Dean – College of Arts and Sciences
Profile
Founding Dean
College of Urban Education
This Position Specification is intended to provide information about Davenport
University and the position of Dean, College of Arts and Sciences. It is designed
to assist qualified individuals in assessing their interest.
Opportunity
Davenport University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, seeks applications and nominations for the
position of Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Reporting to the Executive Vice President for Academics and Provost, the Dean will be
responsible for leading Davenport’s College of Arts and Sciences. The Dean will serve as the
chief architect and advocate for the College, building relationships within the University and
collaborations with external constituencies. The successful candidate will be a visionary leader
with an entrepreneurial spirit, a collaborative managerial style and a commitment to quality and
excellence. The ideal candidate will bring experience as both an educator and leader in higher
education with experience teaching and providing leadership in the Arts and Sciences
environment. The Dean will be a strategic leader who develops and implements a vision and a
plan for the College as an innovative and dynamic new force both in the College and the
community.
The second largest private non-profit university in Michigan, Davenport is at an important
juncture in its history as it moves forward to enhance its academic programming, market
position and financial strength. President Richard J. Pappas is in the process of leading the
institution to achieve Vision 2020 under his leadership.
In 2010, Davenport was accepted to the Higher Learning Commission’s prestigious Academic
Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) accreditation process and began the task of aligning the
University with the Malcolm Baldrige principles of quality. The University offers a careeroriented, practical curriculum of programs leading to Associate, Bachelor, Master and Doctoral
(coming in 2017) degrees. Davenport competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate
Athletics Division II athletic programs, and offers a host of co-curricular activities, services and
resources for our students. The University currently enrolls over 7,000 students, employs nearly
600 full-time faculty and staff and over 700 adjunct faculty, and has an operating budget of
approximately $120 million. Its roots reach back to the 19th century and reflect a long tradition
of providing affordable, career-oriented educational opportunities for students.
The College of Arts and Sciences
In 2011, Davenport University established the College of Arts and Sciences focusing on
supporting the course work for the other Colleges. The development and implementation of
three programs, a partnership with Kuyper College offering a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work,
a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Lab Science, and a Master’s degree and certificate in
Data Analytics followed. The Dean of this College will work collaboratively with the four other
Colleges of Davenport University; the College of Health Professions, the College of Urban
Education, the Donald W. Maine College of Business and the College of Technology.
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The Baldrige National Quality Program’s Education Criteria for Performance Excellence, and the
foundation of the conceptual framework and operation of the College of Arts and Sciences, will
serve as the structure for the outcome-based measures for the College. The College’s programs
and courses are systematically reviewed in order to differentiate and improve instruction. In
addition, best practices and research of the Council of Arts and Sciences and the Council of
Stakeholders will be used to augment the Baldrige criteria to insure the program exceeds
national standards.
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The Role of the Dean of Arts and Sciences
Summary of Position
The Dean is responsible for the overall
leadership and management of the College at
each campus and online, including the
development and implementation of academic
programs and the related policies and
procedures, and College budget. The Dean is
the ambassador for the College, internally and
externally and provides leadership and
direction for the recruitment and retention of
faculty and students, completion and
graduation of students, and establishment of a
strategic plan for the College which supports
achieving the Vision for the University. These responsibilities are performed in an ethical
manner consistent with the University’s mission, vision, and values which include diversity,
equity and inclusion.
Organizational structure
The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences reports directly to the Executive Vice President for
Academics and Provost. The Dean works in close partnership with the vice president and the
other deans to shape the direction of the academic program.
Responsibilities
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Provide direction, leadership and management for the College and its faculty and staff,
and foster an environment of inclusion.
Oversee the development and review of programs, curriculum, assessment, policies and
procedures while engaging faculty in the process.
Establish and maintain positive relationships and productive partnerships with
businesses and organizations, community leaders, local and state officials, other
institutions of higher education and local school districts.
Work collaboratively with the Institute for Professional Excellence, faculty/staff and
campus leaders to increase enrollment, diversify revenues and enhance opportunities for
students and the University.
Oversee curriculum development, review and revision and communicate any changes in
a timely manner to incorporate revisions in appropriate publications and
communications.
Develop and manage the College’s budget.
Participate in the planning of facilities and secure appropriate resources and technology
necessary to deliver quality programs, including fundraising and securing grants.
Oversee the University’s pursuit of and response to accreditation and regulatory matters.
Hire, supervise and provide direction for Associate Deans and Department Chairpersons
and other academic staff as assigned.
Oversee the recruitment and retention of qualified and engaged faculty.
