91福利社

Each year, 91福利社鈥檚 Marketing & Communications department profiles members of the graduating classes. Students chosen were nominated by staff and faculty for their contributions to the life of the University.听Click here for more information about 2025 commencement exercises.听

Cristal Guzman鈥檚 passion for advocacy and care for others started long before she stepped foot on 91福利社鈥檚 McNichols Campus.听

It goes back to her childhood as a Mexican American in Hamilton, Mich., a rural community on the western side of the state.听

鈥淚 saw how not only immigration policy impacted my family, but how they were treated differently by society,鈥� Guzman said. 鈥淚 remember hearing insults and derogatory terms being thrown around at a young age and being so confused.鈥澨�

Those moments sparked Guzman鈥檚 interest in making a difference through advocacy and the law. They also inspired her to create a welcoming community at 91福利社, where she鈥檚 served as a campus leader for the last three years.听

On Saturday, Guzman, a first-generation college student, will graduate one year early as the valedictorian of UDM鈥檚 Class of 2025.听

It鈥檚 an unexpected conclusion to Guzman鈥檚 undergraduate career 鈥� that鈥檚 because she never planned on applying to be valedictorian.听

鈥淚 ended up submitting my application the last day it was due,鈥� said Guzman, a Political Science major. 鈥淏eing a first-gen student, part of that journey is combatting a lot of imposter syndrome and feeling like it鈥檚 not a space that鈥檚 meant for you.鈥澨�

Finding community听

Guzman was first exposed to 91福利社 as a middle schooler, when her brother attended an event hosted by the Engineering program.听

When it came time to make her college decision, a 鈥渇ull-circle moment鈥� brought her back to UDM.听

鈥淚t was kind of out of the blue,鈥� Guzman said. 鈥淚 was initially planning on committing to University of Michigan, and then something inside me just said, 鈥業 think this is where I鈥檓 supposed to be.鈥櫶�

鈥淗aving that smaller school creates a closer-knit community, and that was something that I really valued and still really value. I would not have gotten as many opportunities and support anywhere else.鈥澨�

Guzman听wasted little time forging that sense of community at UDM.听

As a freshman, she founded the Latinx Student Union and got involved with Titan Dreamers, an immigration advocacy group that is part of University Ministry鈥檚 social justice programming.听

With Titan Dreamers, Guzman was able to experience the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, one of the largest annual student social justice conferences that brings together Jesuit institutions from across the United States.听

Participating was meaningful for Guzman given her background, but it also provided her with an impactful teaching moment.听

鈥淭hat involvement made me realize the importance of not only doing advocacy work but also taking the time to educate our fellow classmates and peers,鈥� Guzman said. 鈥淲e have to have patience and not expect everyone to come in with the same knowledge base, because everyone鈥檚 lived experiences are different.鈥澨�

Guzman later served as vice president of the Student Government Association as a sophomore. She also worked as a resident advisor and was part of the Feminist Coalition and Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.听

鈥淭o be able to have the sense of community meant a lot, because a lot of what I鈥檝e done here has to do with my roots and my own lived experience,鈥� Guzman said.听

It also helped Guzman with transitioning to college.听

First-generation college students can face several challenges and barriers during their educational experience. According to First Gen Forward, first-generation college students graduate with a bachelor鈥檚 degree at a rate of 24% versus 59% for continuing-generation students.听

While Guzman faced her share of challenges, what helped was knowing she wasn鈥檛 alone.听

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of other first-generation students on this campus, which I really love, because it鈥檚 such a good reminder that it鈥檚 OK,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e all facing imposter syndrome. We are all going through it; we鈥檙e not by ourselves.鈥澨�

Academically, Guzman 鈥� who minored in Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies and Philosophy 鈥� worked toward her goal of attending law school to become a policy writer.听

91福利社鈥檚 Pre-Law Program helped prepare her to achieve those next steps.听

She participated in moot court, law class simulations and legal research and writing courses. These hands-on experiences helped her gain internships with the Allegan County Public Defender’s Office and Friend of the Court after her freshman year.听

