Success story: Specific, shorter certificates suit students and employers

Apr 26, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

April 26, 2023

Certificates in computer support and cybersecurity specialization and Esports management will debut at NMC next year, offering students several additional paths to employment.

On Monday, NMC’s Board of Trustees approved the computer support specialist and cybersecurity specialist certificates. At one semester and one year to complete, respectively, both align with NMC’s strategic goal of offering future-focused education — more classes in shorter formats.

‘We’re giving students the opportunity to have quicker completion,” said Vice President for Educational Services Stephen Siciliano. Employers also seek a faster path to credentials.The computer support specialist certificate will reduce the time to earn a credential from nearly two years to one semester.

Both certificates will help students find employment in Michigan’s strong IT industry — multiple IT careers are among Michigan’s hot 50 jobs with the best prospects through 2030.

The Esports certificate builds upon NMC’s success with varsity Esports teams, and puts NMC at the forefront of Esports as an academic discipline. The certificate is designed to feed into a bachelor’s degree in Esports production that Ferris State University launched last fall. Lake Michigan College starts an associate degree program this year.

“So many potential students or current students are gamers. This will be a different path for them, to take something they love doing and make it into a career,” said Terri Gustafson, NMC’s Esports director. NMC entered varsity Esports competition last year with two teams, and expanded to five this year. Nineteen students played varsity this semester, each earning a $500 scholarship per semester.

Students would potentially also receive six IT industry recognized certifications that employers value. These certifications were recently approved by the State of Michigan as a measurement for student completion.

The cybersecurity certificate creates another area of specialization for students, and allows them to begin working in the field after a year. Students could also choose to stack the certificates toward associate degrees.

“The demand for this is not going down. There’s a lot of potential for students,” Trustee Rachel Johnson said of cybersecurity, calling it one of the most expensive risks employers must manage.

Both CIT certificates use existing curriculum, meaning NMC incurs no additional costs. Gustafson said five new Esports courses are now in development and she expects the certificate to be offered in January 2024, at the same time as the CIT certificates. Job opportunities in Esports exist in marketing, accounting and graphic design, Gustafson said.

Esports Madden 23 Player Playing for the League Championship

Apr 21, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

Damon Livingston, the NMC varsity Esports Madden 23 player, will be competing in the NJCAA-E Championship match against Hutchinson Community College on Saturday, April 22 at 6 p.m. in the NMC Esports lab.

Damon finished the league regular season undefeated and has won his quarterfinal and semi-final matches 3-0. His opponent in the championship also ended the regular season and first two rounds of the playoffs undefeated, setting up a competition between the #1 and #2 seeds in the playoffs. This is the first league championship game for the NMC Esports program.

2023 Earth Week events

Apr 14, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

The NMC Student Green Team and the faculty/staff Campus Sustainability Committee have organized a series of events for 2023 Earth Week. There’s something for everyone! 

Spring Clean Up Hike
Sunday, April 16, 1 p.m., Kids Creek Park (park in Kohls parking lot; carpooling available by filling out this form)
Get some fresh air, meet with other students and clean up our local environment. Join Student Success and the Student Green Team with cleaning up a local Traverse City hiking trail. You can come out and do a 2 mile loop or more! Snacks and Drinks provided.

Campus Clean Up
April 22-29
Help keep our campuses green and beautiful throughout the week. Sign up on your own or with a departmental group/team. Supplies for clean up are located in the Student Success office. Sign up here.

Future Generation Celebration Earth Day Concert and Mini Fair
Saturday, April 22, 10:30 a.m, tent near North Hall
Audio Tech is presenting the first ever Future Generation Celebration, a free music festival, in conjunction with a mini fair organized by the Student Green Team. Both events will follow the Big Little Hero Race.

Music lineup consists of:

• Noon: The Bourdains
• 1 p.m.: Eliza Thorp  
• 2 p.m.: Funky Uncle
• 3 p.m.: Ted Alan and the Under-Privileged
• 4 p.m.: The Marsupials
• 5 p.m.: East Bay Drive with SkyeLea and Ryan Critchfield
• 6 p.m.: Dixon’s Violin

Vegan Week
April 24-28, Hawk Owl Café
Learn more about a plant-based lifestyle by enjoying the vegan menu options served at the Hawk Owl Café.

Campus Birding Walk
Tuesday, April 25 (Wednesday, April 26 alt. rain date), 8 a.m., main entrance of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
Learn about local wildlife and a great hobby—birding! Walk will be led by Kirk Waterstripe, Laboratory Manager and Board Member of the Grand Traverse Audubon Club.

