Detroit Mercy will celebrate its faculty and recognize their dedication to the University, its mission and students during an annual recognition event on Friday, Nov. 6.
Full-time faculty across all of UDM’s campuses will be honored for their service at the event, with prestigious awards bestowed upon two faculty members from the College of Engineering & Science.
Professor of Biology Rachelle M. Belanger will receive the Faculty Excellence Award, while Assistant Professor of Chemistry Marwa Abdel Latif will be honored with the Faculty Achievement Award.
“Our annual Faculty Recognition Event is an opportunity to celebrate the dedication and accomplishments of all our faculty, as well as the many colleagues who support their work and contribute to their success,” said UDM Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Pamela Zarkowski.
For nearly 30 years, the event has allowed UDM to recognize a pair of faculty members “whose achievements exemplify excellence in teaching, scholarship and service,” Zarkowski said. The Faculty Excellence Award recognizes sustained accomplishments in teaching, scholarship and service, while the Faculty Achievement Award honors faculty for distinct contributions and promise displayed earlier in their academic career.
Belanger teaches several Biology courses at UDM. Her research focuses on olfactory development and toxicology and involves working with fish and crayfish.
Mentorship has been a big part of Belanger’s role as an educator. She has mentored more than 60 undergraduate researchers, with 55 of those students co-authoring peer-reviewed publications. Belanger has achieved national recognition as a mentor, receiving the Council on Undergraduate Research’s Early Career Mentor award in 2017 and Mid-Career Mentor award in 2026.
A physical organic chemist, Abdel Latif studies electron transfer mechanisms for common biological molecules. Her work to integrate authentic research experiences has provided opportunities for students in undergraduate chemistry courses. She, too, has mentored numerous student researchers and teaching assistants
Abdel Latif is involved in educational research with the goal of establishing a more equitable environment in teaching and research for her students. She has helped advance innovative and inclusive teaching practices in her role as co-chair of the University’s Faculty Development team.
Zarkowski lauded Belanger and Abdel Latif, saying their “contributions reflect the values and mission of Detroit Mercy and the extraordinary commitment of our faculty to our students and the University.”
The faculty recognition event will be held in the Student Union Ballroom. The evening starts at 6 p.m., with hors d’oeuvres and dinner, followed by the awards ceremony.