University Marketing and Communications

Staff Directory

Administration

Ian Repp

Ian Repp

  • Associate Vice President for University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

Allison Carter

Allison Carter

  • Executive Director of Marketing, University Marketing and Communications

About Allison

  • She helps clients identify and develop marketing strategies and materials to advance the goals of the University.
  • She has extensive experience in writing content for recruitment publications and websites, and creating communication plans and dynamic presentations.
  • She is a Michigan Tech alumna.
  • She enjoys spending time with family, crafting, gardening, and heading to the beach on warm summer days.
Joel Vertin
"Just Go with It!"

Joel C. Vertin

  • Executive Director of Digital Marketing, University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

Areas of Expertise

  • Digital Advertising
  • Digital Analytics / Dashboard Reporting
  • Conversion Optimization
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
  • Website Performance Optimization

About Joel

  • Manages digital marketing in UMC
  • HighEdWeb Association Leadership Academy Program Co-Chair
  • Award winning presenter
  • Michigan Tech alumnus (BS '09, MBA '13)
  • Enjoys running, softball, and being a Dad
Rick White

Rick White

  • Executive Director of Strategic Communications, University Marketing and Communications

About Rick

  • Rick leads the UMC communications team in projects ranging from media relations to editing MTU News and Tech Magazine.
  • He enjoys cooking, gardening, traveling, and exploring the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Mechelle Normand

Mechelle Normand

  • Manager Print and Mail Services, University Marketing and Communications

Brand Management

Ian Repp

Ian Repp

  • Associate Vice President for University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

Allison Carter

Allison Carter

  • Executive Director of Marketing, University Marketing and Communications

About Allison

  • She helps clients identify and develop marketing strategies and materials to advance the goals of the University.
  • She has extensive experience in writing content for recruitment publications and websites, and creating communication plans and dynamic presentations.
  • She is a Michigan Tech alumna.
  • She enjoys spending time with family, crafting, gardening, and heading to the beach on warm summer days.
Phoebe Meston

Phoebe Meston

  • Art Director, University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

Mail Services

Allison Carter

Allison Carter

  • Executive Director of Marketing, University Marketing and Communications

About Allison

  • She helps clients identify and develop marketing strategies and materials to advance the goals of the University.
  • She has extensive experience in writing content for recruitment publications and websites, and creating communication plans and dynamic presentations.
  • She is a Michigan Tech alumna.
  • She enjoys spending time with family, crafting, gardening, and heading to the beach on warm summer days.
Mark Kiilunen

Mark Kiilunen

  • Mail Services Specialist, University Marketing and Communications
Scott Mikkola

Scott Mikkola

  • Mail Services Specialist, University Marketing and Communications
Mechelle Normand

Mechelle Normand

  • Manager Print and Mail Services, University Marketing and Communications

Marketing and Creative

Ian Repp

Ian Repp

  • Associate Vice President for University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

Allison Carter

Allison Carter

  • Executive Director of Marketing, University Marketing and Communications

About Allison

  • She helps clients identify and develop marketing strategies and materials to advance the goals of the University.
  • She has extensive experience in writing content for recruitment publications and websites, and creating communication plans and dynamic presentations.
  • She is a Michigan Tech alumna.
  • She enjoys spending time with family, crafting, gardening, and heading to the beach on warm summer days.
Joel Vertin
"Just Go with It!"

Joel C. Vertin

  • Executive Director of Digital Marketing, University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

Areas of Expertise

  • Digital Advertising
  • Digital Analytics / Dashboard Reporting
  • Conversion Optimization
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
  • Website Performance Optimization

About Joel

  • Manages digital marketing in UMC
  • HighEdWeb Association Leadership Academy Program Co-Chair
  • Award winning presenter
  • Michigan Tech alumnus (BS '09, MBA '13)
  • Enjoys running, softball, and being a Dad
Phoebe Meston

Phoebe Meston

  • Art Director, University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

Sarah Erickson

Sarah Erickson

  • Associate Director of Marketing, University Marketing and Communications

About Sarah

  • Sarah works to elevate the University brand by crafting engaging content for recruitment publications, websites, emails, advertisements, and more.
  • In addition to marketing, her professional background includes event planning, fundraising, public speaking, and admissions advising.
  • She enjoys reading, playing cozy video games, sewing, and spending time with her family—especially at their tranquil cabin on an island in northern Minnesota.
Bob Gross

Bob Gross

  • Graphic Design Specialist, University Marketing and Communications
Jodi Miller

Jodi Miller

  • Marketing Project Manager, University Marketing and Communications

About Jodi

  • Jodi manages client projects from conception to delivery.
  • She has many years of experience in marketing, design, event planning and project management.
  • She enjoys gardening, playing handbells, reading, watching sunsets and spending time with her family.
Cyndi Perkins

Cyndi Perkins

  • Associate Director of Communications, University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

