Jul 22, 2013 | President Updates
Personal Note:
I returned to work full time last week and thank you all for the extra work and attention you absorbed during my month-long absence. It’s hard to believe we are only a little over five weeks away from opening conference. There is a lot going on between now and then that will have significant impact on NMC and our future. Two important events occurring on the same date are our Higher Learning Commission visit for accreditation of NMC’s first baccalaureate degree (Maritime Technologies) on August 5 and 6, and the Grand Traverse County election for NMC operating millage on August 6. It will be a busy two days for a lot of people. Next week is the MCCA annual meeting here in Traverse City. There is a great line-up of national speakers including Jeff Selingo, the Editor-at-Large from the Chronicle for Higher Education, author of the just released book, College (Un)Bound: The Future of Higher Education and What it Means for Students. I know many of you have signed up to attend portions of the conference and I encourage you to participate as much as you can. This is an important year of continued transformation for the Association and all colleges. (more…)
Apr 5, 2013 | President Updates
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Activities of Note: Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible. (more…)
Feb 18, 2013 | President Updates
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Activities of Note: Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible. (more…)
Feb 17, 2013 | Intercom, President Updates, Student News
February 21, 6-7:15 p.m. in Milliken Auditorium
National Security and the Politics of Intelligence – Author Joshua Rovner illustrates how politics, not “intelligence failures” led the U.S. into war in Iraq.
See the complete 2012-13 speaker schedule »
All current educators and students are admitted free. The public is invited to attend for $10 at the door. For more information, call NMC Extended Education at(231) 995-1700.
Feb 8, 2013 | President Updates
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Activities of Note: Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible. (more…)
Jan 25, 2013 | Intercom, President Updates
This spring, NMC has an opportunity to participate in a national survey focusing on teaching, learning, and retention in community colleges, the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE). The project is part of the Center for Community College Student Engagement and the Community College Leadership Program at The University of Texas at Austin.
Research shows that the more actively engaged students are—with college faculty and staff, with other students, and with the subject matter being learned—the more likely they are to persist in their college studies and to achieve at higher levels. Identifying what our students do in and out of the classroom, knowing their goals, and understanding their external responsibilities can help us create an environment that can enhance student learning, development, and retention.
The survey will be administered in classes randomly selected by the Center to ensure a representative sample and to preserve the integrity of the survey results. Instructors whose classes are selected for survey administration will receive specific information from the appropriate administrator.
NMC is intent on being a leader in higher education, and this survey can assist us in improving course completion rates, as well as the rate of student persistence to the completion of their educational goals. To learn more about CCSSE visit www.ccsse.org, or contact the Center for Community College Student Engagement at 512-471-6807 or info@cccse.org.
Jan 18, 2013 | President Updates
We are now almost three months into this important project and I wanted to provide an update on our status. First, I thank all of those members of the Work Group who are devoting considerable time, energy and thought to this job. As you recall, we asked each employee group to provide three members and I appointed three at large members. This group has been meeting every other week for two hours plus and have been meeting outside of that with their employee group members, plus working on issues outside of the meeting times. Next, thanks to Linda Racine and Aaron Beach who are providing great facilitation and guidance in the process. Lastly, thank you to all of you who are providing feedback to members of the Work Group. (more…)
Jan 18, 2013 | President Updates
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Activities of Note: Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible.
(more…)
Jan 11, 2013 | Intercom, President Updates
You can watch a video of the Opening Conference presentation by President Nelson, and his PowerPoint is included here:
Nmc Opening Conference 1-7-2013
Dec 27, 2012 | President Updates
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Activities of Note: Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible. (more…)
Dec 14, 2012 | Intercom, President Updates
Late last night House Bill 4496 (the Community College Baccalaureate Authorization bill) passed the Senate and won concurrence in the House of Representatives. It is now headed to the Governor for his signature.
This bill authorizes community colleges in Michigan to offer technical bachelor’s degrees in maritime technology, cement technology, energy production technology, and culinary arts. The Senate vote was 20 to 17 and the House vote was 65 to 44.
