LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Thursday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced appointments to several State boards and commissions. The president of an Upper Peninsula community college was named among the appointees.
Whitmer appointed Bay College President Dr. Nerita Hughes to the Michigan Workforce Development Board. An Escanaba resident, Hughes also serves as the president of JG Consulting. She previously held the title of interim associate vice president of academic affairs and workforce innovation at North Hennepin Community College in Minnesota. Prior to that, she worked as the organizational effectiveness and development manager for Ramsey County, Minnesota, where she also served as workforce innovation and opportunity manager.
Dr. Hughes earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from National American University. She earned both a Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Education from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
The Michigan Workforce Development Board is responsible for the development and continuous improvement of the workforce development system in Michigan. The Board will act as an advisory body and will assist the Governor with the development, implementation, and modification of Michigan’s four-year state plan pursuant to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and advance the Governor’s 60 by 30 goal, which aims to help 60% of the workforce achieve a post-secondary degree or certification by 2030. Hughes will represent presidents of community colleges from July 10, 2025, to May 29, 2028. She succeeds Russ Kavalhuna, who has resigned.
A press release from Bay College states that Dr. Hughes’ appointment reflects the Governor’s commitment to building a stronger Michigan workforce that helps shape the state’s economic and educational future. Bay is proud of her leadership and confident that she will make a meaningful contribution to Michigan’s workforce development strategy.