Participate in internal and external events to promote the College and its programs.
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Work collaboratively with the other Deans and academic leaders to create an
interdisciplinary approach to education and develop innovative delivery options,
corporate partnerships, distance learning programs, independent learning options and
off-campus programs.
Conduct regular curriculum and planning meetings with faculty.
Coordinate student assessment in cooperation with Program Assessment teams.
Develop and coordinate College Advisory Committee activities to ensure relevance of
programs, curriculum, and learning outcomes and builds linkages with business and
industry to support the college and students.
Provide assistance as needed in areas such as entrance testing, transcript review,
educational technology, accreditation coordination, educational grants, student advising,
and commencement.
Ensure appropriate credentials and development of knowledge within the discipline for
faculty and academic staff and work collaboratively to support professional development
and research programs.
Assist marketing and admissions offices in the promotion of programs.
Participate in appropriate professional and community organizations and activities.
Participate in the Provost Leadership Team and President’s Cabinet.
Ensure compliance with appropriate internal and external guidelines and regulations.
Demonstrate and promote the University Cultural Values.
Perform other duties as assigned.
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Davenport University: An Overview
Davenport University traces its origins to
1866 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where it
was founded to meet the career needs of
the local community. It grew over the years
and acquired independent business
colleges, administering them within a
cooperative system, but with considerable
local autonomy. In May 2000, the system’s
three affiliated institutions – Davenport
College, Detroit College of Business, and
Great Lakes Junior College – were merged
into a single institution and began the
transition to university status, uniting the
three colleges with more than 30 locations for the delivery of education to its largely nontraditional, adult-learner student body. Today Davenport is a non-profit, private university with
the distinctive mission of preparing students for in-demand careers in business, technology, and
the health professions.
In September 2005, Davenport implemented a significant change in strategy with the dedication
of its new 70-acre W.A. Lettinga Campus, just south of Grand Rapids, establishing itself for the
first time in more modern history as a traditional, residential institution. This initiative had a
focus on extracurricular programming designed for the more traditional undergraduate
population, including intercollegiate athletics for both men and women. The campus includes
one academic building with classrooms, an auditorium, faculty offices, student lounge, group
study rooms, the library, and a student center with a field house. A new college of business
building opening in 2017 will add classrooms, student meeting space and faculty offices. Three
residence halls house over 800 undergraduates. All of the facilities have been constructed since
2005. Additionally, another athletic complex is in the final phase of construction. A football
stadium, track, baseball stadium, softball field, and tennis courts will further support the athletic
teams.
Students choose Davenport because the
school’s academic reputation, faculty with
real-world professional experience, small
classes, and reasonable tuition rates make
Davenport an excellent choice among private
universities.
Davenport takes pride in its students. In the
last several years 96% of Davenport
University Lettinga campus nursing students
have successfully passed the NCIEX exam.
Davenport Health Information students
consistently exceed national average pass rates for both RHIT and RHIA. Davenport students
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consistently perform well at the national Business Professionals of America competitions. In
2015, DU students won an unprecedented 21 first place awards and 92 Top Ten finishes – both
all-time BPA records. Over the past four years, DU students have earned 62 top finishes in
national BPA competitions.
President Gerald R. Ford, who early in his career served as a football coach at Davenport,
granted the University the privilege of bestowing a scholarship in his name.
The President
In August 2009, Dr. Richard J. Pappas, Ed. D. accepted the role of
President of Davenport University. He had served as President of
National-Louis University in Chicago since 2005. During his 35 years in
higher education, Pappas served as President of Lake Michigan
College in Benton Harbor, Michigan and Harford Community College in
Bel Air, Maryland. He has a doctorate in higher, adult, and continuing
education and a Master’s degree in higher education and business
management, both from the University of Michigan. Dr. Pappas
earned his undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University.
The Provost
Dr. Linda Rinker, Ed.D., was appointed Executive Vice President for Academics and Provost in
November of 2010 and began her tenure in February 2011. Dr. Rinker had served as Provost
and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Western Connecticut State University since
2006 and previously served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at Kutztown
University of Pennsylvania which realized growth in enrollment and retention under her
leadership. Dr. Rinker holds a doctorate in education administration from Columbia University, a
Master’s degree in nursing administration from Villanova University and a Master’s in counseling
psychology from Kutztown University. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree from West Chester
State College.
Culture
Davenport University is an institution of higher education with a Vision for national and
international renown. President Pappas has fostered an inclusive decision-making process within
an atmosphere that is fast-paced and forward looking. Leadership recognizes achievement and
expresses gratitude. Davenport University’s values represent the behavioral expectations of the
faculty, staff, and students in performing their responsibilities and achieving their goals.
