Review
People of
Davenport University Showcasing the talented
individuals that represent Davenport University
Davenport University
March 2020 | Volume 15
Congratulations to the upcoming class of 2020 — we’ll see you at commencement on April 26
In This Issue
Review
March 2020 | Volume 15
The DU Review is designed and published
University News
02 | 04 |
by Davenport University
A message from the president
Advancement
Panthers win big
Executive Vice President Rachel Render Director of Major Gifts Jon Hankins
Features
05 08 10 11 18 27
| | | | | |
Director of Advancement Operations Laura Macka
Off the gridiron Level up: Earn your next degree
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations & Events Erik Dane, ’07 MBA
It starts with bravery Beating the odds
Assistant Director of Annual Giving Megan Sjolander
People of Davenport University Davenport first to certify soft skills
Marketing & Communications Executive Vice President Deb Cooper
Giving
13 | 15 |
Executive Director of Communications & Public Relations Amy Miller
We salute you Why I give
Director of Communications Karah Bradshaw
Alumni News
22 | 25 |
Graphic Designer Ben Huff
2019 Alumni Awards Michigan Business Talk
Have something to add? Share your thoughts and images on one of our social media platforms. DavenportU
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A message from the president Davenport has a history of providing students the tools and skills required to rise to the top of the talent pool in their profession. Why? Because that is our focus at this university. We are committed to being great stewards of the investment our students make in their education. That’s why we continue to expand the Davenport University Employment Guarantee. In December, Davenport added cyber defense as its sixth degree with an employment guarantee. We first offered the employment guarantee in 2014 with accounting and since that time, we have added network management, computer information systems, computer science and nursing. With cybersecurity becoming a growing concern for our nation, the career opportunities in this field are growing at an astounding rate. As a result, we anticipate nearly 500,000 jobs will be open in the next year. What’s more — there aren’t enough qualified candidates to fill these positions. With the launch of the cyber Davenport University defense guarantee, we is taking a stand. A hope to inspire more students to enter this stand that guarantees growing field and find its students a career. the opportunity to earn an incredible career. We’ve had more than 1,100 students graduate who were eligible for one of our employment guarantees. And in the five years since we first offered the program, we haven’t had one student need to take advantage of its benefits.
of all students met all of the best-practice requirements of the employment guarantee. This is a measure of success for our university and our students in which I find great pride. The academic and career success of our students is at the center of the work we do at Davenport. The employment guarantee offers peace of mind to our students that the investment they are making in their education will pay off. When they earn their diploma, they can be confident that they will walk into a market where they will have opportunities to earn an incredible living and a rewarding career. In this issue, we plan to highlight the university’s most important asset — the people we serve. I hope you enjoy seeing the “People of Davenport University,” featured in this issue. Each of these current students and alumni are the very picture of our mission come to life — changing the trajectory of their lives by earning a quality education and ultimately a successful career. I look forward to including all of you in our plans for the future — it’s through your continued support that our students’ career dreams are realized. Sincerely,
More than 70% of students who participated in the guaranteed programs were eligible for the benefi ts. That means that more than half Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D. President
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Davenport University | 2
Nate Couturier
PANTHERS WIN BIG
The Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence is presented to schools that achieve an academic success rate of 90% or higher. In 2019, Davenport achieved a 93% academic success rate. One Panther, Nate Couturier, was named Second Team Academic All-American. We asked Couturier why he decided to join the Panthers and how he’s been able to achieve success on and off the field. Read on to hear from Couturier.
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93%
“The 32 schools recognized with the Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence are dedicated to supporting the academic success of studentathletes,” said Gary Olson, president of Daemen and chair of the NCAA Division II Presidents Council. “We commend the institutions for their commitment to academic excellence and dedication to preparing student-athletes for life after college.”
ACADEMIC SUCCESS RATE
90
Davenport University student-athletes turned out an impressive year in 2019. One hundred fortyfour Panthers earned a 3.5 GPA or above, and 234 were named to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s (GLIAC) All-Academic or AllAcademic Excellence teams. Davenport was also awarded the NCAA Division II Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence.
STUDENT-ATHLETES 3.0–3.49 GPA
144
NCAA DII Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence
STUDENT-ATHLETES 3.5+ GPA
Percentage of studentathletes who graduate within six years
GLIAC All-Academic Team
GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team
Davenport University | 4
OFF THE GRIDIRON An interview with Panther record-breaker and Academic All-American, Nate Couturier Couturier is one of just four wide receivers in the nation and one of four players from the GLIAC to be selected for the first or second Academic All-American team. We sat down with Couturier to learn more about his experience at Davenport as a record-breaking Panther.
Q: Now that you’ve been at Davenport awhile, what do you like most about the university?
Q: What are the benefits of participating in a sport while in school?
