As NIPSCO’s Public Affairs Manager, Angie Nelson handles district relations in La Porte, Saint Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, and Kosciusko counties; in addition to her responsibilities at NIPSCO, she also pays attention to the good she would like to give back to her communities in Michigan City and La Porte.
“Being a listening ear and spokesperson for the community is very important to me; I try to do all that I can to make sure our citizens are fully supported. I can assure you that the concerns I receive will never be swept under the table and forgotten. I value the partnership NIPSCO and I have in our various communities. I’m very thankful I work for a regional public service company that allows me to make a difference in my hometown,” Nelson said.
Nelson first received her bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Florida A&M University and then went on to pursue a master’s degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University. While attending John Marshall Law School, she was blessed with her current full-time position at NIPSCO, and since then has personally developed her astonishing community outreach ambitions.
In a quest to help her local communities of Michigan City and La Porte, Nelson has involved herself in many organizations that support families in need and those who are working to do something better for themselves and for their children.
A few of her current community service involvement positions include being on the United Way of La Porte County’s Board of Directors and the American Red Cross of La Porte County’s Board of Directors. Nelson engages other community members and employees to raise money and donate food to the Greater Northern Indiana Food Bank in a campaign called “Pass the Hat” as well. She also holds scholarship and college education workshops at the Boys and Girls Club periodically to help students become connected to their dreams and goals.
Nelson feels community and family centered organizations have assisted in helping her become who she is today; these individuals hold a key which inspires others to achieve and succeed their wildest dreams.
“I was the oldest of my seven siblings and I will always remember those who helped our family to prosper even more than any of us had imagined. The Salvation Army has always been a blessing and today I continue to do whatever I can to back their cause. My Aunt Louise would send me $25 every month to help me save up for college; she also did everything she could to make sure we all could go to prom. My elementary school teachers, Mrs. Reynolds and Ms. Bachman, supported me through college and the same goes for my first Girl Scout leader, Daryl Penfold,” Nelson said.
Her family, teachers, and mentors always were encouraging and community oriented. These life coaches believed in Nelson and she built onto their expectations immensely. She believes everyone should insist on building trusting and encouraging relationships with their children.
Currently, Nelson hopes to see the Michigan City community moving forward in education. She would like to see higher ISTEP scores and, to achieve this, sincerely wants to mentor children and young adults. Ivy Tech welcomes her to instruct courses such as Organizational Behavior, Business Law, and Business Ethics and Responsibilities whenever she can find the time; she loves to teach students new techniques and looks forward to doing so when she can.
“I like to tell almost everyone I meet my story because their education and well-being matter. If they want to go into the military, college or whatever else, then they should progress down whatever road they choose. The number one goal is to find good people who live close and make an impact because students need to be around individuals who are like them. We should help our kids develop in a way that positively affects our area,” Nelson said.
There are three chambers which Nelson belongs to presently: the Michigan City Chamber, the Saint Joseph County Chamber, and the Greater Elkhart Chamber.
Through all of her involvement, she has accomplished so much and still continues to dedicate her time to those in her hometown of Michigan City. She looks forward to becoming Mrs. Deuitch fairly soon and she is thankful that instead of her friends and family buying wedding gifts, they will donate to a community fund to help others in need.
To see how Jeff Deuitch and Angie Nelson wish to give back to the community, please visit http://uflc.net/funds/nelsondeuitch/#gsc.tab=0.