This month, we’re excited to spotlight Roni Krimgold, Public Relations Representative with Public Affairs; Alanna Donahue, Project Manager at Michigan Creative; and Bernie DeGroat, News Director at Michigan News.

Roni Krimgold

Public Relations Representative

What hobby or interest outside of work are you most passionate about?
I absolutely love scuba diving. I tried it for the first time when I was 10 years old and I was hooked. Since then, I’ve dived all over the place with some highlights being Egypt, Thailand, and the Galapagos Islands. The underwater world is so incredibly peaceful and beautiful, it sometimes feels like you are on another planet!

If you could have one superpower what would it be and why?
Teleportation. I love traveling but absolutely hate flying.

What’s your favorite place to get lunch in Ann Arbor?
I love Miss Kim and Spiedo. Sweetgreen is also great for a quick lunch.

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
One of my all-time favorite books is “Everything is Illuminated” by Jonathan Safran Foer. It’s a beautifully written story that blends humor, history, and heart. I really love many genres of music but one of my favorite songs is “Samson” by Regina Spektor.

Coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning, herbal tea in the evening

Early Bird or Night Owl?
Early bird

Beach Vacation or Mountain Retreat
I love both but nothing beats the water, so beach!

Photo by Michigan Photography

Alanna Donahue

Project Manager

Describe a moment that made you proud of your work:
It is every year at Maize X Blue! It’s a year-round effort, and seeing it come to life is incredibly rewarding. I feel grateful to be a part of it because, through our committee, I’ve gotten to know so many marketers and communicators across the university. It has also given me the chance to work closely with other OVPC units in a truly meaningful way. Beyond the logistics, I really believe in the event. It is rare to have a day dedicated each year to connecting, learning from each other, and having fun experiences. I am so excited for this upcoming year; it is going to be a day and a half, and we have lots of new and exciting additions to the agenda! Save-the-dates are arriving in December!

What hobby or interest outside of work are you most passionate about?
I am a big pop culture girly. I started a movie club a few years ago (that is now mostly just my friends’ retired parents and me). I also love being social, hanging out with my friends, hosting gatherings, trying new restaurants, and traveling. Nothing relaxes me more than listening to a true crime podcast and baking. I do get outside too; I have hiked every preserve in Washtenaw County with my pup (West Lake Preserve is my favorite, check it out!). A newer hobby is Pickleball, the first sport I have ever been naturally good at (probably because I took tennis lessons for years and never developed a talent for that). 

What’s your favorite place to get lunch in Ann Arbor?
York, Ginger Deli, Monahan’s Seafood, and the brand new White Lotus Cafe!

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?

• Movie – Truffle Hunters (A must-watch! One of my favorites of all time).
• Book – “Crossroads” by Jonathan Franzen and “Carless People” by Sarah Wynn-Williams (both read in the last few months and really enjoyed).
• Song – Slow Hand by Conway Twitty (I have been on an old school country kick this year).

Coffee or tea?
Impossible choice! Tea during the week (I have a full drawer in my house, and my family’s nickname for me is Tea Freak). But I look forward to treating myself to a crazy-flavored latte on the weekend. This summer, I was big into Blueberry and Raspberry flavored lattes from Zingerman’s.

Early Bird or Night Owl?
Unfortunately, a night owl, no matter how hard I try. My brain turns on at 10 pm. 

Beach Vacation or Mountain Retreat
Beach, baby! I ask myself every day how I ended up in Michigan. I am a UV index 9 type of girl. 

Bernie DeGroat

News Director

Describe a moment that made you proud of your work:
When you’ve been at the university as long as I have, first as a student in the ’80s and then as an employee since 1990, there have been a lot of moments where I felt good about what I do: from fielding countless media calls after Unabomber and U-M alum Ted Kaczynski was arrested to placing an op-ed from a pair of Ross School professors in the New York Times at the onset of the 2008 financial crisis, from planning a national media conference on the topic of violence featuring three dozen U-M faculty experts to pitching hundreds of faculty research stories to reporters and editors over the years, including one that resulted in my personal record for most media hits—a story about the psychological impact the movie Jaws had on Americans 20 years after its screening.

But what I am most proud of is being part of a first-rate Michigan News team of communication and multimedia professionals who strive—and succeed—every day to share U-M research stories and faculty expertise with media from all over the world!

