As seen in the Spring DU Review digital magazine

For Brandon Steury, GRC, ’25, Davenport University provided a place where his dream could become reality. He received a graduate certificate from Davenport’s College of Urban Education in 2025 and pivoted from more than 10 years in the finance and banking industry to pursue his passion for teaching. The idea had been with him for years after earning his Master of Public Administration.  He would think, “Someday I want to go back, and I want to switch and go after teaching,” Brandon said. However, with a family to support, he placed those aspirations on hold as he continued his career in public administration. Reflecting on that period, he shared, “I wish somebody would’ve told me about teaching, because I feel like that’s what I was designed for.”

That opportunity came when Brandon became involved with a cybersecurity camp while he was running an IT department for a company. With a background in cybersecurity and a growing interest in teaching, he reached out to a program representative. He was able to connect with an educational opportunity that allowed him to step into an instructional role. The experience reinforced his interest in education and confirmed that teaching was the direction he wanted to pursue.

With some time and experience in teaching others through managerial roles, Brandon began looking for ways to become an educator while continuing his current full-time job. “I started looking for accelerated programs, and I looked all over the place, and there were a lot of online ones,” he said. “But when it came down to it, I knew Davenport. They were local. They had a good reputation.” He was especially drawn to the university’s emphasis on urban education and the focus on serving underrepresented communities where educational needs are often overlooked. 

Brandon took his desire to help others into the classroom, where he became a science teacher at a public school in West Michigan. His career path may not tell you how much of a science person he is, but Brandon can tell you he’s always been into science. He acquired his undergraduate degree in environmental science and management in 1999. 

Wanting to further connect with students, he soon founded the Make a Difference Club. This club isn’t your run-of-the-mill after-school hangout; Brandon encourages his students to get involved in various activities to support the community. 

In Brandon’s words, “They can go out and find a charity and get involved with it, so the purpose of the club is to experience a lot of different activities. Go help out at a nursing home, at a school, an animal shelter or a place that packs lunches for kids.”

He described a time when a club member wanted to teach people how to paint and make jewelry, so the club went to a local apartment complex and showed the adults the process. The goal is to show that whatever someone’s talents are, they can use them to contribute to their community. “Isn’t that what urban education is about?” he said. “It’s about communities, students, and the schools working together, becoming integrated to help make whole people who can reinvest in the community.” A mindset he shares with his students to make a positive change.

Looking ahead, Brandon hopes to see former students years down the road and hear that something he taught them made a difference in their lives. For him, education isn’t just about grades and assignments; it’s about driving meaningful change. Through teaching science and leading a dynamic service-focused club, he continues to make a difference, proving that meaningful change starts with the will to help others grow and to give back.

Brandon’s journey, which included a degree in urban education from Davenport, is a reminder that pursuing one’s passion can lead to a powerful change. By changing his career and investing in his students, he is building a strong community and future leaders.