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Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025




Faculty — H

Haley, Matthew

Matthew Haley

Adjunct Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering, joined Detroit Mercy in 2021 and has been on the Dean’s Advisory Board of the College of Engineering & Science since 2010. He retired from Accenture as Managing Director leading the Applied Intelligence organization for Communications, Media and Technology industries for North America. He previously founded both On-Link Technologies, acquired by Siebel Systems (now Oracle), and Intrinsa Corporation, acquired by Microsoft. He received his B.E.E degree from the University of Detroit in 1985 and his MBA in Product Management from San Jose State University.

haleyma@udmercy.edu

Harris, Troy L.

Troy L. Harris

Associate Professor of Law, teaches international commercial arbitration, sales, contracts, construction law, and alternative dispute resolution. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and serves on the International, Commercial, and Construction Panels of Arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association. Harris earned his B.A and M.A from the University of Kansas, J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, and a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in London. He practiced construction law and international arbitration with King & Spalding before joining the University in 2010 and served as Interim Dean of the Law School during the 2013-2014 academic year.

harristl2@udmercy.edu

Harrison, Mary-Catherine

Mary-Catherine Harrison

Associate Professor of English and Department Chair, specializes in 19th-century British literature and culture, narrative theory and the psychology of reading. She earned a doctorate in English Language and Literature from University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Rutgers University. Harrison serves as executive director of Rx for Reading Detroit, a non-profit literacy initiative focused on expanding access to children’s books in Detroit. She is past president of the McNichols Faculty Assembly and the Midwest Victorian Studies Association and previous director of Detroit Mercy's Academic Exploration Program and co-director of the University Honors Program. She founded and served as faculty mentor for 1st Gen Network. Harrison received the University's Agere ex Missione Award in 2012 and the Faculty Achievement Award in 2013. She received the 2016 Bookwoman Award from the Detroit Chapter of the Women’s National Book Association. Harrison joined the University faculty in 2008.

mc.harrison@udmercy.edu

Heidgerken, Tadd

Tadd Heidgerken

Assistant Professor of Architecture, is the coordinator of the second-year foundational design studio and teaches advanced graphic design and computer graphics as well as the graduate level professions of architecture course. He is one of the faculty advisers for the Dichotomy Architectural Journal. Heidgerken creates environments that bring people closer together. He integrates techniques from a broad range of media to create experiences of intimacy and comfort. Heidgerken earned his Bachelor of Architecture from University of Detroit Mercy and a Master of Architecture from the Cranbrook Academy of Art. A registered architect, Heidgerken is a principal and founder of Et al. Collaborative, a Detroit-Brooklyn based architecture firm. He also serves as a visiting critic at universities throughout Detroit, the United States, and internationally. In addition, he sits on the board of several Detroit-area cultural non-profit organizations. Heidgerken joined the University in 2015.

heidgetw@udmercy.edu

Hendry, Si, S.J.

Si Hendry, S.J.

Director, Catholic Studies Program, teaches courses in Catholicism, Catholic Church history and spirituality. His research interests include spirituality and social justice. He served as Superior of the Jesuit Community at Detroit Mercy from 2010 to 2016 and has held leadership positions in the Spirituality section of the Catholic Theological Society of America. He received his doctorate in theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif., focusing on spirituality and sociology. Before coming to Detroit Mercy in 2007, he directed the Jesuit Center at Loyola University of New Orleans. He is moderator of Alpha Sigma Nu, the National Jesuit Honor Society.

hendrysi@udmercy.edu

Henning, Karen McDonald

Karen McDonald Henning

Associate Dean, Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Law, graduated with a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she served as an executive editor of the Law Review and was a member of the Order of the Coif. She received her B.A. from Trinity College. Henning clerked for Judge Collins Seitz on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, then joined the litigation department at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom. She also served as an appellate attorney in the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia. Henning teaches both civil procedure and criminal procedure, applied legal theory and analysis, federal jurisdiction, and pre-trial criminal advocacy. She joined the University in 2007.