What hobby or interest outside of work are you most passionate about?
I’d like to say I am still as physically active in athletics as I was in my younger days, but my interest in sports has become more cerebral—and some might say downright geeky. Yes, I have “played” fantasy football in the same league with the same group of guys for 37 years. I know far too much about obscure NFL players than I have any right or need to!

What’s your favorite place to get lunch in Ann Arbor?
Although my co-workers would probably say that Panda Express is my go-to place, my favorite is Tomukun for Korean barbecue wings.

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
It’s not a movie, but one of my favorite TV shows is the German series “Dark” on Netflix. I’ve watched it three times! And I love most kinds of music, but you can’t go wrong with any song by alternative rock bands Blue October or O.A.R., even though most of the latter’s members went to Ohio State!

Coffee or tea?
Coke Zero

Early Bird or Night Owl?
Give me the night!

Beach Vacation or Mountain Retreat
Both. Can I say both? I just did Sint Maarten in the Caribbean in November and Banff in Canada in December.

This month, we’re excited to spotlight Chris Sebastian, Director of Strategic Communications at the University Record; Tameshja Brooks, Graphic Designer at Michigan Social; and Christopher Billick, Assistant Vice President for Digital Strategy and Michigan Commons.

Chris Sebastian

Director of Strategic Communications

What hobby or interest outside of work are you most passionate about?
Outside of work, I need to be outside. Fishing, kayaking, hunting, photographing, camping. The outdoors has always been my place to unplug and unwind. My family and I have explored most corners of Michigan (love the U.P.), and our favorite places outside the Mitten have been Utah, Alaska and upstate New York.

If you could have one superpower what would it be and why?
We live in Brighton, and the drive isn’t bad. But at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, I’d just love to be able to fly above the traffic.

What’s your favorite place to get lunch in Ann Arbor?
Need help on this one. I’ve worked in A2 for almost 5 months now and am always looking for something new and unique. Send me your suggestions!

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
I’m a history/non-fiction nerd. The Hamilton biography by Ron Chernow is a great read, and a good reminder that this country has been through a lot already and has emerged even stronger.

Coffee or tea?
Amateur hour. Give me Diet Dew in the morning.

Early Bird or Night Owl?
More night owl, unless I’m fishing or hunting….

Beach Vacation or Mountain Retreat
Mountains and trees are glorious. Beaches are too hot and full of sunblock.

Tameshja Brooks

Graphic Designer

Describe a moment that made you proud of your work:
One of my proudest moments was recently working on the baseball card concept for this year’s commencement. My work is all about showing our community that we see and hear them, and custom cards with their graduating class  “stats” brings home it wasn’t for just ANY graduation, but that card represents THEIR graduation. Finding ways to make the U-M experience feel more personal to each and every person who walks through our halls is a tough job, so it always brings me joy to be able to do so in fun and unique ways.

What’s an item on your bucket list?
Seeing the Northern Lights, which I actually may get to do this year in Iceland!

What’s your favorite place to get lunch in Ann Arbor?
Tomukun Noodle Bar. The pork buns and spicy seafood ramen is sooooo good!

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
I’m so torn! “Batman: A Serious House on Serious Earth” or “Spider-Man Life Story”. Both have beautiful artwork (The Batman one is very painterly, the Spider-Man one balances bright colors super well). They also, in my opinion, handle the characters very well, humanize them without detracting from their mythos, and do some of the best world building I’ve seen in my history of comics. Big plus: they’re new reader friendly and timeless classics.

Coffee or tea?
Tea! I love loose leaf tea that you can over-steep and pour over ice. My favorite is The Raspberry Balsamic Limeade blend they used to sell at Teavana.

Early Bird or Night Owl?
Night owl, painting at 2am with a good lo-fi playlist is one of my favorite pastimes.

Beach Vacation or Mountain Retreat
Beach vacation, I love relaxing and lounging in the sand. Also, beach sounds are right up there on my list under rain sounds.

Christopher Billick

Assistant Vice President for Digital Strategy and Michigan Commons

What hobby or interest outside of work are you most passionate about? How did you get started? What do you love most about it?
Photography. I started as a kid (with film) taking vacation photos. I learned to develop film and make B&W prints as a teen. Photography continues to be a source of joy and calm and I never travel without at least one camera. (Taking photos also puts me on the correct side of the camera. 🤣)

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
The ability to heal others.

What’s an item on the top of your bucket list?
Drive a track day at Fuji Speedway or Suzuka Circuit.

What’s your favorite place to get lunch in Ann Arbor?
Sweetgreen (order ahead in the app).

