Oct 23, 2024 | Aviation, Intercom, Student News
October 23, 2024
NMC offers the only bachelor’s degree in Marine Technology in the nation.NMC emerged strong amid increased competition for a dwindling number of traditional college students this fall, posting increases in both student head count and contact hours.
The 3.4 percent increase in head count and 4.8 percent increase in contact hours recorded this fall marked the fourth consecutive semester of enrollment growth, a reversal of the trend that the pandemic had accelerated. For freshman students, a key indicator of future enrollment patterns, NMC outpaced the national trend with 4.7 percent growth. Nationwide, community colleges reported a 1.2 percent increase in freshmen enrollment, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
“That is boots on the ground, hard work by the admissions team and is also tied to our marketing efforts,” Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Jason Slade said.
The Detroit Red Wings training camp held in Traverse City offers sports performance nutrition students a chance to practice their skills.Gains were especially strong in NMC’s culinary program, Water Studies Institute, and among students 21 and older. Culinary and Water Studies have both introduced new certificates and degrees in the last two years.
Also, Michigan Reconnect, which offers free tuition to in-district students (Grand Traverse County residents) who don’t have a college degree, was expanded to include students 21 and up last year. It was originally set at 25 in 2021.
The result of the Reconnect expansion is reason to believe that another state program, the Community College Guarantee for high school graduates, will soon yield enrollment increases. Many students had already made plans for the 2024–25 school year when the Community College Guarantee was announced in July. As awareness increases, NMC expects more students to choose to take advantage of the program, which offers free tuition and fees to in-district students (Grand Traverse County residents).
NMC also offers Quick Start, a drop-in event for prospective students, once each month. The next Quick Start date is Monday, Nov. 11, between 4–7 p.m.
Oct 2, 2024 | Aviation, Intercom, Student News
October 2, 2024
Architectural rendering of hangar expansion
When American Airlines Capt. Todd Zrimec flies with another NMC pilot, he’s confident of the quality sitting next to him in the cockpit.
“They’re the best pilots out there that we can be hiring at American,” said Zrimec, a 1992 graduate of NMC Aviation who is now a check pilot for American, training new captains for the airline, as well as an FAA examiner.
So he’s excited that NMC is breaking ground Monday on a new hangar that will allow the college to purchase more planes, which means accepting more students, which will address the industry’s need for more pilots.
“That’s a big deal, being able to bring more students in and produce more pilots for the industry with the expansion of the fleet,” Zrimec said. “Having facilities and equipment that replicate what students will use in the industry is a critical component for the students in their learning.”
The new hangar will expand the college’s aviation facilities and increase its capacity to train pilots by 25 to 40 percent, according to Aviation Director Alex Bloye.
Presently NMC’s Aviation program enrolls 50 students per year, but has a up to a two-year waitlist.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of our state and federal legislators, donors and community partners who have made this project possible,” said NMC President Nick Nissley. “This expansion demonstrates NMC’s responsiveness to the needs of our region and our ability to deliver results.”
The current hangar is 48 years old. The renovated, 40,000-square-foot hangar will feature state-of-the-art facilities,, and a secure facility to store and maintain the college’s growing fleet of technically advanced aircraft.
“Thousands of pilots have started through those facilities. Those facilities met those needs. Now as we progress forward, we need updated facilities that match what students are going to see in the industry,” said American’s Zrimec, who also serves on the program’s advisory board.
Total project cost for the hangar is $7 million. NMC matched a $3.75 million state grant. The project also received $550,000 in federal funding.
The hangar is also the first project in NMC’s 10-year campus master plan, NMC Thrive. It is expected to be complete by August 2025, in time for the fall 2025 semester.
“I’m just extremely excited about this next phase of expansion. It’s really going to set the program apart,” Zrimec said.
