Opportunity, Empowerment, & People Staff - Opportunity, Empowerment, and People

Dr. Shawnrece Butler joined NMU in January 2024 and serves as the Assistant Vice President for Opportunity, Empowerment, and People. With over 25 years of higher education experience, Dr. Butler is a visionary leader recognized for her exceptional achievements in disrupting traditional boundaries in order to meet the needs of people where they are at, not where others believe they should be. As a seasoned academic leader, she uses data-informed strategies to advance educational access, opportunity, and empowerment initiatives with a focus on non-traditional student populations, including students from populations with limited resources or academically underprepared backgrounds, pell eligible students, and first generation students.  She has a Doctorate of Philosophy from Kent State University and an MBA from Stetson University.

As the Assistant Vice President for Opportunity, Empowerment, and People, she holds a pivotal role on the President’s executive cabinet. Dr. Butler partners with University leadership to embed access, opportunity, empowerment, and belonging into the institution’s mission through high-impact practices, distinctive co-curricular programs, dynamic campus engagement, and strong community partnerships. She also fosters faculty, staff, and student development by facilitating open dialogue and encouraging the free expression of all viewpoints, promoting civil discourse and inclusive teaching and learning environments.

Justin Schapp is a Deer Clan citizen of the Seneca Nation’s Ohi:yo’ Territory and a passionate advocate for Indigenous communities. At Northern Michigan University, he works to create an inclusive and supportive environment that fosters academic success and meaningful opportunities for all.

Justin’s educational journey started with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School, followed by a Master of Laws focusing on Indigenous law and policy from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. His diverse career has spanned leadership roles in education, private sector, and public service, including positions as Chief Operating Officer, Chief of Staff, and Chief Equity & Diversity Officer. He also developed and taught Indigenous Studies courses at St. Bonaventure University, blending scholarship with lived experience to inspire future leaders, which he brings to NMU as a new adjunct professor in the Center for Native American Studies.

Beyond his professional life, Justin assists his community by serving the One Dish One Spoon nonprofit organization that is dedicated to Indigenous resilience, innovation, and communal restorative practice. He is a long serving Seneca Nation Game Warden and owns a community-focused business rooted in his connection to his ancestral homeland.

A devoted father to his two daughters, Zygs and Zora, Justin is a lifelong lacrosse player and an outdoor enthusiast who revels in the joy of all four seasons. He brings a holistic, values-driven approach to his work—grounded in cultural identity, community engagement, and a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives.
 

Rooted in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Chelsey has always felt a deep connection to the land and the communities that call it home. She began her professional journey working for the Department of Natural Resources, where she witnessed both the beauty of wild spaces and the need to protect them, an experience that laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to sustainability and access to the outdoors.

Her professional career has consistently centered on care, advocacy, and inclusion. As a former advocate at the Women’s Center in Marquette, she supported survivors of domestic and sexual violence, which deepened her dedication to equity and trauma-informed care. She carries that same sense of purpose into her current role as an Executive Administrative Specialist at Northern Michigan University, where she supports leadership within the OEP office, Human Resources, Campus WellBeing, and Sustainability (SHINE).

She is also pursuing a master’s degree in Administration of Outdoor Recreation and Nature-Based Tourism (AORNBT). Her thesis explores the lived experiences of women in the local mountain biking community, examining gender disparities in the outdoor spaces that have shaped her own growth and sense of belonging.

Through her service on the Sustainability Advisory Council and WellBeing Advisory Council, she helps lead efforts that promote environmental responsibility and student engagement. Whether she is organizing an event, collaborating with campus partners, or hitting the trail, she shows up with a commitment to building more inclusive, sustainable, and restorative spaces, on campus, in the outdoors, and beyond.