The full-service Secretary of State mobile office will visit the Front Street Campus Thursday, Sept. 11 to assist students with several different types of transactions including:
The mobile office will be at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Learn more about the services that the Secretary of State provides at michigan.gov/sos.
At NMC’s August 19 Opening Conference, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Jason Slade highlighted and celebrated many successes of NMC Next, the strategic plan that came to a close on June 30. It touched all areas of the college; it was focused, results-driven, and values-grounded. It moved the needle and we all did it together!
On August 21, the Strategic Plan Steering Committee (SPSC) met and dug a little deeper into the emerging goals and enabling strategies for the next plan. Future-Focused Education; Enrollment, Student Engagement, and Success; and Vibrancy and Belonging will all be carried over. They are all related to student success and are non-negotiable. Over the course of the next month, the committee will start to refine the language around goals and strategies.
On August 27, Jason and Diana Fairbanks, Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications and Change Initiatives, presented the emerging strategic plan to the NMC Foundation Board. On September 3, they will present to the Board of Trustees the thought process behind the emerging goals and enabling strategies of the next plan, the feedback from Leadership Council and SPSC, and the planning timeline between now and January 2026.
In September and early October, Jason and Diana will host focus group sessions within the college as well as with the local community. Everyone at NMC is welcome to provide feedback during the development process using this feedback form. For your reference, the planning timeline is as follows:
Thanks to a generous grant from the Mahogany Foundation and the support of the NMC Foundation, NMC will host 14 Mobile Pantries throughout the 2025–26 academic year.
The pantries are designed specifically for NMC students, with grab and go type foods, fruits, vegetables, and family friendly snacks. Every other week, Feeding America West Michigan and NMC will distribute about 6,000 pounds of fresh goods via a drive-thru (or walk-thru) car line in the Maple Lot.
All distributions are held on Mondays, from 3–5 p.m. Food is distributed first-come, first-served until gone. While designed for students, any member of the community is welcome to participate.
This event is 100% free for participants. There are no means tests or financial requirements. At NMC, we believe no student (or member of our community) should go hungry.
Fall Dates: September 8 and 22, October 6 and 20, November 3 and 24, and December 1
Spring Dates: January 19, February 2 and 16, March 2 and 16, April 13 and 27
The 19th Annual Mike McIntosh Memorial Truck & Car Show will be held Saturday, Sept. 6 in front of NMC’s Automotive Tech Building, 2510 Aero Park Drive. Car entry registration is 8 to 11 a.m., and the show itself runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine. Food, raffles, music, a silent auction, music, and trophies for cars with the most votes. The registration fee to show is $20, and admission for spectators is free. Learn more at nmc.edu/car-show.
New this year, show attendees can also tour the nearby Aero Park Laboratories, home to NMC’s construction trades and welding programs, and Parsons-Stulen Building, home to engineering technology, electronics and manufacturing. The buildings will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will have guided hands-on-activities for people to explore. Stop in to discover the hands-on programs and cutting-edge equipment (including the NEW 3D Concrete Printer), and meet the instructors shaping the future of skilled trades and technology!
On Thursday, Aug. 14 from 6 to 10 p.m., local law enforcement will be conducting canine training in the Maple Lot and at the Facilities/Maintenance Building on NMC’s Front Street campus.
Thank you for joining us for the June 3 Budget Town Hall meetings to discuss NMC’s FY 25 budget with Vice President for Finance & Administration Troy Kierczynski. Watch a video of the morning session here.
Please join E3 for a very special Juneteenth Celebration with special guest speaker Byron Brooks, guest performer Crystal Woodward-Turner and DJ Chris Stone.
The celebration will be held Thursday, June 19 from 3 to 9:30 p.m.
3–5 p.m.
“Who We Are” special screening
Dennos Milliken Auditorium
5–6 p.m.
Community gathering & youth activities
Outside Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
Local Food Trucks
Chestnut lot
5:30–6 p.m.
Children’s storytime with TADL
Outside Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
6–7:30 p.m.
Juneteenth program
Outside Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
8–9:30 p.m.
E3 & T.C. roller derby & family freedom roller skating
Civic Center, 1213 W Civic Center Dr.
