NMC trustees appoint Rachel Johnson to board

TRAVERSE CITY — At a special board meeting Monday, Nov. 14, Northwestern Michigan College trustees unanimously appointed former college instructor Rachel Johnson to fill a trustee position vacated last week when Steven Rawlings resigned.

Johnson received the next highest number of votes in the recent election behind Michael Estes and Chris Bott, who were elected.

Rawlings announced his resignation Nov. 10, citing increased responsibilities and travel for his job.

Board Chair Kennard Weaver said, “The six people who ran for trustee in the election last week nominated themselves for the positions, showing a strong interest in serving. In the election campaign, we gathered a great deal of information about them and the voters of Grand Traverse County also know them. This is a good panel from which to appoint the trustee to fill the current vacancy, and we also have the votes ranking them.”

In a recent letter to trustees, Johnson reiterated her desire to serve, saying, “I believe deeply in the college and the role it plays in enriching our community, supporting our local economy, and preparing students for future success. I would very much like the opportunity to support that endeavor as a trustee.”

Johnson was an adjunct instructor in the NMC’s communications department in 2012 after serving as an instructor and administrator at Penn State University and Pepperdine University. She is currently the Member Relations Manager at Cherryland Electric Cooperative.

Johnson will serve as trustee through December 31, 2018.

She will be eligible to run for election for the remainder of Rawlings’ term in the November 2018 election.

Release date: November 15, 2016

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing & Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019

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

NMC NHHAW awareness project

A variety of student-led activities will highlight National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (NHHAW) from November 12 until November 19. Events will be hosted by NMC students in Composition and Sociology courses. Join us to support student research, service and engagement.

NMC NHHAW STUDENT RESEARCH CONFERENCE – NOVEMBER 16:

On November 16, from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm in Scholars Hall on NMC Main Campus, NMC students will share their learning with the community, giving presentations and sharing research posters. Students’ research will debunk myths of poverty as well as highlight areas critical to these like housing policy, economic inequality, low-income dynamics, homelessness and food insecurity. Students’ research posters will be left on display through the month of November. Come see what all of this is about!

NMC FOOD FOR THOUGHT & HYGIENE DRIVE – OCTOBER 29 UNTIL NOVEMBER 18:

Students in Composition and Sociology courses are supporting Kristy McDonald’s BUS-231 NMC Food for Thought Drive, putting an emphasis on the importance of hygiene and personal care products. These items are often overlooked by donors to food pantries, and, as such, this need goes unfilled. Access to personal care products can affect employability, self-esteem and children’s school relationships and performance. Students will be setting up stations at Tom’s Grocery Stores, Walmart, and at NMC’s Tech Expo and elsewhere to encourage donations. In addition to the many connections already established by business students, our students are also coordinating with area schools, including TC West, Grand Traverse Academy and TC St. Francis to scale up the project. Contact Brandon Everest at beverest@nmc.edu to learn more or to donate.

WALK FOR HEALTH & HOUSING – NOVEMBER 14:

Join us in a Walk for Health & Housing on November 14 at 5:30 pm to bring awareness to the challenges of unhoused people in our region. Ryan Hannon, Goodwill Street Outreach Coordinator, will take participants on a guided walk and tour of downtown Traverse City bringing attention to the sorts of situations and challenges faced by homeless people. There will be speeches by other participants as well. We will begin and end at the Great Lakes Campus for this one-hour tour to make the invisible problem of homelessness visible to area residents. Students are making signs, banners, info sheets and pamphlets to distribute to passers-by and onlookers in this effort. We will stop by the Government Center to highlight ways area citizens can provide input to City and County Commission Meetings and elsewhere. We need “All Hands on Deck” for this event to be as successful as possible. We hope to see you there!

NMC SNAP CHALLENGE:

Click here for information about the SNAP Challenge. In short, the SNAP Challenge is an awareness raising activity where participants live off of a SNAP/Food Stamp budget for a week ($29) and document their experiences, sharing those with the community in some way. For us, we hope that participants will share video recordings on their social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others with the hashtags: #nmcsnap and #snapchallenge). We have a growing number of participants, and we hope you will consider joining us in that effort and spreading the word. We are asking participants to pick a week in the month of November to take the challenge. Further “rules” information will be distributed to participants upon their agreement to take the challenge.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:

  1. Donate non-perishable food, hygiene and personal care items to the drive.
  2. Attend NHHAW activities here on campus to show your support of student engagement.
  3. Accept the SNAP Challenge and share your experiences and insights.
  4. Walk with us for our Walk for Health and Housing during NHHAW on November 14.
  5. Attend the NHHAW Student Research Conference on November 16 to support student engagement and service.

