Stephanie Foo
Keynote Speaker
Stephanie Foo is a storyteller. She is the author of “What My Bones Know: A Memoir Of Healing From Complex Trauma,” the first literary memoir to tackle the science and psychology of complex PTSD, and previously, she was a producer at “This American Life” and helped create the national radio show “Snap Judgment.” She was was a 2019-2020 Rosalynn Carter Mental Health Fellow and has had work in The New York Times, Vox, 99% Invisible and Reply All. When she's not telling stories, you can find her in Forest Park, saving trees and harvesting acorns.
You can learn more about Stephanie here.
Patrick Yankee
Keynote Speaker
Patrick Yankee is the Chief Development Officer at Corktown Health. He has over 30 years of experience with managing state and federally funded programs for persons living with HIV. Patrick has held key positions as a consultant to the Michigan Department and Health and Human Services and the City of Detroit
LGBT individuals and families have the same basic health needs as everyone else. Yet, their heightened risk of exposure to micro-and macro-level discrimination by people ranging from close family members to their healthcare teams underscores existing gaps in healthcare. Additionally, LGBT individuals are underrepresented in the medical field, creating a healthcare environment in which the LGBT patients often become the teachers for the very providers who should already be their healthcare experts. Join Patrick Yankee as he talks about the LGBT patient experience and Corktown's goal of training a new generation health providers.
Our Presenters and Speakers
Susan Andary is an AEMT for UP Health Systems, as well as peer-support specialist for the Frontline Strong Together Program, a mental health and wellness program for first-responders.
Clyde Barnett is a senior research associate at Wayne State University. He is also the founder and executive director of Discover Without Barriers Consulting. He will share perspectives on how to create culturally responsive learning spaces.
Jill M. Bevins is a certified ASAHI instructor. ASAHI is a form of physical exercise that was developed in Finland. It can be practiced by people of all ages. It is a very simple, comprehensive form of movement that improves mobility, balance, and quality of life.
Sharon Bohjanen earned her PhD in Special Education from the University of Arizona. She is an Assistant Professor at NMU.
Dwight Brady is a Professor in the department of Communications and Media Studies where he teaches multimedia journalism and communications law. He also serves as the Faculty Liaison for the International Programs Office
Kristen Buruse (She/Her) recently retired from Marquette County Central Dispatch. She is a peer-support specialist for the Frontline Strong together Program, a mental health and wellness program for first-responders.
Shawnrece Campbell (She/Her) is the Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at NMU and lifelong social justice advocate.
Ellen Doan is the Director of International Programs - International Admissions & Student Services. She is also a certified Yoga and YOD teacher at Rise Up Yoga Studio.
Stefanie Foo is an acclaimed journalist and New York Times bestselling author. Her book, "What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma" investigates the science behind PTSD but is also a memoir of reckoning and healing.
Kari Getschow is a licensed and certified athletic trainer with a master's degree in Applied Exercise Science-Sports Nutrition with certification through the CISSN. Kari encourages clients to celebrate food, as she educates them on proper nutrition to fuel for activities of daily living and sport.
Michelle Grace-Williams is an Assistant Professor in NMU's School of Education, Leadership & Public Service.
Chris Greer is the Associate Vice President - Student Affairs & Student Success at NMU. She is also NMU's Dean of Students.
Jill "Dr. J” Griffin serves as a mathematics and equity education consultant for the Michigan Department of Education. Much of Dr. J’s focus is on early mathematics teaching and learning, STEM integration, culturally responsive teaching, and equitable access to mathematics through a social justice platform.
Dana Hinckley is an enthusiastic undergraduate student at Northern Michigan University, pursuing a degree in Secondary Spanish Education. With a passion for fostering inclusivity, she serves as President of Diversity in Disability, a student organiation dedicated to teaching self advocacy, raising awareness about ableism, and working towards creating a supportive environment for individuals with disabilities. Dana strives to build a more inclusive community both within Northern Michigan University and throughout the Marquette area.
Melissa Hronkin (She/Her) is an art educator and yoga instructor in Houghton, MI. Melissa’s teaching is infused with mindfulness, movement and social emotional learning. She has trained with Breathe for Change, an organization supporting educator well-being and transforming school communities.