EGR 101 Grounds Maintenance Alternative Practices Presentation
Tuesday, April 25, 3:10 p.m., Timothy J Nelson Innovation Center room 106/107
Hear about the alternative grounds maintenance practices that students in Jay Smith’s EGR 101 have been researching for their semester project. This presentation will feature their recommendations to the college on creating more sustainable grounds maintenance systems.

Film Screening of Kiss the Ground
Wednesday, April 26, 3 p.m., Scholar’s Hall room 217
Learn about regenerative farming practices and join in a discussion led by Campus Sustainability Committee members Ryan Wilson, Kirk Waterstripe and Laura Jaquish. Snacks will be provided.

Environmentalist Mingle
Friday, April 28, 7 p.m., Timothy J Nelson Innovation Center room 107
Make new friends by connecting with other like-minded individuals who enjoy the outdoors and are working on environmental issues. Attendees will get to know each other’s prompts and musical preferences. Refreshments will be provided.

NMC is dedicated to spreading social, economic, and environmental change through education and action at the campus, community and national level. Join our mission by taking the sustainability pledge.

Spring book rental return and summer rental availability

Apr 13, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

Spring book rentals are due back to the bookstore by Tuesday, May 9. Books that have been purchased can be sold back to the bookstore during May 1–5.

Summer textbooks are now available. Stop by the store or check them out online at bookstore.nmc.edu. Looking to use financial aid for your books? Summer financial aid will be available April 24–June 27.

Success story: Early adoption leads to embrace of technology advances

Apr 12, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

April 12, 2023

Back in 1998, philosophy instructor Michael Emerson was asked to join a small pilot group of NMC instructors trying something new: teaching online. A quarter-century later, Emerson now teaches all his classes online, nearly every NMC class has an online component, and the college’s strategic plan prioritizes more online offerings as well as greater student success in them.

That pilot project was an early adoption of the technology that would change the world, and NMC has maintained its position at the forefront of educational technology.

“We made this decision and committed ourselves long before other institutions did it,” Emerson said. “Now people are getting their masters and doctorates totally online.”

He and the other NMC instructors embraced the challenge of trying something new. At the time, online classes meant totally asynchronous instruction conducted essentially by email. Lacking today’s video capabilities, instructor and student were invisible to each other.

“I was initially kind of skeptical. The standard model was to be in the classroom,” said Emerson. The pilot group used what he called a “primitive” Learning Management System, or LMS.

Through the 2000s, 2010s and through COVID-19, which made online education almost an expectation, NMC continued to stay on the leading edge of educational technology, Emerson said. The college has used multiple LMS systems. Moodle, the current provider, is the tool that is found in almost every class.

NMC now boasts an Educational Technologies department of eight. Courses are offered in four different formats: lecture, online, hybrid and livestream. Accelerated and short courses offer more convenience to students. NMC’s strategic plan calls for increasing the proportion of online courses to 35% in fall and spring semester. Online enrollment is highest in summer semester, and will surpass 50 percent this summer.

Emerson sees many advantages of online education. Besides the flexibility and convenience it offers, students are more comfortable discussing the sensitive topics than can arise in his philosophy classes, he said. Participation can be leveled across the class, instead of being dominated by one or two people.

“The discussions have almost always been very very civil in the classroom, because there’s a sense of permanence,” he said. “All of us are more accountable in that regard, in terms of what we say.”

He estimates teaching online saves thousands of pounds of paper, and, as COVID demonstrated, keeps him and his students healthier.

NMC’s strategic plan also calls for improving already high rates of online class success through new teaching strategies. For online courses, the goal is 90 percent success/completion, up from 87 percent. The hybrid course goal is 95 percent, up from 92.

Not bad for what started as a pilot project.

“NMC was really at the very forefront of that, well before many traditional four-year schools,” said Emerson.

Second annual Experiential Learning Institute Learning Symposium May 1–4

Apr 12, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — The second annual Northwestern Michigan College Experiential Learning Institute Learning Symposium will celebrate learning from May 1–4 at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center (TJNIC) on NMC’s main campus.

