CAMS graduates are everywhere! From on campus to across the country and around the world, they’re using their communication and media expertise to inform, inspire, and lead. From journalists covering breaking news and digital creators producing content for global audiences to consultants, educators, nonprofit leaders, and entrepreneurs driving change in their communities, our alumni embody the power of storytelling and connection. They are working in boardrooms, hospitals, newsrooms, production studios, and classrooms, making their mark across every industry imaginable.
Below, you’ll find a rotating spotlight of some of our outstanding alumni “in the wild,” sharing their stories, accomplishments, and the many paths they’ve forged since NMU. When you're done reading, head over to NMU Grads On-Campus to see how Wildcats continue to shape Northern from within.
Phil Britton, B.S. '10
Phil is a printmaker, consultant, and community builder whose career reflects both creativity and systems-thinking in action. Over the past decade, Phil has worn many hats—literally and figuratively—working across fields from medical device manufacturing and food systems safety to freelance consulting and small business development. An ISO 9001-certified regional economic development consultant, he helps organizations implement better systems, improve quality management, and foster sustainable growth. A proud Yooper and lifelong learner, Phil founded the U.P. Outdoor Summit, bringing together leaders in outdoor recreation through his work with ORION: The Outdoor Recreation Innovation Action Network (ORIAN). When he’s not helping businesses innovate or volunteering with the Marquette Food Co-op and U.P. Food Exchange, you’ll find him exploring the woods or waters of Lake Superior with his family, living out his passion for building stronger communities and better systems.
Jen Nelson, B.S. '98
Jenn has built a distinguished career in public service and economic development, combining strategic leadership with a strong foundation in communication. As the Chief Operating & Customer Experience Officer for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Jen leads statewide initiatives focused on organizational strategy, performance, and economic growth. Her work connects business leaders, policymakers, and community partners to strengthen Michigan’s economy and workforce. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of NMU, Jen also earned her Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law. Her career reflects the power of communication, collaboration, and vision, skills first developed as an NMU student and now applied on a statewide stage.
Tara Baker, B.S. '05
Tara turned her lifelong love of sports and storytelling into a career that bridges media and advocacy. After graduating from NMU, where she captained the Division II women’s soccer team and volunteered with Special Olympics Michigan, Tara fulfilled her dream of working for ESPN, producing major sporting events including the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015. That experience inspired a powerful career shift toward purpose-driven storytelling. Today, as the Director of Marketing and Communications for Special Olympics North America, Tara leads communications, marketing, and partnership initiatives across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Her work champions inclusion, celebrates athletes’ achievements, and uses the power of communication to share the transformative impact of sport.
Dr. Cara Crawford-Bartle, B.S. '13
Dr. Cara Crawford-Bartle is currently a family physician at MidMichigan Community Health Services. While at NMU Cara was one of only two NMU students to be selected for the Wayne State University School of Medicine Early Admission Partnership Program and the National Health Service Corps Scholars Program. It was her commitment towards empathic listening, clear communication, and work ethic that made her candidacy to a program dedicated to providing care in rural and underserved communities exceptional. During her residency in Marquette, she helped establish a syringe service program and was named the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians’ Resident of the Year (2019). Today, she continues to advocate for rural health equity, using her strong communication background to connect with patients and communities across Michigan.
Melinda Britton, B.S. '09
Melinda is the founder and owner of Doulas of Marquette (DOM), where she has served as a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, Lactation Counselor, and Childbirth Educator since 2010. Guided by the belief that “birth matters, because birthing people matter,” Melinda has built DOM into a cornerstone of community-centered, collaborative care across the Upper Peninsula. After welcoming her first child, Melinda discovered her calling to support families through the transformative experiences of birth and early parenting, work she describes as both sacred and sustaining. Since founding DOM in 2015, she has grown a team dedicated to making birth and postpartum care more compassionate, inclusive, and empowering. Beyond her professional life, Melinda is an advocate for mental health, body acceptance, and family inclusivity.
Liza Fust, B.S. '15
Liza is the Head of Administration at Kall Morris Inc., a Marquette-based space-technology company dedicated to developing practical solutions for orbital debris management and enabling a sustainable human presence in space. At KMI she combines her background in technical writing, storytelling, and organizational leadership to refine and communicate complex information across teams. A published author and former technical writer, Liza brings creativity and precision to every project—skills honed through roles in museum communications, editorial writing, and geotechnical engineering. Her passion for storytelling extends beyond the office; she has written feature pieces for Marquette Monthly and authored children’s books including Wooly and the Good Shepherd and The Hungry Kitten’s Tale. When she’s not writing or leading her team, Liza can be found dancing with Marquette’s Queen City Dance Company, hiking Michigan’s scenic trails, or spending time with her puppy, Rosie.
Top Department Graduating Seniors
Each year we award a student with the honor of being our TOP graduate. Below is a list of award winner in both Media Studies and in Communication Studies.
Outside of this award we also have two additional student awards.
For a major GPA of a 3.5 or above we award students with a red chord. For a major GPA of a 3.8 or above we award students with medallions. It's a small way to show them our appreciation and acknowledgment of the hard work they put into being competent communicators.
Jessie Selissen, B.S. '21
Jessie has combined her military service and passion for storytelling to create meaningful, community-centered media. A U.S. Air Force veteran and proud NMU graduate, Jessie produced the “Northern Michigan Hometown Heroes” podcast during her internship with 9&10 News, spotlighting veterans and the nonprofits that support them. The series opened with a deeply personal interview honoring a fallen soldier from her hometown and went on to feature inspiring stories from veterans and advocates across the state. Through her work, Jessie uses the power of media to inform, honor, and connect, continuing her service by giving voice to those who have served.
Chris Germain, minor in Comm.
Chris is the CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership, where he leads regional economic and community development efforts across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A lifelong Marquette advocate, Chris works to strengthen collaboration between businesses, government, and education to build a more resilient and connected regional economy. His background in communication and leadership continues to shape his vision for sustainable growth and civic engagement in the communities he serves.
