May 14, 2026 | Announcements & News, Intercom, Student News
The Bayshore Marathon will be held on Saturday, May 23, from approximately 5:45 a.m. until 4 p.m. This event begins and ends at Central High School and impacts NMC’s Campus including College Drive and multiple parking lots. The main entrance to NMC at College Drive and Front Street will close at approximately 5:45 a.m. that day and other entrances to campus will close shortly thereafter. Barricades will be set up to block parking lots along College Drive to prevent exiting vehicles for the safety of the runners.
The Cedar lot will close Friday afternoon, May 22, and barriers will be set up around the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center in preparation for the event.
Please be patient when traveling to campus during these times.
May 11, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
The Michigan Virtual EdTech Pitch Contest and Innovation Bootcamp is built for Michigan educators, school leaders, parents, recent grads, education professionals and anyone connected to our education ecosystem who has an idea for a technology-driven solution and wants to take it further. The Bootcamp gives participants hands-on training in startup fundamentals, and the Pitch Contest awards over $22,000 in grant funding to help winners bring their ideas to life.
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- Applications accepted May 1 through June 12
- Bootcamp: June 22–25 (live online, 8:00 a.m.–noon daily)
- Final Pitch Contest: July 23
- Over $22,000 in prizes, including $10,000 for first place
- Michigan educators can earn 20 SCECH credits through the Bootcamp
All the details — eligibility, how to apply, and program structure — are available at michiganvirtual.org/edtechcatalyst.
Please note: This is for idea-stage programming. The Conquer EdTech accelerator, focusing on growth and scale of already founded companies, will open for applications later this summer.
May 8, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
Yesterday, May 7, Instructure, owner of the Canvas Learning Management System utilized by NMC, experienced additional unauthorized activity relating to the same security breach reported earlier this week in Intercom. At this time, there remains no indication that NMC student data has been compromised. Our information security teams are continuing to investigate and monitor this fluid situation, and we will provide updates as they become available.
After a brief outage last night, NMC’s Canvas system is online and fully functional. As Instructure and the media continue to commmunicate on a wider scale, the best place to get information about how this situation affects NMC students, staff and faculty will be communicated directly through NMC channels like Intercom. Thank you.
May 6, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
May 6, 2026
NMC’s class of 2026 increased by 10% and the number of degrees and certificates those graduates earned rose nearly 12% over 2025, a rise most likely due to two state scholarship programs.
An NMC graduate receives her diploma during the 2026 Commencement ceremonyA total of 579 students earned 632 degrees and certificates over the 2025–26 academic year, pending final grades. More than a third of the graduates are recipients of the Community College Guarantee or Michigan Reconnect, the statewide scholarship programs. The CCG offers free tuition to recent high school graduates, while Reconnect is for adults 25 and older who don’t already have a degree or certificate.
The CCG was first offered in fall 2024. It imposes no income or GPA requirements, but does require full time enrollment (minimum of 12 credits per semester.) Research shows that the likelihood of graduation is associated with full-time enrollment, due to the momentum students establish.
“Scholarship programs like the Michigan Community College Guarantee are the spark for many students,” said Lindsey Dickinson, NMC’s director of student success and retention. “But their ability to shift their attention from financial burdens to ‘completion mode,’ where they can focus on the finish line of graduation, is the engine that keeps them moving forward.”
Reconnect started in 2021 and requires students to be enrolled in at least 12 credits for the academic year. Both programs were implemented to meet Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal of having 60% of the working population with a post-high school degree or certificate by 2030. The region started at 34.2% in 2017 and now stands at 53%.
The high school class of 2026 is eligible for the CCG for 15 months. Class of 2025 graduates are eligible until the start of the fall 2026 semester.
Commencement ceremonies also honored NMC’s 75th anniversary. Each graduate wore special green cords with their caps and gowns, in recognition of the anniversary. Watch the recorded ceremony on NMC’s YouTube channel.
May 5, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
Instructure, the company that creates Canvas, NMC’s Learning Management System, experienced a security breach April 30. The organization claiming the attack released a list of 8,800 K-12 schools, community colleges and universities whose potentially Personally Identifiable Information (PII) was leaked. NMC was not included in the list.
