PRESIDENT POSITION PROFILE
125 YEARS Founded in 1899 as a teacher’s college, Northern Michigan University will be celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2024. WILL YOU LEAD THE JOURNEY TO NMU’S FUTURE AS ITS 16TH PRESIDENT?
A PRIME LOCATION
NMU is located in the beautiful city of Marquette on the shores of Lake Superior. Named Best Small Town for outdoor adventure by USA Today!
Our city of 21,000 residents who love where they live is in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan—about a 7-hour drive or onehour flight from Chicago or Detroit. Northern Michigan University is located on the ancestral homelands of the Anishinaabe, Three Fires Confederacy, an honored alliance of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodewadmik (Potowatomi) peoples.
SEEKING A STRATEGIC LEADER TO TRANSFORM OUR DYNAMIC UNIVERSITY Northern Michigan University embraces the opportunities and challenges of being a higher education institution in today’s world. The new president will be charged with creating a collaborative environment to foster transformational change and strengthen NMU’s position in higher education.
NMU OVERVIEW
Set on the spectacular shores of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Northern Michigan University offers an educational experience unlike any other. NMU’s engaging degree programs feature small class sizes, personal attention and opportunities that often span beyond the classroom, providing students with real-world applications and experiences. The woods, waters and trails just outside the university’s 350-acre campus enhance the college experience with endless exploration and adventure. Northern’s 7,200 students are surrounded by a team of supportive faculty, staff and community members who are committed to their success in college and after graduation. With 175 degree programs, NMU strives to cater to individual student strengths and choices. A wide range of CTE professional trades certificates and degrees are available. Through NMU’s Global Campus, an additional 24 degrees are offered completely online. Many of our programs offer hands-on research and creative collaboration opportunities early in a student’s undergraduate education, which continue on through our master’s programs and doctoral degree. Students are also highly engaged through active learning in the classroom, internships and meaningful on-campus employment. Students are taught by faculty who are known for their mentoring and accessibility in and out of the classroom. Our student-faculty ratio is 17:1 and the average class size is 26. NMU employs 301 full-time and 212 part-time instructional faculty and 637 staff members. All but senior administrators and coaches are represented by one of five unions and collective bargaining contracts. Northern is one of Michigan’s most affordable universities. With the second lowest tuition of all public universities in the state, an average financial aid package of $13,000 and 95% of freshmen receiving aid, we are committed to making a quality education affordable.
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, NMU’s total operating budget was $202 million, with state appropriations of $48.9 million. NMU is governed by a Board of Trustees. The eight members of the board are appointed by the governor to serve staggered eight-year terms. NMU’s president serves as ex officio without voting privileges. Despite COVID-related and demographic challenges, in fall 2021 Northern experienced more than 10% growth in the number of incoming firstyear students and their credit-hour load. However, total traditional undergraduate and graduate student numbers decreased by 2.1%, continuing a trend from the previous year, which saw total headcount decrease by 4.7%. In 2020, positive strides were made in retention and in graduate (+6.4%) and Global Campus (+16.8%) enrollment. NMU is addressing market changes and enrollment projections by launching four major retention initiatives that involve advising, analytics, career services and student engagement. SISU, the Innovation Institute at NMU, was created to support the institution’s goals of re-imagining the future of learning through curricular innovations, such as creating transdisciplinary programs and developing more interdisciplinary programs and experiential collaborations with employers. The university has long enjoyed a closely entwined and positive relationship with the Marquette community. Through the Student Leader Fellowship Program and Superior Edge, NMU students provide thousands of hours of volunteer service to the area each year. With the city’s stunning natural beauty, year-round cultural and recreational events and friendly atmosphere, students and residents enjoy a truly special lifestyle. Marquette has been named one of the nation’s top communities for young people, families, skiers, bicyclists, vacationers and entrepreneurs and is one of the safest college towns in the country.
NMU MISSION
Northern Michigan University’s distinctive academic and career programs are nurtured by exceptional teaching and extensive opportunities for scholarship, creativity and engagement. Our supportive, connected community empowers students, graduates, faculty and staff to contribute to a diverse and sustainable world.
NMU VISION
Northern Michigan University promotes an active environment to foster strong minds and bodies, inspires innovation and inclusion through community engagement, and develops leaders capable of local and global impact.
