Theresa Coleman-Kaiser
- Associate Vice President for Administration
- MBA, Business Administration, Marylhurst University
- BBA, Business Administration, University of Iowa
Biography
Theresa A. Coleman-Kaiser has served as Associate Vice President for Administration since 2015 after holding several administrative and operations positions at Michigan Tech since 1999. Coleman-Kaiser currently oversees the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum, the Office of Continuous Improvement, Campus Administration and Auxiliary Services, Office of Sustainability and Resilience, and the Business Support Center within Administration.
Prior to Michigan Tech, Coleman-Kaiser worked at Grinnell College, St. Norbert College, and the University of Oregon in auxiliary services and student union roles. Coleman-Kaiser is a Lean practitioner, a campus Lean facilitator. Coleman-Kaiser holds a Lean Bronze Certification and is a Black Belt Senior Lean Facilitator at Michigan Tech.
Senior Staff
Contact
- 906-487-2641
- Portage Lake Golf Course
Erik Crowley
- Executive Director of Auxiliary Business Services
- MBA - Business Administration, Michigan Technological University
- PGA Certified - PGA Player Development - Golf Operations
Biography
With a career rooted in hospitality and a passion for service excellence, I currently serve as the Executive Director of Auxiliary Business Services at MTU. In this role, I provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for a diverse portfolio of units, including Portage Lake Golf Course, Mont Ripley Ski Area, University Merchandising, and Transportation Services.
A PGA Member since 2013, my foundation in player development and event programming has evolved into a broader focus on delivering exceptional experiences through collaborative leadership, operational efficiency, and customer-centric strategies.
A 2022 graduate of Michigan Tech’s MBA program and currently pursuing a Doctorate of Business Administration at the University of Maryland, my academic and professional journey reflects a commitment to continuous improvement, effective stakeholder engagement, and the pursuit of innovative solutions that enhance the student, guest, and employee experience.
While my roots are in golf, my passion lies in building high-performing teams, improving operational systems, and creating welcoming environments that support learning, recreation, and community.
Contact
- rmgariep@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3348
Rachelle Gariepy
- Director of Administration
- BS Political Science, Northern Michigan University
- Graduate Certificate, Program Evaluation, Michigan State University
Biography
Rachelle joined the Associate Vice President for Administration's office as the Director of Administration in October 2024. Prior to that, she served for nearly a decade in Michigan Tech’s academic units, providing financial and administrative support to the Department of Psychology and Human Factors (2015 - 2021) and the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology (2021 - 2024). Rachelle is a current graduate student in Michigan Tech’s College of Business and plans to graduate with a Master’s of Business Administration degree in 2026. She is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Honor Society that recognizes the academic achievement of students in business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Rachelle has also received Lean Green Belt certification and is dedicated to the continuous improvement of processes and workflow.
Matthew Weekley
- Executive Director of Residential Living
- MA College Student Personnel, Bowling Green State University
- BA Music, Baldwin Wallace College (University)
Biography
Matt is currently the Executive Director of Residential Living here at Michigan Tech, providing strategic educationally focused leadership to the multiple services comprising the Residential Living team (Housing, Residence Education, Dining Services, and Residential Facilities) as well as the Memorial Union. With a keen focus on student development and organizational leadership tactics, Matt looks for ways to optimize operational thinking to create a transformative experience that promotes growth and connection for students . He is a champion for maximizing agency in both individual and operational potential, turning vulnerabilities into possibilities in leading a 3,200 bed residential enterprise and ensuring fiduciary responsibility in the management of a 40 million dollar budget.
Matt joined the Michigan Tech family in March 2020, but has previously served in a variety of higher education leadership roles for over 20 years, primarily focused in Residence Life. Prior to joining the Husky team, Matt has provided educational leadership as an Assistant Dean of Students, Director of Residence Life, Title IX Coordinator, Senior Judicial Administrator and providing oversight over Student Life and Student Union programs. To Matt, home is an experience he helps people find for themselves and is the backbone of his practice. He has a passion for awakening the potential in others and cultivating welcoming environments that promote self confidence and worth.
