Youth Programs Staff

Steve Patchin
Director of Youth Programs Outreach and Engagement
shpatchi@mtu.edu

2009 Summer Staff Photo



Back Row: Cole Klein, Jon LeValley (Inventory Coordinator),
Bob Evans (Transportation Coordinator), Steve Patchin, Cody Kangas
Front Row: Jackie Demerath (Summer Intern), Trisha Evans (Office Coordinator),
Sara Rutz, Kristi Isaacson

Staff Bios

Steve Patchin
Director of Youth Programs Outreach and Engagement
Steve received his Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati in 2007. He has also received a B.S. in Business Administration with a Minor in Finance, and a B.S. in Social Sciences with a Minor in Mathematics from Michigan Technological University. Steve is a former middle and high school teacher who spent 10 years in industry before entering the classroom. Before accepting the directorship, Steve had been working for Youth Programs during the summer for 6 years. His hobbies include coaching, boating, various outdoor sports, and most importantly, spending time with his wife, three children, and two dogs.

Cody Kangas
Coordinator, Youth Programs & GEAR UP
Cody received his BA in Sport Management from the School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan and joined the Youth Programs team in 2008. Prior to coming to Michigan Tech, he worked in several academic and athletic outreach programs, including Ann Arbor Public Schools and the United States Olympic Committee. Cody is a proud uncle of four, recently married, and spends his free time outdoors and playing the guitar.

Kristi Isaacson
Youth Programs Associate Coordinator
Kristi received her BS in Business Administration from Michigan Technological University and currently pursuing her MBA. She began working for Youth Programs in 2008. Before beginning her employment with Youth Programs, she worked in the administrative offices of a local PreK-8th grade school. Both Kristi and her husband grew up in the area and enjoy being able to raise their two small children here.

Sara Rutz
Residence Hall Coordinator
Sara received her BA in education from Alma College. She has worked in various capacities with Michigan Tech's Youth Programs since 1999, serving as Residential Hall Coordinator since 2001. During the school year she teaches at Houghton Elementary School. She also serves as the Director of Michigan Tech's Learn to Skate program.

Cole Klein
Residence Hall Coordinator
Cole received his BA in education from Northern Michigan University. He has worked in various capacities with Youth Programs since 2005,  serving as Residence Hall Coordinator since 2009. A school teacher during the academic year, Cole spent two years at Big Bay de Noc schools before joining the staff at Hancock Elementary school in 2009 as a third grade teacher and JV football coach. He and his wife Jess are proud parents of their baby girl, Norelle, and they enjoy spending time with family and friends.

Rose Martell
Youth Programs Administrative Aide
Rose received her BS in Education in English and Art from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She worked for 17 years in the banking and investment industry. Rose joined the Michigan Tech Youth Programs staff in 2001. She has 3 grown children and enjoys all wilderness activities, reading, and perennial gardening.

Deborah Maki
Youth Programs Secretary
Deb is a business graduate of Michigan Tech. She is the Supervisor and Assessor in Elm River Township in the Twin Lakes area. Deb comes to us from her previous career of over 25 years in banking. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Townships Association, attending meetings in Lansing. Deb enjoys golfing, reading, and relaxing on the pontoon boat with her husband, Cully, and her "baby with fur," named Copper.

Anne Aho
Student Coordinator
Anne is graduating from Michigan Tech in Spring 2010 with a B.S. in Social Science. She is a member of Michigan Tech's Pavlis Institute and two Michigan Tech music groups. Anne has been part of the staff since 2007, when she began as an office assistant. She enjoys travelling, ice cream, and playing piano.

Ashley Step
Student Coordinator
Ashley is a Senior studying Mechanical Engineering Technology at Michigan Tech and will continue her graduate study here to pursue an MBA. She has been part of the Youth Programs team since 2007, beginning as an Activity Counselor. Ashley decided on attending Michigan Tech after attending the Women in Engineering program. In her free time, she enjoys taking her two dogs to the park to swim.

Faith Lambert
Student Coordinator
Faith is a Junior, majoring in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Pre-Dentistry at Michigan Tech.. She also teaches swim lessons, and is the president of Inter-Residence Hall Council (IRHC). In her spare time, she enjoys coffee, frisbockey, and running.

Sara Stewart
Student Coordinator
Sara is a Senior, majoring in Service Systems Engineering at Michigan Tech.. She is originally from Muskegon, Michigan, and graduated in 2005 from Reeths-Puffer High School. She has four sisters, and likes to read, play outside, and watch movies.

Summer Staff

Each summer, Youth Programs hires approximately 80-100 summer employees to help us to provide a safe and enjoyable summer for all of our participants. Employees are primarily undergraduate and graduate students and teachers. Our summer staff is an enthusiastic group with a passion to impact the lives of each of our participants.

Stay tuned to "Meet our 2010 Summer Staff"!

2009 Summer Staff Photo

Back: Caleb*, Lauren*, Mack, Ben, Jonathon, Kavi, Darion, Trevor, Brian, Justin, Carly, Jacob, John, Dan, Zac, Adam, Steve, Travis*, Megan
Middle: Lukas, Oliver, Steve, Ali, Aldo, Patel, Nicole, Genny, Brittany, Angela, Amna, Emily, Teresa, Meghan, Jeni, Sarah, Samyuktha
Front: Stacey, Kaitlin, Vic, Haki, Liz, Kara, Jessica, Andrea, Kendra, Kim, Jamie, Helen, Karmen, Abby, Betty, Kristina, Laura, Zuri,
Anthony, Ashley* (* Head Counselors)

If you are interested in being part of our summer staff, please visit out Employment section.