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• May 09: Class of 鈥�25: Childhood experiences fuel valedictorian to make a difference

  Friday May 09, 2025
  

  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.

• May 08: Full info: Commencement set for Friday, Saturday in Calihan Hall

  Thursday May 08, 2025
  

  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.

  FRIDAY, MAY 9

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

  Saturday, May 10

  • 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!

  The 91福利社 celebrated their Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus of the 91福利社.

• May 08: Senator Gary Peters among Commencement speakers for May 9-10 ceremonies

  Thursday May 08, 2025
  

  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:

  School OF Dentistry SPEAKER: Cheri Newman, D.D.S. 鈥�89, 鈥�90, 鈥�98,

  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.

  School of Law SPEAKER: Gary Peters 鈥�84

  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.

  MCNICHOLS CAMPUS Speaker: James E. White

  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 .

• May 08: Class of 鈥�25: For SACD grad, uplifting communities is key to design

  Thursday May 08, 2025
  

  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.

• May 08: UDM one of 33 institutions to earn dual 2025 Carnegie Classification

  Thursday May 08, 2025
  

  91福利社 has recently earned designation as an Opportunity College and University by the Carnegie Classifications. This designation highlights UDM as a model institution for fostering student success and advancing research on effective campus practices.

  This new designation means that UDM is one of just 33 remarkable institutions nationwide that earned both Research College & University (RCU) and Opportunity College & University (OCU) designations in the new

  The Opportunity Colleges and Universities designation is part of a newly developed Student Access and Earnings Classification published in April by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education. This new classification evaluates how effectively institutions foster student success by assessing whether they enroll students reflective of the communities they serve and how the earnings of their graduates compare to peers in the region.

  In 2025, 479 institutions were designated as Opportunity Colleges and Universities, which is approximately 16% of all U.S. colleges and universities included in the Student Access and Earnings Classification.

  鈥淭his new designation once again affirms 91福利社鈥檚 commitment to student success and our dedication to encourage faculty and student research opportunities each year,鈥� said Donald B. Taylor, president of 91福利社.

  The methodology for the new Student Access and Earnings Classification uses multidimensional groupings of the 2025 Institutional Classification to evaluate student access and earnings between similar colleges and universities.

  Updates to the Carnegie Classifications also include a redesigned Institutional Classification, formerly called the Basic Classification. Previously, this system grouped U.S. colleges and universities primarily by the highest degree awarded. The new Institutional Classification now organizes institutions using a broader set of criteria, including the range of degrees awarded, the fields of study offered and overall size of the institution.

  Under this redesigned Institutional Classification, 91福利社 has been designated as an institution with an award-level focus of Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate, recognizing its strong presence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels with a sufficient focus on doctoral programs. The University鈥檚 academic program mix is Professions-focused. This means that most degrees are awarded in fields that are classified as pre-professional or career-aligned fields. 91福利社 is also categorized as a medium-sized institution, enrolling between 4,000 and 20,000 students. In addition, UDM earned the Research Colleges and Universities (RCU) designation, an additional recognition separate from the Institutional Classifications that identifies institutions with significant research activity, including those with at least $2.5 million in research and development expenditures (as reported through the NSF HERD).

  This reclassification has significantly shifted the perception of 91福利社, elevating it from regional recognition to inclusion in national rankings alongside other prestigious institutions.

• May 07: Join 91福利社鈥檚 fifth cohort for search advocate training, May 27-28

  Wednesday May 07, 2025
  

  Do you want to advocate for diversity and inclusive excellence in the search process? Become an ally for search advocacy and create a culturally rich, more diverse University setting by getting trained to be a search advocate on Tuesday, May 27 and Wednesday, May 28听on the McNichols Campus.

  Over two days following the end of the 2025 winter semester you will:

  • Learn strategies to mitigate implicit bias.
  • Be the person on the search committee who ensures all voices are heard and encourages communication between the committee, candidates and other stakeholders.
  • Learn tips to be better prepared to actively participate in all phases of the search process at 91福利社.

  The full schedule is as follows:

  • Tuesday, May 27, at 9 a.m. to noon AND 1-4 p.m. (Modules 1 & 2)
  • Wednesday, May 28, at 9 a.m. to noon AND 1-4 p.m. (Modules 3 & 4)

  Please note, to complete the training, attendance is required at all four modules. There are also two pre-assignments for the workshop.

  The search advocate trainers for 91福利社 are Jahzara Mayes, Mara Livezey and Yvonne King.

  Please register by Thursday, May 22. For questions or more information, please contact Jahzara Mayes by email at听mayesjm@udmercy.edu.

• May 07: Free Kaplan test prep now available for graduate-level admissions and licensing exams

  Wednesday May 07, 2025
  

  Take advantage of UDM’s benefits and unlock up to 12 months of FREE access to Kaplan’s comprehensive test prep through the All Access program! Prepare for graduate school admissions exams, including the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT and DAT, and free test prep for professional licensing exams including the bar exam, INBDE, NCLEX-RN exam and Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination. Additionally, students can prepare for a number of business and financial-focused products鈥攁ll at no cost to you.

  Kaplan has prepared students for standardized tests for more than 85 years.听Invest in your future this summer!

  Available to faculty, staff and students! For more information, visit our website!