Apr 10, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
April 10, 2024
This National Community College Month, NMC has news the entire Grand Traverse region can celebrate: higher education here is more affordable to more people than ever before, including high school students.
Thanks to Michigan Reconnect, a state scholarship program intended to encourage degree or certificate completion, for the rest of this year tuition is free to county residents 21 or over who don’t already have a degree or certificate. After Nov. 15, the free tuition offer reverts to those 25 and older.
Michigan Achievement, another state scholarship specific to 2023 and 2024 high school graduates cuts the cost of their full-time tuition nearly in half. In total, NMC more than doubled the amount of state scholarship funds it awarded this year — $3.5 million — compared to $1.7 million in the 2019–20 year, before the COVID pandemic.
“These dollars go directly toward students’ tuition bills, helping them achieve their career goals as well as financial security for them and their families,” NMC President Nick Nissley said. “I am really proud of all of the new ways the state, and NMC, are working to help students make college more affordable.”
A new, lower dual-enrollment rate for high school students who live outside Grand Traverse County, plus NMC scholarships plus a plan to make those dollars more easily accessible all add up to a considerably reduced tuition burden. NMC scholarships are awarded through the generosity of local donors. This year, 1,075 students received $1.3 million in funds.
Starting next year, students will be automatically placed into the scholarship pool upon admission to NMC. Skipping a separate application requirement is expected to increase the number of students who receive scholarships. The most recent National Postsecondary Student Aid Study states that only 6 percent of public 2‐year college students receive institutional aid. NMC’s rate has been as high as 30 percent.
Helping students pay for college helps them complete college, which is the state’s ultimate goal. Reconnect and Achievement are both tactics of Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal, which seeks to increase the percentage of Michigan adults with college degrees or certificates to 60 percent by 2030. Currently, 51.1 percent do.
Recent enrollment increases are also indicative of progress toward the goal. NMC’s enrollment headcount ticked up 3.3 percent this spring semester. Summer headcount is also up, while fall semester admissions are up, too.
For students interested in college who are not yet admitted, NMC is hosting Quick Start drop-in events from 4–7 p.m. Monday, April 15, Monday, May 20, and Monday, June 17. All admission tasks can be completed at the event.
For students who are admitted, online and in-person orientations are scheduled throughout spring, starting April 19. Online and in-person information sessions for dual enrollment are scheduled tonight, April 10, at 6 p.m.
“Enabling student success is truly something all NMC faculty and staff take to heart, and there’s never been a better time to be a college student,” Nissley said.
Apr 8, 2024 | Intercom, Media Mentions
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media recently. We want to share your media involvement too. Please send information about your NMC-related interview or appearance to publicrelations@nmc.edu. If possible, please include a link to the piece and information about where and when it was used.
Please note access to some stories may be limited by paywalls set up by the media outlet. This includes the Traverse City Record-Eagle, which limits free clicks to five per month. You may also read Record-Eagle articles in the print edition at the NMC Library.
DDA inches toward TIF approval
Record-Eagle, April 6
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Apr 8, 2024 | EES Opportunities, Intercom
NMC’s tuition waiver benefits extend beyond credit classes—take a fitness class, learn a new hobby, or even enjoy a date night with your partner. Check out these upcoming classes! Place the class in your shopping cart in order to see the discount. Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.
Want to view upcoming classes at a glance? View the NEW Calendar of Classes.
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Unlock the Art of Metalworking
Thursday, April 25–Friday April 26; 5–8 p.m. & Saturday, April 27; 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Employee price: $47 (Public price $225)
Join NMC Ceramics instructors and dive into the captivating world of metalworking with this introductory course designed to ignite your imagination and hone your skills. Make your very own rain chain! Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate student, this 3-day workshop is your gateway into unraveling the mysteries of metal.
Register here
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Homeowners 101
3 sessions; Fridays, June 14–28; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Employee price: $62 (Public price $225) Three spots left!
Tired of waiting for repairs and frustrated by high contractor costs? Empower yourself! Master essential DIY skills to tackle everyday home improvement projects, such as installing light fixtures, replacing switches and outlets, installing baseboards, and more. Plus, learn essential maintenance tasks like changing furnace filters and the basics of PPE to safely handle everyday repairs. No prior experience or knowledge needed!