What’s a book, movie, or song you’d recommend to anyone?
My iTunes library says that I have played Somebody to Love by Queen quite a lot – hard to go wrong with Freddie. Also I never pass up an opportunity to recommend the Boom Boom Satellites.

Coffee or Tea?
Definitely tea.

Early bird or night owl?
Early bird.

Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
Beach. Bonus points for close proximity to mountains. 🏝️⛰️

This month, we’re excited to spotlight Edward Hamlin, Senior Videographer at Michigan Media; Talisha Reviere-Smith, Assistant Vice President for Strategy and Operations for the Vice President of Communications; and Pat Stansik, Vertical Video Content Specialist at Michigan Social.

Edward Hamlin

Senior Videographer

Describe a moment that made you proud of your work:
I loved working on the different human interest stories we did while working for 60 Minutes, working for CNN in the eighties covering the “Guardian Angels” in Detroit, working for MTV shooting the series “Cribs” was a lot of fun. I also loved seeing footage we shot for the University of Michigan PSA on National TV during Michigan football games. On a more personal note, I am always happy to hear from the young people who I’ve coached in soccer and baseball, and who were involved in scouting, share with me how they have become successful adults. That’s very satisfying.

What hobby or interest outside of work are you most passionate about?
I like boating and fishing on Lake Huron, I collect models of military tanks and aircraft, and I also love learning about the Great Lakes and their history. I spend a lot of time outdoors.

What’s your favorite place to get lunch in Ann Arbor?
Connor O’Neills Irish Pub

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
I like The Lord of the Rings series.

Coffee or tea?
Neither, I drink a lot of water.

Early Bird or Night Owl?
Night Owl

Beach Vacation or Mountain Retreat
Beach Vacation! I love the water.

Talisha Reviere-Smith

Assistant Vice President for Strategy and Operations for the Vice President of Communications

What hobby or interest outside of work are you most passionate about?
All things history! Anyone who knows me knows I’m a history connoisseur. My husband (a 2025 Michiganian of the Year) is the president and CEO of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum. His mission is to preserve the legacy of the WWII African American elite airmen who overcame barriers to help the United States and their allies win the war against Nazi Germany. Because of their bravery and sacrifices, African Americans have the opportunity to become pilots, mechanics, and air traffic controllers today. He has dedicated his life to teaching kids how to fly for free with the help of generous donations to the museum and government grants. I recently flew with him in the Memorial Day parade in a WWII warbird trainer aircraft (T6). All of that is to say, I spend many weekends volunteering at the museum to assist in those efforts.  

If you could have one superpower what would it be?
Time travel – I would like to travel to the times and places and meet the people who made an impact on history, more specifically, the Tudor period in England.

What’s your favorite place to get lunch in Ann Arbor?
Taste of India

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
Dare to Lead book by Brene Brown
It is a game changer. Her nonsense approach to leadership makes it accessible to leaders at any stage in their career.

Coffee or tea?
Both (Coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon)

Early Bird or Night Owl?
Early bird definitely – I’m usually work before 7am (yes that means I wake up at 4am)

Beach Vacation or Mountain Retreat
Beach or anywhere near water

Pat Stansik

Vertical Video Content Specialist

Describe a moment that made you proud of your work:

It’s hard to pick just one piece of content that I’m most proud of, so here are a few of my favorite videos that I’ve been able to create/contribute to:

Jurassic Campus

Mr. Brightside Shazam

We’re Wolverines

Women’s Hockey Miracle Speech

Early Admissions Reactions

Michigan and Michigan State Siblings (filmed and edited by Connor Titsworth)

Victor the Frisbee Dog Return Announcement (filmed and edited by Nolan Bona)

U of M Twins (collaboration with the University of Miami’s social media team)

What hobby or interest outside of work are you most passionate about?
I’m completely obsessed with golf. It requires a lot of practice to not be terrible, but I love the challenge.

What’s your favorite place to get lunch in Ann Arbor?
Kang’s Korean Restaurant! I order the same dish every time (chicken bibimbap). I went there multiple times a week for lunch when I was a student at Michigan and I still love going.

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
I’d highly recommend that everyone reads “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins at some point during their lifetime.

Coffee or tea?
I don’t think I’d be able to function without black cold brew coffee.

Early Bird or Night Owl?
Early bird! I love to start my day with a morning workout or run.

Beach Vacation or Mountain Retreat
Beach vacation and it isn’t even close.

Welcome to Comm-UNITY!

