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.