Register here
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Weight Strengthening
13 sessions; Tuesdays & Thursdays, April 9 – May 21; 7–8 a.m.
Employee price: $25 (Public price $175)
Focus on all major muscle groups resulting in increased strength, better posture, greater mobility, improved metabolism, and a slowing of the development of osteoporosis. All levels are welcome. It’s not too late to join! Sign up by April 16.
Register here
Weight Strengthening not your thing? Consider Gentle Pilates or Total Barre, both on NMC campus with the same instructor!
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Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.
Apr 8, 2024 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Kudos to the Audio Technology department for organizing the “Rockin’ Into Spring: Dollars for Scholars” concert this Saturday from 7-9 p.m. at the Milliken Auditorium. Laith Al-Saadi, a Michigan native and former finalist on “The Voice,” will headline. Proceeds from ticket sales will fund scholarships for future Audio Technology students. Tickets are $10 for students and $25 general admission.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Apr 5, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
Critt Happens, a new, diverse and engaging student group, emerged this past fall at NMC. Spearheaded by student Eragon Byers, and overseen by Advisor Corbin Thompson, the group made a quiet entrance into the student group arena with just a handful of students. However, the Dungeons and Dragons based ensemble has quickly grown and presently holds an impressive membership number of forty-two. With its unique blend of storytelling, strategy and camaraderie, the group provides an experience that fosters belongingness and community on campus.
Critt Happens handed out dice to prospective members at the annual student group expo, Winterfest, in February.
Currently, the group is collaborating with the Maker Space to develop a dice creation event for DnD enthusiasts and has recently received a generous supply donation from local business, TC War Room. Their last event, Adventure Palooza Two, achieved a 300% increase in attendees from Adventure Palooza One earlier this year. Byers surmises their focus on inclusivity has contributed to the rapid increase in numbers. “This group strives to include as many as possible into each session, not just based on DnD level, but also ability, gender identity and more.” Byers believes the consistent meeting times and structure have also contributed to its popularity.
Fall Fest 2023 pictured left to right: Critt Happens group member, Brady Barry; group advisor Corbin Thompson; and group leader Eragon Byers.
Looking ahead, the Dungeons and Dragons group is poised to continue its pivotal role in student engagement at NMC. Their hope is that as students enjoy roleplaying in this fantasy and adventure game, that they also sharpen their critical thinking skills and solidify lasting friendships and memories from their time at NMC. Critt Happens meets twice per week both Saturday and Sunday from 6:30-11:30 p.m. in the basement of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center. Interested students are welcome to stop by or contact Eragon Byers at byers@mail.nmc.edu.
Do you want to see a specific student group featured? Email cknight@nmc.edu
Apr 5, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — The community is invited to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy’s “open ship” showcasing the training ship State of Michigan from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 20. The day will include:
- Self guided tours of the T/S State of Michigan
- Interaction with current maritime cadets
- An opportunity to learn more about the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, maritime careers, how to become a chef on a ship and U.S. Navy commissioning options
- Merchandise will be for sale. Cash only.
Tours will begin at the pier security gate entrance on the north side of NMC’s Great Lakes campus, 715 E. Front St. Low-heel, closed-toe, soft-soled shoes are highly recommended. The event will occur rain or shine.
Release date: April 5, 2024
For more information:
Great Lakes Maritime Academy
maritime@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1200
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Apr 5, 2024 | HR Corner, Intercom
Kudos to Ryan Deering. Ryan is doing a class this week for Standards of Training and Certification of Watchkeeping (STCW) and meeting the curriculum of the United States Coast Guard. This class allows him to teach welding to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy engine cadets. He has poured his teaching experience into this class and has been an invaluable asset to everyone who attends with him. Most of the other instructors are learning so much from him. This man loves what he does. Keep it up, Ryan! We do what we do for the students!
Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. Please encourage your colleagues by submitting a KUDOS. Let them know you appreciate their hard work and are thinking of them!