In the event of inclement weather, outdoor festivities will be held in the open space on the first floor of the Osterlin Building (#3 on campus map). For more information, contact Marcus Bennett mbennett@nmc.edu.
Show your NMC spirit and join us in the Cherry Royale Parade on Saturday, July 5! Employees, families, and kids are all invited to walk with the college in this beloved community tradition. We’ll have fun NMC-themed costumes available for children; just bring your enthusiasm and pride!
To participate or learn more, contact Rachel Urkowitz, Director of Annual Giving and Special Events, at rurkowitz@nmc.edu.
The NMC Library will be open for summer hours from May 3 through August 22. It will be open to students and the public 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and closed on Saturdays and Sundays. The library will also be closed for the Memorial Day (Monday, May 26) and Independence Day (Friday, July 4) holidays.
Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) Extended Education & Training announces the release of its winter/spring catalog, offering more than 180 diverse classes for personal and professional growth. The catalog is now available online at www.nmc.edu/ees and registration is open for all learners.
This season, NMC is offering a wide range of in-person, livestream and online courses in both life enrichment and career-focused areas. Community members can explore topics such as cooking, painting, fitness, gardening, global cultures, technology and more. New courses this winter include DIY Bath Products, Healthy Ukrainian Cooking, Quilt As You Go and Crochet: The Very Beginning.
For a unique holiday gift, the Learn Together program offers a variety of classes designed for couples, families and friends. Whether it’s a date night or adult & child format, participants can bond while learning new skills in areas like furniture making, cooking, wine tasting, partner dancing and more.
In addition to individual courses, NMC Extended Education & Training also supports local businesses with custom training programs and corporate retreats tailored to meet specific organizational needs. For more information, businesses can contact NMC at ees@nmc.edu.
To explore the full catalog and secure your spot, visit nmc.edu/ees. To request a printed catalog, email ees@nmc.edu.
About Northwestern Michigan College Extended Education & Training
Northwestern Michigan College Extended Education & Training is a leading provider of lifelong and professional learning opportunities in the region. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, NMC Extended Education & Training strives to empower individuals and businesses to achieve their goals through high-quality educational programs and customized training solutions.
3 p.m. – Grand Traverse County (Drive Thru), NMC Front Street Campus Maple Parking Lot, 1701 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686
Wondering how to stretch your budget this school year? Let NMC and Feeding America help! Free fresh foods, fruits, vegetables, and more are available to all students and their families through our grant funded Mobile Food Pantry program. The program will distribute goods twice monthly during the 2024–25 school year. ALL Students are able to use this program: there are no means tests or financial measures to participate.
The first mobile food pantry will be held on Monday, Sept. 9 from 3–5 p.m. Hop in the car line in the Maple Lot on the Front Street Campus and drive through the distribution loop. Food will be loaded into your trunk. All students and their families are encouraged to participate. Each recipient receives approximately 7–10 days of fresh fruit, produce, and other food stuffs on a first come, first serve basis.
No car? No problem! You’re welcome to “walk through” and receive goods in a carry-able way. Feel free to bring a backpack or other reusable bags!
As a college, we recognize that so many students live paycheck to paycheck. Our mobile food pantry is specifically designed for students to supplement income with fresh, healthy foods and free up limited funds to go towards other expenses.
Mobile food pantries at NMC are offered in conjunction with the NMC Foundation, grant funding from the Oleson Foundation, and a partnership with Feeding America West Michigan. Each pantry distribution brings up to 7,500 pounds of fresh food, supplying approximately 110 NMC students and their families with an infusion of $350–400 worth of food each month. For 2024–25, this program is expected to free up approximately $318,000 of value in the budgets of our students so that they can meet their other financial obligations.
The NMC Food Pantry offers a variety of programs and resources for NMC students, including a self-service “Hungry Owls” food pantry on campus, mobile pantries, Goodwill resource certificates, and seasonal grab-and-go fruit. Financial support and donations are appreciated and can be sent to the NMC Foundation with the designation “NMC Food Pantry”.
The NMC Pantry programs and Mobile Food Pantry will always need volunteers. Please contact Paul Kolak pkolak@nmc.edu to volunteer with the pantry program or Cathy Warner cwarner@nmc.edu to volunteer with the mobile food pantry program.