This month, we’re excited to spotlight Shannon Hill, Chief FOIA Officer; Patrick Durant, Social Content Manager at Michigan Social; and Emily Deedler, Director of Strategy at Michigan Creative.

Shannon Hill

Chief FOIA Officer

Describe a moment that made you proud of your work:
 I was doing a presentation about FOIA and answering questions with staff at Public Policy. They had invited me to discuss FOIA with all of the staff administrators over there, and I had already met with all of the faculty members there.

So the person who organized it was familiar with me, but after this event in particular, she pulled me aside and said, you are just so good at this. You are you. The way you talk is great. The information is so well explained, you’re just so good. And that. Startled me and kind of made me emotional because I’ve never considered myself a good communicator and, um, I always worry that I’m not getting the point across or that it’s not interesting to the other people.

So that was really nice to hear. 

What hobby or interest outside of work are you most passionate about?
My biggest, longest-running interest is actually poetry. Well, reading poetry. I would not qualify myself as a writer of poetry, but I have written poetry, and I love to edit poetry. This all started in high school, when a friend of mine introduced me to TS Eliot, and that was just different enough from whatever we were learning. Since then, I’ve just sought out and read everything from international poetry to contemporary poetry, slam poetry, the list goes on and on.

It’s not something you have to be obsessed with to really get the benefit of. You can pick it up for thirty seconds and have it stay with you for the entire day. I think it’s one of the only mediums that I’ve found that can both destroy you and lift you up at the exact same moment. And also you can discover new meanings and new applications to your own life in the same poem.

What’s your favorite place to get lunch in Ann Arbor?
Food is probably my favorite thing in life! My favorite place is not in Ann Arbor, it’s in Ypsilanti. The Bellflower lunch counter. It’s the best! Another place I always try to find a reason to visit is HOMES Brew Pub!

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
Any chance I get, I recommend that people track down the movie The Fall. It has Lee Pace in it. It has gorgeous cinematography, the storyline is relatively unique, and the acting is great. It’s fun, funny, exciting, suspenseful. There’s action, there’s drama, there’s some sadness. It has it all!

Coffee or tea?
 Unequivocally coffee

Early Bird or Night Owl?
Early Bird!  I love the morning!

Beach Vacation or Mountain Retreat
 I have to have a hybrid,  I would love for there to be small mountains on an island. I got to experience that for the first time in my life in the  Philippines, and I don’t think there’s any going back from that.

Pat Durant

Social Content Manager

Describe a moment that made you proud of your work:
I was really proud of our entire team’s effort in creating content heading into the 2024 Election as we placed significant emphasis on the process for, and importance of, actively participating in the democratic process. This included promoting the on-campus voting hubs, early voting in Michigan, vital information for students voting on Election Day, and more!

What’s an item at the top of your bucket list?
I would love to visit every continent at least once. Outside of North America, I’ve checked off Europe, Asia, and Africa. Three to go!

What’s your favorite place to get lunch in Ann Arbor?
There’s nothing better than a slice at Joe’s!

Coffee or tea?
Black coffee!

Early Bird or Night Owl?
Night Owl!

Beach Vacation or Mountain Retreat
I don’t do heights. So I’ll take the beach vacation!

Emily Deedler

Director of Strategy

What hobby or interest outside of work are you most passionate about?
Outside of work, my husband and I run a fund that’s sponsored or run out of the CS Mott Children’s Hospital. It’s named after my son. It’s called the Elliott Deedler ECMO Scholar Fund.

When he was a little boy, my son was critically ill at Mott and his life was saved by this ECMO technology. It’s a lifesaving system that was pioneered at U-M like 30 years ago, and now they use it all around the world. It’s basically like a heart lung bypass machine. We got approached by Mott to get involved. So we have a fund named after Elliott to kind of honor the experience that he had when he was a little boy.

 He’s 14 now, and just last month or the month before, we went over there and met the doctor who runs the program and he gave us a tour of everything and invited my son to come shadow him when he’s in high school or college. It was so nice, this full circle moment where he went from patient to now meeting the doctor who runs it. 

What’s an item at the top of your bucket list?
 I would like to get something I’ve written published. I write mostly essays in my spare time for fun, and I’ve submitted short stories and essays.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
 I would like to have the ability to talk to my dog, because I wanna know what he’s thinking and saying! He is actually right by my feet right now. His name is Yoshi, like from Mario Kart. I just want to know what’s on his mind!

What’s your favorite place to get lunch in Ann Arbor?
Monahan’s Seafood!