A: One thing that I like most about Davenport is the average class size. The class sizes are not large, which gives the students the opportunity to get to know the professors better and allows more time for the professors to give each student help. Another thing I like is the proximity of everything on campus — classes, dorms, food and practice facilities are all extremely close to each other, which is very convenient for students.
A: One benefit of participating in a sport while in school is the opportunity for scholarships — receiving scholarships to help pay for classes is extremely helpful. Another benefit is learning the life lessons that sports give you. Things like time management, working on a team and working hard.
Q: Why did you choose to attend Davenport University?
A: Time management is key. You must understand that sports take a lot of time but school is the number one priority. Creating a road map for the week or the semester around practice, classes and homework can be extremely helpful in balancing sports with school.
A: I chose to come to Davenport University because I knew Davenport had good business degree programs, and I knew that I’d be put into a good position to succeed academically. The unique opportunity to start up a football program also played a pretty big factor. Q: What made you want to major in accounting? A: I thought I’d enjoy majoring in accounting because I have always been good at math and have always enjoyed the subject. Also, both of my parents are accountants, so I have been around people who work in the profession my whole life. I felt it would be a good path for me to pursue.
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Q: How do you balance your team obligations with school?
Q: How do the football team’s leaders help promote players’ academic success? A: Our team leaders and coaches make it known that school is the number one priority. There are team meetings specifically for promoting the importance of academic success. There are also mandatory study tables and there are consequences, such as game suspensions, if they’re skipped.
Q: How have your professors aided in your academic success? A: The professors at Davenport are all very willing to give their time and resources to students that are actively seeking academic success. Professors have specific office hour times; however, I’ve had multiple occasions where they have given me help on their own time. Q: What are your plans after you finish your accounting degree and graduate? A: I plan on getting a good internship for a job, studying for the CPA exam and eventually taking the CPA exam. My degree from Davenport and everything I learned through football have set me up to be successful after I graduate. Q: Do you have any tips you could share with other student-athletes on how to achieve academic success while participating in a demanding sport? A: The tips I would give other student-athletes is to show up, get to know the professors and seek help if you need it. Those three things set up a baseline for achieving academic success. The easiest thing to do in class is to show up — you can’t learn or turn in work if you don’t show up.
Fall 2019
ACHIEVEMENTS Second Team Academic All-American
CoSIDA Academic All-District
First Team All-GLIAC return specialist
GLIAC Commissioner’s Award
GLIAC All-Excellence Academic Team
BROKEN RECORDS
3,539
126
all-purpose yards
receptions
672
17
punt return yards
touchdowns
727
1,815
kick return yards
receiving yards
NATE COUTURIER Senior, 4.0 GPA Volume 13
Wide Receiver, Panther Football
BBA, Accounting Davenport University | 6
Level Up 5 ways earning your next degree could change your future There are significant lifelong advantages that come with earning your next degree. One of the biggest? Bachelor’s and master’s degree holders have higher earning potential than their counterparts with an associate degree. Despite the advantages earning an additional degree can bring, there are still 36 million U.S. adults who have started but not finished a degree and millions more who’ve thought about getting another degree but haven’t taken action. Why is this? For some, the thought of going to school is just too daunting. Many others would love to go back but feel they don’t have the time or money. Whether you need to finish a degree or want to earn another one, if you’re interested in going back to school but you’re not sure you can commit, read on.
Achieve your career goals. Do you want to change career paths or advance from your current position? Earning a bachelor’s or graduate degree can give you the credentials and skills you need to make your next career move.
Earn more money. The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the average full-time employee with a bachelor’s degree earns an average of $20,000 more per year than a full-time employee with an associate degree. And those with a master’s? On average, they earn $16,000 more per year when compared to those with a bachelor’s.
Gain new or improved skills. Earning your next degree will bring new skills into your life as well as help you hone the skills you already have. You’ll gain technical and soft skills that will serve you personally and professionally.
Grow your network. Earning a degree isn’t just lectures and homework — you’ll also get to spend time building relationships. Many people find new opportunities through the networks they built in college, and you can too.
Gain greater self-confidence. Prove to yourself, your employer and everyone around you that you have the skills, focus and determination it takes to meet your goals.
Tips for earning your next degree Don’t give up. Just the thought of earning another degree can be overwhelming. When you’re taking action to find the right school, apply and enroll, keep your end-goal in mind — remind yourself how life will change once you earn your degree. And if you’re having a hard time with any part of the process, don’t feel like you have to go it alone. Admissions representatives will gladly help you along. Just ask!
Look for flexibility and support. Colleges that offer online and night classes typically understand that most adults require flexible schedules that will fit into their busy lives. Look for schools that offer your program of choice completely online or at night and talk to the school’s representatives about the support they provide to ensure their students who work full-time can succeed.
