Search for a member of the faculty or staff

Barbara oversees the endowed scholarship program and enjoys serving our network of generous donors, and all those who want to help LMC students succeed. As Executive Director, Community Impact and Resource Development she is interested in collecting and telling the stories of the many Lake Michigan College Alumni. Barbara's passion at the College is two-fold: 1) to ensure that students, especially first-generation students like her, have the best chance of success at Lake Michigan College and beyond and 2) that the College is always a part of the solution for initiatives that bring a positive impact to our communities and economy.

She received a Bachelor's Degree in Modern Languages from Queen Mary University London and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Community College Leadership at Ferris State University.

Please call me Rhi. I graduated from Michigan State University and obtained my Master’s of Social Work from the University of Michigan. I have been practicing mental health for 19 years. I live in the area with my tween daughters, husband, and a pug dog. I enjoy spending time in or near the water and enjoy the moment of a beautiful sunset.
I am passionate about working with students who are dealing with various life issues. I want to create a safe and inclusive environment. I use various modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and use a person centered approach. I think it’s best to tailor each therapy session to the individual student to address their specific needs. I have experience with depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicide, personality disorders, life transitions, interpersonal problems, self-esteem, gender identity issues, LGBTQ+, trauma, life stressors, academic or work related stress, substance use, time management, disabilities, grief and loss, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
I view therapy as a way to gain insight with learning cognitive and behavioral skills to help live the best version of your life. Therapy allows a safe and confidential place to process stressors and allow self-growth. Therapy helps with your life narrative to makes sense of the past while writing the story of a different future.
I feel strongly about assisting and advocating for students with disabilities to help ensure they receive equal and equitable accommodations.

Master of Science, Engineering

Chair

Niles, Michigan
Term ends 12/31/2024

Jeff Curry is a veteran of both the finance and transportation industries with more than 35 years of experience.

A business consultant at JD Curry LLC, Jeff was previously the owner-operator of Premium Transportation Logistics, which provides ground transportation and logistics services to the entire North American market. He was President of Express-1, a top-100 motor carrier, and helped guide both businesses to their eventual acquisitions. Express-1 sold to XPO Logistics in 2011, one of the largest transportation companies in the world. PTL was sold to Toledo-based Bolt Express in 2020. Jeff has also served as a past vice president at both United Federal Credit Union and Shoreline Bank.

Originally from St. Joseph, Jeff has a long history with Lake Michigan College. During his tenure at Express-1, the company partnered with LMC to offer critical training to its employees and evaluated potential applicants through assessment testing at the college. Express-1 helped LMC develop its logistics curriculum, and LMC served as a fiduciary for training grant funds Express-1 received during its formative high-growth years.

He is a past President of the Lake Michigan College Foundation and was first appointed to LMC’s Board of Trustees in 2016. Jeff’s wife, Diane, is an LMC graduate and previous recipient of the college’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Both of their daughters, Jenny and Megan, are also LMC alumni.

In addition to his time on LMC’s Board of Trustees and the Foundation, Jeff is a past president of the Niles Board of Education and Buchanan Lion’s Club. He’s also a member of the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation and the Buchanan Promise committee, and a regularly featured guest on the Michigan PBS television program, “Economic Outlook.”

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science Business Administration in Economics from Kalamazoo College. He is a resident of Berrien County and lives in Buchanan.

Bachelor of Science, Nursing-BSN Completion; Associate in Applied Science, Nursing

Amanda Dail is the Lead Generalist at Lake Michigan College - Bertrand Crossing Campus in Niles, MI. She is the point of contact for students and prospective students coming to Bertrand Crossing, helping to register them for classes, give financial aid counseling, and help them navigate any college needs that may arise. Amanda is the Work Study supervisor for Bertrand Crossing. She helps members of the community by being the liaison and coordinator for events being held at the Bertrand Crossing Campus.

Amanda started at Lake Michigan College in 2003 and has worked as a Generalist, Admissions Specialist, and Financial Aid Specialist at Lake Michigan College - Napier Campus before taking some time off and returning as Lead Generalist for the Bertrand Crossing Campus.

Amanda received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from North Central College in Naperville, IL.

Chad Dee is originally from the Southwest Michigan area and then relocated to South Bend, Indiana in the early 90s. Although still located in South Bend, Chad returned to work in Southwest Michigan in November of 2008 in a variety of roles with the MTEC of Lake Michigan College. Currently, as the Director of the Hanson Technology Center, Chad oversees events that take place in the technology center as well as the Fab Lab.

Bachelor of Arts, History/Economics; Master of Arts (In Progress), Applied Economics

Bachelor of Science, Math Ed

Master of Science, Statistics; Bachelor of Arts, Math

Casey Dornhecker is a Student Success Mentor in the Student Success Mentoring Program at Lake Michigan College. She has a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from the University of South Carolina and Masters of Art in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Western Michigan University.