Joanne Chalgren
Assistant Director of Admissions
Minnesota and California

Hometown: I was born and raised in Ishpeming, Mich, 20 minutes west of Marquette. Since my freshman year I have lived in Marquette. Recently I moved and now I reside in Minneapolis and enjoy working with students from all over Minnesota and California.

Personal/professional biography: I earned a bachelor of arts degree in speech communications from NMU in 1999 and a master of arts degree in educational counseling from NMU in 2005. I worked as a student in Registration and Scheduling for the majority of my undergraduate years and then moved to a full-time position in Financial Aid where I finally finished up my degree while working. Post-graduation found me job hunting and my "natural" choice was to stay with my NMU family.

Most memorable college experience: Sliding down Sugarloaf Mountain after a heavy snowfall on my backside (because there was no way to find the steps) and soon realizing that being a "Yooper" and being used to the cold doesn't automatically make you a good sport.

Favorite Marquette activity: Hiking Hogs Back or Sugarloaf mountains in the fall when the leaves have reached their peak. The climb is definitely worth the view. Breathtaking - both the scenery and the climb!

Best advice you received regarding college or would give someone else entering college: "I thought the purpose of education was to learn to think for yourself," John Keating (played by Robin Williams), Dead Poets Society.