Why Urban Education?
Helping all children succeed academically begins at Davenport University. Davenport’s College of Urban Education promotes equity, creativity and opportunity for all children. Delivering an equitable education leads to increases in engagement and performance and, ultimately, higher academic achievement. Davenport is generating an impact that begins early in children’s lives and leads to higher education and higher paying jobs for the future. Imagine how, together, we can extend that impact to children in urban districts, throughout Michigan and across the nation.
Together we can transform the landscape of urban education, meeting the unique educational demands of K-12 urban classrooms. Davenport University’s College of Urban Education offers master’s, bachelor’s and certificate programs to support career goals for both teaching and leading in urban schools.
Leadership programs
- Master of Education in Urban Educational Leadership
- Alternative Route to School Administrator Certification
- Business Essentials for Urban School Administrators Graduate Certificate
- Instructional Core Transformation for School Administrators Graduate Certificate
- Urban Educational Leadership Principles Graduate Certificate
Our partners
Davenport University partners with school systems and community organizations to provide real-world opportunities for training urban educators.
Our partnerships include:
- Detroit Public Schools Community District
- Grand Rapids Public Schools
- Grand Rapids Urban League
- Michigan Education Corps
- Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA)
- Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System
- National Heritage Academies
Meet the team
Davenport’s College of Urban Education team comprises individuals with over 30 years of experience, collectively. Areas of expertise include elementary and secondary teaching and educational leadership as well as certification in online learning instruction. We offer students mentorship to guide them to become an in-demand urban educator.
Susan Gunn, Ph.D. is currently Dean of the College of Urban Education at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Prior to this appointment, she held the dual position of Associate Dean of the College of Urban Education and Science Department Chair in Davenport’s College of Arts and Science. Dr. Gunn possesses a B.S. in Education and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Michigan. Dr. Gunn has extensive experience in program and curriculum development, faculty recruitment, mentoring, supervision, strategic planning, evaluation, research, fiscal monitoring and budget management. At Davenport, she has created degree programs and developed STEM-based community outreach academic summer camp programs. Dr. Gunn has extensive teaching experience which covers a broad range from high school to college to medical school programs. One of her focused interests is to help develop well-trained STEM educators who can impart the importance of science to PK-12 students. Dr. Gunn is passionate about urban education, having been herself a product of Detroit Public Schools. Dr. Gunn often stresses her passion for helping students of color and other marginalized youth to obtain a quality, college/career-ready education, which is critical for success in the 21st century.
Dr. Rajah E. Smart is currently Department Chair of the College of Urban Education at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Before his work with Davenport, Dr. Smart was an education consultant with the Michigan Department of Education working and collaborating with higher education institutions in accreditation, program approval and certification, as well as supporting school districts across the state of Michigan. With over 20 years in urban education and as a product of Flint Community Schools, his experience as a teacher, school administrator and trainer provides him the context to be passionate about education for all students. That passion has also helped him write seven fictional novels that focus on social context, and he is publishing a research study focusing on his interest in resource allocation practices in schools. Dr. Smart is currently in the dissertation phase to earn his doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Michigan with a focus on resource allocation practices and student performance.