henninkm@udmercy.edu

Henze, Erin

Erin Henze

Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Specialist in School Psychology Program, teaches courses in Assessment and Intervention for School Psychologists, Research and Writing, and Practicum in School Psychology. Henze is a licensed psychologist and a state of Michigan and nationally certified school psychologist. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Western Michigan University and a doctorate from the University of Tennessee. Her areas of interest and research include the development and validation of academic interventions and assessment techniques for students with disabilities, school-based functioning of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and supervision and training issues in school psychology. Henze has worked in school and clinical settings with children and families. She currently practices as a contractual school psychologist in the public school setting. Henze joined the Detroit Mercy faculty in 2011.

henzeee@udmercy.edu

Hibbard, Todd

Todd Hibbard

Professor of Religious Studies and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies, teaches courses in the area of biblical studies, including both Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament, as well method and theory in the study of religion. In addition, his courses regularly examine religious texts and practices from the ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman worlds. His courses are also interested in interpretive questions raised by the reader's social location. Hibbard's research focuses on the formation of the prophetic literature of the Hebrew Bible and its role in the development of early Second Temple Judaism; early biblical interpretation, especially in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint; and the narrative literature of the Pentateuch. His publications include Intertextuality in Isaiah 24-27 (Mohr Siebeck), Formation and Intertextuality in Isaiah 24-27 (co-edited; SBL Press) and The Book of Isaiah: Enduring Questions Answered Anew (co-edited; Eerdmans). Prior to joining Detroit Mercy in 2011, he taught at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the University of Notre Dame. He earned a doctorate in Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity from the University of Notre Dame.

hibbarja@udmercy.edu

Hiber, Amanda J.

Amanda J. Hiber

Senior Lecturer in English and Women's and Gender Studies Program Associate Director, received a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and History from Beloit College and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Non-Fiction Writing from the University of Arizona. Hiber's work has appeared in Southeast Review, Clackamas Literary Review, Green Briar Review, Entropy, Bitch Media and other publications. She has taught at the University since 2001.

hiberja@udmercy.edu

Hightower, Renady

Renady Hightower

Associate Professor, Health Services Administration, joined University of Detroit Mercy community in August 2014 as administrative chair for the Health Services Administration Program. She received her faculty appointment as associate professor January 1, 2016. Hightower served as the program chair August 4, 2014 thru May 15, 2018. During that period, Hightower oversaw both the undergraduate and graduate Health Services Administration programs; and the dual MHSA/ MBA programs held at the McNichols and University Center Macomb campuses. Hightower teaches both undergraduate and some graduate courses and supports interdisciplinary learning in the Health Services Administration Program.

In 2016, Hightower became a Fulbright-Hays Fellow when she was selected, along with several other Detroit Mercy professors, to participate in University of Detroit Mercy Fulbright-Hays Group Project Study Abroad to Brazil.  The focus of the Detroit Mercy Fulbright-Hays GPA was the study of African Diaspora in Northern Brazil. The inter-collaborative cultural and scholar experience culminated in a project focused on the relationship between race, environment, and health outcomes in Northern Brazil. Hightower’s final Detroit Mercy Fulbright-Hays project was entitled “Race Does Matter in Community Health: Intersecting Cultural Anthropology and Community Health”.

In winter 2017, Hightower did a Directed Study with a MHSA student through collaboration with the University of Detroit Mercy MCD and the Cuba Study Abroad programs. The focus of the graduate directed study was on understanding quality in the Cuban healthcare system. One of the most important outcome(s) from that unique experience was the creation of a Health Care Day in University of Detroit Mercy Cuba Study Abroad program. 

In 2018, Hightower was privileged to be selected to participate in Detroit Mercy's second award of the Fulbright-Hays GPA to Brazil. In this role, Hightower was not only a Fulbright-Hays fellow, but was also asked to take on the role of curriculum coordinator for this Detroit Mercy Fulbright-Hays experience as well. During this 2018 Detroit Mercy Fulbright-Hays GPA experience, Hightower chose to focus on the following topics: 1) Healthcare in Traditional Communities and Territories; and 2) the Evolution of the Concept Quilombolo. 

