Marty Achatz is a two-time U.P. Poet Laureate.  He has led in-person and virtual poetry workshops for over 15 years, including venues such as Peter White Public Library, Joy Center, and Northern Michigan University.  He is currently a Contingent Professor for NMU’s English Department and the Adult Programming Coordinator for Peter White Public Library.  He is the co-founder, with Ronnie Ferguson, of
the Great Lakes Poetry Festival, which will celebrate its 4th year this coming March, 2025.

Dr. Hsin-Ling Hsieh is a professor of economics at NMU.  She was born in Taiwan, formerly known as “Formosa,” meaning “Beautiful Island.”  Her hyphenated first name can be briefly translated as “Happy.”  Her last name means “Thank you.”  Therefore, she lets her students call her Professor Happy Thank-you.  If students would like to learn the way to pronounce her name in Chinese, she welcomes it – just note the silent H letters, take i and e in her last name as the vowel symbols /i/ and /e/, and then they can do it!

Dr. Hsieh earned her Ph.D. in economics from UCLA.  She is also the advisor to Economics Student Association and Falun Dafa Student Association at NMU.

Empowering women to find joy after pregnancy and infant loss with hope, support, and community.  MoxieMoms fosters inclusivity, understanding, and strength, ensuring no one walks this journey alone.  Together, we embrace healing and celebrate resilience.  MoxieMoms is dedicated to supporting mothers who have experienced the profound loss of a baby through stillbirth or miscarriage.  Our mission is to provide a compassionate and understanding community where mothers can share their stories, find solace in their shared experiences, and navigate their journey of grief and healing.  We aim to offer resources, support, and hope to every mother who has faced such a heartbreaking loss, fostering an environment of empathy and strength. Together, we celebrate the precious lives that touched ours so briefly and hold space for each other as we heal.  In this sanctuary, no mother walks alone; here, every tear is understood, and every heart finds a path toward peace and renewed hope.

After 12 years as a probate and real estate trial attorney, Erica set out to give her fellow Yoopers other trustworthy options for legal services.  She opened Taproot Law, PLLC, in 2023 to experiment with legal services and products that bridge the gap between the legal zooms of the world and traditional, full-service law to serve rural communities. By applying human-centered design to the law, Erica has created a practice that educates and advises people in a way they understand, meets their needs, and enables them to make informed decisions with confidence.

Erica is passionate about advocacy for people in rural communities, especially of lower socioeconomic groups.  Erica is curious about the world and the people around her.  She enjoys deep conversation, gardening, and creating.  Her favorite part of the day is an afternoon nap with her cat (Cider) and dog (Nyla).