Jan 24, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Aviation recruiter Al Laursen and computer information technology instructor John Velis have been named NMC’s recipients of annual excellence awards.
Both are 2016-17 recipients of the NISOD award for teaching excellence. Affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin, NISOD is committed to promoting and
celebrating excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges. Criteria include professionalism, relationships with students and colleagues, and commitment to learning
“I consider myself lucky to have stumbled into the best job at NMC, where I get to be immersed in a field I love without having to be away from home all the time,” said Laursen, a former pilot, pictured right. “I’m fortunate to have bosses who support me with the resources and autonomy I need to do my job and to be part of a great team of aviation professionals who support me, each other, and our students. I appreciate the recognition and look forward to my continued work in the NMC community.”
“Education has been a passion for me for most of my life,” said Velis, pictured left. “It has brought me great satisfaction, along with many challenges along the way. Being recognized by my peers with a NISOD Excellence Award is humbling as I know I could not do what I do without the support of the many professionals that surround me daily.”
Laursen joined NMC in 2011 and Velis in 2013. Both will receive their awards in at the annual NISOD conference in May.
Read more about aviation and computer information technology at NMC.
Release date: January 25, 2017
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and 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
Jan 23, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
The library has purchased many new books so far this new year. You can view a handful here along with partial descriptions or go here to see the full listing. These books are on display in the library’s lobby.
(more…)
Jan 23, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — More than 80 students from 10 area high schools will compete in the fourth annual Academic World Quest, a quiz-bowl style competition on global topics held from noon-3 p.m. Feb. 3 at NMC’s Hagerty Center.
The winning local team will travel to Washington D.C. to compete at the April 29 national event, held at the National Press Club. Traverse City Central High School is the defending champion, two years running. Also competing are Bellaire, Central Lake, Elk Rapids, Forest Area, Grand Traverse Academy (the 2016 runner up), Interlochen Arts Academy, Mancelona, Petoskey and Traverse City West.
TV 7 & 4 anchor Marc Schollett will moderate the competition, which is free to spectators. Topics include: Peace and Conflict in Today’s World, Countering Violent Extremism, Women in Technology, Turkey, Global Megacities, Combating Infectious Disease, European Union, China, and Current Events.
AWQ is the flagship high school education program of the World Affairs Councils of America of which Traverse City’s International Affairs Forum (IAF) is an affiliated partner. Its goal is to expose America’s youth to the world outside our borders and prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of our globally interconnected world.
To help raise money for the local winning team to travel to Washington D.C., IAF is hosting a special premiere showing of a new documentary, “Is America in Retreat?” at 6 p.m. Monday, March 6 (location TBD.) Based on Wall Street Journal reporter Bret Stephens’ book, America in Retreat? the film will be broadcast on PBS at the end of March.
Special guests Kip Perry and Elan Bentov (producers/directors) will join for post film Q/A discussion together with Leland-based Tom Skinner (executive producer) and IAF Co-Chair Jack Segal.
Release date: January 24, 2017
For more information:
Karen Segal
International Affairs Forum co-chair
(231) 715-6064
jsegal_kpuschel@yahoo.com
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
Jan 23, 2017 | Student News
Your NMC major is used to:
- assign you an advisor in your program area
- to determine what classes your financial aid will pay for
- the scholarships you’re eligible for
And so much more! Make sure you check your major and update it with the Records & Registration Office if needed. Questions? Need help figuring out what major to choose – contact the Advising Center at 995-1040 or advising@nmc.edu or stop by our office in the Osterlin Building.
Jan 23, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
Fire training collaboration to benefit students, sailors
TRAVERSE CITY — A collaboration between NMC’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy and the Northwest Regional Fire Training Center has led to a new, Coast Guard-approved firefighting curriculum that will save maritime cadets time and money, and could draw new revenue to the Center in Blair Township.
Beginning this semester, GLMA cadets will receive firefighting training required for licensure as U.S. Merchant Marine officers at the Center instead of in Toledo, Ohio. Potentially, they could have faced traveling as far as Florida or New York after the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced last year that it planned to close the Toledo Fire Training Academy.
