Titan Innovation Fund 2023 Awarded Projects
Project Summaries
Detroit Mercy employees and students with innovative ideas to promote President Taylor’s Institutional Priorities were invited to submit a Titan Innovation Fund proposal. Funded projects were deemed to have an innovative approach of addressing a challenge or opportunity and show promise for a significant return on the initial investment. Moreover, they contribute to the improvement of educational strategies, institutional systems, and the employee and student experience at Detroit Mercy.
2023
-
2024 SciComm Art Exhibit: CNXNS
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Maris Polanco Proposal Title
2024 SciComm Art Exhibit: CNXNS Name of Proposal Contact Person
Maris Polanco Project Summary
Science Communication Art (SciArtComm) blends nontraditional science communication and attention-grabbing emotive art. Students, faculty and staff will be invited to submit pieces of art. Mentors will guide applicants. An exhibit will occur in February. Name of Proposal Champion
Katy Snyder Stakeholder Group
Staff Team Members
Maris Polanco, organizer. Interdisciplinary team of faculty and administration: Madeline Byrne, Karla Lewis, Greg Grobis, Rosemary Weatherston, Michelle Andrezejak, Amy Bauer, Jocelyn Boryczka, Norman Bent, Ann Serra, Meghann Murray, Shuvra Das, Katy Snyder, Katherine Lanigan, Nassif Rayess, Steven Huprich Institutional Priorities
Community Outreach or Impact; Academic Programs; Sense of Community; and Marketing -
Building Capacity in STEM Education Research in Collaboration with CETL
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Marwa Abdel Latif Proposal Title
Building Capacity in STEM Education Research in Collaboration with CETL Name of Proposal Contact Person
Marwa Abdel Latif Project Summary
Develop and pilot one or two academic courses on educational research for Detroit Mercy faculty inspired by similar courses offered through the American College of Undergraduate Educators. May be offered as badges or micro credentials following the pilot. Name of Proposal Champion
Mike Verdusco (Director of CETL) and Katy Snyder (Dean of College of Engineering & Science) Stakeholder Group
Faculty Team Members
Mara Livezey (faculty, Co-PI on addressing the course design), and Matt Mio (Faculty, Chair of Department and ACS National Committee/Board member in Education assisting to build connections with experts in the field for the course design) Institutional Priorities
Fundraising; Centers/Institutes; and Academic Programs -
Center for Augmenting Intelligence in Urban Health (CAIUH) at the University of Detroit Mercy
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Phillip Olla Proposal Title
Center for Augmenting Intelligence in Urban Health (CAIUH) at the University of Detroit Mercy Name of Proposal Contact Person
Phillip Olla Project Summary
Create a center to leverage Artificial Intelligence to create innovative data-driven solutions. Including forecasting health outcomes based on various socioeconomic indicators, enabling targeted interventions in at risk populations. Develop AI professional training and educational certification. Developing UDM to become a hub for socially responsive AI applications. Name of Proposal Champion
Janet M. Baiardi Stakeholder Group
Faculty Team Members
Health Service Administrative Advisory Committe - Concept, Dr Kati Synder, Matt Hayley - Collaborators Institutional Priorities
Centers/Institutes and Community Outreach or Impact -
Detroit Mercy Law School Day
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Courtney Griffin Proposal Title
Detroit Mercy Law School Preview Day Name of Proposal Contact Person
Dr. Courtney A. Griffin Project Summary
A Law School Preview Day that will provide transportation for Metro Detroit high school students and support a day long program to assist students to learn about the pathway to law school and be introduced to various law careers. Name of Proposal Champion
Dean Jelani Jefferson Exum Stakeholder Group
Administrator Institutional Priorities
Mission and Community Outreach or Impact -
Developing a New Health Humanities Minor: An Opportunity for Innovation, Impact, and Increased Enrollments
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Rosemary Weatherston Proposal Title
Developing a New Health Humanities Minor: An Opportunity for Innovation, Impact, and Increased Enrollments Name of Proposal Contact Person
Rosemary Weatherston Project Summary
Support the development of a Health Humanities minor that is interdisciplinary, intercollegiate and aligned with university wide initiatives and oriented towards existing and future community, corporate and foundation partnerships. Name of Proposal Champion
Jocelyn Boryczka, PhD, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Education Stakeholder Group
Faculty Team Members
Rosemary Weatherston, PhD, CLAE, Lead Developer of the Health Humanities minor; Marty Leever, PhD, CLAE, Health Humanities Minor Steering Committee, and Greg Grobis, MA, CLAE, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education Institutional Priorities
Mission; Enrollment, and Academic Programs -
Educating Engineers who are Excluded from the Current System
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Shuvra Das Proposal Title
Educating engineers who are excluded from the current system Name of Proposal Contacts
Shuvra Das Project Summary
A team of faculty from mathematics, engineering and sciences will redesign the curriculum to be interdisciplinary delivering the same educational outcomes but using a different pedagogical approach. The goal is to ensure that an engineering pipeline is created to attract students who otherwise may not be able to participate. Student centered recruitment will place value on the student's motivation. Name of Proposal Champion