This symposium is a celebration of learning, with a variety of engaging activities and events for attendees to participate in. Throughout the event, attendees can browse poster displays and artifacts showcasing the innovative and high-impact projects that students have been working on across all academic areas at NMC. The schedule also includes:

Monday, May 1:

• Noon: Jim Bensley’s Study Abroad student panel (TJNIC Rooms 104/105)
• 1 p.m.: Brady Corcoran and Audio Technology reflections (TJNIC Rooms 104/105)

Tuesday, May 2:

• 11 a.m.–1 p.m.: Reflective Table Talks, where attendees can stop by tables and have small group discussions with students and staff around subjects including manufacturing projects, cyber safety, Jobs for Michigan Graduates, Student Success Ambassador events, audio technology events, Home Builders Association series, and more (TJNIC Hallways)
• 1 p.m.: Caroline Schaefer-Hill’s Visual Communications reflections on Visiting the Van Gogh exhibit and How it Impacted their Projects (TJNIC Rooms 106/107)

Wednesday, May 3:

• 11 a.m.: Tony Sauerbrey’s Uncrewed Aerial System demo and presentation (TJNIC Rooms 106/107 and outside)
• 1 p.m.: Brandon Everest’s SOC 201 Modern Social Problems final presentations (TJNIC Rooms 104/105)
• 3 p.m.: Kristy McDonald’s BUS 231 Big Little Hero Race reflection (TJNIC Rooms 106/107)

Thursday, May 4:

• 10 a.m.: Rick Mathis’ Welding student presentations (TJNIC Room 103)
• May 4, 1 p.m.: Kamsang Riddelll and the NMC Motorsports Club “Gearheads” presentation (TJNIC Rooms 106/107)

For a complete schedule of events, visit nmc.edu/experiential-learning/learning-symposium.html. These events are open to everyone. Anyone who is interested in experiential learning or high-impact learning is encouraged to attend.

Release date: April 12, 2023

For more information:

Tracy Welch
Experiential Learning Institute Office Manager
elinstitute@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1170

Future Generation Celebration set for post-Big Little Hero Race

Apr 10, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Students enrolled in Northwestern Michigan College’s (NMC) Professional Communications class and Audio Tech students invite the community to the first-ever Future Generation Celebration immediately following the eighth annual Big Little Hero Race on Saturday, April 22, underneath the big white tent behind North Hall on NMC’s main campus. The free music festival begins at noon and runs until 7 p.m. Food options, games, and activities are also available. This event is family friendly.

Music lineup for the festival is:

• Noon: The Bourdains
• 1 p.m.: Eliza Thorp
• 2 p.m.: Funky Uncle
• 3 p.m.: Ted Alan and the Under-Privileged
• 4 p.m.: The Marsupials
• 5 p.m.: East Bay Drive with SkyeLea and Ryan Critchfield
• 6 p.m.: Dixon’s Violin

Registration for the Big Little Hero Race is still going on at biglittleherorace.com. The race is an experiential learning project to raise funds towards NMC College for Kids scholarships for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan. Last year’s event raised $5,000 for scholarships. Participants are encouraged to come in their favorite superhero costumes. Complete race details are at biglittleherorace.com.

Release date: April 10, 2023

For more information:

Kristy McDonald
NMC Business Instructor (Big Little Hero Race)
(231) 735-1055
kmcdonald@nmc.edu

David Chown
Audio Tech Instructor (Future Generation Celebration)
(231) 883-6756
dchown@nmc.edu

Brady Corcoran
Audio Technology Coordinator (Future Generation Celebration)
(310) 909-3924
bcorcoran@nmc.edu

Alex Grassa
Social Media Specialist
(231) 883-8055
nmc4bbbs@gmail.com

GLMA hosts ‘open ship’ aboard State of Michigan

Apr 5, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — The community is invited to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy’s “open ship” showcasing the training ship State of Michigan from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 22. The day will include:

• Self guided tours of the T/S State of Michigan
• Interaction with current maritime cadets
• An opportunity to learn more about the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, maritime careers, how to become a chef on a ship and U.S. Navy commissioning options

Tours will begin at the pier security gate entrance on the north side of NMC’s Great Lakes campus, 715 E. Front St. Low-heel, closed-toe, soft-soled shoes are highly recommended. The event will occur rain or shine.

Release date: April 5, 2023

For more information:

Great Lakes Maritime Academy
maritime@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1200

NMC hosts free state program to help all new college students prepare for fall semester

Apr 4, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Registration is now open for College Edge, a new, free program NMC is hosting this summer to help any new college student prepare for their fall semester.

College Edge is a five-week program to help prepare students in the core subjects of math and English before they start college at any school this fall. They’ll also learn tips and tools like time management and studying smarter that will help right away. For completing the program, students will earn a $1,000 scholarship toward NMC’s fall semester tuition.

