Strategic Plan

Northern Michigan University assistant professor Jongeun You was invited to serve as the 2024 Harold Hotelling Memorial Lecturer at Lawrence Technological University. Named for the accomplished economist, the lecture series marked its 14th anniversary on Oct. 17. It addresses timely and relevant topics in the guest speaker's area of research. Dr. You, who teaches in NMU's Political Science and Public Administration Department, presented “Policy Conflict in U.S. Energy Infrastructure Siting.”

Outdoor Recreation and Leadership Management majors from Northern Michigan University were responsible for planning and leading morning tours of various Marquette-area locations during last weekend's Fresh Coast Film Festival (FCFF). The annual festival features documentaries celebrating the outdoor lifestyle, water-rich environment and resilient spirit of the Great Lakes region.

As part of its 125th anniversary celebration, Northern held a grand opening garden party Oct. 1 for its new Campus Nursery, which will be used to grow native trees and shrubs for future campus landscaping projects. The 150-foot x 75-foot parcel—complete with an irrigation system—is located behind Central Receiving, revitalizing the same site where NMU had established a tree nursery decades ago that later fell into disrepair.

Northern Michigan University graduate student and basketball career scoring record-holder Makaylee Kuhn will screen a video at next weekend's Fresh Coast Film Festival that highlights the sustainability efforts of Wildcat volleyball, initiated by assistant coach and former standout player Sarah Kuehn. Both say the intent is to inspire other teams at NMU and beyond to incorporate small changes that will benefit the environment. Kuhn also established the Green Athletics working group last year with the goal of making Northern the greenest school in the GLIAC (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). 

Northern Michigan University participated as one of 40 host institutions for the nationwide Amplifying Student Voices (ASV) Convening on Oct. 5. The hybrid event brought together more than 400 student leaders to engage in both virtual and in-person dialogues on the future of belonging, diversity and equity in higher education, and on strategies for fulfilling the promise of an inclusive democracy. 

Driven by the elevated strategic priority of support for people and their well-being, and facilitated by solid financial footing attributed in part to increased enrollment, Northern Michigan University will make a $2.4 million investment that will directly impact the majority of its employees through one-time payments this fall. The NMU Board of Trustees approved the measure at a special meeting this afternoon.

Northern Michigan University WellBeing will host “Wildcat World Mental Health Day” Thursday, Oct. 10, coinciding with the World Health Organization's World Mental Health Day, which raises awareness of related issues on a global scale and mobilizes efforts in support of mental health.

Northern Michigan University's 10th day fall enrollment report shows an increase of nearly 3% in overall student headcount fueled by growth in first-time freshmen, graduate students and Global Campus online enrollment. Other strides include a record-setting retention rate and positive momentum in attracting diverse student populations, both of which align with goals identified in the university's new strategic plan.

Northern Michigan University is among 228 colleges and universities nationwide and one of only three public institutions in Michigan named to the 2024 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society's Transfer Honor Roll for “creating dynamic pathways” to support transfer students. This accomplishment marks the third consecutive year Northern has been recognized for outstanding transfer student services.

Northern Michigan University has been recognized as a STARS Gold Institution by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. STARS is the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System. An institution's score is based on the percentage of applicable points earned across five main categories: academics; engagement; operations; planning and administration; and innovation and leadership.