Community & Belonging

A Values-Based Philosophy

Northwood University has a Code of Ethics that grounds all how we teach and develop our students and conduct ourselves on a daily basis.

These are: Freedom, Respect, Empathy, Spirituality, Honesty, Achievement, Integrity, and Responsibility. We commonly reference our Code of Ethics as the acronym “FRESH AIR.” These guiding principles naturally lend themselves to creating a more inclusive community and world.

Inclusion starts with respect and empathy for others and it is our responsibility to create a more inclusive and equitable campus/community.

Student Organizations Focus On Inclusion

Sexuality Advocacy For Everyone (SAFE)

Sexuality Advocacy for Everyone is a student organization that provides support for our LGBTQ+ students and allies. They put on fun programming that provides support to our students and awareness on issues related to LGBTQ+ issues.

Four students wearing Northwood t-shirts, holding their hands up in a "Roll Timbys" gesture. They are standing downtown Midland.

Black Student Union (BSU)

The Black Student Union is a student organization that provides support for our African-American students and allies. They engage in regular programming of events that bring awareness to issues that impact the African-American community at Northwood and in the world.

International Student Organization

The International Student Organization is a student organization made up of international students as well as American students. Their aim is to support international students in dealing with culture shock and adapting to life in the United States as well as creating fun programming to share their cultures to students across campus.

Diversity and Inclusion Group

DIG – an organization, founded by members of the athletic department, that focuses on creating a more inclusive department. Their goal is to “DIG deeper” into their conversations and relationships so that they can become more understanding and accepting of one another.

They have also created a student-run DIG group to promote the same inclusive environment among student athletes.

X: @DIGDeepTwolves
Instagram: @DIGDeepTwolves

A group of young women with grey DIG t-shirts on, representing diversity and inclusion.

Global Understanding

Here are some of the ways Northwood promotes the value of diversity through its academic programming.

Study Abroad/Exchange Programs

Northwood University offers three unique types of study abroad/exchange programs. Short term programs which are guided by faculty that travel to destinations for periods of 1-2 weeks, Semester in Europe where students will travel across Europe for an entire semester while taking courses, or exchange programs where students will attend classes for a semester or year at partner institutions around the world.

International Program Centers

Our IPCs allow students from all over the world to engage with Northwood University’s programs of study where geographical barriers might not otherwise allow, true to Northwood’s mission of furthering a global free-enterprise society.

Global Competency Certificate

The Global Competency Certificate is a program open to all students at Northwood, regardless of major, that develops students’ cross-cultural competencies holistically through a combination of coursework, co-curricular activities and international immersion experiences.

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