INCLUSION
Northern is a safe and welcoming place. We aspire to learn from and encourage each other as global citizens, neighbors, colleagues and family. We desire to be a role model in embracing all types of diversity and diverse points of view, engaging in civil society and governance, protecting human rights and promoting social justice.
COMMUNITY
CONNECTIONS
OPPORTUNITY
INNOVATION
Northern has a distinctive sense of place – some refer to it as the upper hand. We are a warm, friendly, caring and helpful university. We are collaborative, on campus and off, valuing partnerships and service to each other, the community and the region. Our focus is always on students.
Like Lake Superior’s vastness, there is depth and breadth to Northern’s wide range of academic, research and scholarship, international travel and student service programs. We are affordable and accessible. We use our many resources to achieve deep personal and professional growth in ourselves and provide it for others.
At Northern, we make connections in dynamic ways, creatively using resources and technology to link people, ideas and projects. We nurture strong ties to the environment, community, disciplines, and our rich history and traditions. Like the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), these connections are often luminous and inspiring.
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has always been home to bold, creative risktakers and problem-solvers. Here, we excel at being inquisitive in looking beyond what is to what could be. We believe exploration unleashes and builds strength of mind and character. We endeavor to be entrepreneurs, discoverers and the best within our chosen fields.
RIGOR
A Northern education is like the black rocks that protect Gichigami’s shores – a solid foundation that will endure the waves of time and change. We achieve academic excellence through top-caliber teaching, learning, research and service. Our work ethic and integrity are powered by discipline, courage, pride, sisu (determination), perseverance and the desire to help others succeed, in and out of the classroom.
INTERIM STRATEGIC PLAN
ENVIRONMENT
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Diversity, equity and inclusion
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Emergency planning
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Recruiting and retention
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Rural support initiatives
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Sustainability
The unparalleled rugged beauty of the physical environment at Northern’s campus doorstep is something we admire, study, learn from, strive to protect and enjoy year-round. And like the Anishinaabe, we see a responsibility to plan for sustainability seven generations into the future.
Progress continues at NMU as we transition to a new leadership team. An Interim Strategic Plan has been put in place with a focus on five key areas:
At NMU, students obtain much more than a degree. They learn critical thinking, creative problem solving, service to others, cross-disciplinary collaboration, love of the earth—and that a graduate of a medium-sized, state school can contribute just as much, or more, to the world as an alumnus from a prestigious university. Students enjoy close relationships with faculty mentors and through NMU’s General Education requirements, develop a wide-ranging skill set, ready to take on and better the future.
NMU’S 30 ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS are arranged into the
ACADEMICS
College of Arts and Sciences College of Business College of Graduate Studies and Research College of Health Science and Professional Studies College of Technology and Occupational Sciences School of Art and Design School of Clinical Sciences School of Education, Leadership and Public Service School of Health and Human Performance School of Music, Theatre and Dance School of Nursing School of Technology and Applied Science
EXTENDED EDUCATIONAL REACH ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶
Five charter schools throughout Michigan Continuing Education and Workforce Development Programs Regional Police Academy Seaborg Mathematics and Science Center for K-12 student and teacher programs
OUR CAMPUS ALSO FEATURES ▶
Beaumier Upper Peninsula Heritage Center
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Center for Native American Studies
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Center for Rural Health
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DeVos Art Museum
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Forest Roberts Theatre
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Reynolds Recital Hall
“The spirit of the student body at NMU is original, organic and chill. There are big events that highlight green flags, sports stars and Wildcat Willy, but I don’t think that’s where the student body finds its pride. I think that the nights spent camping on national forest land, the social change that is currently challenging the foundations of old institutions and the grit, originality and quirkiness of NMU students and staff make this place what it is. Originality, space, inventiveness and natural beauty make Marquette and NMU truly wonderful.” CASSIDY DOWNING
STUDENT STATS
BIOLOGY, ALMONT, MI
STUDENT POPULATION
CREDENTIALS
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
6,600 undergraduate students 600 graduate students
Average ACT 22.4 Average SAT 1094 Average HS GPA 3.41
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WHERE OUR STUDENTS COME FROM 37% from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan 39% from Michigan’s Lower Peninsula 24% from other states and foreign countries (1.15%)
DIVERSITY 39% of students are Pell Grant eligible 34% of new freshmen are first generation college students 12% identify as students of color 6% are students with disabilities 1% are international students
MOST POPULAR MAJORS ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶
Biology Nursing Medicinal Plant Chemistry Art and Design Criminal Justice Psychology Elementary Education Fisheries and Wildlife Management Construction Management Mechanical Engineering Technology
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS 300+
Freshman Fellowship Program Honors Program Invent@NMU McNair Scholars Student Leader Fellowship Program Superior Edge Program ROTC Student Support Services
OUR STUDENTS
NMU is one of the only public universities in the U.S. to offer classes in a lighthouse. This one is 12 miles from Marquette on an island in Lake Superior and is used by English students studying eco-criticism as well as by Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences students working on solar radiationmonitoring with NASA’s Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES).
