Davenport names new Department Chair for its groundbreaking College of Urban Education

Davenport University has named Dr. Rashid Faisal Associate Professor and Department Chair for Davenport University’s College of Urban Education. In this pivotal role, Dr. Faisal will lead the university’s efforts to build a diverse teacher pipeline to address the shortage of diverse male teachers in pre-K-12 settings. This includes spearheading Davenport’s graduate program offerings, designed to provide elementary and secondary teachers and administrators with culturally responsive teaching and leadership strategies to empower them and their students intellectually, socially, and emotionally.

“Dr. Faisal was chosen based on his extensive experience and devotion to curriculum development, teacher leadership training and professional development, culturally responsive teaching and leadership,” said Dr. Susan Gunn, Dean of the College of Urban Education for Davenport University. “His extensive PreK-16 experiences have equipped him with the knowledge, skills, competencies, and mindset to serve as a change agent in urban school settings.”

As a graduate of urban schools in the Detroit area, Dr. Faisal has committed himself to creating pathways to post-secondary success for students of color, first-generation college students, and students from underserved communities. Before joining Davenport, Dr. Faisal served as an instructor and Principal-Internship Supervisor for the College of Education, Health, and Human Services at the University of Michigan- Dearborn. He also worked as Principal-Internship Coach at Teachers College of Columbia University.

With more than 20 years of experience in urban education, Dr. Faisal has held a variety of positions including teacher, reading specialist, principal, central office administrator, interim superintendent, and director of an early learning center. At the university level, he has worked as an instructor and program supervisor in colleges and universities with an urban mission, and education consultant to urban school districts.

Dr. Faisal holds a B.A. in sociology and a B.A. in English with teacher certification from Madonna University; a Master of Arts in Education from the Rackham School of Graduate Studies with Reading Specialist Certification from the University of Michigan-Dearborn; a Master of Education in organizational leadership with School Building Certification from Teachers College of Columbia University; and Education Doctorate in Metropolitan Education from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.