Meet the Faculty

Lori Nelson

• Associate Professor
• SLP.D CCC-SLP
• School of Clinical Sciences
• 1505 West Science Building
• Phone: 906-227-1029
• Began teaching at NMU in 2003

• Education
• B.S., Northern Michigan University
• M.A., Michigan State University
• Doctor of Speech Language Pathology, Nova Southeastern Univeristy

Steven Nelson

• Professor
• Political Science
• 201 V Cohodas Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2182
• Began teaching at NMU in 1992

• Education
• B.A., University of Iowa
• J.D., University of Iowa
• Ph.D., University of Iowa

Madison Ngafeeson

• Graduate Program Director
• Assistant Professor
• College of Business
• 309 A Cohodas Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2699
• Fax: 906-227-2930
• Began teaching at NMU in 2013

• Education
• B.S., University of Buea
• M.S., Southern University at New Orleans
• Ph.D., University of Texas-Pan American

Howard Nicholson

• Assistant Professor
• History
• 203B Cohodas Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2586
• Began teaching at NMU in 2000

• Education
• B.S., Ball State University
• M.A., Indiana University
• M.A., Ball State University
• Ph.D., Miami University

Rachel Nye

• Professor
• School of Nursing
• 2123 New Science Facility
• Phone: 906-227-2668
• Fax: 906-227-1658
• Began teaching at NMU in 2006

• Education
• A.A.S., Alpena Community College
• B.S.N., Northern Michigan University
• M.S.N., University of Wyoming
• D.N.P., Northern Michigan University

• RNC

Mits Oba

• Assistant Professor
• Art and Design
• Art and Design RM 276
• Phone: 906-227-1489
• Began teaching at NMU in 2007

• Education
• B.A., Chuo University, Japan
• B.A., Southern Connecticut State University
• M.Phil., City University of New York-Graduate Center
• Ph.D., City University of New York-Graduate Center

Gudmundur Oddsson

• Assistant Professor
• Sociology and Anthropology
• 2415 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1148
• Fax: 906-227-1212
• Began teaching at NMU in 2014

• Education
• B.A., University of Akureyri
• B.S., University of Akureyri
• M.A., University of Missouri
• Ph.D., University of Missouri

Catherine Oliver

• Assistant Professor
• Academic Information Services
• Learning Resources Center
• Phone: 906-227-2123
• Began teaching at NMU in 2014

• Education
• B.A., Hampshire College
• M.A., Middlebury College
• M.S., State University at Albany, New York

Amy Orf

• Assistant Professor
• Modern Languages and Literatures
• 170 Whitman Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1876
• Fax: 906-227-2533
• Began teaching at NMU in 1997

• Education
• B.A., Iowa State University
• M.A., University of Michigan

Erich Ottem

• Associate Professor
• Biology
• 2109 New Science Facility
• Phone: 906-227-1072
• Fax: 906-227-1063
• Began teaching at NMU in 2008

• Education
• B.S., Tennessee Technological University
• Ph.D., University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Mark Paulsen

• Department Head
• Professor
• Chemistry
• 3127 New Science Facility
• Phone: 906-227-1064
• Began teaching at NMU in 1997

• Education
• B.S., University of Nebraska
• Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Deborah Pearce

• Associate Professor-TAS
• Technology and Occupational Sciences
• 217a Jacobetti Complex
• Phone: 906-227-1410
• Fax: 906-227-2156
• Began teaching at NMU in 2007

• Education
• B.S., Northern Michigan University
• M.S., Northern Michigan University
• A.O.S., Culinary Institute of America

Deborah Peterson

• Professor-TAS
• Technology and Occupational Sciences
• 114A Jacobetti Complex
• Phone: 906-227-1527
• Began teaching at NMU in 1987

• Education
• M.S., Ferris State University

• Licensed Comsetology Instuctor

J.D. Phillips

• Department Head
• Professor
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• 2204 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2020
• Fax: 906-227-2010
• Began teaching at NMU in 2009

• Education
• B.S., Briar Cliff College
• Ph.D., Iowa State University

David Pierce

• Assistant Professor
• Communication and Performance Studies
• 203 Thomas Fine Arts
• Phone: 906-227-2045
• Fax: 906-227-2071
• Began teaching at NMU in 2014

• Education
• A.A.S., Ferris State University
• B.S., Ferris State University
• M.F.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Peter Pless

• Professor
• Art and Design
• Art and Design RM 176
• Phone: 906-227-2104
• Began teaching at NMU in 2005

• Education
• B.F.A., Northern Michigan University
• M.F.A., Cranbrook Academy of Art

