Jeremy "JJ" Mertz
Mid Michigan College
JJ is a lifelong Michigan resident from Rogers City. Hunting and fishing experiences with family and friends have ignited his passion for the outdoors. In the fall of 2019, as a full-time faculty member at Mid Michigan College, JJ presented a vision for an experiential learning program that connected students’ passions with outdoor industry careers. Overwhelming support from college leadership, colleagues, Advisory Council Members, and outdoor industry leaders helped guide the Expedition Hunting and Angling Scholars (HAS) Program to where it is today.
All Sessions by Jeremy "JJ" Mertz
Where the Wild Things Learn
As the outdoor industry evolves, so must the programs training its future workforce. This panel brings together the educators behind MidMichigan College's Hunting and Angling Studies Program and its outdoor media coursework to discuss how academic programs are adapting to prepare students for careers in hunting, fishing, and outdoor content creation. Panelists will share what it takes to build and run these programs, the skills employers are looking for now, and where student demand and industry needs are headed next. With the outdoor workforce shifting significantly over the past year and a half, this session will offer a forward-looking conversation on what the next generation of programs, and professionals, will need to succeed