2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog  
						College of Arts and Sciences
						
					
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The purpose of the College of Arts and Sciences is to provide students with the foundational knowledge, skills, and degree programs necessary for personal, academic, and professional growth. These skills encompass analytical and critical thinking, communication and collaboration, mathematical and scientific literacy,and  professional excellence and integrity. In addition, the College of Arts and Sciences offers a background in humanities and social and behavioral sciences, fundamental to developing informed global citizenship. 
Foundations of Excellence
The College of Arts and Sciences develops and maintains the majority of courses in the Foundations of Excellence section of each degree program, whether it be in business, technology, health or urban education. These courses include English, humanities, social sciences, math, science, diversity and Achieving Career and Educational Success. The number of Foundation of Excellence courses required for each program varies since some programs in the technology and health profession areas require a greater emphasis in science and/or math to meet employer expectations. The specific Foundations of Excellence requirements are listed at the beginning of each program in this catalog. The nine student learning outcomes of the Davenport University Excellence System are introduced in these courses. 
College of Arts and Sciences FacultyDean
Gerald G. Nyambane, Ph.D. 
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences and College of Urban Education 
Ph.D. Michigan State University 
M.S. Michigan State University 
B.Sc. Egerton University, Kenya 
Department Chairs
Stephen Bacinski 
Department Chair - Mathematics, Statistics, and Data Science 
M.S. Western Michigan University 
B.S. Grand Valley State University 
Anne Cramer, Ph.D. 
Department Chair - Social Sciences, English, and Communications 
Ph.D. Wayne State University 
M.A. Eastern Michigan University 
B.A. Oakland University 
Daniel Palmatier, Pharm.D. 
Department Chair - Science 
Pharm.D. Ferris State University 
B.S. Western Michigan University 
Associate Department Chairs
Ahlam Kader 
Associate Department Chair - Science 
Science Lab Coordinator 
M.S., B.S. Grand Valley State University 
Nora King 
Associate Department Chair - Social Sciences, English, and Communications 
Global Campus 
M.A. DePaul University 
B.A. Michigan State University 
Gina Mezzano-Ostien 
Associate Department Chair - Social Sciences, English, and Communications 
W.A. Lettinga, Great Lakes Bay, Kalamazoo, Traverse City and Warren Campuses 
M.A. Central Michigan University 
B.A. Saginaw Valley State University 
Shubhada Sagdeo 
Associate Department Chair - Mathematics, Statistics, and Data Science 
M.S. Institute of Science, Nagpur, India 
B.S. Institute of Science, Nagpur, India 
Faculty 
Karen Clark, D.C. 
Science 
D.C. National College of Chiropractic 
B.S. National College of Chiropractic 
B.S. Michigan Technological University 
Colleen Coughlin, Ph.D., J.D. 
Social Sciences, English, and Communications 
Ph.D. Bowling Green State University 
J.D. Indiana University School of Law 
M.S. Minnesota State University 
B.A. Wells College 
Ahmed Elgammal 
Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science 
M.S. Central Michigan University 
B.S. Central Michigan University 
Chris Hamstra, Ph.D. 
Social Sciences, English, and Communications 
Ph.D. Regents University 
M.A. Western Michigan University 
B.A. Calvin College 
Melissa Lewis 
Social Sciences, English, and Communications 
M.F.A. New England College 
B.A. Albion College 
Aly Peacy 
Mathematics, Statistics, and Data Science 
M.S. Michigan State University 
B.S. Grand Valley State University 
Mayuri Razdan, Ph.D. 
Science 
Ph.D. University of Western Ontario, Canada 
M.S. Rochester Institute of Technology, NY 
B.S. CSJM University, Kanpur, India 
Diane Salinas 
Mathematics, Statistics, and Data Science 
M.S. Western Michigan University 
B.S. Michigan Technological University 
Neil Shepard, Ph.D. 
Social Sciences, English, and Communications 
Ph.D. Bowling Green State University 
M.A. California State University-Fullerton 
B.A. University of Maryland-Baltimore County 
Wayne Sneath, Ph.D. 
English and Communications 
Vice Provost for Academics 
Ph.D. Bowling Green University 
M.A. Miami University 
B.A. Saint John Fisher College 
Sharon Sutliff, D.C. 
Science 
D.C. Sherman College of Chiropractic 
B.A. Virginia Commonwealth University 
Reny Thomas 
Science 
M.S. Mangalore University, India 
B.S. Mahatma Gandhi University, India 
Distinguished Adjuncts
Glen Brasseur, D.C.M. 
D.C. Parker College of Chiropractic 
Michael Brooks 
M.F.A. Pacific Northwest College of Art 
Krista Diephouse, M.H.S. 
B.A. Central Michigan University 
M.H.S. Purdue University 
Samuel Drake 
M.S. Michigan State University 
B.S. Cleveland State University 
    
  
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