POINTS OF PRIDE FROST In NMU’s Forensic Research Outdoor Station—the world’s first cold weather lab for the study of human remains—scientists and students conduct research on the effects of cold temperatures on human decomposition and taphonomy.
PLANT-BASED INNOVATION Students get a jump on careers in new markets in the country’s first Medicinal Plant Chemistry bachelor’s degree along with our cannabis operations program. They also prepare to meet climate change challenges with our one-of-a-kind Indoor Agriculture program.
THEATER AND ENTERTAINMENT ARTS Students perform center stage, in the pit or behind the scenes, travel to New York City, Las Vegas and London to perfect the skills to make their mark in the burgeoning music, movie and multimedia industries.
CANCER RESEARCH In NMU’s collaborative Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center, students participate in research of glioblastoma multiforme—with the ultimate goal of improving treatment methods and outcomes and advancing the field of knowledge in neuro-oncology.
CYBER SECURITY
COMMUNITY CLINICS
NMU’s regional Cyber Security Institute offers training for all levels and supports NMU’s cyber degrees. It is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE), by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security.
NMU supports the Upper Peninsula region by providing much-needed services to the public. Faculty and students operate the Behavioral Education Assessment & Research (BEAR) Center for children on the autism spectrum and other sensory disorders, the SpeechLanguage Clinic and Concussion Clinic.
NEXT-GEN COMMUNICATORS CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION From Automotive Service to Welding, Computer Numerical Control to Renewable Energies, Northern offers 1- to 4-year programs for high-demand, critical careers in the professional trades.
Students gain valuable experience as editors of the national Passages North literary journal, writers and designers for The North Wind student news site, anchors and camera operators with Public Eye News, broadcasters for NMU’s public radio and television stations, and social media creators in the university’s marketing department.
7,200
TOP 10
STUDENTS ENROLLED AT NMU
PROGRAMS FOR THE TOP 10 FASTEST-GROWING JOBS IN THE COUNTRY
TOP 10
TOP 20
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN THE U.S.
BEST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN THE MIDWEST
TOP 20
TOP 50
BEST AFFORDABLE PRE-MED DEGREE PROGRAM
BEST SCHOOL IN U.S. FOR EDUCATION MAJORS
91%
93%
OF GRADS SAID IF THEY COULD DO NMU ALL OVER AGAIN, THEY WOULD!
OF RECENT GRADUATES ARE EMPLOYED (84% IN THEIR FIELD) OR CONTINUING THEIR EDUCATION
(US NEWS & WORLD REPORT)
TECHNOLOGY LEADER Access to Global Campus academic programs and online personal and professional development offerings has increased significantly due to the rapid buildout of the University’s unique wireless LTE network. In addition, NMU has brought high-speed educational broadband to K-12 students and staff in the most unserved and underserved rural areas in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and northeast Wisconsin, through its Educational Access Network (EAN), reaching 113 communities. NMU was also one of the first U.S. universities to equip full-time students, faculty and staff with a laptop computer and a comprehensive technology package, which continues to this day.
RESEARCH Students are putting classroom knowledge into practice through research on concussions, neurological and psychiatric disorders, mental health, brain tumors, cloud computing, semiconductors, climate refugees, poaching, marine conservation and restoration, salamander migration, bat pollinators, carnivore diets, invasive species, solar cells, multiple facets of sustainability and much more. Research is supported by the College of Graduate Studies and Research.
