Davenport University appoints two to leadership roles

Davenport University has appointed Patty Brechbiel as Dean for the College of Urban Education and Christopher Marx as University Registrar. Both had already been serving in these roles on an interim basis.

“We are pleased to be able to promote two remarkable, long-term leaders who have contributed to the success of Davenport University for nearly 60 years combined,” stated Dr. Linda Rinker, Executive Vice President for Academics and Provost for Davenport. “The high level of customer service that we provide to our students is a differentiator for Davenport, and Patty and Chris are two of the leaders at this university who have helped to create that culture.”

Brechbiel joined Davenport in October 1985 as an adjunct instructor at the Eastern Avenue Career Center, where she went on to serve in admissions, career services, academic advising, campus registrar and bookstore manager roles. After serving in academic administration for a number of years, she was appointed Director of Academic Services for the W.A. Lettinga and Battle Creek campuses and, in 2010, served as Interim Dean for the College of Health Professions. In the fall of 2015, she agreed to serve as interim dean for the College of Arts and Sciences. Brechbiel earned her Bachelor’s degree at Aquinas College and her Master of Arts in Communications from Western Michigan University. In recognition of her tireless service on behalf of the University and its students, she was presented the Ty Wessell Award for Exemplary Service in 2011.

Marx joined Davenport as an adjunct instructor in 1990 after serving in operations and customer service roles at Dayton Hudson Corporation. He has since served as Director of Academic Advising and Student Affairs for the Battle Creek Campus, Associate Dean for Enrollment Management at the Kalamazoo Campus, Executive Director of Enrollment Services, Executive Director of Student Services, Director of Transfer Articulation, and Campus Director for Battle Creek. Last year, Marx agreed to step in as Registrar on an interim basis. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University, a Master of Business Administration from Western Michigan University in 1985, and a Master of Arts with an emphasis in Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology from WMU in 1997. He is active in several national and state organizations related to his work in the Registrar’s office and with concurrent enrollment programs.