College of Menominee Nation anchors education, health and sustainability

The College of Menominee Nation is a tribal land grant college chartered by the Menominee People in 1993, with its main campus in Keshena and a second campus in the Green Bay area. As the primary postsecondary institution on the reservation, the college functions as an educational, cultural, economic, and public health anchor for Keshena, Neopit, Zoar, and surrounding communities.

CMN offers select baccalaureate and associate degrees, technical diplomas, and continuing education with a curriculum that integrates Indigenous knowledge alongside modern science. Signature areas include teacher education, sustainability, trades, and workforce pathways that feed local labor needs and reduce barriers to credentialing. Student supports extend beyond the classroom, with academic assistance, internships, student organizations, vocational rehabilitation, food sovereignty programming, and wellness resources aimed at improving social determinants of health.

Community programming and facilities strengthen social cohesion and access. The college maintains community hubs and a community technology center that expand digital access for education and telehealth possibilities. Language resources such as the "Let’s All Speak the Language" library materials and the S. Verna Fowler Library support Menominee language revitalization and cultural continuity, both of which are tied to community wellbeing and intergenerational health.

Sustainability and natural resource stewardship are woven into the college mission. CMN's curriculum and research draw on Menominee forest stewardship principles, and the Sustainable Development Institute supports applied research and community resilience efforts that have downstream impacts on environmental health, local food systems, and emergency preparedness.

The college actively pursues federal grants and programs that expand Indigenous teacher education and workforce development, channeling external funding into local capacity building. These investments help address longstanding equity gaps in education and health care staffing by training residents to serve in local schools, tribal services, and community health roles.

For residents seeking information, the college provides program pages, annual reports, a strategic plan, and campus contact information through its About CMN resources. As Menominee County navigates workforce shortages and public health challenges, the College of Menominee Nation remains a central institution for community driven solutions and long term equity.