Frank receives the NMU Board of Trustees Outstanding Graduating Senior Award
April 24, 2026
Congratulations to Delany Frank, the NMU Board of Trustees 2026 Outstanding Graduating Senior. Delany completed a B.S. in Environmental Science, as well as the Geographic Information Systems Certificate and the Minor in Mathematics.
During the summer of 2025, Delany interned at the Kenai Fjords National Park as a Student Conservation Association Invasive Plant Intern. Delaney worked with the park plant ecologist and two Youth Conservation Corps members to collect geospatial data on the presence of invasive plants using ArcGIS Field Maps and treated them through manual or chemical means. Delaney also had the opportunity to work on a Bureau of Land Management Seeds of Success project at Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve where she collected native plant seeds, gathered and classified soil samples, pressed plants, and created geospatial datasets representing the collection sites.
Delany further developed her professional skills as a Sustainability Audit intern with SHINE, where she created the Performance Audit of Workplace Sustainability Program. This program tracks and improves sustainability practices across campus offices.
Beyond academics, Delany was a member of EcoReps, the Student Leader Fellowship Program, the Eta Chi chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, and the Michigan Wetlands Association. Delany also completed over 1000 hours as part of the Superior Edge program.
Delany will be attending graduate school in at Michigan Technological University, where she will study Civil Engineering with a focus on geoscience.
The EEGS Department appreciates Delany's numerous contributions to the department, university and community. Best wishes to Delany as she continues her education at Michigan Tech in the fall.
Seebeck receives the EEGS Outstanding Graduating Senior Award and graduates with 4.0 GPA
April 24, 2026
Congratulations to Anna Seebeck, the EEGS Department’s 2026 Outstanding Graduating Senior, who completed a B.S. in Geographic Information Science & Technology and a B.S. in Anthropology. Anna is also graduating with a 4.0 Scholastic Grade Point Average.
Anna developed her GIS and remote sensing experience in the summer of 2025 through both serving as an intern with the Midland County Road Commission and as an attendee of the 2025 NMU Archaeology Field School on Beaver Island. While an intern with the Road Commission, she spent the summer of 2025 developing GIS databases of culverts and reconstruction surveys of roads using a total station.
Anna developed her archaeological field skills on Beaver Island through the use of a ground penetrating radar and active involvement at excavation sites. She also took on a survey project on Beaver Island under the supervision of Dr. Scott Demel.
Beyond academics, Anna has served as secretary of the Women's Soccer club, and as a member of the Eta Chi chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon International Geographical Honor Society.
Anna thanks all of the EEGS faculty who have allowed and encouraged her to incorporate archaeology into coursework and projects. She will be attending graduate school in Fall 2026, where she plans to continue exploring the application of GIS and remote sensing in archaeological research.
The EEGS Department appreciates Anna's positive attitude and engagement in scholarly and service activities that supported the Northern community. Best wishes to Anna as she continues her education.
Ziegler receives the 2025-2026 Excellence in Part-Time Teaching Award
April 24, 2026
Mr. Richard Ziegler is the recipient of the 2025-2026 NMU Excellence in Part-Time Teaching Award. The award recognizes "teaching excellence by Northern Michigan University’s part-time faculty."
Mr. Ziegler was recognized for his accomplishments and contributions at the 2025-2026 Faculty Awards ceremony in April, 2026. On the photo on the right is Dr. Adebiyi pictured with the University President Dr. Chris Olsen and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success Dr. Anne Dahlman.
Mr. Ziegler regularly teaches courses such as GC 225 - Introduction to Maps, GC 255 - Physical Geology, and GC 376 - Field Geology.
Adebiyi receives the 2025-2026 Faculty Emerging Leadership Award
April 24, 2026
Dr. Jelili Adebiyi is the recipient of the 2025-2026 NMU Faculty Emerging Leadership Award. The award "recognizes and honors junior faculty who since coming to the university have demonstrated exceptional leadership attributes on campus and the broader community."
Dr. Adebiyi was recognized for his accomplishments and contributions at the 2025-2026 Faculty Awards ceremony in April, 2026. On the photo on the right is Dr. Adebiyi pictured with the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Robert Winn, and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success Dr. Anne Dahlman.
Dr. Adebiyi joins Dr. Adam Naito and Dr. Ryan Stock as one of three EEGS faculty members that have received the Faculty Emerging Leadership award.
EEGS scholars present at the Celebration of Student Scholarship
April 22, 2026
GC 489 - Human-Environment Capstone students Jenna Giehler, Anna Seebeck, Kate McCrackin, and Sydney Butler, as well as Freshman Fellow Caiden Claussen, presented their research at the campus-wide Celebration of Student Scholarship on April 16. Their thought-provoking findings leave Wildcat Willy stumped and curious to know more about complex human-environmental relationships.
EEGS leaders champion Earth Week
April 22, 2026
GTU President Maya Bubolyz, SHINE Intern Chloe Ravenscraft, Ecoreps Director Taryn Anderson, and Interim EEGS Department Head Dr. Sarah Mittlefehldt spoke with Public Radio 90’s Kurt Hauswirth about NMU's impressive Earth Week schedule from April 20-25. You can listen to the recording of their conversation here. For the past 12 years, NMU's Earth Week celebration has honored former EEGS faculty member Dr. John Anderton, who was passionate about teaching and the natural environment around us. Read more about Dr. Anderton's life here.
Brady hired by the Idaho Fish and Game River Restoration Program
April 10, 2026
Since graduating from Northern, Brady McCormick (BS, Environmental Studies and Sustainability, 2024) has been working in the River Restoration Program of Idaho Fish and Game. We caught up with Brady recently.
What is your current role?
