Emily Geiger

LAKE LINDEN — For the first time in nearly a year, the Lake Linden-Hubbel School district has a superintendent with the word “interim” attached. At the regular meeting of the district’s board of education Monday, Emily Geiger was appointed superintendent and 6-12 principal for the district. Geiger was the third person to wear the interim title since June of last year, following the resignation of former superintendent/middle school principal Brad Codere in May. With the assistance of the Michigan Association of School Boards, the district searched for a replacement and actually offered the position to a candidate. However the candidate the board chose withdrew prior to taking the position, leaving the district at square one.

The board then hired former LL-H superintendent Craig Sunblad to an interim position, knowing he could not stay in that role past Oct. 31. As that deadline was looming, Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD) Superintendent James Rautiola agreed to fill the interim position until Dec. 8 of last year.

At a special meeting of the school board on Nov. 17, 2025, Geiger was named interim superintendent/6-12 principal. Prior to her appointment, she had been the director of MiSTEM Regional Network Director for the CCISD. Due to budget cuts, Geiger’s CCISD position was scheduled to end in December so the timing of her LL-H appointment was fortuitous.

In a Wednesday release announcing Geiger’s appointment, the district stated, “Dr. Geiger brings a wealth of education experience and a deep commitment to student achievement. Her dual role will focus on maintaining the districts high academic standards while fostering a supportive environment for both staff and the Lakes community”

For her part, Geiger expressed enthusiasm for joining the district. “It is an honor to serve the Lake Linden-Hubbell community,” she said. “I look forward to working closely with our dedicated educators,families and students to build upon the district’s proud traditions and ensure every student has the tools they need to thrive.”

According to her Linkedin profile, Geiger earn a Ph.D. and undergraduate degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology from Michigan Technological University. Prior to joining the CCISD she was a biochemistry instructor at both Gogebic Community College and Finlandia University. Additionally, she was the founder of Craft Culture Yeast Labs, LLC of Houghton.

According to the disrict’s press release, Geiger’s transition into her new roles began immediately.