DISTINCTLY NORTHERN CORE VALUES

Community
Inclusion
Opportunity    
Connection
Rigor    
Innovation
Environment    
Wellbeing

 

MISSION

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 in order 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.

 

VISION

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.

OUR GRAND CHALLENGES

01  Supporting our People

Executive Sponsor: Rhea Dever, Vice President, People Culture and Wellbeing

Wellbeing of people, places, and the planet are interconnected and integral to NMU’s educational mission. Embracing the Okanagan Charter and its Calls to Action, along with our commitment to honor and nurture the role of Indigenous perspectives and peoples locally and globally, will ensure all Wildcats the opportunity to thrive professionally and personally.

 

02  Partnering with our Place

Executive Sponsor: Gavin Leach, Vice President, Finance and Administration

Increasing our 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.

 

03  Realizing the Potential of All our Students: 100/Best/Zero

Executive Sponsor: Anne Dahlman, Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs

NMU is driven to prepare our students for success in an ever-changing world. Increasing focus on high impact practices (HIPs), comprehensive advising, and flexible learning formats and credentials will provide all Wildcats the equal opportunity to graduate on time and achieve lifelong success.

Our Compass

CALL TO ACTION

Your involvement is crucial to the success of our strategic initiatives. Contribute to Northern Michigan University’s strategic plan implementation by:

  • Serving on a Strategy Team
    Guided by dedicated leads, Strategy Teams will develop action plans and tactics with involvement from relevant stakeholder groups. Watch for a communication regarding serving on a Strategy Team as well as other ways you can stay informed and involved.
     
  • Submitting a Tactic
    If you have an idea for a Tactic, or an activity that will help to achieve a Strategy, contact the relevant Strategy Lead or Grand Challenge Executive Sponsor.

For further information and guidance, please contact the NMU Institutional Effectiveness Office.

NMU 2022 INTERIM STRATEGIC PLAN

As of Winter 2024, NMU's 2022 Interim Strategic Plan has concluded. 

Focus Area Action Plans and accompanying Dashboards, which were developed to track progress on the Interim Strategic Plan, are now archived on this page. While no longer actively updated, we encourage you to explore these historical dashboards and browse the featured news articles highlighting past efforts and accomplishments guided by the Interim Strategic Plan.

NMU will use similar dashboards to monitor future plans, maintaining our commitment to transparency and accountability in all our strategic efforts.

Students and instructor at Upper Peninsula Cyber Security Institute

New Markets, New Supports

Grow and support our student body by identifying new markets, developing new academic offerings, and supporting our students’ mental and physical health.

Crowd of students at graduation with some facing the camera and smiling

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Create and embrace a university-wide culture of inclusion and belonging for all members of the NMU community.

Sunrise over Marquette and Lake Superior

Rural Roots

Leverage our unique location and expertise to serve rural communities by providing services that enrich our community, improve health, increase access to continuing education opportunities, and support sustainable economic development.

Students and professor in front of solar array

Builders of a Culture of Sustainability

Enhance and grow sustainability efforts and education throughout the planning, operations, education, research and service aspects of the university.

Two students in masks studying indoors

Emergency Focus Area: Covid-19

Ensure long-term emergency planning success by reflecting on what we have learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.