This is an important step for our students and the future students in Michigan. This authorization coupled with our current and continuing partnerships at the University Center provide superior access to higher education for citizens in our region. I particularly look forward to continuing to work with Ferris State University as a partner in meeting the degree needs of our Great Lakes Maritime Academy students.
While we had hoped to include nursing in the bill, we simply did not have the votes this time to do so. We are actively pursuing other options that will meet the BSN needs of health care in our region and I am confident we can provide appropriate solutions.
We owe great thanks to Speaker Pro Temp Representative John Walsh, the primary sponsor of the bill, for his three years of work to make this bill a reality. We also should thank Mike Hansen, President of the MCCA and the many community college presidents, trustees and friends that helped to accomplish this goal. You all have my personal gratitude!
I hope you can join us at the Holiday party this afternoon at the Hagerty Center (4:30 to 7:00).
Thankfully,
Timothy J. Nelson, President
Northwestern Michigan College
See the bill and the outcomes at http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(234ivp45kggu1bq0ci1hibet))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectname=2011-HB-4496
Nov 27, 2012 | President Updates
I would like to start out by paying tribute to a couple of dear friends to both NMC and the community, Art Schmuckal and Helen Milliken.
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Activities of Note: Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible. (more…)
Oct 8, 2012 | President Updates
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Activities of Note: Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work being done at NMC. Linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals will be made where possible. (more…)
Oct 4, 2012 | President Updates
I want to thank all of you who were able to attend Wednesday’s forum regarding compensation review. The link below will take you to the intranet site that has been created as a means to keep the campus community informed as the process continues. The recorded forum is available at that site, as well as the PowerPoint presentation.
https://intranet.nmc.edu/compensation
Just a reminder that I would like the employee group recommendations for membership (3 from each group) by 5:00 p.m. on October 10.
Oct 1, 2012 | President Updates
It’s no secret that we are in the midst of two important and related studies…position classification and employee compensation. They are important to each of you as individuals and they are important to the future of this college. As with any project of this type, there is a level of uncertainty, angst and nervousness.
As a result, I’ve been asked these five questions:
- “What are we doing?”
- “Why are we doing this now?”
- “How will we do this?”
- “When does it need to be done?”
- “What are the next steps?”
In this message, I will focus on the compensation study and will address each of these questions. (more…)
Sep 27, 2012 | Intercom, President Updates
At Monday night’s regular meeting, the NMC Board of Trustees approved a set of board-level strategic goals for fiscal year 2013 (FY13). These goals are taken directly from the college’s strategic plan, and include metrics to help us monitor our progress. This is the second year for the college to apply our integrated planning process.
The board-level goals have a focus on the college’s strategic directions with key results in learner success, financial thriveability, national and international expertise and a networked workforce.
Sep 14, 2012 | President Updates
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Activities of Note: Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work you are doing and linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible. (more…)
Sep 12, 2012 | Intercom, President Updates
We have the distinct opportunity to be one of the host institutions for AACC’s (American Association of Community Colleges) Fall 2012 Vocational Education Leadership Training (VELT). The entire program will host 20-25 presidents and vice presidents of Chinese vocational and technical institutions. The VELT program will be financed by the Chinese government with the support of the Chinese Ministry of Education and jointly run under the supervision of the AACC and the China Education Association for International Exchange.
We will be hosting 5-6 presidents or vice-presidents from October 28 – November 10. The focus of the VELT program is to:
1. Strengthen the leadership abilities and capabilities of Chinese college administrators
2. Provide strategies to develop and improve market-oriented curriculum design
3. Enhance teaching methods for Chinese vocational institutions
4. Develop strong relationships with local businesses.
Prior to coming to NMC, the VELT participants will be in a week-long orientation in Washington, DC.
In the next week, we will be creating the agenda and asking many of you to participate in our host responsibilities such as giving tours, making presentations related to programs and service areas, participating in cultural events, etc.
Thank you in advance for your enthusiastic welcome to our guests and your willingness to share your higher education expertise as we continue to expand NMC’s global opportunities!
— Tim
