HOUGHTON, Mich. — Michigan Tech has hired Bill Muckalt to lead its three-time national championship college hockey program.

The school announced it signed Muckalt to a five-year contract Thursday, bringing back a former assistant coach who led Lindenwood last season. He led the Missouri-based university to wins over Notre Dame and Wisconsin in its third season of Division I hockey.

Muckalt was the associate head coach from 2017-23 at Michigan, where he was a two-time national champion as a forward before a five-year career in the NHL. He was an assistant coach at Michigan Tech from 2011-15.

The Huskies won national titles in 1962, 1965 and 1975.

“This is a great hockey community and world-class university,” Muckalt said.

Muckalt replaces Joe Shawhan, who was 54-120-29 over eight seasons.

MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz announced Wednesday in an email that Laura Lee McIntyre will serve as Provost and Executive VP for Academic Affairs, following a nationwide search that began in October 2024.

McIntyre, who currently serves as dean of the College of Education and the Castle-McIntosh-Knight Professor of school psychology at the University of Oregon, will also serve as a MSU Research Foundation Professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education.

“Dr. McIntyre brings palpable energy and outstanding experience in advancing knowledge and transforming lives,” Guskiewicz said in the email. “Dr. McIntyre is an accomplished scholar, known for her work in early childhood, autism, family-centered interventions and family-school partnerships for children with disabilities.”

University representatives did not respond to The State News’ request for further information at the time of publication. 

Under McIntyre’s leadership at Oregon, its College of Education has thrived, with “a collaborative culture leading to new academic programs, more robust student advising services, stronger graduate enrollment, increased student scholarships, more research awards, increased revenue and a meaningful commitment to shared governance and faculty development,” Guskieiwcz said.

Guskiewicz said he is confident that McIntyre shares his “one-team” approach to embracing land-grant traditions while becoming “a more contemporary and bold institution.” He also thanked the university’s search committee, co-chaired by Dean Jim Forger and Professor Felicia Wu.

Guskiewicz also thanked Thomas Jeitschko, who served as interim provost, who has been in the role for nearly three years. He will return to his position as senior associate provost during the transition process. 

Jeitschko became interim provost after Teresa Woodruff was named interim president in 2023, following former MSU President Samuel Stanley’s resignation.

“I am grateful for his many significant contributions, from building community and strengthening meaningful stakeholder engagement to promoting cross-functional collaboration as one team and recruiting and appointing excellent university leaders,” Guskiewicz said. “In the months and years ahead, we will continue to build on Thomas’ work and appreciate that he will return to his role as senior associate provost during this leadership transition.”

During a podcast interview on MSU Today with Russ White, McIntyre shared her short-term and long-term goals and ambitions for her new role. 

“The first thing I’d like to do is spend time really understanding what our strengths and what our vulnerabilities are,” McIntyre said. “Every institution has them. I’m a firm believer in our strengths and our people and it’s important for me to get to know as many people as I can as quickly as I can.”

Part of McIntryre’s goal in getting to hear directly from faculty, staff and students is going on a listening tour, similar to Guskiewicz’s first act as MSU president.

McIntyre’s appointment is subject to approval by the Board of Trustees at their next meeting on June 13, with her planned to officially start on Aug. 4, 2025.

The Oklahoma Sooners are on top of the mountain in Women’s Gymnastics. They took home their national championship last year, their third in four years and their seventh title since 2014. However, defending won’t be easy.

OU graduated Honda award winner Jordan Bowers and finalist Audrey Davis, part of an exodus of graduating stars from programs around the country. But talent won’t be a problem, as the Sooners are bringing in five new freshmen for the 2026 season — Mackenzie Estep, Kamila Pawlak, Ella Murphy, Blakely Roten, and Nicole Desmond.

The quintet of incoming freshman is ranked as the top recruiting class in D1 Women’s Gymnastics this year, and for good reason.

