Kudos!

Kudos to Dan Gentry, Dan Wasson, Lindsey Lipke and Danielle Quinlan. Kudos to Dan Gentry, Dan Wasson, Lindsey Lipke, and all of the people who worked on a recent security issue related to data. Kudos also to the EES Team and Danielle Quinlan for fielding all of the phone calls during this event.

Kudos to the Advising Team and Career Planning. Kudos to the advising team and career planning for reaching out to students in our classrooms. This is a great way to promote these services to our students.

Kudos to Shannon Croll. NMC Advising and Admissions have been collaborating on efforts to bring more resources and information to our dual-enrolled students, their parents, and school counselors. Shannon Croll took the lead on developing several draft course pathways, based on careers/majors, to help inform class choices for dual-enrolled students. These draft pathways are divided into introductory and “deeper dive” courses to help students appropriately sequence their choices. They include a recommendation for dual-enrolled students who start before 11th grade, or with a high school GPA below 3.0 to take EDU100 – College Success as an introductory course. Shannon has used her incredible attention to detail and worked tirelessly to have these pathway guides ready for our first information sessions this week. Thank you Shannon!

Kudos to Charles Schneider. CJ provided assistance and resources to a student in need who was seeking on-campus employment. CJ took time out of his schedule to assist the student who appreciated his efforts.

Kudos to Kristy McDonald and Brandon Everest. Kudos to Kristy McDonald and Brandon Everest, Co-Directors of the ELI, for having 16 NMC employees sign up for EL 101’s spring cohort. It is exciting to have a large number of faculty and staff members wanting to learn more extensively about experiential learning and creating Experiential Learning Opportunities (ELOs) for their courses!

Kudos to Elizabeth Sonnabend. NMC Extended Education & Training is now offering Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) training to workers and employers to help reduce the risk of workplace hazards. A group of eleven students recently completed the MIOSHA 6-Day Level II Bootcamp. Four students finished their Level II Certificate by attending. One of the students, originally from Detroit, is a Safety Training Officer for the Atlanta airport and is just a few classes away from an Environmental Health and Safety degree from Oakland University. Since she moved out of state, it was more affordable for her to fly to Traverse City (twice because the training was 6 days, 3 days a week, two weeks apart), get a hotel, and register for the bootcamp than it would be to take the classes from Oakland University. She will earn her Level II Certificate which will transfer as 11 credits to OU. Elizabeth Sonnabend went above and beyond to accommodate the students’ needs during the two weeks that the training ran. She even picked up the Atlanta student from the airport and drove her to the class when her flight was delayed because of a snowstorm.

Kudos to all Faculty. Thank you to all the faculty that allowed the Advising department to come into their classrooms over the last few weeks for visits. Between talking to students about registration, advising services and the Career Fair, we completed over 40 classroom visits in the month of February! We appreciate your support and the opportunity to connect with your students.

Kudos to Lisa Thomas, Jeremy Heinlein and Katy Knight. On Sunday, March 3rd, Lisa, Jeremy, and Katy hosted the Spring Semester 2024 Induction into Phi Theta Kappa at the Milliken Auditorium. Eleven new members were on hand as representatives of their class of 90 NMC Students joining into membership of this honor society for two-year colleges. As a team, they did a wonderful job honoring the late Dr. Kari Kahler, Associate Dean of Learning Services and long-time PTK advisor, while making additions to the already impactful and formal induction for these students. Wonderful job, team!

Kudos to Lisa Baldyga. At last week’s Launchpad Quick Start event, a former high-school student in Lisa’s JMG program met the Michigan Reconnect Navigators and then NMC’s Admissions team. It was Lisa’s years of communication and encouragement that led him to finally begin his higher education journey with NMC this year. “I am so happy to be here taking this step”, he said. “Lisa is the reason I am here; she never gave up on me.” Great work Lisa. You are constantly improving the lives of young people in our region!

Kudos to Amber Marsh. Amber volunteered so much time and gave so much information to our PTK induction crew over the past few weeks. This was the first induction since we lost Kari Kahler, so her help was paramount to the success of the program. Thank you, Amber!

Kudos to Hollieanne McHugh & Jennifer Ewing. Hollieanne and Jennifer are assisting Extended Education & Training with custom curriculum development for Sara Lee. In addition, Hollieanne toured the Sara Lee facility and provided input on the delivery of content. Jennifer Ewing is designing a curriculum around leadership & management while Hollieanne is developing a curriculum for manufacturing training. This training will be delivered over the next year. Thank you, both!

Kudos to Joan Sodini, Steve Kellman, Cari Noga, Taylor Wolf and Emily Crull. Thank you to the PRMC team for their extra support and efforts with publicity for the Career Fair this year. We had our best year since covid and they no doubt played a role in that success. Special shoutout to Joan and Emily for their creativity and quick communication in coming up with unique materials for both students and the community. We appreciate you!

