Signs like the one at left have been posted in many downtown Marquette businesses. The posters, which depict the message “You are welcome here” in multiple languages, is part of a national campaign designed to promote diversity. Northern Michigan University started the local effort and hopes the signs will strengthen international students’ connections to the community. (Courtesy photo)

MARQUETTE — Many downtown Marquette businesses are displaying posters in their windows with the message “You Are Welcome Here” in multiple languages. Northern Michigan University staff members delivered the posters as part of a campaign designed to strengthen international students’ connections to the community and familiarize them with local businesses.

The #YouAreWelcomeHere campaign is a U.S. initiative to show international students that American universities want to promote diverse, friendly and safe environments. Each participating institution is communicating the message in its own creative way through media content.

Erika Greeley, coordinator of international enrollment, and Diana Vreeland, director of the English Language Institute in the Division of Extended Learning and Community Engagement, both headed the effort to apply the campaign at NMU. The campaign aligns with the core value of inclusion in the university’s strategic plan.

After attending the NAFSA Association of International Educators Conference in 2017, Greeley and Vreeland received templates for posters that they later distributed around the NMU campus and downtown Marquette. The template was designed by Temple University.

“In fall 2017, Lila Isleib from International Education Services distributed the poster around campus at key offices where international students might go,” Vreeland said. “This year, the request was to distribute them to downtown businesses as well. Erika and I spent a few days visiting businesses on Washington and Third streets. We didn’t get to everyone, but the ones that we did were very excited to post it in their windows.”

For more information about the movement, visit https://www.youarewelcomehereusa.org/