Find ways to save. First and foremost, if you have existing college credits or a degree, find out how many credits can be applied to your next degree. Next, check to see if your current employer offers any education benefits that will help you pay for all or part of a degree. Some employers even have direct partnerships with local universities where you can take classes at discounted rates. After you enroll, always look for used books first and talk to the bookstore about discounts.
Don’t skip scholarships and grants. Scholarships and grants can have a huge impact on your final costs, so be sure you thoroughly investigate what’s available to you. Check for federal, statewide and local grants; request resources from your school of choice; and spend the time to apply for aid. While filling out more applications may not sound exciting, the time you spend can literally pay off.
Tell everyone. OK, maybe you don’t need to tell everyone but it’ll really help to have your family, friends and employer in the know. By letting them know you’re enrolling in advance, you can gain their support, work out any scheduling kinks and ask for help where you might need it. This will reduce some of the pressure you may feel when trying to balance your commitments.
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Does your employer offer education benefits? Ask your employer if they offer any of these to see if you’re eligible to receive additional funds.
Tuition reimbursement: Employees pay the up-front costs, and their employers pay them back for all or some of the tuition costs
Tuition assistance: Similar to reimbursement but employers typically help pay for tuition up front
Corporate Education Scholarships: Employers who’ve partnered with Davenport University can provide their employees tuition scholarships to offset costs, typically up to $5,000 per employee per year
If your employer doesn’t offer education benefits but is willing to consider it, we’ll find out if they qualify for the Corporate Education Scholarship. Email us at ducomm@davenport.edu
Davenport University | 8
h t i w s It start
Y R E V A R B
gram ccess pro u s t n e d u tion st st-genera r fi s e c u trod provost in w e n ’s t r Davenpo
“It starts with bravery.” This is the first response you’ll receive when you ask Dr. Gilda Gely, the new provost and executive vice president of academic affairs at Davenport University, how firstgeneration students are finding success at Davenport. Since joining the university in July 2019, Dr. Gely has held a tight focus on ensuring that all minority and first-generation students thrive personally and academically. “Davenport is already seeing incredible retention results with nearly 77% of students reaching graduation,” said Dr. Gely. “But we know we can help our students achieve greater success by offering increased focus for our minority and first-generation students.” According to the National Center for Education Statistics data, first-generation students tend to graduate at lower rates than their peers. These students face significant academic, financial and cultural challenges. Adding to their stress, many first-gen students must work full- or part-time to fund their education and provide for the rest of their household while simultaneously serving as a role model for younger siblings and generations to come. As a result of these hardships, nearly 90% of low-income, first-generation students across the nation are not able to graduate within six years. “It requires so much bravery to come to college when advanced schooling may be
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outside of your family’s norms,” said Dr. Gely. “Add to that a serious lack of funding, support and knowledge of the traditional college application and financial aid process, and it starts to become clear how these students are finding themselves at a disadvantage.” A first-generation student herself, Dr. Gely has felt the challenges these students face. As one of four siblings born to parents who never finished college in Puerto Rico, she had to overcome language and cultural barriers while attending college thousands of miles away from home. “I was fortunate to have parents who made college a nonnegotiable,” said Dr. Gely. “But many students who are attending college don’t have that support or foundation, and that can seriously impact whether a student makes it to college in the first place — let alone graduation.” In her first year on the job at Davenport University, Dr. Gely is focused on kicking off a concerted effort to support students in their first year of college. With support from an intragrant-awarding legacy fund created by the M.E. Davenport Family Foundation, she and her team have launched a first-generation initiative that provides peer mentoring and targeted activities to ensure all students are able to succeed in their first year of college. From help setting up class schedules to help studying for upcoming exams or navigating college structures and
policies, these peers discuss and address challenges that students may be facing to ensure no student is left behind. Dr. Gely and team lead Jodi Hicks launched the pilot program in January and will continue to monitor participants and their outcomes into the fall. Their goal is to grow a strong, cohesive and allinclusive approach to help first-generation students thrive in college because surviving is simply not enough. “The focus of Davenport’s mission is to help students achieve a better life by preparing them for successful careers,” added Dr. Gely. “This program aligns with our mission by removing barriers for firstgeneration students and rewarding their bravery with the tools and support they need to be successful.”
“It requires so much bravery to come to college when advanced schooling may be outside of your family’s norms.”
Dr. Gilda Gely, Provost
Davenport University | 10
BEATING THE ODDS 3 first-generation graduates share their stories
First-generation graduates, being the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree, deserve all of the credit. For these students, making it to graduation means they beat the odds — it means that not only did they make it through the academic rigor of earning a bachelor’s degree but they also successfully handled the unique challenges and stressors that have prevented many first-generation students from achieving their full academic potential. Here are the stories of three first-generation graduates that we’re incredibly proud to call Davenport University alumni.