Dr. Katy Snyder, Dean of the College of Engineering & Science Stakeholder Group
Faculty Team Members
Shuvra Das and Darrell Kleinke Institutional Priorities
Academic Programs; Mission; and Enrollment -
Elevating the University Honors Program: Gardella Remodel
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Stephen Pasqualina Proposal Title
Elevating the University Honors Program: Gardella Remodel Name of Proposal Contacts
Stephen Pasqualina and Thomas Provost Project Summary
Faculty will collaboratively lead students through the visioning, design build and delivery of a new renovated Gardella Honors House. Name of Proposal Champion
Dan Pitera, Dean of the SOACD Stakeholder Group
Faculty Team Members
Stephen Pasqualina, University Honors Program Co-Director, Assistant Professor of English and Project Co-Director; Thomas Provost, Assistant Professor of Architecture and Community Development and Project Co-Director; and Nicholas Rombes, University Honors Program Co-Director, Professor of English and Project Support Institutional Priorities
Sense of Community and Marketing -
Enhancing Student Success Through a Hybrid Advising Model
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Mary-Catherine Harrison Proposal Title
Enhancing Student Success Through a Hybrid Advising Model Name of Proposal Contact Person
Mary-Catherine Harrison Project Summary
Support for the research and development phase of a new blended advising model at UDM. Name of Proposal Champion
Pamela Zarkowski Stakeholder Group
Faculty Team Members
The Academic Advising Subcommittee and Undergraduate Coordinators will serve as key consultants as the initiative is developed and implemented. Institutional Priorities
Mission and Enrollment -
Entrepreneurship Association
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Noah Mulligan Proposal Title
Entrepreneurship Association Name of Proposal Contact Person
Noah Mulligan Project Summary
CBA Student lead project to support a mobile coffee cart on the McNichols campus, providing a hub for social interactions. Name of Proposal Champion
Derrin Leppek (Faculty) Stakeholder Group
Student Team Members
Entrepreneurship Association, President Bianca Candela, Vice President Noah Mulligan, Secretary Holly Misiakowski, Faculty Advisor Derrin Leppek Institutional Priorities
Sense of Community; Mission; Marketing; Fundraising; Community Outreach or Impact; and Academic Programs 
A story on the Entrepreneurship Association’s EA Café is featured in the Spring 2024 Spiritus magazine. Read the story online. -
First Year Experience Program
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Stephanie Wheeler Proposal Title
First Year Experience Program Name of Proposal Contacts
Stephanie Wheeler Project Summary
Support five committee members to attend the First Year Experience annual conference in February 2024 to support the Titan Success Network's goal of creating a first year experience for the 2024-2025 academic year. Name of Proposal Champion
Monica Williams and Debbie Stieffel Stakeholder Group
Administrator Team Members
To be decided from both academic and student affair areas. Institutional Priorities
Sense of Community; Mission; and Enrollment -
Partnership for Energy Progress
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Ann Serra Proposal Title
Partnership for Energy Progress Name of Proposal Contact Person
Christina Heximer Project Summary
Help support a Department of Energy Renew America Grant received by the University. Name of Proposal Champion
Dan Pitera and Ann Serra Stakeholder Group
Faculty Team Members
Dan Pitera, Dean SACD; Dr. Katy Snyder, Dean E&S; Christina Heximer, Faculty and Director of DCDC; Dr. Alan Hoback, Project Director & Professor and Chair of Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering; Dr. Nassif Rayess, Professor and Chair of Mechanical Engineering; Josh Budiongan, Curriculum Development in Green Energy, Architect and Project Drector; and Neteya Tavernier, Outreach and Nonprofit Selection & Designer DCDC Institutional Priorities
Sense of Community; Mission; Marketing; Fundraising; Community Outreach or Impact; Academic Programs; and Centers/Institutes -
Supporting Innovative Practices in Supervision
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Erin Henze Proposal Title
Supporting Innovative Practices in Supervision Name of Proposal Contact Person
Erin Henze Project Summary
Financial support(honorarium) for school psychology supervisors for three academic years. Additional support for undergraduate students to be paired with graduate school psychology students and their supervisor in a field experience. Name of Proposal Champion
Dean Jocelyn Boryczka Stakeholder Group
Faculty Team Members
Erin Henze, Associate Professor of Psychology and School Psychology Program Director- project lead; Sarah Rowe, Assistant Professor of Psychology- project associate; Rachel Lee, Assistant Professor of Psychology- project associate Institutional Priorities
Mission; Community Outreach or Impact; and Academic Programs -
Titan Bucks Incentive
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Ann Serra Proposal Title
Titan Bucks Incentive Name of Proposal Contact Person
Felicia Hartinger, Director of Student Success Center Project Summary
Support gift cards for KCP students that meet criteria for a Titan Bucks incentive by fulfilling specific requirements that support academic success. Name of Proposal Champion