Trustee Steven Rawlings resigns

TRAVERSE CITY — The Board of Trustees from Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) is beginning the process of replacing Vice-Chair Steven Rawlings after he resigned from his position this week.

Rawlings announced Thursday he is stepping down from the board, citing increased responsibilities and travel for his job, but added he remains dedicated to the college.

In a letter to Board Chair Kennard Weaver, Rawlings said, “I am hopeful that one day I will serve the college community again in some capacity. But in the meantime, I will forever remain in awe of NMC, its inspiring students, devoted faculty, committed staff and administration, fellow board members and donors alike- each of whom, dedicate so much time, treasure and talent to the betterment of our community.”

Trustee Weaver said, “We at NMC are appreciative of the service of Mr. Rawlings. His perspective, insight and willingness to engage in thoughtful discourse have been of great benefit to our communities of learners. We wish him well.”

Trustees will hold a special meeting on Monday, November 14, 2016, at 5 p.m. to decide the next steps to fill the vacancy until the next NMC Board of Trustees election in November 2018, where voters will choose a candidate to serve the remainder of the term held by Rawlings which expires December 31, 2020.

Michigan law gives the college 30 days to fill this position.

Release date: November 11, 2016

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing & Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019

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

Dining services info

Happy Thanksgiving!

thanksgivingJoin us Wednesday, November 16, for an All Day, All You Can Eat Thanksgiving Feast

  • 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
  • Original Cost $8.99
    – $1 subsidy sponsored by Student Life
  • Your cost:  $7.99

Good News!

You can now add money to your ID card directly at the registers!

  • Save money- there is no sales tax on Meal Plans
  • Minimum of $20 required to add money to card
  • Remember meal card balances carry over from Fall to Spring semester, but balances expire at the end of Spring Semester

Announcing Bite, a new menu and nutrition app that can link to myfitnesspal.com.
Search for “Bite by Sodexo” on the App Store or Google Play, and use Bite Code G2HP8
bite_misofislider_960x180

Payment for spring classes is due December 8

2017-spring-payment-deadline-postcard_page_1It’s time to secure your spring classes!

Online: nmc.edu/self-service, under Student Billing

  • No-fee e-payment from checking or savings account
  • No-fee debit card payment
  • Credit card payment: American Express, MasterCard, VISA, or Discover (including JCB, Diners Pay and China Union Network). A 2.75% convenience fee applies to all credit card payments for charges related to academic credit courses.
  • Authorize someone else to make a payment
  • Enroll in direct deposit for refunds
  • Enroll in a deferred payment plan
  • Make a housing or aviation deposit under eDeposit
  • Go to Financial Aid menu to check your financial aid

In person:

Payments by cash, check, or money order can be made at Student Financial Services (Tanis Building, main level)

By mail:

Please note your NMC ID on your check.

NMC Student Financial Services
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49686

Explore payment options: nmc.edu/cashier

Questions? (231) 995-1035 or sfs@nmc.edu

Helpful tips:

  • Check your NMC email and Self-Service often
  • Respond to any requests for information
  • Drop before 100% Refund Date (on your schedule) if you don’t plan to attend
  • Financial Aid information: nmc.edu/financial-aid

Spring session begins January 13. Register today!

International Education Week November 13-17

Study abroad trip participantsInternational Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education and celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

NMC’s commemoration of the 16th annual International Education Week includes food from India, China and Russia; a student speaker from Norway and a former White House Director for the Middle East; and a study abroad fair.

Read the full list of events here »

 

NMC Food For Thought Challenge

The students of Kristy McDonald’s Professional Communications class are hosting the fourth annual Food for Thought non-perishable food and hygiene drive. We want to invite you and team to a little fun and friendly competition. With the increased need of supplies for our local community, NMC’s Food for Thought has partnered with the Northwest Michigan Food Coalition to raise donations to help feed and provide hygiene products to over 4,000 people this holiday season.

The students have created a challenge for the faculty/staff/students to make donating even more exciting!

How the challenge works:

  • A box will be dropped off to each department on November 9 and picked up November 16
  • Fill the box with donations – non-perishable food and hygiene items
  • The department that collects the most items will win a pizza party for up to 60 people

This challenge is a way for the faculty, staff and students to support a NMC student project and give back to our community at the same time. Please like NMC’s Food for Thought’s Facebook page for information and updates on the latest events: facebook.com/ NMCFoodForThought/.

