Transformative Faculty-Student Collaborations - Academic Affairs and Student Success

In November 2024, Professor Michael Letts co-presented with preservice Art Education students at the Michigan Art Education Conference in Lansing, Michigan (the MAEA's 75th Anniversary).

In the Winter of 2025, Professor Brian Kakas assisted Corinne Bodeman's entrepreneurial class with a service project to create ceramic water-holding vessels.

Average about 145 students work on faculty-student collaborative research (not in classes) in the Biology department EVERY semester.

A collaborative experience partnered FOUR different courses on a Spring Break trip to St. John, US Virgin Islands bringing together 39 marine biology, terrestrial ecology, and culinary students who worked together to understand the biology and culture of St. John.

A crew from NMU Biology's Northern Museum of Zoology completed a 2-week field expedition to collect small mammals and their parasites from sites in Colorado and Utah (2 NMU undergraduates, 1 graduate student, and 1 faculty member).

The Northern Museum of Zoology Mammal Collection received accreditation from the American Society of Mammalogists in recognition of student and faculty efforts to enhance collection infrastructure and curation.

The Northern Museum of Zoology achieved new milestones in growth and impact through student volunteerism (>400 volunteer hours logged) and by surpassing 4300 mammal records and 2500 parasite records archived.

Inaugural Field Ecology Desert Southwest course to Arizona (10 undergraduate, 1 graduate student) in which students were immersed in the diverse ecosystem of Arizona and learned from research scientists, biologists, conservationists, and curators from Grand Canyon National Park to Saguaro National Park and myriad amazing places in between.

Biology Department supported 43 undergraduate student Internships (BI 499) across a broad range of institutions and facilities across the United States and around the world.

Inaugural Forensic Science: An Immersion Experience course to Kalamazoo, Michigan and Knoxville, Tennessee (6 Students) in which students were exposed to the workings of The Kalamazoo Office of the Medical Examiner, Kalamazoo Crime laboratory and University of TN body donation programs and forensic research.

Disaster Mortuary Operation Response Team (D-MORT) cold weather DMORT exercise. Collaborated with FROST, Medical Examiner offices, pathologists, anthropologists, radiologists, photographers, fingerprint experts, and nine undergraduate students to simulate a mass-fatality event.

Collaboration with FROST for the pre-dental cohort of students. Undergraduate pre-dental students are working with FROST to perform dental records on donated bodies.

Independent research with Biochemistry student: Decomposition impacts on soil and plants (2025) Presentation (unable to present at Celebration of Student Scholarship because she is presenting for another lab as well)

Collaboration with Mississippi State University (for bone histology) and NMU Body Donation Program. Effects of the Freeze-Thaw Cycle on Osseous Microstructure: Pilot study (2024-current). Undergraduates involved in developing pilot study protocols and analysis.

In the 5 years of running the Wastewater Pathogen Monitoring Project in Marquette as part of the State of Michigan Disease Monitoring Network over 20 students have been trained in faculty labs. Many have gone onto Ph.D. programs, Medical School, PA School, Dental School, Pharmacy School, Masters Programs in Public Health, Biotech jobs, Industrial Hygiene jobs, and Mayo Clinic lab employment.

Continued long-standing collaboration with the University of Minnesota's high-profile Voyageurs Wolf Project (https://www.voyageurswolfproject.org/project-members). Two NMU biology students involved in the collaboration completed their master's degrees in 2024 and two others completed the first semester of their graduate studies.

Collaboration between NMU faculty and 1 graduate student, University of Georgia faculty and 1 graduate student, and Etosha Ecological Institute, Namibia, Ongava Research Center, Namibia to study the linkages among carnivores-parasites- and their gut microbiomes

Collaboration between NMU faculty and undergraduate students with North Carolina State University faculty and undergraduate/graduate students to investigate American marten-parasite-gut microbiome relationships.

Collaboration among NMU faculty, an NMU undergraduate student, North Carolina Natural Resources Commission, and North Carolina State University faculty and undergraduate/graduate students to examine spatial variation in the gut microbiome of American black bears.

Collaboration between NMU faculty and a graduate student, North Carolina State University faculty and undergraduate/graduate students, and faculty at Washington State University Bear Research Center to examine the impacts of stress (Cortisol) on brown bear gut microbiome dynamics.

