Message from the Dean

Dear Alumni,

The University of Detroit Mercy “wants great things for you” is a key phrase in the University’s recruitment campaign. The College of Liberal Arts and Education is a key component in educating our students in a way that sets the stage for them to do great things, particularly in service to others. To that end, the faculty, staff and administrators in our College have been focused on instituting a number of important changes in how the College operates in several important areas. At the forefront of this effort are three ad hoc faculty committees that were formed to focus on:

1. improving academic advising,
2. improving course evaluations, and
3. improving the planning process in the College.

Each of the three committees worked very hard in carrying out their respective assignments. They reviewed a wide range of documents and other information in addition to interviewing a number of faculty, administrators, and staff members to solicit their ideas on various questions and issues relating to the committee’s charge.

The Academic Advising Committee reaffirmed that academic advising is first and foremost a faculty and departmental responsibility. The committee recommended and the dean approved establishing a formal system of designated faculty advisors trained and assigned to specifically advise those students who are undecided on a major and who are in the Academic Exploration Program in our College. Several other important recommendations for improving general academic advising throughout the College were also implemented.

The Student Course Evaluation Committee revised the course evaluation instrument and recommended that, to improve the return rate for evaluations, the evaluations be required of all students and that they be completed online. As student feedback is vital to course improvement efforts, the recommendation was adopted. The committee is also being asked to consider variations of the standard course evaluation instrument that could be used in “non-traditional” type courses such as graduate seminars, internships, and fieldwork practicums.

The Strategic Planning Committee is working on ensuring that all we do in our College – from recruiting, to how and what we teach, to advising, and beyond – is closely aligned with our core beliefs and values. These values and beliefs are the foundation of our mission and vision statements. I anticipate that the work of this committee will help the College chart its course for the next several years.