鈥淚nstead of being on the forefront of politics, I want to do more behind the scenes work,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 would love to be a policy expert that representatives come to.鈥澨�

Taking up space听

A lot of good has come of Guzman鈥檚 first-generation journey.听

She said it has helped her grow as a person and proves that she is worthy of opportunities.听

鈥淏eing able to prove to myself that I do belong in higher education and these spaces that I never thought I did before, it鈥檚 very validating,鈥� she said.听

Guzman got a reminder of that earlier this year.听

Megan Novell, executive director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and her Honors thesis advisor, encouraged Guzman to apply as class Valedictorian.听

It was another opportunity to conquer imposter syndrome.听

鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 always preaching to others to go for it and that was a moment where I had to prove to myself that you need to do it, too,鈥� Guzman said. 鈥淵ou need to believe in yourself, even if you feel like you鈥檙e not good enough or not deserving.听

鈥淚f I鈥檓 going to preach these things, I also need to live them out. Don鈥檛 let your imposter syndrome stop you from reaching for opportunities. You belong in these spaces and are supposed to be here.鈥澨�

Guzman鈥檚 鈥渋ncredible heart鈥� has stood out to Novell.听

鈥淪he thinks and cares deeply about justice, about being a good person and doing the right thing, and she lives it in her academic life, in her work and in her relationships with others,鈥� Novell said of Guzman.听鈥淎dvising her on her Honors thesis was the best part of my year.听 Cristal has so many gifts, and we have been very fortunate that she has shared them with us.鈥澨�

Guzman鈥檚 childhood experiences fueled a desire to make a difference in the world. They’ve also helped her create a welcoming community at UDM.听

As she prepares to walk across the stage in Calihan Hall and deliver her valedictorian speech, Guzman is grateful for what her journey has brought her.听

鈥淟eaning back on that community and allowing others to be there for support has taught me a lot,鈥� Guzman said. 鈥淎nd in creating the community, that brought me a lot of joy, because where I grew up, it wasn鈥檛 so accepting. 听

鈥淏eing able to be the person that I needed when I was younger was very healing for me.鈥澨�

鈥斕鼴测听Ricky Lindsay. Follow 91福利社 on听,听,听听补苍诲听. Have a story idea? Let us know by听submitting your idea.

Congratulations, Class of 2025!

The 91福利社 will confer nearly 1,400 degrees following the 2024-25 academic year, with approximately 1,150 Titans participating in Commencement ceremonies May 9-10 inside of Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus.

Of note, construction on Livernois Avenue is expected to continue through the weekend, which could cause delays in traffic. 91福利社’s Public Safety is opening a third gate on Fairfield Street, near Florence Street, in addition to the Livernois and McNichols entrances.

All coming to the McNichols Campus over the weekend should utilize any entrance/exit that is available and should prepare to arrive early for the ceremonies. A live stream will be broadcast for all Commencement ceremonies, beginning with Friday’s 9:30 a.m. School of Dentistry ceremony.

• 9:30 a.m. 鈥� School of Dentistry Ceremony
• 2 p.m. 鈥� School of Law Ceremony

• 9:30 a.m. 鈥� Undergraduate Ceremony
• 1 p.m. 鈥� Baccalaureate Mass (Student Union Ballroom)
• 3 p.m. 鈥� Graduate Ceremony

Full information on Commencement, including maps, programs, live streaming, speakers, FAQ, etc., can be found at .

Congratulations, Titans!

Senator Gary Peters, a 1984 graduate from the College of Business Administration at the University, is among the three Commencement speakers during the 2025 ceremonies on the McNichols Campus. Peters will speak at the School of Law ceremony, 2 p.m. Friday, May 9.

Three-time School of Dentistry graduate Cheri Newman ’89, ’90, ’98 is the featured speaker for the School of Dentistry ceremony, set for 9:30 a.m. Friday and former Detroit Police Department police chief James E. White will give the addresses for both McNichols Campus ceremonies Saturday, May 10.