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
 I’m gonna go with book and TV show, “Normal People” by Sally Rooney.

Coffee or tea?
 Definitely tea!

Early Bird or Night Owl?
Definitely night owl!

Beach Vacation or Mountain Retreat
Beach!

Welcome to Comm-UNITY!

This month, we’re excited to spotlight Jarrett Begick, Director of Michigan Media; Genevieve Monsma, Staff Writer for The University Record; and Hans Anderson, Social Media and News Graphics Specialist at Michigan News.

Jarrett Begick

Director, Michigan Media

Describe a moment that made you proud of your work:
It might be more fun to show you — here are a few of the things I’ve been proud to produce during my time here:

“Look to Michigan” 2025 PSAs 

This is Michigan: Providing Shelter and Support 

Up North Impact | University of Michigan 

This is Michigan | Shaping a Better Future (PSA) 

“Tobacco and Nicotine” Course Trailer | Michigan Online 

It may sound trite, but I believe in the power of higher ed institutions, I believe in U-M, and I feel privileged to work with people on campus and beyond to help tell its story.

What hobby or interest outside of work are you most passionate about?
Adventures with our 5-year-old take up most of my and my wife’s free time. Last weekend we pet a bearded dragon and went looking for a peregrine falcon. 

I also enjoy photography, gardening, journaling, cooking, listening to audiobooks (history, sociology, spirituality, nature), and getting VERY invested in hobbies that I don’t have time for. Shoutout to the sushi prep kit, welding supplies, and five-string banjo gathering dust in my basement.

In general, I have a strong desire to learn, create, grow, explore, and connect with people (and likely with their pets).

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
Santa Claus power. Thoughtful gifts on hand, endless cookies, free air travel? Where do I apply?

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
Song: Baz Luhrmann’s “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)”

Coffee or tea?
Yes.

Early bird or night owl?
Night owl. I’m at school drop-off every morning in person, but in spirit I am snoring.

Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
Whichever has lodging with a breakfast buffet.

Genevieve Monsma

Staff Writer, The University Record

Describe a moment that made you proud of your work:
Elizabeth Taylor once emailed me saying she really enjoyed the questions I’d asked during an interview for More magazine. I was flattered that she took the time to do that. Of course, she also asked if I could hook her up with a free subscription.

What’s your top lunch spot near campus or downtown?
It’s not close to the office, but I like York on Packard. It’s a neighborhood spot, and I always run into friends there. It’s also a nice place to grab a glass of wine — on a warm night, you can sit outside on the patio under string lights.

Closer to Ruthven, I like Spiedo, Taste Kitchen, and Spencer — but default most days to Sweetgreen.

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
Two books I’ve loved recently: “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver and “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin.

Coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon. But nothing after 3 p.m. or I’m up all night.

Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
I love both. But my favorite is a city getaway — Paris, Madrid, Tokyo, NYC

Hans Anderson

Social Media and News Graphics Specialist, Michigan News

Describe a moment that made you proud of your work:
I really liked this project that we did where a University of Michigan team had designed a model that recreated the impact area of the Chicxulub impact tsunami, which had never been done. I created a 3D model of an asteroid, and spent a lot of time animating the maps that were used to represent the impact. National Geographic actually ended up using the animation that I made for that video in a stage presentation afterwards.

This was one of our most viewed videos. It had over one hundred thousand of views on YouTube and countless comments on Reddit. I really liked that story because it showed kind of the value of pure science, and my job is to try to make that relatable and understandable. That worked here because of the way we used imagery, animation, and CG modeling to bring the story to life.

What hobby are you most passionate about outside of work?
I do a lot of volunteer work with White Lotus Farm. I think I see half of the people at the University of Michigan on Saturday morning at the farmer’s market. I was out on the farm this morning, forking beds to prep them for tomatoes. When I’m not doing that, I’m drawing chalkboards at the markets and talking to customers. I believe this is really important. I have a kid who just graduated from University of Michigan and I raised him this way as well. I believe that if you have a good livelihood, you’re obligated to do some service in your life and do it for something that’s benefiting your community and the people around you.

What’s your top lunch spot near campus or downtown?
Spiedo!

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
I’d recommend Roald Dahll’s short story “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar“

Coffee or tea?
Coffee

Early bird or night owl?
Both. I get at 5am and I’m up until 11pm

Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
I literally just came back from a silent month-long mountain retreat

Welcome to Comm-UNITY!