Andrew Poe

• Professor
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• 2230 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1598
• Began teaching at NMU in 1999

• Education
• B.A., Cornell University
• M.S., University of Michigan
• M.S., University of Michigan
• Ph.D., University of Michigan

Cale Polkinghorne

• Associate Professor
• Engineering Technology
• 135C Jacobetti Center
• Phone: 906-227-2552
• Fax: 906-227-2156
• Began teaching at NMU in 2008

• Education
• B.S., Northern Michigan University
• M.A.E., Northern Michigan University
• Ed.D., Central Michigan University
• Ed.S., Northern Michigan University

Sara Potter

• Instructor
• Communication and Performance Studies
• 220 Thomas Fine Arts
• Phone: 906-227-1680
• Fax: 906-227-2071
• Began teaching at NMU in 2007

• Education
• B.A., Monmouth College
• M.S., Illinois State University

Deanna Pozega

• Assistant Professor
• Engineering Technology
• Jacobetti Center 111W-C
• Phone: 906-227-1547
• Fax: 906-227-2156
• Began teaching at NMU in 2006

• Education
• B.S., Michigan Technological University
• M.S., Michigan Technological University

Russell Prather

• Professor & MA Program Director
• English
• 3250 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2857
• Began teaching at NMU in 2002

• Education
• B.A., University of British Columbia-Canada
• M.A., University of Washington
• M.F.A., University of Washington
• Ph.D., University of Washington

Adam Prus

• Department Head
• Professor
• Psychology
• 306 Gries Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2941
• Began teaching at NMU in 2006

• Education
• B.S., Western Michigan University
• M.A., Western Michigan University
• Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University

David Prychitko

• Professor
• Economics
• 208B Cohodas Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1216
• Began teaching at NMU in 1997

• Education
• B.S., Northern Michigan University
• M.A., George Mason University
• Ph.D., George Mason University

Judith Puncochar

• Professor
• School of Education/Leadership/Public Services
• 195 Whitman Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1366
• Began teaching at NMU in 2004

• Education
• B.S., University of California-Davis
• Ph.D., University of Minnesota

Lesley Putman

• Professor
• Chemistry
• 3306 New Science Facility
• Phone: 906-227-1071
• Began teaching at NMU in 1993

• Education
• B.S., Wheaton College
• Ph.D., Purdue University

Jonathan Rastall

• Department Chair
• Professor
• Military Science
• 346 Gries Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2236
• Fax: 906-227-1567
• Mr.Rastall's Homepage
• Began teaching at NMU in 2009

• Education
• B.A., Viterbo University
• M.S., Central Michigan University
• Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

Charles Rayhorn

• Professor of Finance
• College of Business
• 304F Cohodas Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1839
• Began teaching at NMU in 1989

• Education
• B.S., Idaho State University
• M.B.A., University of Missouri
• Ph.D., University of Colorado

David Rayome

• Professor
• College of Business
• 304c Cohodas Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2947
• Began teaching at NMU in 1991

• Education
• B.S., University of Akron
• M.B.A., University of Akron
• Ph.D., Kent State University

Melanie Reaves

• Assistant Professor
• School of Education/Leadership/Public Services
• 179 Whitman Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2780
• Fax: 906-227-2764
• Began teaching at NMU in 2014

• Education
• A.A., Columbia Gorge Community College
• B.S., Eastern Oregon University
• Ph.D., University of Wyoming
• M.T.E, Eastern Oregon University

John Rebers

• Department Head
• Professor
• Biology
• 2011 New Science Facility
• Phone: 906-227-1585
• Began teaching at NMU in 1988

• Education
• B.S., Iowa State University
• Ph.D., Harvard University

Alan Rebertus

• Professor
• Biology
• 2005 New Science Facility
• Phone: 906-227-2351
• Began teaching at NMU in 1997

• Education
• B.S., University of Minnesota
• M.S., Louisiana State University
• Ph.D., Louisiana State University

Robert Regis

• Professor
• Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences
• 3009 New Science Facility
• Phone: 906-227-1176
• Began teaching at NMU in 1990

• Education
• B.S., Northern Michigan University
• M.A., Indiana State University
• Ph.D., Michigan Technological University

Martin Reinhardt

• Professor
• Native American Studies
• 112c Whitman Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2374
• Fax: 906-227-1396
• Began teaching at NMU in 2010

• Education
• A.A.S., Lansing Community College
• B.S., Lake Superior State University
• M.A., Central Michigan University
• Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University

Laura Reissner

• Professor
• School of Education/Leadership/Public Services
• 216 Whitman Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2740
• Began teaching at NMU in 1996

