Kusek appointed Provost Fellow
November 7, 2023
In January 2024, Dr. Weronika Kusek will begin her appointment as Provost Fellow. As Fellow, Dr. Kusek will focus on developing a Mentorship Program for International Faculty in order to support the goal of “recruiting and retaining qualified, diverse faculty, staff, and students.” We asked Dr. Kusek to share some details that inspired her to apply for the position, as well as her responsibilities and goals while serving in the position. Congratulations, Dr. Kusek!
What inspired you to apply for the position?
Serving our students, working with colleagues, and learning about the needs of our campus and broader community is the reason I love my career in academia. In the last few years, I felt the urge to learn more about how our university functions as an institution, so I took advantage of the administrative opportunities that were available. I chaired the UNITED conference three times, served on the Retention Committee and as Diversity Faculty Liaison, and participated in the Interim Strategic Planning process on campus. I served in some of these roles during the difficult pandemic years when we had so many changes in our administrative offices, in our community, and around the nation. These experiences helped me recognize that important changes were needed. Through interactions with faculty, staff, students, and Marquette residents, I was inspired to contribute more to the process of advancing our university experience. So, when I read the email announcing the Provost Fellow position, I thought this would afford me an opportunity to learn more about the place which is a big part of my daily life. As an international faculty member and someone who did not come from a family with an academic background, I had lots of questions and concerns when I started my faculty position here. I was lucky to have received guidance from a supportive group of mentors, but I realize that not every colleague is in the same position. Developing new international faculty onboarding will be one of the things I will be doing as a Provost Fellow.
What will be your responsibilities as Provost Fellow?
In the next two years, I will spend half of my time in the Provost Office assisting with a variety of projects. In January, I will begin designing the Mentorship Program for Newly Hired International Faculty. The design process will serve as a template for future mentorship programs on our campus. I sincerely hope that this mentorship program can be extended to all newly hired faculty and staff in the future.
What are some of the short-term and long-term goals of yours and of the office for which you will be working?
I plan to use the next semester to review similar mentorship programs at peer institutions. I plan to meet with international faculty colleagues to learn about the challenges they overcame after arriving in Marquette. I would also like to identify what NMU could do better to not only assist newly hired faculty in achieving professional success, but also make our university a workplace where these new faculty members are happy and proud to work. I will also begin the process of searching for experienced faculty who have been here for a long time who would be willing to serve in mentorship roles. We have many successful, productive, and caring colleagues who informally serve as mentors for newly hired faculty, so it would be great to formalize a process for recognizing their time, commitment to excellence, and willingness to support and guide junior colleagues.
On a personal level, I hope to learn about the daily responsibilities and long-term planning at the Provost Office. This experience will add to my understanding of academia as a whole.
Mittlefehldt receives Magnaghi Research Grant
November 7, 2023
Dr. Sarah Mittlefehldt has been awarded the Grace Magnaghi Upper Peninsula Research Grant for her project, “Distilling the Forest: A History of Liquid Biofuels in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.” The project focuses on the production of methanol out of wood, the unintended consequences of doing so, and what can be learned from what was once the largest wood distillery in the world—the Cliffs Dow Chemical Company in Marquette, Mich.
“I'm interested in what we can learn from the past to inform the future on issues around sustainability,” Mittlefehldt said. “Most recently, I've been focused on the historical development of bioenergy production. There's a lot of research on the engineering aspects and the technical parts of it, but I'm curious to know how different types of bioenergy have been incorporated into landscapes and how different communities have been affected by these technologies.”
For more information, be sure to read the article in Northern Today.
Anargyros contributes to “Team Science” as a Senior Success Advisor
November 6, 2023
In her role as a Senior Success Advisor for the Physical and Natural Sciences, Lauren Anargyros is the primary advisor for hundreds of Biology majors. She also assists students who are deciding whether to pursue a program in the EEGS Department or in Biology. Lauren is deeply committed to helping her advisees and promoting the many dimensions of wellness. Lauren, Kelsey Avey, and José Garcia collaborate as “Team Science” to help students in four departments. We are fortunate that Lauren brings three years of advising experience at NMU to her position. Before registration for Winter 2024 began, Lauren shared the following biographical background:
Describe the pathway that led you to your position as a Success Advisor.
