Around NMU

As protests in response to George Floyd's murder continued across the country, NMU President Fritz Erickson sent a campus-wide email earlier this week expressing solidarity in advocating for systemic equity in all sectors of society. He said Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Jessica Cruz will take the lead in identifying “actionable strategies for moving forward and creating opportunities for dialogue” this summer and when classes resume this fall. Cruz shared her thoughts on recent events and the need for related campus initiatives in the following Q&A. 

Three NMU education alumni have received accolades for their effective instruction. Jennifer Melero ('92 BS) is the Michigan Charter School Teacher of the Year, Jeremy Connin ('05 BME) is the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District 13 Teacher of the Year, and Nicole Sheltrow ('99 BS, '05 MAE) is Gwinn Area Community Schools' Teacher of the Year.

Northern Michigan University is one of the two most affordable universities in Michigan, according to a ranking released by University Headquarters (HQ).

The latest Wildcat Minute focuses on NMU electrical line technician graduate Ross Carr, who reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the final stretch of his college experience. He is currently employed in this essential field in Vermont.

The Northern Michigan University Alumni Association hosted a live virtual event, Fireside with Fritz: A Conversation with President Erickson on May 20. More than 150 alumni from 19 states joined President Erickson for a fireside chat, as he shared campus updates, answered questions live and engaged with the Wildcat community.

Northern Michigan University Economics Professor Gary McDonnell was one of the featured expert panelists in a recent WalletHub piece comparing states' unemployment rates related to the COVID-19 pandemic. He addressed the impact of the $2.2 trillion federal emergency relief package and the accuracy of a conventional measure of unemployment.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today announced nine appointments, including NMU alumnus and former Wildcat basketball player Ryan Reichel, to the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports. 

Northern Michigan University is featured prominently in a Forbes article titled "Cannabis Education Arrives (Virtually) At More American Universities." NMU recently announced its partnership with Green Flower to offer non-credit online certificate programs beginning July 1.

COVID-19 impacted instructional formats, with most universities initially shifting to online-only course delivery prompted by stay home protocols. It has also affected some college rankings, which now place more emphasis on distance learning options. Northern Michigan University is the only U.P. school in Michigan's top “Tier 1,” according to an Educate to Career (ETC) ranking adapted for the COVID-19 climate.

Northern Michigan University ranks 18th in the nation and first in Michigan for the “2020 Best Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) Degree Programs” listing compiled by College Consensus.