The University of Detroit Mercy’s College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) will graduate its first class under its new name on May 10, an official shift from once was.
Notably, this shift revitalizes CHASS’ identity, one that students and staff believe reflects growth, clarity and a new sense of purpose.
Graduating senior Mina Schultz, a communication studies major, demonstrates what it is like to be part of the first graduating CHASS class.
“It feels extremely special,” Schultz said. “The change from CLAE to CHASS doesn’t have a big impact for me personally, but for the school, I know it will be the start of a new beginning and help bring this program to a whole new potential.”
Upon graduation, Schultz aspires to pursue sports public relations, accrediting CHASS for helping her discover her passion, gain internship experience and build a supportive network.
“My favorite memory is probably just having classes with a lot of the same people and creating a bond between everyone that you don’t get in a lot of other colleges,” Schultz said. “I hope people remember how this class has changed CHASS and made a push for more.”
Rebecca De La Garza, a graduating senior studying psychology who also serves as an ambassador for CHASS, implores enthusiasm for the college and its contributions. For her, the college’s name change is a sentiment to expand its values.
“It’s honestly an honor to be part of the first graduating class of CHASS,” De La Garza said. “I think CHASS represents a movement toward celebrating our differences, our unique passions, and just kind of elevating what we mean by the word community.”
As a student ambassador for over a year, De La Garza has helped CHASS through initiatives that exemplify outreach efforts, mentoring peers while producing relatable content on the college’s TikTok.
These initiatives extend beyond this, as she will begin research with Dr. Mark Lumley at Wayne State University, focused on health psychology, while furthering her aspirations for a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
“CHASS has prepared me by inspiring me to dream big,” De La Garza said. “The experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve talked to and the conversations that I’ve had… it’s honestly just inspired me to think bigger, dream bigger and to see what’s next.”
Angela Davis, CHASS staff member and alumna, sees the Class of 2025 not as a break from the past but as an unfolding of what has always existed within the college, now more visible than ever.
“I’m not really seeing it as a new chapter,” Davis said. “I’m not really seeing it as a new chapter; I’m seeing it as a continuation of the college’s growth in the college.”
Moreover, the name change was imperative in highlighting new leadership, but even more so with removing the education department, which previously amplified the college’s identity.
However, the long-standing values from the past, like hospitality, diversity and unity, have prevailed.
“There is a lot more of a presence of those things that were already in existence, now actually being showcased,” Davis said. “They were in our own silent silos, and now they’re out in the public.”
Even more so, these values appear in the people of college, which makes it what it is.
“To the graduating class, I am wishing you all the best of luck,” Davis said. “Even though CHASS will be constantly changing… they still have a place to come back and say that CHASS is the home.”