Strategic Plan

Northern Michigan University's indoor agriculture and construction management programs are partnering with the True North Treks Foglia Foundation WALDEN Institute, a wilderness retreat facility built into the cliffs of Lake Superior near Au Train, where young adults with cancer can connect with nature. 

The Northern Michigan University Foundation has released a five-year impact report on strategic changes implemented to support fundraising for NMU. The report details enhancements in four focus areas that put the NMU Foundation in a better position to secure and manage major gifts to support innovative strides in learning, teaching, programming and operations.

Northern Michigan University honored Indigenous Peoples' Day Oct. 11 with an unveiling ceremony for a new sign on the academic mall acknowledging that the campus is located on the ancestral homelands of the Anishinaabe Three Fires Confederacy. The event included songs by the Morning Thunder Drum, speakers and a group procession to the Center for Native American Studies' fire site near Whitman Hall.

A free book launch party for Dorothy Paad's "Dance Your Dance, Sing Your Song," based on her positive experience overcoming challenges related to cerebral palsy and other factors to achieve her goal of taking dance classes at NMU, will be held Thursday, Sept. 23. The event is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. at NMU's Forest Roberts Theatre. It will feature a dance performance by NMU students, a book signing, light snacks and refreshments, and posters and other related items available for purchase. Masks are required.

Northern Michigan University's indoor agriculture program has received a special delivery to enhance education, research and partnership opportunities. A new shipping container that houses a state-of-the-art growing center is located just outside of the Jacobetti Complex. Its operation will be supervised by students and the produce it generates will be distributed to NMU's hospitality management program and campus dining facilities.

The Two Books, Two Communities program, a partnership between Northern Michigan University and the Marquette and Alger County communities, has announced its 2021 community reads and associated fall events schedule. The titles are Fried Walleye and Cherry Pie, edited by Peggy Wolff, and 2021 Michigan Notable Book Award Winner Teacher/Pizza Guy, a collection of poems by Jeff Kass.   

A new teaching certificate partnership between Northern Michigan University and Bay Mills Community College will begin this fall. It is designed to prepare K-12 teachers of Anishinaabemowin language and culture. The Michigan Department of Education granted the program initial approval through June 30, 2026.

Northern Michigan University's new Sustainability Hub for Innovation and the Environment (SHINE) launched this week at an event announcing its partnership with Grand Rapids-based nonprofit People First Economy. With NMU student involvement, the two entities will deploy technical assistance and sustainability expertise to a cohort of Marquette-area businesses.

NMU's Sustainability Hub for Innovation and the Environment (SHINE) complements the College of Business' new bachelor's degree program in sustainable business enterprise. Professor and SHINE Interim Director Jes Thompson calls it a “Swiss army knife” academic major because of its broad, interdisciplinary approach.

Northern Michigan University diverted 287 pounds of glove waste from landfills during the fall semester, further demonstrating its commitments to sustainability and social responsibility. The NMU Safety Department began participating in the RightCycle personal protection equipment recycling program because it anticipated increased reliance on single-use gloves as a Covid-19 precaution this academic year.