Collaboration between NMU faculty, a former NMU graduate student, and National Park Service to assess expert opinion regarding the potential ecological impacts and human hazards associated with bear baiting in Alaska.

Collaboration between NMU faculty and National Park Service to support a graduate student via a graduate research assistantship to investigate the spatial ecology and fine-scale trophic ecology of black and brown bears at Lake Clark National Park, AK.

Collaboration between NMU faculty involving 18 undergraduate students and MDNR to examine spatial variation in the diet, parasite loads, disease prevalence, and gut microbiome of gray wolves across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Collaboration between NMU faculty and a graduate student to examine temporal shifts in red and gray fox occupancy and relative abundance relative to landscape change over time. This project is funded by MDNR via the establishment of the Northern Forest Wildlife Research Fellowship.

Collaboration between NMU faculty, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and MDNR to investigate moose vital rates across the western Upper Peninsula. This project is funded by MDNR award to D. Lafferty, will support 1 graduate student, and involves a current NMU post-bac student research technician, and 5 NMU alumni.

Collaboration with Michigan State University with graduate research on an agricultural field-based project at the MSU's Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center.

Collaboration with the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and the South African Ecological Observation Network on a field-based experiment in Kruger National Park, South Africa to study the impacts of extreme disturbances on savanna plants.

Dr. Heejung Park and 4 Business Research students (the only undergraduate students) presented at the SMA Conference in Tampa, Florida in November 2024.

The College of Business facilitated 82 student credit hours for Internships in various disciplines both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. These internships provide essential experiential learning opportunities.

The College of Business supports study abroad opportunities with financial support via the Carol Steinhaus Study abroad scholarships as well as up to $500 for their airline ticket, and academic review of study abroad course options to apply to their NMU transcript.

Graduate accounting concentration students in Dr. Boyer-Davis "winterim" class BUS 576 examine the methods of inquiry and research and development of competence in professional writing, proper accounting research, and reporting techniques. Outcomes of the course have been numerous published works in peer-reviewed journals.

Students in MGT 215 Entrepreneurship apply theoretical knowledge practically through creating "businesses" and donating proceeds to local non-profits.

The Public Relations campaigns course creates a PR campaign for a "client," which is a local healthcare provider, and presents it.

Each semester averages 30-35 students working with faculty mentors on research projects, resulting in numerous posters at the Celebration of Scholarship and regional/national scientific meetings

Students presented at national meetings of the American Chemical Society, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the Society for Ethnobotany

Forensic biochemistry students placed in internships at the Marquette Crime Lab and other labs in the upper Midwest every semester and summer

Teaching Assistants (TAs) support safe laboratory operations, contributing significant value while gaining experience often required for pre-med or pre-PA school applications. (Clinical Laboratory Science)

Students are approved to use, under supervision, laboratory machinery, reagents, and bench space to support their academic and professional interests. (Clinical Laboratory Science)

The program welcomes students to pursue projects in the CLS laboratory, whether for CLS or non-CLS courses, with supervised use and professional assistance. (Clinical Laboratory Science)

As faculty advisor of the NMU CLS Club, Martin Renaldi mentors students each semester through events that generate funding for student projects, provide engagement opportunities, and support mentoring experiences. (Clinical Laboratory Science)

Martin Renaldi teaches new CLS student cohorts proper parliamentary procedures (Robert's Rules of Order) at biweekly CLS Club meetings. (Clinical Laboratory Science)

Each semester, including summer, Martin Renaldi coordinates placements with clinical affiliates for required student internships and conducts site visits to affiliates hosting NMU students. (Clinical Laboratory Science)

Matt Jennings, Clinical Molecular Diagnostics graduate program director and laboratory director of the UMBTC, has mentored more than 70 students, including undergraduate and graduate students, Freshman Fellows, McNair Scholars, and Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF). Student backgrounds span Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Medicinal Plant Chemistry, Pre-Veterinary, Clinical Molecular Diagnostics, and Integrated Biosciences. (Clinical Molecular Diagnostics)

Matt Jennings has guided 25 graduate capstone projects in the Clinical Molecular Diagnostics online graduate program. (Clinical Molecular Diagnostics)

Research in the UMBTC and CMD laboratories has yielded 22 posters for the Celebration of Student Scholarship. (Clinical Molecular Diagnostics)

Matt Jennings is publishing a book with former student Erika Likoudis, a CMD-Education graduate, developing a study guide for the ASCP MB (Molecular Biology) exam. (Clinical Molecular Diagnostics)

