Academic Promotions

The “Interim” has been removed from titles held by Patty Brechbiel and Chris Marx, making Patty Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences and Chris the University Registrar. Both have served admirably in these roles on an interim basis and are well deserving of these permanent appointments.

Patty 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. Patty 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 given the Ty Wessell Award for Exemplary Service in 2011.

Chris 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, Chris 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. Chris will continue to provide leadership for transfer articulation for the University.

Congratulations to Patty and Chris on their permanent promotions to these leadership roles!