This month, we’re excited to spotlight Fernanda Pires, Lead Public Relations Representative at Michigan News; Tracy Justice, Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Communications; and Michelle Yang, Project Manager at Michigan Creative.

Fernanda Pires

Lead Public Relations Representative, Michigan News

Describe a moment that made you proud of your work:
Choosing just one moment is tricky because my nearly 12-year journey at U-M has been filled with great stories, challenges and personal growth. However, some standout moments include the international projects I participated in: discovering the story, pre-producing it, traveling, conducting fieldwork, writing and pitching! Memorable experiences include accompanying our dentistry students in Meru, Kenya; the ROTC U-M members in Normandy, France; and more recently, seeing future engineers doing inspiring work in the Amazon and the Pantanal in Brazil. Beyond the feature stories I have written, interacting with locals and witnessing our Wolverines’ professional and personal development brings me pride and fulfillment. I also feel proud and joyful after each media training session, where I see our scholars leaving the program happier and more confident in sharing their expertise with the world.

What hobby are you most passionate about outside of work?
I have two main passions: riding my motorcycle and watching sunsets by the water. I began riding a Vespa when I was 18, during my first year of college. It all started because it was the most cost-effective means of transportation—cheaper and faster. It quickly turned into one of my greatest joys. I love the wind on my face, the feeling of freedom and the peace it brings me. And, of course, I cherish watching the sunset at the beach or by large lakes. I have loved this since I was a kid during my summer trips with my family back home! When the sun “touches” the water, it gives me the feeling that life is worth living!

What’s your top lunch spot near campus or downtown?
It’s kind of new, and lunch is less expensive than dinner. I recommend The Dixboro Project. The food is delicious, the ambiance is excellent and the restaurant features large windows surrounded by nature!

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
I’m always drawn to stories that pull me in deeply, making me forget the real world for a while! Two book series have done that for me. The Ramses series is a blend of historical fiction and mythology that vividly brings ancient Egypt to life. The books are filled with power, politics, and unforgettable characters. I wish I had lived in those days!  

The Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante explore friendship in all its messy and beautiful complexity. Sometimes, the characters are divided by jealousy, distance or time, but their bond remains unshakable. It’s the kind of story that feels raw and real — one you carry!

Coffee or tea?
Coffee

Early bird or night owl?
Night Owl

Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
Beach 100%

Tracy Justice

Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Communications

What hobby are you most passionate about outside of work?
 I think it’s taking pictures of my family and my scrapbook! That’s what I like to do the most. I’ve actually scrapbooked since I was in high school, and now it’s much more professional.  I go on weekends with my friends, and we sit for hours and hours at a house and scrapbook, craft, and talk. I love it!

 I’ve collected stuff over the years for my kids or my husband. He was in the fire department in our town,  and I collected news and stories of big fires or if his picture happened to be in the paper.  And now I just keep finding more and more things at home in my scrapbook. Like it’s never ending.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
 I want to be super fast to give myself more time. There just never seems to be enough time. When I’m scrapbooking or doing things at home, it’s like, “I’ve just got to do one more thing,” and before you know it, it’s midnight and I’ve got to go to bed. 

What’s your top lunch spot near campus or downtown?
 It used to be Hop Cat, but they don’t have the salad that I always used to get there anymore. Panera is just a good old standby!

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
 Kristen Hannah’s “The Great Alone”

Coffee or tea?
Neither!  I am either a Mountain Dew or Coke girl.

Early bird or night owl?
 Definitely a night owl!

Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
Definitely the beach!

Portrait of Michelle Yang

Michelle Yang

Project Manager, Michigan Creative

What hobby are you most passionate about outside of work?
I’m a mental health advocate and writer. My memoir, PHOENIX GIRL: HOW A FAT ASIAN WITH BIPOLAR FOUND LOVE, is coming out on May 6, 2025! There was a merger and acquisition at my last corporate job, and I was extremely unhappy in my role and experiencing poor mental health as a result. It made me re-examine my life. I was in my late 30s, happily married with a beautiful child and a successful career. All things I didn’t think were possible when I was first diagnosed with bipolar at age 20 when I was so terrified and worried I had no future. I didn’t know of a single person who lived with bipolar, let alone one that was doing ok. Once I realized what I wanted to tell my 20-year-old self, I also realized that my calling was to share my story to make others feel less alone.
This year, after a book reading and presentation to 4th-year U-M Pharmacy students, someone reached out with a heartfelt note to let me know how much impact my story had on her and her classmates. I’m not someone who is naturally comfortable with public speaking — it is something I force myself to do because I believe in the cause. Each time I share my story, if I can get through to at least one person, it makes everything worth it.

