HFC honors alumna creates a career in science, politics

Nora Gimpel didn’t believe she could have a career in science.

Then she came to HFC.

“I was always interested in the sciences. I just didn’t think I could do it as a career. Then I had fantastic educators at HFC who showed me I could do it. They guided me and supported me throughout my time there,” recalled Gimpel, of Kalamazoo, who earned her associate degree in environmental science from HFC in 2013.

Her parents Chris and Colleen are also alumni of HFC. During Gimpel’s time at HFC, the 2011 Grosse Ile High School graduate was a member of the Henry Ford II Honors Program, vice president of the Student Science Association, and an active member of the Student Environmental Association. Gimpel loved the Honors Program.

“It was great! It was a fantastic opportunity to meet other students who were engaged. Through the Honors Program, I met a great group of people who were highly motivated and invested in their education. I also met great faculty members who transformed what I could do with my life. I had no idea what to do with my career until I came to the College. Without my experience at HFC, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today,” said Gimpel.

Study abroad was a formative experience

Perhaps the greatest experience she had at HFC was studying aboard with faculty member Cindy Bida of HFC’s Biology Department for two weeks at a biological field station in Costa Rica, where they conducted rainforest exploration.

“It was amazing – one of my most formative experiences,” said Gimpel. “Since studying abroad, travel has become a big part of my life. I’ve been to Belize, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, and England.”

The Costa Rica adventure piqued her interest in environmental science as a career possibility. An HFC transfer agreement with Western Michigan University allowed Gimpel to obtain her bachelor’s degree with double majors in environmental and sustainability studies and political science, and a minor in geographic information systems.

“I was easily able to transfer my courses from HFC to WMU, and I jumped right into my degree programs," said Gimpel. She worked in environmental science as the Climate Change Coordinator at the Kalamazoo Nature Center, and later at the WMU Office for Sustainability.

The political angle

Politics was another area of interest for Gimpel. She confessed she didn’t understand the importance of political science until her first semester at HFC when she took a political science class taught by Professor Maggie Lippens. “I loved that class. I looked forward to going to it,” she recalled. “Ever since, I’ve always been engaged and working on political campaigns.”

Gimpel now works for the American Federation of Teachers, where she is the lead organizer for West Michigan Higher Education locals, PIO 1903, KVCCFT 2412, and TAU 1729. She works as an organizer and contract representative with non-tenure-track faculty.

“I was extremely proud to learn the HFC faculty is unionized,” said Gimpel. “I’ve been able to connect with members at our AFT statewide conferences after I graduated, which was an amazing experience. HFC has extremely strong unions. I can guarantee that having an organized faculty was one of the reasons I had such a high quality education.”

Gimpel is currently on political leave from the AFT this election season, working as the statewide deputy field director for the One Michigan Campaign.

“I manage staff across the state, develop and implement assessment tools, working with a team to carry out the statewide field plan for the Michigan Democratic Party’s coordinated campaign,” she said.