• Education
• B.A., Gettysburg College
• M.S., St. Thomas Aquinas College
• Ed.D., West Virginia University

Martin Renaldi

• Instructor
• School of Clinical Sciences
• 3515 West Science
• Phone: 906-227-2885
• Began teaching at NMU in 2018

• Education
• A.A.S., Northern Michigan University
• B.S., Northern Michigan University
• M.P.A., Northern Michigan University

Barbara Rhyneer

• Professor
• Music
• 116 Thomas Fine Arts
• Phone: 906-227-2309
• Began teaching at NMU in 1997

• Education
• B.A., Loyola Marymount University
• M.M., Bowling Green State University
• D.A., Ball State University

Kia Richmond

• Professor
• English
• 3232 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2713
• Began teaching at NMU in 2001

• Education
• B.A., Texas Christian University
• M.A., Texas A&M University-Commerce
• Ph.D., Illinois State University

Kristi Robinia

• Associate Dean and Director of the School of Nursing
• Professor
• School of Nursing
• 3312 New Science Facililty
• Phone: 906-227-2484
• Fax: 906-222-1658
• Began teaching at NMU in 1995

• Education
• B.S.N., University of Utah
• M.S.N., University of Utah
• Ph.D., Western Michigan University

Monica Robinson

• Assistant Professor
• English
• 3256 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1688
• Began teaching at NMU in 2016

• Education
• B.F.A., Bowling Green State University
• M.F.A., Western Michigan University

Marcus Robyns

• University Archivist and Records Manager
• Professor
• Academic Information Services
• 126 Harden Learning Resources
• Phone: 906-227-1046
• Began teaching at NMU in 1997

• Education
• B.A., University of Oregon
• M.A., University of Oregon

• Certified Archivist, Academy of Certified Archivists

Julie Rochester

• Athletic Training Program Director
• Professor
• School of Health and Human Performance
• 201D Physical Education Instructional Facility
• Phone: 906-227-2026
• Began teaching at NMU in 1998

• Education
• B.S., Springfield College
• M.S., Northern Michigan University
• Ed.D., University of Phoenix

Lee Roecker

• Associate Professor
• Chemistry
• 3133 New Science Building
• Phone: 906-227-2911
• Began teaching at NMU in 2011

• Education
• B.S., University of Cincinnati
• M.S., University of Cincinnati
• Ph.D., University of North Carolina

Melissa Romero

• Graduate Program Coordinator
• Associate Professor
• School of Nursing
• 2131 New Science Facility
• Phone: 906-227-2488
• Fax: 906-227-1658
• Began teaching at NMU in 2007

• Education
• B.S.N., Northern Michigan University
• M.S.N., Northern Michigan University
• Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

• FNP-BC

Joseph Routhier

• Instructor
• Engineering Technology
• 112c Jacobetti Complex
• Phone: 906-227-1576
• Began teaching at NMU in 2016

• Education
• A.A.S., Michigan Technological University
• B.S., Northern Michigan University
• M.A.E., Northern Michigan University
• Ed.S., Northern Michigan University

Daniel Rowe

• Assistant Professor
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• 2200 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2020
• Fax: 906-227-2010
• Began teaching at NMU in 2015

• Education
• B.S., University of Waterloo-Canada
• M.S., University of Toronto, Canada
• Ph.D., University of Toronto, Canada

Keneika Rowe

• Assistant Professor
• Technology and Occupational Sciences
• 101 Jacobetti Complex
• Phone: 906-227-2190
• Began teaching at NMU in 2015

• Education
• B.B.A., Monroe College
• M.S., Lehman College

Kyle Rowsey

• Instructor
• Psychology
• 1001 New Science
• Phone: 906-227-2935
• Began teaching at NMU in 2018

• Education
• B.S., Ohio State University
• M.S., Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Michael Rudisill

• Department Head
• Professor
• Engineering Technology
• 101D Jacobetti Center
• Phone: 906-227-1763
• Began teaching at NMU in 1995

• Education
• B.S.E.E., University of Illinois
• M.S.E.E., Air Force Institute of Technology

Neil Russell

• Professor
• Physics
• 2505 West Science Building
• Phone: 906-227-1058
• Began teaching at NMU in 1999

• Education
• B.S., Rhodes University
• M.S., Indiana University
• Ph.D., Indiana University
• Ph.D., Rhodes University

Shelley Russell

• Professor
• Communication and Performance Studies
• 215 Thomas Fine Arts
• Phone: 906-227-1657
• Began teaching at NMU in 1983

