CASA LATINA

The Latino/a/x community is the fastest growing and the least represented in higher education. Davenport plans to help reverse this trend with its new approach to higher education and its support of the Latino/a/x community by providing duallanguage degrees leading to high-demand careers.

This innovative program will increase the number of bilingual professionals equally fluent in English and Spanish needed to strengthen Michigan’s workforce in business, health care, education, technology and the sciences.

“Casa Latina will embrace bilingualism, putting students on the path to higher-paying careers that lift up entire communities,” said Dr. Gilda Gely, provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs at Davenport University.

Mental Health

A focus on mental health will enable the university to expand academic programming to develop future professionals in highdemand careers and expand additional on-site mental health services for students across all campuses.

In the fall of 2023, Davenport will launch two new mental health degree programs to help support our state in developing the talent needed to serve our communities. Students receiving a Master of Science in Nursing, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration or a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling will transition into high-demand careers through which they can truly make a difference in the lives of those they serve.

Davenport’s Wellness Center, located on the W.A. Lettinga campus, is positively impacting students seeking mental health support. According to Darren Oliver, lead counselor at the Wellness Center, there is a definite need for mental health services among students, and Davenport is helping to fill that void with in-person and virtual access.

“It is very difficult right now to secure an appointment with a mental health professional,” said Oliver. “Providing mental health services on campus makes it more convenient for students to be able to access the services they need.”

Davenport has been offering online classes to students for more than 20 years. The recent Global Campus expansion to offer Online+, extending its class offerings to include livestream, on-demand, flex and blended options, allows students to learn in the format most beneficial to their needs.

“Online learning has gone from an isolating experience to a more immersive experience in which you converse with your instructor and talk with other students in your class,” said Brian Miller, dean of Global Campus and academic systems.

“It’s been very important for us to have the technology and the infrastructure in place that can actually support that learning.”

Scholarships

The university is committed to developing additional scholarships to allow more Davenport students to graduate with degrees in rewarding careers and the lowest student debt possible. Removing financial barriers to obtaining a college degree lets students focus on what’s important.

Ella

Maine College of Business

Thank you for your generosity

“I am honored and grateful to have received the full-ride Gerald R. Ford Memorial Scholarship,” said Ella, a Davenport business major. “It’s a four-year scholarship, so I’ll be able to focus on my academics and not stress about the financial aspect.”

To support the ELEVATE campaign and help tomorrow’s future leaders achieve personal and career success, visit davenport.edu/elevate

During the silent phase of the ELEVATE campaign, these and other generous donors have committed over $25 million toward the $35 million goal:

• The Jandernoa Foundation, supporting urban educators

• The Eileen DeVries Family Foundation, supporting first-generation scholarships

• Keith and Kathy Klingenberg, creating the Wellness Center and the Klingenberg Mental Health Fund

• Steve and Tana Wessell, in honor of Tyrus R. Wessell, funding the Casa Latina launch

• The Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation, creating an impactful scholarship match fund along with a commitment to first-generation students, urban educators and the launch of Casa Latina

• Wilbur and Sharon Lettinga, Bill Lettinga, Jr. and the late Michael P. Lettinga Trust (via Connie Lettinga) generously gifting real estate adjacent to the main campus in Grand Rapids