Matt Jennings was selected as the Student's Choice Award recipient and served as graduation speaker for Fall 2024 commencement. (Clinical Molecular Diagnostics)

Matt Jennings has also served as the women's rugby advisor since 2016 and became the women's rugby coach in Fall 2024. (Clinical Molecular Diagnostics)

Paul Mann has mentored 9 Freshman Fellows and 3 McNair Scholars. Alumni outcomes include acceptance to graduate or medical school, a PhD program, employment as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, and research roles at the FDA. (Clinical Sciences)

Students in Speech-Language Pathology collaborate with faculty on research projects, including Freshman Fellows and McNair Scholars, reflecting strong interest in advancing the field through scholarly inquiry. (Speech-Language Pathology)

Students gain supervised practice in the Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic, providing services, writing SOAP notes, preparing treatment summaries and diagnostic reports, and communicating with clients, caregivers, and supervisors. (Speech-Language Pathology)

Dr. Heather Isaacson supports a McNair Scholar's research on the interrater reliability of teleassessment for speech sound disorders, contributing to advancements in remote clinical practice and assessment accuracy. (Speech-Language Pathology)

Josh Ewalt mentored Tregan Lippens, Information Officer Internship, NMU-AAUP/AFT Local 6761 (Fall 2025).

Josh Ewalt mentored Gwen Case, Directed Study: Introduction to Critical Theory (Fall 2025).

Josh Ewalt mentored Ricky Jachalke, Information Officer Internship, NMU-AAUP/AFT Local 6761 (Spring 2025).

Josh Ewalt mentored Ricky Jachalke, Directed Study: The Rhetoric of the Levellers (Spring 2025).

Josh Ewalt mentored Madi Tourville, Information Officer Internship, NMU-AAUP/AFT Local 6761 (Fall 2024).

Josh Ewalt co-authored a conference presentation with Ricky Jachlake (undergrad), Claire Sargent (undergrad), and Carol Trotti (undergrad) titled "I can't believe I have to make this video:' A Rhetorical Analysis of Image Restoration and the YouTube Apology," presented at the Michigan Science, Arts and Letters Conference (2025).

Sara Potter co-authored a conference presentation with Lilly Richards (undergrad) titled "The End of Babies: An Intergenerational study of perspectives on mothering," presented at the Organization for the Study of Communication, Language, and Gender, Kansas City, MO, October 2024.

Sara Potter co-authored a conference presentation with Marissa Maino (undergrad) titled "Brushstrokes of Change: Exploring the Cultural and Historical Significance of Puerto Rico's Murals Through a Cross-Cultural Comparative Perspective," presented at the Michigan Science, Arts and Letters Conference, Lawrence Technological University, MI, 2024.

Sara Potter co-authored a conference presentation with McKenna Sandford (undergrad) titled "Why women choose: A narrative analysis of contemporary perspectives on childbearing," presented at the Michigan Science, Arts and Letters Conference, Lawrence Technological University, MI, 2024.

CJ 214 class (Criminal Investigation). The chapter Interviewing and Integration now involves NMU actors.

Class now visits FROST (Dr. Jane Harris) to have a better understanding of the stages of death

CJ 333 Forensic Imaging, hands-on crime scene setups for forensic photography training, utilized TV 19's building for class scenarios

The Cold Case Program provides experiential learning for students which offers active engagement in real-world major case investigations

Successful study abroad program on criminal justice in Northern Ireland

Working with Forensic Bio-Chemistry faculty on forensics based FLSA to Scotland

Placing 12 students in internships

Working with Michigan State Police to place students in paid cadet program

Assisted a first-year first-generation student through the first-generation mentor program.

Faculty advisor for student Criminal Justice Association

Dr. Adam T. Naito mentored a 3MT award-winning McNair Scholar who integrated field methods and drone-based lidar to investigate the carbon storage potential of industrial hemp at the Michigan State University-Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center in Chatham, Michigan (with Drs. James DeDecker (MSU) and Matthew Van Grinsven (EEGS) as collaborators). https://news.nmu.edu/nmu-announces-3mt-winners-1; https://nmu.edu/eegs/faculty-student-research-agriculture#carbon-industrial-hemp

Dr. Adam T. Naito currently supervises and mentors a student in Environmental Science as part of the geospatial analysis component of the SISU-funded project "The Northern Woodshed Project" (PI: Dr. Sarah Mittlefehldt), and a poster detailing this work was presented at the Sustainability Summit in February, 2025. https://nmu.edu/eegs/faculty-student-research-energy-resources#northern-woodshed-project

Dr. Adebiyi is currently working with an undergraduate student to explore place-adapted agroecological practices that farmers are using to manage their farms sustainably and regeneratively in the Upper Peninsula, examining how these practices differ across different farming systems, the challenges farmers face in implementing them, with preliminary findings presented at Organic World Congress in Taiwan in December 2024.

