University Strategic Plan
Boundlessly Forward: Detroit Mercy 2019 - 2024
Strategic Plan Development and Purpose
The Detroit Mercy 2019-2024 Strategic Plan: Boundlessly Forward is a living document that serves as a touchstone for Detroit Mercy’s ongoing quest to fulfill its mission. It also supports and reinforces major elements of the Detroit Mercy Brand: academic excellence, a values-based education, excellent future outcomes and a thriving urban setting.
This strategic plan emphasizes enrollment growth, greater efficiency, return on investment and prosperity for the institution by:
- Focusing university efforts on building a more vibrant campus that attracts, engages and transforms students
- Offering dynamic and relevant academic programs that are mission-focused
- Enhancing the pride and loyalty felt by the Detroit Mercy community through excellent customer service and a discerning corporate culture.
Strategic Plan Video
The plan builds on our recent accomplishments and serves as a framework to empower stakeholders to work together to create the best possible future for the University. Through numerous workshops and forums, more than 400 staff members, administrators, faculty and students contributed to this shared vision.
Mission Alignment
Goal 1
Create Detroit's "College Town"
- Enhance student engagement.
- Improve student-centered facilities.
- Connect to and enhance the surrounding community.
Goal 2
Deliver Relevant and Dynamic Academics
- Establish a process for ongoing and comprehensive academic program evaluation.
- Support the academic enterprise with alternative revenue streams.
- Coordinate marketing and recruitment with academic goals.
- Invest in effective and high-quality teaching, advising and mentorship.
Key Performance Indicators for All Three Goals
Student Enrollment Measures
- Number of accepted students.
- Number of newly enrolled students.
- Full-time equivalent headcount of all enrolled students.
Student Retention Rate Measure
- First-to-second year retention rate (target more than 84%).
Student Graduation Rate Measure
- Five-year graduation rate (target more than 70%).
-
Ìý
2022-2023 Strategic Planning and Budget, Facilities, and Safety Team
Dana Hart - Director of Business and Finance, School of Dentistry
Dennis Carlesso - Executive Director-Major Gifts, University Advancement
Fr. Gilbert Sunghera, SJ - Associate Professor of Architecture
Megan Novell - Title IX Coordinator & Equity Compliance
Pamela Zarkowski - Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Paul Vandelinder - Senior Accountant
Rebecca G. Nowak - Director, Clinical Operations & Outreach, School of Law
Renady Hightower - Associate Professor, College of Health Professions
Steve Corder - Assistant Athletic Director - NCAA Compliance
Tammy Batcheller - Associate Vice President, Facilities Management
Todd Hibbard - Professor of Religious Studies, College of Liberal Arts & Education
Tom Manceor - Vice President for Business & Administration (invited participant)
-
Ìý
2021-2022 Strategic Planning and Budget, Facilities, and Safety Team
Dana Hart - Director of Business and Finance, School of Dentistry
Dennis Carlesso - Executive Director-Major Gifts, University Advancement
Don DiPaolo - Professor & Coordinator for the Leadership Minor Program, College of Liberal Arts & Education
Fr. Gilbert Sunghera, SJ - Associate Professor of Architecture
Kimberly Koelb - Associate Vice President for Finance & Controller
Megan Conrad - Associate Professor, ME, College of Engineering and Science, & d MFA Representative
Megan Novell - Title IX Coordinator & Equity Compliance
Pamela Zarkowski - Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Rebecca G. Nowak - Director, Clinical Operations & Outreach, School of Law
Steve Corder - Assistant Athletic Director - NCAA Compliance
Tammy Batcheller - Associate Vice President, Facilities Management
Todd Hibbard - Professor of Religious Studies, College of Liberal Arts & Education
Tom Manceor - Vice President for Business & Administration (invited participant)
-
Ìý
2020-2021 Strategic Planning and Budget, Facilities and Safety Team
Anthony Neely — Associate Professor, School of Dentistry
Arnold D'Ambrosio — Vice President, University Advancement
Dan Pitera — Dean, School of Architecture
Dave Vandelinder — Director, Facilities Operations & Construction Management, Construction Planning
Don DiPaolo — Professor & Coordinator for the Leadership Minor Program, College of Liberal Arts & Education
Gnanada Joshi — Professor of Biology, College of Engineering and Science, and MFA Representative
John Hitchings — Athletics Administration
Karen Lee Associate —Vice President for Academic Administration
Kimberly Koelb — Associate Vice President for Finance & Controller
Megan Novell — Head of Circulation, McNichols Library
Pamela Zarkowski — Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Rebecca G. Nowak – Director, Clinical Operations & Outreach, School of Law
Robert Vowels — Athletic Director, Athletics Administration
-
Ìý
2019-2020 Strategic Planning and Budget, Facilities and Safety Team
Amy Smith* — Associate Dean for Operations, Law School
Anthony Neely — Associate Professor, School of Dentistry
Arnold D'Ambrosio — Vice President, University Advancement
Dan Pitera — Dean, School of Architecture
Dave Vandelinder — Director, Facilities Operations & Construction Management, Construction Planning
Don DiPaolo — Professor & Coordinator for the Leadership Minor Program, College of Liberal Arts & Education
Gnanada Joshi — Professor of Biology, College of Engineering and Science, and MFA Representative
John Hitchings — Athletics Administration
Karen Lee Associate —Vice President for Academic Administration
Kimberly Koelb — Associate Vice President for Finance & Controller
Megan Novell — Head of Circulation, McNichols Library
Pamela Zarkowski — Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Robert Vowels — Athletic Director, Athletics AdministrationNote: *Fall 2019 only
-
Ìý
2018-2019 Strategic Planning and Budget, Facilities, and Safety Team
Amy Smith — Associate Dean for Operations, Law School
Anita Klueg — Director, University Ministry
Anthony Neely — Associate Professor, School of Dentistry
Arnold D'Ambrosio — Vice President, University Advancement
Barraka Baber — Systems Administration, Network
Dave Vandelinder — Director, Facilities Operations & Construction Management, Construction Planning
Debbie Stieffel — Vice President, Enrollment Management & Student Affairs
Don DiPaolo — Professor & Coordinator for the Leadership Minor Program, College of Liberal Arts & Education
Gregory Grabowski — Professor of Biology, College of Liberal Arts & Education, and MFA Representative
Kim Koelb Associate — Vice President for Finance & Controller
Pamela Zarkowski — Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Robert Vowels — Athletic Director, Athletics Administration
Will Wittig — Dean, School of Architecture
For questions about the strategic plan, please contact us at strategicplan@udmercy.edu.