Headwaters North is proud to participate as a community partner in Northern Michigan University’s Rural Leadership Fellowship Program, a paid and scholarship-supported applied learning experience designed to prepare students for careers in rural economic development and public service.
Through this public-private partnership, a Northern Michigan University student fellow is embedded directly within Headwaters North’s MEDC-designated SmartZone to support a priority community economic development project focused on cross-border innovation, entrepreneurship, and Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) strategy in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula.
The Rural Leadership Fellowship Program is administered by NMU and supported through a rural capacity-building investment from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), with InvestUP serving as a key regional partner advancing prosperity across the Upper Peninsula. Student fellows are mentored by an advisory committee of experienced leaders and work alongside host organizations on projects identified as high-impact regional priorities.
This fellowship directly supports Headwaters North’s vision to establish Sault Ste. Marie as a national force in innovation - a place where resource-powered industries, freshwater technologies, and entrepreneurial grit converge to build a resilient, future-forward economy.
“As the Upper Peninsula's rural-serving comprehensive institution, a hallmark of Northern's mission is supporting student access and career success in tandem with partnerships that advance regional prosperity,” said David Nyberg, executive director of Business Engagement and Economic Development. “A core objective of this program is to provide unique work-based learning experiences for students interested in economic development or public service careers, while also supporting Upper Peninsula communities with the capacity they need to succeed on important economic development initiatives.
Tommy Roush (NMU Senior majoring in Economics) is a driven student fellow who has a passion for rural communities. We are thrilled to be collaborating with the team at Headwaters North SmartZone to support the Foreign Trade Zone and growth of the tech ecosystem in Sault Ste. Marie while also supporting Tommy's experience and success. Special thank you to InvestUP and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for their vision and support in developing the Rural Leadership Fellowship Program."
“We don’t believe in shadowing from the sidelines,” said Nikki Storey, CEO of Headwaters North. “At Headwaters North, students are treated as collaborators and contributors. This fellowship places the student at the table with regional leaders and Canadian partners to help shape how the Eastern Upper Peninsula grows, innovates, and competes - while gaining live experience in how real economic development happens.”
“This fellowship exemplifies how the Upper Peninsula can compete by collaborating,” said Marty Fittante, President and CEO of InvestUP. “By embedding students directly into real-world economic development work, we’re building immediate capacity for our communities while creating meaningful career pathways that encourage talented graduates to stay and lead in the U.P. which is critically important as we need to grow our prime-aged workforce across the Upper Peninsula.”
The student fellow will engage directly with regional and binational partners, gaining hands-on experience in innovation strategy, cross-border collaboration, and entrepreneurship aligned with Headwaters North’s resource-powered innovation sectors, including freshwater and Blue Economy technologies, natural resources and bio-based materials, outdoor recreation, clean energy, skilled trades, and emerging air mobility.
“I’ve been searching for an opportunity like this one—where I get to engage with local communities and promote economic development across Northern Michigan,” said NMU Student Fellow Thomas Roush. “The fellowship aligns perfectly with my interests and core values, and it’s an honor to take part. I look forward to working with local leaders and community partners to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula.”
Northern Michigan University highlights the 2026 Rural Leadership Fellowship cohort and community projects here: https://news.nmu.edu/nmu-student-fellows-advance-community-projects
About Headwaters North
Headwaters North is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) designated SmartZone serving the Eastern Upper Peninsula.
Mission: We back the bold - founders with big ideas, resource-powered innovation, and the grit to build what’s next in Sault Ste. Marie.
Headwaters North operates as a boutique innovation hub with binational reach, connecting entrepreneurs, industry, education, and economic development partners to launch and grow ideas rooted in the region’s natural and industrial strengths. The SmartZone’s work focuses on innovation where the Eastern Upper Peninsula is strongest - freshwater, natural resources, energy, outdoor industry, skilled trades, and emerging air mobility - turning regional assets into sustainable economic opportunities.
For more information, visit www.headwatersnorth.org
