Staff - Center for Community and Connection

Dr. Bianca Mercado Velez, originally from Puerto Rico, joined Northern Michigan University (NMU) in July 2026 as the Assistant Director for the Center for Community & Connection at the Office of Educational Partnerships (OEP). In her role, she leads the Lighthouse program, which is supported by the King-Huerta-Hood-Parks Select Student Support Services (KHHP 4S) Initiative. She oversees strategic retention efforts, peer mentorship, and student success programming aimed at supporting students who are academically or economically disadvantaged.

Bianca earned her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Michigan Technological University, where her interdisciplinary research focused on the nanoscale characterization of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles for cancer detection. She completed her dual Bachelor's degrees in Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology at the University of Central Florida, following her initial studies at Valencia Community College. As a KHHP Future Faculty Fellow, Bianca connects her scientific background with her passion for educational equity, student advocacy, and community building. Outside of work, she enjoys painting, drawing, and building wooden models.