Getting Involved

You already know that Detroit Mercy offers an excellent education inside the classroom. Did you also know about our outstanding learning opportunities outside of class? We’re talking about Detroit Mercy’s 70-plus student clubs and organizations.

Big Benefits from a Little Involvement

Becoming involved with an organization brings both immediate and long-lasting benefits. Here’s how involvement, balanced wisely with academics, can benefit your student:

• It’s fun, rewarding and helps form friendships. Nothing coaxes first-year students “out of their shell” faster than jumping into a group project or activity.
• It’s an automatic skill-builder. Being part of a group with a purpose provides practice in decision making, problem solving, delegation and other leadership skills.
• It helps build a resume. Most employers prefer graduates with a few well-chosen leadership roles to those who did nothing but study.
• It can even help assure timely graduation. Research shows that more students who are active graduate in four years than those who are not involved.
• In keeping with Jesuit and Mercy principles, it lets your student use special skills for a greater purpose than his or her individual pursuits.

Going Greek

What interests your student most? Jazz? Politics? Women’s issues? Working with children? Whatever it is, your student is sure to find a group that’s a great match.

A popular way to get involved at Detroit Mercy is to “go Greek.” About 5% of our undergraduates belong to one of our 11 fraternities and sororities. These groups are run by different ruling bodies, or councils. Each group has a unique identity and focus, but in general, Greeks are involved in many aspects of campus life. They lead by playing key roles on campus. They lead by reaching out to the community in various projects. And their impressive grade point average (GPA) reflects a commitment to academic excellence that is one of the foundations of Greek life.

Initiation fees and dues vary. Your student can find out costs and other specifics about Detroit Mercy’s Greek groups at fall open houses each ruling council holds.

Helping, Healing Hands

St. Ignatius Loyola said, “Teach me to give and not count the cost.” Here at the University, students can give their time and talents to help those less fortunate through clubs, organizations and projects. It starts with freshman orientation where, in 2022, our students went to work in the surrounding community. (See Fox 2 video).

Through the Institute for Leadership and Service, approximately 1,040 students provide community service coordinated with classroom study each year. While the Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) fosters student and community collaboration for a more food-sovereign Detroit.

Going Global

Our graduates will be citizens not just of a city, a state or a country, but of planet Earth. Colleges and universities must prepare students to be responsible, effective leaders of a global society. That’s why Detroit Mercy’s learning opportunities extend from campus and the surrounding community to the whole world. Our Study Abroad program gives students a chance to spend a semester or a summer living and learning in places as diverse as Italy, Poland, France, India, China, Greece, Spain and so many more. Our programs are diverse too. There are Detroit Mercy exchange programs, which partner with specific schools, as well as internships, immersion programs and service learning.

We offer lots of choices, and we realize that with many choices come many questions. Should your student study in Europe or choose someplace less traditional? Can your family afford a summer or a full year? (There are rewarding, worthwhile programs at every level.) To help you make a good decision, we’ve created a study abroad FAQ.

One very important note: Your student should know that he or she must be in good standing academically and in the Detroit Mercy community to participate in a study abroad program.

Did You Know?

The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion celebrates differences such as race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and social background. ODEI uses programs, services and research to creative a supportive, inclusive campus environment where everyone feels welcome and safe.