Davenport University President Richard Pappas, Ed.D. has announced that he will retire at the end of the upcoming academic year. He informed the chair of the university Board of Trustees Paula Cunningham in May that his last day would be June 30, 2026. Pappas has served as president of Davenport for 17 years and is one of the longest-serving university presidents in Michigan.

He has been president of four institutions of higher education, over a span of nearly 40 years. He explained his decision in an email communication to faculty and staff.

“After 37 years as president at four outstanding institutions, the last 17 at Davenport, this decision was not an easy one,” Pappas wrote. “I take immense pride in what we have accomplished together, even as I look forward to spending more time with my family. The time feels right to pass the baton to a new leader—someone who will build on our foundation and help shape the university’s next era.”

Pappas’ leadership has driven significant growth, innovation and improvements in academic quality. His strategic vision and commitment to student success have enhanced the university’s market position and financial strength. There has been a 200% increase in graduation rates and a 32% rise in student retention during his tenure.

These accomplishments have earned Davenport national and statewide honors. The university received recognition as one of the “Best and Brightest” companies to work for in 2024 and 2025 from the National Association for Business Resources. It received two HEED Awards, a national honor from INSIGHT into Diversity magazine that recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. In 2020, Davenport won the prestigious Michigan Performance Excellence Award, which recognizes high performance based on the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence—the first university in Michigan to receive this honor. In 2021, the university again received national recognition with the Exemplary Innovation and Transformational Leadership Award from the American Council on Education (ACE) and Fidelity Investments.

“The Board of Trustees has greatly valued President Pappas’ leadership,” said Chair of the Board Paula Cunningham. “He guides with vision, optimism, integrity and a strong dedication to Davenport’s mission. He effectively energizes the mission for students, faculty and staff, and alumni. He is fully dedicated to our students’ success. Although we would love to extend his tenure at Davenport, his retirement is well earned.”

Pappas became the fifth president of Davenport University in 2009. During his leadership, Pappas has launched four transformational five-year visions: 2015, 2020, 2025 and 2030. These roadmaps have guided the university’s efforts to elevate academic quality, increase the graduation rate and receive record highs in student and employee satisfaction. The university just marked nine semesters of growth.

During Pappas’ tenure, the university established the College of Urban Education, the Casa Latina online bilingual program, and the First-Generation Student Initiative—each reflecting a strong commitment to inclusion and opportunity.

“The Davenport community has always been willing to work together for our students,” Pappas said. “I’m proud of our efforts to support students from all walks of life and at all stages of life. I’m proud of the way we came together during the COVID-19 pandemic, illustrating that even in the most challenging moments in modern education, our faculty and staff knew how to meet the moment, transforming the university to exclusively online over a weekend.”

Pappas oversaw initiatives to support the whole student with the university’s investment in both physical and mental health initiatives. The university launched a Wellness Center and introduced new degree programs in Mental Health Counseling and Psychiatric Nursing. It increased the number of bachelor degrees from 23 to 37 and the number of graduate degrees from nine to 31.

At the W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus, Davenport built the Robert W. Sneden Center and the Donald W. Maine College of Business. It also constructed a new athletic complex—Farmer’s Field, and joined the NCAA Division II GLIAC Conference. The university also moved the Lansing Campus to a new location and renovated the Warren Campus. All of this progress was under the leadership of Pappas.

Pappas wrote to employees that, “Serving this extraordinary institution has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Each day, I am inspired by your dedication, resilience and our shared commitment to make Davenport a place of excellence and opportunity.”

Cunningham said that the Board of Trustees will begin conducting a search for a new president for the university in the coming months.