Susan Mitchem

LANSING, Mich. — The State Court Administrative Office has named longtime court administrator Susan Mitchem as its new Region 4 administrator, effective May 28.

In this role, Mitchem will serve as SCAO’s liaison to trial courts — circuit, probate, and district — in 29 counties in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula:

Mitchem has served as court administrator for courts in 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,” State Court Administrator Tom Boyd said. “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.”

Mitchem’s primary responsibilities as Region 4 administrator will include providing trial courts with management assistance in matters of judicial assignment, funding and policy disputes, and complaint investigation, as well as filling the role of the State Court Administrator’s representative throughout the region. In addition, Mitchem will develop and implement plans and goals, as well as direct the personnel and operational activities of the Region 4 Office.

In her most recent position, Mitchem was responsible for overseeing all aspects of court operations, including budget preparation, policy implementation, jury administration, court rule and policy compliance, and more. She also secured grants to initiate court reorganization and expand services into the community and started the process of establishing juvenile and adult mental health courts in Gogebic and Ontonagon counties.

Prior to working in the court system, Mitchem served in the Gogebic County Clerk’s Office from 2014 to 2017 as chief deputy clerk, and previously as a hospital healthcare coordinator.

“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,” Mitchem said. “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 earned 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 in Massachusetts.