91福利社 will confer degrees upon the nearly 1,150 Titans participating in Commencement ceremonies on May 9-10 inside Calihan Hall. The full profiles of each speaker are below:

Cheri Newman has worked in private practice and is an adjunct faculty member at 91福利社 Dental. Newman鈥檚 work focuses on dental services for special needs patients, and she coordinates a clinic for these unique patients every week at 91福利社 Dental. Each year, she runs a weeklong outreach program to provide dental services for disabled adults at Bay Cliff Health Camp, which helps people with disabilities achieve greater independence. Her inclusion of 91福利社 Dental students in this community service is both meaningful and educational.

Newman is a past president of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, an international honorary dental service organization founded in 1936 and is a member or board member of many local and national dental organizations.

Gary Peters has dedicated his life to public service, combining a rich educational background with a career that includes positions in business, academics and politics. His four degrees include an MBA from University of Detroit and a J.D. from Wayne State University.

Peters served in the United States Navy Reserve from 1993 to 2008, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. During his service, he supported Operation Southern Watch in the Persian Gulf. After the events of September 11, 2001, he again served overseas.

He served as an assistant vice president at Merrill Lynch and a vice president at Paine Webber and was the third Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government at Central Michigan University from 2007-08. His other academic positions include teaching finance and strategic management and business policy.

Peters has served as an elected representative since 1993 at the city, state and national levels and is the senior senator from Michigan, serving in the U.S. Senate since 2014. He is currently serving his last term, having announced he will not run again for the Senate.

James E. White is a servant leader dedicated to providing exemplary behavioral health services to the citizens of Detroit and Wayne County. As president and CEO of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, White works to drive sustainable growth for the agency by improving access and availability to services, strengthening the provider network and ensuring individuals know there is help available to anyone who is struggling with mental health, substance use or disability concerns.

White spent the majority of his career as a public servant, starting in the Detroit Police Department in 1996, working his way up to police chief, a position he held for four years.听He was also executive director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, bridging his work in law enforcement with protecting the rights of Michigan residents, working to bring awareness and inclusion in everything from housing and education to public services in underrepresented communities.

Full information on Commencement, including maps, programs, live streaming, speakers, FAQ, etc., can be found at .

Each year, 91福利社鈥檚 Marketing & Communications department profiles members of the graduating classes. Students chosen were nominated by staff and faculty for their contributions to the life of the University. Click here for more information about 2025 commencement exercises.听

Years ago, Zaynab Alhisnawi鈥檚 move with her family from Minnesota to the metro Detroit area sparked her passion for community-engaged learning.

鈥淕rowing up among many different communities influenced my approach to design,鈥� she said. 鈥淎rchitecture is more than just designing structures. It shapes the built environment, and designers must create with the community and environment in mind.鈥�

Alhisnawi鈥檚 passion was later ignited at 91福利社. On Saturday, she will graduate with a degree in Architecture from UDM鈥檚 School of Architecture & Community Development (SACD).

She was drawn to UDM because of its values of compassion, respect for all voices and meaningful engagement. These aspects aligned with Alhisnawi鈥檚 approach to design, one that encompasses the concept of working with and for community members and integrating their perspectives and spirit into her designs.

鈥淪tudents are taught to balance conceptual thinking with technical skill, to be just as confident drawing structures as discussing social impact,鈥� she said.

Her work as an intern at the Detroit Collaborative Design Center (DCDC) demonstrated the many layers involved in a design project and fueled her call to work in partnership with the community.

Alhisnawi said that collaborating with community partners and classmates has been essential to her growth as a designer and person.

鈥淐ommunity members are the true experts of their own lived experiences in a society,鈥� she said. 鈥淚nstead of making assumptions about their needs, designers must give them a voice in the decisions that impact their neighborhood and spaces.鈥�

As a senior, Alhisnawi participated in a pair of capstone projects that left an impact on her.

Her team鈥檚 first-semester Integrated Design project was recently presented at 91福利社’s Celebration of Scholarly Achievement & Community Engagement, an annual University-wide event that recognizes academic and creative achievement.