As part of the River Restoration Program, I conduct habitat restoration work throughout all of Southern Idaho. The program focuses on restoring mesic meadow systems across southern Idaho. Our end goal is to improve hydrologic function, reconnect floodplains, and raise local water tables to support riparian vegetation recovery. This restoration work contributes to improved habitat conditions for species such as sage grouse, Columbia spotted frog, and numerous other riparian-dependent species.
This experience has given me confidence in my abilities and a deeper appreciation for ecosystem restoration. It has shown me that the work we do in the field has tangible and long lasting impacts. Being a part of that process is incredibly rewarding!
Are there lessons that you learned at NMU that you return to often?
One lesson I return to is the value of asking questions and staying curious. My professors encouraged critical thinking and pushed us to dig deeper into why ecological processes occur the way they do. That mindset continues to guide how I approach both fieldwork and problem-solving.
What were some important memories from your time at Northern, and was there someone who had an impact on your experience?
At Northern, I was fortunate to learn from professors who emphasized both strong scientific foundations and hands-on field experience. Their mentorship in ecology, hydrology, and horticulture gave me the confidence to step directly into restoration work after graduation. In particular, Dr. Matthew Van Grinsven profoundly shaped how I approach environmental work. He taught me to view ecosystems as interconnected systems and emphasized careful observation in the field. His mentorship encouraged curiosity, persistence, and a deep appreciation for the complexity of the natural world. These are lessons I carry into every project that I work on.
I will never forget getting the field van stuck at Harlow Lake during the winter. It took 12 of us to get it out. That’s when I realized that field work comes with all sorts of difficulties. I think problem solving is what makes it fun and super rewarding.
Being a Wildcat gives me a mix of pride, perseverance, and curiosity. It’s about taking the lessons from professors, field labs, and peers, and applying them in the real world. Northern gave me the tools and confidence to pursue meaningful work, and being a Wildcat is a reminder of where that foundation began!
What advice would you give current students?
I encourage current students to stay curious and be willing to step outside their comfort zone. Some of the most valuable growth happens during challenging field projects or classes that push you. Say "yes" to opportunities, even if you don’t feel 100% ready. You will build resilience and skills that prepare you for real-world work!
Kusek receives AAG Ethnic Geography Specialty Group Early Career Award for Scholarship, Teaching, and Service
April 1, 2026
Dr. Weronika Kusek received the Early Career Award for Scholarship, Teaching, and Service from the Ethnic Geography Specialty Group (EGSG) of the Association of American Geographers (AAG). The award recognizes colleagues, typically within about 12 years of earning the PhD, who demonstrate exceptional accomplishment across research, teaching, and service, and who actively contribute to the professional community in ways that advance ethnic geography.
Dr. Kusek was selected to receive the award because her work reflected a sustained record of excellence across scholarship, teaching, and service, with a professional trajectory that emphasizes students, community, and institutional improvement. The EGSG Awards Committee highlighted that her scholarship elevates underrepresented experiences in geographic research. In particular, her single-authored book Moving UP North: Immigrant Experiences of Professionals in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan examines immigrant experiences in a region often overlooked in migration and ethnic geography scholarship. The committee also noted her teaching as strongly student-centered and innovative, highlighting her 2020-2021 NMU Excellence in Teaching Award. They also described her disciplinary service constitutes reliable, collaborative leadership that advances both institutional mission and community impact, including contributions to EGSG.
Kusek authors book presenting migratory journey, personal experiences of immigrant professionals in U.P.
April 1, 2026
Dr. Weronika Kusek authored Moving UP North: Immigrant Experiences of Professionals in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, now available through Springer Nature. We caught up with Dr. Kusek recently to discuss her book.
What is the book about?
"This book documents the migratory journey and personal experiences of immigrant professionals who live and work in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan – a remote region of the United States which heavily relies on a group of professional immigrants to provide various services to the local community. Professors, physicians, engineers, remote workers but also foreign spouses of local residents tell their stories and provide a unique perspective on assimilation, cultural adjustment, and making home away from home.
The chapters tell a story of transnational professional immigrants who live and work in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Each chapter is based on an interview with an international professional who lives in the region: some of the immigrants have been in the area for a couple of decades and others are newcomers."
What inspired you to write this book?
"I was inspired by my interactions with the international people I met in the Marquette community, and the frequent misunderstanding in the community of the complex pathways international professionals have had to navigate to arrive where they are today. I also wanted to highlight the major contributions international professionals make in remote parts of the United States, where they often help fill important gaps in employment and service to local communities. I also wanted to focus on how the natural beauty of the UP contributes to the decision to stay or move elsewhere."
What were some of the approaches you employed for conducting the research?
"This project was grounded in oral history research. My goal was to document the stories of people who contribute in meaningful ways to the Marquette area and to preserve their experiences with care and respect. Oral history provided a way to center participants’ voices and better understand both their personal journeys and their roles in the local community."
What was the most enjoyable part of writing the book?
"The most enjoyable part of writing the book was learning the personal stories of the participants. It was a privilege to hear about their journeys, struggles, achievements, and the many ways they built lives and careers in the Upper Peninsula."
What was the most challenging part of writing the book?
"One of the biggest challenges was understanding the cultural contexts from which participants came and making sure I did not make assumptions based on my own experiences as a professional immigrant. I wanted to be especially careful not to overinterpret or misinterpret their stories, but instead to represent their experiences as thoughtfully and accurately as possible."
Naito joins editorial board of Annals of the American Association of Geographers
April 1, 2026
Dr. Adam Naito joined the editorial board of the Annals of the American Association of Geographers in support of the journal's topical area of "Physical Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences." Dr. Naito will serve until December 31, 2028.
The Annals is the flagship journal of the American Association of Geographers and one of the world's foremost geography journals. The journal has been published since 1911.