Dr. Adebiyi is working with an undergraduate student to use evidence-based science to facilitate the sustainable implementation of a school garden at Bothwell Middle School, employing methods such as interviews and surveys to collect data from staff and parents on their vision for the garden, its location, structure, management for sustainability, and perceived sustainability challenges, as well as strategies to address them during the planning process; oral presentation of the findings was given at the 2024 Joint Meeting of East Lakes-West Lakes AAG.

Dr. Adebiyi has been working with an undergraduate student to explore the perceived efficacy of scooping to remove and manage horse manure on Mackinac Island, the challenges of this strategy, and alternative effective strategies that could be implemented.

Dr. Adebiyi has been collaborating with SHINE and Dr. Jes to conduct research, leading an experiential learning structured audit of dumpsters at Northern Michigan University, involving undergraduate students.

Dr. Adebiyi has been collaborating with SHINE and Dr. Jes to conduct research-driven, experiential learning-structured exploration of student moving waste reduction at Northern Michigan University.

Dr. Adebiyi has been collaborating with the Superior Watershed Partnership and Land Conservancy on spatial data research-driven, experiential learning-structured mapping and identification of structures vulnerable to wildfire in Marquette County, gathering landowner contact information, disseminating wildfire education materials, and connecting landowners with SWP for free wildfire risk reduction services.

Dr. Stock has been collaborating with students at international institutions (e.g., India, Ghana) conducting research on the gender politics of solar development.

Dr. Stock has facilitated conference sessions and professional development events for undergraduate students and graduate students conducting research in energy geographies at the 2025 AAG Annual Meeting in Detroit, Michigan through his leadership as Co-Chair of the Energy & Environment Specialty Group.

In teaching GC489 Human-Environment Capstone, Dr. Sarah Mittlefehldt directed 39 senior research projects on topics that ranged from community planning to fire management to environmental policy reform.

As part of the Northern Woodshed Project, Dr. Sarah Mittlefehldt worked with McNair Scholar Crystal Guo on an analysis of U.S. Colleges and Universities that use wood to heat campus; this research will be presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in April 2025. https://nmu.edu/eegs/faculty-student-research-energy-resources#northern-woodshed-project

Dr. Weronika Kusek has been collaborating on class COIL student projects in Urban Geography and Population Geography courses with faculty colleagues from the University of Toledo and Minnesota State University Mankato.

Dr. Weronika Kusek and Dr. Susy Zieger took a group of EEGS students to attend the American Association of Geographers Regional Meeting in Kalamazoo in October 2024.

Fifteen (15) EEGS students completed GC 491 Internship for credit Summer 2024 through Winter 2025.

The Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship supported the Financial Literacy Task Force (Mike Rotundo and Hugo Eyzaguirre chaired the task force). A web page was launched with information and videos https://nmu.edu/financial-literacy. Dan Kill was hired part-time to lead the groundwork and he worked with the Economics Student Association.

The Financial Literacy Task Force worked alongside the leadership of the Economic Student Association, as a result a campus-wide forum was organized: Financial Literacy Website Rollout. Additionally, eight educational videos were made and published on NMU's Financial Literacy website, and six Skillbuilder workshops received support from ESA.

This year the department has 3 students presenting their research, collaborating with Joshua Ingber, at NMU, 1 of which is attending a conference in Guatemala as part of an undergraduate research competition. There are 4 students working with Dr. Ingber to do the Upper Peninsula's first inflation study. In addition, the economics reading group, as part of CEEE, took 4 students to Dallas for a conference on the morality of Markets. Finally, Joshua has given two talks on getting a job.

Working with two student lab assistants to co-develop hands-on, integrated learning activities for use in science education classrooms and to prototype and pilot experiential modules in science processes and skills designed for peer-to-peer implementation.

