Detroit – Madonna University’s southwest Detroit extension program will begin classes Jan. 10 in a newly renovated building on Michigan Avenue west of Livernois.
With the move to the Family Wellness Center, at 5716 Michigan Ave., the program is adding new majors in computer technology and health care management to the child development major (for future Head Start teachers) and certificate program in community leadership it has been offering at its old location near the former site of Tiger Stadium.
“In each case, we feel we are aiming at occupational areas where demand is and will be growing rapidly,” said Jim Novak, Ph.D., Madonna’s dean for outreach and distance learning.
“The tech sector is growing, with the ‘web-based corridor’ emerging with the downtown expansion of Compuware and Quicken, among so many other companies; and health care is slated to boom with the planned expansions of both the Detroit Medical Center and Henry Ford Health System,” he added.
Novak added that Madonna’s career-oriented educations programs “characteristically blend the liberal arts with career preparation.”
Madonna calls its extension program SWEEP – for Southwest (Detroit) Women’s Educational Empowerment Program — and its target market is part-time, returning adult students who live or work in southwest Detroit.
Sixty-five students have graduated from SWEEP thus far.
But while designed to meet the educational needs of women, male students are also accepted. “Traditional” college-age students are welcome as well.
New students are currently being accepted, and individual or small-group advising sessions may be reserved by calling (800) 852-4951 (transfer students should bring copies of their transcripts).
To promote the move to the new facility, Madonna has come up with the slogan, “SWEEP is on the move,” or in Spanish, “Adelante con SWEEP,” which translates as “Moving ahead with SWEEP.”
The Family Wellness Center is an Albert Kahn-designed building that is being renovated by Southwest Solutions.
Livonia-based Madonna University is sponsored by the Felician Sisters.
