What is Superior Edge?

Superior Edge is a student development program at Northern Michigan University that provides students with the opportunity to combine in- and out-of-the-classroom experiences in a way that will provide them with an edge with employers or graduate school admissions counselors.  Superior Edge was developed as a university-wide initiative by a committee comprised of faculty, staff, and students. Superior Edge develops citizen-leaders for the 21st century.

About Superior Edge:

Superior Edge consists of four “edges”

• Citizenship – Become an engaged, involved citizen
• Diversity – Develop sensitivity and awareness of global and domestic diversity issues
• Leadership – Become a competent, ethical and effective leader
• Real World – Relate classroom theory to workplace practice in real-world settings

To complete an edge, students document 100 hours of relevant activities/experiences and write a reflection paper articulating what they have learned through the process as well as a short survey.

After completing an edge, a student enrichment transcript documents each edge.  The student enrichment transcript gets sent out with a student's academic transcript.  If students finish all four edges, they get the distinction of having the "Superior Edge." 

Characteristics of Superior Edge:

• Participation is open to every student at Northern Michigan University.
• Students can progress at their own pace; progress towards an edge can be made throughout their years at NMU.
• Superior Edge combines in- and out-of-the-classroom experiences.
• Students can choose their level of participation; they can elect to complete one, two, three, or all four edges for the Superior Edge.

To get started with Superior Edge, students attend a one-hour orientation session where criteria for the program is explained and they receive instruction on logging their hours.