About Cyndi

  • The former Daily Mining Gazette journalist and editor hails from Houghton and has written for a variety of international, national and regional publications.
  • Specializing in compelling storytelling and cohesive on-brand messaging, the Michigan Tech alumna manages, writes, and edits content across university platforms, from webpages to MTU News.
  • A novelist active in the Upper Peninsula Authors and Publishers Association, the Authors Guild member looks forward to writing more books—and to camping trips in her RV with husband Scott and Goldendoodle Max.
Jessie Tobias

Jessie Tobias

  • Copyeditor, University Marketing and Communications

About Jessie

  • Former newspaper copy editor and proofreader for a major outdoor recreation retailer.
  • Hails from Pinconning, Michigan, and has lived in Western Nebraska and Colorado.
  • Combination word nerd and bookworm.
  • Doting pet parent.
Jen Withers

Jen Withers

  • Graphic Design Specialist

News and Media Relations

Rick White

Rick White

  • Executive Director of Strategic Communications, University Marketing and Communications

About Rick

  • Rick leads the UMC communications team in projects ranging from media relations to editing MTU News and Tech Magazine.
  • He enjoys cooking, gardening, traveling, and exploring the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Coby-Dillon English

Coby-Dillon English

  • College Marketing and Communications Manager, University Marketing and Communications

About Coby-Dillon

  •  Coby-Dillon leads communications strategy and editorial efforts for the College of Engineering.
  • A former teacher, they previously taught university courses in college composition and creative writing.
  • As a short story writer and essayist, their work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, and the PEN/Dau Prize.
Hailey Hart

Hailey Hart

  • Public Relations Manager, University Marketing and Communications

About Hailey

  • Michigan Tech alum
  • Has experience in digital marketing, social media management, project management, content creation, brand development and storytelling.
  • Enjoys spending time outdoors, drinking too much coffee, reading, and being with her family. You can typically find her at a hockey rink at all times of the year.
Karen Johnson

Karen Johnson

  • College Marketing and Communications Manager, University Marketing and Communications

Specialties

  • Leads marketing and communications efforts for the College of Business and College of Computing. 
Cyndi Perkins

Cyndi Perkins

  • Associate Director of Communications, University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

About Cyndi

  • The former Daily Mining Gazette journalist and editor hails from Houghton and has written for a variety of international, national and regional publications.
  • Specializing in compelling storytelling and cohesive on-brand messaging, the Michigan Tech alumna manages, writes, and edits content across university platforms, from webpages to MTU News.
  • A novelist active in the Upper Peninsula Authors and Publishers Association, the Authors Guild member looks forward to writing more books—and to camping trips in her RV with husband Scott and Goldendoodle Max.
Jessie Tobias

Jessie Tobias

  • Copyeditor, University Marketing and Communications

About Jessie

  • Former newspaper copy editor and proofreader for a major outdoor recreation retailer.
  • Hails from Pinconning, Michigan, and has lived in Western Nebraska and Colorado.
  • Combination word nerd and bookworm.
  • Doting pet parent.
Windy Veker

Windy Veker

  • College Marketing and Communications Manager, University Marketing and Communications

About Windy

  • Windy uses engaging writing and marketing strategies to elevate the stories of students, faculty and staff in both the College of Sciences and Arts and the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science with effective, on-brand content and communications.
  • Her professional background includes copy editing for the Daily Mining Gazette and broadcast journalism experiences as a TV6 bureau reporter.
  • She enjoys watching campy horror movies, listening to podcasts and playing table top roleplaying games with her family and friends.

Photography and Video

Phoebe Meston

Phoebe Meston

  • Art Director, University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

Ben Jaszczak

Ben Jaszczak

  • Multimedia Specialist, University Marketing and Communications
Kaden Staley

Kaden Staley

  • Photography Specialist, University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

Print Services

Allison Carter

Allison Carter

  • Executive Director of Marketing, University Marketing and Communications

About Allison

  • She helps clients identify and develop marketing strategies and materials to advance the goals of the University.
  • She has extensive experience in writing content for recruitment publications and websites, and creating communication plans and dynamic presentations.
  • She is a Michigan Tech alumna.
  • She enjoys spending time with family, crafting, gardening, and heading to the beach on warm summer days.
David

David "Archy" Archambeau

  • Print Specialist, University Marketing and Communications
Mechelle Normand

Mechelle Normand

  • Manager Print and Mail Services, University Marketing and Communications

Social Media

Haley Goodreau

Haley Goodreau

  • Social Media Manager, University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

About Haley

  • Story admirer and outdoor enthusiast with a knack for getting to the heart of a narrative.
  • Specialties:
    • Higher Education
    • Social Media Management
    • Photography
    • Creative Direction
    • Public Relations
  • Notable Professional Achievements:
    • Michigan Tech's social media ranked No. 2 overall in Rival IQ's 2024 Higher Ed Social Media Report and No. 3 overall in 2023
    • Recipient of a 2023 Best of CASE District V Award in the Storytelling Category, presented by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), for Michigan Tech's submission titled "Playing with Fire is a Huskies Pep Band Tradition."
Cyndi Perkins

Cyndi Perkins

  • Associate Director of Communications, University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