Jessica Giddings Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting ‘19 Master of Accountancy ‘21 Staff Accountant, Hungerford Nichols CPAs + Advisors Jessica Giddings grew up in Greenville, MI. Her dad is a maintenance mechanic and her mom, a homemaker. Jessica wasn’t pressured to attend college, but she was driven to earn a degree for herself. “I made plenty of mistakes and didn’t take the typical path of high school graduates, so earning a degree made me feel like I was on track for success,” she said. During her junior year of high school, Jessica had taken an accounting class and she felt strongly it was the career for her. After being offered the opportunity to join a mid-sized certified public accountancy (CPA) firm, Jessica knew she was on the path to her dream career. She applied to Davenport because many of the accountants at her firm had attended the university and were successful.
After being accepted at Davenport, Jessica received a scholarship from the state of Michigan and a scholarship through her employer. “Graduating with my degree has given me more self-confidence in my everyday life and has allowed for more responsibility at work and more trust from coworkers and shareholders.” Now, Jessica is a staff accountant in the Specialized Accounting Services Department at Hungerford Nichols CPAs + Advisors. The majority of her time is focused on helping business clients with their payroll needs. “My degree makes me more valuable to the firm I’m with and that stability is priceless — stability in the household can potentially set up my kids for the same success.” Jessica’s advice to other first-generation students? “Do it and don’t hesitate — young or old, you can do this! Show others that dedication and determination will get you where you want to be in life. No matter what hurdles you’ve jumped over, and continue to jump over, make a college degree one of them — you won’t be disappointed in the outcome.”
“With the flexibility of Davenport’s online programs and the success rate of their students, I knew it would be the perfect school for me — as a wife, mom and full-time employee.”
First-gen students are more than 2x as likely to leave school within 3 years
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Christopher Velazquez
Lisa Miller
Bachelor of Science, Nursing ‘19 Registered Nurse, Spectrum Health Meijer Heart Center
Diploma, Practical Nursing ‘12 Bachelor of Science, Nursing ‘19 ABA Therapist, Centria Autism
Christopher Velazquez grew up in Anaheim, CA. His mom is a veterinary technician. After growing up in a tough living situation, Christopher was determined to provide for his family someday. He wanted them to have a better life because he knew what it was like to not have much. After graduating from high school, Christopher started college in Anaheim. He chose to major in nursing because of his strong desire to help people. He also saw the profession as an opportunity to grow as a man and a professional. Christopher decided to move to Michigan to be closer to his girlfriend, now his wife. “When I began looking at colleges in Michigan, Davenport caught my eye,” he said. “The nursing program looked challenging but was exactly what I needed.” After getting accepted, Christopher received Davenport’s Community Leader and Titanium Scholarships as well as a federal grant. With this support, he was encouraged to keep moving forward and felt confident he could succeed financially while he finished his degree. Now, Christopher is a registered nurse at Spectrum Health’s Meijer Heart Center on the congestive heart failure floor. With a daughter due in April, he can already see the impact his graduation will have on his family’s lives. Now, he has stability, confidence and a desire to continue learning. Christopher’s advice to other first-generation students? “Work hard because it’s definitely worth the effort. Always be willing to ask for help where needed and be proactive in your learning.”
Only 48% of first-gen students are on track to graduate after 3 years compared to 66% of non-first-gens
Lisa Miller grew up in Detroit. Her father was blind and owned several stores in Saginaw and Detroit. Her mother worked at Yellow Pages and Ameritech. Earning a degree was important to Lisa because she wanted more in life. She wanted a better lifestyle for her children. And she wanted to prove to herself that she could graduate from college, despite the many obstacles she faced. Lisa dreamed of being a nurse since eighth grade after a classmate’s mom attended career day dressed as Florence Nightingale — the woman credited for modernizing the nursing profession. When her classmate’s mom explained what she did for a living, Lisa knew nursing could be a future for her. Lisa first attended the Detroit College of Business — before it became Davenport University. After the college transitioned to Davenport, Lisa saw the new medical programs available to her and decided to apply. She was accepted into Davenport’s licensed practical nursing (LPN) program. After meeting with the financial aid department, Lisa was able to fund her education. “Graduating has changed my life in the most respectable way,” she said. “Having a degree gives you more options. And, my patience and discipline have matured greatly.” Now, Lisa works with autistic children at Centria Autism and is working to earn her license to become a registered nurse. Lisa’s advice to other first-generation students? “Don’t just think about it, do it! I’ve been working to finish school since 1991 because of the obstacles I have faced in life but my perseverance and determination guided me to the finish line. Having a degree is a life-changer in the most positive way.”
Are you a first-generation college student? Share your story with us by emailing ducomm@davenport.edu.