Innovation and Creativity, and Respect for People.
Davenport possesses a rewarding and collaborative working environment for people who want
to make a difference in the lives of students and take the institution to the next level. In 2011,
the Detroit Free Press Recognized Davenport as a “Top Workplace In Michigan.”
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Davenport University cultivates a community where similarities and differences are understood,
respected and valued. We actively promote full participation of all community members and
seek multiple perspectives and diversity of thought. Diversity, equity and inclusion is the
framework for the way we engage talent and use resources, including physical and fiscal, to
conduct business as we equip students, faculty and staff for an inclusive way of being and
leading in the world. Davenport University's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion has
been recognized with the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award in 2012, 2013, 2014
and 2015, as well as the Hispanic Advocate Award in 2014 and the 2016 Giving Back Award.
Vision 2020
Recently completed, Vision 2020 is built upon a foundation of quality and paints a bold picture
for future success. Under the leadership of President Richard Pappas, Davenport has adopted
an ambitious agenda that commits the entire institution to seeking the highest levels of quality
and drives the pursuit of continuous improvement across its full range of activities. This
commitment, as described in detail in a vision statement adopted with strong support by
faculty, staff, and the Board of Trustees, will be measured against the highest external
standards with specific metrics designed to build and nurture a culture of quality in the
University. This Vision creates a compelling and internally consistent strategy to put Davenport
on a path to a leadership position among institutions of higher education in the region, the
nation, and the world.
Davenport University: Values
Davenport University's Values represent the behavioral expectations of our faculty, staff, and
students in performing their responsibilities and achieving their goals. These values are
represented through STAIR.
Serving with Quality
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Understand our students
Nurture capable and energetic students
Help students start, stay, and succeed
Provide GREAT service
Commitment to continuous quality improvement
Trustworthiness
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Communicate openly and honestly
Demonstrate loyalty
Maintain confidentiality
Teamwork
Explain “why” and ask “why”
Accountability
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Ask, “What else can I do?”
Solicit and provide feedback
Follow University policies and procedures
Perform to the Vision and strategic plan
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Innovation and creativity
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Share thoughts and new ideas
Actively engage and participate
Constructively challenge status quo
Think outside the box
Respect for people
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Understand and value individual and cultural differences.
Promote equitable treatment and inclusive behavior.
Leverage diverse perspectives.
Celebrate success.
Inspire and motivate.
Financial situation
The University’s operating budget in fiscal year 2015 is $120 million, with tuition revenue
representing approximately 90 percent of that amount. Institutional scholarships totaled
approximately $25 million. The University has consistently operated at a surplus and is
committed to sound financial management. Davenport’s endowment in 2010 was $13 million
and has now grown to nearly $21 million, and includes a recent $5.5 million gift to support
innovation and creativity.
Student life
Davenport University serves a blend of traditional-age
students and adult learners. The majority of students on
the main campus are between the ages of 18 and 24,
but adult students are in the majority at the University’s
statewide locations. Most students are Michigan
residents, but the university also has a visable
enrollment of international students.
Approximately 800 students live in the three residence
halls and an apartment complex on the Lettinga Campus,
with potential for expansion to house a total of 1000.
Davenport’s Student Life department offers a variety of
activities, as well as a student center that opened in the
fall of 2008 and was designed to be a hub for student
recreation, informal meeting space, and extracurricular
activities, including athletics. DU also offers opportunities
to study abroad and expects to expand this program as
part of its emphasis on preparing students for the global economy.
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Davenport facilities and technology
The University’s Lettinga Campus is only ten years old and includes the latest technology. The
campus earned Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S.
Green Building Council. In November 2015, the University broke ground on a new state of the
art facility that will house the Donald W. Maine College of Business. In 2013, the University
moved to a new campus in Lansing, Michigan. In 2008, the University opened a new location in
Livonia, Michigan, and many other locations were updated. Personal computers are replaced
every three years, and the University’s intranet portal, “Davenportal,” has become the major
source of information and communication for students and employees. In annual surveys,
students give high marks to the University’s outstanding buildings, facilities, laboratories, and
computer equipment.
An increasing number of students take advantage of completing courses or degrees online. The
University also adopted the Banner ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system of records
retention and retrieval to streamline registration and grade processing.
Athletics
The University reinstated athletics in 2002 and today offers over 20 men’s and women’s sports.