About Cyndi

  • The former Daily Mining Gazette journalist and editor hails from Houghton and has written for a variety of international, national and regional publications.
  • Specializing in compelling storytelling and cohesive on-brand messaging, the Michigan Tech alumna manages, writes, and edits content across university platforms, from webpages to MTU News.
  • A novelist active in the Upper Peninsula Authors and Publishers Association, the Authors Guild member looks forward to writing more books—and to camping trips in her RV with husband Scott and Goldendoodle Max.
Jessie Tobias

Jessie Tobias

  • Copyeditor, University Marketing and Communications

About Jessie

  • Former newspaper copy editor and proofreader for a major outdoor recreation retailer.
  • Hails from Pinconning, Michigan, and has lived in Western Nebraska and Colorado.
  • Combination word nerd and bookworm.
  • Doting pet parent.

Websites

Joel Vertin
"Just Go with It!"

Joel C. Vertin

  • Executive Director of Digital Marketing, University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

Areas of Expertise

  • Digital Advertising
  • Digital Analytics / Dashboard Reporting
  • Conversion Optimization
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
  • Website Performance Optimization

About Joel

  • Manages digital marketing in UMC
  • HighEdWeb Association Leadership Academy Program Co-Chair
  • Award winning presenter
  • Michigan Tech alumnus (BS '09, MBA '13)
  • Enjoys running, softball, and being a Dad
Bruce Brotherton
"Take it easy, but take it."
—Woody Guthrie

Bruce Brotherton

  • Web Developer/Programmer, University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

Areas of Expertise

  • HTML
  • CSS
  • JavaScript
  • Responsive Design

About Bruce

  • He is from Hancock.
  • He is responsible for HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Accessibility implementation on the University's content management system.
  • In his free time he reads and plays video games.
  • Ask him about the nuances in animated films.
Dave Dalquist

Dave Dalquist

  • University Digital Content Manager

Links of Interest

Areas of Expertise

  • Content Management
  • Navigation
  • Search
  • Usability

About Dave

  • Dave is from Houghton and an MTU alum
  • Content Manager for COB, CC, and CSA.
  • Recreational interests include cycling, skiing (mostly XC), photography, and windsurfing.
Eric Minaker

Eric Minaker

  • Associate Director of Web Technology, University Marketing and Communications

About Eric

  • Experienced developer and technical manager, passionate about web performance and accessibility.
  • Programming and technical lead for the University's CMS.
  • He enjoys board games, camping, and photography in his free time.
  • Spends too much time thinking about keyboards.
Heather Powers

Heather Powers

  • Associate Director of Digital Content, University Marketing and Communications

Digital Marketers Group

Areas of Expertise

  • Web Project Management
  • Web Design/Content Strategy
  • Digital Analytics
  • Web Accessibility

About Heather

  • Knowledgeable in web/content strategy, marketing, digital analytics, document accessibility, and web design.
  • Provides content management services, project coordination, marketing expertise, and support to digital projects.
  • HighEdWeb Association Leadership Academy Sessions Moderator.
  • She enjoys quilting, knitting, crafting, gaming, traveling, movies, reading, and spending time with her pets
Megan Ross

Megan Ross

  • Digital Support Manager, University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

Areas of Expertise

  • Modern Campus CMS
  • Events Calendar
  • Training and Documentation
  • Customer Support

About Megan

  • She is a Michigan Tech alum from Houghton.
  • She creates documentation and provides training for the content management system (CMS), blog system, and events calendar.
  • She manages help requests.
  • She enjoys reading, camping, and spending time with her family.
Will Schuett
"When there's a will, there's a way. Hi, my name is Will..."

Will Schuett

  • Digital Project Manager, University Marketing and Communications

Areas of Expertise

  • Web Project Management
  • Web Design/Content Strategy

Specialties

  • Provides advice and assistance to Michigan Tech's Undergraduate Admissions webpages.
  • Creates, updates, and recommends revisions for webpages on mtu.edu.
  • Enjoys thinking through situations to figure how things work. If a situation needs resolving, he uses all his life experiences to recommend a practical and proper solution.
Desiree Valle

Desiree Valle

  • Web Developer: Accessibility, University Marketing and Communications

Links of Interest

Areas of Expertise

  • HTML
  • Javascript
  • Web Accessibility
  • Debugging

About Desiree

  • She is from California and learning to add "eh?" to the end of sentences.
  • She is responsible for identifying and resolving Accessibility issues in the University's content management system.
  • She enjoys finding solutions to Accessibility and Usability issues to make websites more inclusive and usable by everyone.
  • She can be found reading, crafting, cooking, or playing with her nieces and nephews whenever she gets the chance. 
Austin Walhof

Austin Walhof

  • Web Programmer, University Marketing and Communications

About Austin

  • He is a Michigan Tech alumni from Central Wisconsin.
  • He is responsible for writing and maintaining web applications and pages that are consistent with Michigan Tech's brand.
  • In his free time, he can be found tinkering with code, gaming, reading, and watching hockey.