That prompted Maritime instructor and Captain John Biolchini to work with Tim Wrede, training coordinator at the Northwest Regional Fire Training Center, to create a local course that would fulfill U.S. Coast Guard requirements.
“The two of them worked closely together and submitted a curriculum,” to the tune of 249 pages, said Jerry Achenbach, GLMA superintendent. The Coast Guard approved the curriculum with no edits or changes effective Jan. 1. The 40-hour course will be offered for the first time March 27-31. {Editors: Photo/video opportunities will be available during this week.} Achenbach expects it to be offered three times annually, saving cadets travel and hotel costs.
“We are enthusiastic that the Great Lakes Maritime Academy could collaborate with the Regional Fire Training Center,” said Biolchini. “This first-class facility is a natural fit for educational opportunities in the region and I am proud to live in a community which encourages and supports all levels of education and training.”
The firefighting training is expected to attract other sailors, meaning more tuition revenue coming into the community.
“We’re hoping to sell this to the maritime industry,” said Wrede. “The service that we can provide and our customer base, we’re perfectly located.”
He added the Coast Guard has recently begun requiring that firefighting training certification be renewed every five years, which could present additional opportunities to the Training Center, a governmental cooperative created in 1990.
Furthermore, MARAD plans to loan some of the Toledo facility’s specialized equipment, estimated to value more than $100,000, to the regional center, Achenbach said.
Release Date: January 23, 2017
For more information:
John Biolchini
Great Lakes Maritime Academy
jbiolchini@nmc.edu
(231) 995-3147 (o)
(989) 619-2361 (m)
Tim Wrede
Northwest Regional Fire Training Center
Info@Nwrtc-tc.org
(231) 357-3056
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
Jan 20, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
February 22, 11a.m.–1 p.m. in the Health & Science Building Atrium
$1 donation for 3 samples
$1 for a bottle of water
Come vote for your favorite chili or enter to win!
All proceeds benefit NMC student veterans
For more information contact Scott Herzberg at sherzberg@nmc.edu
Jan 18, 2017 | Student News
Interested in attending Grand Valley State University? Learn more about scholarships and financial aid opportunities at our hands-on workshops at NMC’s University Center that could give you thousands of dollars in college funding.
Visit www.gvsu.edu/events to RSVP.
- February 21, 2-4 p.m. in UC 208
- February 22, 6-8 p.m. in UC 208
Jan 18, 2017 | Student News
Student Life Presents:
MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION WEEK
January 23 / West Hall / 1–4 p.m.
Lavender Workshop & Stress Management
January 24 / West Hall / 1–4 p.m.
“Take What You Need” Workshop
January 25 / Osterlin / 1–4 p.m.
Stress Ball Workshop and 777 Challenge
January 26 / Osterlin / 1–4 p.m.
Art Therapy Workshop
Join us in East Hall January 24 at 7 p.m.
for a special presentation of
For more information, contact Jessi at jmcgraw@nmc.edu or call (231) 995-1118.
Jan 17, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
Have you considered advancing your career? Earn a masters degree in Social Work or Public Health and make a difference in your community today.
Join us in NMC University Center Room 13 on February 6 from noon to 1 p.m. or on February 21 at 8 a.m. to learn more.
Visit www.gvsu.edu/traverse/events to RSVP for either event.
Jan 16, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
Tuesdays at 12:30 in Health & Science Building Room 101
Did you know a 10 minute mindfulness practice can help to:
- Improve focus and awareness
- Reduce anxiety and depression
- Reduce stress
- Promote emotional balance
- Support healthy relationships at school, work and home
- Promote academic performance
- Cultivate compassion
- Prevent burnout
- Increase creativity
Come unplug for 20 minutes with NMC’s new mindfulness learning community. Students, faculty, staff and the public are welcome to join!
