A message from the president

Addressing barriers in education

This year marks the halfway point for achieving our vision, Vision 2025, and I could not be more proud of the work this university has already accomplished on behalf of our students.

We’ve created new scholarships to assist schools in filling the teacher talent gap, introduced new mental health degrees, opened a new wellness center on campus, launched a new suite of online class delivery formats through Online+ and much more.

These achievements, on behalf of our students, would not be possible without the continued support of our community. That’s why in December, we introduced ELEVATE, a campaign for Davenport University, focused on raising $35 million in funds to support the incredible programs developed to achieve Vision 2025. We are well on our way to hitting our goal, having already received commitments from generous donors totaling more than $23 million during the silent phase of the campaign.

The ELEVATE campaign will support Davenport’s continued efforts to remove barriers so all students have the opportunity to become the leaders Michigan’s economy and communities need to thrive.

The ELEVATE campaign speaks to the incredible outcomes that we are working hard as a university to accomplish, including:

• Elevating the student experience

• Elevating higher education through our commitment to quality

• Elevating innovation in the classroom

Through ELEVATE, Davenport is building highly impactful programs, such as new undergraduate degrees to support the teacher talent shortage in urban school districts, an enhanced first-generation mentoring program, and Casa Latina, which offers new dual-language degree programs and services designed specifically to support bilingual students.

You’ll learn more about Casa Latina in this issue as we discuss the goals of the program and introduce Carlos Sanchez, the new executive director of the program. We also shine a spotlight on the women’s volleyball team and the journey one player took to realize her dreams of playing collegiate athletics. You’ll read an update on the incredible successes of our athletic teams this fall, including being named among the top 20 in NCAA Division II for academic performance.

We also share an incredible story about one of our alumna who has an unusual career in nursing within our government. You’ll enjoy her story and the interesting pathway her career has taken — especially as we get ready to celebrate National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week in May.

With the work we have already accomplished and all that we have planned as part of Vision 2025, Davenport will undoubtedly build the strong and diverse talent needed to address Michigan’s growing talent gap.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D. President

Jailine

Maine College of Business

First-Generation Student