RECENT FUNDING EXAMPLES ▶
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$450,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for Walking the Path Together, a program designed to reduce barriers to hiring and maintaining staff in tribally run victim services programs in the Upper Peninsula. $320,000 grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund to continue offering innovative support services for entrepreneurs across the Upper Peninsula through Invent@NMU. $300,000 Scholarly Editions and Translations Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support George Herbert: Complete Works, under contract with Oxford University Press. $200,000 from the National Park Service to survey 4,000 national park visitors about their perceptions of climate change. $194,000 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to explore the feasibility of an aggregation, distribution and light food processing facility serving the region.
Learn more at nmu.edu/sponsoredprograms/ research-discoveries-magazine
PHILANTHROPY THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT
The NMU Foundation secures funds that bring programs and student success above and beyond what yearly budgets can provide. Donors’ gifts provide the funding to purchase additional equipment, provide student awards and support research.
It’s not about a single gift — it’s about creating long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships. That is the philosophy of the NMU Foundation, which exists to develop relationships that will generate resources to benefit the strategic goals of Northern Michigan University. Established as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in 1968, it has recently designed a strategic plan for transformational fundraising and is now poised to launch a major fundraising campaign in fall 2024. The campaign will seek support for projects identified from the university-wide “BIG IDEAS” project, that, with potential philanthropic investment, will enhance Northern’s levels of innovation and excellence. This campaign will require building deep, meaningful relationships with those who have financial capacity, affinity and passion for NMU. With net assets of over $52 million, the Foundation has seen significant fundraising production over the past five years, with $5.3 million generated last year. To sustain this growth, the challenge moving forward will be to empower the philanthropic process at NMU to achieve the transformational investments that donors are interested in providing. The successful campaign will result from the commitment from campus leadership to designate a place for philanthropy in the strategic plans that will carry NMU through the next several decades.
In the last five years, the Foundation has transferred more than $14.2 million to NMU to support students, faculty and programming. While this is significant, there is potential to provide much more through investment planning and increased fundraising production.
The NMU Foundation Green and Gold Gala held in 2019, was a premier town and gown event held in the newly renovated Northern Center. The event featured students from the School of Music, Theatre and Dance and secured over $200,000 for the Flexible Aid Fund, which provides monies to students in need due to unexpected circumstances.
The 2021 NMU Day of Giving annual fund campaign secured over $900,000 for departments, programs and student support.
ATHLETICS Active is an apt word to describe the residents of Marquette and students and staff of NMU. Whether it’s skiing at Marquette Mountain, surfing Superior’s waves or golfing the award-winning Greywalls Golf Course, our residents embrace athleticism. Our community especially does that in showing up and cheering on our 20 NMU teams. It’s no coincidence that Marquette was named Kraft Hockeyville USA in 2016, as we are especially enthusiastic about hockey, though each sport has an avid following. We also take pride in watching summer and winter Olympic Games, which showcase many alumni of the former U.S. Olympic Education Center at NMU and current National Training Site.
ATHLETIC CAMPUS Superior Dome The largest wooden dome in the world, it hosts NMU Wildcat football and lacrosse games, regional tournaments and community events and houses the National Training Site for USA Greco-Roman Wrestling and Weightlifting.
Berry Events Center This arena has seating for 3,800 fans, is home of NMU hockey and basketball, and also serves as an entertainment venue.
Physical Education and Instructional Facility “The PEIF” is home to NMU volleyball and swimming and diving and Athletic Department offices. The facility has a pool, climbing wall, racquetball and basketball courts, workout equipment and other amenities.
The NMU Volleyball Team won the 2020-21 championship title in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Including 2021, Nordic skiing has won 15 consecutive men’s and 8 straight women’s NCAA Central Regional titles.
NMU alumnus Robert Saleh, former tight end for the Wildcats, is now head coach of the New York Jets.
In 2020-21 three NMU teams —hockey, swim & dive and Nordic skiing—advanced to their conference tournament championships.
Former NMU student Sarah Robles became the first U.S. woman to win two Olympic weightlifting medals when she claimed bronze in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Northern has 4 NCAA titles: football, men’s ice hockey and women’s volleyball (2). The ‘Cats have also been national runners-up 4 times: in hockey, swimming and diving and volleyball.
