LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Steve Mitchell, of West Bloomfield, and Thomas Zurbuchen, of Ann Arbor, to the Northern Michigan University board of trustees.

The eight-person board is the governing body of the university.

“Northern Michigan University is critical to the success of the Upper Peninsula and our entire state,” said Snyder. “I am confident Steve and Thomas will provide outstanding guidance and leadership as NMU fulfills its mission.”   

Mitchell is chairman of Mitchell Research and Communications Inc., a position he has held since 1985. In this role, he has provided public relations, public affairs, marketing research and political consulting services to corporate, association and government clients in more than 40 states. Mitchell holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Northern Michigan University, and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the university in 2004. He replaces Jack LaSalle.

Zurbuchen is associate dean of entrepreneurial programs at the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering and founding director of the Center for Entrepreneurship. He also serves as a professor of space science and aerospace engineering at the university, where he has worked for more than 16 years. Zurbuchen received a master’s degree in physics, mathematics and astronomy and a Ph.D. in physics, both from the University of Bern in Switzerland. He replaces Brian Cloyd.  

Appointees will serve eight-year terms that expire Dec. 31, 2020, and their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.