Opportunity, Empowerment and People - NMU Events and Announcements

Opportunity, Empowerment and People

The BIPOC Outdoors Summit 5K, led by OEP in collaboration with Lance Woods, co-founder of WeRun313, is a signature event that promotes inclusivity, wellness, and outdoor engagement within the NMU community and beyond. This professionally timed race welcomes runners and walkers of all backgrounds and abilities, combining competitive elements like chip timing and awards with a strong focus on community, representation, and connection to the outdoors.

Opportunity, Empowerment and People

Join us for the BIPOC Outdoors Summit @ NMU — a gathering that brings together outdoor enthusiasts, community builders, and those seeking restoration and inspiration.

While these events center the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in outdoor spaces, everyone is welcome to attend and help create a more inclusive, healing, and joyful outdoor community.

Opportunity, Empowerment and People

The 2026 UNITED Conference celebrates 20 years of community, collaboration, and innovation in this three-day multiconference experience hosted in partnership with the Sustainability Summit and PEAK 26 - bringing together our people, our place, and our potential under one shared vision.

Anchored in Our Compass and guided by NMU’s core values of inclusion, wellbeing, and empowerment, UNITED 2026 weaves together several cornerstone initiatives, including the Common Reader Program, the Wildcat WellBeing Fair, Poetry Without Borders, and the inaugural UNITED - KCP 4S Student Conference, into one cohesive experience. In partnership with PEAK 2026 and the Campus Sustainability Summit, these events form a dynamic ecosystem that uplifts wellness, leadership, sustainability, and equity, inviting every student, employee, and community member to learn, lead, and thrive together. 

Opportunity, Empowerment and People

UNITED 2026 is not simply a series of events — it is collective growth and transformation in action. By linking academic inquiry, sustainability, wellness, and cultural dialogue, UNITED 2026 will position itself as a national model for how a region can integrate innovation, well-being, equity, and environmental stewardship into the fabric of its learning community.

Each signature event contributes a unique perspective:

• PEAK 2026: Focuses on personal and professional growth through leadership, career readiness, and reflection on purpose.
• Campus Sustainability Summit: Showcases NMU’s and the greater U.P.’s environmental commitment through innovation, community partnerships, and solutions-driven dialogue.
• Common Reader Program: Cultivates empathy and shared understanding through literature, dialogue, and diverse perspectives.
• Wellbeing Fair: Promotes holistic health through access to screenings, demonstrations, and resources to support the eight dimensions of wellbeing.
• Poetry Without Borders: Celebrates the U.P.'s linguistic diversity by featuring poetry recitations in languages other than English (English translations are provided).
• KCP 4S Student Conference

Together, they offer a unified journey: from self-awareness to social responsibility.

Opportunity, Empowerment and People

Join us for a day of music, remembrance, and community! Lunch will be followed by our NMU Alumni Keynote speaker, retired judge Charlita Anderson White. Guided by the Theme: "The Beloved Community: Where Justice, Healing, and Hope Meet" and featuring a menu of Fried Chicken, Shrimp and Grits, Mac and Cheese, Collards, Potato Salad, Cornbread, and Sweet Potato Pie. 

This event is free for all NMU students and $14 for community members, faculty, and staff. Tickets can be purchased at nmu.universitytickets.com.

We hope to see you there!