Mackenzie Estep

Mackenzie Estep is the crown jewel of an absolutely stacked freshman class. She’s hailed as the number one recruit of the 2025 class. The reigning Nastia Cup Senior All-Around Champion also won a pair of titles, vault and bars, at the 2025 Development Program Nationals. Her vault title at Nationals came from a perfect 10.0, which improved upon an already impressive 9.950 to win the vault title at the Nastia Cup. Her second place bars finish of a 9.750 at the Nastia Cup improved by two tenths to a 9.950 to take the title at Nationals.

Estep provides solid depth on all four events and will likely slot into the vault and bars lineups this year. Despite an uncharacteristic fall on beam at DP Nationals, Estep is typically extremely consistent, which is a huge help for the grueling pace and weekly competitions of NCAA gymnastics, and she will give OU lots of options.

Kamila Pawlak

Kamila Pawlak is a five-time Nastia Liukin Cup qualifier (2021-2025). She’s been dealing with a nagging wrist injury throughout this season, but had a huge 2024 season and a stellar start to this year. She owns a career best 10.0 on vault and floor and a 9.975 on bars. Pawlak won the all-around and floor titles at Level 10 Development Program Nationals in 2024.

Pawlak is strong on all four events, so expect to see her contend for an all-around spot as soon as this season. OU does have a lot of depth, so between that and her wrist injury, she might not crack the all-around as a freshman, but she’ll definitely make her case during her time as a Sooner. To start her freshman season, expect to see Pawlak in the floor lineup and possibly vault and bars depending on her injury timeline.

Blakely Roten

Like Pawlak, Roten had a season-shortening injury this year. Her season ended before regionals, which meant that she was unable to qualify or compete for Level 10 Development Program Nationals. Prior to her injury, she placed second in the All-Around at Texas State Championships and first in the All-Around and Vault in the Rose City Classic Invitational. Roten also sat out of the 2023 season with an injury, but is a three time Level 10 National qualifier despite her two major injuries.  

Considering OU’s depth and her injury history, she might be slower to join lineups in college. Expect the 2021 Junior Level 10 Floor National Champ to fight for a spot in the vault lineup this year and the floor exercise in the future.  

Ella Murphy

Ella Murphy is currently competing as a level 10 but has previous international elite experience at the DTB Pokal Cup and City of Jesolo Trophy, where she contributed to team golds. She trains at gymnastics powerhouse World Olympics Gymnastics Academy (WOGA), which claims Olympians Hezly Rivera, Nastia Liukin, Carly Patterson, and Madison Kocian. Murphy won the beam title at Nastia Cup this year and also took bronze on the floor exercise, also finishing in the top-10 in the all-around. 

Murphy should slot in nicely on beam and uneven bars. She also could be a strong option on floor, but OU is really solid on this event and may elect to slot some more senior members of the team here. As an upperclassman, she might be able to compete in the All-Around, but that’s unlikely this year given OU’s depth on each event and some inconsistency from Murphy.

Bonus: Nicole Desmond

Nicole Desmond, originally a class of 2026 commit, announced in April that she would be graduating early and coming to OU for the 2026 season. A senior elite gymnast, Nicole Desmond is a huge catch for KJ Kindler and her team.

Desmond has qualified to the US Gymnastics Championships the past two years and is an early contender for lineup spots. She shines on beam and vault with career highs at Level 10 of 9.950 and 9.925 respectively. Her bars scores are consistently lower than her other events, so she likely won’t be an all-arounder this year. However, going from Senior Elite level routines to the NCAA level could help her polish her bars work and gain consistency.

This year’s incoming freshman class will have an immediate impact on the Sooners’ season. With a mix of Level 10 and Elite skill and experience, this class is well-rounded and experienced competing under pressure. Each gymnast will be exciting to watch and should have a chance to shine as a Sooner.

NANTICOKE — Luzerne County Community College President John Yudichak on Wednesday said that in a world where educational accessibility and workforce development are more critical than ever, LCCC is setting a standard for higher education innovation and regional partnerships.

“Luzerne County Community College is the largest, most popular, most accessible college in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” Yudichak said. “LCCC is at the forefront of educational innovation in Pennsylvania, establishing regional partnerships designed to enhance accessibility, affordability for our students and to address the workforce development demands of Northeastern Pennsylvania.”

