During the last Board of Trustees meeting in December of 2019, Steve Mitchell was voted in as the new Chairperson. 

Mitchell along with Tami Seavoy will serve together as chairman and vice chair after being originally appointed to the Board of Trustees by Governor Snyder. Previously, Mitchell served as vice chair along with Robert Mahaney, who stepped down from the position after two years. 

As a U.P native and a graduate of the NMU class of 1967, Mitchell has gone out to build a career in communications and public relations, with clients all over the country. But no matter how far his contacts span, Mitchell always seeks opportunities to help fellow wildcats, he said. 

“It’s been a tremendous opportunity to make a contribution to my alma mater, a place that I really loved,” Mitchell said. 

During his time served as a trustee, Mitchell explained that he enjoyed being a part of moments that madelarge marks on the development of the university. Specifically, these include large program investments such as the medicinal plant chemistry major and the Forensic Research Outdoor Station (FROST). 

At the December meeting, Mitchell brought up the importance of innovation to retain students. 

“For the past seven years, it has been great to be a part of all of the huge changes that have taken place here from building of the new dorms to new programming,” Mitchell said. 

In the new position, Mitchell explained that his main focus in leadership will be in continuing the momentum that has been made to move the university forward in future years. 

“I think this year we have to make sure that we have the proper implementation,” Mitchell said. “We’ve made signif-icant investments, and now it’s our responsibility to work with the administration, the faculty, the staff and the students.” 

As the new year starts, Mitchell explained that taking on the role as chairman means much more than just being a part of the NMU community; it hits closer to home. 

“As a yooper and as a graduate of Ishpeming High School and of Northern, this is the greatest honor of my life,” Mitchell said.