#nmugraduation

[northernstories]

Meet Michelle Winters, a recent NMU graduate with a master's in business administration (MBA). After graduation, Michelle will continue her position as Assistant Market Manager at IncredibleBank. We asked Michelle how Northern prepared her for the future:

"Since starting the program at NMU, I progressed from a part-time employee to the Assistant Market Manager at IncredibleBank (formerly known as River Valley Bank) here in town. The professors in the MBA program have been so intentional with using real-world scenarios that I was able to take practical leadership, communication, and business tools to work with me. I was even able to take a more active marketing role for an organization that I am deeply passionate about- the Salvation Army. So what do I plan to do next? I plan to continue to hone those skill sets and become an even more effective team member with IncredibleBank. Maybe one day I'll even take those skills to the global level!"

[northernstories]

Meet Riley Ristow, a recent accounting graduate from Oconto, Wisconsin. Before leaving NMU, we asked Riley a few questions about his Wildcat experience:

What are your plans after graduation?

Riley: Auditing at Deloitte

How has your time at NMU prepared you for your next chapter in life?

Riley: NMU has provided me with an environment to grow as an individual and learn to connect with others. Through working with my peers and professors, I have grown more confident and social. The skills that I have learned have allowed me to interview with and receive offers from two of the Big 4 accounting firms. Without the class sizes and ability to interact with professors that NMU offers, these accomplishments would have been much harder to achieve.

Best of luck to our graduating Wildcats! We will miss you 💚💛

[northernstories]

Meet Angelica Larsen, a recent Spanish graduate from Lakeview, Michigan. Before leaving NMU, we asked Angelica a few questions about her Northern experience:

What are your plans after graduation?

Angelica: Plans after graduation are to attend Sherman College of Chiropractic in Spartanburg, South Carolina and get my Doctor of Chiropractic degree.

How has your time at NMU prepared you for your next chapter in life?

Angelica: Going to NMU was a good challenge for me because it pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me discover my own potential. I felt kind of awkward at first being the only pre-chiropractic Spanish major in big lecture halls of pre-med and biology majors, but I had awesome professors that made me work myself to my potential and encouraged me to take the unique route. Going to NMU was seriously the smartest life decision I have made so far. Also being a first-generation student was really hard, but NMU has really helpful “First-Gen” services. My NMU experience has made me even more excited to follow my dreams of being a Spanish speaking chiropractor that can break the language barrier and help kids one day.

Best of luck to our graduating Wildcats! We will miss you 💚💛

[northernstories]

Meet Dawn Marsh, a recent master of biology graduate from Greenville, Michigan. Before leaving NMU, we asked Dawn a few questions about her Northern experience:

What are your plans after graduation?

Dawn: Fish and Wildlife Biologist (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) in Bloomington, Minnesota.

How has your time at NMU prepared you for your next chapter in life?

Dawn: The opportunities to gain hands-on experience coupled with the tight-knit community within the biology department helped prepare me for my upcoming role with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The network I built as an undergraduate student (B.S. Environmental Science ‘14) and built upon as a graduate student was instrumental in providing encouragement, finding opportunities for collaboration through internships, and inspiring me to step outside of my comfort zone.  

Best of luck to our graduating Wildcats! We will miss you 💚💛

[northernstories]

Meet Jason Leach, a recent master of business administration (MBA) graduate from Manistique, Michigan. Before leaving NMU, we asked Jason a few questions about his Northern experience:

What are your plans after graduation?

Jason: I will be starting a new career as a Sales Engineer at Jasper Engineering and Equipment Company. I will learn the business by working very closely with the Ishpeming branch manager. I will be promoted to Branch Manager next year when the current manager retires.

How has your time at NMU prepared you for your next chapter in life?

Jason: My time at NMU has made me more well rounded, marketable, and desirable to employers. I learned essential business management skills that have prepared me well and will ensure success in my new engineering and management role. Goal-setting skills allowed me to develop strategies to achieve both my personal and career objectives. Key takeaways from the program that I will be applying in my new career are networking, problem-solving, decision making, communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. The completion of the MBA program was a great step in my continuous quest for lifelong learning that enables me to adapt to change and make self improvements.

