NMU UNITED Conference March 25-27

Northern Michigan University's longstanding UNITED Conference has been transformed for 2026 into a three-day event March 25-27. It weaves together NMU initiatives- Campus Sustainability Summit, Common Reader Program, Poetry Without Borders and Wildcat WellBeing Fair-and a partnership with the PEAK26 professional development conference into one cohesive experience.

UNITED 2026 revolves around the theme "Rest: Reclaiming Power Through Resilience and Resistance." It is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required for all attendees. Sessions will take place across campus, with a continuous shuttle loop connecting key locations.

The schedule for the three-day conference follows (visit the detailed event website for speakers and locations):

Wednesday, March 25

7:45-8 a.m. Teal Lake Singers | Opening Drum Circle

8-9 a.m. Networking Breakfast

9-9:50 a.m. TBD

10-11:30 a.m. We The Earth: Sanctuary at the Nexus of Rest, Resilience, and Resistance

Noon-1 p.m. Kathy Allen, Leading from the Roots, Sustainability Summit keynote

1-1:50 p.m. Breakout sessions: Ganonyok: Gratitude as Resilience and Everyday Resistance; Student-led Sustainability and Resilience Panel; and Kathy Allen Book Signing.

2-2:50 p.m. Breakout sessions: Successful Transition to Civilian Life through Education; The Northern Woodshed Project: Cultivating Rural Resilience through Local Bioenergy Production in the UP; and WellBeing Planning: How to build your resilience through self-reflection

2-4 p.m. Mino-bimose'idiwag!

3-5 p.m. Seed Swap & Plant: Growing with NMU's Hoop House

4:30-5:30 p.m. TBD

5:30-7:30 p.m. Poetry Without Borders and Reception

Thursday, March 26

8-11:50 a.m. and 1-7 p.m. PEAK26 Events/Speakers: Women in Entrepreneurship, Crowdfunding Your Way to Launch, Women in Business Panel Discussion, Breakout Sessions, Makers Fair and Innovation Party

2-2:50 p.m. Breakout sessions: Learn Your Leadership Style with Clifton Strengths; and College of Graduate Studies Buzz Session

2-3:30 p.m. NMU Arts District

2:30-4 p.m. Walking the Talk on Sustainability at NMU

3-3:50 p.m. Breakout sessions: Leader Dogs for the Blind Campus Puppy Program; Tai Chi Qigoing; and Individual Actions Matter: Reducing Waste

3-5 p.m. Research and Innovation Summit Posters + Sustainability Summit Posters Gallery Stroll

4-4:50 p.m. Breakout sessions: Asahi Nordic Health Practice; Workshop: Disability aesthetics, guide-dog culture, and access-centered storytelling; Anishinaabe Tea Break; Read out loud to children presented by the NMU Library and SHINE

Friday, March 27

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PEAK26 events and speakers: registration/breakfast, Bill Hawker of Elevate97 keynote, Design Jam, Nancy Lyons "Kick Your Fear in the Face" keynote, Big Pitch and Outdoor Pitch/Reception

9-9:50 a.m. NMU Common Reader Program virtual keynote with Tourmaline, "Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P Johnson"

10-10:50 a.m. Breakout sessions: Tourmaline; Responsible AI for Environmental Management; Book Swap: Encouraging Rest and Resilience through Literature; Intentional Documentation of Lived Experience via Poetry (IDLE Poetry)

11-11:50 a.m. With Great Lakes Comes Great Responsibility: Digital Outragicity and Data Center Resistance; and Accessibility: Small Changes, Big Impact

1-3 p.m. More-than-Human Relative: Giizhik (Cedar) Workshop

3-5 p.m. Indigenous Fashion Show

For more information and to register, visit https://nmu.edu/united/programs.