Northern Michigan University launches Evergreen initiative

Northern Michigan University has launched its new Evergreen initiative. The Evergreen initiative is an effort to provide education to individuals at different life stages, from high schoolers to retirees, in a 60-year curriculum. The initiative is the result of a three-year planning effort and the university expects the implementation will take both the time and effort of the entire campus community.

According to an article on Northern Michigan University’s website, Steven VandenAvond, who serves as the associate provost for Extended Learning and Community Engagement, was quoted as saying of the Evergreen initiative, “We've had lifelong learning models for a long time. This system just streamlines it and makes it more understandable and accessible. We shouldn't exclude people just because they couldn't come full-time on campus right after graduating high school. This model acknowledges that you don't have to come immediately upon high school graduation, and you don't have to come full time. The program aims to help students make furthering their education work for them. [Evergreen] is part of the core of what we do as a public regional comprehensive university. We should be reaching out to all people and providing them with educational opportunities to advance themselves personally and professionally without sacrificing the wonderful things we do for traditional-age students.”

He added, “This is lifelong learning taken seriously. We're really excited about this.”

As a model of lifelong learning, Evergreen will provide individuals with flexible education options, whether they are a transfer student, a first-time student, a returning student, or a working professional. The initiative aims to provide resources and support to all students and recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to education.

Evergreen will include a pathway for individuals to articulate their non-credit classes and experiences into their portfolio of learning, or help them bring those experiences into a degree program. 

Pathways available to students in the Evergreen initiative are the College of Technology & Occupational Sciences, Continuing Education & Workforce Development, Global Campus for Online Learning, International Programs, International Admissions, Invent@NMU, and Northern Promise.

For more information about Northern Michigan University, visit the school’s website.