We salute you Davenport develops nationally recognized system to offer service members maximum credits for their military experience Imagine requiring an experienced military medic to “learn” how to put an IV into a simulation lab mannequin in order to pass a required nursing course — it doesn’t make much sense. Unfortunately, this is the type of requirement many service members face as they work to earn a degree. Service members bring an immense amount of experience and skill to our communities. They are hardworking, exhibit excellent decision-making abilities and have leadership skills that are second to none. They also bring immense experience in their respective fields. Davenport University has worked hard to ensure that service members spend only the necessary amount of time working toward a degree.
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“Our mission is to offer a path of minimal resistance for service members and their dependents to reach their education and career goals,” said Davenport University President Dr. Richard Pappas. “We are proud to work on initiatives that support these members of our community because they have given so much to our country. We respect the value they add to our campuses, workplaces and communities.” With the help of a Military Credit Equivalency Grant awarded by the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency, Davenport has created 60 military-specific degree pathways in business, technology and health. These pathways help service members fast-track their
Fall 2019
civilian careers by enabling them to transform their military experience into academic credit and earn a four-year degree in as little as three years. As one of seven universities in Michigan to earn the Military Equivalency Grant, Davenport surpassed other grant recipients by creating these 60 militaryspecific degree pathways, more than 600 branch-specific course-to-course equivalencies and almost 350 direct equivalencies that are applicable for all branches of the armed services.
individual had or has in the military,” said Christopher Marx, Davenport’s registrar. “As a result, we were able to create more than 600 course equivalency credits for military personnel and veterans — making it that much easier for them to earn a degree and move toward their next career.” Veterans, reservists and active-duty service members, we salute you. And we will continue to support your hard work toward your education and career goals.
“Davenport has taken a unique approach to recognize all of the experience, training and responsibilities an
Fast Facts Davenport has 414 active military, reservist and veteran students. Even though we offer a 20% scholarship to these students, 40% of them currently have a price gap between the education benefits they receive from their service and the cost of their tuition and fees.
Opportunities to impact Davenport’s active military, reservist and veteran students Military Scholarship Fund: Have an impact on students and lighten their financial load by giving to this scholarship for former and current service members.
If you’re interested in giving to our active military, reservist and veteran students, please contact the Office of Advancement at advancement@davenport.edu or 616.233.3412.
Military Emergency Fund: When a military student has an unexpected bill, delay in benefits or complication from the Veterans Affairs office, an emergency fund makes financial resources available.
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Davenport University | 14
Why I Give Veterans Edition
Scholarships can make all the difference for those trying to decide if they will be able to earn a degree. For veterans working to make the transition to civilian life, this support is especially important. We asked some of our scholarship donors to finish the following statement.
“To honor our late father,
Don Klopcic Sr., who served
on the Davenport Foundation
Board and who was a Korean War
Army veteran, the Klopcic family is proud to support veteran and active military students enrolled at Davenport University’s Grand
Rapids campus who need tuition support.” DON KLOPCIC JR., K L O P C I C FA M I LY F O U N D AT I O N Klopcic Family Endowed Scholarship
Supporting veteran students through scholarships is important to me because ...
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Fall 2019
“A picture of me
in my father’s arms
leaving Panama in 1960
SpartanNash is honored to support Davenport University’s veterans’ initiatives because, as a company, we are committed to serving those who’ve served. As a leading distributor of grocery products to U.S. commissaries around the world, we see firsthand the sacrifices our servicemen and women make to protect our freedoms every day. And, as a Military Friendly® and veteran-friendly employer, SpartanNash is also committed to hiring, training, retaining and recognizing the vital role veterans play in our workforce. Across our full company footprint, SpartanNash and the SpartanNash Foundation partner with veteran organizations and community partners like Davenport University to show our appreciation and dedication – because we know that freedom isn’t free.”
shows the commitment of the Robbins family to military service from the
Revolutionary War until today. It was my plan to join the Army but an unfortunate leg injury at 17 set me on a different path. My education at Davenport
provided me with an undergraduate
degree and MBA and has afforded me the ability to give back to veterans in
another way. I felt it was important to create a scholarship that encourages students who have chosen a military career to continue their education.” STEVE ROBBINS ’97, ‘07 The Robbins Michigan National Guard Scholarship
M E R E D I T H G R E M E L , V I C E P R E S I D E N T, C O R P O R AT E A F FA I R S A N D C O M M U N I C AT I O N S Davenport University’s Veterans Day Celebration Sponsor
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Davenport University | 16
Do you have a success story to share about your career?
Share the details with us Email ducomm@davenport.edu
Davenport is made up of a diverse mix of students, alumni, faculty and staff. We asked a few alumni how their time at Davenport shaped their future. Check out what they had to say.
