L. Garnet Lewis
Appointed February 13, 2009 by Governor Jennifer Granholm for a term that will expire December 31, 2016.
Dr. Lewis is currently the Director of the Joint Legislative Campaign (JLC), which is based in Lansing. The goal of the JLC is to recruit and train Democratic candidates to run for the Michigan Legislature (House and Senate). She also brings 20+ years of professional experience in higher education.
Prior to her time at JLC, she served as General Manager for Allicom Investments, LLC based in Freeland, MI., served as the Associate Director for Professional Education in the College of Education at Central Michigan University, served as President/CEO of Data & Survey Management Solutions and as Director of Institutional Research Division of Enrollment Management and Student Services at Saginaw Valley State University. Her work in higher education also includes experience as Educational Research Consultant, Michigan Department of Rehabilitation Services for the State of Michigan, Associate Vice President for Student Services at Tarleton State University in Texas, and as Research Associate at the University of Texas (Arlington). She received her Bachelor of Science from Truman State University in 1983, her Master of Arts in Education from Northern Michigan University in 1986, and her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of North Texas in 1992.
Dr. Lewis’s community involvement and social service include participation in “Meals on Wheels” through involvement on the Saginaw County Commission on Aging, the Saginaw Area Fireworks Committee, and the Dow Event Center Board. She has been a member of “Sports Affects Girls’ Excellence” (SAGE) Board and “Erath County Against Drug Abuse.” She is a member of League of Women Voters, Emily’s List, National Organization for Women (NOW), Human Rights Campaign, “Perceptions Saginaw Valley,” Triangle Foundation, MoveOn.org, and Democracy for American (DFA).
Dr. Lewis is a former member and president of the NMU Alumni Association Board and a past member of the NMU Foundation Board. She is actively involved in state politics and is a long-time donor to NMU.