Brenda B.

Employment Specialist

Keen to receive questions about

Applications General Open roles Role Work life with us

Top Advice

"When in doubt, ask! Don’t be afraid to reach out to colleagues for guidance. Building connections across departments and understanding the “why” behind each process will make your work smoother, help you solve problems faster, and set you up for long-term success. Working at NMU is like an adventure, you never know what exciting opportunities or challenges lie ahead."

Career path

Northern Michigan University

Employment Specialist - Human Resources

From Sep 2020 to Present

I support the University’s hiring and onboarding processes by managing job postings, I-9 compliance, temporary labor, and unemployment claims. My work helps ensure accuracy, compliance, and a smooth experience for departments and new employees.

Northern Michigan University

Executive Clerk - Human Resources

From Feb 2018 to Aug 2020

Acted as the go-to person for students, employees, and visitors, keeping the office running smoothly. Handled HR communications, tracked budgets and supplies, and managed employment tasks like verifications and new hire paperwork—supporting all employees and helping the HR team stay organized and on top of things.

Northern Michigan University

Principal Account Clerk - Human Resources

From Jun 2015 to Feb 2018

Served as the main point of contact for walk-ins and phone inquiries, helping with payroll, benefits, and employment questions. Provided clear, accurate, and timely information, supporting all employees and contributing to a positive experience across the University community.

Northern Michigan University

Principal Secretary - Counseling & Consultation Services

From Jan 2013 to Jun 2015

Supported the Counseling & Consultation Office by managing schedules, correspondence, records, and communications. Kept office operations running smoothly and provided reliable support to staff and clients, helping the team work more efficiently and ensuring a positive experience for everyone who interacted with the office.

Northern Michigan University

Senior Secretary - Admissions

From Jun 2012 to Jan 2013

Supported the Admissions Office by updating applicant information, maintaining student records, monitoring admissions email, and managing department mail. Helped keep office operations organized and efficient, ensuring that admissions tasks were handled accurately and contributing to a positive experience for prospective students, parents, and staff.

Northern Michigan University

Senior Secretary - Upward Bound

From Oct 2011 to Jun 2012

As Senior Secretary for the Upward Bound Program, I provided administrative and program support, managed student records and communications, and assisted with scheduling and event coordination to help students reach their educational goals.

Alzheimer's Association

Office Coordinator

From Sep 2008 to Oct 2011

Key experiences: Helped keep the Alzheimer’s Association running smoothly by coordinating meetings, managing volunteers, tracking finances, and maintaining records. Took the lead on data entry, purchasing, and weekly deposits, while supporting fundraising events and creating press materials to boost community engagement and awareness.

UP Home Health, Hospice & Private Duty

Director of Support Services

From Apr 1994 to Jun 2008

Directed departmental operations by supervising staff, managing schedules, providing training, and implementing policies. Oversaw supply inventory and petty cash, and served as Recording Secretary for the Executive Board, ensuring the department operated efficiently, projects were completed on time, and key information was communicated clearly. Supported staff and leadership in ways that strengthened team performance and enhanced services for the broader community.

Marquette County Medical Care Facility

Certified Nurse's Aide

From May 1987 to Feb 1995

Provided compassionate, hands-on care to residents, assisting with daily activities and supporting physical therapy exercises to promote mobility and recovery. Played a key role in maintaining residents’ well-being and dignity, helping them feel supported and cared for in a skilled nursing environment.

About Brenda B.

Current Position

Main Motivation

There are many great benefits of working at NMU and living along the shore of Lake Superior. Marquette is a beautiful natural environment and a great place to raise a family. NMU has great benefits including a generous time off policy, insurance and retirement benefits, and my favorite the 100% tuition waiver for employees, their spouses and their dependents. In 2016 I finished my Master’s Degree in Public Administration without having to take out any student loans. I couldn’t be prouder to be a Wildcat!!

Top Advice

When in doubt, ask! Don’t be afraid to reach out to colleagues for guidance. Building connections across departments and understanding the “why” behind each process will make your work smoother, help you solve problems faster, and set you up for long-term success. Working at NMU is like an adventure, you never know what exciting opportunities or challenges lie ahead.

Greatest Achievement

As an Employment Specialist, I love making HR process smoother and more efficient. I enjoy mentoring colleagues and sharing tips on HR systems and procedures to help everyone work smarter and stay connected. I take pride in working closely with colleagues to resolve issues quickly and keep operations running smoothly. My goal is to make HR processes as clear and supportive as possible for everyone.