Hightower’s research interest is in the study of health disparities, environmental racism, social justice and equity in medicine; and race and its effect on healthcare for African Americans and people of color. Hightower holds the following degrees: Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology along with a Master of Public Administration from Wayne State University; Master's Health Services Administration and Master's Business Administration from University of Detroit Mercy. Hightower earned her Bachelor's of Science from University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.

hightore@udmercy.edu

Hill, Elizabeth

Professor of Psychology Emerita, teaches courses in research methods, statistics, biopsychology and gender differences. Hill received a doctorate in experimental psychology from Tulane University. Her primary areas of research interest and activity focus on evolutionary and comparative psychology. She has investigated the interaction between biological and environmental factors in risk-taking behavior. In this research, she used evolutionary theory related to parental investment and life history strategies to conceptualize environmental factors, especially the impact of an unpredictable family environment. The areas of impulsivity, risky drinking and risk taking have been of most interest. She joined the University of Detroit Mercy faculty in 1997 and retired in 2021.

hillelm@udmercy.edu

Hill, Heather L.

Heather L. Hill

Professor of English, received a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Holyoke College and a Master of Arts and doctorate from University of Washington in Seattle. Hill's research focuses on issues of performance, spirituality and gender in medieval texts and her early literature courses consistently explore these topics. Her recent publications include an article on The Hunger Games and To Kill a Mockingbird; a critical edition of a medieval Nativity play; work on Chaucer’s Wife of Bath; on phenomenology and pain; and on women, leadership, and Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In. She is currently working on a book manuscript focused on the image of the spinning woman in the Middle Ages. Her book, Sacred Players: The Politics of Response in the Middle English Religious Drama, was published by the Catholic University of America Press. Hill served as associate dean for Academic Affairs for the College of Liberal Arts & Education for three years and returned to the faculty full-time in fall 2013. She previously directed the Women's and Gender Studies program and received University of Detroit Mercy's Faculty Achievement Award in 2007. She joined the University in 2003.

hillhl2@udmercy.edu

Hill, Richard

Richard Hill, Ph.D.

Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Assistant Dean for Research and External Initiatives, teaches courses in controls, dynamics, and instrumentation. His research interests are in discrete-event system modeling and control, nonlinear control, and vehicle and manufacturing applications. Hill holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.S. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California. Prior to joining the Detroit Mercy faculty, Hill worked at Lockheed Martin Corporation on satellite attitude reference and control and was a high school math and science teacher. He joined the University in 2008.

hillrc@udmercy.edu

Hoback, Alan S.

Alan S. Hoback

Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, teaches a range of design courses related to civil and architectural engineering. Hoback’s publications have dealt with structures, foundations, transportation, economics, pedestrians, and computer aided design. Hoback holds a B.A. degree from Hastings College and B.S., M.S., and Sc.D. degrees from Washington University. He joined the University in 1994.

hobackas@udmercy.edu

Hollier, Saran T.

Saran T. Hollier

Associate Professor, Chair, McAuley School of Nursing Prelicensure Programs, is a tenured Associate Professor, and the Interim Associate Dean in the College of Health Professions, McAuley School of Nursing.  Dr. Hollier has been educating nursing students since 2008 at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Hollier earned her BSN from the University of Michigan, her MSN from Madonna University, and her PhD from Wayne State University. Dr. Hollier served as an appointed member of the college’s leadership team as Chair of Graduate Nursing (2019-2020), Chair of Undergraduate Nursing (2020-2023), and currently Interim Associate Dean. .  In addition to Dr. Hollier’s academic leadership, she has four years of hospital administrative experience including supervision of clinical staff, and quality improvement project management. Dr. Hollier is published and has presented research that examines social stressors on the physical and mental health of African Americans at the local, regional, and national level. Dr. Hollier’s work at the University is driven by her desire to be a transformative leader in education, contributing to the preparation of students that can meet the health care needs of diverse populations.

holliest@udmercy.edu

Howard, Terry L.