What’s an item on the top of your bucket list?
Visit the Galapagos Islands.

What’s your top lunch spot near campus or downtown?
Kang’s — it’s the best Korean food around here.

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
“Last Man on Earth” is a hilarious show that got us through the pandemic that I could recommend to “anyone” — which is actually a very limiting qualifier.

Coffee or tea?
Tea

Early bird or night owl?
As my husband said, I’m neither, but unstoppable between 9am and 9pm!

Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
Beach vacation!

Welcome to Comm-UNITY!

This month, we’re excited to spotlight Kay Jarvis, Director of Public Affairs; Jennifer Thomas, graphic designer with Michigan Commons; and Vincent Duffy, News Director at Michigan Public.

Kay Jarvis

Director of Public Affairs, Public Affairs

What hobby are you most passionate about outside of work?
 I love flowers, gardening, and cooking. I carry in all of those things, and in my daily life, a spirit of exploration and excitement for what’s around.  I grew up on a ranch, playing outside, looking at bugs, learning about dirt and plants, having conversations with my grandfather while watching how weather rolling in would affect the leaves, and talking about natural ways to check barometric pressure. But I also grew up in a very modest household where the luxuries were sitting down to a family meal and enjoying good food. So baking and creating those moments was also important.

What is an item at the top of your bucket list?
I want to go to a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan called Shirakawa-gō, and I want to understand some of the ancient customs from Japan. So Shirakawa-gō is a mountain village, and they have these farmhouses called, gasshō- zukuri, and they’re hundreds of years old. So these were from the Edo period. They’re made out of wood timber and grass roofs. And the homes are meant to look like prayer hands. So gasshō- zukuri is the term for prayer hands.

I want to go there to understand the culture and ancient customs of Japan, visit the old water wheels that are hundreds of years old, Shinto temples and Shinto shrines, go through and see Torii gates.

What’s your top lunch spot near campus or downtown?
Kangs

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
I love music. I’d recommend anyone listen to Robbie Williams’ Angels. And the funniest book I’ve ever read is “A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole. 

Coffee or tea?
Both

Early bird or night owl?
Both

Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
Yes please!

Jennifer Thomas

Graphic Designer, Michigan Commons

Describe a moment that made you proud of your work:
A project came to me in like two seconds, and we had two weeks to do a logo, a “look and feel,” a social media presence, and a mini site, all in two weeks. But we had like a day and a half  for the pitch. It was very fast, and we stayed up until like three o’clock in the morning.

We Love You to Health was the name of the campaign. It was for women’s maternal health. In New York City, the statistic for black and brown bodies dying in childbirth is 11% higher than anywhere else in the country.  So it was an awareness campaign, but pushing towards an event. That’s why it was such a quick turnaround.  Then after the fact, we did a magazine and I got to go to New York for the event. It was great!

What hobby are you most passionate about outside of work?
Probably coloring!  I’ve been painting since high school, but the adult coloring probably started in the pandemic.  It was just a way to calm down, you know, get to actually use my markers that I hadn’t touched in like 20 years. Then I kind of went down a rabbit hole.  I’ve followed this one lady online, she does mixed media with markers and colored pencils and everything and I’m trying to mimic it!

What’s your top lunch spot near campus or downtown?
Tomukun! The pho is really good!

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
Eckhart Tolle’s “The Power of Now”  Being able to live in the moment is something that I have struggled with. I’ve read it like three times now, and I feel like I need to read it again, because it’s just like, it’s a process. Everything shifts. You need to be mindful of your presence.

Coffee or tea?
Tea

Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
Beach!

Vincent Duffy

News Director, Michigan Public

Describe a moment that made you proud of your work:
 I’ve been here for, this May will be 18 years. We’ve done lots of fantastic work that I’ve been proud of, but if you ask what I am most proud of, I would say it would be our coverage of the Flint water crisis. 

We as a station, really owned that story. We were the ones who broke it nationally with NPR, with the exception of, of Curt Guyette at the ACLU, who was the first reporter that noticed it. We kind of broke the story on a larger scale in the state.

