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The Upper Peninsula has higher rates of substance use than most areas in the state, yet by virtue of its population, a smaller workforce to adequately treat individuals struggling with related disorders. To address that gap, Northern Michigan University will offer a new substance use academic minor this fall. 

Northern Michigan University alumna Tara Laase-McKinney is the new executive director of the Marquette Downtown Development Authority. The 2010 NMU graduate earned a bachelor's degree in outdoor recreation leadership and management. She has worked for MDDA for nearly eight years, most recently as business development and promotions director.

In a historic selection, Northern Michigan University alumnus Eric Frederick has been chosen as the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office's (MIHI) first chief connectivity officer. He graduated from NMU in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in planning and a minor in geographic information systems. 

Northern Michigan University's master of social work (MSW) program is now fully accredited through the Council on Social Work Education's Commission on Accreditation, after three years of candidacy. NMU's bachelor's degree in social work (BSW), which has been continuously accredited since 1974, was reaffirmed for another eight years.

Northern Michigan University ranks as the fifth best online college in Michigan, and first in the Upper Peninsula, according to ZDNet.com's 2022 rankings.

Northern Michigan University will begin offering a workplace intercultural competency certificate this fall. The distinctive program targets professionals who are employed in diverse work environments and desire an added credential for potential advancement, but did not take extensive post-secondary language and culture courses.

The Northern Michigan University Center for Forensic Anthropology and guests from the University of Salzburg, Austria, will give presentations on forensic science research on Tuesday, July 19. The public is invited to this free event, scheduled from 3-5 p.m. in 1322 Jamrich Hall. The presentations will be followed by an informal panel discussion during which audience members can speak with the researchers.

NMU 2011 marketing alumna Victoria Leonhardt has been appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to represent Upper Peninsula residents on the Rural Development Fund Board. The board is charged with advising the department on how to distribute tax revenue collected from mines to improve and strengthen local communities. 

Northern Michigan University History Professor Gabe Logan continues to generate international academic attention for his book, "The Early Years of Chicago Soccer, 1887-1939 (Sport, Identity, and Culture)." He recently presented an excerpt at the Politics and Sport Conference, held June 16-17 at Universidade de Aveiro in Portugal.

The Central Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan University Archives will host a book signing for Dissecting “Anatomy of a Murder”: The Author, The Crime, The Novel, and The Film. The event with author Eugene R. Milhizer will be held at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the archives in 126 Harden Hall at NMU. 

Northern Michigan University has established a new partnership with Eastpointe Community Schools that will provide an online pathway for eligible ECS staff to obtain teacher certification in exchange for a three-year commitment to teach in the district upon completion of the program.

Northern Michigan University will continue to rank as second-most affordable among the state's 15 public universities after the NMU Board of Trustees approved new tuition and fee rates for the 2022-23 academic year. NMU will also invest an additional $900,000 in financial aid for students.

An outdoors enthusiast who enjoys running, hiking and kayaking, NMU assistant professor of education Kristen White said that her first four years residing in Marquette have been nothing short of wonderful. 

Northern Michigan University's College of Business has received a five-year accreditation extension from AACSB International. The distinction demonstrates an ongoing commitment to excellence in teaching, research, curriculum development and learner success.

Northern Michigan University's Center for Native American Studies assisted in the development of “Maawndoonganan,” an Anishinaabe resource manual created and vetted by Indigenous peoples to support educators in implementing Michigan social studies standards. A webinar on using this first-of-its-kind educational resource guide was presented by the Confederation of Michigan Tribal Education Departments (CMTED) on June 29.

Northern Michigan University has embarked on the second phase of developing an interim strategic plan that will provide an onramp for Northern's next president. Following NMU Board of Trustees' approval of the initial proposal presented in late April, steering committees representing faculty, staff and alumni are working over the summer to build action plans for five focus areas identified in the plan.

Northern Michigan University alumnus DJ Hoffman was appointed chair of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians during a special board of directors meeting on June 27. He served as vice chair from 2016-22 and also two years as secretary. Hoffman earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from NMU. 

William Bausano, a 1973 music education alumnus, has embarked on a well-earned retirement after 41 years with Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The Upper Peninsula native conducted two choirs—the Chamber Singers and Choraliers—and taught choral conducting and techniques courses. One of his colleagues called him “an institution” and “the cornerstone” of the voice department.

Two Books Two Communities of Marquette and Alger Counties has named this year's book selections:The Lightkeeper's Daughters, an adult novel, and Me and You and the Red Canoe, a children's book, both by award-winning Canadian author Jean E. Pendziwol.