Terry L. Howard

Lecturer of Decision and Information Sciences, teaches information systems and technology, decision sciences, operations management, and e-business. Howard’s publications and professional presentations deal with managerial and technical aspects of the decision sciences and information systems fields. He has engaged in numerous professional activities in small business, workforce development, and strategic management, including lectures nationally and internationally. Howard has been recognized with various professional and civic awards. He is extensively involved in education and community organizations. He serves in Alpha Iota Delta, the international honor society in decision sciences, and is a member of the board of directors. He is actively involved with the International Association of Jesuit Business Schools (IAJBS). Howard holds a B.S. from University of Detroit Mercy and M.B.A., M.S.C.I.S., and M.S.I.A. degrees from University of Detroit Mercy.

howardtl@udmercy.edu

Hu, Hsiao-Lan

Hsiao-Lan Hu

Professor of Religious Studies, teaches courses in Asian religions, Buddhism, religious social ethics and women's and gender issues in religions. Before joining the University in 2008, Hu taught at Temple University where ze also earned a doctorate with distinction. Published widely in several areas, Hu is also an internationally recognized scholar in Buddhist-feminist social ethics and socially engaged Buddhisms, Buddhism and intersectionality issues (gender, race and sexuality), Buddhist-Christian dialogue and Buddhist and pluralist pedagogy. Hu’s courses won the Jesuit Summer Stipend for Course Development twice: in 2010 for Religions and Global Wellbeing and in 2015 for Religions and Sci-Fi. Several courses, including Religions and Sci-Fi, earn Women's & Gender Studies (WGS) credit. Hu served as the director of WGS from 2020-2022 and is the current vice president of Sākyadhitā: International Association of Buddhist Women, the largest organization in the world of Buddhist women.

hhu@udmercy.edu

Huang, Nan-Chieh

Nan-Chieh Huang

Clinical Associate Professor, teaches clinical fixed and removable prosthodontics and implant prosthodontics in Detroit Mercy Dental Center. He is recently the course director of preclinical removable partial denture to sophomores and several guest lecturers into preclinical removable prosthodontics and implant restorations to juniors. Prof. Huang published several articles, book chapter into dental materials and prosthodontics field. Prof. Huang earned his D.D.S. and M.D.Sc degrees in Prosthodontics at Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan. He also received a certificate and M.S.D degrees in Prosthodontics at Indiana University. He joined the university since 2016. 

huangna@udmercy.edu

Huprich, Steven

Steven Huprich

Associate Dean for Graduate Education, Professor of Psychology, is responsible for supporting and developing graduate programs in the College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences. In this role, he also supports and promotes research activities and extramural funding opportunities throughout the College. Huprich has taught courses in Assessment II, Assessment III, Psychology of Death and Dying, Psychopathology II, Research Seminar, and Theories of Psychotherapy. He is the past editor of the Journal of Personality Assessment and past president of the International Society for the Study of Personality Disorders. Huprich has held faculty appointments at Wichita State University (as director of clinical training), University of Kansas School of Medicine (adjunct professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences and internal medicine), Eastern Michigan University and Baylor University. He currently is an adjunct professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Huprich received the 2013 Theodore Millon Award, given by the American Psychological Association and American Psychological Foundation for mid-career excellence in personality research and scholarship. He joined the University in 2016.

hupricst@udmercy.edu

Hurt, Petra D.

Petra D. Hurt

Affiliate Clinical Coordinator, Adjunct Faculty, Nurse Anesthesia is responsible for program admissions and didactic instruction for Basic and Advanced Anesthesia Principles. Ms. Hurt is also responsible for coordinating clinical rotations, clinical credentialing, and assigning monthly clinical schedules. She serves her state professional association as the chair of the Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA) Bylaws Committee.

hurtpe@udmercy.edu

Hsu, Yung-Ting

Yung-Ting Hsu

Clinical Assistant Professor, teaches Periodontics courses at the pre-doctoral and post-doctoral levels, in addition to graduate level didactic courses focusing on textbook reading, classic literature review, and case review. Prof. Hsu published more than 30 articles, book chapters, and abstracts. Her research interests focuses on periodontal regeneration, treatment and prevention of peri-implant diseases, and interdisciplinary therapy. She was awarded several teaching and research awards, such as AAPF Nevins Teaching and Clinical Research Fellowship (2018), Osteology Education Grant from Osteology Foundation (2018), and AAPF fellowship to the Institute for Teaching and Learning in the Health Professions (2016). Prof. Hsu received her D.D.S. and D.M.Sc degrees in Periodontics from Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan. She also holds a Certificate and M.S. degree in Periodontics from the University of Michigan. She joined the university since 2016.

heHsuyu2@udmercy.edu