Director's Update: SHINE On!
This has been an exciting year for sustainability at NMU. First, we were selected to be a host site for the Michigan Healthy Climate Corps, and Dr. Anna Solberg spent 11 months with us helping to develop and implement dozens of campus and community sustainability projects.
Our intern team continues to grow, with the generous support of donors, our team is now up to seven paid student workers! We also received a grant from the state of Michigan to install rooftop solar on the WellBeing Center in 2026, which will help us advance our carbon neutrality goals (we're at 27,412 metric tons of CO2E and dropping!). 2025 was a big year for our portfolio, too. We're making substantial progress toward fossil fuel divestment and hope to be 100% divested in 2026. Stay tuned as we continue to "Shine on!"
-Jessica L. Thompson, Ph.D.
Asst. Vice President for Sustainability
Sustainability Hightlights
Over the course of the year, NMU has invested in various sustainability initiatives, all aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This year's efforts include:
- Upgrading lighting fixtures in Cohodas and Weston Hall and installing efficient systems in the renovated Harden Hall, cutting energy use in half.
- Comprehensive campus-wide waste audit of trash and recycling.
- More than 8o people attended the Campus Sustainability Summit in February; 100+ people attended Climate@ Noon seminars in 2025.
- The Campus Native Plant Nursery has more than 30 species of native trees and plants; nearly 200 trees and plants were planted in 2025.
- The University’s GHG emissions were 27,412 tonnes CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent), less than 2,500 tons away from our 2030 goal.
- The Compost Crew at Northern Lights continues to capture 1-2 tons of food waste each week, sending it to our community partner, Partridge Creek Compost.
Students Lead Sustainability
Students have been the driving force behind sustainability at NMU. Through the Green Fund, student organizations, and campus events, they continue to bring attention to the importance of building a sustainable future together.
The Green Fund
The Green Fund is a $5 student fee that provides funding for student-led sustainability projects across campus. This year's selected projects include expanding pollinator habitat, installing bat boxes, and purchasing additional bikes for the ASNMU bike share program.
EcoReps
EcoReps is a peer-to-peer sustainability ambassador program, equipping students with the tools and insights needed to tackle environmental, economic, and social sustainability challenges in a rapidly changing world.
Green Athletics
Green Athletics is a student-athlete group working to promote sustainability at sporting events. This year, they hosted clothing swaps, shoe drives, litter pick-ups, and zero-waste games.
Growing a Sustainability Demonstration Area
Imagine an interactive garden, a forest path, an outdoor learning area, and a place to learn about permaculture and compost. All just steps from the residence halls and the heart of campus. This dream became a reality in 2025.
It started as a "Strategic Doing" project in October 2024 with dozens of collaborators representing NMU Facilities, NMU Hoop House, the Center for Native American Studies, the Earth, Environmental, & Geographical Sciences Department, the Dean of Students Office, NMU Food Pantry, the People, Culture, & Wellbeing Division, and the SHINE team.
In September 2025, we hosted a campus-wide survey, on-site open house, and design jam to get student and community input on the development of the site. With support from the Swipe Out Hunger - Hunger Free Campus Pilot Program, various departments, donors, and NMU's Green Fund, the site will continue to "grow" sustainable solutions for a resilient future.
Events & Initiatives
There are dozens of people leading dozens of projects across the university to ensure we make progress on our carbon neutrality goals and Strategy 1.4 in the University's strategic plan, "Our Compass." Here are just a few highlights from 2025:
Sustainability Summit
One of the tactics in NMU's strategic plan, Our Compass, was to revive the Sustainability Summit. The last summit was in 2017, and it was time to showcase the latest sustainability progress at NMU as well as highlight student, faculty, and staff projects.
The day included dozens of sessions with keynote speakers, a student panel, climate change jeopardy, and poster presentations. It was co-hosted with SISU: The Innovation Institute at NMU and brought more than 80 people together to talk about sustainability on campus.
Campus Waste Audit
To set strategic targets for reducing the production of waste on campus, we need to know our baseline and understand our current waste stream.
Students in the EEGS Department worked over multiple semesters to examine the contents of campus dumpsters. We learned that more than 54% of the waste sent to the landfill could be recycled; 16% could be composted. The residence halls generate the most waste (by pound) followed by sporting and events facilities. This data has been critical as we set waste reduction goals.
Divestment Progress
NMU is dedicated to divesting all investments related to the fossil fuel industry from our endowment.
In 2023, approximately 6% of our investment portfolio consisted of fossil fuel-related funds. Over the past two years, NMU's Office of Finance & Administration has moved all but 2% of the funds in those portfolios and has more than doubled our investments in sustainable and climate-aligned funds. The last 2% is scheduled to be moved in 2026, putting us two years ahead of our 2028 target date.