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.
Sustainability Hub for Innovation & Environment (SHINE)
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 campus, and support education on sustainability inside and out of the classroom.
Read about SHINE and NMU's latest sustainability initiatives in our Sustainability Action Plan and our latest Sustainability Annual Report.
Learn more about NMU's latest sustainability initiatives here.
Campus Sustainability Tour
NMU has been working to become a more sustainable campus for decades. Check out our online StoryMap to learn more about the history of NMU's path toward sustainability and see the locations where sustainable practices have been implemented.
You can choose to explore the locations online or bring this guide along with you while you tour campus on your own.
Check out the map for yourself!
NMU Sustainability Rating
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 gold in 2024. The rating system factors in academics and research, operations, administration/planning and engagement.
We are also on the Princeton List of Green Schools - 2024. Learn more about what this means for Northern here.
Campus Engagement
Green Athletics is a student-driven working group consisting of student-athletes, coaches, and other administrators striving to create and promote sustainable changes within NMU's Athletic Department. Their goal is to be the greenest in the GLIAC through decreasing NMU Athletics environmental impact, as well as education and outreach.
Student Engagement
EcoReps is a peer-to-peer sustainability education program. It is designed to give students the resources and knowledge to solve environmental, economic, and social sustainability issues. EcoReps organize campus-wide
programming, carry out collaborative projects, and host various events on and off-campus such as clothing swaps, zero-waste events, residence hall presentations, and skill-builder workshops.
Community Engagement
The Northern Climate Network is a campus and community organization dedicated to providing opportunities to discuss and learn about climate change in our region. The Northern Climate Network is sponsored by Marquette’s Climate Adaptation Task Force, which is a collaborative effort led by Marquette County, the Superior Watershed Partnership and Northern Michigan University.
Contact Us
Please get in touch if you have questions, would like to learn more, or have an idea to share.
- General sustainability: Jes Thompson, Assistant Vice President of Sustainability and SHINE Director, jessitho@nmu.edu
- Energy-related: Kathy Richards, Associate VP Engineering/Planning/Facilities, kathrich@nmu.edu
- Food-related: Alexa Christensen, Director of Dining Services, alchrist@nmu.edu
Learn More
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 initiatives happening at NMU. Email shine@nmu.edu to join our mailing list!
