Northern Michigan University Careers

I've built my career around sustainability, advocacy, and inclusion. I'm currently an Executive Administrative Specialist at Northern Michigan University, supporting leadership in Human Resources, Campus WellBeing, Sustainability (SHINE), and the Office for Opportunity, Empowerment, and People (OEP) office. I serve on NMU’s Sustainability and WellBeing Advisory Councils, and in my time outdoors, I am dedicated to creating inclusive, sustainable, and restorative spaces.

What I really like about my job at Northern Michigan University is that I get to be part of work that actually matters. I support four different areas: Opportunity, Empowerment, and People, Human Resources, Campus Wellbeing, and Sustainability, so I’m constantly involved in meaningful projects that help people and improve campus life. No two days are the same, and I love that. I also appreciate the culture at NMU. People genuinely care about collaboration and making a positive impact, and there’s a shared sense of purpose that makes the work feel rewarding. I enjoy being able to connect departments, solve problems, and help ideas move forward. It feels good to know that what I do contributes to something bigger and benefits both the university and the Marquette community.

If I could give one piece of advice to someone just starting out at NMU, it would be this: don’t be afraid to ask questions. Seriously. Nobody expects you to know everything, and trying to figure everything out on your own can slow you down. Asking questions shows you care about getting things right and that you want to learn. It also helps you build connections with people who’ve been doing the work longer and are happy to share what they know. So speak up, be curious, and ask for clarity when you need it. You’ll grow so much faster that way.

I’ve had the chance to help organize some big campus events like the BIPOC Outdoors Summit and Rest Retreat, Mind Over Miles 5K, Staff Development Days, and the Sustainability Summit. Those projects took a lot of coordination and problem-solving but were incredibly rewarding because they created meaningful experiences for students, staff, and community members. Alongside that, I’ve supported larger initiatives across departments and helped improve planning and communication systems behind the scenes to make our work more efficient and collaborative. Balancing these responsibilities while earning my graduate degree in Administration in Outdoor Recreation and Nature-Based Tourism, has definitely pushed me, but it’s also helped me grow in leadership, teamwork, and project management, and I’m proud of the impact this work has had on the NMU community.