As an undergraduate at Eastern Michigan University, I found my passion in working with college students as a Peer Mentor, and promoting overall student success. I love helping students navigate college, explore career paths that fit their interests, and understand their different learning styles. While pursuing my graduate degree, I worked as a Success Coach for first-year students and taught a freshman seminar course. When I completed my Master’s, it was 2020 and the pandemic had already hit. Many universities were under a hiring freeze, but NMU was looking to fill this brand new position that sounded perfect for me. My first time being in the UP was the day I moved up here for this job, and I am so happy that I made that leap!
What are the most interesting or rewarding parts of your job?
The connections that I build with my students are incredibly rewarding. Being able to provide support and seeing it pay off for the students is exactly why I do this. As a first generation college student, I know how difficult it is trying to do all this college stuff on your own. Our students go through so much in their academic and personal lives. I try to do whatever I can to help, even if it’s just simply listening. It’s rewarding to hear them express their gratitude. They stop in to provide updates or give me cards, and often I’ll have new students meet with me because their friends had talked so highly of me. In addition to the students, I don’t know what I would do without my incredible coworkers. I didn’t know anyone when I moved up here, but our team very quickly bonded together. We rely on each other a lot as we continue to navigate this role. I’m so thankful this job brought us all together, and I consider some to be my best friends.
What are your hobbies and other interests?
Outside of work, you can usually find me out with friends at a local brewery or coffee shop, hiking trails, and playing tennis or kayaking in the summers. I’m a big fan of live music, so I love walking around Music on Third, seeing musicians at the local bars, attending the Marquette City Band concerts at Presque Isle, and occasionally catching the Marquette Symphony Orchestra concerts. I haven’t tried skiing or snowboarding yet, but I would love to do more winter activities to keep me busy in those long months!
Garcia supports EEGS students as a Senior Success Advisor
November 6, 2023
Jose' Garcia is a Senior Success Advisor for the Physical and Natural Sciences. Many of his advisees are EEGS majors, and his new office is close to EEGS classrooms and study spaces. Jose' has worked at NMU in multiple capacities, with each position focused on supporting students. You may see Jose' around Marquette, attending or volunteering at sports and music events. Watch for him on the cross-country ski trails this winter! The EEGS Department is grateful to have Jose' as part of “Team Science” with Lauren Anargyros and Kelsey Avey. Jose' shared this information so you can get to know him better.
What pathway led you to your position as a Senior Success Advisor?
After graduating with my undergrad, I came up to NMU to work as a Residence Hall Director. I thought I would do that for a couple of years and move on. That turned into five years before moving over to the Admissions Office. At that point, I realized that working in Higher Ed was where I wanted to remain. Other than a 5-year stint working at a small, private college just outside of Chicago, I've been at NMU ever since—including the last 10 as an Academic Adviser/Success Advisor.
What are the most interesting or rewarding parts of your job?
The most interesting part of being an advisor is trying to prepare for the unexpected. Just when you think you're ready to help a student plan their program, they throw a curveball and change majors from Pre-Med to Music, or Education to Radiography. Regardless of the paths students end up taking, one of the things I enjoy the most is seeing students around campus or in town as they get close to graduation, and getting their updates post-graduation. It will never get old to hear someone say, "... you were my first-year advisor! Thanks for helping me...."
Explain what you love about Northern?
As NMU has changed over the years, one of the things I love the most is that NMU is truly part of the Marquette community. Neither the university nor the town would be what it is without the support of the other. Resources are shared, and oftentimes the same people we interact with on campus are the same ones we volunteer with and get to see at our parks and community events throughout the year.
What would you like students to know about you?
While I'm originally from down-state Michigan, I've been in Marquette for nearly 20 years—It's home! I live here with my wife and two kids. If you see me around town, please say hi. I try to remember names, but sometimes I might forget so I may need a reminder. Also, please call me Jose', not Mr. Garcia!