Introduction of Riff Chatbot to enhance course discussions. Students provide voluntary feedback on their experience offering valuable perspectives on AI-driven engagement, highlighting the potential for faculty-student collaboration in evaluating AI as a curriculum companion.

Applied Workplace Leadership students engaged in mock program evaluations on workplace practices (e.g., onboarding, leadership development) in real organizations. These evaluations serve as hands-on leadership and workplace readiness research, allowing students to create authentic research questions that address real-world workplace issues.

Applied Workplace Leadership students analyzed their own workplace communication experiences (e.g., team discussions, negotiations, communications of policies/procedures) and reflected on the effectiveness of different communication strategies.

Applied Workplace Leadership students applied knowledge of both the challenges and benefits of diversity in the workplace to analyze diversity and multiculturalism practices within their own lives and workplaces, examining real-world challenges such as bias in decision-making, inclusive leadership, and workplace culture.

ED495X and ED595X are faculty-led study abroad courses to Belize for undergraduate and graduate students, respectively. This spring 14 students will travel on the first iteration of the Global U.P. program. (Bergh, Kennedy, White, Basse, Cameron-Standerford, & Edge)

Two undergraduate students and one graduate student co-presented along with SELPS faculty at the 2024 National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) conference in September 2024. (Bancroft and Kennedy)

A graduate student is a research assistant and co-author on a research project exploring student teacher/mentor teacher relationships (Kennedy and White).

Seven teacher candidates supporting developing teachers as tutorial assistants in MSED math courses providing further development in facilitating conversations between and amongst students, as well as demonstrating questioning and mathematical modeling skills.

Christi Edge was invited to serve as methodology expert for dissertation committee in collaboration with the University of Iceland.

Thesis research mentoring (many SELPS faculty).

Graduate students engaged with currently practicing building principals and district superintendents by attending the Summer Leadership Academy and the UP Administrators Academy as part of an experiential learning opportunity (Bergh).

All Engineering Technology students work with faculty and peers to create original designs and prototypes in various courses, including: robotics (IT), engineering design (DD), and machine design (MET), and their senior project.

Many Engineering Technology courses conduct tours of professional workplaces and invite guest speakers to expand the student's experience in the course, including: touring the Materials Testing Lab at Resolve Surgical with the MET 213 Materials Science Course; Billy Payne from KMI talking to the IT 295 Industrial Robotics students; the Ripley Steam Plant with MET 410 Thermodynamics; the Garden Peninsula Wind Farm and multiple guest speakers with REN 222 Wind Energy; and several substations in the local area with ET 180 Substation Equipment.

Marisa Angelos has been accepted to present her work on redesigning the pipe friction laboratory at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE) this fall in Memphis, Tennessee with Dr. Seth Norberg.

Three senior project groups submitted abstracts for the undergraduate poster competition at the American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference in Greenville, South Carolina, in June of 2025 under the direction of Professor Rob Kinney.

Professor Joe Routhier worked with Kate Cudney, a senior Human Centered Design student to produce her senior art display, a brise soleil design, that explores sustainability and biomaterials using spent brewers' grain which is currently in the DeVos center on campus.

Engineering Technology MET students and faculty have worked with students from the Business department (Corinne Bodeman) on projects for the "Big Pitch" competition.

Professors Martin, Polkinghorne, and Wrate guided MET 320 students to design, and MF 263 students to manufacture, fixtures for mounting torquemeters and speed sensors on the electric motor dynamometer test stands in the Power Electronics Laboratory.

Dr. Elizabeth Monske's EN 303: Technical and Professional Writing students collaborated with Mr. Wilbert Alik, the Director of the Marshall Islands Cultural and Historical Preservation Office, to create content and mock-ups for brochures for 2 landmarks named as new National Parks.

In October 2024, Dr. Amy Hamilton brought an English graduate student to the annual conference of the Western Literature Association where she presented her work and networked with other grad students and scholars.

As faculty adviser for Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, Dr. Kel Sassi brought three students to the Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, where students presented their papers and two students won awards for their writing.

Carmen Ollila created and conducted a research study titled "Multimodal Video within the College Composition II Classroom" for her thesis, which focused on EN211 students' ability to compose in a digital format via video essays compared to written ones.

Ari Koontz used an Excellence in Education grant to travel to San Francisco for archival and familial research supporting her master's thesis.

