#nmuorientation

Meet our summer 2017 orientation staff!

Jodi Payne is originally from North Branch, Mich. She is a communications study major with a dance minor and plans to graduate in May 2018.

Jodi first chose to attend NMU because of its adventurous nature and strong academics. She stayed because of the faculty and staff, who she says make the university special and intimate.

In her time at NMU, Jodi said she was fortunate to study abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, last fall.

“While I was there, I participated in a service project with a non-profit called Ikamva Youth,” Jodi said. “I spent my semester organizing presentations, collecting student data, tutoring and hanging out/mentoring low income students. It was such an amazing intercultural experience and gave me an incredible insight into the world of communication on the other side of the globe.”

Jodi said she is most excited about joining orientation staff because she loves NMU, and she wouldn’t be the person she is today without the staff, programs, resources and location of this university. As for incoming freshmen, her piece of advice is to just ‘do you, as silly as it sounds!’

Meet our summer 2017 orientation staff!

Gage Deeter is a secondary education major with an emphasis in chemistry. He is originally from Escanaba, Mich., and has plans to graduate in fall 2019.

“I chose to come to NMU because of the education program,” Gage said. “What we have here is so personalized and intensive. I could not have picked a better school, and who can say ‘no’ to living in the U.P.? A 15 minute walk to Lake Superior? Yes please!”

During the winter 2017 semester, Gage had the opportunity to observe a sixth grade classroom. It was his first time in the classroom as a teaching candidate, where he was able to put the theories he learns in his classes to practice. He described the experience as completely eye opening and amazing.

“I love how all of the professors in the education department know who you are as soon as you start your education classes,” Gage said. “Being able to work in a classroom at every available opportunity is something I would not have been able to do at other schools. I feel as though my education is tailored to me and I am allowed to make my NMU experience entirely my own.”

Gage said he is most excited to join orientation staff because he wants to get incoming students excited to start their lives at NMU.

Meet our summer 2017 orientation staff!

Kimberly Shuman is a social work major from Tomahawk, Wis. She decided to attend NMU after visiting campus for the Presidential Scholars competition.

“I fell in love with the friendly atmosphere of campus and the Marquette area,” Kimberly said. “When visiting, I felt comfortable on campus, which helped me adapt quickly. I knew I was in the right place.”

Kimberly said she enjoys her major because the social work professors are extremely helpful. She said they foster an open environment that allows students to feel more independent, yet connected to one another in the classroom.

“In my first social work class, we were required to do community service hours. I took this experience back home where I worked with a discount food store during the Thanksgiving season. Doing this I met and helped people from my own community that I had never seen before,” Kimberly said. “It was interesting to see the opportunities I had overlooked, and gain connections from that volunteer work which I know I can reference for future employment opportunities.”

All of her hard work has paid off, as Kimberly accepted an internship at Upper Peninsula Health Plan as a freshman. Kimberly said it has been the most rewarding experience in her college career thus far.

For all the incoming freshmen, Kimberly suggests walking in without any concrete expectations.

Meet our 2016 summer orientation staff!

Lexi Wieringa is a marketing major from Grand Rapids, Mich. She said she decided to come to NMU because she really liked the small class sizes, the community atmosphere and the unique location of the campus.

At NMU, Wieringa is actively involved in Housing and Residence Life, Superior Edge, Cru, the Student Ambassador Program, Marquette Ending Hunger and intramural sports.

“Working as a resident adviser in Malibu house in Spalding Hall this past year has been such a rewarding experience. I loved getting to know all of my residents and seeing them grow throughout the year. They have taught me so much and I am already looking forward to when they move back in this fall.”

Meet our 2016 summer orientation staff!

Taylor Susa is a neuroscience major from Buffalo, Minn. She said she decided to attend NMU because she felt right at home the first time she visited, she had a “this is it” feeling. NMU was also one of only a handful of schools to offer neuroscience as an undergraduate degree.

Susa is actively involved on campus as a member of the women’s swim and dive team, honors program and Superior Edge volunteer program. She plans to join the Neuroscience and Pre-Med clubs this fall.

She said she is most excited to meet all of the incoming freshmen at orientation and to share her passion for learning and NMU.

Meet our 2016 summer orientation staff!

Tavin Swanberg is a psychology major from Sparta, Mich. He decided to attend NMU because of the environment and the surrounding area - both of which provided a lot of outdoor experiences he felt he couldn’t get from another university.

As a resident adviser, Swanberg said helping students during stressful times has been a very rewarding experience for him, especially when he has been able to see students rebound and come back stronger after dealing with their problems.

Swanberg is most excited about orientation because he’ll be able to help familiarize the incoming first year students with NMU and everything it has to offer.

Meet our 2016 summer orientation staff!

Avadon James is a hospitality management major from Kingston, Jamaica. She decided to attend NMU after being recruited to the women’s track and field team. In addition, NMU had the full program she wanted to study.

In addition to athletics, James is a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

She said she is excited for orientation this summer because she will be able to have an impact on many first-time students, a rewarding opportunity to help mold them into the best they can be.

Meet our 2016 summer orientation staff!

Alex Lasher is a multi-media journalism major from Kalamazoo, Mich. He chose to attend Northern Michigan University after two of his childhood best friends convinced him he would enjoy it. Lasher wants to get into sports broadcasting, and he’s been able to gain valuable experience at Northern by working on the television broadcasts of the home football and basketball games.

This summer while working on orientation staff, he is excited about hearing other students’ stories about their choice to attend NMU, as well as the opportunity to grow closer with the other members of orientation staff.