NMU Student Fellows Advance U.P. Projects

Three Northern Michigan University students have been selected to participate in the third cohort of NMU's Rural Leadership Fellowship Program, a public-private partnership with InvestUP that promotes immersive, project-based learning while also supporting U.P. economic and community development projects. The fellows and their project partners are: Anna Tousley, City of Marquette Climate Adaptation Plan; Kaysie Bakke, Forsyth Forward; and Thomas Rousch, Headwaters North SmartZone in Sault Ste. Marie.

Tousley is a senior political science major and co-leader of the NMU Conservation Crew. Her project is focused on the drafting and adoption of a Climate Action Plan for the City of Marquette. The plan is intended to increase the knowledge, awareness and understanding of climate change among staff, partners, community stakeholders and residents, while providing the framework for the city to reduce its carbon footprint. The Climate Action Plan will build upon and coordinate the efforts of the Community Master Plan and Community Resiliency Assessment.

Bakke is a junior political science major. Her project is focused on supporting sustainable community economic development initiatives with Forsyth Forward, a community and economic development organization, and elected leaders in the greater Gwinn area. The focus of the her work will include strategic planning, research and outreach efforts that enhance the community's ability to attract investment, improve quality of life and strengthen regional collaboration.

Rousch is an economics major. His project focuses on advancing the promotion and utilization of a Foreign Trade Zone as a tool to attract innovation- and technology-driven companies and strengthen cross-border partnerships in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. His role in the project will include the following: market research on high-tech sectors and foreign trade zone best practices; development of a marketing and promotion toolkit focused on innovation and Blue Economy companies; supporting attraction efforts focused on Canadian-based tech firms; and supporting binational outreach efforts with Canadian partners.

The Rural Leadership Fellowship is a paid and scholarship-supported applied learning experience for students interested in rural economic development and public sector careers. Selected students receive a 100% tuition and fee scholarship as part of their financial aid package for the duration of their fellowships, and a stipend up to $15,000 to assist with living expenses. They are mentored by an advisory committee of experienced leaders in planning and executing a project in the U.P. that has been identified as a community economic development priority.

The program is funded by a rural capacity-building investment supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Learn more about the Rural Leadership Fellowship Program here.

Media contact: David Nyberg, executive director of Business Engagement and Economic Development at NMU, at [email protected] or 906-227-2647.