Dr. Lesley Larkin helped EN 250 (Introduction to Gender and Sexuality in Literature) students develop poster presentations for the annual Gender Fair.

Dr. Lesley Larkin led EN 493 (English Capstone Seminar) students in developing capstone projects that synthesized what they learned over the course of their English major.

Dr. Lesley Larkin worked with an English MA student to organize a discussion of Leanne Betasamosake Simpson's As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom through Radical Resistance for the Diversity Common Reader Program (DCRP).

Dr. David Wood led 10 students on international field course to Stratford Festival, in Stratford, Canada (each August).

Dr. David Wood funded and led 25 students to The Lion King at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, WI (Jan 2025).

Dr. David Wood arranged 30 free tickets (for EN majors and graduate students) to attend each major NMU Theatre & Dance performance in 2024-25 season.

Dr. David Wood served as Dramaturg/Language Coach for NMU Theatre & Dance's staging of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing (February/March 2025).

Dr. Kia Jane Richmond supervised 6 student teachers in secondary English Language Arts student teaching placements in public schools such as Marquette, Negaunee, and Escanaba; moreover, she worked with Freshman Fellow, Chloe Collins, on a research project related to mental health, social emotional learning, teacher training, and English Language Arts.

Selah Tay-Song co-led a field writing class on Granite Island during summer session 2024, and integrated experiential learning curriculum drawn from that experience into field writing prompts for EN215 Intro to Creative Writing course.

Dr. Z.Z. Lehmberg helped one student, Nick Atkins, secure his TESOL internship in Taiwan, and helped another student, Kathy Mell, to go to Taiwan to teach English in May.

Dr. Z.Z. Lehmberg helped three students organize and present their panel at the 2024 Michigan Writing Centers Association Ideas Exchange in Lansing.

Adam Nesbit served as co-chair alongside Dr. Z. Z. Lehmberg for the forthcoming Michigan Writing Centers Association Ideas Exchange conference.

Adam Nesbit served as a consultant for Dr. Jongeun You (Department of Political Science and Public Administration) on eight occasions to provide editing and revision guidance on course curricula, assignment guidelines, and two academic papers.

Adam Nesbit served as a consultant for Dr. Athena Stanley (School of Education, Leadership and Public Service) on three occasions to assist in navigating CFPs pertaining to her dissertation research, assist in navigating research databases, and provide direction and editing/revision feedback on a current academic article she is seeking to publish.

Adam Nesbit served as a consultant for Naima Hasan-Jones (Social Work Department), MSW, to provide formatting and revision guidance on her CV.

Dr. Ben Wetherbee became Director of Composition, a position that includes training, observing, and supporting new English graduate assistants as they teach college composition for the first time; he also directed two MA theses (Abby LaForest and Carmen Ollila), supported Ollila's winning nomination for the Student Technology Innovation Award, assumed the faculty advisor position for Dungeons & Wildcats (a table-top role-playing student group), spoke at two professional development sessions for graduate students, and spoke at orientation for Writing Center tutors.

Dr. Patricia Killelea regularly communicates with undergraduate and graduate students as Poetry Editor of the student-run literary journal Passages North, guiding them through the editorial and manuscript selection process, which provides hands-on learning experiences for students interested in pursuing careers in publishing.

Dr. Patricia Killelea was the Director of a successfully funded Excellence in Education Grant from the Office of Graduate Studies in Summer 2024, which provided an opportunity for M.F.A. graduate student travel to Newberry, MI for the purpose of generating oral histories, conducting interviews, and composing a manuscript focusing on rural U.P. economic challenges and Yooper family history.

Dr. Chad Seader is currently collaborating with an undergraduate student on an IRB-approved study to identify developmental student needs.

Abby LaForest completed her Master of Arts thesis, titled "A Taste of Rhetoric-Moves & Practices in the Decolonization & Restoration of Historic Foodways," in collaboration with interdisciplinary faculty members.

Randi Clemens, along with Department Head Dr. David Wood, organized and held three successful department advising and networking initiatives: the English Welcome Back Picnic, Fall Meet the Professors, and Winter Meet the Professors.

Ronnie Ferguson co-organized the Great Lakes Poetry Festival, which provides experiential learning and presenting opportunities for faculty, students, and community members.