What are your hobbies and interests?
Outside of work, I enjoy exploring the UP, taking pictures, and going to NMU sporting events with my kids. My son and I are hockey season-ticket holders (look for the pre-teen wearing his autographed construction helmet), and we do our best to support many of the other teams throughout the year. I also enjoy volunteering in the community when I'm able to at events like the Ore to Shore and the Iron Range Roll, at events with the Hiawatha Music Co-Op, and at my kids' school when I'm able. I don't know if it's a hobby yet, but I did just get cross-country skis... we'll see how that goes - wish me luck!
Fess attends UN Indigenous Youth Forum
November 6, 2023
Zoe Fess (BS, ENSS) participated in the Biennial United Nations Global Indigenous Youth Forum in Rome, Italy. She joined peers representing all seven socio-cultural regions of the world to raise their voices, share concerns and work on proposals for the UN and its member states on improving the lives of Indigenous youth. Topics included climate and biodiversity action, the impacts of pesticides and ultra-processed foods, and the protection of plant genetic resources.
Please see the article in Northern Today for the full story.
NMU Hoop House supports local food system with the help of students
November 6, 2023
The NMU Hoop House is a three-season structure for growing food on the north edge of campus near the Jacobetti Complex. For more than 15 years the NMU Hoop House has welcomed NMU and Marquette community members to plant, water, weed, harvest, compost, learn, and enjoy getting one’s hands dirty. The EEGS Department oversees and maintains the Hoop House thanks to enthusiastic helpers and student workers. Throughout this past summer and fall, volunteers conscientiously showed up for their morning or evening shifts to tend to the plants. With their tremendous help watering and weeding, the crops thrived and the harvest was remarkable.
Please see the NMU Hoop House news page for the full story.
Naito receives Excellence in Teaching Award
November 6, 2023
Dr. Adam Naito was one of two recipients of the 2023-2024 Excellence in Teaching Awards. The award recognizes the excellence in teaching of Northern Michigan University full-time faculty. He joins Dr. Weronika Kusek as one of two EEGS faculty members that have received the award.
EEGS students and faculty attend West Lakes Division of American Association of Geographers Fall Meeting
October 23, 2023
The EEGS Department brought 18 students to the 2023 Meeting of the West Lakes Division of the American Association of Geographers held on October 18-21. DePaul University hosted the event at their Loop Campus in Chicago. NMU student participation at this conference was supported through gifts made by generous alumni and friends of EEGS.
Students from Dr. Weronika Kusek's Urban Geography class and other NMU undergraduates participated. A faculty member and a graduate student from Michigan Tech joined the Northern group. A guided tour of the Riverwalk provided fascinating historical and architectural details about downtown Chicago. Other highlights of the trip included the following:
- Mary Kelly, an Environmental Science student, was awarded first place in the undergraduate paper award competition for her presentation on LiDAR analysis of mitigation wetlands at Presque Isle.
- Environmental Studies and Sustainability major Julia Lietz earned second place in the same competition. Her paper was about farmland in the Upper Peninsula.
- Senior Eli Williams (Environmental Studies and Sustainability) shared what she called her “passion project” on Reimagining Streets as Spaces for Wealth Creation.
- Dr. Jelili Adebiyi traveled with the group and mentored three students who shared their projects. Trevor Lewis delivered an oral presentation on food at NMU. Freshman Fellow Lola Rigano and Quinn Thibault (Sustainable Business and Enterprise Creation major) co-presented a project about school gardens.
- May 2023 Environmental Science graduate Connor O’Loughlin was a member of the winning Geography Trivia Bowl team.
The NMU undergraduates appreciated the opportunity to explore the big city and interact with students from other institutions from the Upper Midwest. EEGS students, faculty and staff are grateful to have the support each year from alumni and friends. Gifts made directly to the EEGS Department expand academic learning opportunities, like participation in conferences, helping more students present research findings and build professional networks.
For more information, be sure to read the article in Northern Today, or the article in The Mining Journal.
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