Kudos to Lisa vonReichbauer, Rorie Kawula, Cathryn Claerhout and Traci Heidbreder. HUGE thank you for the incredible effort and attention you all exhibited in the fall, as huge turnover affected the Admissions area. You all went above and beyond to keep everything rolling, all while making time to train and welcome the new admissions recruiters. A huge shout-out to all of you!


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!

Welcome our newest hires

These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!

    • Lucas Guevel – Adjunct Certified Flight Instructor
    • Collen Mglanga, student employee – Enrollment Services Office Assistant
    • Taylor Rinke, student employee – Tutor
    • Elizabeth Czubak, supplemental – Banquet Server
    • Megan Peltier, supplemental – Banquet Server

Kudos!

Kudos to Steve Kellman, Emily Crull, and Joan Sodini. With the announcement of the new dual enrollment tuition rate for students from outside Grand Traverse County ($160 vs. previous rate of $261) PRMC has been going above and beyond to provide Advising and Admissions collateral materials, website updates, and media support. Steve Kellman created a new page with clean formatting to display Advising’s dual enrollment course pathways, including making a last minute after-hours push to update content. Emily Crull created Canva templates for printed versions of the dual enrollment pathways to hand out to students and their families. Joan Sodini brought polish and brand cohesion to the presentation that is being used to help inform families about dual enrollment. A big thanks to this team’s efforts to help NMC shine and for this “full court press” effort to get things ready for our first information and advising sessions this week.

Kudos to Amy Burns Bailey for bringing back Ken Scott for a Lunch & Learn around Transformation Coaching. There were 19 students and staff who attended the session at Parsons-Stulen. Everyone was engaged and students asked great questions!

Kudos to Marcus Bennett. Shoutout to Marcus for his awesome collaboration with the Civic Center! The ice skating event was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. It was a very unique way of getting students engaged in community building and with others, while also getting some fun physical activity. Such a wonderfully orchestrated event with tons of laughs and smiles… and only a few sore muscles.

Kudos to Corbin Thompson for Corbin’s constant energy and enthusiasm for residents! Whether it be helping them to utilize resources for academic and/or personal growth, overseeing the Critt Happens (D&D) student group, or his fun sense of humor which livens the room. His openness and honest insights allow him to connect well with our students and build fantastic rapport.

Kudos to Kaitlyn DeBoer. A GINORMOUS shoutout to Kaitlyn as she works tirelessly to learn and understand our StarRez system! She has put in so much effort into understanding the under-utilized potential of this software so that both our residents and our department can have a more effective and efficient experience with it. She has been so innovative in finding ways in which she can grow her StarRez knowledge-base, whether it be working with other higher-ed professionals to help answer questions, earning free training hours from the company’s personnel, or watching hours of YouTube videos on the software (just to name a few). Thank you, Kaitlyn, for all that you have done and continue to do, as well as for your commitment to excellence!


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!

Nominations open for Staff and Team Excellence Awards

Make a difference in the lives of your colleagues. Nominate them for a Staff Excellence Award or Team Excellence Award.

We are seeking nominations for:

    • Staff (full-time, part-time, or supplemental), and
    • Teams of two or more individuals (departments, cross-departmental collaborative groups, strategic project, initiative focused teams, etc.)

whose work serves to inspire us all, and who:

    • Demonstrate NMC’s Values
    • Exhibit commitment ‘above and beyond’ the NMC mission, vision, values and strategic directions
    • Made a difference at NMC over the past year (2023–2024)

Nominations must be received by March 29, 2024.

Recipients will receive a monetary award and an engraved plaque at the You Made It Possible Celebration on May 9, 2024.

Thank you for appreciating and valuing each other.

NMC Employee Recognition Committee: Marcus Bennett, Hollie DeWalt, Les Eckert, Kim Gourlay, Craig Hadley, Lori Hodek (Chair), Carly McCall, Taylor Nash, Nancy Parshall

Kudos!

Kudos to Lindsey Dickinson. Lindsey continues to lead her department and building with energy and enthusiasm! She is always looking for ways to get people involved, and keeps the staff and students in mind with every decision. She is a great leader!

Kudos to Chris Little and Dan Wasson. A Marine Technology EMC student at Greenspire High School did not have access to the NMC main campus library and was unable to utilize the DD170 course software. He would have to drop the course if he had not gained access to the required software via an NMC computer at the University Center. Within 24 hours, Chris Little and Dan Wasson formulated a plan and had the necessary software installed at the UC to support this student.


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!

Welcome our newest hires

These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!

    • Magnus Mannor, supplemental – Food Service, Back of House
    • Lilian Kerby, student employee – Residence Hall Front Desk
    • Daniel Disher, student employee – Residence Hall Front Desk
    • Sydney Richardson, student employee – Student Life Office Assistant
    • John Eiden, supplemental – Media Support Specialist
    • Samuel Fikes, student employee – Astronomy Lab Assistant
    • Kaleb Stevens – Custodian
    • Rachel Green – Custodian
    • Emily Smith, student employee – Enrollment Services Office Assistant
    • Zachary Witt, student employee – Chemistry Laboratory Assistant
    • Jeffrey Novack – Adjunct Electrical Instructor

Kudos!

