NMU alumna Raven Mitchell ('18 BS) is featured in a magazine cover story that highlights individuals who have “devoted their lives to better understanding the physical world so the rest of us might learn how to protect it.” In conjunction with her master's thesis project, Mitchell is working with NMU alumnus Frederick “Fritz” Nelson ('73 BS) to monitor the changing thickness of permafrost in Arctic regions. Permafrost thaw can release global warming gases and wreak havoc on infrastructure and natural landscapes.
At Northern, Mitchell was an earth science major and the Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences Department selected her as its outstanding graduating senior. She assisted with research at the Huron Mountain Club and interned with the Marquette County Conservation District. Funded by a USDA grant, Mitchell also studied ways to increase conservation of the Kirtland's warbler through sustainable forestry in jack pine stands. She presented this research at the annual meeting of the American Association of Geographers in New Orleans shortly before commencement.
Mitchell was also a member of the Gamma Theta Upsilon International Geographical Honor Society and the NMU women's varsity soccer team. She continued on to graduate school at Michigan State University and is working on her master's thesis.
Read the ing Magazine cover story on Mitchell here.