Aug 19, 2015 | Intercom
August 19, 2015
School and Scouts.
Back in fifth grade, Stephen Siciliano found two things he liked and decided to stick with them.
Since then, he’s climbed to the pinnacle of both worlds. He’s vice president of educational services at NMC, and not only an Eagle Scout himself but a father of three more — all of whom also attended NMC.
Yet as he embarks on his fourth decade on campus, Siciliano, who wears a Scout uniform in his campus profile picture, shows no sign of boredom or restlessness. He’s excited to continue work on the challenges the college faces, like developmental education, learning outcomes and internal communication. Viewed through the lens of history, his chosen academic field, he is confident those challenges will be met. (More on those in a moment.)
Siciliano’s own history is colored by a community college — Nassau Community College on Long Island, NY, where he grew up. A first-generation college student, he had an “absolutely wonderful experience” and chose to pursue his master’s and PhD degrees in the hope of teaching at the community college level himself. So when Walt Beardslee, one of NMC’s founding faculty members, came to recruit at a National History Conference which Siciliano also happened to attend, he found an eager candidate.
“I’m thinking, ‘You don’t have to sell me. I’d love to teach at a community college,’” Siciliano, 59, recalled of that interview.
He spent 11 years teaching at NMC, including six as director of the Humanities division, his first taste of administration. In 1996 he moved into his current role as the college’s top academic officer. One of the best changes he’s seen during that time is NMC’s shift from once-a-decade accreditation to a continuous academic quality improvement process, known as AQIP.
“They focus our attention,” he said of the AQIP action projects, including, not coincidentally, those three challenges of developmental education, learning outcomes and communication.
“People say, ‘we want to get this done,’” he said, citing developmental education, the project closest to completion. “I come away from that meeting so energized.”
And that history is why he thinks that the more recently tackled projects like learning outcomes and communications, will indeed be solved.
Siciliano’s parallel world of Scouting has been transformed by quality improvement, too. While he no longer leads an active troop, like he did for a dozen years with just-retired engineering instructor Jim Coughlin, Siciliano is still involved as a liaison between two local units and the broader Boy Scout organization.
“They’ve clearly moved to quality metrics, just like our college. How can we improve the experience for the boys?” Siciliano said.
Even after 30 years as an educator, that question still animates Siciliano, who plans to keep pursuing the answer for a little while yet.
“I hope I’m here,” he says of his plans for five years down the road.
Aug 19, 2015 | Intercom, Welcome to NMC
Joseph Verschaeve joined NMC as a Psychology Instructor on August 17, 2015. He can be reached at (231) 995-1258 or jverschaeve@nmc.edu.
Joe grew up on a farm in the Leelanau and began his college experience at NMC in 1982 where he received his private pilot license along with an array of coursework. Finishing the B.S. in sociology and psychology at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant and the M.A. in Clinical Psychology at the Center for Studies in Detroit. He went on for advanced training with the American College of Forensic Examiners and the Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara. Joe served a two year appointment (Assistant Professor) at Central Michigan University and a fourteen year appointment (Affiliate Professor) at Grand Valley State University where he served as Faculty Director of the Ghana Honors Service Learning Program focused upon the problem of trafficking in Ghana West, Africa. Joe is co-founder and president of International Sustainability Health Education and Water (ISHEW) registered in both Allendale, Michigan and Winneba, Ghana. Joe and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Traverse City with their Springer Spaniel, Shubby and cat, Larry. Together they cherish family, friends, music, traveling and outdoor pursuits. (more…)
Aug 19, 2015 | Student News
NMC students will be welcomed back to campus the weekend of Friday, August 28 through Sunday, August 30 with a series of free events including a showing of Jurassic World at the Milliken Auditorium, an ice cream social after the movie, a beach barbecue and bowling. See the full list of events below.
Friday, August 28, 2015
- 9 a.m.–4 p.m.: Move-in for East Hall students (East Hall)
East Hall residents check in begins in the East Hall lobby.
- 9 a.m.–3 p.m.: Faculty and Staff helps East Hall students move-in.
Volunteers please meet at the blue tent in front of East Hall ten minutes before your shift.
- 6–8 p.m.: Mandatory meetings for East Hall residents (West Hall cafeteria)
East Hall residents please read the signage on your floor in reference to your respective meeting.
- 8–10:30 p.m.: showing of Jurassic World at Milliken Auditorium
All NMC students and guests are welcome to watch the movie. Please do not bring any food or drinks into the Milliken Auditorium.
- 10:15–11 p.m.: Ice Cream Social after the movie
Ratio Christi will sponsor an ice cream social in the museum foyer free to all NMC students and guests.
Saturday, August 29, 2015
- 9 a.m.–3 p.m.: Bookstore (lower level of West Hall)
Please stop in to the NMC bookstore to get last-minute school items.
- 10 a.m.–3 p.m.: Get Your NMC ID (upper level of West Hall)
Please stop by the West Hall Security Office to pick up your NMC student or residential facility ID.
- 10 a.m.–4 p.m.: Dennos Museum Tour
Door prizes and activities for NMC students. Free admission for all guests with a valid NMC ID.
- 11 a.m.–Noon: BATA (Bay Area Transportation Authority) (HS 101)
Students will learn how to navigate the BATA public transportation system in Traverse City and get student discounts for using their services.
- 11 a.m.–3 p.m.: East Hall late check-ins (East Hall)
East Hall residents arriving on this date are asked to check in at the East Hall lobby.
- 12:20–1 p.m.: Oryana (HS 100)
Students will learn the benefits of healthy eating and how to prepare meals on a budget.
- 1–3 p.m.: Game of Life (HS 101)
NMC Financial Services will host a game of life activity where students can win prizes and learn financial literacy information.
- 4–7 p.m.: Fun on the beach at (Bryant Park)
His House and International Student Club will host a barbecue at the beach for all NMC students. Free food and activities will be provided.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
- 1:30–3:30 p.m. Find my class (East Hall fishbowl)
Residential Life staff will be taking students on a main campus tour to find classes located on NMC main campus.
- 3:30–5:30 p.m. Family Feud Event (HS 101)
Phi Theta Kappa will be hosting an event for students to learn successful student strategies. Prizes will be given away during the event.
- 5:30–7 p.m. Fun on the lawn (behind East Hall on the athletic fields), sports, games, crafts, etc…
His House, Ratio Christi and Residence life will provide activities for NMC students and guests.
- 8–11 p.m.: Bowling at Lucky Jacks
Student Life and Residential Life will provide free bowling to NMC students.
All events are free to NMC students with a valid NMC Residence Hall, Hawk’s Nest or Student ID.
Special thanks to the following groups and organizations: BATA, Ratio Christi, His House, Jimmy John’s, Oryana, Phi Theta Kappa, NMC Public Relations, Student Financial Services, Student Life and Office of Residential Life.
For more information:
Marcus Bennett
NMC Director of Residence Life/Judicial Affairs
mbennett@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1401
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
