About - Merit

Internet. Innovation. Impact

Celebrating 60 years

Merit Network, Inc. is an independent nonprofit corporation governed by Michigan’s public universities. Founded in 1966, Merit owns and operates America’s longest-running regional research and education network. After 60 years of innovation, Merit continues to provide high-performance services to the educational communities in Michigan and beyond.

Merit continues to leverage its experience managing NSFNET, the precursor to the modern Internet, to catapult Michigan into the forefront of networking technologies. Through Merit, organizations have access to leading-edge network research, state and national collaborative initiatives and international peering.

Merit Network is unique in being ‘Purpose Built.’ We were designed to make connections that help people discover new possibilities. On any given day, researchers are using Merit’s network to find a cure for cancer, feed the world, and work on thousands of other projects where people are collaborating to better serve this community and the world.

ROGER BLAKE

President & CEO of Merit

Merit's Values

Community

We exist for the benefit of our members and are dedicated to their success. We seek to do what is important and has unique value. We believe that community is built through partnership, cooperation and collaboration.

Integrity

We are truthful and trustworthy. We communicate openly and effectively among ourselves and with our members. We act in the best interest of our members.

People

Our staff is our most powerful asset. We trust each other, help each other and hold each other accountable. We support each other as we strive to be the best that we can.

Innovation

We implement creative solutions to problems large and small for our members and for ourselves. We are adaptable and embrace change. We take appropriate risks to move ourselves and our members forward.

Excellence

We strive to be the best at all we do. We continuously improve both as individuals and as a team. Every shortfall is an opportunity to learn and improve.

Civility

To go far, we will go together. Merit commits to showing community kindness, courtesy and respect through every member interaction.

Equal Opportunity

Merit does not, and will not, tolerate discrimination in any form. Our values of community, integrity, people, and civility inspire us to be our best, handle each engagement from a position of respect, and appreciate and embrace the differences in each other.

Our Mission

To advance a future of digital opportunity with abundant network connectivity that enriches research, learning, and vitality for people across Michigan and around the world. We pursue this mission by operating an open, trusted, high-performing network and by sharing knowledge that builds capacity to connect.

Vision: A well-connected community that is empowered to thrive in an ever-evolving digital age.

WE FOLLOW THIS COMPASS BY:

Driving access and extending connectivity via our 4,000 miles of fiber optic infrastructure in Michigan
Building community and facilitating discourse through Membership, events and in-person and online collaboration
Continued innovation and development of emergent digital networking and communications technologies

Meet Our Leadership Team