The University is a member of the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) and the
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. In just the past four years, Davenport Panthers
teams have won conference championships in women’s basketball, men’s soccer, and men’s
golf. The hockey club team was the 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 American Collegiate Hockey
Association Division II national champion and 2010-11 Division I national champion. The
Panther men’s lacrosse and rugby teams also won national championships in 2011, and the
women’s basketball team finished the season as the national championship runner-up. The
men’s soccer team was national champions in 2015, and the women’s competitive cheer team
won national championships in 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Recently, Davenport has been
accepted as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
Davenport University considers athletes first and foremost to be students. The collective GPA
for all Davenport athletes is 3.2. Davenport also has had several Academic All-Americans.
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Location
The West Michigan region supports a rich array of public and private colleges and universities,
including Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Hope College, Calvin
College, and Aquinas College. Grand Rapids is also home to four hospitals and a major health
community including the Van Andel Institute, the Michigan State University School of Human
Medicine, and centers devoted to specialties such as heart and cancer care.
Grand Rapids offers a rich variety of arts, culture, entertainment, and recreation, including
symphony, ballet, and opera companies, several theater companies, a Broadway series, minor
league baseball and hockey teams, a new art museum, and a major convention center. And it is
home to major locally founded and/or owned industries and businesses including Amway,
Steelcase, Herman Miller, Haworth, Bissell, Spartan Stores, and Meijer. The University is located
only about 40 miles from Lake Michigan and its lakeshore communities of Holland, Grand
Haven, and Saugatuck.
More information on Davenport University may be found at its website: www.davenport.edu.
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Academics
Davenport University has five academic units: the Donald W. Maine College of Business, the
College of Technology, the College of Health Professions, the College of Arts and Sciences and
the College of Urban Education. DU Online works closely with all of these academic units,
allowing Davenport to offer the majority of courses across the University in an online format.
Under the leadership of Provost Dr. Linda Rinker, Academics at Davenport have been
reorganized to ensure that strong lines of responsibility and authority for degree programs and
curriculum rest with the Deans and faculty in each of the Colleges. With the University
operating on multiple campuses and serving students in each of the Colleges, both in-seat and
online, a matrix structure coordinates academic and student support services across the
institution.
The Donald W. Maine College of Business
The College of Business prepares students for positions of leadership in both existing
organizations and new ventures. The principles of entrepreneurship play a central role in the
programs and courses across the College to foster and sustain a culture of innovation. It is
committed to providing opportunities for the application of knowledge through experiential
learning and requires every graduate to complete an internship or field experience course-based
project. The College of Business is the largest component of the University with 42 full-time
faculty and approximately 5,000 students. Its roots go back to the founding of Davenport’s
predecessor institution right after the Civil War.
The College of Business offers four associate degree programs, Bachelor’s degrees in 11 areas
of specialization, and four distinct graduate degrees, M.B.A., Executive M.B.A. (E.M.B.A.)
Masters of Management, and Masters of Accountancy. In 2014, the College launched a
pioneering Competency-Based M.B.A. to meet growing market needs for customized time to
completion. In addition, students have the ability to enhance their skills and employability
through specialized post-baccalaureate and graduate certificate programs targeted at career
fields that are in high demand or emerging fields such as post-baccalaureate certificates in
Sustainable Business, Paralegal Studies, Forensic Accounting, and Global Project Management.
Graduate certificate programs are offered in Internal Auditing, Managerial Accounting, Finance,
Human Resource Management, Health Care Management, and Strategic Management.
In the fall of 2015, the University broke ground on the new Donald W. Maine College of
Business building. This 60,000 square foot state-of-art facility is designed to maximize
collaborative and team learning and will house the entrepreneurial center for the University
whose mission is to build and expand business enterprises throughout the region.
For more information visit, http://www.davenport.edu/college-business
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The College of Technology
The College of Technology prepares graduates for success in the rapidly changing world of
technology. With Bachelor’s degrees focused in hot career fields such as cyber-defense,
gaming, network security, web design, and programing, students are deeply immersed in their
specific discipline while cultivating responsiveness to changes and challenges within the
industry. Graduate degrees in Technology Management and Information Assurance further
foster career expansion. The College of Technology is dedicated to providing opportunities for
students through experiential learning within courses and through Internships. An innovative
cooperative program placing students directly in the workplace while completing their course
work is being launched in 2016. There are 12 full time faculty in the college and an
approximate enrollment of 900 students.
