College of Menominee Nation expands Neopit outreach center plans

On Jan. 14, 2026, the College of Menominee Nation (CMN) announced progress in plans to remodel its Neopit Outreach Center and confirmed a newly hired coordinator to lead local programming. The announcement builds on community listening sessions held in late December 2024 with the architectural firm EUA and continues CMN’s engagement with Neopit residents that began in 2022.

CMN President Chris Caldwell framed the effort as forward-looking and community-centered, saying, “We are excited to be at the point we are at now, and to continue looking forward and growing with the Neopit community.” The college has emphasized reciprocity with local residents as it develops design and program plans anchored in the community’s needs.

Sharon Waukau, who joins CMN as Neopit Outreach Center Coordinator, described the partnership approach the college intends to take: “When we look at the assets of the College and the assets of the community, the people and our relationships are our greatest strengths.” Waukau is listed as a contact for outreach coordination and can be reached by email at shwaukau@menominee.edu or by phone at 715-799-5600.

CMN officials say the remodel will focus on creating a versatile hub for education, workforce training, civic engagement, cultural activities, and well-being services. The college plans to continue engaging citizens, employers, government entities, and other partners to shape programming that benefits Neopit and surrounding parts of Menominee County. CMN’s main campus is in Keshena, with a second campus in metropolitan Green Bay, and the institution operates as a tribal Land Grant college chartered by the Menominee people.

The next opportunity for local input will be a community event at the Neopit Outreach Center on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Residents seeking more information can call CMN Main at 715-799-6226 or visit menominee.edu. CMN’s outreach timeline and the planned remodel are expected to shape small-scale construction, programming hires, and partnerships with local employers as the college moves from planning to implementation.

For Menominee County residents, the center represents more than a physical renovation; it is a potential local anchor for training, job-readiness, and community-led events that keep services close to home. Attendance at the Jan. 22 meeting and future listening sessions will be a practical way for residents to influence how the center supports education and economic opportunity in Neopit and across the county.