Northern Michigan University's My Way Friday program is growing in popularity. It provides students with opportunities to explore the local area, try engaging activities and make new friends. My Way Friday is part of My Way North, NMU's initiative to help students find their place and thrive.
“The incoming freshmen now take a survey at orientation, where we ask them to create a bucket list of things they want to do during their time at NMU,” said Rachel Harris, director of the Center for Student Enrichment, which hosts the events. “We then take all that data, analyze it, and use that student feedback to come up with the programming.”
Some of the popular survey responses related to activities students would like to engage in include hiking Sugarloaf Mountain and seeing the northern lights. The most recent My Way Friday event took place early this semester. Students participated in an expense-paid trip to Contrast Coffee, went thrifting around Marquette, visited the NMU Wildpups, made friendship bracelets and cheered on the Wildcat hockey team.
“There can be anywhere from seven to 10 different events that happen on each My Way Friday,” said graduate assistant Jordan Brown. “We try not to overlap them too much so that people can go multiple times. About 100 people scanned our event QR codes during this past My Way Friday. Participation has been growing pretty much each time we have a new event.”
My Way Friday was first implemented in 2024 to complement the My Way North initiative. Events are now held once per semester, typically within the first month. They serve to promote education and community for all students at NMU, through faculty, community, and peer engagement. Students who participate in My Way Friday events are also eligible to receive Pick One points and merchandise.
The next My Way Friday will take place at the beginning of the 2026-27 academic year.