President - Janel Szeszulski
“Hello, I am Janel Szeszulski! I am a part-time surgical technologist, and reside in Midland with my husband Chris and our 3 children. This is my first year serving on the Chippewa Board. However, my journey with Chippewa really began in 1991 when I started preschool here. Chippewa is such a special place, I love being able to be so involved in my children’s education, and the staff here truly makes you feel like family. Our oldest, Colton (6) spend the last two years here and our twins Katie (3) and Cullen (3) are beyond excited to start their own Chippewa adventure this fall.”
Vice President - Andrew Watt
“I’m Andrew Watt, and my wife, Darla, and I are thrilled to be returning to Chippewa! This year, I am serving as Vice President on the board. While this is my first year serving on the board, our family loved our experience last year when our daughter attended the 3-day class. This year, we’ll have children in both the 2-day and 3-day programs. I love being actively involved in my kids’ education and seeing them thrive in their element. Professionally, I work in the Private Bank at Huntington Bank and serve as a youth pastor at Midland Baptist Church. In my free time, I love being with Darla and our three kids: Aurora (4), Maxwell (3), and Abraham (1).”
Executive Board / Treasurer - Ty Mier
“I am married to Kim, and together we have three amazing children who have wandered the halls and playground at Chippewa Preschool. Isabelle, who is 17 years old, Austin, 14, and Aiden, 12. We live in Midland, and are both originally from the area, Bay City and Kawkawlin. We can usually be found at a sports field of some kind as the kids participate in Volleyball, Softball, Soccer, Cross Country, Basketball, Swimming and Golf. I have been in my current role on the board since 2012 and continue to serve because of the kids, families, board members, and the impact on the community that Chippewa Preschool provides. I have spent the last 14 years of my career as the Controller at Garber Management Group, currently working with over 2500 teammates across the US.
Fun Fact- all 3 of our children were able to lead the Chippewa Circus as the Ring Master!”
Membership Coordinator - Kristina Whitford
“Hi, my name is Kristina Whitford. This is my first year serving on the board as Membership Coordinator. My husband and I moved to Midland from Metro Detroit after travel nursing here and loving the area. Together we live with our two children, Parker (4) and Charlotte (3). Both will be at Chippewa this year. I work as a nurse part-time. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing board games, reading, traveling, and roaming the aisles of thrift stores.”
Fundraising Coordinator - Alyssa Wheeler
“Hello, my name is Alyssa Wheeler. I moved to Midland in 2018 to begin my nursing career, where I met my husband, Garrett. Together, we are raising our two energetic boys. Having the opportunity to be actively involved in helping our oldest begin his educational journey has been especially meaningful for our family. We are thankful for the opportunities, connections, and sense of belonging that Chippewa Cooperative Preschool has provided, and we look forward to continuing to be part of its wonderful community.”
Fundraising Coordinator - Laryssa Hershauer
“Hello! My name is Laryssa Hershauer, and I’m looking forward to serving my first year on the Chippewa Cooperative Board.
I reside in Midland with my wonderful and amazing son, who makes this experience especially meaningful to me. As a mom, I understand how important it is for children to have a supportive, welcoming, and enriching environment where they can learn, grow, and feel valued.
Professionally, I work with children and young adults with disabilities and developmental disorders, helping manage their cases and supporting them and their families as they work toward their individual goals. I am also currently working toward becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
I’m incredibly excited to be part of the Chippewa Cooperative Board and look forward to contributing my time, experience, and enthusiasm to our preschool community. I’m especially excited to support fundraising efforts that help provide wonderful opportunities and experiences for the children at Chippewa.
I’m looking forward to getting to know more families, being involved in our community, and making this a fun, successful, and memorable Chippewa adventure!
Building Coordinator - Scott Sweeny
“I was born and raised in Coleman, Michigan where I met my wife, Jessica. We have two beautiful daughters, Olivia and Mackenzie (Max), both of whom love Chippewa Preschool and everyone in the Chippewa family. I spent 20 years in commercial construction, but I now split my time raising the girls and doing residential concrete projects. My wife and I enjoy hiking and traveling and have seen some beautiful places all over the world!”
General Coordinator - Lindsay Wilcox
“My name is Lindsay Wilcox and I am the General Coordinator for the preschool. I have been with the school in some capacity since 2018, when my eldest daughter first started here. In 2022, I also had the privilege to join the amazing teaching staff as a substitute paraprofessional. My husband, Adam, and I have watched all 4 of our children learn and grow here with the Chippewa family!”
Event Coordinator - Brittany Dragan
“Hi! I’m Brittany Dragan and I am excited to be serving as the event coordinator this year! I am married to Zach, and together we have two adventurous boys, Max (5) and Mason (3). We both grew up in Midland, spent 10 years in Charleston, South Carolina while my husband served in the Air Force, and are back now raising our boys. We enjoy anything to do with nature, and being outdoors!
Max attended the 3-day class last year, and I am excited to co-op this year while our youngest attends in the fall! If you’re looking for a place to witness your child learn, grow, and feel safe, Chippewa is the place! We loved seeing the spark and confidence that illuminated from our son while attending. The teachers truly feel like family, and am thrilled to be part of another year at Chippewa!”
Publicity and Health Records - Rebecca Kirkpatrick
“Hi, I’m Rebecca Kirkpatrick. My husband Eric and I live in Midland with our four children, our dog Walter, and our cat Pad. I am a critical care nurse at a local hospital and I teach clinical nursing at SVSU. I stay busy volunteering on the operating board at Chippewa, serving as Vice President of the PTO at Chestnut Hill Elementary, and as a Girl Scouts Troop Leader. I’m a little more than halfway through a doctoral graduate program, and I love to read, go to concerts with friends, and spend as much time as possible camping and vacationing with my family.
All of our children have loved Chippewa and we have loved watching them thrive in this environment. Our oldest son started here in 2007, and now our youngest daughter Sophie is in her last year at Chippewa in the 3-day class. We love this school and our Chippewa family.”
Secretary - Kamre Coulon
“Hello, I am Kamre. I live in Coleman with my husband Tyler and I’m currently a stay-at-home mom to our three kids. This is my first year on the board with Chippewa. We have lived in Kentucky where our oldest daughter was born (Makenzie 11). Then we moved to Spokane, Washington where our son was born (Sterling 8). We have been back in Michigan for six years. Our youngest (Zoella 3) will be the first of our kids to experience Chippewa. In our free time you can find us at the golf course and coaching our kids different sports teams. I look forward to being apart of the next school year.”
Tuition Coordinator - Mariah Lillie
“My name is Mariah Lillie. I'm a nurse working in ambulatory surgery and recovery room. My husband, Nate, and I have 3 year old Olivia who is starting her first year at Chippewa. We also have Mira who turns 1 in December. I love to read, crochet, and bake with my kids. We love being outside and going to local parks and the library. We are so excited to start this chapter in our lives! | look forward to getting to know all our wonderful families at Chippewa!”
