Multicultural Education and Resource Center Staff

Shirley A. Brozzo - sbrozzo@nmu.edu
Associate Director
Favorite quote by Oprah Winfrey:  Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.

Shirley has been with the Multicultural Center since 1994 and holds a master of fine arts degree in creative writing. She is an adjunct assistant professor with the Center for Native American Studies. Originally from Ironwood, Shirley relocated to the Marquette area in 1989. She has three adult children and one grandson.  In her spare time she likes to read, knit, and catch Glee or America's Got Talent on TV.

Rena Gregorich - rgregori@nmu.edu 
Senior Secretary 
Favorite Quote: "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." – Unknown

Rena is originally from Gwinn, Michigan.  She holds her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Lake Superior State University.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading, movies, traveling, fourwheeling, volunteering, and family time.  Rena’s favorite location that she has traveled to, so far, is Anchorage, Alaska.

A.J. Lara - jlara@nmu.edu
Jump Start Graduate Assistant
Favorite Quote: by Heather Leande,  "Some would say this place is on the edge of nowhere, but for me it's the center of my everywhere". 

A.J. Lara a graduate student in the MPA program here at NMU. Along with having degrees Biology and Community Health Education. He grew up in Elko, Nevada.  A.J.  enjoys camping, hiking and judo.  In his spare time he enjoys reading adventure novels.

Tiara Garland - tgarland@nmu.edu
GEAR UP/College Day Student Programmer
Favorite Quote: "If someone shows or tells you who they are, believe them."

Tiara hails from North Chicago, Illinois (which is not in Chicago).  She is a sophomore studying Psychology and her favorite color is black.  She enjoys reading, singing, exercising, watching movies, and relaxing.

 If Tiara was stranded on a desert island she would bring a pizza, her music, comfortable clothes, Jordan gym shoes and a picture of her beautiful baby girl, Ariah.

Joshua Garnett - jogarnet@nmu.edu 
Jump Start Team Leader 
Favorite Quote:  "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." ~Arthur Schopenhauer

Joshua Garnett is a junior at NMU, majoring in Public Relations. This is his second year working in the MERC Office. He grew up in Clarkston, Michigan. He has no idea what he wants to do in the future. He enjoys Wired and Discover Magazines as well as reading science and health related articles online.  Please Stop in and say "hi" to him!

Taylor Johnson- tayljohn@nmu.edu 
Jump Start Team Leader 
Favorite Quote:  "Life is something to do when you can't get to sleep."- Franz Lebowitz

Taylor is a junior from Romulus, Michigan, majoring in public relations with a minor in German.  Taylor is a part of many on-campus student organizations.  Such as, the Public Relations Student Society of America, the Black Student Union and participants in Superior Edge.  Taylor is also in the Student Leader Fellowship program, go Banana Block!  She enjoys all genres of movies, traveling and getting to know others.  After she graduates, Taylor would like to work internationally for a public relations firm.

Natalie Avila- navila@nmu.edu  
Jump Start Team Leader 
Favorite Quote:  "Everything happens for a reason."

Natalie is a senior from Holland, Michigan, majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Spanish. Natalie is the founder and President of Latino Student Union. Her passion is to spread diversity of her culture and others also. She enjoys hiking and her favorite color is orange. She loves to help people in any way she can so if you ever have any questions stop by our office and say hola.

Kelsey Ferguson - kelfergu@nmu.edu
Jump Start Team Leader
Favorite Quote: "It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." – Albus Percival Wolfric Brian Dumbledore 

Kelsey is a Junior at NMU from Midland, MI. She is a History Major and Anthropology Minor. She’s a big supporter of the Tigers and Lions. She loves cooking, oldies music,  reading almost anything ( especially Harry Potter) and being with friends, family, and her Fiancée. After graduation Kelsey hopes to travel and find her dream job at a Museum working as an Artifacts coordinator.