On Wednesday, LCCC welcomed more than 80 attendees to its annual Commonwealth & County Legislative Breakfast, held at the Educational Conference Center on the Nanticoke campus.

This year’s theme — “Innovation through Regional Partnerships” — showcased LCCC’s leadership in developing community-centered solutions to regional challenges.

Atty. Catherine O’Donnell, LCCC Board of Trustees Chair, served as master of ceremonies.

“This breakfast is more than just a gathering; it’s a celebration of the partnerships we are forging to address vital challenges in our community,” Yudichak said. “With more than $13 million in annual support from the Commonwealth and $5.8 million from Luzerne County, we’re transforming those investments into high-impact programs that serve our students and our region.”

Yudichak said one of the most significant new educational partnerships comes through groundbreaking articulation agreements with the 10 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).

The program highlighted three major initiatives designed to drive educational innovation, workforce development and community recovery:

• Teach in NEPA Program

Launched at the LCCC Hazleton Center earlier this month, the Teach in NEPA Program is a partnership between LCCC, Commonwealth University, and the Hazleton Area School District.

Yudichak said the initiative offers a four-year pathway to a teaching degree for under $30,000 — making it one of the most affordable teacher training programs in Pennsylvania. He said the Wilkes-Barre Area School District has also expressed interest in joining the initiative, with plans to expand to LCCC’s Wilkes-Barre Center underway.

“We are thrilled to launch this new higher education model — Go here, graduate here, work here,” said Yudichak. “This is about building a pipeline of educators who live in and are committed to our communities.”

• AllOne Recovery Educational Institute (AREI)

Funded by the AllOne Foundation and recently awarded a $250,000 grant through the Luzerne County Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Committee, Yudichak said the AREI supports students in recovery from substance use disorder with academic advising, peer mentoring, and workforce training.

With a 90% retention rate and an average GPA of 3.25, the program has become a model for collegiate recovery across the region.

“Our students in recovery deserve every opportunity to rebuild their lives through education,” said Dr. Graceann Platukus, vice president of enrollment management and student success. “This new funding allows us to expand services and help even more individuals succeed.”

• Microcredential Academy

In partnership with employers like Medico Construction Equipment, Dr. Russ Bigus, LCCC vice president of academic affairs, said LCCC’s Microcredential Academy delivers short-term, stackable certifications in high-demand fields such as IT, business, and skilled trades. These flexible, skills-focused courses provide a rapid pathway into the workforce or serve as a stepping stone to a degree.

“Microcredentials offer a direct response to employer needs,” said Bigus. “This is how we meet students where they are and prepare them for real opportunities.”

In his closing remarks, Yudichak reiterated LCCC’s commitment to accessibility and affordability.

“At $150 per credit, we are the most affordable college in the region,” Yudichak said. “With open admissions, anyone who wants to attend college can start their journey right here at LCCC. Community is at the heart of what we do.”

The LCCC Centers in Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Scranton, Berwick, Shamokin and Watsontown serve as community hubs where students can access academic resources, financial aid assistance, and career advising.

Yudichak said LCCC’s localized approach to higher education breaks down transportation barriers and fosters a sense of belonging among students, significantly enhancing their chances of success.

With the support of a $250,000 grant from the Luzerne County Council and ongoing support from the AllOne Foundation, the institute has served nearly 250 students since its inception and produced impressive outcomes in recovery and educational attainment.

Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo said she was pleased to be part of Wednesday’s panel to celebrate “the invaluable partnership” between Luzerne County Community College and the county.

“This collaboration embodies hope and opportunity, serving as a beacon for students and residents alike,” Crocamo said. “This stunning campus stands as a testament to our commitment to providing a nurturing and respectful environment for learners, fostering personal and professional growth. As a true gem in our community, Luzerne County Community College not only enriches the educational landscape, but also strengthens the bonds that connect us all. Together, we look forward to building a brighter future for every member of our community.”