Outside of work Matt spends time with his family, enjoys outdoors especially in the Fall, has a weakness for video games and loves a good pun.
Unit Leaders
Ruth Archer
- Director of Continuous Improvement
- PhD, Business Administration with a specialization in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Northcentral University
- MBA, St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas
- BS, Electrical Engineering, Michigan Technological University
Biography
Ruth Archer is the Director of Continuous Improvement at Michigan Technological University, where she manages the continuous improvement activities for the university. Archer is responsible for facilitating improvements that close the gap between current state and the university's strategic goals, fostering the continuous process of people development, and promoting collaborative partnerships and sharing Lean expertise in the state, the nation, and the global community. In addition, she teaches several courses on Lean principles, teamwork, and communication, and serves as the advisor for two student organizations--Leaders in Continuous Improvement and Silver Wings.
Archer holds a BS in Electrical Engineering, an MBA, and a PhD in Business Administration with a specialization in organizational psychology. She is the chairperson for the Americas Division of the Lean Higher Education Global Steering Committee, an examiner for Michigan Performance Excellence (MIPEx), and on the events committee for the Michigan Lean Consortium. Archer is certified in Lean Office and Service through the University of Michigan, Lean Production Systems through the University of Kentucky, and Change Management through Prosci.
Before working at Michigan Tech, Archer served in the United States Air Force, where she held multiple positions, including aircraft master technician and quality maintenance inspector, test equipment designer, aircraft electromagnetic signature collector, radar capability modeler, current and future radar engineer, executive officer, and AFROTC instructor.
Contact
- sdconnor@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1459
- Administration Building 100
Sean Connors
- General Manager of Transportation Services
Biography
Sean Connors is the General Manager of Transportation Services at Michigan Technological University. Sean currently oversees the areas of Husky Motors, campus shuttle services, parking, and permits. Prior to joining Michigan Tech, Sean worked for Lamers Bus Lines overseeing school bus operations for three school districts. In his free time, you can find him officiating youth sports or outside exploring our beautiful Copper Country.
Contact
- enfrahm@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2969
- Campus Store and Student Development Complex 145
Elka Frahm
- General Manager
Biography
Elka Frahm serves as the general manager, overseeing the Campus Store and University Images. She has worked in merchandising at Michigan Tech since 2013, first as office assistant at University Images, then as assistant merchandising manager.
Prior to joining Michigan Tech, Elka worked for three years at Sherwin-Williams. Overall, she has more than 20 years of customer service experience and 12 years in higher education.
Elka earned her Collegiate Retailing Management Certificate from the National Association of College Stores in 2018.
John Jaszczak
- Professor of Physics
- Director and John and Phyllis Seaman Endowed Curator, A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum
- Affiliated Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- PhD, Physics, Ohio State University
- MS, Physics, Ohio State University
- BS (Highest Honors), Physics, Case Western Reserve University
Research Description
Professor Jaszczak's research interests include theory and computational modeling of materials' properties and the physics of single-electron transistor devices. His work also includes studies of the mineralogy of natural graphite; topographic mineralogy, including minerals from the tanzanite gem mines of northern Tanzania; nanotechnology education; and assessment in STEM education.
Contact
- cmmaxson@mtu.edu
- (906) 487-2340
- Mont Ripley Ski Area
Christopher Maxson
- General Manager of Mont Ripley
Biography
Chris Maxson serves as the General Manager of Mont Ripley, where he oversees all aspects of creating exceptional outdoor experiences, including managing the mountain's winter identity as "The Ski Hill." With a passion for skiing and a strong background in safety and recreational management, Chris is dedicated to providing guests with an unforgettable experience both on and off the slopes.
Alan Turnquist
- Director of Sustainability and Resilience
- JD (Cum Laude), University of Wisconsin-Madison
- MS, Agriculture and Applied Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- BA, Latin American Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Biography
Alan has a background in natural resource economics and law. He has worked to promote sustainability in higher education since 2007. His role as the first full time sustainability officer at Michigan Tech is to help create and pursue a vision for sustainability and resilience efforts across the university. In his free time, you can find him exploring outside with his family.