EMU Today

Tammy Brown is the Michigan state director of SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.  

SkillsUSA Michigan is part of the College of Technology at Eastern Michigan University.  The College of Technology has the grant from the Michigan Office of Career and Technical Education to manage SkillsUSA Michigan.  The College of Technology also has the grants to manage Michigan DECA, Michigan Business Professionals of America and Michigan FCCLA.

Brown has been involved in SkillsUSA since 1982, first as a student member, then as a volunteer at the local, regional, state and national levels.  Her continued involvement in SkillsUSA led to her appointment as the state director in 2006.  As the only full-time employee of SkillsUSA Michigan, she is responsible for all state level activities and events, including membership, training, contests and conferences. 

Brown graduated in 1989 from Ferris State University with an associate’s degree in Printing Technology and a bachelor’s degree in Technical Education.  A year after graduation, she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor, leaving her with single-sided deafness.  After an extended recovery left her unable to continue her dream of teaching, she worked in the printing industry as a desktop publisher and graphic designer.  She was thrilled to return to her educational roots by way of SkillsUSA and in 2011, received her master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in Integrated Marketing Communications.