Faculty/Staff - NMU Events and Announcements

Faculty/Staff

NMU has 262 Hello Heart Users!  Stop by this event find out why so many of your colleagues are taking advantage of this benefit and get in on the fun yourself!

Hello Heart will be on campus Wednesday, September 24th to host a drop-in event in the HR Training Room at 109 Cohodas from 10am to 2pm.  

They are unable to attend this year's Benefits Fair on October 28 so if you've been wanting to chat with them, please take advantage of their presence next week.  

What is the benefit?

A portable blood pressure cuff that connects to an app on your mobile device allowing you to know and track your blood pressure in real time, be notified of critical and/or irregular heartbeats, and share trend data with your healthcare providers.

Who is Eligible?

NMU Employees & Spouses on the NMU Health Insurance

• with High Blood Pressure or
• with High Cholesterol or
• in Menopause

How much does it cost?

NMU pays 100% of the cost.  

But does it really "work"?

NMU users have experienced the following since starting Hello Heart:

• A clinically significant average systolic blood pressure reduction for Stage 2 Hypertension Users of 15.7 mmHg
• Users in Stage 1 Hypertension have seen on average an 11.5 mmHg reduction
• Diastolic blood pressure in NMU's Stage 2 users has also decreased significantly by more than 11 points

Did you know being a woman in menopause puts you at risk for cardiovascular disease even if you've never had a blood pressure problem or cholesterol issue prior to menopause?  Arm yourself with the blood pressure cuff and know your heart numbers!

NMU wants you to have the information to make informed decisions about your health.  Having the data helps drive decision making for both the user and the treating physician.  Pop by the Hello Heart Event for some refreshments and heart health discussions and if you're eligible, take home a free blood pressure cuff the day of the event (while supplies last).

Faculty/Staff

NMU has 262 Hello Heart Users!  Stop by this event find out why so many of your colleagues are taking advantage of this benefit and get in on the fun yourself!

Hello Heart will be on campus Wednesday, September 24th to host a drop-in event in the HR Training Room at 109 Cohodas from 10am to 2pm.  

They are unable to attend this year's Benefits Fair on October 28 so if you've been wanting to chat with them, please take advantage of their presence next week.  

What is the benefit?

A portable blood pressure cuff that connects to an app on your mobile device allowing you to know and track your blood pressure in real time, be notified of critical and/or irregular heartbeats, and share trend data with your healthcare providers.

Who is Eligible?

NMU Employees & Spouses on the NMU Health Insurance

• with High Blood Pressure or
• with High Cholesterol or
• in Menopause

How much does it cost?

NMU pays 100% of the cost.  

But does it really "work"?

NMU users have experienced the following since starting Hello Heart:

• A clinically significant average systolic blood pressure reduction for Stage 2 Hypertension Users of 15.7 mmHg
• Users in Stage 1 Hypertension have seen on average an 11.5 mmHg reduction
• Diastolic blood pressure in NMU's Stage 2 users has also decreased significantly by more than 11 points

Did you know being a woman in menopause puts you at risk for cardiovascular disease even if you've never had a blood pressure problem or cholesterol issue prior to menopause?  Arm yourself with the blood pressure cuff and know your heart numbers!

NMU wants you to have the information to make informed decisions about your health.  Having the data helps drive decision making for both the user and the treating physician.  Pop by the Hello Heart Event for some refreshments and heart health discussions and if you're eligible, take home a free blood pressure cuff the day of the event (while supplies last).

Faculty/Staff

The NMU Benefits Fair for employees and their spouses is set for October 28, 2025 from 10am to 2pm in Ballroom I of the Northern Center.  Most of our benefit carriers as well as some community resources will be present.  More details will be released as the event draws closer.  For now, please SAVE THE DATE on your calendars!

Faculty/Staff

Jet Dental, a professional onsite dental team, will be coming to Northern Michigan University on October 21 & 22 from 9am to 5pm.

Jet will provide preventive services only like teeth cleaning and x-rays.  No repair work like cavities or crowns will be performed.

All of Jet Dental's providers are IN NETWORK with NMU's Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Dental Insurance.  As long as you have not reached your $1,000 benefit maximum for 2025 and/or have not had two preventive cleanings already in 2025, the preventive services rendered will be covered at 100% by NMU.

You will be able to make appointments for yourself AND any other family member(s) on your dental insurance.  

Spots will be limited.  If you're interested in signing up, please keep a look out for an RSVP invitation in your email.  We expect to begin sign-ups in mid-September.

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

• Taking Ownership of Your Career
• Maintaining Emotional Boundaries
• Contemplating Recovery
• Navigating Single Parenting
• Handling Tantrums Like a Pro
• Loving Your Strong-Willed Child
• Controlling Your Anger
• 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

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