The State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) has appointed Susan Mitchem as the new Region 4 Administrator, effective May 28. Mitchem will act as the liaison for SCAO to trial courts in 29 counties across Michigan's Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula.
Susan Mitchem has been the Court Administrator for Gogebic and Ontonagon counties since 2021. "Susan Mitchem has more than a decade of experience as a strategic problem-solver with the ability to work across all levels of an organization and a proven record of achievement," said State Court Administrator Tom Boyd. "I have no doubt that Susan’s focus on building relationships and expanding services will only benefit the courts and communities in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula."
As Region 4 Administrator, Mitchem will assist trial courts with judicial assignments, funding and policy disputes, complaint investigations, and serve as the representative of the State Court Administrator throughout the region. Her duties also include developing plans and goals, directing personnel, and managing operational activities at the Region 4 Office.
In her previous role, Mitchem managed court operations including budget preparation, policy implementation, jury administration, court rule compliance, among other responsibilities. She was instrumental in securing grants for court reorganization and service expansion into communities. Additionally, she initiated efforts to establish juvenile and adult mental health courts in Gogebic and Ontonagon counties.
Before her court system roles, Mitchem worked from 2014 to 2017 as Chief Deputy Clerk in the Gogebic County Clerk’s Office and served as a hospital healthcare coordinator prior to that.
"I bring to this position a passion for helping courts provide the utmost in service to the people in their communities, including modernizing proceedings, implementing technology, and managing complex initiatives such as court reorganization," said Mitchem. "I also look forward to building upon the existing relationships between the trial courts and local stakeholders throughout the U.P. and northern Michigan."
Mitchem holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Integrative Leadership Studies from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and a Master of Business Administration degree in Human Resources from Fitchburg State University.