Catching Up
NMU's New Strategic Plan
“Our Compass” is the direct result of extensive engagement opportunities on campus and in the community. It revolves around three grand challenges with ambitious strategies and powerful outcomes. The grand challenges, which are already being actively addressed are:
- Supporting People: This highlights the interconnectedness of people, place and the planet. Embracing the Okanagan Charter and its Calls to Action, along with NMU's commitment to honor and nurture the role of Indigenous people and perspectives, will ensure all Wildcats have the opportunity to thrive professionally and personally.
- Realizing the Potential of all Students: NMU is driven to prepare its students for success in an ever-changing world. Increasing focus on high-impact practices, comprehensive advising, and flexible learning formats/ credentials will provide all students the equal opportunity to graduate on time and achieve lifelong success.
- Partnering with Place: Increasing the focus on purposeful partnerships strengthens NMU’s connection to its community, fostering a thriving and resilient Upper Peninsula where Wildcats make positive impacts as career-ready, community-engaged citizens.
The trio is reflected in the university’s new vision statement:
Like the lake that inspires us, Northern Michigan University will be known as Superior— in the ways we support our people, partner with our place, and realize the potential of all our students.
Northern’s new mission statement is:
Northern Michigan University empowers learners with distinct and meaningful experiences that open doors to extraordinary
opportunities. Our purpose is to foster close connections between learners, leaders, communities, and the natural environment to nurture and inspire creative problem solvers, critical thinkers, and responsible citizens dedicated to promoting the health and vitality of the Upper Peninsula, Michigan, and beyond.”
Presidential Transition
NMU President Brock Tessman announced on April 7 that he was leaving Northern to become president at Montana State University. NMU alumnus Gavin Leach ’85 BS, ’99 MPA, who has worked at NMU for 36 years—the last 18 as vice president for Finance and Administration–has been appointed NMU’s interim president, beginning July 1, while a nationwide search is conducted for the next leader to fill the role. His appointment was announced at the May 2 NMU Board of Trustees meeting.
“I am truly honored to be given this role, and humbled by the board’s confidence in my leadership,” Leach said. “I am dedicated to seeing that the major projects underway are funded and completed, that we continue to navigate successfully through today’s political climate, and that the visioning we’ve initiated to address the enrollment and demographic challenges continues at a high level so that we do not lose ground as the search for the new president takes place."
It’s been a pleasure to work with Brock, and I promise to keep Our Compass, NMU’s strategic plan, pointing in the right direction. Most importantly, let me stress that I will continue to work for the success and well-being of Northern’s students, faculty, and staff.
Leach has worked directly with eight NMU presidents and more than 30 board members. He said he learned something from all of them that will greatly benefit him in the coming months. “I would have never dreamed that I would have this opportunity when I was growing up across the street from campus and then attending Northern in the late ’80s. However, I had wonderful faculty and a great education that created a solid foundation for my career. I have now been tied to Northern for 40 years of my life, beginning as a student. My wife, Robin, whom I asked out on our first date nearly 41 years ago, right in the vestibule of Harden Hall that now connects to Jamrich, will tell you how dedicated I am to Northern, and that I really love my job and my alma mater. My sons, Aaron and Garrett, and several other relatives, also hold NMU degrees. This university holds a special place in my family.”
Parker Executive Search has been hired to identify potential candidates for his successor. Tessman began as NMU’s 17th president in February 2023 after serving four years as the deputy commissioner of higher education for the 16 campuses that comprise the Montana University System. Steve Young, chair of the NMU Board of Trustees, said, “When we hired Brock Tessman two years ago, we knew we were making an excellent choice. Over the past two years, we have seen increased collaboration and improved communications across our stakeholders. We’ve had positive upticks in enrollment and retention…. Brock has placed NMU in a great position."