You like to think when you’re doing journalism that there will be a positive impact from the news. That it will matter. That it will help somebody. And that was a period of time when we were doing stories that were doing just that. We owned the story. It was a station-wide effort. We had large teams that were working on it. It wasn’t any one reporter. We were able to put together a nationally award-winning documentary on it, NPR was relying on us for the national coverage, and it really was the validation for this station that we could do that type of major work that mattered to so many people and changed  policy and changed the way the state was doing things. There was a an obvious impact that occurred that we believe was a positive result of our reporting.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
If I had to pick one, it would be teleportation.  I love the idea of how efficient it would make life and, and the possibilities that it would offer. I mean, imagine being able to go to work and then go to a meeting in Washington DC, go from there to lunch with a friend in Brisbane, come back to finish your work, have dinner in Paris, and come back home and go to bed. All just by being able to snap your fingers and go where you needed to be. Truly amazing.

What’s your top lunch spot near campus or downtown?
 Zingerman’s Roadhouse

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
“1984” by George Orwell

Coffee or tea?
Coffee, there’s not enough caffeine in tea.

Early bird or night owl?
I want to be a night owl, but probably an early bird.

Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
Beach! I love the beach. Mountains are fine, but the beach is my happy place!

Welcome to Comm-UNITY!

This month, we’re excited to spotlight Deborah Holdship, assistant news director & Michigan Today editor; Lisa Jeffreys, associate business manager at Michigan Creative; and Joe Borek, communications specialist at UMSocial.

Deborah Holdship

Assistant News Director & Michigan Today Editor

Can you describe a moment that made you proud of your work?
Most recently I’m extremely proud of my contribution to  “Our Michigan,” which is a book that Jim Tobin and Kim Clarke spearheaded and edited, and I contributed to. It’s this book about the history of the university and the different milestones and people that animate our history. To see my name on the title page in print like that was very exciting. I only wish my dad, who is a U-M alum, were alive to see it because he would be so proud. So I was kind of proud on behalf of my dad, more than anything else. But all writers go into the business to see their name in print, which I’ve seen many times in my life. But that was definitely a high point, and I’m very proud of contributing to that book.

What’s one thing on your bucket list that you hope to achieve?
 I would really like to go to Italy, Ireland, Scotland and England. Mostly Scotland!

What’s your top lunch spot near campus or downtown?
I really love Taq. Whatever the season their steak with is just amazing. You know, I practically make little sounds when I bite into it. Oh, it’s so good

What is a book, movie, or song you’d recommend to anyone?
 The other night, I watched Sherlock Junior. It’s a silent movie, written, directed, and starring Buster Keaton, who also performed all of his own stunts. We laughed out loud multiple times. I mean, it is one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen and will just make you love Buster Keaton.

Coffee or tea?
Hot black coffee!

Early bird or night owl?
I’m a little of both. I stay up too late and I wake up early.

Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
Beach vacation!

Photo courtesy of Michigan Photography

Lisa Jeffreys

Associate Business Manager, Michigan Creative

What hobby or interest outside of work are you most passionate about?
Anything that gets me outside and moving.  I love cycling, running, boating, camping – all the fun stuff. I started running during the pandemic when the gyms closed. At first, I hated it and couldn’t wait until the gym reopened! Somewhere along the way I just got hooked and have incorporated running into my regular health and wellness routine. Doing anything outdoors energizes me. I don’t even mind the cold, but certainly crave sunshine on our dark days.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I’d love to be able to adjust people’s attitudes when they’re feeling off or icky.  Is that a superpower?

What’s your favorite spot to grab lunch near campus/downtown?
Jefferson Market

What’s a book, movie, or song that you would recommend to anyone?
Movie: Sound of Music, Book: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, Song: What’s Going On, Marvin Gaye

Coffee or tea?
Coffee

Early bird or night owl?
Night Owl

Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
Beach

Joe Borek

Communications Specialist, UMSocial

Describe a moment that made you proud of your work:
One of my favorite projects I have worked on is our solid partnership with Adaptive Sports. It was exciting to learn and see firsthand techniques that anyone can incorporate into their daily lives, making life more accessible across various areas, from sports to communication. I will always sing the praises of U-M Adaptive Sports for the great positive and welcoming voice they put out into the world.

What hobby are you most passionate about outside of work?
I love photography and have spent a lot of time doing it for fun over the last few years. I started getting into it in high school when I bought a camera for a trip, and I’ve been obsessed with it ever since. My favorite part is experimenting with new techniques and styles as my passion continues to evolve.

What’s your top lunch spot near campus or downtown?
Le Dog

Coffee or tea?
Coffee

Early bird or night owl?
A bit of both

Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
Mountain retreat