Northwood University Adds New Leadership

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Northwood University has three updates to its leadership team, including two promotions and one new hire.

Rachel Valdiserri has been promoted to vice president of marketing, communications, and public relations.

She joined the Midland-based university in 2010 and most recently served as the university’s director of institutional effectiveness. Prior to coming to the university, Valdiserri worked for Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw as a business development specialist. She began her career in the financial services sector, holding leadership positions at various credit unions.

Valdiserri, of Saginaw Township, earned both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Northwood University.

Associate Professor Patricia Hart Timm was named academic dean of the university’s traditional, undergraduate campus in Midland. She has taught full-time at Northwood University for more than five years and also is chair of the accounting department.

Timm joined the university after nearly 30 years working in accounting for privately held, publicly traded, and non-profit companies.

Timm, of Midland, holds a bachelor’s in accounting from Michigan State University, a Master of Science in career and technical education from Ferris State University, and a Ph.D. in accounting from Walden University.

Steven P. Smith joins Northwood University as its new physical plant director. He comes from MidMichigan Medical Center – Gratiot in Alma, where he most recently served as facility manager. He previously worked as a facilities supervisor for MidMichigan Medical Center – Midland and also has experience as a licensed plumber and pipefitter with TIC Inc. in Midland.

Smith, also of Midland, earned his Bachelor in Business Administration from Northwood University and holds a State of Michigan Master Plumbing License with certifications in backflow, storm water and class B fuel storage tanks.