Quiana Scott Bachelor of Science, Nursing ‘11 Nurse Practitioner, Spectrum Health Hospitals
“It’s because of my experience at Davenport University,
and the effort my nursing instructors put into building personal relationships with me and our entire class,
that I work so hard to provide the same type of
connection with my patients today.”
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Davenport University | 18
I found my passion
Viet Luu Bachelor of Science, Network Security ‘14 Principal Security Consultant, Secureworks
“Participating in the Collegiate Cyber Defense
Competition (CCDC) while attending Davenport
opened up so many doors for me. It was through
these competitions that I found my passion in network security, and it’s where I met my future employer.”
Nam Nguyen Master of Business Administration ‘13 Pricing Analyst, Oliver Healthcare Packaging Mentor, Alumni Mentor Network
I’m making connections
“When I found out Davenport offered a program
that connects alumni and students, I couldn’t wait to get involved. The trainings and one-on-one meetings offered through the Alumni Mentor Network create tremendous opportunities for students. Alumni
benefit through leadership training and professional development, too. I’m forever grateful for the connections I’ve made through Davenport.”
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Fall 2019
I felt at home
Paul Acosta Bachelor of Business Administration, Management ’07 Senior Materials Manager, Cascade Engineering Inc.
“Going to Davenport was an easy decision
for me. Once I started classes, I felt at home
as a nontraditional student. In online and in-seat classes, I noticed many other students were
working adults and parents just like me. Many
of my instructors also worked in their respective
fields, which made our lessons focused, engaging and relatable to real-world situations.”
Jennifer Sutherland Executive Master of Business Administration ‘13 Talent Development Leader, Kelly Services
I still draw on my experience
“Davenport’s 24-day study abroad trip through
Eastern Europe was a fantastic opportunity and one of my fondest memories — we immersed ourselves in other cultures and learned how
businesses operate on a global scale. As a talent
development leader, I still draw on my experience to help me understand and communicate with
people of diverse cultures.”
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Davenport University | 20
Have you used your bookstore discount ? Use code DUREVIEW20 for 20% off today Apparel • Drinkware • Jewelry • Gifts Shop online at DUspirit.com
ALUMNI AWA
ARD WINNERS Each fall, we honor alumni who exemplify the vision and values of Davenport University through their professional and community service. During our homecoming celebration, alumni gather to cheer on the Panthers, connect with old friends and professors, make great memories and celebrate the achievements of fellow alumni.
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Davenport University | 22
Mike Dokter BBA, Marketing ‘10 Executive MBA ‘13
Stephanie Blanco
Valarie Handy
BAS, Accounting ‘99
BBA, Marketing ‘08
Distinguished Alumni Award
Hy Berkowitz Professional Excellence Award
Young Alumni Award
Recognizes a graduate who has made notable achievements in his or her field; exemplifies the mission and ideals of Davenport; and is a distinguished person in public life, business or service
Recognizes a graduate for his or her exceptional professional and personal accomplishments
Recognizes a young graduate who has earned significant achievements early in their career, has demonstrated innovative and responsible leadership, and has successfully engaged in community service
An entrepreneur and educator at heart, Mike’s outreach to the communities he serves is an extension of himself. Mike is the former business manager for Motown Property Group. He now works with his wife, Shea, at her company, Designing Detroit, where they are part of an effort to improve neighborhoods and redevelop Detroit’s communities. As an adjunct professor at Davenport, Mike’s students get to learn from his real-life experiences. As an alumni, he recognizes the importance of giving with gratitude. Through his company, Na Zdrowie Ltd., Mike created the Grand Rapids International Entrepreneurship Endowed Scholarship, which is awarded to students studying abroad with a preference for business students focusing on entrepreneurship.
23 | DU Review
At the age of 14, Stephanie was living with her cousin and about to have a baby. Determined to provide more for her daughter, Stephanie graduated from high school, reconciled with her mother and enrolled in classes at Davenport. Her instructors felt she was capable of more than the administrative assistant degree she was pursuing and encouraged her to enroll in accounting classes. A two-year degree turned into a bachelor’s and CPA certification. Stephanie has worked for John Kasperek Co., Inc. for over 20 years and was promoted to partner in 2018. She also serves as the chair of the Government Report Review Committee in the Illinois CPA Society.
Valarie Handy is an innovation center analyst for USDA Rural Development in Washington, D.C. She has held a number of different positions throughout her 15-year tenure with the agency. She is now working with the Innovation Center’s data analytics team to measure the value of existing partnerships and network-building in rural communities. Valarie recently launched Handy Enterprises, a property management company dedicated to providing affordable housing in northern Michigan. She has been a speaker for the Council of Development Finance Agencies, the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan and the Michigan Economic Developer’s Association. Valarie is chair of the Garfield Township Parks and Recreation Commission and chair of the FUSE Young Professionals program.
