Rural Roots
Leverage our unique location and expertise to serve rural communities by providing health services, economic models, workforce talent, and continuing education opportunities.
Rural Roots
According to the U.S. Census Bureau and Office of Management and Budget, all communities within the Upper Peninsula are rural, and because of its location and the students that it serves, NMU is considered a rural-serving institution (RSI), according to the criteria set forth by the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges. NMU is located on the ancestral and current homelands of the Anishinaabe Three Fires Confederacy and serves rural communities throughout the Upper Peninsula. Northern is uniquely positioned to leverage its geographic location and provide educational programs and research focused on rurality and rural issues. As an important community partner, NMU has a responsibility to contribute to the economic strength and sustainability of the U.P. in a manner that honors its connection to the land, its people and its rich cultural history while fostering the physical and mental health, and the education and employment needs of its residents.
Focus Goals
NMU as a national leader of learning and research
G1:
- Develop and expand academic programs with a rural focus and infuse rural and regional topics into current curricula
G2:
- Leverage our long history of providing access by expanding continuing education opportunities for rural residents and employers
G3:
- Increase and support faculty and student research on rurality
NMU as a resource for Upper Peninsula communities, businesses and residents
G4:
- Coordinate, expand and increase health initiatives in the Upper Peninsula, especially to those that reach out to residents whose rural location hinders their ability to live healthy lives
G5:
- Improve internet access and digital security throughout the region
G6:
- Serve as a catalyst for regional economic and workforce development
Rural Roots Goals Strategy
| Item | Strategy | Oversight | Goal Alignment | Focus Area Key Metrics | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify and adopt a definition of rurality and Rural Serving Institution (RSI) | Extended Learning | All Goals | Definitions identified, vetted, and adopted | 2022 |
| 2 | Expand outreach services and applied learning opportunities (e.g., BEAR Center, Speech and Language) | Academic Affairs | G1, G4 |
Number of outreach services Number of community members served |
2023 |
| 3 | Inventory content on rurality and rural issues in current curricula | Academic Affairs | G1, G2 | Identified areas of need or gaps in existing curricula/programs | 2022 |
| 4 | Provide learning opportunities supportive of research practices honoring Native American culture and traditions | Center for Native American Studies | G1, G3 | Participant enrollment and evaluation survey | 2023 |
| 5 | Develop stackable micro-credentials for continuing education with an alternative credentialing system | Extended Learning | G2 |
Micro-credentialing system developed Number of micro-credentials awarded |
2022 |
| 6 | Spotlight student and faculty research on topics related to rurality | Graduate Studies and Research | G1, G3 | Number of research projects shared | 2022 |
| 7 | Determine feasibility of establishing a system for distributing internal grants to faculty and students for research on rurality. |
Extended Learning Graduate Studies and Research
|
G3 | Feasibility study complete and, if appropriate, grant funds distributed | 2022 |
| 8 | Identify external grant opportunities related to rurality | Graduate Studies and Research | G3 | Number of applications submitted and awards received | 2022 |
| 9 | Establish a rural research fellows program to bridge Freshman Fellows with McNair | Graduate Studies and Research | G3 | Program enrollment | 2023 |
| 10 | Identify regional health issues and prioritize health care needs | Center for Rural Health | G4 | Needs identified and prioritized | 2023 |
| 11 | Expand Educational Access Network and IT support | Finance and Administration | G2, G5 |
Number of EAN service zones Number of EAN subscribers |
2023 |
| 12 | Support and expand cybersecurity academic programming and the services offered by the U.P. Cybersecurity Institute | Extended Learning | G1, G5 |
Number of educational experiences offered Sustainable budget model developed |
2023 |
| 13 | Create a coordinated system of advisory councils using existing committees to provide insights regarding regional talent needs |
Academic Affairs | G6 | Coordinated system of advisory councils developed | 2023 |
| 14 | Inventory regional shared resources and identify gaps | Extended Learning | G3, G6 | Inventory complete and gaps identified | 2022 |
| 15 | Expand community partnerships that benefit NMU students, faculty and staff and the regional economy | Extended Learning | G6 | Number of community partnerships | 2023 |
| 16 | Organize and sponsor a regional conference focused on rurality |
Academic Affairs Extended Learning |
G3, G4, G6 | Conference attendance and evaluation survey | 2023 |