President's Cabinet
Cabinet Members
The President’s Cabinet consists of senior leaders from across campus who provide input on college issues, priorities and initiatives.
Vacant
Vice President for Enrollment Management
This position is slated to be filled in August, 2025.
Carol Laenen, M.S.A.
Vice President for Strategy & Special Projects
Carol Laenen was appointed as the Vice President for Strategy & Special Projects in
July, 2025. She has worked at North Central since 2013, and was formerly the Vice
President of Marketing and Strategy. Her prior experience includes executive-level
roles in both for-profit and non-profit organizations.
Carol is responsible for leading college-wide strategic planning, guiding high-profile institutional initiatives, conducting and documenting critical analyses to support executive decision-making, and high-level insight that directly impacts the future direction and growth of the college.
Carol holds a master's degree from Central Michigan University and a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University. She also has an associate degree from Macomb Community College.
Carol is a past board chair of the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce.
Chelsea Platte, B.G.S.
Vice President for Advancement
Chelsea Platte was hired as executive director of the NCMC Foundation in 2019 and
vice president for Advancement in 2021. Her prior experience includes roles as the
leadership giving officer for Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital, executive director
of the Charlevoix Area Hospital Foundation, and four years working in property management
in downtown Chicago.
Chelsea is responsible for Foundation operations and fundraising efforts on behalf of the college. This includes programs focused on annual giving, major and planned giving, and alumni engagement. Gifts to the NCMC Foundation support scholarships, building and capital needs, departmental programs, and the student emergency fund. She oversees staff who handle fundraising events, stewardship activities, and donor communications.
Chelsea attended North Central Michigan College as a dual-enrolled high school student and holds a B.G.S. in Business and Globalization from the University of Michigan. She is also a graduate of the Leadership Charlevoix County's Class of 2013-14 and has attended Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Chelsea was born and raised in Petoskey but enjoys traveling to all parts of the world.
Stephen Strom, Ph.D.
Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs
Stephen Strom was hired as vice president of Academic Affairs in 2021. Originally
from South Carolina, he has more than 15 years of higher education experience from
community colleges in Alaska and Minnesota.
Dr. Strom leads the college’s total instructional activity, including strategic planning and budgeting in the instructional area, credit and non-credit curriculum planning, development and review, supervision and assessment of faculty and staff, instructional schedule-building, business and industry training, library, University Center administration, relationships with K-12 partners, peer and senior institutions, and off-campus instructional programming. He is the college’s main contact for the Higher Learning Commission and Achieving the Dream.
His direct reports include the four academic deans, the librarian, and administrative and support staff in the instructional division.
Strom holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership (Oregon State University), a Master of Science in Logistics Management (Air Force Institute of Technology), and a bachelor’s degree in in civil engineering (Clemson University). He retired from the United States Air Force in 2006 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Strom is an avid reader of history, particularly presidential biographies and U.S. history.
Tom Zeidel, Ph.D.
Vice President for Finance and Facilities
Tom Zeidel was appointed as Interim Vice President of Finance and Facilities in December
2019. In February 2021, North Central's Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Zeidel as
Vice President of Finance and Facilities, removing "interim" from his title. Tom
has 38 years of higher education and K-12 experience in various financial roles, serving
as CFO for the vast majority of this time. Significant assignments have included
Mount Mercy University (20 years), Georgian Court College (1 year), Sienna Heights
University (1 year), Trine University (4 years), and The Bay School of San Francisco
(9 years).
Tom is the chief financial officer for the college and is responsible for a comprehensive program of business management including accounting, purchasing, inventory, budgeting, financial reporting and auditing, maintenance of buildings and grounds, plant, auxiliary business operations, support staff personnel, civil rights, insurance and risk management.
Tom has a B.A. degree from Carroll University, a M.A. from Western Illinois University and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa.
Tom is a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan.
Erin Sonneveldt, Ph.D.
Assoc. Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness
Erin Sonneveldt's Bio is coming.
Lynn Henry, M.A.
Director of Human Resources
Lynn Henry was hired by North Central Michigan College in 2019. She is responsible
for employment activities, employee relations and administration of human resources
related benefits, policies, planning, organizational and strategic needs of the College.
She is an alumna of North Central Michigan College, graduating with an A.A.S. Degree in Nursing. Other degrees held include a B.A. from Michigan State University, James Madison College in International Relations and a M.A. from Michigan State University, School of Human Resources and Labor Relations.
Lynn’s prior work in Human Resources has been statewide in the automotive industry, financial services, food, beverage and hospitality, and in community mental health.
Born in Cheboygan, Michigan, Lynn is grateful to live, work and enjoy Northern Michigan with her family and friends. She is proud of her children who are, or are soon to be, North Central Michigan College alumni.
Melissa Mansfield, B.A.
Executive Assistant to the President and Board
Melissa Mansfield joined North Central Michigan College in 2022 as the Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Trustees. She brings over 18 years of diverse experience in administrative support, organizational support, and professional services across a variety of industries.
In her current role, Melissa manages the daily operations of the Office of the President, including high-level scheduling and time management, meeting and event planning, organizational coordination, and campus-wide communications on behalf of the President and the Board of Trustees.
She is a proud alumna of Western Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education with minors in Biology and Earth Science.
Melissa is grateful to call Northern Michigan home, where she enjoys her passions for the arts and the outdoors, often spending her free time hiking local trails with her Labrador Retriever.