For more information or a private mindfulness session, contact Kristy McDonald at 995-1059 or kmcdonald@nmc.edu
Jan 16, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s International Affairs Forum continues its regular lecture series at 6 p.m. Feb. 16 with “The Fractured Middle East: Connecting to the Next Generation,” presented by Humaira Wakili, Executive Director of the Gen Next Foundation.
During his first weeks in office, President Donald Trump will face a critical issue that commanded the attention of Barack Obama as he closed out his presidency: how to counter the vicious and violent use of the Internet by extremist groups like ISIS. Social media, so widely used in the free world, has also become a weapon of terrorists to manipulate public opinion, spread propaganda, recruit foreign fighters and plot acts of terror on five continents.
Humaira Wakili, executive director of the Gen Next Foundation, is at the center of developing projects to counter the extremist narrative and brings to the International Affairs Forum an authoritative knowledge of what the new president might do to prevent social media from becoming the norm of extremist groups around the world.
The Gen Next Foundation is a dynamic, high-tech foundation that funds projects aimed at breaking the cycle of radicalization. Wakili’s venture philanthropy draws funds from the private sector and non-profit business partners to seed such projects as:
- Confronting online radicalization by redirecting potential extremist recruits toward YouTube videos and targeted advertising that debunks ISIS recruiting themes.
- Bringing together former extremists and survivors of violent extremism to work together in a program called Against Violent Extremism.
- Supporting the development of an animated YouTube cartoon series called Abdullah-X, which was created by a former extremist. The series seeks to counter online propaganda of groups like ISIS through themes of young Muslim identity in society.
Release date: January 16, 2017
For more information:
Karen Segal
International Affairs Forum co-chair
(231) 715-6064
jsegal_kpuschel@yahoo.com
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
Jan 13, 2017 | Student News
Need to make a change to your schedule? Add a class? Please do so as soon as possible! Not all classes can be added after they have begun. Check with an advisor in the Advising Center or visit the Records & Registration Office for assistance with dropping or adding classes this week. The final day to drop regular 15-week classes without academic record and for 100% refund is Monday, January 23!
Jan 12, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Employers are invited to register for NMC’s annual Career Fair, set for 4–5:30 p.m. March 2 at the Hagerty Center on NMC’s Great Lakes Campus.
This event affords employers the opportunity to recruit job-seekers for career-track positions, seasonal and entry-level opportunities, as well as internships and service learning. The Career Fair is open to students, NMC alumni and community members. New this year is an alumni reception following the event.
Wendy Walter, Human Development Manager at Oryana Natural Foods Market, has recruited at the fair for four years in a row.
“I know many employers, including Oryana, who have hired applicants that they first met at the Career Fair,” she said. “It’s a chance to meet others, learn about opportunities and industries, and determine your next steps.”
Employer registration is first-come, first serve and begins January 20. To register and for the most up to date information, visit nmc.edu/career-fair.
Alumni Professional Networking Reception
NMC’s Alumni Relations program will host a professional networking reception for NMC alumni (former students who have taken for-credit classes) Thursday, March 2. Current students also welcome.
The reception is 5:30–7 p.m. at Lobdell’s Teaching Restaurant, Great Lakes campus, and will include:
- complimentary hors d’oeuvres,
- cash bar, with one complimentary drink ticket per alumnus, and
- door prize drawings, including a business lunch for four at Lobdell’s.
Recommended dress is business casual. You need not be a career fair attendee to attend the networking reception.
RSVP at (231) 995-2825 or alumni@nmc.edu.
Other career fairs are also scheduled later in the spring:
- Veterans – March 21, 2–6 p.m., Hagerty Center
- Information Technology – April 17, 4–7 p.m. Hagerty Center
Release Date: January 13, 2017
For More Information:
Irina Grougan
NMC Advising Center
igrougan@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1040
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
Jan 9, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — A 2011 Northwestern Michigan College aviation alumnus has been named the youngest chief pilot in company history by Envoy Air and now leads the airline’s operations at a major air traffic hub.
