Current Students

Students who are December 2025 graduates or preparing to graduate in May or August 2026 with a minimum GPA 3.80 may apply to be selected as the Detroit Mercy 2026 Valedictorian.

While the tradition of valedictorians calls for academic excellence (a minimum of 3.80 GPA) and instructional involvement, the role also calls for a graduate who has a meaningful message. Other important characteristics of Detroit Mercy’s Valedictorian:

• Well-rounded
• Strong leadership skills
• Organized
• Team player
• Excellent writing and speaking skills
• Flexible
• Versatile
• Sensitive towards others
• Able to accept constructive criticism
• Able to meet deadlines

The deadline for submitting your application and nomination(s) is Monday, March 2.  There will be no exceptions to the submission date. 

Access additional information, including application and nomination form here.

If you are a December 2025 graduate or have applied for graduation in May/August 2026 and have a minimum GPA of 3.30, you may be interested in membership in Kappa Gamma Pi, a national Catholic graduate honor society.

A Detroit Mercy nominee must be:

• completing sufficient coursework to have attained a point-standing required for graduation with honors.
• a leader in extracurricular on-campus or off-campus groups and activities; a volunteer for college, community or faith-based service projects.
• one of not more than 15% of the students being graduated from your institution during the current academic year.
• willing to accept membership, knowing the responsibility for continued individual leadership in faith-based, civic and Kappa-sponsored activity that membership implies.

If you meet the above criteria and are interested in membership, complete the online Kappa Gamma Pi Application Form.

Your application and $75 fee must be received NO LATER than Friday, Feb. 13. 

Once you are a member of KGP, you will be eligible to apply for the 2026 Kappa Gamma Pi Cornaro Pi Scholarship for Graduate Studies.  Two recipients will receive $3,500 each to be applied as needed for graduate expenses at any accredited college or university. This is a non-renewable grant.

Learn more about Kappa Gamma Pi organization here.

An information virtual open house for Detroit Mercy’s Clinical Psychology Master of Arts program will take place on Monday, Jan. 26, from 6-7 p.m. A Zoom link will be provided upon registration.

This interactive session is an opportunity to:

• Meet Program Director Lee Eshelman and get your questions answered directly
• Learn about the program’s focus on training mental health care providers in psychotherapy and psychological assessment
• Discover career opportunities for graduates, including roles in hospitals, mental health clinics and outpatient care centers

For those considering a career in mental health, this is a great opportunity to learn more about how our program can help you achieve your goals.

Please contact Lee Eshelman at eshelmlr@udmercy.edu for more information or with any questions.

Detroit Mercy’s Women’s and Gender Studies Program will host a presentation and discussion by Julisa Abad titled “Justice, Violence and Social Determinants of Health.” The event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 29, from 4-5:30 p.m. in Room 124 of the Health Professions Facility, on the McNichols Campus. All are welcome to attend this free event.

Abad is the LGBTQ community engagement liaison for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and an advocate for justice for transgender people.

This event is co-hosted by the College of Health Professions and Office of Equal Opportunity.

With any questions, please email Mary Liz Valesano at valesame@udmercy.edu.

Each year, the Detroit Mercy English Department honors Dudley Randall, the late poet, publisher and University of Detroit librarian and poet-in-residence, by sponsoring a poetry competition in his name.

Now in its 56th year, the prize continues Randall’s legacy of amplifying creative voices within the Detroit Mercy community.

Detroit Mercy undergraduate students are eligible to submit one poem of 55 or fewer lines. All topics and poetic forms are welcome. The winner of the first prize must be available to read the poem at the annual CHASS Honors Convocation on Sunday, March 22.

The deadline for submissions is Feb. 6. First prize is $150 with second prize of $100 and third prize of $75. The judges of this year’s contest are:

• Melba Joyce Boyd, MI Poet Laureate
• Joanna Fuhrman
• Molly Barlow

Find out more about the Dudley Randall Poetry Prizes and read winning poems from previous years here.

For questions or more information about this year’s contest, please contact Stacy Gnall, Detroit Mercy’s poet-in-residence, at gnallsc@udmercy.edu.

Service in the City, sponsored by University Ministry, is back for winter 2026. This program connects UDM students with local education-focused nonprofits in Detroit, giving students the opportunity to make a real impact in the community with a commitment of just one hour per week.

Through this integrated immersion program, students can earn 10-plus service hours and participate in formation opportunities that deepen understanding of community engagement. The deadline to sign up is Jan. 26.

Service opportunities are designed to help students get to know the local Detroit community, and learn how resilient community leaders are supporting each other and co-creating a better future.

Loyola High School, Brilliant Detroit and La Casa Guadalupana are educational non-profits impacting Detroit youth. With just one hour per week, UDM students build relationships in the community, support the next generation and fulfill class requirements, all while developing new skills.

This program is especially popular with students in the Leadership Minor, Honors Program and CEL-integrated classes, but all students who want to make the world a better place are encouraged to sign up.

Please contact Gray La Fond at glafond@udmercy.edu with any questions.

University Ministry will celebrate world interfaith harmony at an interfaith panel and dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 6-8 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom on the McNichols Campus. All Titans are invited.

Participants will share food together, hear personal stories from a panel of speakers of various religious perspectives on sustaining hope and enjoy a cultural drumming and singing group that includes one UDM graduate student.

Free food for all in attendance includes halal, kosher, gluten-free and vegetarian options.

It is a +1 spiritual opportunity for UDM students in leadership, and students can volunteer at the event as well to count toward service hours.

For more information, please contact Director of University Ministry Anita Klueg at kluegag@udmercy.edu.

Celebration of Scholarly Achievement & Community Engagement (CSACE) is a University-wide event featuring research posters, artistic displays, performances, lightning talks and much more. This year’s CSACE symposium is set for Thursday, April 9.

CSACE is an opportunity to recognize the exemplary work across all campuses throughout the academic year and to learn about and support the research achievements of fellow colleagues and students.

All students, staff and faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to register for an opportunity to display or present their academic achievements, scholarly research and publications, community service, artistic creations and talents.

Presenter registration is required to secure a position at the event.

The deadline to register to be a presenter is Monday, March 9, by 6 p.m.

Detroit Mercy will host an information session for students to learn more about the Michigan Campus Community Challenge (M-C3) Pitch Competition on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. The info session will take place in Room 213 of the Commerce & Finance Building.

The M-C3 is a student entrepreneurial scholarship competition that integrates real-world, project-based learning into the campus experience. The program includes the potential to earn significant scholarship dollars, as well as student and faculty stipends.

Since 2012, about 370 students, faculty and community leaders have participated in this scholarship competition with more than $350,000 awarded in stipends and scholarships.

This faculty-supported competition is open to individuals or teams where students will have the opportunity to solve a real problem in a Michigan community and a chance to win up to $7,500 for their idea.

All students are invited to attend the information session to learn more about this opportunity and how to apply. Lunch will be provided.

For more information or questions, please contact Derrin Leppek at leppekdj@udmercy.edu.

A wide variety of events featuring award-winning poets, films, talks and workshops are being planned at all Detroit Mercy Campuses to celebrate Black History Month.

The events are designed to show the importance of Black history in the United States.

You’re sure to find something educational, inspiring and entertaining at these events. Please see full listing of events below. Check back regularly as new events and updates will be added periodically.

Students have the option to enroll in a payment plan for their winter term tuition. Payment plans are available through your UDM portal until Feb. 17.

For questions, please contact the Student Accounting Office at studentaccounts@udmercy.edu, call Transact at 1-800-339-8131 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. or go to studentsupport.transactcampus.com/hc/en-us.