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Campus is Fired Up and ready. Are you? See where you'll live, all your dining options and even explore student groups to join.

Check out these common questions about campus life.

    The East, South and Towers Housing Communities
    As a campus resident, you’ll be part of a housing community that brings together several different residence halls or apartments. Each housing community give you access to a residence hall director/residence director, a care advocate and an assistant director.

    Living Learning Communities
    Live in community with students who share your interests. Focusing on everything from music to engineering to public service and beyond, our living learning communities give you a built-in support system.

    Interest areas of LLC: Business, Education and Human Services, Health Professions, Honors, Leader Advancement, MAC Scholars, Public Service, Music, Science and Engineering.

    Glad you asked!

    Familiar eats on campus
    Starbucks, Einstein Bros Bagels, Ponder, Idli Dosa Indian Restaurant, Shake Smart, Ignite Donuts, Slim Chickens, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Subway, Which Which and Build pizza by design.

    Buffet style or made-to-order options on campus
    Breakfast bars, pizza and pasta, grilled food, bowl recipes made to order (without wheat, gluten and the top 9 allergens), deli, salad bar, vegetarian and vegan selections and a dessert station.

    There are also around 100 restaurants in the Mount Pleasant area to try, not including fast food.

    For starters, student tickets to CMU's Division 1 athletic events are free. There are plenty of student organizations to join (300+), including club and intramural sports. You'll have access to the fitness center's pool, hot tub, sauna, weight room and much more.

    There are also around 500 events that take place locally every year, like concerts, festivals, farmers markets, art walks and more.

    Student life

    Check out the professional, academic, recreational or special interest clubs to find your next favorite student group to join!

    Find your people

    Picture this: Around 300 student organizations, 45+ club sports and 30+ intramural sports. If you want to meet people with similar interests, you can find a registered student organization for that.

    search STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

    Make connections with CMU Greek life, build your network with pre-professional organizations or boot up with our eSports team! There is at least one organization for every area of study, plus ones for social justice, community service and leadership.

    Have an idea for a group that isn’t there? You can start one!

    Make a difference

    Getting involved is a part of your education. Being active in the CMU community is all about meeting new people, hearing their stories and learning how to work with others.

    Find new friends while making a positive impact through community service and volunteering. Spend time giving back to the Mount Pleasant community with the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center. 

    Want to help out somewhere else in the world? CMU is also a national leader in alternative breaks, giving you the chance to volunteer locally and globally.

    Find out how you can get involved and don't miss out on this huge part of #LifeAtCentral!

    Aerial photo of Towers Community at Central Michigan University.

    Housing

    There are 17 residence halls on campus. Something else that sets us apart – there are no community bathrooms in student housing at CMU. We get it.

    There are also 9 Living Learning Communities open to incoming freshmen who have specific interests – business, health, public service and more. Here, you can live where you learn and learn where you live. Competitive scholarship recipients will also be placed in the Honors Program Living Learning Community.

    EXPLORE LIVING ON CAMPUS

    Student at CMU Dining facility

    Dining

    Each residential community has a connected restaurant, so you’re never more than a quick stroll to your next meal. 

    Pull up a chair! Try our 3 residential dining restaurants. Want something specific? Other dining options across campus include Build Pizza, Freddie’s, Slim Chickens and Shake Smart. Looking for coffee? We have Starbucks, Ponder Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels. Need a snack on the go? Grab some fuel at one of our 2 markets on campus.

    Food is important to learning, and we believe no student should worry about their next meal. The CMU Student Food Pantry is there to help.

    See CMU Dining

    Staff Excellence Awards Ceremony and Reception

    a group of people sitting at tables in a room
    Details:

    To recognize their outstanding commitment to Central Michigan University and its students, 19 staff members have earned 2026 CMU Staff Excellence Awards. The award recipients were selected out of a record 117 nominations submitted by their colleagues.  

    Nomination forms were filled with descriptions of staff members whose work philosophy aligns with CMU’s core values. Nearly every nomination included descriptions of characteristics such as, “professional, highly skilled, responsible and compassionate.” Some award recipients were even described as “an indispensable asset to the university,” and “an invaluable resource.” 

    The CMU staff members selected for the special recognition this year are listed below:

    • Mike Dabbs, Director of Development in University Advancement for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Science and the division of University Engagement and Student Affairs 
    • Judy Flaugher, Assistant Registrar of Academic Scheduling and Space in the Registrar’s Office
    • Ari Harris, Executive Director of Strategic Communications in University Marketing and Communications
    • Jennifer Laubenthal, Director of Assessment and Accreditation for the College of Science and Engineering
    • Kathleen Litwiller, Administrative Office Assistant III in the Philip L. Kintzele School of Accounting
    • Katie Long, Administrative Office Assistant III for the Physician Assistant program
    • Teresea Looman, Lead Teacher for the Child Development and Learning Lab within the Human Development and Family Studies program
    • Angie Moss, Assistant Director for Faculty Personnel Services
    • Alisha Norman, Assistant Director of Housing Assignments in Residence Life
    • Jenna Owens, Faculty Employment and Compensation Specialist in Faculty Personnel Services
    • Wiline Pangle, Director of the InSciTE program
    • Steely Pegg, Assistant Director in Residence Life
    • Karen Rintamaki, Coordinator of Faculty Support for Curriculum and Instructional Support
    • Brandon Skiles, Assistant Director in the Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute
    • Kelsey Szymanski, Senior Assistant Director of Transfer Admissions for Undergraduate Admissions
    • Wade Tomson, Senior Associate Director of Campus Visits and Events for Undergraduate Admissions
    • Amy Turley, Administrative Coordinator for the Office of the President
    • Nikki Turner, Director of HR-SAP Information Systems in Human Resources
    • Rob Vandorin, Executive Director of Business and Community Outreach for CMU Online 

    The recipients of the 2026 CMU Staff Excellence Award will be recognized at a ceremony on September 30, 2026, in the University Center Rotunda beginning at 1 p.m. 

    A mingling reception with appetizers will be available immediately following the ceremony.

    External guests are invited to park in Lots 18, 22, and 27. A permit is not required.
    Date: -
    Time: -
    Location: Bovee University Center Rotunda - 103 E Preston St.
    Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA
    Get directions
    Sponsor: President's Office
    Contact: Krista Holtgreive holtg1ks@cmich.edu (989) 774-6607
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