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Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025
Faculty 鈥� C
Calleja, Nancy
Nancy Calleja
Professor, Department Chair of Counseling and Addiction Studies and Director of Addiction Counseling Program, teaches advanced issues in addiction counseling, program development and evaluation, diagnosis and treatment planning, critical issues in counseling, legal issues and consultation. Calleja is a licensed professional counselor and her work has focused on marginalized individuals in the juvenile justice, child welfare and public mental health systems. She has worked as a clinician, clinical supervisor and administrator for more than three decades in the non-profit human services and continues to do so. Calleja has developed several comprehensive treatment programs for marginalized adults and youth with substance use and serious mental health disorders. She specializes in the clinical treatment of juvenile offenders, including juveniles with sexual behavior problems. Calleja consults nationally with governmental and non-profit organizations on business planning, program development and program evaluation. Her work has been widely recognized and supported by 19 federal and foundation grants and contracts totaling more than $8 million. She has more than 40 scholarly publications including 29 journal articles. She is a member of the Michigan Child Welfare Health Advisory Committee, past chair of the Licensure Committee, Michigan Counseling Association, past chair of the Ethics Committee, Michigan Counseling Association and past president of the Michigan Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors. Calleja received the 2019-2020 Faculty Excellence Award, recognized for excellence as a scholar at University of Detroit Mercy. She joined the University in 2002.
Camara, Ablaye
Ablaye Camara
Assistant Professor of Economics, teaches Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, International Monetary Analysis, Business Forecasting and Advanced Statistics for Data Analytics. Camara has been published in the Journal of Strategic Innovation and Sustainability. His research focuses on China’s strategic international economic policies. Camara holds a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Economics, a Master of Arts in Economics and a Master of Business Administration from University of Detroit Mercy, and a doctoral degree in Economics from Wayne State University.
Caspers, Mary Lou
Mary Lou Caspers
Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, teaches basic and advanced biochemistry. Caspers' publications and presentations deal with alterations in brain proteins as a function of aging and with the effects of metal ions such as aluminum on various enzymes in the blood, liver and brain; she is the author of more than 20 papers in refereed journals. Caspers is the recipient of the President's Award for Faculty Excellence and the Engineering and Science Teacher of the Year Award, as well as a number of research grants. Caspers received a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Detroit and a Ph.D. from Wayne State University School of Medicine. She joined the University in 1977.
Cassilo, David
David Cassilo
Assistant Professor of Communication Studies and Advisor for The Varsity News, teaches communication, media and journalism courses for the Communication Studies Department, while also advising The Varsity News. As a journalist, Cassilo has covered sports at the Lansing State Journal, Cleveland.com, USA Today, SLAM, Popular Science and Men’s Health. He has covered the NBA Finals and the Final Four. As an academic, Cassilo studies sports communication issues focused on health, including head injuries and athlete mental health. In 2022, he received the Larry Wenner Emerging Scholar Award. Given annually by the Communication & Sport Division at the National Communication Association convention, this award is presented to an early career scholar who exhibits superior scholarly activity in the field of communication and sport. Cassilo joined the University in fall 2023.
Cavanagh, Gerald F. S.J.
Gerald F. Cavanagh, S.J.
Professor of Management and Charles T. Fisher, III, Chair of Business Ethics, teaches corporate social responsibility and the ethics of business. He has authored five books, the latest, American Business Values, with International Perspectives, 6th edition, and more than 40 journal articles. Cavanagh has lectured and given workshops on business ethics throughout the U.S, as well as in Mexico, Indonesia, Australia, Germany and India. He has consulted with business firms, governments and universities. He held the Dirksen Chair of Business Ethics at Santa Clara University and the Gasson Chair at Boston College. He served as interim dean of the College of Business Administration and as academic vice president and provost at University of Detroit Mercy. He received the President's Award for Faculty Excellence at University of Detroit Mercy, and the highest national award in his field (Sumner Marcus Award) from the Academy of Management. He chaired the Social Issues Division of the Academy of Management and the All-Academy of Management Task Force on Ethics. Cavanagh served on the boards of trustees of Fordham University, Santa Clara University, Xavier University, College of the Holy Cross, Loyola University of New Orleans and the University of Detroit. Cavanagh has recently written and lectured on: Ethics in the Global Marketplace, Business and Personal Values, Free Enterprise and Its Values, and Spirituality for the Manager. He holds a B.S. from Case Western Reserve University (engineering), Ph.L. (philosophy), M.B.A. (business), and M.Ed. (education) from St. Louis University, S.T.L. (theology) from Loyola University, Chicago and D.B.A. (Management) from Michigan State University, and he is an ordained Catholic priest in the Society of Jesus. Cavanagh is faculty advisor to the Detroit Mercy student service organization, APO, and leads an annual week long backpack trip with students to Shenandoah National Park, VA. He enjoys hiking and backpacking in the National Parks. Cavanagh joined the University in 1980.
