Strategic Plan

The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees recognized its annual Student Achievement Award recipients just before NMU's May 2 commencement. Delany Frank of East Lansing and Halle Johnson of Green Bay, Wis. are the 2026 Outstanding Graduating Seniors. Recipients of the remaining outstanding awards in their respective categories are: Adam Nesbit, originally from rural northern California, Graduate Student; Summer Morrison of Plainwell, Student of Any Class; Dan Atkins of Marquette, Nontraditional Student; and Laura Clarkston of Bruce Township, Global Campus Student.

The Northern Michigan University Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter recently hosted the 8th annual Marquette Coffee Crawl, which drew nearly 500 participants and raised $10,200 for the Marquette Women's Center.

Northern Michigan University students completed a two-week study abroad program titled "Gateway to India: Culture, Community & Social Change" earlier this semester. The international social work course provided them with a "transformative" cultural immersion and global learning experience focused on cultural humility, diversity, community engagement and global social development. 

Northern Michigan University Social Work Associate Professor Vikash participated in the 64th Session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development, held at United Nations Headquarters earlier this semester.

Northern Michigan University's 12th annual Anderton's Earth Week will be held April 19-25. This year's schedule has more than 30 events and activities to celebrate the arrival of spring. Gamma Theta Upsilon, NMU's geographic honors society, is working with the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographic Sciences and the Sustainability Hub for Innovation and Environment (SHINE) to host an action-packed week of Earth-themed activities. 

At his first university forum on April 13, NMU President Chris Olsen identified the top three priorities he plans to address: enrollment, which he emphasized is the “most immediate challenge”; enhancing community relationships; and fundraising, as NMU prepares to launch the public phase of a comprehensive fundraising campaign in early 2027.

Northern Michigan University's Center for Native American Studies (CNAS) is involved in a collaborative 2026 Sugar Bush ("iskigamizigan") program. Last Friday, a group met at the Vielmetti-Peters Conservation Reserve for a Spring Equinox event and ceremony, followed by a group snowshoe to identify maple trees that will be tapped for sap collection and processing.

Dr. Jongeun You, assistant professor in Northern Michigan University's Department of Political Science and Public Administration and a member of NMU's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Workgroup, has published a case study examining how Michigan uses AI to compete in the national race for talent. The study focuses on the AI-powered Michigan Career Portal and a statewide workforce plan with a unified brand and messaging strategy to attract talent.

Northern Michigan University's longstanding UNITED Conference has been transformed for 2026 into a three-day event March 25-27. It weaves together NMU initiatives— Campus Sustainability Summit, Common Reader Program, Poetry Without Borders and Wildcat WellBeing Fair—and a partnership with the PEAK26 professional development conference into one cohesive experience. 

The NMU Center for Native American Studies (CNAS) is hosting its Fire Site Storytelling Series on select Thursdays in March and April. These events are free and open to the public.