College of Arts and Sciences

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 Faculty

Dean

Gerald G. Nyambane, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences and College of Urban Education
Program Director - Master of Science in Data Analytics
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
W.A. Lettinga, Holland, and Kalamazoo Campuses
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, Kalamazoo, and Traverse City Campuses
M.A. Central Michigan University
B.A. Saginaw Valley State University

Shubhada Sagdeo
Associate Department Chair - Mathematics
Campus Associate Department Chair - Kalamazoo Campus
M.S., 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 and Humanities
Ph.D. Bowling Green State University
J.D. Indiana University School of Law
M.S. Minnesota State University
B.A. Wells College

Chris Hamstra, Ph.D.
English and Communications
Ph.D. Regents University
M.A. Western Michigan University
B.A. Calvin College

Melissa Lewis
English and Communications
M.F.A. New England College
B.A. Albion College

Diane Salinas
Mathematics
M.S. Western Michigan University
B.S. Michigan Technological University

Amy Scheerhorn
Mathematics
M.S. Grand Valley State University
B.S. Lake Superior State University

Neil Shepard, Ph.D.
Humanities and Social Sciences
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

Lee Witt, Ph.D.
Mathematics
Ph.D. Western Michigan University
M.S., B.S. Western Michigan University

Distinguished Adjuncts

Glen Brasseur, D.C.M.
D.C. Parker College of Chiropractic

Michael Brooks
M.F.A. Pacific Northwest College of Art

Samuel Drake
M.S. Michigan State University
B.S. Cleveland State University