Students can register at nmc.edu/edge for one of two sessions: June 5–July 7 or July 10–Aug. 11. Held on NMC’s main campus, each session runs Monday–Thursday from 8 a.m.–noon. Breakfast, a laptop and gas cards are all available as well.

College Edge hosted by NMC is just the latest investment the state is making in its student-age population. State scholarships available now include Michigan Achievement for the high school class of 2023, and Michigan Reconnect for adults over 25 who don’t already have a degree. Achievement offers $2,750, or half the cost of NMC’s full-time, in-district tuition, while Reconnect makes tuition free to in-district students (Grand Traverse County residents).

Release date: April 4, 2023

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
Media on deadline, call or text (231) 392-6082
Non-deadline inquiries: (231) 995-1020

Spring Cleaning Sale at the Bookstore April 17–18

Apr 2, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

It’s spring cleaning at the NMC Bookstore!

Take half off all red tag clearance items Monday, April 17 & Tuesday, April 18. In store only.

Gene Jenneman, Brad, D.J. and Marty Oleson named NMC Fellows

Mar 27, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

Gene Jenneman
( Download a high-resolution photo) Brad Oleson
( Download a high-resolution photo) D.J. Oleson
( Download a high-resolution photo) Marty Oleson
( Download a high-resolution photo) TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s highest honor, the NMC Fellow award, has been bestowed for 2023 on Gene Jenneman and Brad, D.J. and Marty Oleson, all of Traverse City.

Jenneman was the first director of NMC’s Dennos Museum Center. The Olesons — siblings Brad and D.J. and cousin Marty — are the third generation of the family whose financial and volunteer support for NMC spans all eight decades of its existence.

Appointed as Dennos director before the museum even opened in 1991, Jenneman led the museum until his retirement in 2019. His mission was to bring the world to Traverse City via the art exhibited in the galleries and performed in Milliken Auditorium. His culminating achievement was a 15,000 square foot expansion completed in 2017, which nearly doubled the museum’s exhibition space. The new galleries showcase pieces from the permanent collection that Jenneman acquired over 30 years, as well as the Dennos’ signature Inuit art collection. One of the permanent collection galleries bears his name.

The Oleson trio carried on the NMC Barbecue tradition started in 1956 by their grandparents, Jerry and Frances Oleson, until it concluded in 2020 after raising nearly $2 million for college projects. Marty Oleson is a member of the NMC Foundation Board, appointed in 2010. She served on the annual campaign and alumni committees, as well as the Innovation Grants Committee, now known as the Office of Possibilities Committee. Brad Oleson was the Oleson family representative on the Barbecue Board for decades. He helped engineer many improvements through the years and was a tremendous stabilizing force. He was typically the first to arrive and the last to leave every Barbecue Day.

D.J. sits at the helm of Oleson’s Corporation and was recently chair of the Michigan Grocer’s Association. His internal leadership with the business helps make it possible for the Oleson legacy to live on as he cheers his sibling Brad and cousin Marty in their community-facing roles.

The Fellow is Northwestern Michigan College’s highest honor, awarded annually since 1964. Fellows may be nominated because they have demonstrated influential networking on behalf of the College, have demonstrated a pattern of outstanding financial or personal time contributions to NMC, or as a retiree of the College continue to contribute back to their academic or professional fields as volunteers, mentors or advisors. Exceptional contributions in one or more of these areas may justify nomination.

See a list of past recipients here.

Release date: March 31, 2023

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
Media on deadline, call or text (231) 392-6082
Non-deadline inquiries: (231) 995-1020

InfoSec: Using public Wi-Fi

Mar 24, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

Be wary of using a public Wi-Fi. If you access one, it is best to use a VPN like Nord, Proton or other secure VPN!

Fraudsters will often set up a Wi-Fi hotspot of their own and disguise it as genuine public Wi-Fi. 

New books at the NMC Library

Mar 24, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.

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Celebrating Women’s History Month at the NMC library

Mar 17, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

Notice the Libby tag next to a title? This means the book is available as an eBook and can be found on the Libby app. All audiobooks can be accessed through Libby. Haven’t set up your Libby account yet? Follow these easy instructions!

books available to request from MeLCat!       

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Feeding America mobile food pantry

Mar 10, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

The NMC Food Pantry is partnering with Feeding America to host a mobile food pantry once a month this semester. Upcoming dates include Tuesday, March 21 and Tuesday, April 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Maple Lot on NMC’s Main Campus. Mobile pantries are like farmers’ markets on wheels—delivering a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products and baked goods. Anyone who needs access to healthy food is welcome to stop by. Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis in a drive-thru format.