Barbra Lounsbury is currently working with a student on what will be their first publication: an analysis and argumentation essay that uses literary and rhetorical theory and criticism techniques to argue their interpretation of Dungeons and Dragons monsters such as the Mind Flayer and how they bear rhetorical, archival, and oratory strategies similar to those employed by real, historical totalitarian regimes.

Barbra Lounsbury was selected to teach an experiential and experimental literature course of her own design reading, analyzing, and interpreting Fly Fishing literature and its place within American folklore.

Barbra Lounsbury helped to organize, plan, and host meetings for the Graduate Student Pedagogical Association.

Averi Fier partnered with faculty in different stages of the writing process, which has been instrumental to developing projects and collaborated with faculty on bigger-picture projects like the Excellence in Education grant application.

10 students enrolled in the Master of Interdisciplinary Studies program with faculty advisors from NAS, FROST/Anthropology, English, EEGS, Business, Chemistry, and Ed Administration

365 students advised by faculty mentors from all 5 colleges participated in the Celebration of Student Scholarship on April 17, 2025, showing posters, original artwork, and giving oral presentations

Presented 35 graduate students with Excellence in Education awards of $1,500 and one graduate credit for summer 2025

Supported and approved 13 graduate student thesis projects in Fall 2024 and 23 in Winter 2025

Director of Undergraduate Research presented 20 Freshman Fellowships awards, 12 Undergraduate Research Fellowship awards, and 28 McNair Scholar Awards in AY 24-25

Research Advisory Council approved 10 undergraduate and 5 graduate Provost Research Travel Awards in April 2025

8 students accepted to present research at the National Council on Undergraduate Research Annual Conference April 7-9, 2025

Three Graduate students in Athletic Training worked for the past semester to update the Concussion Research Clinic (CRC) patient management system and organized multiple projects in the clinic.

Two Graduate students completing clinical rotations at the clinic assisted in implementation projects (Dillon Makela, Harley Beyer).

Three undergraduate students (Natalie Molnau, Sutton Brown and Jace Moore) are working with local hockey players from 9-25 on a 4-week prevention program with an intervention on expanding peripheral vision, increasing reaction time and improving ability to multitask as well as impulse control designed to help prevent injuries on the ice.

Dr. Maria (Lupe) Arenillas will lead a Faculty-Led Study Abroad program to Salamanca, Spain in May 2025 with 15 students.

Dr. Maria (Lupe) Arenillas worked with Migrant Legal Aid in Grand Rapids to secure internships for two Spanish major students for the summer.

Dr. Anna Zimmer's GR412 class welcomed NMU Art & Design Professor Tim Cleary and visiting scholar Karen Kruger as guest lecturers in Fall 2024.

Dr. Anna Zimmer's Fall 2024 HON201 courses welcomed guest speakers from all across campus.

In collaboration with Theatre & Dance, Dr. Anna Zimmer's HON201 courses attended a performance of Frankenstein and participated in a talkback with the cast and crew.

Dr. Anna Zimmer supported Emily Falker in applying for (and receiving!) a grant to attend the Goethe Institute Summer Academy in Cologne, Germany in summer 2025.

Dr. Anna Zimmer served as the German language consultant for Theatre & Dance's October 2024 performance of Cabaret.

Dr. Rebecca Ulland invited numerous guests to her IP190 Introduction to International Studies class in fall 2024.

Professor Ryan Bond invited filmmaker and writer Karen Kruger to discuss her film "Letters from Brno" and to share artifacts from Holocaust survivors in his GR201 Intermediate German 1 class.

Dr. Nell Kupper's French students collaborated on a lesson plan that took them to Sandy Knoll Elementary School to present a cultural lesson to the third-grade class.

Spanish faculty and their students hosted nearly 400 area high school students in a variety of activities in Spanish on March 19, 2025.

Students in the SN495 Mexican Theatre class staged a Mexican play entirely in Spanish (with English subtitles) for the NMU community at large on December 4, 2024.

Spanish faculty led 16 students on a study abroad to Salamanca, Spain, in May 2024.

Emera Bridger Wilson serves on a newly established committee within the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research dedicated to promoting the Fulbright Program and other external funding opportunities for students. The committee's goal is to increase the number of NMU students who apply for—and are awarded—these prestigious opportunities.

Kevin McDonough collaborated with three Nursing faculty members to identify, pilot, and implement (planned for Fall 2025) a virtual reality application for student nurses that uses AI-driven simulations to deliver adaptive, competency-based clinical skills training.