鈥淥ur challenge was to design a net-zero business incubator that is flexible for future tenants and open to the community on the main level,鈥� said Alhisnawi. 鈥淥ur group successfully achieved zero greenhouse gas emissions, and the project is one I’m super proud of.鈥�

Her second-semester Public Interest Design capstone project focused on community-engaged design. She and her teammates sought to translate the lived experiences of community members into a building. The group experimented with sustainable design and proposed a space that connected the neighborhood and the University.

The SACD holds an annual competition where students, faculty and deans vote on the best capstone projects. This year, Alhisnawi鈥檚 team won bronze in the Student Choice category for their work on the Public Interest Design project.

鈥淚’ve learned a lot about the technical side of the design process and the importance of early design thinking and teamwork, trusting your instincts and understanding the bigger picture 鈥� uplifting both people and place,鈥� she said.

SACD students gain real-world experience through the mandatory cooperative education program at the DCDC. There, Alhisnawi worked with Senior Designer and Project Director Julia Kowalski-Perkins, alongside community partners, to design healthy spaces in Detroit.

鈥淚鈥檝e been lucky to learn from incredible mentors,鈥� Alhisnawi said. 鈥淏y working with Julia on several community projects, I鈥檝e realized what it means to engage with the people we design for. She鈥檚 advising me on a research project focused on bringing sustainable design strategies onto our campus 鈥� something I鈥檓 passionate about.鈥�

She also credits Assistant Professor of Architecture and Community Development Tom Provost with helping her understand that the skills developed at UDM can be taken anywhere.

鈥淪tudying Architecture has given me many creative outlets and taught me how inclusive design can be,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about structures, but rather the people and stories inside the walls.鈥�

Being part of the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS), a club that seeks to minimize the effects of racism in the profession, has been a transformative experience for Alhisnawi.

鈥淣OMAS has shown me the importance of leadership and how activism in design can uplift minority voices to help build a more sustainable world,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t has opened many doors for me and helped me grow in ways I never expected.鈥�

Alhisnawi will stay connected with NOMAS next year as a graduate advisor when she returns to UDM to complete her Master of Architecture.

鈥� By Julie Erwin.听Follow 91福利社 on听,听,听听补苍诲听. Have a story idea? Let us know by听submitting your idea.

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Each year, 91福利社鈥檚 Marketing & Communications department profiles members of the graduating classes. Students chosen were nominated by staff and faculty for their contributions to the life of the University. Click here for more information about 2025 commencement exercises.

When Steven Meerschaert was leaving his longtime career in mental healthcare to go to law school, he never envisioned his experience going beyond the classroom setting.

鈥淕et in there, get the degree and get out,鈥� he thought.

But after Meerschaert arrived at 91福利社 School of Law, he found it to be the exact opposite. He immersed himself in the Riverfront Campus, becoming president of two student organizations and executive director of another, among other opportunities.

“I don鈥檛 know where the line is between involved and overinvolved 鈥� I probably was on the overinvolved side,鈥� Meerschaert said.

On Friday, May 9, Meerschaert will graduate from 91福利社 School of Law, grateful for how his experience turned out.

“I found that one of the most rewarding things I did here was finding communities where I believed in what they were advocating, and I wanted to advocate on their behalf,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd when I started thinking about it and doing it, I realized, 鈥榃ell, that鈥檚 the whole reason I鈥檓 going to law school.鈥� ”

Meerschaert spent more than a decade working as a mental health counselor in areas of addiction and substance abuse. But he began reflecting on his career and life during the COVID pandemic. There was a sense of purpose, passion and accomplishment that Meerschaert felt from his career, but a feeling of repetition was setting in. He was working on the administrative side of mental health then and challenges started to feel the same.

鈥淢y father had passed away early in the pandemic, and I was looking at really what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,鈥� he said.

The law held a fascination for Meerschaert during his career, as he worked primarily with people battling addictions and who had sought treatment through legal means.

