Jennifer LaChance

Alumni

Jennifer LaChance’s first day of college was also literally the first day of her adult life—she began taking classes at Bay College on her 18th birthday. Today, she uses the skills and relationships she built during college in her role as an associate broker at Premier Real Estate.

Jennifer graduated from Escanaba Senior High School in 1989 and began studying at Bay that fall. Bay was her “best and most affordable option” for starting college, especially since she was still trying to decide on a major at the time.

“I really didn’t know what I wanted to study at first, so Bay provided the basics to help me start my college education,” she said.

Thanks to the dedication of Bay’s faculty and other factors, Jennifer had an exceptional experience at the college.

“I had a lot of wonderful instructors who were not only knowledgeable, but caring and compassionate,” she said.

In keeping with their passion for teaching, the instructors at Bay helped Jennifer learn about a wide variety of subjects—including topics that were not directly related to the career pathway she ultimately chose. She highlighted the French classes she took at Bay as a highlight of her time there.

Jennifer also appreciated the fact that she was able to get a job while studying at Bay.

“My class schedule was flexible, which meant I could work and still go to school,” she said.

As a Bay student, Jennifer majored in liberal arts. Later, she started working towards a bachelor’s degree in business.

“I ultimately chose the business field because of the many things it would allow me to do. I wouldn’t be pigeonholed into one field with a business degree,” she said.

Fortunately, Jennifer did not have to leave Bay behind to pursue her bachelor’s degree. Instead, she earned this degree from Lake Superior State University, which offered (and continues to offer) classes through Bay.

“After graduating in 1999, I worked at the Island Resort and Casino—I was their Convention Sales Manager. Shortly after that, I went over to Delta Plaza Mall and worked as the General Manager there for 10 years,” Jennifer said.

From there, Jennifer worked in various jobs before starting at Premier Real Estate in September 2020. So far, she has found much to like about the real estate industry—especially the flexible nature of her work, which has given her an opportunity to focus on her family life.

According to Jennifer, she began working at Premier Real Estate as a real estate agent.

“Over the years, I’ve taken a lot of continuing education and ultimately obtained my associate broker license,” she said.

As an associate broker, Jennifer still relies on connections she first developed in college.

“It helped me start building my network,” she said of her time at Bay.

The life skills Jennifer built as a Bay student have also helped her excel at Premier Real Estate. Specifically, she said the time management, organization, and listening skills she developed at Bay are a vital part of what she does today.

Jennifer said she is glad that Bay College is still a part of Delta County today.

“I think Bay is an absolute gem, and we are very lucky to have them in our community,” she said.