An expansion to the Whitty Student Fitness Center is in the works at the University of Detroit Mercy, turning a loved workout space into something more wide-reaching, creating a space where fitness and overall student wellness come together.
“A new two-story building will be constructed next to the Student Fitness Center,” said Dr. Ahmed Radwan, Dean of the College of Health Professions. “The expansion will include Occupational Therapy (OT) labs, Physical Therapy (PT) labs and mental wellness services designed to support student learning and well-being.”
With a construction plan in place, the expansion is shaping up to be more than just extra space, but a step towards giving students more opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom.
Students shouldn’t expect to see it finished overnight, though.
“The goal is to complete the project by early winter 2027, in time to welcome the first cohort of Occupational Therapy students,” Radwan said. “Pending full accreditation approval, the OT program is expected to begin in summer 2027.”
The addition to the fitness center is part of a larger plan for the University’s future.
“This addition is being driven by the University’s vision and strategic plan,” Radwan said. “The new graduate programs in Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy represent an important step in expanding academic opportunities and investing in the future of health professions education at Detroit Mercy.”
Once it’s complete, the new space will look a lot different from what students are used to.
“The new building will offer dedicated lab spaces for each program, with room for up to 80 students at a time,” Radwan said.“These are spaces we do not currently have. The facility will feature state-of-the-art equipment, modern design and learning environments built specifically for hands-on graduate health sciences education.”
Along with new facilities, the expansion is expected to open up new academic paths.
“The expansion will create new academic and career pathways for current and future students by making it possible to pursue graduate study in Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy at Detroit Mercy,” Radwan said. “These programs will also prepare students for careers that directly serve the health needs of communities across Michigan and especially in Detroit.”
Shivin Ganjoo, a freshman biology major in the seven-year dental program, is already feeling very positive about the new changes.
“I think the addition to the fitness center is a great idea,” Ganjoo said. “It not only grants more opportunity for occupational physical therapy students but also expands the wellness center, which could benefit all students’ health at UDM.”
For Marino Solaka, a student in the five-year MBA program, the project feels like a great step forward.
“As a senior at UDM, I’ve had the chance to grow alongside this university, and the addition to the fitness center is one of the most important steps it has taken, in my opinion,” Solaka said. “I’m glad to see the university supporting student mental health in this way, as it is an important part of student success, especially during the heaviness of academic life.”
Even with a long road of grueling construction still ahead, the expansion already puts into perspective how UDM is thinking about student life, not just as something in classrooms or gyms, but as a balance of both.
This expansion speaks to a change in the University’s culture and a more well-rounded approach to student life. It’s clear that UDM is putting support behind that vision, and that it is a very welcome transition for many students.