The College holds the distinction as a “Center of Academic Excellence” (CAE) in cyber defense
education by the National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security and Department
of Defense ensuring students have access to the highest level of preparation in the fields of
cyber defense and information assurance, as well as access to scholarships and jobs designated
only for students and graduates of CAE programs. In every degree, numerous courses are
constructed to prepare students for external certifications enhancing employability at the
highest levels. Student organizations within the college include the Student Association of
Project Management, Women in Technology and the Cyber Defense Organization which has
won numerous first-place awards in national competitions.
For more information visit: http://www.davenport.edu/college-technology
The College of Health Professions
The School of Health Professions was created in 2005 and it changed to the College of Health
Professions in 2011. The College offers Associate of Applied Science degrees in Health
Information Technology and in Medical Assisting. The College currently offers Bachelor’s
degrees in Medical Case Management, Health Services Administration, and Health Information
Management as well as a pre-licensure B.S. in Nursing and an R.N. to B.S.N. degree completion
program for registered nurses. In 2014, the College of Health Professions launched a Master of
Science in Occupational Therapy. The University’s first doctoral program in Physical Therapy has
an expected start date of January 2017. In addition, the College offers both pre- and postbaccalaureate certificate in specialized areas and launched a Master’s Degree in Nursing in
January 2012 with both a generalist concentration and a family nurse practitioner
concentration. There are 50 full-time faculty in the College and total student enrollment is
approximately 2200.
For more information, visit: http://www.davenport.edu/college-health-professions
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The College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences provides a practical curriculum that begins with a solid
foundation in general education. The College was established in 2011 to enhance the general
education programs that were in place prior to the reorganization of Davenport’s academic
platform.
The mission of Davenport University is to “prepare(s) individuals and organizations to excel in
the knowledge-driven environment of the 21st century.” To that end, the Davenport University
Excellence System was created. The Excellence System consists of nine overarching
competencies that surveyed employers said were crucial to students getting employed and
succeeding in their profession. These competencies are:
 Ethical Reasoning and Action
 Global and Intercultural Competence
 Critical an Creative Thinking
 Analysis and Problem Solving
 Leadership and Teamwork
 Information and Technology Proficiency
 Written Communication
 Professional Communication
 Civic and Social Responsibility
Faculty have developed student learning outcomes for each one of these competencies and
have interwoven these outcomes throughout the curriculum of every program. The University
has completed pilots in the assessment of these competencies that have informed the
curriculum and is leading to the actual certification of graduating students.
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, or health. These courses include English, humanities, social sciences, math,
environmental science, and diversity. For international students, this College offers a series of
English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. For students interested in another language,
Spanish is regularly offered on campus as well as online.
The College offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Laboratory Science. This degree
provides an excellent foundation in both anatomy and chemical science and provides the handson knowledge students need to find employment in various lab settings. The College has also
formed a strong partnership with Kuyper College to offer a joint degree in Social Work.
Students take course work at each institution and are prepared to enter the social work field
upon completion. Both a graduate degree and certificate in Data Analytics have also been
developed by the College.
The faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences have been active proponents of service learning
as well as study abroad. These opportunities offer students a chance to apply their learning and
expand their knowledge through real-world experiences. Full-time faculty in this College total
39.
For more information, visit http://www.davenport.edu/college-arts-and-sciences
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The College of Urban Education
The College of Urban Education was created in 2013. The College currently has a Master of
Science degree in Urban Education and a strong partnership with the Grand Rapids Public
Schools. By 2016/17 a new Master of Science degree in Leadership for Principals and
Superintendents shall be offered. Further, a new undergraduate degree in Urban Education with
a clinical foundation and a focus on STEM is being created in cooperation with Grand Rapids
Public Schools.
For more information, visit: http://www.davenport.edu/college-urban-education
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Procedure for Candidacy
Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Review of applications will begin
immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration, applicant
materials should be received as soon as possible.
Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae, a letter of application that addresses the
responsibilities and requirements described in this leadership profile, and the names and
contact information of five references. References will not be contacted without prior knowledge
and approval of candidates. These materials should be included with an online application to
our job portal at http://www.davenport.edu/executive-opportunities.
Additionally, our Executive Vice President for Academics and Provost, Dr. Linda Rinker, is
available for your referrals to or questions regarding the position. Feel free to contact Dr.
Rinker at lrinker@davenport.edu.
Additional Information
For additional information about Davenport University, West Michigan and this opportunity,
visit: http://www.davenport.edu/executive-opportunities.
Davenport University is an equal opportunity employer.
The material presented in this position specification should be relied on for informational purposes only.
This material has been copied, compiled, or quoted in part from Davenport University documents and
personal interviews and is believed to be reliable. While every effort has been made to ensure the
accuracy of this information, the original source documents and factual situations govern.
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