Thank you for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Faculty and Staff Activities of Note:
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda,
Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible.
- As part of NMC‘s increasing global footprint, the Office of Outreach Services recently coordinated the placement of seven NMC students in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. While there, the students spent the month of July teaching English to Brazilian students at a technical high school in the city center. Students applied and were selected through an interview process to work through US-Brazil Connect, an organization of community college partners based out of Denver, Colorado. Actual work for NMC students began long before their time in Brazil as they were required to manage regularly scheduled on-line tutoring sessions with their selected students beginning this past April. After a very successful experience, five Brazilian students and two chaperones have been selected to visit NMC November 3 – 12. In a unique partnership developed with TCAPS, the students will be hosted at Traverse City Central High School during the morning and at NMC during the afternoon and evening. We look forward to their visit, and to further strengthening our association with the country of Brazil. (SD1, SD3)
- NMC is now a member of Campus Compact, a national coalition of almost 1,200 college and universities who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education. Campus Compact promotes public and community service that develops students’ citizenship skills, helps campuses forge effective community partnerships, and provides resources and training for faculty seeking to integrate civic and community-based learning into the curriculum. We were awarded a grant to host an AmeriCorps – Michigan Access Corps member to work with our Commitment Scholarship Program. This individual will work full time with the coordinator over the next twelve months to increase the capacity and impact of the expanded program, with a focus on college readiness, college access to first generation students and student self-efficacy. (SD3)
- Last week, the Detroit Red Wings organization hosted over 30 NMC veterans at their training camp at Centre Ice. Veterans were honored with free tickets and unlimited access to the daylong event. Two of our students were even given the chance to go on the ice with Red Wings starters for a ceremonial puck drop before the team scrimmage. This event was coordinated through the Office of Outreach Services – Military and Veterans Services. (SD4)
- On September 17 – 19, four accreditors from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) visited the college to review our Association Degree in Nursing and Practical Nursing Certificate programs for initial ACEN accreditation. They met with several NMC faculty, staff and students as well as Munson Medical Center employees. A preliminary report of their findings will be available within 30 days with a final ACEN decision being made next April. The team expressed their appreciation for our hospitality and support and our work to prepare for the visit. Two more steps will occur before a final answer in the spring will be known. Special thanks to Laura Schmidt who directed the selfstudy process and to all members of the Nursing faculty and staff. GREAT JOB! (SD1,SD5)
- The Michigan Civil Rights (MCR) reviewers conducted an on-site audit of NMC September 17 and 18. The group of reviewers was very grateful for the precise, organized documentation provided by NMC staff, as well as the hospitality extended from all of the NMC campuses. In addition, they were very impressed with the beautiful facilities. We were informed that we were likely to have only one or two findings. Kudos to all for the excellent NMC presentation!! (SD3)
Activities of Note:
- Thank you, trustees, for taking the time out of your busy schedules to meet with me over breakfast or lunch over the past several weeks. These informal conversations provide valuable insights. I will schedule another round during spring semester.
- Last week I met with Helen Grove, recently retired Senior Vice President and Provost of Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. She has relocated to Traverse City and wanted to connect with NMC.
- I participated in an MCCA conference call on September 10 to discuss the potential of convening a Futures Institute for the MCCA colleges in February, as a follow up from the discussion this summer with the presidents in Traverse City. I led a session at the presidents meeting in July and was asked to chair a group that would keep this topic in front of the Association. I will keep you advised as we move forward.
- On September 11 Marguerite and I attended a Michigan Aeronautics Aviation event to support Aaron Cook as he received the Michigan Aviation Excellence Award for an individual.
- I had the opportunity to be in the classroom setting again on September 11 when I joined the ENV105-Introduction to Freshwater Studies class to discuss relevant topics related to water, economy and society. As in previous years, the students seemed to enjoy learning about the role of innovation at NMC and the future of the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute and its programs.
- Last Wednesday evening I joined the Friends of NMC Committee at the home of Ross and Helen Childs to debrief on the recent unsuccessful millage campaign. Again, my personal thanks go out to Ross, Kennard Weaver, Bonnie Alfonso, Bill Marsh Jr., and Barb Benson for their leadership in the campaign.
- We are working with the Business News as they prepare a fall issue that will take an in-depth look at NMC. Each year they focus on an area business or organization, and this fall it is us.
- Thank you all for your participation in the Fellows Dinner event on the evening of September 12. It was a wonderful gathering of friends, family and Fellows honoring two very special people to NMC—Dr. Don Good and Walter “Jay” Hooper. Both of these men expressed their appreciation to be honored by the NMC Board of Trustees with this prestigious recognition.
- The very next night Nancy and I attended the annual Lobdell’s Scholarship Dinner, which raises funds to support our NMC Culinary Institute. The restaurant was full, the food was wonderful, and the students performed flawlessly. My thanks to Wayne and Terry Lobdell, Blackstar Farms and Don Coe, and SYSCO for their contributions to this great event.
- This past Monday, September 16, I spoke briefly at the NMC Foundation Annual Fund kickoff event at Lobdell’s. It was a nice informal gathering of students, Foundation members and staff as they prepare forthe new campaign. A short video was prepared and we will make it available to the campus, as well as show it at the next board meeting.
- I’ve been meeting with a Chinese Exchange Advisory Committee comprised of various community members including NMC, TCAPS, the Chamber and Council of Governments. As TCAPS considers this program, we are all aware there will need to be ongoing communication with our community and opportunities for dialogue and learning.
- We continue to work with TCAPS in other areas, including curricular alignment, technology integration and sharing, and development of an early college program.
- On Wednesday of this week, I welcomed the participants of the Proud to Manufacture in Michigan Conference that took place over a two-day period at our Hagerty Center. Thanks to Ross Childs, Kennard Weaver and Bill Myers for attending. Thank you to our NMC Business Training area for leadership in the event.
Legislative Issues
- Two significant issues are being taken up in the State Legislature. First is House Joint Resolution M. This resolution calls for an amendment to the constitution that would require Boards of trustees to provide in-district tuition to veterans, reservists and active duty military regardless of their legal residency. Please see the attached MCCA Analysis.
- The second issue is an act that would allow the annexation of non-contiguous areas to a community college district. The process would require multiple approvals and could change the face of community college coverage within the State. I will provide you with a brief analysis of this topic at our Monday meeting.
Miscellaneous
- As noted above, this was a busy week with two important site visits occurring simultaneously. Both visiting teams expressed their appreciation for the hospitality and prep work of our staff, as well as being impressed by our web site and campuses. This is confirmation of the good work being done by all at NMC!