The Northern Center for Lifelong Learning is organized by and primarily for actively engaged seniors interested in pursuing intellectual, recreational, and/or social activities.  Membership is open to adults of any age and membership is not needed to attend programs and events.

On the basis of membership interest, the Curriculum Committee develops schedules throughout the year of non-credit programs/events to provide an opportunity to learn while meeting and making friends. Qualified instructors teach the classes. Examples of the categories include: current events, food and dining, science and literature, health, traveling and tours, arts and crafts, history, and the outdoors.

NCLL is a non-profit, self-supporting organization sponsored by the Continuing Education Office at Northern Michigan University. NCLL is a registered Lifelong Learning Institute of Road Scholar.