SHINE Team - Sustainability Hub for Innovation & Environment

Dr. Jessica L. Thompson is the inaugural Assistant Vice President for Sustainability at Northern Michigan University and the Director of the Sustainability Hub for Innovation and the Environment (SHINE). She previously served as a full professor in the College of Business teaching courses in communication, public relations and sustainable business.

She is also a trained facilitator and mediator and holds graduate certificates in Adaptive Management of Environmental Systems (University of Utah) and Sustainable Business Strategy (Harvard University). She currently serves on the U.S. National Park System Advisory Board and the Board of Directors for Michigan Energy Options as well as the Marquette Climate Adaptation Task Force and numerous editorial and professional boards. 

Learn more and connect with Jes here.

To contact: jessitho@nmu.edu 

Rooted in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Chelsey has built her career around sustainability, advocacy, and inclusion. She began with the Department of Natural Resources, later served as an advocate at the Women’s Center in Marquette, and now works as an Executive Administrative Specialist at Northern Michigan University, supporting leadership in Human Resources, Campus WellBeing, Sustainability (SHINE), and the OEP office.

She is currently pursuing a master’s in Administration of Outdoor Recreation and Nature-Based Tourism, with a thesis exploring gender disparities in the local mountain biking community. Through her service on NMU’s Sustainability and WellBeing Advisory Councils, and in her time outdoors, Chelsey is dedicated to creating inclusive, sustainable, and restorative spaces.

To contact: csundber@nmu.edu