Chand, Sanjay
Sanjay Chand
Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Integrated Biomedical Sciences, Division of Clinical Dentistry, Director of Infection Control. He teaches Pharmacology, Physical Assessment, Applied Clinical Therapeutics, Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics to Dental students. He is Course Director of Head and Neck Anatomy and Integrated Biomedical Sciences 1 and 2 courses for Dental Hygiene students. He is course director and teaches Advanced Therapeutics to Physician Assistant students and Cardiovascular/ Nervous system Pharmacology to Nurse Anesthesia students at McNichols campus. Dr. Chand participates in continuing education courses through the University of Detroit Mercy and is a regular CE speaker at various national and international conferences. Additional responsibilities include monitoring infection control at the dental school and UHC including exposure incident management, advising and mentoring dental hygiene students as member of Dental Hygiene Admissions committee, membership and an advisory role in the Formulary committee and membership of the Rank and Tenure committee. He has served as Chair of the ADEA Section on Physiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Dr. Chand has received several teaching and academic awards from both dental and dental hygiene students. Dr. Chand holds an MD in Medicine and a Masters in Pharmacology from the Christian Medical College and Brown Memorial Hospital with accreditation from Toronto Western University and the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). He joined the University in 2009.
Chapman, Sharde'
Sharde' Chapman
Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, uses social-scientific methods and critical theory to examine the depths, complexity and intricate movements of Black religious formation and culture. Before joining University of Detroit Mercy in 2022, she was a postdoctoral fellow at Virginia Union University's Center for the Study of African American History and Culture (CAAHC), where she is still a research associate. Her work has been published in the Huffington Post and various blogs addressing religion and hip hop, Black women and embodiment and social justice. At present, she is working toward her first monograph which links religion to Black nerd communities and Black cosplay.
Choi, Wonseok
Wonseok Choi
Assistant Professor of Management, teaches organizational behavior, organization theory, strategic policy, and business ethics. He received a B.A. in Ethics Education and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Seoul National University prior to earning his doctorate from the University of Connecticut. He joined University of Detroit Mercy in 2015. His current research focuses on the impact of networks on employee effectiveness.
Choinski, Mark F.
Mark F. Choinski
Technical Director and Designer for the Theater Company, teaches stagecraft and rehearsal and production. He designs lighting for all productions and scenic designs for two shows per season. Along with his Detroit Mercy experience, he has worked at almost every professional theater in the Detroit metro area and has built sets for local commercials and industrial films. He holds a B.A. degree from Mercy College of Detroit. Choinski joined the University in 1979.
Christian, Holly L.
Holly L. Christian
Director of the Veterans Law Clinic and Assistant Professor of Law, joined the University in 2021 as the first Toni A. Wisne Foundation Veterans Clinic Fellow. She was promoted to Director of the Veterans Law Clinic and Visiting Assistant Professor of Law in 2022 and Assistant Professor of Law in 2023. She received her J.D. from DePaul College of Law and a B.A. from University of Dayton. Holly has provided legal services to individuals and children with disabilities in contested special education and adult guardianship matters. She has also represented low income and homeless veterans as well as provided pro bono program management, volunteer recruitment, and training while employed at the ABA and Swords to Plowshares in California. She has presented research, organized community legal clinics, conducted know your rights presentations, and spoken at CLE events related to her practice areas.
Ciotta, Barbara J.
Barbara J. Ciotta
Clinical Instructor, McAuley School of Nursing, teaches undergraduate clinical courses, health assessment, skills along with fundamentals and immersion clinical practicums. She has 30-plus years of clinical nursing experience. Her area of specialty is medical-surgical nursing along with oncology, hospice documentation and homecare. She earned her M.S.N. from the University of Phoenix and her N.E. from University of Detroit. She is also CNEcl certified and an active member of Sigma Theta Tau. She is also actively involved in the Here to There program in Livonia, a program dedicated to reaching high school juniors and seniors and guiding them in future career decisions.
