“Rising Stars” is a regular feature in Reflections. It profiles Siena Heights alumni who have graduated within the past 10 years and who excel in their careers, occupations or community service accomplishments. To be considered for “Rising Stars” in an upcoming issue of Reflections, fill out the online form at www.sienaheights.edu/risingstars. Those who are selected to be included in an upcoming issue of the magazine will be contacted by the Reflections staff.

Heather Goupil

Graduation year (from SHU): 2013, Lansing.

Current title/position: Purchasing Specialist, Capital Area District Libraries, Lansing, Mich.

What Heather is doing: After graduating, she took on a new role as purchasing specialist for the Capital Area District Libraries. She is the public purchasing agent for CADL, a public library district of 13 branches serving Ingham County, Mich. She facilitates the purchase of supplies and equipment, manages contracts, solicits bids and evaluates vendors and suppliers among many other tasks related to public procurement. She has worked in public libraries for 14 years, and her goal is to eventually become a librarian. Immediately after graduation from Siena, she entered the MLIS program at Wayne State University and was awarded a master’s degree in Library and Information Science in 2016..

My favorite moment/story while a student at Siena Heights was: I received so much support from my instructors whenever I mentioned my goal of becoming a librarian. Many shared stories about the importance of the field or the personal impact libraries had on their lives, and this feedback really encouraged me to move right into the master’s program and see it through!.

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Editor’s Note: This is an occasional Reflections series, and this issue features Siena Heights graduate Todd Marsee ’94, who was selected as the Artist in Residence by Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. In fall 2017, Marsee spent three weeks in the Upper Peninsula park capturing the beauty of the picturesque rock formations in watercolor paintings. Reflections recently sat down with Todd to reflect on his experience and career.

Explain the process of applying for this opportunity and how it came about.

“My coworker sent me an email she received from the DNR looking for applicants to the Porcupine Mountain State Park Artist in Residence (AIR). I looked into it but it was too rustic for me, as the cabin they offered artists had no running water or electricity. My process involves a fair amount of water, so I thought I’d look into other Michigan AIR programs. I was in luck, both Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore had programs. However, since the source of my inspiration is from Pictured Rocks, I applied to this program. They offered more flexibility in lodging options which appealed to me. Applications are due end of the year and notifications are sent out in April. Applications consist of digital samples of your body of work, a CV and a letter of purpose. These are juried by park staff and sometimes a local artist. Accepted artists are to donate one piece of their work from the residency, and also give at least one interpretive program that advances the park’s mission. In my case, I invited park rangers to the cabin to choose from several paintings. I gave demonstrations on my process at Miners Castle Information Center on National Parks Day.”

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