light breakfast of coffee and donuts. We will finish around noon with free lunch to follow. All are invited to come out and lend a hand.

Participants will spend a day of service on the McNichols Campus and neighborhoods, earning three service hours, while learning about the importance of our TENN gardens for food access, sustainability and community building.

This event is hosted by Laudato Si’ Student Group, University Ministry, TENN, Alumni Relations and the School of Architecture & Community Development and the Detroit Collaborative Design Center.

Please contact University Minister Sammy Eckrich at seckric@udmercy.edu with any questions or for more information.

Sign up for April Service Immersion.

Detroit Mercy’s Department of Political Science will induct 11 students into the National Political Science Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha, on Friday April 10, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 124 of the Health Professions Facility.

The department is delighted to reactivate its Pi Sigma Alpha Chapter after some time of dormancy.

The ceremony will be presided over by Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Jocelyn Boryczka.

The Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS) Program is delighted to announce the winners of the 2025-26 Annual Undergraduate Writing Competition. The competition awards cash prizes for original student work exploring issues of gender, sexuality and/or feminist thought in categories of poetry, academic essay and short fiction/personal essay.

This year’s winners are as follows:

Poetry

• First place: Melissa Converse – Blue’s Clues Never Covered This
• Second place: Eemi Toma – I Do Not Want to Be the First
• Third place: Kylee Foster – The Phenomenal Fawn

Academic Essay

• First place: Erin DeFever – Beyond the Binary: Speculative Fiction as a Lens for Postgender Futures
• Second place: Allena Williams – Voices in the Margins: Biblical Women Reclaiming their Narrative
• Third place: Candy Saputo – Domestic Violence: A Plague Infiltrating the Souls of Our Women

Short Fiction/Personal Essay

• First place: Sarah Soria – The Consistency of Wool
• Second place: Erin DeFever – Matryoshka: A Cruel Legacy
• Third place: Melissa Converse – Survive

Congratulations to these winners and thanks to all the students who submitted their work.

Detroit Mercy’s School of Optometry will be part of the programming for the upcoming annual Association of Schools & Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) meeting for Student Affairs & Admissions in June 2026.

Associate Dean of Student Services and Enrollment Management Juliette Daniels has been invited to represent UDMSO. She will present a session titled The Invisible Barrier: Understanding & Addressing Impostor Phenomenon in Optometry Admissions & Student Affairs.

This is the School of Optometry’s first presentation at this annual conference and second year of participation as a member school.

The 19th Annual Celebration of Scholarly Achievement & Community Engagement (CSACE) is set for Thursday, April 9, from 12-4:30 p.m., in the Whitty Student Fitness Center on the McNichols Campus.

UDM friends and family are invited to join the celebration.

CSACE is a university-wide event showcasing more than 200 research posters and presentations, including artistic displays, robotics, 3D models, lightning talks and more. CSACE highlights exemplary work from across all UDM campuses and serves as an opportunity to celebrate the academic, scholarly and creative accomplishments of our University community throughout the academic year.

Highlights of the event include:

• Research posters & presentations: 12-2 p.m. — Exhibits, models, robotics,  scholarly publications
• Lightning-talk presentations: 2:15-4:30 p.m. — Award-winning research & poetry

A complimentary box lunch from Subway will be provided.

Guest registration and parking pass are required.

This event is sponsored by Delta Dental, Alliance Catholic Credit Union and RIIS

Guests register here.

The University of Detroit Mercy chapter of Psi Chi, the International Psychology Honor Society, will be inducting six new members on Thursday, April 9 at 6 p.m.

The short ceremony will be held in Reno Hall, Room 165. Pizza will follow the ceremony for those who attend. All are welcome!

The Detroit Mercy Athletic Department is holding another faculty and staff appreciation game on Thursday, April 9, as the Titan softball team takes on Green Bay. The game is slated for a 3 p.m. first pitch on Friday from Buysse Ballpark on the McNichols Campus.

The Titans have 11 wins on the season and are 3-3 in Horizon League play early in the conference season. Detroit Mercy is also winners in four of its past five contests entering Friday’s home contest against the Phoenix.

Admittance is FREE, and all faculty & staff in attendance can pick up a complimentary Titans hat from the marketing table.

Over the next few months, the ITS department will transition existing UDM phones to the Microsoft Teams Telephony platform. Teams Telephony is a widely used communications solution that provides telephone services integrated with Office 365 contacts and calendars.

With this transition, calls will be made and received through an employee’s assigned computer. As long as the computer has internet access, phone service will be available, regardless of location. This ensures continuity of communication, including in situations where the University may need to shift to remote work.

All existing University phone numbers will remain unchanged. Employees who currently use only an extension will be assigned a full direct inward dialing (DID) number.

Departments will be migrated in phases, with all users within a department transitioning together. ITS will coordinate with departmental leadership to conduct a pre-assessment prior to each migration.

Common area and shared phones will be transitioned at a later phase. Existing phone trees and call center services will also be migrated to the new system.

If you would like to learn more about how Teams Telephony works, a YouTube short video series is available that provides an overview, including how to make and receive calls in Microsoft Teams.

Carney Latin American Solidarity Archive (CLASA) and Detroit Mercy collaborate with three other Mercy Universities — Gwynedd Mercy University, Saint Joseph’s University and Georgian Court University — along with the Peace History Society, to offer an online Mercy Peace Forum event each semester.

The spring 2026 event is set for Thursday, April 9, at 7 p.m. All are invited to this free event.

This webinar features Steven Brady, associate professor of History at George Washington University, who will discuss his new book Less Than Victory: American Catholics and the Vietnam War, and how an earlier generation of Americans responded to the moral dilemmas posed by a troubling war.

This semester’s event is hosted by Michael Clinton, professor of History at Gwynedd Mercy University.

For more information contact Clinton at clinton.michael@gmercyu.edu or Director of CLASA Gail Presbey at presbegm@udmercy.edu.

Register for webinar here.

Commencement ceremonies for the University of Detroit Mercy are nearly one month away and UDM has announced its lineup of speakers across the four 2026 ceremonies for May 8-9 on the McNichols Campus.

Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, CM, former president at both DePaul University and of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, is the featured speaker for the two McNichols Campus ceremonies that will be held on Saturday, May 9.

Law School graduate Brian K. Zahra ’87, who has served many years on the Michigan Supreme Court, is the commencement speaker Friday, May 8 during the graduation ceremony for Detroit Mercy Law.

Also on Friday, May 8, Detroit Mercy Dental adjunct professor Judith Jones will address the Dental graduates during the School of Dentistry ceremony.

For full information on the 2026 Commencement exercises, visit Detroit Mercy’s Commencement website.

The Pre-Law Society and Business Law Society collaborated to host the second annual Moot Court Competition, bringing students together for a day of appellate advocacy and legal analysis on the McNichols Campus of University of Detroit Mercy.

The highest-scoring team were juniors Mera Alnajjar and Zach Rubicz, whose arguments distinguished them among a competitive field of participants.

The competition focused on United States v. Alvarez (2012), a case centered on First Amendment protections and the limits of free speech. Participants engaged directly with questions about truth, expression, and constitutional rights in a simulated courtroom setting.

The event was organized and led by student leaders Eemi Toma and Yousif Salim, who coordinated the day’s proceedings and helped ensure a successful competition.

The Moot Court Competition continues to provide students with opportunities to engage directly with constitutional law and develop practical advocacy experience.