John Lutchko, a Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) alumnus and a long-time part of the college’s marine technology and freshwater studies programs, has been named the new director of NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute (GLWSI). Lutchko had been serving as interim director of that department since July, when former program head Hans VanSumeren left the position after 16 years.

According to an NMC press release, Lutchko was selected for the director job “following a national search.” He will be entrusted with leading the program “at a critical juncture” that includes NMC’s involvement in the creation of Traverse City’s Freshwater Research & Innovation Center. VanSumeren was one of the key visionaries behind that project, which NMC is a partner in alongside Traverse Connect, 20Fathoms, Discovery Center and Pier, and Michigan Technological University. Lutchko steps into his leadership role just as the project moves toward a planned 2025 groundbreaking.

Beyond the innovation center project, GLWSI is a key NMC asset that houses the college’s one-of-a-kind bachelor of science degree in marine technology, its water quality and environmental technology associate degree, and more. VanSumeren was the program’s first executive director. Going forward, Lutcho will be tasked with driving enrollment growth within GLWSI’s academic pathways and “prioritizing workforce training and grant opportunities with the Marine Center, the noncredit, professional development arm of NMC’s water education repertoire,” along with his role in the innovation center.

Per NMC’s press release, Lutchko “has been part of the NMC community for almost 15 years.” He graduated from the college’s freshwater studies program in 2013, then went to work with ROVs as the GLWSI lab coordinator and manager. That job involved co-teaching responsibilities for numerous “key technical classes” within the marine technology program. More recently, Lutchko was promoted to GLWSI programs manager.

NMC credits Lutcko with helping expand and evolve the marine technology curriculum “as its focus broadened from ROVs to include hydrographic surveying, remote sensing, and data analysis, resulting in outstanding job placement rates.”

“I am thrilled to lead the next chapter of the GLWSI and to build upon our strong foundation,” Lutchko said in the press release. “I'm fortunate to work alongside such a fantastic team at NMC and in the broader community as we aim to elevate the Institute to new heights.”