A message from the president The Davenport community always has so many reasons to be proud but recent events have created opportunities that highlight the resilience and dedication of our staff, faculty and students. I have included just a few of these milestones below.
Celebrating operational excellence
Davenport University was just recognized with the prestigious 2020 Michigan Performance Excellence Award — an assessment based on the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award criteria from the Michigan Performance Excellence (MIPEx). This is the highest honor given to organizations in Michigan that demonstrate outstanding performance, leadership and operational excellence. Davenport is the first university to earn this distinction in Michigan. With this honor, Davenport is one-step closer to earning the National Malcolm Baldrige Award. In this issue, you will learn more about the operational standards and performance measures Davenport University established to become a high-performing academic institution.
Our response to the pandemic
As a community and a country we have been faced with incredible challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our university moved quickly to protect the health and safety of students, faculty and staff. In a matter of days, we moved nearly 7,000 students into online courses, closed our campuses and asked nearly 670 full-time and 700 part-time employees to work from home. In the last few months, Davenport has quickly developed programs and funding initiatives to support students and our communities during this difficult time. These programs and initiatives include:
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In early March, Davenport awarded more than $33,000 to students through its Student Emergency Fund to help with unexpected challenges they faced at the onset of the pandemic.
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In late March, the university donated more than 12,000 pieces of personal protection equipment to hospitals across Michigan.
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In April, Davenport introduced a free course to individuals laid-off because of COVID-19 to help them skill-up and land their next job.
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In May, the university introduced the Launch Scholarship, valued at $8,000 per year for four years and available to individuals laid-off or furloughed by COVID-19.
I am incredibly proud of our team and the work they have accomplished over the last few months. Their concerted effort aligns with what we strive to do every day to live out our mission and change the trajectory of students’ lives by providing them with a quality education and preparing them for successful careers.
Looking ahead
As we look ahead, we are more committed than ever to ensuring our students are prepared to be successful in the ever-changing job market. We are now focused on our new five-year strategy, Vision 2025, which will align our work to broaden the reach of Davenport University and propel student success. With our continued focus on Malcolm Baldrige’s operational best practices, we will have the flexibility, the agility and the experience to adapt to the everchanging economic landscape while ensuring our students do not miss a step when it comes to their future. Sincerely,
Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D. President Davenport University | 2
