Each year CFRES says a fond farewell to faculty and staff departing for the next season of their lives, welcomes those whose time with the College has just begun, and congratulates those advancing their careers within our ever-growing forest.
New Staff
Sierra Williams
The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science welcomed alumna Sierra Williams as outreach coordinator in February 2025. She stepped into her new position at Michigan Tech, eager to pass on her love for the natural world, dedication to education, and Husky Spirit to current and prospective students.
Williams earned her undergraduate degree in applied ecology and environmental science in 2022 and her accelerated master's in geographic information science in 2023.
"I enjoyed my education so much, and I think I may be a little overly passionate about that," said Williams. "This position is the best combination of all that I have previously done and enjoyed. I'm excited to be able to help other students find a home here for their college experience."
In her role with the College, Williams works with youth and prospective students to help them explore the field of natural resources and learn about natural resources careers. She attends recruiting events and hosts tours for interested prospective or accepted students and their families. Williams said her role is all about making connections and helping Huskies feel at home. Students seeking guidance, recommendations, or just someone to talk to about all the things college students think about are welcome to reach out to her.
Matt Jennings
Former Michigan Tech volleyball coach Matt Jennings stepped into a new role at Tech this year. Jennings is now a director of charitable giving in the Office of Advancement, serving the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science.
Faculty Achievements
The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science would like to congratulate faculty members who have advanced in their careers in the past year. Jared Wolfe and Tara Bal were promoted to associate professor with tenure. Steve Voelker and Julia Burton were both awarded tenure. The College commends these and all faculty members for their continued professional growth.
Retirements
Phyllis Williamson
Phyllis Williamson retired from CFRES's staff team in June 2025 after 30 years of service at Michigan Tech. She joined CFRES in 2012 as the director of administration and worked with three CFRES deans: Terry Sharik, Andrew Storer, and David Flaspohler.
Williamson's career as a Husky started in 1994 in the University's Cashier's Office and Accounts Payable. In 1998, she was hired by late College of Business Dean Gene Klippel and worked her way up to the role of financial manager. She worked with the three deans in the College of Business as well: Keith Lantz, Christa Walck, and Darrell Radson.
"I'm going to miss working at Tech," said Williamson. "I've learned so much during my 30 years at MTU, and I owe it to all the people I've encountered throughout the years."
She and her husband Ron live in Lake Linden and have three children and seven grandchildren.
Andrew Burton
Andrew Burton will retire from CFRES at the end of the 2025-26 school year. He joined Michigan Tech in 1994 as a research scientist working on his PhD. As a graduate of Ironwood High School and an Upper Peninsula native, he was glad to move back to Houghton.
Burton completed his PhD in 1997 and was promoted to research assistant professor in 2001 and associate research professor in 2005. He joined the College's tenure-track faculty in 2008 as an associate professor of forest ecology and achieved tenure in 2012.
Additionally, he served as director of Michigan Tech's Ecosystem Science Center from 2008 to 2021, director of the Ford Center and Forest from 2012 to 2015, director of the Microanalytical Shared Facility from 2018 to 2025, CFRES associate dean from 2018 to 2022, and CFRES associate dean for research from 2022 to 2025.
"I hope my research has some impact," said Burton, "but it can't possibly come close to what the two thousand students I have taught will do. It was a pleasure to see them initially grasp concepts of forest ecology and very rewarding to later learn about their careers and accomplishments."
Over the past 30 years, Burton taught 12 CFRES courses and was a finalist for Tech's distinguished teaching award in the professor/ associate professor category five times. He received the Provost's Award for Sustained Teaching Excellence in 2023.
He was the primary investigator on $18.6 million in research awards and co-primary investigator on awards worth another $7.4 million. He has advised nine PhD students and nine master's students. His publications include 85 peer-reviewed journal papers, which have been well-received with 13,700 citations to date. These combined teaching and research efforts culminated in Burton being named a distinguished professor in 2022.
"The highlight of my time in CFRES was meeting my wife Trish, whose enduring support during long hours of grading papers, proposal preparation, and field research made my career possible and enjoyable," said Burton. "I thank her above all others who have helped me along the way."
Michigan Technological University is an R1 public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan's flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