Apr 5, 2024 | HR Corner, Intercom
Bryce Hunter recently started working at NMC as a Supplemental Law Enforcement Coach. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
Apr 4, 2024 | Intercom
The NMC Board of Trustees Building and Site Committee will meet at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9 in the President’s Office Conference Room in the Tanis Building on NMC’s Front Street campus, 1701 E. Front Street, Traverse City. The Building & Site Committee meeting notice is available here.
The Board of Trustees Audit Committee will meet at 3 p.m. the same day, also in the President’s Office Conference Room. The Audit Committee meeting notice is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Apr 1, 2024 | Intercom, Media Mentions
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media recently. We want to share your media involvement too. Please send information about your NMC-related interview or appearance to publicrelations@nmc.edu. If possible, please include a link to the piece and information about where and when it was used.
Please note access to some stories may be limited by paywalls set up by the media outlet. This includes the Traverse City Record-Eagle, which limits free clicks to five per month. You may also read Record-Eagle articles in the print edition at the NMC Library.
One nation’s fishing fleet, another nation’s pirates: Countering China’s Maritime Militia
U.S. Naval Institute magazine, April 2024
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Apr 1, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Engineering students have four more options to complete a bachelor’s degree thanks to new articulation agreements Northwestern Michigan College has signed with Lake Superior State University.
The agreements allow students to complete an associate degree at NMC and guarantee both admission and transferability of the credits to LSSU, in Sault Ste. Marie, toward a bachelor of science degree in four specialty areas: Computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and robotics engineering.
The computer and robotics engineering pathways in particular provide students with new options for majors while beginning their education at NMC. Depending on the degree program chosen, students could spend two years at NMC, saving nearly $20,000, and two at LSSU to earn their bachelor’s. As an added benefit of the robotics engineering pathway, students can typically earn a minor in electrical or mechanical engineering within their final two years at LSSU.
“These new agreements complement our already robust transfer pathways, providing our students with greater options for majors all while enjoying guaranteed admissions and course transferability to an exceptional engineering program” said Jay Smith, engineering instructor. “Like NMC, LSSU has a student-centered approach with small class sizes and a focus on student success, which I am confident our learners will appreciate.”
LSSU engineering graduates have 100-percent job placement with a median salary of $70,000. The campus is also home to a $2 million robotics lab.
Find out more at nmc.edu/engineering.
Release date: April 1, 2024
For more information:
Jay Smith
NMC Engineering instructor
jsmith@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1270
Apr 1, 2024 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Happy Community College Month! NMC is proud to transform the lives of our learners and communities. We are Traverse City’s first and largest provider of higher education, a cultural bastion, an employer and creator of economic impact. For all that you do to help us achieve all of that, thank you!
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Apr 1, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
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Apr 1, 2024 | Intercom
Smart Commute Week is an annual celebration held during the first full week of June. The purpose of Smart Commute Week is to promote alternative forms of transportation and to educate area residents of the benefits of a smart commute.
Join us for events promoting cycling, walking, taking the bus and carpooling. Free daily breakfasts are hosted at various locations around town for smart commuters. Every year community members challenge each other to a friendly competition known as the Commuter Cup Challenge. The Challenge is open to ALL and totally FREE to participate. Contact Dave Weaver at dweaver@nmc.edu by May 27 to join NMC’s Swoop Loops team.
For more information about Smart Commute Week, visit the TART trails website.
Mar 28, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
Northwestern Michigan College’s International Affairs Forum turns its focus to our freshwater resources in back-to-back events on April 17 and 18. The programs are presented by IAF in partnership with Interlochen Public Radio, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute. Both events are supported by a grant from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
Relentless Documentary Screening & Panel Discussion
Wednesday, April 17, 6–8:30 p.m.
Milliken Auditorium, Dennos Museum Center
The International Affairs Forum, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and Interlochen Public Radio present Relentless, a documentary narrated by J.K. Simmons on the deadly invasion of sea lampreys into the Great Lakes and the tenacious scientists who were determined to find a solution.
After the screening, stay for a panel discussion including:
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- T. Lindsey Haskin, Director, writer, producer of Relentless
- Jennifer Read, Ph.D., Director, University of Michigan Water Center
- Frank Ettawageshik, President, American Association on Indian Affairs
- Ellie Katz, moderator, Environment Reporter, Interlochen Public Radio
This is a free event. Space is limited. Reserve tickets at TCIAF.com.