Ann Serra, Director of OSPRA Stakeholder Group
Administrator Team Members
Ann Serra-Director of OSPRA, Crystal Reedus-KCP College Life Coach, Erica Graze, Asst. Director of Student Success Center Institutional Priorities
Academic Programs; Scholarships for students; and Marketing;Sense of Community -
Titan Mentor Program
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Sandra Alef Proposal Title
Titan Mentor Program Name of Proposal Contacts
Sandra Alef and Monica Williams Project Summary
Support for personnel (student mentors and mentor leads) involved in the coordination of a mentor program for at-risk first year students at the McNichols campus. Name of Proposal Champion
VP Debbie Stieffel Stakeholder Group
Administrator Team Members
Debbie Steiffel, supporter, and overseer of the project.; Sandra Alef, mentor Lead,; Monica Williams, mentor lead Institutional Priorities
Sense of Community and Enrollment -
Ultrasound Integration in Nurse Anesthesia Curriculum
University of Detroit Mercy’s Nurse Anesthesia program has acquired two handheld ultrasound machines, marking a major step forward in integrating advanced technology into healthcare education. The purchase was made possible by a grant from the University’s Titan Innovation Fund. In recent years, ultrasound technology has become a cornerstone in clinical practice, particularly in anesthesia. Recognizing this, University of Detroit Mercy’s Nurse Anesthesia program has embraced an opportunity to enhance its educational offerings."This technology is not just about equipment; it's about preparing our students for the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape and ensuring they remain leaders in their field," said Joshua Olson, assistant professor of Nurse Anesthesia in UDM's College of Health Professions. The integration of portable ultrasound devices into the curriculum, specifically in the Advanced Health Assessment (NUR 5160) and Principles of Regional Anesthesia (ANE 7701) courses, will allow students to understand the practical and theoretical aspects of ultrasound technology. This integration signifies UDM's commitment to excellence and its priority to equip students with essential skills for modern healthcare. UDM's faculty will lead this initiative. The introduction of handheld ultrasound devices enables decentralized learning, allowing students to practice both in classroom settings and in real-world clinical environments. This development is expected to elevate UDM's prestige in the healthcare education sector, attract more students, enhance research capabilities and open doors to external grants.
"We are setting a new standard for healthcare education,” Olson said. “Our students will now have hands-on experience with tools that are reshaping healthcare diagnostics and treatment.”
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Joshua Olson Proposal Title
Ultrasound Integration in Nurse Anesthesia Curriculum Name of Proposal Contact Person
Joshua Olson Project Summary
Purchase of two portable, handheld ultrasound devices for the Nurse Anesthesia Program. Name of Proposal Champion
Greg Bozimowski Stakeholder Group
Faculty Team Members
Greg Bozimowski, Andrea Teitel Institutional Priorities
Mission; Marketing; Fundraising; Enrollment; and Academic Programs -
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Student Counseling Center
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Steven Meerschaert Proposal Title
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Student Counseling Center Name of Proposal Contacts
Steven Meerschaert Project Summary
Support for mental health counseling services for School of Law students Name of Proposal Champion
Dean Ieisha Humphrey Stakeholder Group
Student Team Members
UDM School of Law Mental Health Association - would provide collective input on the breadth, goals and logistics of the project, along with completing necessary tasks for completion. Institutional Priorities
Sense of Community and Academic Programs -
URICA (Undergraduate Research Inspired Community Art)
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Nicole Najor Proposal Title
URICA (Undergraduate Research Inspired Community Art) Name of Proposal Contact Person
Nicole Najor Project Summary
Provide experiential learning experiences with Detroit Mercy students teaching cell biology to high school art students. The high school art students interpret their experience into an art piece. The art will be part of an exhibit in the fall. Name of Proposal Champion
Katy Snyder Stakeholder Group
Faculty Team Members
Nicole Najor- UDM Undergraduate Research Team, Director. BIO4750 Students- UDM Undergraduate Research Team, Participants & Research Experts. High School Artists- Detroit School of Arts (TBD), Participants & Artist Experts. Katy Snyder- Proposal Champion Institutional Priorities
Mission; Marketing; Sense of Community; Academic Programs; and Community Outreach or Impact -
Youth Health Exploration Camp
Project Description Proposal Section
Proposal Information
Name of Proposal Submitter
Nutrena Tate Proposal Title
Youth Health Exploration Camp Name of Proposal Contact Person
Nutrena Tate Project Summary
A summer one day camp that brings youth from Metro Detroit middle and high school students to UDM to participate in a health explorations program based on simulated experiential learning led by health students, faculty and alumni. Name of Proposal Champion
Dr. Saran Hollier, Interim Associate Dean - MSON Stakeholder Group
Faculty Institutional Priorities
Sense of Community; Mission; Enrollment; Community Outreach or Impact; and Academic Programs