Faculty/Staff - NMU Events and Announcements

Faculty/Staff

Talkspace Go is a FREE & CONFIDENTIAL resource available to NMU employees and their families through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), ESI.  

Check out this month’s topics designed to improve your mental health and wellbeing! These live, online group classes are therapist-led, anonymous and free.

There are new classes every month covering a broad range of topics related to work, family, relationships, and mental health.

Simply review the classes, decide which you may want to take, and register for the classes in advance through the Talkspace Go app. Or simply sign on to the app on the date and time of the classes to join.

• Don’t yet have the app? Download it for free from the Apple App store or Google Play
• Sign up and create an account
• Enter your organization’s code: ESIEAP
• Once registered, review the calendar, and click the links for the classes that you want to take

August Classes

• Managing Device Use with Kids
• Finding Your Sense of Belonging
• Being a Supportive Manager
• Cultivating Work-Life Balance
• Teaching Children Not to Whine
• AND MORE!

See the full class schedule and sign up using the QR code here

Additional information on the EAP and Talkspace Go can be found at https://nmu.edu/hr/mental-health-wellness-resources.

Faculty/Staff

This webinar will help you to learn more about enhancements to the Northern Michigan University (NMU) retirement program - specifically as a result to our move to the Online Self Service platform on August 12. It will also help you learn more about the tools and resources available from TIAA to help you manage your retirement program participation. Eric Roberts, TIAA Financial Consultant, can also answer questions you may have.

Click here to register

Important note:
Even if you are unable to attend, we recommend you REGISTER to receive a copy of the recording.

Faculty/Staff

The 403(b) retirement plan performance report for the 1st quarter of 2025 is now available for viewing.  The report includes industry updates, market commentary and review, plan investment review, and fund fact sheets for the 403(b) retirement plan (TIAA).  Please visit MyNMU, Employee Services tab, and click on Retirement Plan Information.

Faculty/Staff

NMU is transitioning to the TIAA Online Self Service platform on August 12, 2025.  All retirement contributions will be managed on this platform, ending the manual paper process we use today.  

TIAA's Eric Roberts, who many of you have been meeting with on campus over the years, will be providing a LIVE webinar on August 13 at 12pm EST to introduce and explain the new tool.

We recognize that not all NMU employees will be back to work from the summer by the 13th, so we are going to record the webinar and a link will be available for viewing.  We felt it was critical to get the information out as soon after launch as possible, which is why we've partnered with TIAA for the August 13th date.  A virtual webinar link will be made available as the date approaches.  For now, if you're interested in attending, we encourage you to block the time on your calendar!  

Faculty/Staff

If you or your family member has been utilizing the "Text with Tess" AI powered EAP solution provided by our former EAP provider, Northstar, please note that the service is no longer being supported and is therefore obsolete.

For EAP services, please call NMU's new carrier, ESI EAP, at 800-252-4555.  Licensed counselors answer the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Services are free and confidential.  Additional resources can be found at HigherEdEAP.com

Faculty/Staff

From July 18 through August 11, NMU will be transitioning to TIAA's Online Self Service Portal and as a result, will be in a Quiet Period with TIAA during this period.  

During the Quiet Period, you will not be able to:

• Start a new TIAA contribution
• Change an existing TIAA contribution
• End a TIAA contribution

During the Quiet Period, you will continue to be able to:

• Make investment changes
• Add or change beneficiaries
• View account balances

NMU's Go Live date with TIAA's Online Self Service Portal is set for August 12.  Upon "Going Live", NMU employees will again be able to make contribution changes, but they will be done exclusively online in TIAA's portal.  Changes entered August 12 through August 17 would take effect on the August 28 payroll (Payroll #18).  Therefore, Payroll 17, paid on August 14th, is the only payroll date that we cannot accept TIAA Contribution Changes.  This is a standard practice to ensure the data NMU has regarding contributions can be updated in the new system without missing any changes.

To make changes before the Quiet Period begins, please contact Kimberly Hongisto at x2470 or khongist@nmu.edu.  Requests received after July 17, 2025 will not be honored.
 

Faculty/Staff

TIAA has released its schedule of live webinars for July.  Keep your financial goals on track with these free informative live sessions and learn how you can take action for a more secure future.  

Topics

Quarterly Economic & Market Update on July 9th at 12pm - Register Here

Steps to Help Secure Your Income in Retirement: A Mid-Career Check-In on July 23rd at 12pm - Register Here

Faculty/Staff

Whether you're brand new, have been here forever, or somewhere in between, if you are eligible for benefits, NMU is providing EAP Benefits for you and your family at no cost to you.  We had been serviced by Northstar EAP for years, but when they were acquired in April, ESI became our carrier.  As a much larger organization, ESI is able to provide services that Northstar was not.  

• ESI has professional, licensed counselors that answer the phones 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and can provide in-the-moment support
• ESI provides FREE Peak Performance Coaching in 18 categories.  Their most popular class is Certified Financial Coaching!
• ESI has Personal Research Assistants to help you gather information and options regarding a variety of topics
• Talkspace Go is an app with a monthly cost of $29, but is FREE through ESI.  It offers over 400 self-guided courses, more than 300 on-demand courses, live webinars, and more.  Sign up for free by downloading the app, creating an account, and saying YES to having a code from an organization.  NMU's code is ESIEAP
• Lifestyle Savings Benefits like discounts on products and travel!

Like Northstar, ESI also offers 8 counseling sessions per year.  Sessions are available virtually or in-person depending on your preference.  

Learn all about ESI's robust offerings by viewing this 30 minute video presented by NMU's local Account Manager, Joe Gaffney.

Call 800-252-4555 ANY TIME to connect with ESI and to take advantage of these amazing FREE and CONFIDENTIAL benefits.

Faculty/Staff

The 3rd quarter issue of the Personal Best/Hope Health Newsletter has arrived.  Please take a moment for yourself to read and enjoy this issue, and remember to share it with your family members!  Of interest in this issue:  

• Exercise with a Splash
• Unit Pricing & Grocery Shopping School for Teens
• Say Goodbye to Grudges
• Coping with Humidity
• And MUCH more!

You may also find this issue and previous months on the HR mental health and wellness resources site.  Be sure to scroll all the way down the page to the Additional Resources section. While you’re on the site, check out the wide range of wellbeing resources available to you!

Faculty/Staff

Talkspace Go is a FREE & CONFIDENTIAL resource available to NMU employees and their families through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), ESI.  

Check out this month’s topics designed to improve your mental health and wellbeing! These live, online group classes are therapist-led, anonymous and free.

There are new classes every month covering a broad range of topics related to work, family, relationships, and mental health.

Simply review the classes, decide which you may want to take, and register for the classes in advance through the Talkspace Go app. Or simply sign on to the app on the date and time of the classes to join.

• Don’t yet have the app? Download it for free from the Apple App store or Google Play
• Sign up and create an account
• Enter your organization’s code: ESIEAP
• Once registered, review the calendar, and click the links for the classes that you want to take

July Classes

• Parenting to Your Kid's Personality
• Managing Your Social Anxiety
• Breaking Your Negative Cycle
• What to do When Nothing Feels Good
• Healing Broken Trust
• AND MORE!

See the full class schedule and sign up using the QR code here.

Additional information on the EAP and Talkspace Go can be found at https://nmu.edu/hr/mental-health-wellness-resources.