Kathy Agee, NMU Parent

How many students do you have attending Northern? What year are they/when did they graduate? What is/was their field of study?

I will have one student attending NMU. She transferred from Grand Rapids Community College in the fall of 2022. She is scheduled to graduate in spring 2024 with a major in Public Relations and a General Business minor.

Describe your student's experience in finding, selecting, and attending Northern. What was your involvement in this process?

My daughter always knew she wanted to attend a four year university after earning her Associates degree. We visited a few colleges and I let her take the lead on which ones she wanted to visit. She researched the colleges and talked to friends who were attending various colleges to get their input. I was the guide on the side.

Was it a difficult or easy decision for your student to attend NMU? What sealed the deal?

NMU was on her short list of choices from the beginning. We first visited the campus for Wildcat Weekend and after that she decided she didn’t need to visit any other colleges. She fell in love with Marquette, but more significantly she was able to talk to the director of the Public Relations program during that weekend. She made an instant connection with that faculty member and felt it would be a great fit. Feeling welcome and cared about as an individual sealed the deal. 

What were your main concerns about your student attending Northern? How were those concerns addressed?

My biggest concern was her being so far from home. She really didn’t know anyone else going to NMU and I was concerned about her finding a good roommate and “affinity group”. I was concerned that she wouldn’t get the necessary help if she needed it academically (or for anything else). She and NMU proved me wrong in every area! She navigated the housing and roommate options and found a great roommate in the dorms. Even though she was concerned about living in the dorms as an upperclassman, she had a great year and is glad that she lived on campus her first year at NMU. She said she was able to make a lot more connections and get more support than she would have had off campus. She chose to join the Rock Climbing Club and PRSSA (a professional student organization) where she has made great friends. A professor of hers encouraged her to apply for a job in the NMU Marketing department (because he thought she would be good at it and could build her skills) and she has really enjoyed that. I wanted her to go to a college where she is valued as an individual and supported so that she can blossom into her best self, and that is what NMU has done for her. Thank you!