Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) has shared the names of the six candidates who will be vying for an open spot on its board of trustees. That seat was vacated by Vice Chair Rachel Johnson, who resigned last month citing personal reasons. Johnson, who had been an NMC trustee since November 2016, was most recently re-elected to the board in 2022; her term was set to last until December 31, 2026.

Johnson’s departure prompted NMC to put out a call for applicants who would be interested in filling the vacant seat until the next general election in November. At that time, voters will choose a candidate to serve the remaining two years of Johnson’s term. Applicants were required to be registered voters in Grand Traverse County, and to be able to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the non-compensated trustee seat.

NMC announced via press release on Wednesday that it had received applications from six eligible candidates, including:

·        Jordan Ascione-Broad, Traverse City

·        Jamie Gallagher, Williamsburg

·        Pamela Horne, Interlochen

·        Mark Keely, Traverse City

·        Bill Marsh, Traverse City

·        Merek Roman, Traverse City

The NMC board of trustees is set to interview all six candidates at a special meeting scheduled for Monday, February 19 at 3pm, in rooms 106 and 107 of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center. After that meeting, the board will select and appoint one candidate to fill Johnson’s vacant seat.