• Education
• B.A., Otterbein College
• M.A., Miami University
• Ph.D., Florida State University

Satya Sadhu

• Assistant Professor
• Chemistry
• 3301 New Science Facilty
• Phone: 906-227-2911
• Began teaching at NMU in 2018

• Education
• B.Sc., Osmania University, India
• M.S., University of South Dakota
• Ph.D., South Dakota State University

John Sarkela

• Instructor
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• 2217 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1597
• Began teaching at NMU in 2012

• Education
• A.B., Bowdoin College
• M.S., University of Illinois

Paul Savoie

• Instructor
• Chemistry
• 3301 New Science Building
• Phone: 906-227-2911
• Began teaching at NMU in 2017

• Education
• B.S., State University at Albany, New York
• Ph.D., State University at Albany, New York

Jason Schneider

• Assistant Professor
• Art and Design
• 159 Art & Design
• Phone: 906-227-2194
• Began teaching at NMU in 2017

• Education
• B.F.A., William Paterson University
• M.F.A., San Diego State University

Hadi Shafei

• Assistant Professor
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• 2217 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2020
• Began teaching at NMU in 2017

• Education
• B.S., Sharif University of Technology - Iran
• M.Sc., Sharif University of Technology - Iran
• Ph.D., University of Wyoming

Josh Sharp

• Associate Professor
• Biology
• 2001 New Science Building
• Phone: 906-227-2310
• Began teaching at NMU in 2012

• Education
• B.S., Western Michigan University
• Ph.D., New York University

Ashley Shayter

• Instructor
• Psychology
• 1001 New Science Facility
• Phone: 906-227-2935
• Began teaching at NMU in 2017

• Education
• B.S., University of South Florida
• M.S., Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Jon Sherman

• Associate Professor
• Modern Languages and Literatures
• 145 Whitman Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2940
• Fax: 906-227-2533
• Began teaching at NMU in 2008

• Education
• B.A., University of Vermont
• M.A., University of Massachusetts
• Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Mark Shevy

• Professor
• Communication and Performance Studies
• 212 Thomas Fine Arts
• Phone: 906-227-2046
• Began teaching at NMU in 2007

• Education
• B.A., Michigan State University
• M.S., Colorado State University
• Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Leah Shon

• Assistant Professor
• Criminal Justice
• 2500 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2660
• Began teaching at NMU in 2018

• Education
• B.A., Indiana State University
• B.A., University of Regina-Canada
• M.S., Indiana State University
• Ph.D., University of Louisville-Kentucky

Jaspal Singh

• Professor
• English
• 3254 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1832
• Began teaching at NMU in 2001

• Education
• B.S., University of Delhi, India
• M.A., Agra University, India
• M.A., Oregon State University
• Ph.D., University of Oregon

Eileen Smit

• Professor
• School of Nursing
• 2127 New Science Facility
• Phone: 906-227-1672
• Fax: 906-227-1658
• Began teaching at NMU in 1980

• Education
• B.S.N., University of Wisconsin-Madison
• M.S.N., University of Wisconsin-Madison

• FNP Post Master's Certificate Northern Michigan University

Kristen Smith

• Assistant Professor
• School of Nursing
• 2314 New Science Facility
• Phone: 906-227-2790
• Fax: 906-227-1658
• Began teaching at NMU in 2012

• Education
• B.S.N., Northern Michigan University
• M.S.N., Kaplan University
• D.N.P., Northern Michigan University

Mark Smith

• Professor
• English
• 3224 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2676
• Began teaching at NMU in 1970

• Education
• B.A., University of Notre Dame
• M.A., Seattle University
• D.A., University of Michigan

Willis Sojourn

• Assistant Professor
• Native American Studies
• 112 Whitman Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1504
• Fax: 906-227-1396
• Began teaching at NMU in 2016

• Education
• B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison
• M.L.S., University of Minnesota - Duluth
• Ph.D., Trent University, Ontario, Canada

Laura Soldner

• Professor
• English
• 3226 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2672
• Began teaching at NMU in 1986

• Education
• B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison
• M.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Dennis Staffne

• Professor
• Art and Design
• Art and Design RM 62
• Phone: 906-227-1492
• Began teaching at NMU in 1976

• Education
• B.F.A., The Art Institute of Chicago
• M.F.A., The Art Institute of Chicago

Gary Stark

• Associate Professor
• College of Business
• 304g Cohodas Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1244
• Began teaching at NMU in 2005

• Education
• B.S., Kansas State University
• M.B.A., Kansas State University
• Ph.D., University of Nebraska