Fall 2019
Kenyatta Legette
Doug Saunders
AAS, Nursing ‘08 BSN ‘14
Drew Cranmer BS, Computer Science ‘15
BS, Management ‘04 MBA, Strategic Management ‘12
College of Health Alumni Award
College of Technology Alumni Award
Donald W. Maine College of Business Alumni Award
Recognizes a College of Health Professions graduate who has shown outstanding professional accomplishments and leadership while remaining engaged in the advancement of the university and committed to public service
Recognizes a College of Technology graduate who has shown outstanding professional accomplishments and leadership while remaining engaged in the advancement of the university and committed to public service
Recognizes a Donald W. Maine College of Business graduate who has shown outstanding professional accomplishments and leadership while remaining engaged in the advancement of the university and committed to public service
Kenyatta’s life is focused on serving others — as a caregiver, an educator, a board member and a volunteer. After many years of working as a registered nurse (RN), Kenyatta moved into nurse education. She creates training materials and leads training sessions for in-patient nurses. Her department had a fundamental role in Beaumont Health Grosse Pointe’s Magnet designation — a recognition of it’s commitment to providing the best nursing care.
Many of the details about Drew’s job at the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic (NIWC Atlantic) are classified, but his general role is computer scientist. He works on projects relating to cryptographic research, machine learning, natural language processing, graph database implementation and Mission Operation Center modeling. Drew credits Davenport’s Denny Bobeldyk’s mentorship in machine learning and biometrics for setting him apart and helping lead to his acceptance in the Department of Defense Information Assurance Scholarship Program.
Doug’s longtime career in the manufacturing business began 31 years ago when he started in an entry-level position at Flexco Grand Rapids. Mentors throughout his career have opened doors for Doug, and through his time at Flexco, he has obtained multiple degrees, many job advancement opportunities and has traveled to 19 countries on 6 continents. Doug credits family support, hard work, collaboration and a great team for his success.
Kenyatta serves on a mental health taskforce for Beaumont’s Healthy Community Coalition. She was an integral part of forming the Detroit National Alliance of Mental Illness board, where she serves as secretary. Kenyatta and her husband also work with various organizations to provide affordable housing to low-income and homeless individuals.
Drew currently volunteers as a mentor at NIWC Atlantic, and last October, Drew moved to Stuttgart, Germany, to lead an electronic systems security project for the organization.
Doug and his wife cofounded Cosplay Crusaders and are part of League of Enchantment, Costumers with a Cause and Heroes Helping Heroes, where Doug serves on the board. Through these organizations, their charity work benefits veterans, burn victims and children’s hospitals.
Nominate someone for an award davenport.edu/alumni-awards
Michigan Business Talk with Mike Dokter 25 | DU Review
This past year has been a big one for Mike Dokter. He entered into a partnership with his wife, Shea, and their interior design firm Designing Detroit, added the role of IPEX instructor to his teaching repertoire, continued to expand his consulting and speaking career, launched a podcast and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Davenport University. We don’t know how he found the time, but Dokter sat down with us to answer a few questions about his new podcast, Michigan Business Talk.
Q: What’s the premise behind Michigan Business Talk? A: I really wanted Michigan business leaders to have a place to share what they’ve learned along their personal and professional journeys. They have so much to offer in terms of advice and knowledge when it comes to coaching, life lessons, business topics and entrepreneurship. They share their wisdom in what we call the “Interview Series.” The show is also full of vignettes with tips and tricks about lessons I’ve learned in the business world or topics of the day. The third part of the podcast we’re hoping will also appeal to kids, and I’m working on it with my son, Broton. He’s reading various success books right now, like “Chop Wood, Carry Water” and “Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn for Kids” by Maxwell. He’s going to join me on the podcast and give a book review along with his perspective on what he’s learned. I’m super excited about this part of the show because it’s a way for me communicate with him on his level about important subject matter and get important messages out to younger kids, while also allowing Broton to be the star of the show for a bit.
Q: Who are your guests? A: My guests are people I view as mentors who have added some major value to my life, but also have a lot of widsom to impart to my audience. Recently, I had the opportunity to talk to Mike Dykstra, a fellow Davenport grad and the president & CEO of Zeeland Lumber Holdings, LLC. Mike took what we learned from our Executive MBA program and used it to take his local company regional and national. It’s a great story about expansion.