If you are unable to donate during the challenge, there are red donation bins in the Osterlin Library, Parsons-Stulen and Health & Science buildings. You can also make monetary donations through the Facebook page. Thank you for helping collect food to fill the pantries in our local community. Let the games begin!

For more information, contact:

Gwendolyn Neumann
NMC Food for Thought Student Logistics Leader
(231) 392-2332
neuman62@mail.nmc.edu

WMU-Traverse City Open House

wmuPlease join us Thursday, November 10 at 5:30 p.m., at the NMC University Center to learn about our counseling master’s degrees offered at WMU-Traverse City. Classes meet evenings or weekends to help accommodate the needs of working professionals. Both degrees are CACREP accredited.

RSVP: (231) 995-1788 or Kim.Stevens@wmich.edu

Faculty Excellence Award nominations due by December 16

teacher-and-studentHave NMC instructors made a difference in your life? Could dedicated, innovative and excellent be used to describe them? If you are looking for a way to recognize the impact an NMC teacher that has had on your learning journey, please consider nominating them for the Imogene Wise awards. Faculty are truly honored to be nominated and to receive these annual awards.

This is the highest teaching honor awarded at NMC and nominations can only come from students.

Nominations are due by December 16 and can be submitted here: surveymonkey.com/r/R2VG6QG

Initiated by a contribution from longtime NMC benefactors Harold and Imogene Wise in 1970 and first awarded to a full-time faculty member in 1971, recipients are chosen by a student selection committee, and award criteria includes teaching excellence, rapport with students, innovation in the classroom and a sense of dedication.

Master of Public Health Degree Web Information Session

gvsu-tc-logoTuesday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m.

Public health professionals promote good health and prevent disease within communities. The Master of Public Health degree provides graduate and community-based education and research grounded in social justice to help meet these goals. Learn more at out interactive web seminar. Visit www.gvsu.edu/traverse to register.

Registrants will receive an email link approximately 1-2 days prior to the online session.

Veterans Day tribute

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College will again pay tribute to enrolled and employed veterans with several events on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

  • 8:30 a.m. – Veterans’ breakfast. Free breakfast for all veterans and active duty military in the Hawk Owl Cafe in West Hall.
  • 9-9:10 a.m. – Walk of Honor. The campus community is invited to line up along the sidewalks from West Hall to the flagpoles west of the Tanis Building. Led by the Traverse City Central High School drum line, veterans will walk from West Hall to the flagpoles.
  • 9:30 a.m. – Flag raising ceremony conducted by the VFW with the Traverse City Central High School band.
  • 10 a.m.-noon – Coffee and cake served in West Hall for the entire campus community in honor of veterans.

About 5 percent of NMC students are veterans, and serving those who have served is a year-round priority at NMC, which established an office of Military and Veterans Services in 2012. It works with the larger college community to foster an environment that leads to veteran success. Results thus far:

  • For the second consecutive year NMC has been certified as a Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly School by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
  • Named the fifth-best “Best for Vets” community college nationwide by Military Times in 2016.
  • NMC provides no-interest loans to veterans waiting for processing of their benefit checks, so they may enroll immediately.
  • NMC makes up the difference between military pay and NMC pay for reservist employees who are called to active duty. Family enrollment in all benefits also continues.
  • Since 2008, NMC has participated in a DOD agreement providing in-state (out of district) tuition rates for active duty military and their dependents, regardless of their legal residence

Release date: November 3, 2016

For more information:

Scott Herzberg
POC, Military and Veterans Services
sherzberg@nmc.edu
(
231) 995-2526

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

Upcoming NMC Jazz Band Performances

jazz bandNMC Jazz Big Band performance at West Bay Beach Holiday Inn, Thursday November 10th, 7:30 p.m. Free!

NMC Jazz Lab Band performance at West Bay Beach Holiday Inn, Thursday November 17th, 7:30 p.m. Free!

NMC Jazz Big Band, NMC Jazz Lab Band, and NMC Vocal Jazz Ensemble performances at Milliken Auditorium, Saturday, December 3rd, 7:30 p.m.

The Long Night Against Procrastination Cometh

nmclibraryowl-nightcapMark your calendars and clean out your coffee mug. LNAP is returning to the Osterlin Library on Thursday, December 1!

The Long Night Against Procrastination is a chance to nail that paper, crush that project, ace that test, and otherwise triumph over your studies for the semester. The library will be open until 2 a.m. Librarians, the Writing and Reading Center, and tutors will be available to help you.

Free pizza, coffee, and snacks all night! More info coming soon!