Colbert, Curles
Curles Colbert
Clinical Assistant Professor, currently serves as Clinical Lead, managing dental and dental hygiene, as well as the faculty assigned to his group. Prof. Colbert earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Michigan in 1978. He has been involved in organized Dentistry for more than 25 years and has served as a member of the Michigan Dental Association’s Board of Trustees since 2011. He also served as a delegate to the American Dental Association (ADA) House of Delegates since 2011. Prof. Colbert was the 2018 recipient of the Pierre Fauchard Academy Michigan Section Joseph B. Harris Mentorship Award. He has special interest in Public Health Dentistry. Dr. Colbert joined the university in 2013.
Coleman, Margaret E.
Margaret E. Coleman
Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Dental Hygiene, teaches dental anatomy, local anesthesia, and nitrous oxide sedation to Dental Hygiene students. She is also involved in teaching local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation to practicing dental hygienists in a series of continuing education courses. Her interests focus on educational research. She has received several teaching awards. Coleman holds a Certificate and B.S. degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Detroit. She joined the University in 1977.
Campos, Marinele
Marinele Campos
Clinical Assistant Professor, teaches Clinical Periodontics to undergraduate and accelerated dental students. Prof. Campos graduated from University of Sao Paulo, Brazil with a Doctor of Dental Surgery and Master of Science in Periodontics. She later pursued research at University of Southern California where she earned a Ph.D. In 2014, Prof. Campos completed a periodontology residency at University of Detroit Mercy. She has taught in various capacities at several universities over the years. Prof. Campos serves as an international guest lecturer and visiting professor at University of Sao Paulo, Bauru School of Dentistry. Prof. Campos’ research includes Peri-implantitis, Microbiology and Immunology. She joined the university in 2015
Conant, Stephanie
Stephanie Conant
Professor and Chair of Biology, earned a B.S. in Biology from Central Michigan University and a Ph.D. in Immunology from Wayne State University School of Medicine. She joined the Detroit Mercy Biology Department in 2008. Conant's research centers on understanding the role of cell cycle proteins in tumor development. Her lab studies the role of Cables1, a protein regulating cell cycle progression, which has been implicated as playing part in tumor development in many cases of ovarian, lung, and colon cancer. Mammalian epithelial cells are cultured and siRNA technology is used to disrupt normal protein presence and function to delineate the interactions and activity of the Cables1 protein in possible tumor formation. Conant leads the HHMI SeaPhage freshman research experience course that provides an authentic research and data collecting laboratory opportunity for introductory Biology students. Additionally, she teaches introductory biology, immunology, nutrition, anatomy and physiology and biology and social issues to Biology majors and Nursing students.
Conrad, Megan
Megan Conrad
Clare Boothe Luce Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, holds a Ph.D. In Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University and joined Detroit Mercy in 2017. Conrad's research is centered around the assessment of human performance in healthy and disabled populations as it pertains to therapy, work, and product design. She teaches courses in biomedical engineering, biomechanics, materials, mechanical measurements, engineering graphics, and capstone design. Conrad is currently the director of the Biomedical Design minor and the Eick Center for Assistive Technology.
Courtney, Renee K.
Renee K. Courtney
Associate Professor, McAuley School of Nursing, teaches in the Family Nurse Practitioner program. She is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a certified Transcultural Nurse. Her areas of interest include integrative nursing, transcultural healthcare, telehealth, simulation, and interprofessional education/collaboration. Dr. Courtney earned her BSN from Eastern Michigan University, MSN from Michigan State University, DNP from the University of Michigan-Flint, and a Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education from Wayne State University. Her clinical experiences include working in emergency and short stay settings. Dr. Courtney maintains her clinical practice at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital as a hospitalist. She joined the University in 2016.
Cutino, Salvatore
Salvatore Cutino
Clinical Assistant Professor, Responsible for evaluating patient outcomes, ensuring quality care and recommending/implementing clinic process improvements. Additionally he is a member of the Admissions Committee and serves as an advisor and mentor to dental students. Prof. Cutino served 26 years with the United States Air Force serving most recently as Deputy Commander and Chief of Dental Services for the Air Force’s largest dental clinic and only postgraduate training program in Joint Base Lackland-San Antonio Texas. He holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from the University of Detroit and General Practice Residency Certificate from Scott Air Force Base Medical Center Illinois. He joined the university in 2014.