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Mya Hernandez is a Psychology Instructor at Lake Michigan College. Prior to joining LMC in 2019, Mya worked as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in Kalamazoo County, providing services to children with developmental disabilities. She has conducted research in literacy with students at-risk of academic failure, in interventions for children with developmental disabilities, and in adult training practices. She has experience applying behavior analytic principles in a variety of environments including juvenile centers, autism centers, schools, and adult education programs.

Education: PhD, Western Michigan University: Behavior Analysis; MA, Western Michigan University: Behavior Analysis; BS/BA, Western Michigan University: Behavioral Sciences/Spanish
Memberships: Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), American Psychological Association (APA)

Jameson Higgins serves the student body as a specialist in the financial aid department and has extensive background in non-profit management and organizational leadership.

For most of his career Jameson has been a minister serving with a handful of churches in Southwest Michigan. He is passionate about helping people learn, better themselves, and better their communities. During the pandemic, he worked for three years as a supervisor with Best Buy leading a team of dedicated advisors in connecting community members with the technology they needed to adapt to a more remote world. During that time he was in charge of onboarding, coaching, and target management.

Jameson holds a BS from Great Lakes Christian College with a dual major in Theology and Intercultural Communication. He has served on the leadership for several non-profit organizations for youth education and community outreach. During his time at Best Buy, Jameson won several awards for outstanding customer service and brand representation.

An avid storyteller and self-identified coffee snob, Jameson can most often be found around any table with a lot of laughter, good food, or a board game. He is reachable at (269) 927-6576 or jphiggins@lakemichigancollege.edu

Bachelor of Science, Nursing; Associate in Applied Science, Nursing

Bachelors of Art, Anderson University, Anderson, Indiana
Major - Computer Science
Minor - Mathematics

IT Professional:
14+ years in the Banking industry both managing and maintaining IT & staff
10 years consulting for small businesses in Southwest Michigan

Full Time Instructor - 5.5 years with Lake Michigan College, experience since 2009
Professional and Instructional background on both Networking & Application Development

Bachelor of Arts, Computer Science

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Education: Ph.D. Western Michigan Science Education M.S. Western Michigan Biological Sciences B.A. Albion College Biology

Contributions: Work with Western Michigan University Elementary Education program since 1991.

Book: Howse-Kurtz. 2013. Ecosystems Problem Solving with Computer Simulation.

Phd, Science Education; Master of Science, Biological Science, Bachelor of Arts, Biology

Membership: Association of Science Teacher Education

Education: Graduate of Southwestern Michigan College in Visual Arts and graduate of Lake Michigan College in Enology and Viticulture.

Kiya Hudson is the Welch Center Manager at Lake Michigan College and the Tasting room Manger with Lake Michigan Vintners. She has been in the industry for going on her 8th year and worked with White Pine Winery before her journey with Lake Michigan Vintner. One of her favorite things about working in this industry is being outdoors working with vines and also seeing people learn what the Lake Michigan Shore AVA has to offer.

Education: Doctorate of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner Valparaiso University Valparaiso, Indiana 2010-May, 2015 Masters in Nursing Education Valparaiso University Valparaiso, Indiana 2010-2013 Bachelors in Science of Nursing Indiana University South Bend South Bend, Indiana 2003-2004 Associates Degree in Nursing Southwestern Michigan College Dowagiac, Michigan 2001-2002 Practical Nurse Course U.S. Army of Health Science Ft. Sam-Houston, Texas 1996-1997 Certified Emergency Medical Technician U.S. Army of Health Science Ft. Sam-Houston, Texas 1992

Awards: Military awards, medals, and letters of recommendation- 4 Army Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medal. The Effects of Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Screening, Education, and Support on Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, Perceptions of Support, and Duration in Postpartum Women, Evidence Based Practice Poster Presentation Winner, Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Michigan State Conference, 2014

Memberships: American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American Nurses Association (ANA) Member, Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Member, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Alpha Chapter member.

Contributions: The Effects of Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Screening, Education, and Support on Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, Perceptions of Support, and Duration in Postpartum Women, Evidence Based Practice Project

Doctorate of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner; Master of Science Nursing-Nursing Education; Bachelor of Science, Nursing; Associate, Nursing

I joined the Marketing Team at Lake Michigan College in 1997. I love the diversity of projects, the fast paced nature of Lake Michigan College, and have always been proud knowing my designs can make a difference in someones life, and help shape their future. I am a foodie, an exercise nut, djembe drummer, fine arts painter and vinyl collector. Designing at the sweet spot of possibility and aesthetics to give life to our brand. I get juiced by morning yoga, meditation, being in nature, electronic music, coffee and spicy chips. Not necessarily in that order. I live by a few unbendable rules: follow your heart, trust your instincts and know yourself. After that, everything falls into place.

I’m a designer and this is my work.

Trustee

St. Joseph, Michigan
Term ends 12/31/2026

Debra is currently Assistant Vice President of Love & Respect and Chief Experience Officer at Spectrum Health Lakeland. Debra has been told by many that this new position was perfect for because her it is her “heart's work.” She has been employed by Lakeland for 27 years.

Debra has been a nurse 35 years; she completed her BSN at DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois. She then went on to complete an MBA at Indiana Wesleyan University. She has been responsible for developing and implementing multiple strategic plans, projects, programs, and regulatory certifications

Debra volunteers for several organizations in the community. She was elected to the Lake Michigan College Trustee Board and serves currently as the Board Chair. She also served as a Board member on the St. Joseph Public Schools Board after being appointed for 2004-2005. Debra has served as the Board Chair for the Niles Main Street and Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the former Niles Four Flags Chamber. She remains a member of the Greater Niles Chamber and Region IV Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Advisory Council. Debra also represented the AAA by serving on the Michigan Senior Advisory Council (MSAC) for 6 years, 2 years as the Chair of the committee and 3 years serving on the Senior Advisory Council (SAC). She traveled to Lansing monthly meeting with State Senators and Representatives on issues facing Michiganders and our local communities, i.e. education, jobs, care of senior citizens and health care.

Debra is completing her first term as a member of the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees. She is skilled in collaboration and teamwork and is passionate about education and serving the community. Debra is a hard worker and objective and has gained an understanding of the challenges that confronts us.

Debra Johnson is a resident of Berrien County and had lived in St. Joseph for the past 27 years.