NCAA SPORTS MEN’S Basketball | Football | Golf | Ice Hockey | Nordic Skiing | Soccer | Swimming & Diving
WOMEN’S Basketball | Cross Country | Golf | Lacrosse | Nordic Skiing | Soccer | Swimming & Diving | Track & Field | Volleyball | Wrestling
VARSITY NON-NCAA SPORTS Men’s and Women’s Alpine Skiing | Co-ed eSports
NATIONAL TRAINING SITE Greco-Roman Wrestling | Weightlifting
NMUWILDCATS.COM
INVESTING IN NMU
Demonstrating its confidence in the university’s future, in October 2021 the Board of Trustees approved investment of $90.6 million in capital projects and campus improvements. The priority projects to be completed over the next three years are: ▶
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Transformation of the Career and Engineering Tech Facility into a modern, high-tech center for application engineers and technical career professionals. Northern Enterprise Center, a new home for the College of Business and other academic programs currently located outside of the academic mall. Harden Hall Library modernization and renovation. New Health and Wellness Center to improve the campus community’s access to physical and mental health services. Renovation of The Northern Center to accommodate the cosmetology and hospitality management programs. New facility for the NMU Behavior Education Assessment and Research (BEAR) Center to better serve patients, improve instructional delivery/training for students and provide space for program expansion. New science labs for high-demand programs in biology, chemistry, psychology and nursing.
In the past few years, NMU has invested $110 million building new residence halls, The Northern Center conference facility and the expansive Northern Lights student dining hall.
NEW SPACES, ENHANCED EXPERIENCES
Pictured are renderings of the Northern Enterprise Center (left), Career and Engineering Tech Facility (top) and Health and Wellness Center (below)
The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees and the Presidential Search Advisory Committee invite applications and nominations for the position of president.
THE POSITION
The university seeks a strategic leader who will lead and transform this dynamic four-year, public, comprehensive university that has grown its reputation based on nationally recognized academic programs, cutting-edge technology initiatives and its award-winning leadership programs. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the president serves as the chief executive officer of the university and is charged with providing the vision and leadership required to advance Northern’s mission. While leading in an environment of shared governance, the president is responsible for overall academic, student, financial and philanthropic leadership and the strategic direction of the institution.
IT IS PREFERRED THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE HAVE THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS: ▶
An earned doctorate or terminal degree.
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Unquestionable character and integrity.
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Executive leadership experience within a complex academic environment.
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Record of leadership in promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and creating a cohesive, collaborative and inclusive culture.
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Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with all constituents based on trust, mutual respect, transparency and credibility. Unwavering commitment to shared governance and experience working in a collective bargaining environment and building healthy, collaborative relationships with represented employees.
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Commitment to the student-centric philosophy of NMU, with a focus on student success and engagement.
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Ability to provide visionary and inspirational leadership.
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Exceptional communication and listening skills and the ability to empower success.
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Strong acumen in budgeting and finance with demonstrated success in navigating amongst shifting financial landscapes.
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An understanding of the importance of the university’s role in community and economic development.
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Familiarity with higher education policies and best practices as it relates to increasing enrollments, recruitment and retention and additional sources of funding.
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Track record of building and mentoring leadership teams that deliver results.
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Demonstrated success in strategic planning and the articulation of mutual goals.
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Commitment to strengthening existing academic programs and establishing new programs to support NMU’s strategic plan.
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Appreciation for the role of the Board of Trustees with a willingness to create strong lines of communication and partnership.
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Willingness to make strategic choices, timely decisions and responsive actions.
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Successful track record of major gift fundraising and developing relationships with donors.
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Successful track record of developing external relationships, including alumni, members of the community, media, legislators, other government officials and leaders in the private and nonprofit sectors.
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Commitment to environmental and social sustainability.
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Ability to quickly develop a bond with the Upper Peninsula, its roots, its people and its traditions.
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Unwavering support for the academic and athletic success and well-being of student athletes.
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Commitment to a robust arts community.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, complete CV, and references) or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the Board. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted prior to August 1, 2022.
SUBMIT TO: Laurie C. Wilder, President Porsha L. Williams, Vice President Parker Executive Search Five Concourse Parkway Suite 2875 Atlanta, GA 30328 lwilder@parkersearch.com pwilliams@parkersearch.com Phone: 770-804-1996 x 109
Equal Employment & Institutional Equity
Northern Michigan University does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by Northern Michigan University.
nmu.edu