Best of luck to our graduating Wildcats! We will miss you 💚💛

[northernstories]

Meet Nathan Rotundo, a recent biochemistry graduate from Marquette, Michigan. Before leaving NMU, we asked Nathan a few questions about his Northern experience:

What are your plans after graduation?

Nathan: After graduation, I am going to be attending Michigan State University College of Human Medicine to pursue my Doctor of Medicine degree (MD).

How has your time at NMU prepared you for your next chapter in life?

Nathan: Northern has definitely been a major contributor in my preparation for medical school. Not only has it prepared me academically, but it allowed me grow as a person. Through the swim and dive team, I was able to engage more in my community, as well as develop my leadership skills. Additionally, I was able to participate in undergraduate research and develop strong relationships with my professors that wouldn’t be possible at larger universities. I am truly grateful for my time at NMU and will cherish the friendships and memories forever.

Best of luck to our graduating Wildcats! We will miss you 💚💛

[northernstories]

Meet Tyler DeVos, a recent biology - zoology graduate from Caledonia, Michigan. Before leaving NMU, we asked Tyler a few questions about her Wildcat experience:

What are your plans after graduation?

Tyler: I will be continuing my education as a graduate student at the University of Rhode Island next fall, working under Dr. Jason Kolbe to study the influence of founder effects on genetic and morphological characteristics of several isolated populations of invasive giant Madagascar day geckos in the Florida Keys. I am really excited about this project because it will answer important questions about how invasive species are capable of rapidly adapting to new environments despite the challenges presented by limited genetic variation. Between now and then, I have also been hired to work with a variety of reptile and amphibian species in the William B. Bankhead National Forest of Alabama as a summer field technician. This work will involve gathering presence-absence data for a few uncommon species, as well as collecting information about the prevalence of fungal diseases within the forest.

How has your time at NMU prepared you for your next chapter in life?

Tyler: I cannot even begin to express what a perfect fit NMU has been for me, and I feel so blessed by the many opportunities I have been given during my time here. When I first came to NMU I was able to get involved in research right away thanks to the Freshman Fellowship Program. I continued to develop and perform my own research projects thanks to the support of my research advisor, Dr. Leonard, who prepared me well to continue to ask and pursue creative, scientific questions as I move on to graduate school. Involvement with the NMU Fisheries and Wildlife Association also gave me the opportunity to present my research at the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in 2018, which proved to be a valuable experience both in networking within my field and in developing my ability to share my work in a professional setting. Finally, NMU has just been an all-around amazing place to continue to grow as a young adult. I have no doubt that the uniquely friendly and caring atmosphere at this school has played a major role in allowing me to develop the skills and confidence necessary to pursue my dreams. 

Best of luck to our graduating Wildcats! We will miss you 💚💛

[northernstories]

Meet Gwyneth Harrick, a recent public administration graduate from Marquette, Michigan. Before leaving NMU, we asked Gwyneth a few questions about her Wildcat experience:

What are your plans after graduation?

Gwyneth: I’ll be attending the University of Pennsylvania School of Law. 

How has your time at NMU prepared you for your next chapter in life?

Gwyneth: Through engaging in a number of opportunities at NMU, I felt prepared and competitive in the process of applying to law school. I was able to learn practical research skills through my time as a Freshmen Fellow. I earned credit toward my major and minor through a term of service with the Boys and Girls Club of Portland Metropolitan Area and Nonviolence International New York, a humanitarian organization that is part of civil society at the United Nations. I also received an internship through NMU with a U.S. Senator, where I learned about how federal politicians interact with their constituent base. Through these experiences and learning from excellent professors like Dr. Jon Barch, Dr. Carter Wilson, and Dr. Steve Nelson, I feel well equipped to take on my next adventure at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law.

Best of luck to our graduating Wildcats! We will miss you 💚💛