Sustainability Hub for Innovation & Environment

Here you'll find information on all things sustainability including current initiatives, academic programs, ways to get involved and much more. We're glad you're here. Let's get to work.

Supporting, encouraging, and contributing to a diverse and sustainable world

Our purpose is to improve planning and coordination for sustainability on campus, increase the implementation of sustainable initiatives and practices on campuses, and support education on sustainability inside and out of the classroom.

Student Initiatives

SHINE’s peer-to-peer education program offers students the resources and knowledge to solve sustainability issues and encourages habit modification to make a collective difference on campus.

On Campus Initiatives

SHINE strives to protect NMU’s beautiful physical surroundings by promoting awareness and responsibility and inspiring innovative sustainable solutions, behavioral changes, and environmental ethics.

Thought Leadership

SHINE writes sustainability narratives and implements transformational sustainability projects by providing insight and actionable recommendations based on research, strategy, and big picture ideas.

Northern Michigan University's STARS rating, determined by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education as a measure of universities' performance related to sustainability, advanced to silver in 2020. The rating system factors in academics and research, operations, administration/planning and engagement.

Please get in touch if you have questions, would like to learn more, or have an idea to share.

General sustainability - Jes Thompson, Professor in College of Business and SHINE Director, jessitho@nmu.edu
Energy-related - Kathy Richards, Associate VP Engineering/Planning/Facilities, kathrich@nmu.edu
Recycling-related - Brandon Sager, Assistant Director-Facilities, brsager@nmu.edu
Food-related - Paul Schoonveld, Director of Dining Services

Campus Sustainability Updates

Join Campus Sustainability Updates that SHINE shares to its network to inform students, faculty, and community members. This network is a resources that includes how to become involved in sustainability on campus and the community, and the initiaves happening at NMU. Sign up here!