Anne Stein

• Associate Professor
• Nursing-Baccalaureate
• 2133 New Science Building
• Phone: 906-227-1540
• Fax: 906-227-1658
• Began teaching at NMU in 2014

• Education
• A.A., Bay de Noc Community College
• A.A.S., Bay de Noc Community College
• B.S., Northern Michigan University
• B.S.N., Northern Michigan University
• M.S.N., Northern Michigan University
• Ph.D., Trident University International
• Certificate L.P.N., Bay de Noc Community College

Carol Steinhaus

• Professor
• College of Business
• 309D Cohodas Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1849
• Began teaching at NMU in 2001

• Education
• B.M.E., Bethany College
• Ph.D., University of Nebraska
• M.P.H., University of Minnesota

Alexander Stoner

• Assistant Professor
• Sociology and Anthropology
• 2400 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2706
• Began teaching at NMU in 2018

• Education
• B.S., Bradley University
• M.A., University of Tennessee
• Ph.D., University of Tennessee

Michael Strahan

• Reference/Instruction Coordinator
• Professor
• Academic Information Services
• 233 Harden Learning Resources
• Phone: 906-227-2463
• Began teaching at NMU in 1990

• Education
• B.A., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• M.L.S., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

James Strain

• Professor
• Music
• 106 Thomas Fine Arts
• Phone: 906-227-2574
• Began teaching at NMU in 1997

• Education
• B.M.E., Arkansas State University
• M.M., University of Cincinnati
• D.M.A., Eastman School of Music

Roger Strand

• Professor
• Biology
• 2121 New Science Facility
• Phone: 906-227-2365
• Began teaching at NMU in 1999

• Education
• B.A., Gustav Adolphus
• M.S., University of Minnesota
• Ph.D., Michigan State University

Karin Stulz

• Associate Professor
• College of Business
• 303F Cohodas Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1500
• Began teaching at NMU in 1989

• Education
• B.S., Northern Michigan University
• M.A.E., Northern Michigan University

Mary Stunkard

• Assistant Professor
• School of Clinical Sciences
• 3511 West Science Building
• Phone: 906-227-1662
• Began teaching at NMU in 2006

• Education
• B.S., Michigan Technological University
• M.S., Michigan Technological University
• Ph.D., Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Katherine Teeter

• Associate Professor
• Biology
• 2015 New Science Facility
• Phone: 906-227-2177
• Began teaching at NMU in 2006

• Education
• B.A., Princeton University
• M.S., University of Michigan
• Ph.D., University of Michigan

Jessica Thompson

• Associate Professor
• Communication and Performance Studies
• 203 Thomas Fine Arts
• Phone: 906-227-2045
• Began teaching at NMU in 2012

• Education
• B.S., Northern Michigan University
• M.S., University of Utah
• Ph.D., University of Utah

Joel Thompson

• Professor
• College of Business
• 310G Cohodas Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1803
• Began teaching at NMU in 1988

• Education
• B.S., Ohio State University
• Ph.D., Michigan State University

• CPA - State of Ohio

Joshua Thompson

• Associate Professor
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• 2226 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-2020
• Began teaching at NMU in 2012

• Education
• B.A., Wofford College
• M.A., Wake Forest University
• Ph.D., University of Utah

Stan Thompson

• Enrollment Officer
• Assistant Professor
• Military Science
• 101 Gries Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1566
• Began teaching at NMU in 2005

• Education
• B.S., Eastern Michigan University

Shaun Thunell

• Assistant Professor
• School of Clinical Sciences
• 3505 West Science Facility
• Phone: 906-227-2868
• Fax: 906-227-1309
• Began teaching at NMU in 2013

• Education
• B.S., Logan University
• M.Ed., Leadership in Educational Institution
• ASRT, Southwestern Illinois College
• D.C., Logan College of Chiropractic

William Tireman

• Professor
• Physics
• 2503 West Science Building
• Phone: 906-227-1056
• Began teaching at NMU in 2006

• Education
• B.S., University of Wisconsin-River Falls
• Ph.D., Kent State University

Paul Truckey

• Professor
• Communication and Performance Studies
• 211 Thomas Fine Arts
• Phone: 906-227-2705
• Began teaching at NMU in 2002

• Education
• B.S., Northern Michigan University
• M.F.A., University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Bao Truong

• Associate Professor
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• 2216 Jamrich Hall
• Phone: 906-227-1610
• Fax: 906-227-2010
• Began teaching at NMU in 2008

• Education
• B.A., Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Sciences-Vietnam
• B.S., Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Sciences-Vietnam
• Ph.D., Wayne State University