Our education Partners

Wendy Gradwohl Wells, Ph.D., is currently the Interim Talent Pipeline Coordinator at West Shore Community College. She received her doctorate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from The University of Akron.  Before coming to WSCC, she was Associate Professor and Chair of the Business Department at Wittenberg University.

Kathy has a BS, MA, and EdS from Michigan State University. In nearly 30 years of experience in education, she has been a teacher, coach, athletic coordinator, mathematics and science coordinator, STEM Director, and President of the Michigan Mathematics and Science Centers Network. 

She was a co-creator of ASM Tech Early College. Kathy now works remotely for Grand Valley State University to suppor

Monica Schuyler is the Executive Director of the Pennies from Heaven Foundation and Promise Board Chair.  Her post-secondary education includes a liberal arts associate's degree from Oakland Community College, a Public Policy and Administration degree from Michigan State University, and a Law Degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.  She believes education is an investment  that opens the door to 

Lynne Russell is United Way of Mason County’s Executive Director, and has served in this role for 25 years.  Prior to becoming the Executive Director, she worked at West Michigan Community Mental Health System (WMCMHS) for 13 years where she had both direct care and administrative responsibilities.  During the Executive Director’s tenure at United Way of Mason County, she changed the community’s p

Kathryn moved to Ludington after graduating with a B.S. in Chem. Eng. from University of Illinois. She retired as a senior process engineer after 43 years. Together, the Nixon's have four children and one grandchild, and they have operated The Instrumental Music and Sound retail since 1981. Kathryn is interested in quality education access for all children and has led the program between her churc

Shelly Keene is the Executive Director at Michigan Works! West Central where she oversees the employment & training programs in a six-county region. She has been with Michigan Works! West

Central since 2016, and was named Executive Director in March 2019. As Executive Director of Michigan Works! West Central, Keene oversees day-to-

day operations of the organization, which provides a wide variety of