Tom Isaacson is an Associate Professor of Public Relations and PRSSA Faculty Advisor at Northern Michigan University.
Scott Koenig serves as a social studies consultant for the Michigan Department of Education. His work focuses on training, teaching, and leading educators in content expectations and best pedagogical practices to create positive learning spaces.
Weronika Kusek is an Associate Professor of geography and a Provost Fellow. A native of Poland, former international student, and immigrant to the U.S., she studies human migration and focuses on how immigrants influence urban spaces. She is a three-time UNITED Conference Chair.
Emily Lanctot is an artist, curator, museum director, and contingent professor at the School of Art & Design at Northern Michigan University. Lanctot curates regional and national exhibitions focusing on contemporary social topics and notions of place and the everyday. As a Contingent Professor, she teaches art theory and methodology in the Foundations Department. Lanctot's artwork has been featured in exhibitions in the US, including recently in Maine in Summer Breeze, and internationally in Umbria, Italy, in Material Girl and nido.
Michael Letts is a Professor of Art Education at Northern Michigan University. He has presented research at the major National Art Education Association annual conferences in San Diego and New York City, and at state level conferences in both Art and English. He contributes to the field of Education in Michigan, working on development of state K-12 learning assessments in English, and in art as part of the innovative Michigan Arts Education Instruction and Assessment (MAEIA) project. As a professional artist, Letts has won multiple awards for his paintings, showing at museums and galleries at state, regional, national, and international exhibitions.
April Lindala is a three-time alumna of Northern Michigan University and a recent graduate of Michigan Technological University. She is currently a professor of Native American Studies.
Rick Mengyan is an Associate Professor of Physics at NMU.
Jessica Olson is the Mitigation Services Program Director for the Marquette County Office of the Public Defender in Marquette, Michigan. She has been instrumental in the development and integration of holistic defense and social work services in the office since 2021. Jessica has a Master’s degree in Social Work from Northern Michigan University and holds certifications in Forensic Social Work and Sentencing Mitigation.
Dr. Kia Jane Richmond (She/Her) distinguished professor of English at Northern Michigan University, directs the English Education program and supervises student teachers in Michigan and Wisconsin. Her publications have appeared in many scholarly journals, such as The ALAN Review, Study and Scrutiny, English Education, Language Arts Journal of Michigan, and English Leadership Quarterly. Her research on mental illness and adolescent literature is featured in her book, Mental Illness in Young Adult Literature: Exploring Real Struggles through Fictional Characters, from Bloomsbury (2018).
Chris Standerford is the Director of the Seaborg Center and Central Upper Peninsula MiSTEM Region.
Angie Stebbins is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Director of NMU's Counseling and Consultation Services.
Carol Steinhaus recently retired from her position as Associate Professor / Management at NMU. She continues to work tirelessly, volunteering her time to promote the benefits of international study abroad.
Pamela Valdez (Ikwe/She/Her) is an enrolled member of the M’Chigeeng First Nation and a longtime resident of the Great Lakes region. After a string of personal tragedies, the Indigenous food movement has brought comfort and ignited a passion to preserve and promote regionally specific foods and the ancestral knowledge associated with them. Pamela is an Indigenous food warrior and a beadwork artist.
Lynne Vedin is a licensed Professional Counselor trained in providing Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing and Parent Management Training, Oregon Model. Lynne has a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Nutrition from Central Michigan University.
Nicolette Ashley Visciano (She/Her) is pursuing her MFA in creative writing at NMU with a concentration in creative nonfiction, while also teaching English. She holds a Bachelor’s in creative writing with a minor in children's studies.
Abigail Wyche is NMU's Assistant Vice President for Wellbeing. Dr. Wyche has led several recent initiatives to enhance the overall wellbeing of our campus community, including the development of our new CARE Team and Case Management Services. She is a social worker by training, served as head of NMU's Social Work Department for 10 years, and has practice experience chairing various arrangements of multi-disciplinary teams, including the Greater Richmond Child Advocacy Center's MDT in Richmond, Virginia.
Patrick Yankee is the Director of Corktown Health Institute. Before Corktown, Patrick spent over 30 years managing state and federally funded programs for persons living with HIV and consulting for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as well as the City of Detroit.