LIGHTHOUSE | Holistic, Integrated Student Support
The Lighthouse Program is Northern Michigan University’s King-Chávez-Parks (KCP) Select Student Support Services (4S) initiative, designed to advance academic success, persistence, timely degree completion, and post-graduation pathways for students from academically and/or economically underresourced backgrounds. Grounded in NMU’s commitment to opportunity, empowerment, and people, Lighthouse provides holistic, high-impact support that centers students’ strengths while addressing structural barriers to success.
Lighthouse operates as a comprehensive, place-based model that integrates academic support, career readiness, mentoring, community connection, leadership development, and basic needs navigation—preparing students to thrive at NMU and contribute meaningfully to Michigan’s workforce and communities, particularly in the Upper Peninsula.
Career Development and Professional Preparedness
Lighthouse emphasizes intentional career readiness and professional development as essential components of student success. The program provides structured workshops and experiential learning opportunities focused on résumé and cover letter development, interview preparation, professional communication, financial literacy, and navigating workplace culture—particularly for first-generation college students and those with limited access to professional networks.
A core strategy of Lighthouse is connecting students to paid internships through the Wildcat Collective: Leaders of Honor & Ambition Mentorship Program. Through this partnership, Lighthouse students gain access to employer-paid internships, mentorship, and applied learning experiences aligned with their academic interests and career goals. These internships strengthen workforce readiness, support financial stability during critical enrollment periods, and reinforce talent retention within Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
Mentorship, Peer Support, and Leadership Development
Mentorship is a foundational element of the Lighthouse Program and is intentionally structured to include peer-to-peer, near-peer, and cohort-based mentoring models. Lighthouse students benefit from peer mentors who serve as navigators—providing guidance on academic expectations, time management, resource utilization, and campus engagement. These peer-based relationships foster trust, accountability, and shared learning, particularly for students transitioning into or through key academic milestones.
Leadership development is embedded throughout the Lighthouse mentorship model. Students are encouraged to move from mentee to mentor roles over time, strengthening leadership capacity, communication skills, and a sense of responsibility to community. Alumni engagement is intentionally connected to this leadership pipeline, with alumni serving as leadership mentors, career coaches, and role models who demonstrate diverse pathways to professional and civic success. By engaging alumni in mentorship and leadership development, Lighthouse expands students’ professional networks while reinforcing a culture of giving back and paying it forward.
Community Building and Student Belonging
Lighthouse prioritizes cohort-based engagement and multiple opportunities for community connection, recognizing that belonging is critical to student retention and wellbeing. The program creates intentional spaces for peer connection, mutual support, and leadership development through workshops, study groups, wellness-centered gatherings, and collaborative learning experiences.
In NMU’s rural campus context, these touchpoints are particularly important in reducing isolation and fostering a sense of belonging. Lighthouse affirms students’ identities, lived experiences, and cultural assets, reinforcing that they are valued members of the NMU community.
Navigating Systems, Transitions, and Student Support Services
Lighthouse provides proactive, coordinated support to help students navigate complex institutional systems, meet basic needs, and successfully manage key academic and life transitions. This includes guidance related to academic policies, enrollment requirements, financial aid, internship participation, graduate school preparation, and post-graduation planning, as well as referrals to campus and community-based resources.
Recognizing that unmet basic needs can significantly impede academic success, Lighthouse intentionally supports students in accessing food, housing, transportation, and emergency assistance. A key component of this work is connecting eligible students to the MiLEAP Summer Housing Program, which provides critical housing support during summer enrollment and internship periods when traditional housing options and financial aid may be limited. By addressing housing stability, Lighthouse helps reduce summer melt, supports continuous enrollment, and enables students to participate fully in paid internships and academic opportunities.
Through clear communication, regular check-ins, and cross-campus coordination, Lighthouse reduces barriers that disproportionately impact underresourced students. This integrated, holistic approach reflects the core goals of the KCP 4S program—ensuring students are not only retained, but supported to graduate with stability, confidence, and purpose.
We are here to support you every step of the way, from your first semester to your graduation day!
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