Kudos to Dan Goodchild and Hans VanSumeren. Kudos for their organization and planning to move the Yellow River programs forward for Fall of 2024. The construction trades and marine technology programs deliver courses for the Yellow River Conservancy Technical Institute. This program is delivered in a hybrid format with online classes delivered during the evening (Fall 2024) and in-person accelerated onsite training in China in the Spring of 2025.

Kudos to Lisa Thomas and Katie Knight for a great Winterfest event in the TCJIC! Students were engaged and learning about the different student groups and clubs we offer at NMC.


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!

Welcome our newest hires

These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!

    • Roger Rickerd, supplemental – Automotive Lab Assistant
    • Haylee Beek, student employee – Residence Hall Front Desk
    • Alexander DeSoto – Adjunct Flight Instructor
    • Chelsea Bridson – Programmer
    • Lucas Vokes, supplemental – Banquet Server, Hagerty Center
    • Riley Truog – student employee – Biology Laboratory Assistant
    • Chelsea Kline –supplemental – Tutor
    • Annalisa Lettinga – supplemental – Tutor
  •  

Crucial Conversations for Accountability training

Registration is open for Crucial Conversations for Accountability! This course is strongly recommended for all supervisors and anyone who wants to improve their relationships.This in-person, experiential learning based course provides a step-by-step process, tools, and support for resolving performance gaps, enhancing accountability, reducing resentment, eliminating inconsistency, and improving performance both at a professional and a personal level. During this 2-day training, learn how to have those difficult conversations in a way that solves problems while improving relationships. Note: Both days are required for course completion.

Dates/times:

    • Thursday, February 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Friday, February 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There is no cost to employees for this course (the course retails for $799 at U of M). Participants receive a free copy of the book Crucial Accountability.

Follow these instructions to sign up now for this effective, experiential learning based course.

For questions, contact professionaldevelopmentinstitute@nmc.edu or call (231) 995-1143.

 

Kudos!

Kudos to Doug Sieffert. Doug took time away from his primary responsibilities to work with Media Services on a time-sensitive project. The right place at the right time, Thank you Doug!

Kudos to Katie Sommer-Ford. Kudos on Katie’s planning and pre-work on the Career Fair coming up in March. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to offer the opportunity for our students and local employers to meet. Great job, Katie!

Kudos to Elizabeth Sonnabend, Lisa Molmen, Ben Post and Ali Thornton. Extended Education & Training supports academic departments by filling nearly 300 seats with community member enrollments each year. This is no easy feat! One of the biggest challenges threads across four departments and involves Moodle. The heroes behind this are Elizabeth Sonnabend, Lisa Moleman, Ben Post, Ali Thornton and certainly a few others who step in as needed. This past term has gone the smoothest; this team is improving the Moodle integration each time! Thank you, “Team Joint Offering Moodle Magic!”


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!

Welcome our newest hires

These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!

    • Hayden Talbot, supplemental – Law Enforcement Coach
    • Elizabeth Kozlowski, supplemental – Kitchen & Dining Room Help at Lobdells
    • Emily Parrotte, student employee – Residence Hall Front Desk
    • Holly Rose – Adjunct Clinical Nursing Instructor
    • Ashley Nuno, supplemental – Tutor
    • Liam Filson, student employee – Residence Hall Front Desk
    • Nathan Sonnabend – Custodian
    • Eleanor Young, student employee – Residence Hall Front Desk
    • Dylan Grant, supplemental – Law Enforcement Coach
    •  

Kudos!

Kudos to Mark West. Thank you, Mark, for always going the extra step! Mark created an email list for a specific set of employees and saved it so I could easily access it! Although that might sound easy, it lifted a barrier for me to carry out communication effectively. I appreciate your attention to detail and always following through. NMC is lucky to have you, Mark!

Kudos to Beckie Wooters. Congratulations to Beckie Wooters and her staff for the wonderful work they are doing in the Dental Assistant Program and for all of her students passing both the clinical and written portions of the Michigan’s Registered Dental Assistant examination. That is awesome!


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!

Welcome our newest hires

These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!

    • Matthew Kroll, supplemental – Food Service, Back of House
    • David Peck, supplemental – Academic WorldQuest Coordinator
    • Tyler Sheldon – Adjunct Flight Instructor
    • Benjamin Astor, supplemental – Food Service, Back of House
    • Kyrsten Nitzh, supplemental – Writing Center
    • Matthew Gignilliat, supplemental – Welding Assistant

Kudos!

Kudos to Lindsey Dickinson. With the weather turning this week, Lindsey was outside salting and shoveling to make sure those accessing the Osterlin Building were safe. As a director, we really appreciate how often she will do whatever needs to be done no matter the task. Thanks, Lindsey!

Kudos to Student Success Coordinators. The student success coordinators welcomed students into the Timothy J. Nelson on the first day of the spring semester. Students’ smiles as they were greeted said it all!


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!