Fall 2019
One of my first podcasts was with Blaine Feyen, who’s not only a life and career coach but also an Aikido instructor. Blaine has experience getting people to the next level of their careers and has worked with thousands of students. We also interviewed Zachariah Booker for the podcast about his successes and failures as an entrepreneur, and specifically about his latest business venture geared toward easier and more accurate ADHD diagnoses. Just yesterday I had an awesome conversation with a former business partner and great friend, Rob Stam, where it seemed like every line that came out of his mouth was pure gold. I also have a verbal commitment to interview Frank Novakowski, a Davenport University legend and former professor of mine. I’m really excited about that one, as well as my upcoming talk with Lisa Howze, the VP of Detroit campuses and strategic partnerships at Davenport University. She’s a great business and servant leader in Detroit, and I can’t wait to hear what she has to say.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about your podcast? A: Michigan Business Talk has given me an avenue to reconnect with people who have been really influential in my life. I see them in the news or on social media, and I know they’re doing great things. I’m excited to give them a platform to talk about their projects or their latest venture. Our discussions are spawning new ideas for collaboration and inspiration as well as teaching awesome lessons of leadership and entrepreneurship for any business manager.
Q: What inspired you to launch this podcast? A: I previously hosted a podcast that was centered around Detroit’s real estate community, but I wanted to tell a bigger story of what was going on in Michigan. I was also listening to Gary Vee’s podcast where his advice to a listener was to “take action.” He told the guy to stop talking about starting his own podcast and just do it. I followed the listener and listened to his podcast. Immediately, I started thinking of ways I could improve the model, and that’s when it occurred to me I could start my own podcast. I ordered a mobile studio and audio equipment, made some phone calls to people I know who are great conversationalists and booked some interviews.
Volume 13
There are so many great stories of entrepreneurs and business leaders in Michigan who are reachable, who want to share their stories and who will go out of their way to help you. Whenever I talked with them in the past, I would always say, “I should have recorded that!” Now I’m making it a point to do so.
Q: Is there anyone you’d love to interview? A: I’m a huge sports fan and a huge Detroit Pistons fan, so I think Ben Wallace would be a great interview. I’d love to discuss his connection to Michigan as a former Pistons champion and as the current co-owner of the Grand Rapids Drive. Tom Gores, the Detroit Pistons owner, would be an exciting interview, too. He’s got deep roots in the Detroit community, and I’d love for him to share his thoughts on rebuilding an organization that brings in top players, a new front office and coaching staff to the Pistons. He also brought the team back to the city of Detroit, which was awesome for the revitalization of downtown.
You can listen to Mike Dokter’s podcast, Michigan Business Talk, on Apple Podcast, GooglePlay, SoundCloud, Spotify and Amazon Alexa by saying, “Alexa! Play Michigan Business Talk on Apple Podcast!”
The world of sports marketing and management is multifaceted and so interesting. In fact, it’s what I studied in my BBA at Davenport. People are fascinated by it, myself included, and I’m sure a lot of students studying sports management and student-athletes at Davenport dream of working in professional sports. It would be really cool to have someone on the podcast who is from that world.
Davenport University | 26
DAVENPORT AMONG FIRST TO CERTIFY SOFT SKILLS Now more than ever, employers recognize the importance of soft skills. Davenport University is committed to equipping its students with the skills they need to rise to the top of the job market. In fact, we were one of the first universities in the country to certify soft skills on students’ diplomas. Here are some of the top soft skills Davenport instills in its graduates.
Intercultural Competency In a globally connected world, employees need the ability to adapt to new situations and an understanding of the complex issues that can be present in diverse environments.
Collaborative Teamwork The ability to work effectively and collaborate with team members is very important. Employers want to hire those who can set aside personal opinions and work well with all members of their organization.
Written & Verbal Communication Those with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely are more likely to be hired. Employers seek employees who are well-spoken and possess strong writing skills.
Leadership Leadership skills have always been important to employers. They are looking for individuals who show initiative and can direct or facilitate team members’ talents to meet team and company goals.
Service Orientation Employers hire people who will represent their business well by listening to customers and attending to their needs. They also seek employees who are willing to help out in any situation.
Problem-Solving Unexpected issues come up all of the time in the workplace, so employers want those who can recognize difficulties or complications, identify possible solutions and implement them effectively.
Creativity Creative employees can find new ways to complete their tasks and improve processes. They also add value through ideation and finding new avenues for growth — all assets to an employer.
Critical Thinking Employers want to hire those with the ability to think logically about problems and how to solve them. They also seek employees who can objectively analyze information and derive value from it.
Emotional Intelligence The ability to recognize, understand and manage your emotions, as well as your ability to show empathy, is important. Employers see this as a critical component to developing highperforming teams.
Time Management An employee’s ability to prioritize their time effectively is critical. Employers want those who manage their time well because it leads to greater productivity and more opportunity for their business.
6191 Kraft Avenue SE Grand Rapids, MI 49512
EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS GALA 2020 An evening to support student scholarships
Join us for an exclusive conversation with the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush
&
in honor of this year’s Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award winner, J.C. Huizenga
DeVos Place | Friday, May 15
President George W. Bush
Get your tickets before they’re gone davenport.edu/eib