In late December Ryan Ferris, 26, was named chief pilot of Envoy’s New York base at LaGuardia Airport, the nation’s twentieth busiest airport. He will supervise the 150 Envoy captains and first officers based at LaGuardia as well as coordinate with multiple other departments, including ground handling, passenger service, Transportation Security Administration and air traffic control to ensure a safe and reliable operation for the passengers.
Alex Bloye, director of NMC’s Aviation division, said Ferris’ accomplishment at his age is significant. In addition to becoming Envoy’s youngest chief pilot, he is one of the few to ascend to that role without first being a captain.
“Usually chief pilot positions with airlines are reserved for folks with decades of experience. They are the base leader, and are ultimately responsible for the safety and regulatory compliance of thousands of passenger flights, and hundreds of pilots and crew members,” Bloye said.
Prior to his new role, Ferris spent three years flying as a first officer for Envoy Air, a subsidiary of American Airlines. He was also a flight instructor at NMC for two and a half years.
“Northwestern Michigan College did an outstanding job preparing me for the responsibilities of this position,” said Ferris, originally from Portage, Mich. “The flight school provided me with the knowledge and skills to handle the stresses of being an airline pilot, while NMC’s critical-thinking based curriculum helped me develop into a well-rounded manager.”
Envoy Air Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group and operates nearly 180 aircraft on about 900 daily flights to more than 150 destinations. Headquartered in Texas, Envoy was formerly known as American Eagle.
As American Eagle, NMC in 2014 signed a pipeline agreement with the company that gives aviation students early access to interviews, employment and a signing bonus.
Release date: january 9, 2017
For more information:
Ryan Ferris
Envoy Air
ryan.ferris@aa.com
(269) 598-4615
Alex Bloye
NMC Aviation
abloye@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2929
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
Jan 6, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
The Traverse City Parking Patrol will begin enforcing parking at NMC on Monday, January 23. All faculty, staff and students must have their 2016-2017 permits displayed by that date.
The Traverse City Police Department has provided the following information on how to avoid parking tickets on campus by properly displaying your parking permit:
- Place your permit in the bottom left-hand corner of your windshield.
- Place your permit right side up. An upside-down permit will be considered invalid.
- Be sure that the expiration date on your permit can be seen from the outside of your vehicle. (Some vehicles have a tint on the edges of their windshield, so be sure your permit is not behind a tint, as it will make it difficult to see from the outside.) When it doubt, get out of your vehicle and be sure you can see the entire permit from the outside.
If you do get a ticket, payment can be made at the red dropoff payment box at the east end of the Cedar lot in front of the Health & Science building. You can also mail the fine in to the city, or pay at the parking services office in the public parking garage at 303 E. State St. Payment information is also on each ticket.
If you have any questions about parking enforcement on campus, please call (231) 995-1111.
Jan 5, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — The Northwestern Michigan College Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2017 Outstanding Alumni award through Feb. 20.
Created in 1988, the Outstanding Alumni award recognizes alumni for significant professional achievements and/or exemplary leadership in the local or global community. The award(s) will be presented at NMC’s annual Commencement ceremony May 6.
The nomination form is available online. Nominations may also be e-mailed to Director of Alumni Relations Betsy Coffia at alumni@nmc.edu or mailed to the NMC Foundation, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City, MI 49686.
The 2016 Outstanding Alumni recipients were Korvyn Hansen, Therese Renis, Michelle Witkop and Capt. Dean Hobbs, posthumously. See all recipients here »
Release date: january 5, 2017
For more information:
Betsy Coffia
Director of Alumni Relations
bcoffia@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2825
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
Jan 3, 2017 | Student News
Classes start January 13 and you still need help with your Spring semester schedule?! We can help!
Stop by the Advising Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. January 10, 12, 13, and 16 through 20th for Walk In Advising. Sessions are on a first-come-first-served basis. Call (231) 995-1040 with questions.
Jan 3, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
A representative from Grand Valley State University located at NMC’s University Center will be present in the Health & Science building Monday, January 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Learn how you can finish your Bachelor’s or Master’s at GVSU’s Traverse City location or get answers to your questions if you are considering transferring to GVSU’s main campus.