鈥淚 had these experiences that kindled an interest in law, and this seemed like the perfect time for me to make that transition,鈥� Meerschaert said. 鈥淢y daughter was at a point where she was very stable and busy and wasn鈥檛 needing quite as much of me at home.鈥�

Meerschaert sought a law education that was going to be practical and local, so he could be present with his family. UDM checked those boxes. He began law school in the fall of 2022.

鈥淚 wanted to find something that was going to give me the best value and education for my dollar,鈥� he said.

He jumped in with both feet.

Meerschaert started out with Moot Court, which provides students with hands-on lawyering experience through appellate court simulations. He competed in internal and national competitions through Moot Court, eventually becoming its executive director of external competitions. In that role, Meerschaert selected and developed UDM鈥檚 teams that compete nationally.

Meerschaert also led a pair of student organizations as president: the American Constitution Society and the Mental Health Association, the latter of which holds a special place in his heart.

“We are really advocating for the mental health needs of legal professionals and law students, with a special eye on advocating for the needs of the law students at 91福利社,鈥� Meerschaert said.

A 2023 study published in the journal Healthcare reported that attorneys are twice as likely as other working U.S. adults to have suicidal thoughts. Other studies show that the occupation faces significant risk for suicide.

Meerschaert鈥檚 work with the Mental Health Association earned him a spot on the Michigan Supreme Court鈥檚 Commission on Well-Being in the Law, along with Associate Dean Ieisha Humphrey. The appointment allowed Meerschaert to collaborate with judges and lawyers to help combat mental health issues in the legal profession. He also sought ways to make a difference in mental health at 91福利社 Law.

In 2023, Meerschaert worked with Humphrey on a Titan Innovation Fund proposal to establish mental health counseling services at the Riverfront Campus.

Meerschaert鈥檚 proposal was one of 18 to receive funding during the first year of University President Donald B. Taylor鈥� initiative for change.

He believed that it was important to start combatting mental health issues while students are in law school 鈥� where struggles can start to build 鈥� rather than waiting until they have graduated and are practicing attorneys. As a former counselor himself, Meerschaert said having access to mental health counseling services at 91福利社 Law would also help to reduce barriers that students may face in seeking help, such as lack of privacy or the high cost of care.

鈥淚 talked to a number of administrators and faculty here and all of them agreed wholeheartedly that the need is significant,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey have all come across students who are experiencing different levels of crisis, either coming from home, their past or something directly linked to their law school experience.鈥�

Once Meerschaert walks across the Calihan Hall stage during Commencement, it will be time to study for the bar exam. He鈥檚 accepted a position at Secrest Wardle, a defense firm based in Troy, Mich., where he’s worked as a law clerk for more than a year.

As Meerschaert reflects on the past three years at 91福利社 Law, he is grateful for a well-rounded educational experience.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the writing, the advocating, the doctrine of learning, getting all of that wrapped into one,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the real beauty of it and what I鈥檝e enjoyed the most about my experience.鈥�

鈥� By Ricky Lindsay. Follow 91福利社 on听,听,听听补苍诲听. Have a story idea? Let us know by听submitting your idea.

Each year, 91福利社鈥檚 Marketing & Communications department profiles members of the graduating classes. Students chosen were nominated by staff and faculty for their contributions to the life of the University.鈥� Click here 鈥痜or more information about 2025听Commencement exercises.

For Mark Formosa, UDM 鈥渁wakened鈥� him to the power of faith-guided decision-making.

Growing up in Grosse Ile in a family rich in Maltese ideals, Formosa鈥檚 values were formed early on, particularly the importance of strong family and community bonds. These core values blossomed at UDM, where he found a tight-knit environment that supported his personal and intellectual development.

鈥淚 chose 91福利社 because I instantly felt a sense of community,鈥� said Formosa, who will complete his MBA next year through the University鈥檚 accelerated BS/MBA program. 鈥淚 knew I wouldn鈥檛 be just another face in the crowd as I might at other institutions. I believed I could make a palpable difference at UDM.鈥�

Formosa embarked on the road to self-growth by first enrolling in the University Honors Program. This program challenged him to explore deeper academic experiences and purposeful campus and community involvement.

