About Our Team
The GVSU Northern Michigan faculty and staff are dedicated to expanding access to higher education throughout the region. As residents with deep ties to these communities, we understand the unique landscape of our area and are personally invested in the success of our students.
Our team provides the strategic guidance and hands-on support necessary to remove barriers and help students reach their academic goals. By combining university expertise with a local perspective, we are constantly working to ensure that a Grand Valley education is accessible, attainable, and relevant to the people of Northern Michigan.
Meet the Staff
Shannon Owen
Director - Northern Region
O: (231) 995-1785
M: (616) 331-7606
[email protected]
Sarah Montgomery-Richards
Assistant Director of Faculty - Northern Region
O: (231) 995-1843 M: (616) 331-7627
[email protected]
Jessie Fousset
Assistant Director of Students - Northern Region
O: (231) 995-1858
M: (616) 331-9872
[email protected]
Irina Grougan
Office Manager - Northern Region
O: (231) 995-1732 M: (616) 661-7607
[email protected]
Stephanie Archambeau
Student Services Coordinator - Northern Region
O: (231) 995-1858
M: (616) 331-7604
[email protected]
Meet the Faculty
Pat Smith, PA-C
Assistant Program Director, Physician Assistant Studies & Faculty-Site Director, Traverse City Campus
O: (616) 331-6963 M: (231) 995-1878
[email protected]
Katie Treston-Torney, DMSc, PA-C, ATC
Faculty, Physician Assistant Studies
O: (231) 995-1879 M: (810) 599-9646
[email protected]
Heidi Fite, MPA, PA-C, RD
Faculty, Physician Assistant Studies
O: (231) 995-3156
[email protected]
Kelly Aubry, PT, DPT
Faculty, Allied Health Sciences
O: (231) 995-1859
[email protected]
Matthew Missias, PhD
School Support Specialist, Charter Schools Office
M: (616) 331-2240
[email protected]
Ari Mokdad
Faculty, Interim Program Director for B.A.S.
O: (616) 331- 8020 M: (616) 331- 8235
[email protected]
Cathy Meyer-Looze
Faculty, Educational Leadership
Office: 407C Richard M DeVos Center
M: (616) 331- 6280
[email protected]
Joe Verschaeve
Faculty, Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies
Office: 324 Lake Ontario Hall
M: (616) 331-3730
[email protected]
Kate Fairman
Faculty, Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies
O: (231) 995-1842
[email protected]
Contacting Faculty & Staff
How to Email a Professor:
1. Subject Line: Include your action a topic.
- Clear: [BIO 101] Question regarding Thursday’s Midterm
- Unclear: quick question
2. Professional Salutation
Start with "Dear Professor [Last Name]" or "Dear Dr. [Last Name]." Be formal with your professor, until they tell you otherwise.
3. The Context
State your name and Course Name and Number (i.e. INT 100).
4. The Topic or Ask
Clearly state your question, request, or clarification in one or two sentences.
5. The Closing
End with a "Thank you" or "Sincerely," followed by your full name.
Example
Subject Line: [INT 100] Question regarding Monday's Assignment
Dear Dr. Miller,
My name is Louie the Laker, and I am a student in your INT 100: Intro to International Studies course.
I am writing to ask for clarification on the specific readings we should focus on for Monday’s assignment [title of assignment]. I want to make sure I’ve completed the correct supplemental readings before class begins.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Louie the Laker
Creating an Email Signature
A professional or student email signature should include relevant information for people to reference. Below is optional information to include in your signature:
- First Name
- Gender pronouns
- Degree Program (graduation year optional)
- Current Job or Internship (if applicable)
- Cell phone number
- LinkedIn (hyperlink or provide link)
Example
Louie the Laker (he/him/his)
Student, B.S. Allied Health Sciences
Grand Valley State University
Mascot
(616) 331-3741
[email protected]