Instructure has not corroborated the list, but at this point, to the best of our knowledge, no NMC student, faculty or messaging information stored on the Canvas servers was compromised. We will update you if that changes. Instructure also maintains a public status record.
May 4, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
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May 4, 2026 | Announcements & News, Intercom, Student News
On Monday, May 4 from noon to 8 p.m., and Tuesday, May 12 from 4 to 8 p.m., Central High School will host track meets.
Campus Safety Coordinator Garrett Croon has given verbal permission for the organizers (Traverse City Area Public Schools) and attendees to park on NMC’s campus. School buses will park on the south side of the Maple Lot.
Be aware that parking may be difficult in the Cedar Parking Lot during these times.
Apr 30, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
The Hawk Owl Café will switch to summer hours of operation on Friday, May 1.
SUMMER HOURS:
Friday, May 1:
OPEN
8 a.m.–2 p.m.
Saturday, May 2–Sunday, May 17
OPEN: SELF-SERVICE KIOSK ONLY
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Monday, May 18–Friday, August 14*
NORTHWEST GRIND:
Espresso Bay coffee, bakery items, and Swoop ‘N Go items available
Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
KIOSK:
Swoop ‘N Go items available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
*subject to change for holidays & special events
Apr 29, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Commencement ceremonies for Northwestern Michigan College’s Class of 2026 will be held Saturday, May 2 in Milliken Auditorium on NMC’s Front Street campus. Three ceremonies will be held, with graduates grouped by degree or credential earned.
- 11 a.m.: Associate of Science and Arts (ASA) and Associate of General Studies (AGS) degrees
- 12:30 p.m.: Non-health Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees, Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE) degrees, Water Studies Institute degrees, and certificates
- 2 p.m.: Aviation, Health Occupations (Nursing and Dental Assistant) and Maritime degrees
Each ceremony will feature faculty and student speakers. Ceremonies will be streamed live at nmc.edu/video and NMC’s YouTube channel.
NMC’s Class of 2026 has earned 632 degrees and certificates, including the Associate in Nursing, Associate in Science and Arts, Associate in Applied Science, Associate in General Studies and Certificate of Practical Nursing. Bachelor of Science degrees in Maritime Technology and Marine Technology will also be awarded.
More than a third of the graduates are recipients of the Community College Guarantee or Michigan Reconnect, statewide scholarship programs. The CCG offers free tuition to recent high school graduates, while Reconnect is for adults 25 and older who don’t already have a degree or certificate.
Commencement ceremonies will also honor NMC’s 75th anniversary. Each graduate will wear special green cords with their caps and gowns, in recognition of the anniversary.
NMC will also hold its annual Honors & Leadership Convocation at 4:30 p.m.. Friday, May 1 at the Dennos Museum Center. Awards to be presented include:
- Academic area awards
- Honors program participants and graduates
- Dr. Kari Kahler Adult Student of the Year
- President’s Possibilitarian Award
- Student leaders of the year
- Recognition of outstanding student groups
- nEXt and Global Endorsement recipients
For more commencement details, go to nmc.edu/commencement.
Release date: April 29, 2026
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
Non-Discrimination Policy Notice
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Apr 27, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
Lisa Rabaut, Innovation and Strategic Growth Project Manager, reimagined this event and implemented a pre-screening review, aligned ideas against the strategic plan, master plan, and college initiatives, and developed a robust 2-hour pitch event on Thursday, April 23 during Northern Michigan Startup Week.
Judges included Lisa Rabaut, Camille Hoisington (Traverse Connect), Josh Hart (Ford Insurance, original OOPs founder), Jayne Mohr (NMC Foundation) and Kyle Morrison. The format was 5 minute pitch/5 minute Q&A.
A total of 19 submissions were received from students, faculty and staff. Of those 19, the top 6 were selected to move on to the pitch competition. All 6 received some funding, described in more detail below.