He made his mark at UDM by serving as president of the Student Government Association, and as a sophomore, he was elected president of the College of Business Administration鈥檚 Student Advisory Board (SAB). He also joined two distinguished honor societies: Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit honor society, and Beta Gamma Sigma, the national business honor society.

鈥淢y high school experience in a small class setting taught me to build meaningful relationships and to take initiative in group settings,鈥� he said. 鈥淎t 91福利社, I was able to put my interpersonal skills to work, and I never hesitated to step up when an opportunity presented itself.鈥�

When he came across a floundering SAB at a time when the University was still managing the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Formosa stepped up.

The SAB is a student-led organization within the CBA where students are provided a forum to connect about matters that affect the quality and nature of their education.

鈥淲hen I entered UDM in the fall of 2021, student morale and engagement in the SAB was low,鈥� he said.

With the help of alumni and fellow students, Formosa spearheaded a rescue campaign to revive the group, helping it grow to 20 to 30 active members under his leadership. Today, it sits at about 60 members and was the recipient of the 2024 91福利社 Student Organization of the Year award.

鈥淣o other student organization has meant more to me,鈥� Formosa said.

Formosa said he chose Accounting as a major because he believed 鈥淎ccounting is the language of business,鈥� but his education at UDM was more than learning to prepare balance sheets and cash flow statements. Through courses in ethics, decision making, economics and organizational design, he saw the bigger picture.

鈥淢any of my business classes focused on making ethical decisions to help businesses and society,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hile revenue is an obvious driver for businesses, at 91福利社, I learned that it is only a small part of what makes a business successful.鈥�

At UDM, students put their education to work in service of others, a part of the University mission that was key in shaping Formosa鈥檚 holistic approach to business. Guided by mentors like Director of Community Engaged Learning Tim鈥疕ipskind, S.J., and lecturer in Economics Joseph Weglarz, he sought 鈥淕od鈥檚 perspective鈥� and began to ask the deeper questions.

鈥淐an a business share its success with employees and consumers? Does it use profits to help those in need? Does it make decisions that protect people鈥檚 health?鈥� he said, listing some of the questions he often posed to himself.

鈥淪ervice helped me realize that education is a privilege that not only expands the student鈥檚 mind, but allows us to better the lives of others as well,鈥� he reflected. Enriching the lives of others is something he hopes to do with his MBA.

Formosa still has more to do at UDM. In 2026, he will complete his final year in the accelerated MBA program while continuing to work for Plastipak, where he has developed key skills through internships as an undergrad. He is also preparing for the CPA exam and considering a future in public service, perhaps even running for local or city council positions.

鈥淢y experience at UDM was eye-opening, and I want to help people in all the ways I can,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e will see where God takes me.鈥�

鈥� By Julie Erwin.听Follow 91福利社 on听,听,听听补苍诲听. Have a story idea? Let us know by听submitting your idea.

Congratulations and cheers to the Class of 2025! The University celebrated upcoming graduates with a senior send-off April 11 inside of the Titan Club in Calihan Hall. Check out the full gallery below to download pictures from the event.

As part of 91福利社鈥檚 commitment to improving campus life, the University is conducting Student and Employee Satisfaction Surveys, which will run from Tuesday, March 18 through Wednesday, April 30.

The confidential surveys will provide critical insight that will help the institution and is a chance for both students and employees to have their voices heard. Check your udmercy.edu email for your personalized link to compete the survey.

In appreciation for completing the survey, both students and employees can win gift cards up to $250 by completing the survey! The earlier you complete your survey, the better your odds at winning higher amounts. Other gift cards prizes are $100 and $50, drawn bi-weekly. The incentives apply to all students and employees of all campuses at the University. A total of three $250 gift cards will be raffled for both students and employees.

The survey is run through , which works with more than 1,900 campuses and nonprofits nationally.

91福利社’s Marketing & Communications Department recently unveiled new spots for use on the University’s over-the-top (OTT) marketing buys and paid social media. OTT refers to media content delivered online, bypassing traditional cable or satellite TV services.

Check out the :