Global Water Tension & The Great Lakes Compact
Thursday, April 18, 5:30–8 p.m. (7 p.m. ET livestream)
Milliken Auditorium, Dennos Museum Center
Peter Annin will present a keynote address on Global Water Tension & The Great Lakes Compact. Annin is the director of the Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation and the author of The Great Lakes Water Wars, the definitive work on the Great Lakes water diversion controversy. Before coming to Northland College in 2015, Peter served as a reporter at Newsweek, the associate director of the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources, and the managing director of the University of Notre Dame’s Environmental Change Initiative. He continues to report on the Great Lakes water diversion issue and published the second edition of The Great Lakes Water Wars in the fall of 2018.
In his latest book, Purified: How Recycled Sewage Is Transforming Our Water, Annin shows that wastewater has become a surprising weapon in America’s war against water scarcity — and a potential global model for innovation.
The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and will feature freshwater-related content from event partners NMC Great Lakes Water Studies Institute & Interlochen Public Radio. GLWSI will brief reception attendees on its new associate degree in water quality environmental technology — a.k.a. the Wet Tech degree. IPR will highlight its Great Lakes reporting via its Points North podcast team. These brief “breakout” presentations will be delivered in a gallery adjacent to the museum’s sculpture court.
The keynote address will follow at 7 p.m.
Admission is $15 per person. Admission is free for all students and educators. For tickets and all event details, visit TCIAF.com.
Mar 28, 2024 | Intercom, Student Events
Grand Valley State University is hosting a free community event in partnership with NMC where experts will share their experience with artificial intelligence in education.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has sparked significant interest in the academic world, dominating headlines and becoming a focal point of academic discussions. A prevailing concern is that students may exploit AI to complete assignments and write papers. Instead of perceiving AI as a threat to academic integrity, it is crucial to acknowledge its potential as a tool and remain open to the possibilities it presents for enriching education. By adopting a forward-thinking approach, educators can leverage AI to complement traditional teaching methods, fostering a more dynamic and effective learning environment.
The discussion will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10. Register at gvsu.edu/traverse/ai to attend in person or join the livestream. Those joining in-person will meet in Room 07 (lower level) of the NMC University Center.
Mar 28, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — The NMC Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting Tuesday, April 2 at 4 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, Room 14 (lower level), on NMC’s main campus, to discuss the Benzie County annexation. The meeting notice is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Release date: March 28, 2024
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College does not discriminate in admission, campus activities, education, employment, housing, public accommodation or public service on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, handicap, height, marital or familial status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, service in the military, veteran’s status, weight, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Mar 25, 2024 | EES Opportunities, Intercom
NMC’s tuition waiver benefits extend beyond credit classes—take a fitness class, learn a new hobby, or even enjoy a date night with your partner. Check out these upcoming classes! Place the class in your shopping cart in order to see the discount. Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.
Want to view upcoming classes at a glance? View the NEW Calendar of Classes.
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The Sauce is Key
Tuesday, April 9; 6–9 p.m.
Employee price: $37 (Public price $125) One seat left!
One seat left! Banish dinner boredom! Learn to turn simple vegetables, beans, and grains into a variety of delicious dishes? The secret is in the sauce! Keep your fridge and pantry stocked with ingredients to whip up a finger-licking-good sauce in no time.
Register here
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Baking Masterclass: Pizza & Focaccia
Saturday, April 13; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Employee price: $43 (Public price $199) One seat left!
Want to level up your pizza making game? With the help of Chef Eckert, discover the secrets of making artisan pizza and focaccia at home. Learn to make and stretch your own perfect dough from scratch. Create the ultimate sauce and learn how different toppings complement each other. Plus, focaccia!
Register here
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Birding for Beginners
Friday, April 26, 6-8 .m.p & & Saturday, April 27, 8-10 a.m.
Employee price: $25 (Public price $75)
Join birding expert Kirk Waterstripe for a two-part birding adventure! From bird identification to tools of the trade, defining characteristics, and helpful hints — don’t miss this masterclass in birding!
Register here
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Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.