Prescribing the Arts: A Creative Pathway Supporting Student Success
Applicant: Liz Celeste, Dennos Museum Curator of Education and Exhibitions
Amount Requested: $3,600
Amount Awarded: $2,600 (the judges would like this project to receive input from students before implementation)
Alignment: campus vibrancy, student belonging, experiential learning, Dennos enhancements
Instructional Virtual Reality (VR) Systems for Biomedical Engineering Tech Training
Applicant: Joe Deater, Adjunct Engineering Tech Faculty Member
Amount Requested: $6,000
Amount Awarded: $6,000 (enough for 2 VR goggles and a 3-year subscription)
Alignment: future-focused education with a focus on technology, meeting regional employer needs (improved student outcomes), engineering tech PESR opportunity
All Hands on Tech: Great Lakes Water Studies Voyage on Inland Seas Schooner Alliance
Presenter: Matt Hirsch, Great Lakes Water Studies Institute Coordinator
Amount Requested: $4,000
Amount Awarded: $4,000
Alignment: GLWSI enhancement/improvements (PESR, Strategic Plan), opportunity for credentialing (Marine Center), meeting national employer needs (skills expected by employers [sea time]), community partnership with Inland Seas Education Association
NMC Flight Team
Presenter: Alex Modryznski, Aviation student
Amount Requested: $3,976
Amount Awarded: $8,000 (this project was awarded more than requested because the students provided a very lean budget in terms of fuel, food, and lodging costs; the judges felt a more robust budget would help cover all costs and potentially allow more students to participate)
Alignment: national program recognition, potential recruitment opportunity, elevate our aviation program (enrollment targets from previous strategic plan, NMC Next)
Hawk Owl Uncrewed Competition Team
Presenter: Tony Sauerbrey, UAS Coordinator
Amount Requested: $10,042
Amount Awarded: $10,042
Alignment: national program recognition, potential recruitment opportunity, support of the NorthSky Consortium (partnerships, regional needs)
Reaching Adult Learners with CollegeAPP and data-informed decision-making
Presenter: Kelly Yauk, PRMC Marketing Director
Amount Requested: $10,440
Amount Awarded: $10,440
Alignment: adult learner recruitment, blending of credit and noncredit, PRMC enrollment strategies
In total, OOPs for Education and the NMC Foundation provided $41,082, leaving approximately $9K for other activities prior to the end of the fiscal year. Lisa really raised the bar and set the tone for leveraging these funds to support college initiatives moving forward. She did a great job!
Apr 27, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials during the fall and spring semesters from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4:40 to 6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99, and the vegetarian option (V) is $7.99. Learn more at nmc.edu/dining.
Menu
Monday, April 27
Chicken Fettuccine with pesto cream sauce served with garlic crostini & broccoli
Roasted Vegetable Fettuccine (V) with pesto cream sauce served with garlic crostini & broccoli
Tuesday, April 28
Beef Barbacoa Tacos served with Spanish rice & refried beans
Tofu Barbacoa Tacos (V) served with Spanish rice & refried beans
Wednesday, April 29
BBQ Pulled Pork with brioche bun served with mac & cheese and asparagus
BBQ Jackfruit (V) with brioche bun served with mac & cheese and asparagus
Thursday, April 30
Potato Gnocchi with Italian sausage and alfredo sauce served with garlic bread & green beans
Potato Gnocchi (V) with roasted vegetables and alfredo sauce served with garlic bread & green beans
Friday, May 1
No Special Today – Enjoy the summer break!
Apr 24, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
Due to outside sporting events on Wednesday, April 29 and Friday, May 1, NMC Campus Security will restrict access to the Cedar Parking Lot. Campus Security will be present at the entrances to the Cedar lot to grant access to NMC employees, students and visitors.
For more information, contact Campus Safety Coordinator Garrett Croon at gcroon@nmc.edu or (231)995-1747
Apr 22, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
April 22, 2026
Swoop! There he is!
Or will be on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., in all his green-feathered glory, at a special 75th anniversary Student and Community Block Party. The entire community is invited to welcome Swoop, NMC’s new mascot, and then enjoy other festivities on the Front Street campus to celebrate the college’s 75th anniversary.
Running from 3–7 p.m. the Block Party coincides with the end of the spring semester. Students, alumni, staff, faculty, neighbors and friends are all invited to partake of free carnival rides, activities and live music. Food from several local food trucks will be available to purchase.