The Traverse City Parking Patrol will begin issuing warnings at NMC on Saturday, Aug. 24 and start issuing citations for parking violations on Tuesday, Sept. 3. All NMC students and employees must have their 2024–2025 permits displayed then. If you haven’t received your permit, they’re available at the Campus Safety & Security office in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center (#9 on the Front Street Campus map) and the Enrollment Services office on the main level of the Tanis Building (#5 on the Front Street Campus map).
The Traverse City Police Department has provided the following information on how to avoid parking tickets on campus by properly displaying your parking permit:
If you do get a ticket, payment can be made at the red drop-off payment box at the east end of the Cedar lot in front of the Health & Science Building on main campus. You can also mail the fine in to the city, or pay at the parking services office in the public parking garage at 303 E. State St. Payment information is also on each ticket.
If you have any questions about parking enforcement on campus, please call Campus Safety & Security at (231) 995-1111.
As the college’s strategic plan, NMC Next, moves into its final year, I wanted to provide an update and celebrate some of our accomplishments. First off, thank you to the dozens of colleagues who worked tirelessly over the last 12 months on Year 2 of the NMC Next Strategic Plan! Behind the scenes, objective leads, champions, and their teams worked to keep actions steps on time and on track. An astounding 56 actions were completed in FY24 (Year 2 of implementation). Some highlights include:
These are just a few of the many successes of the strategic plan.
A few specifics: if you would like to view Year 2, archived PDFs are available here to view by anyone with an NMC email address.
Recently, strategy champions and objective leads spent many hours fine-tuning actions for Year 3 (FY25), which is the final year to execute NMC’s current strategic plan. Year 3 and its associated actions are located here.
The metrics will be updated again in September as Fall enrollment data becomes available. Thank you, ORPE, for your continued support of the strategic plan by providing much needed data and analytics.
In closing, I wanted to thank the entire college community for your continued support of the strategic plan. This work continues to propel the college forward to the future state we envisioned when we launched this effort.
— Jason Slade
TRAVERSE CITY, MI — Northwestern Michigan College Extended Education & Training announces the release of its Fall Catalog, featuring over 230 diverse learning options. The catalog is now accessible online at www.nmc.edu/ees and registration is open for all classes.
This season, NMC Extended Education & Training presents a dynamic collection of in-person, livestream, and online classes. Led by local experts, these informal and short courses span an array of captivating topics, including cooking, art, recreation, global issues, music, fitness, technology, and more. Exciting new additions this fall include Ceramics: Glaze Chemistry, Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread, Plant Monsters of the Silver Screen and Prompts for GenAI. Additionally, expanded school-year youth programs include a new after-school art program, Art Ventures, plus Learn Together culinary classes for adults and children.
Beyond the enriching short classes, this fall’s professional development and career training offerings include a special focus on Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Interested in building a business or starting a new venture? Innovation 101 and associated classes will help develop the skills and network opportunities to be successful. These classes are underwritten by the support of NMC’s Office of Possibilities. To explore these exciting new classes, visit nmc.edu/pd.
Tuition Waiver applies for NMC full time and retired NMC employees. To see the tuition waiver price, add the class to your cart. Need help creating your student profile? Please submit a “EES Full Time Employee Tuition Waiver Profile Set Up” help desk ticket through MyNMC.
To view the full range of classes and reserve your seat, visit www.nmc.edu/ees. To request a printed catalog, email ees@nmc.edu.
The NMC Campus Bookstore will be open for extended hours in August:
Regular hours will resume September 9.
Thank you for joining us for the June 20 Budget Town Hall meetings to discuss NMC’s FY 25 budget with President Nick Nissley and Vice President of Finance & Administration Troy Kierczynski. Watch a video of the morning session here.
The NMC Bookstore and the Dennos Museum store are both holding an employee appreciation sale! Take 25% off in both stores during April 2–4.
The Health & Science Building atrium on NMC’s Front Street campus will be used as a polling place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27 for Precinct 9 voters to cast their ballots. Some parking in the Cedar lot will be set aside for voters at those times.
The NMC Bookstore will be closed that day as well, and will reopen with normal hours on Wednesday, February 28.