on campus NMU launches leadership program to serve rural communities
‘A unique way to address a real issue’ By Erin Elliott Bryan
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s noted in the “Rural Roots” focus area of Northern Michigan University’s Interim Strategic Plan, the university’s role as a rural-serving institution is critical to advancing the U.P.’s economy. To help achieve that goal, a new program will provide immersive, handson experiential learning opportunities to students who are interested in rural economic development and work to address vital community needs. NMU’s Rural Leadership Fellowship Program pairs student fellows with projects submitted from around the U.P. that have been identified as a community economic development priority. Projects can include revising a city’s master plan, collaborating on a regional opportunity with multiple communities, implementing tax incentives or pursuing state grants for community projects. A primary objective of this program is to retain the next generation of community leaders by providing practical exposure to issues and opportunities facing rural community development in the U.P. Fellows with this type of experience could excel in important roles in city management, county administration or local economic development organizations. The students, who are selected by a competitive application process, receive a 100 percent tuition and fee scholarship for the duration of the fellowship, a stipend up to $15,000 to assist with living expenses, a faculty adviser who will oversee the student’s participation as a directed study and mentorship from members of the program’s advisory committee, an esteemed group of economic development professionals from throughout Michigan who have a connection to the U.P. This program will officially kick off in mid-February with two student fellows. “This is a concept that evolved, recognizing that there are really great career opportunities to support economic and community development in the U.P.,” said Dave Nyberg, executive
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Marquette Monthly
Northern Michigan University’s new Rural Leadership Fellowship Program is one way in which the institution aims to serve the Upper Peninsula. (Photo courtesy of Northern Michigan University)
director of Business Engagement and Economic Development at NMU and one of the founders of the program. “It’s not always a career path that is thought about in college, and there is a need for experienced professionals in this space.” Nyberg said the program is an opportunity for students to explore a career in public service and economic development, to build a network of economic and community development professionals and to gain specialized skills to work in rural communities, hopefully in the U.P. or throughout Michigan. “This is work-based learning supporting real community projects in the U.P.,” Nyberg said, explaining that communities often struggle with a lack of staff or support to fully take advantage of available resources, whether that’s grant money or a person who can devote all of their time to a particular project. To that end, students will be expected to work about 15 to 20 hours per week. The program is a public-private partnership with InvestUP and is funded by a rural capacity-building investment supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, or MEDC. It also received administra-
February 2024
tive financial support from the NMU SISU Institute’s Innovation Fund. This first cohort of students and projects will work over the course of three semesters: winter, summer and fall 2024. Moving forward, the project is expected to align with the academic calendar, with the second cohort beginning work in fall 2024. While initial plans for the program sought to focus on graduate students enrolled in NMU’s Master of Public Administration and Master of Business Administration programs, the first two selected students are undergraduates: Lexie Hagan and Anne McIlhagga. Hagan, a senior from Iron Mountain, expects to graduate in December. She is pursuing a major in management and a minor in computer science and has always had a desire to help people. As part of her application process, Hagan submitted two letters of recommendation from NMU faculty and staff and wrote an essay on why this was important to her and how she could help her community. “I thought this was an awesome opportunity to help out the community I’m from, that will have a huge impact on me,” she said. “I’m so excited. It’s so important for me, and it’s going to help me in my career.”
While the advisory committee originally intended to choose the project with which each fellow would work based on the student’s stated interest, Hagan was able to select her project from three options. After talking with family and friends, she narrowed it down to one “exciting and special” project. “I wanted to do all three, really,” Hagan said. She will be working with the City of Manistique to focus on its five-year recreation plan in tandem with the implementation of an $800,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to support city parks infrastructure. She said she looks forward to making a tangible impact. “The beginning of the process has been exciting,” Hagan said. “Everybody seems fired up to help the students learn and help the communities around them. I feel very special and blessed for this opportunity.” McIlhagga, a sophomore from East Lansing, will be working with the City of Marquette to focus on its community master plan renewal, including implementation of the plan rollout and community engagement activities. “I’m really excited to get to know more about the inner workings of the