Northern Michigan University is one of only 237 institutions nationwide selected to receive the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement from the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Colleges and universities were invited to apply by submitting documentation describing the nature and extent of their engagement. Examples include partnerships with local and regional entities, help leveraging community assets, and services that enhance the community or address societal challenges. NMU is one of only 237 institutions nationwide to earn the distinction.
“The Carnegie classification reinforces Northern's ongoing commitment to community service and involvement,” said NMU President Chris Olsen. “There are many wonderful examples of engagement across campus, from academic service learning and community-based research to volunteer activities and partnerships that facilitate training for U.P. educators and other workforces. We are extremely pleased that those efforts have been acknowledged by such a well-respected organization.”
NMU Dean of Library and Instructional Support Leslie Warren was the primary author and coordinator of data collection for the reauthorization application (NMU previously earned similar Carnegie classifications in 2008 and 2015).
“Northern can be very proud to continue to earn this honor following a rigorous evaluation process,” Warren said. “As I worked with many offices across campus to gather information, I found evidence of incredible efforts supporting NMU's commitment to partner with our broader community to achieve mutually beneficial goals, which is an important component of the university's ‘Our Compass' strategic plan. Some of our collaborations are particularly valuable in a rural region like the U.P.”
Warren cited the following examples:
• The NMU Educational Access Network (EAN), a collaboration with community partners throughout the Upper Peninsula and surrounding areas to provide broadband access and educational resources. This is particularly important in rural areas with limited alternatives for affordable access.
• The NMU Center for Rural Health, established in 2019, which seeks to improve the health and well-being of U.P. residents and communities by developing collaborative partnerships to improve the access and availability of affordable, quality health care services. The center received the Nonprofit of the Year Award from the Upper Peninsula Economic Development Alliance in February 2025.
• The Central Upper Peninsula & NMU Archives, which received grants to launch UPLINK: Upper Peninsula Digital Network. This collaboratively managed digital preservation and access initiative documents the history of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. UPLINK, which has more than 30 partner organizations, is guided by five elected members from heritage organizations and three permanent members from NMU, Michigan Technological University, and Lake Superior State University.
“UPLINK makes the history and the culture of the region accessible from every person's home,” Warren said. “It is used by scholars, public historians, K-12 teachers, students of all ages, genealogists and members of the general public. UPLINK provides easy online access to primary sources for use in instruction and research. Student employees in the Archives gain valuable skills in primary source literacy, organization of knowledge, preservation and digitization.”
• The NMU Center for Native American Studies (CNAS), whose mission includes providing active learning and service-learning opportunities that strengthen student engagement, interaction and reciprocity with Indigenous communities. NMU's strong relationship with the tribal communities is rare and sets it apart from many other public universities, Warren said. Since the last classification, the university has invested in the center and its staffing.
Internships also play a prominent role in NMU's community engagement. The nationally recognized Student Leader Fellowship Program includes a year-long community service internship planned and executed by students. As of May 2024, the SLFP had facilitated more than 150,000 hours of service across more than 558 different sites since its inception in 1991. NMU's Rural Leadership Fellowship is a paid and scholarship-supported applied learning experience for students interested in rural economic development and public sector careers. It offers immersive project-based learning for students while also supporting U.P. economic and community development initiatives.
"Internships are a great way for students to be engaged in their chosen profession early on and can help the U.P. retain talent in the region,” said NMU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Anne Dahlman. “Social work, one of our fastest-growing programs, offers a unique internship opportunity in partnership with the Center of Native American Studies called Mino-bimose'idiwag (Walking the Path Together). Participating students gain skills to become culturally responsive advocates and service providers. Partnerships with community agencies and business are critical in creating these win-win opportunities.”
Other examples provided by Warren include many academic departments that integrate community engagement and service learning. For example, construction management's highly regarded senior capstone projects in or near Marquette have included an ADA-compliant little free library next to the Kids Cove all-inclusive playground at Lower Harbor Park, an elevated boardwalk over wet terrain for the Marquette Area Chapter of the North Country Trail, a bathroom renovation for the Women's Center of Marquette and a front-porch renovation for Janzen House. NMU health profession majors also gain clinical experience in the community, supporting a region that tends to have a shortage of health care professionals.
Much of the elective classification emphasizes student involvement, academic impact and how strongly programs and services relate to scholarship or curriculum.
According to the Carnegie Electives team, the purpose of community engagement is the partnership of college and business university knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors. This can enrich scholarship, research and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching, and learning; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good."
The community engagement classification is valid until 2032, at which time Northern will need to seek reclassification to retain its status.