After his introduction by NMC President Nick Nissley, Swoop will then make the rounds of the party for photo opportunities. Mascots from the Traverse City Pit Spitters, NMC’s University Partners and Traverse City West High School will join the welcome party, too.
NMC adopted the northern hawk owl as a nickname in 2013, and the concept was embraced by the college. Swoop was first visualized as a two-dimensional logo character in 2014. Each graduate receives a “Hawk Owl alumni” T-shirt. The student cafeteria is named the Hawk Owl Café.
The occasion of NMC’s 75th anniversary this year was a fitting time to embody Swoop as an official mascot, and planning for Swoop’s arrival started in late 2024.
“We want NMC to feel vibrant and alive for our students and our community, and finally having Swoop home is a big part of bringing this vision to life.” said Zach Whitaker, manager of NMC Alumni Relations, where Swoop makes his home in between event appearances. “He’s here to cheer on our students and learners as they navigate challenges and celebrate all their accomplishments through their time with us and beyond.”
Advance registration is encouraged. A rain date has been set for Sunday, April 26. For more information, visit nmc.edu/75.
Apr 22, 2026 | Student News
Pre-nursing students —the ADN application for fall 2026 is open! The deadline to apply is June 1. Applications can be submitted in self-service through students.nmc.edu.
To apply in self-service, select:
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- Admissions
- Apply for Admissions
- Submit a Competitive ADN Application
For questions, contact Betsy Boris at bboris@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1246.
Apr 21, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
Are you in TC this summer? NMC is looking for the faces of our college! No modeling experience? No problem. We want real students, real smiles and real community vibes. Let’s capture the season together. Fill out the short form below and we’ll reach out to you as our summer photography/video/testimonial schedule goes into action! Please note: this is a volunteer opportunity and is not paid.
Fill out the Summer 2026 call for volunteer student models form
Got questions? Email publicrelations@nmc.edu
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College does not discriminate in admission, campus activities, education, employment, housing, public accommodation or public service on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, handicap, height, marital or familial status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, service in the military, veteran’s status, weight, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law.
Apr 21, 2026 | Student News
Congratulations to the graduates of 2026! Commencement is May 2. Caps and gowns are available at the NMC Bookstore (located in the Health & Science building) and online at bookstore.nmc.edu. Don’t wait—get yours today!
Apr 20, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Media is invited to cover the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center’s “topping off” celebration from 9–11 a.m. Friday, April 24 at the Discovery Pier parking lot, 13271 S. West Bay Shore Drive (bay side of M-22).
A topping off celebration is a-time honored construction tradition, marking the placement of the building’s final structural beam. It is a milestone in the Center’s construction, which began in September 2025 and is on track for completion in spring 2027.
The $29.1 million project is a collaborative effort of Discovery Pier, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse Connect, Michigan Technological University and 20Fathoms. From 9–10 a.m. these community partners and donors will sign the beam. At 10 a.m. the beam will be craned into place at the construction site across the street.
The 38,000 square foot facility is a landmark project establishing northern Michigan as the epicenter of water innovation and a globally relevant hub for the blue economy.
By co-locating working pier space, advanced laboratories and business incubation under one roof, the Center will serve as the home for water technology and marine mobility, where ideas become solutions, technologies become ventures and opportunities become careers.
The project has already secured more than $28 million in commitments from federal, state and private funders, with fundraising ongoing for equipment and the public exhibit space. Once complete, the Center is expected to draw national and international tenants, create high-wage jobs and generate research with global applications.
Visit freshwatercenter.org to learn more.
Release date: April 20, 2026
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
Non-Discrimination Policy Notice
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Apr 20, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Three committees of Northwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees will meet this week in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on NMC’s Front Street Campus, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City, Mich.
- Building & Site Committee: 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, Room 08 (Lower Level)
- Audit Committee: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday April 22, Room 08 (Lower Level)
- Executive Committee: 3 p.m. Thursday, April 23, Room 104/105
The official meeting notices are available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Release date: April 20, 2026
Non-Discrimination Policy Notice
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