This academic year, Marcus Robyns and the staff at the Archives has seen significant success with UPLINK, educational outreach, and cross-campus collaborations, alongside a dramatic rise in reference queries, research projects, and class visits—prompting a shift in student assistant duties from collection processing to reference support and setting a record with 12 class visits in a single semester.

A secondary math ed major is student teaching in New Zealand this semester.

A number of students currently on internships.

Dr. Steven Riley and NMU Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble students collaborated with local and nationally known contemporary wind band composers in a concert featuring the music of Brandon Nelson and Aaron Perrine on April 14, 2025.

Dr. Colwitz, Dr. Flaherty and Dr. Rhyneer utilized several student conductors during large ensemble rehearsals and concerts in order to give these students more podium time and experience prior to their student teaching semesters.

Students studying advanced music theory with Patrick Booth engaged in research-driven composition practices and created their own systems of music notation and compositional strategies.

Dr. Jeff Vickers assisted senior student Nick Wegrzyn in the preparation of a lecture recital (capstone project) on the life and music of Heitor Villa-Lobos in October 2024.

Students in the NMU Jazz Band and the NMU Jazz Combo performed with guest artist Matt Willson (drums) in two evening concerts during the 2025 NMU Jazz Festival (March 20-21).

One faculty member supervised two students during the Summer of 2024 on a research project to modify existing experimental equipment for electronic data collection.

One faculty member has supervised a Freshman Fellow (2024 – 2025) who has been working with him in the observatory and is doing a poster for the Student Celebration of Scholarship (2025).

One faculty member has been working in a mentoring relationship with a student for the last two years doing things both in the observatory and using smaller telescopes including solar activities.

One faculty member has been supervising a student as a McNair scholar doing research and worked with this student to apply for an Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

One faculty member has supervised a student whose research was presented at an American Physical Society Regional Conference Fall 2024.

The NMU Behavior Education Assessment and Research (BEAR) Center provided experiential learning opportunities, including both practicum and paid on-campus positions, for 27 undergraduates and 10 graduate students.

NMU continues to participate as a University Partner of the Michigan Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (Mi-LEND) program contributing 2 mentors (Dr. Daar and Dr. Shawbitz) and two LEND graduate fellows. LEND Fellows gain multidisciplinary training in disability theory, varied clinical environments and advocacy training from a statewide network of faculty mentors.

Joshua Carlson mentored 10 student poster presentations at regional, national, and international conferences such as the Society for Psychophysiological Research Conference in Prague, Czech Republic.

Jon Barch mentored 3 student poster presentations at the Midwest Psychological Association meeting (Chicago, IL)

Lin Fang supervised around 10 undergraduate students (including 3 undergraduate research funding recipients) and 4 graduate students (1 received Spooner Award, Summer Excellence in Education Research Program Award, and Provost travel funding), doing the following research projects: 1 project using heart rate measurement, 1 project using eye-tracking methodology, and 2 projects using EEG, as well as presenting 6 posters on international and national conferences.

Amber LaCrosse placed 12 students in community-based internship experiences at Great Lakes Recovery Center, the Maurrici Family Beacon House, Bay Cliff, the NMU Case Management and Wellbeing Services, Neurosurgery and Cardiology Units at Upper Peninsula Health Systems, Room at the Inn (warming center), and The Women's Center.

Amber LaCrosse's students earned a number of accomplishments including first place in the 3MT competition and having research selected to present at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR).

Adam Prus mentored student poster presentations given at the Upper Midwest Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience (Green Bay, WI), the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (Portland, OR), the Midwest Psychological Association, and the NMU Celebration for Student Scholarship

Cory Toegel and Forrest Toegel mentored student co-presenters at the annual Association for Behavior Analysis International (Washington DC), the Upper Peninsula Association for Behavior Analysis, the Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan Annual Conference, and the NMU Celebration for Student Scholarship

Cory Toegel and Forrest Toegel sponsored an Undergraduate Research Fellowship for two students, mentored a McNair Scholar, and mentored an Excellence in Education Award

Students participate with faculty on 14+ theatre and dance productions within their performance season, experiencing real world work situation on campus.

Students this year have and will have impactful learning experiences on both study abroad and field studies in London, Orlando, Las Vegas, and New York.

Many students from their program will work across the country at theaters and arts venues this summer practicing their degree concentrations in professional settings.