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Northern Michigan University presidents and students highlight scholarship impact, workforce programs
Summary
Northern Michigan University students and President Brock Tessman told the House Appropriations Subcommittee that state investments such as the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and workforce programs have supported enrollment growth, hands-on training and regional workforce placement.
Students, alumni and Northern Michigan University leaders told the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Higher Education and Community Colleges on April 24 that state scholarship and workforce programs are fueling enrollment and local job placement.
Bennett Lisonbee, a junior in Mechanical Engineering Technology, and other students described transfer ease and close faculty support at Northern. "If I have a question in the middle of the night...I can shoot them a text and they'll respond in the morning," Lisonbee said. Emma Gearopy, a senior in forensic biochemistry, recounted internships and research at university facilities including the Center for Forensic Science and an internship with the Michigan State Police Forensic Science Laboratory in Marquette. Alumni Lexi Hagen and entrepreneur Troy Morris highlighted the NMU Rural Leadership Fellowship and business ties that led to local job creation.
President Brock Tessman emphasized the university's enrollment growth, retention gains and the impact of specific state programs. Tessman told the committee NMU enrolls about 500 students from the Upper Peninsula and 800 from Michigan's Lower Peninsula who benefit from the Michigan Achievement Scholarship; he said the scholarship represents roughly $2,500,000 annually supporting UP students. Tessman also pointed to the Grow Your Own teacher pipeline (about 400 enrollees with roughly a 90% retention rate) and the university's cold case/forensic collaboration with Western Michigan University and the Michigan State Police as examples of state-supported applied programs.
Tessman said NMU supports the governor's recommended operating increase for public universities and highlighted a planned Northern Enterprise Center intended to house the College of Business and serve as a hub for regional workforce and economic development; he said final authorization was pending. He also noted that "about 93% of our graduates have secured jobs immediately upon graduation from Northern Michigan University." Tessman characterized NMU as serving both four‑year and community college missions in Marquette and Alger counties.
The presentation closed with representatives asking for additional outcome data; Representative Roth requested a 10‑year retention-in-state figure, which Tessman said he could provide but did not have at the hearing.
