July 2022

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.