TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is seeking nominations for the 2023 Outstanding Alumni awards. Nominations will be accepted through March 1.
Since 1988, Northwestern Michigan College’s Outstanding Alumni award has recognized graduates and past students for significant professional achievements and/or exemplary leadership in the local or global community. Nominees for this award should have demonstrated accomplishments that also reflect the NMC values of dedication to life-long learning, innovation and integrity, and respect for and collaboration with others. Recognition is not solely contingent on having received a degree or certificate from NMC, but on the achievements of the nominee and positive perspective as to the role that NMC played in their lives.
More information and the nomination form can be found on the NMC website at nmc.edu/alumni. Nominations may be submitted online. To have a paper nomination form mailed, those interested can call (231) 995-1834 or email alumni@nmc.edu.
The 2022 Outstanding Alumni recipients were Richard Gray, Dr. Annie Kritcher, and Bob Sutherland.. A complete list of past honorees may be found online. For more information about NMC’s Alumni program, visit nmc.edu/alumni.
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Northwestern Michigan College is a publicly funded community college that serves more than 50,000 learners annually throughout the Grand Traverse region and beyond. NMC offers associate degrees, professional certificates and bachelor’s degrees. The college is home to the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, the Great Lakes Maritime Academy and the Great Lakes Culinary Institute as well as nationally recognized aviation and unmanned systems programs. For more information, visit Northwestern Michigan College at nmc.edu.
Release date: February 6, 2023
For more information:
Carly McCall Director of Alumni Engagement alumni@nmc.edu (231) 995-1834
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
Students are invited to attend events that will help them prepare for the Career Fair on March 2.
On February 27 and 28, the Academic & Career Advising Center is offering career counseling and resume help from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center lobby. For more information, email advising@nmc.edu or call (231) 995-1040.
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!
Planning to transfer after NMC? Meet with a university advisor during Transfer Tuesdays! NMC’s University Center partners will be at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on the first Tuesday of each month and in the Health & Science building on the third Tuesday of the month from 11 a.m.– 1 p.m. to talk about transfer opportunities in Traverse City.
If you plan to complete a 4 year program and want to stay in the area, stop by and chat with reps from Grand Valley State, Davenport University, Ferris State University and Central Michigan University.
This list of suggested accessibility extensions has been found useful in enhancing browser experience for learning, allowing users to customize how they read or view information in Chrome.
TRAVERSE CITY — Employers are invited to register for Northwestern Michigan College’s 17th annual Career Fair, to be held Thursday, March 2 at the Hagerty Center on the Great Lakes Campus.
Held in partnership with Northwest Michigan Works and Networks Northwest, the Career Fair runs from 3–6 p.m. Employers will have the opportunity to recruit job-seekers for career-track, seasonal and entry-level positions as well as internships and service learning.
The event is open to students, NMC alumni and community members. Veterans are invited to arrive at 2:30 p.m. Employer registration is $25 (waived for non-profits) and available online. To register or for more information, visit nmc.edu/career-fair.
In preparation for the event, participants are invited to attend free preparation workshops:
Feb. 23: Speaker Chaim Shapiro will offer two sessions on using the LinkedIn social network in a job search.
LinkedIn 101: 10–11 a.m. For beginning users.
Maximized LinkedIn: 1–2 p.m. For advanced users.
Both sessions will be held on main campus in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, rooms 106/107. Shapiro is the director of the Office for Student Success at Touro College in New York, a freelance writer, public speaker, LinkedIn consultant and a board-certified coach specializing in career coaching. Call (231) 995-1170 or email twelch@nmc.edu or aburns@nmc.edu.
Feb. 27 and 28: Additional preparation workshops will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Nelson Innovation Center lobby. These sessions will offer assistance with resume preparation, an elevator pitch and projecting confidence at the fair.
Release date: January 30, 2023
For more information:
Katie Sommer-Ford NMC Advising Center ksommer@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
Traverse City — A new, standalone degree for NMC’s drone education program will position it for further growth as the industry continues to expand.
Starting with the fall 2023 semester, NMC will offer an associate degree in Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), replacing the current UAS specialization within the Engineering Technology associate degree. A UAS certificate is also offered.
Creating a standalone UAS degree creates a clearer path for students and allows NMC to prepare for future industry demand, said UAS program coordinator Tony Sauerbrey.
“Going forward, the new degree will give us more flexibility to add classes as the industry changes,” Sauerbrey said. Drone operators will need additional credentials for more advanced operations, such as Beyond Visual Line of Sight, when new federal regulations are issued. That’s expected in the next few years.
Also changing is the first word of the UAS acronym. Formerly called Unmanned Aerial Systems, switching to Uncrewed keeps the college aligned with industry, Sauerbrey said. NMC also has objectives in its strategic plan that call for inclusive and equitable language across the college by 2025.
“The entire aviation industry has begun adopting new, gender-neutral terminology, from the FAA on down. As we made plans for this degree, it was perfect timing for us to make the change as well,” Sauerbrey said. “As training on UAS is further integrated at the high school level, we expect to see an increase in interest from female students.”
Currently about 60 students are enrolled in the UAS degree program, with 25 graduating in a typical year. Another 10 students are enrolled in the certificate program.
NMC first offered drone classes in 2010. The Engineering Tech degree with UAS specialty debuted in 2013. The FAA established a commercial license in 2016, and today drones are used for inspection and monitoring in multiple economic sectors, from agriculture to infrastructure. NMC’s Police Academy also offers drone operator certification to its students, the only one in Michigan to do so.
Drone delivery services are poised to take the industry another giant step forward, but the BVLOS regulations must be in place first. Because of NMC’s early adoption of UAS, last year Traverse City was selected by the Michigan Department of Transportation as one of three sites for a feasibility study of air mobility corridors.
“Traverse City floated to the top,” said Linn Smith, manager of Air, Space and Emerging Aviation Systems at MDOT. NMC’s dozen years of UAS experience topped a list of reasons to select Traverse City, including adding a rural study area to other study sites in southeast Michigan.
“Number one was the college, the work that’s been done in UAS,” Smith said.
Tony Sauerbrey UAS program coordinator tsauerbrey@nmc.edu (231) 995-2925
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
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s Office of Student Financial Services will hold a Financial Aid Fair from 4–7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8 in rooms 104/105 and 106/107 of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on NMC’s main campus. Topics to be covered include:
Diana Fairbanks Associate Vice President 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
Stories of Science – the newest installment of the library’s Curiosities discussion series – starts on February 2! Curiosities is a ‘book club’ for those of us who are wary of a cover-to-cover commitment but still want to talk about interesting stuff with fellow lifelong learners.
As always, we’ll explore our selected topic for four consecutive weeks, meeting weekly for a freewheeling discussion on a curated set of articles, podcasts, and videos. We welcome students, staff, faculty, and community participants!
Stories of Science February 2–February 23, Thursdays, 3:15–4:15 p.m. @ NMC Library
Guest hosts Kristen Salathiel (English) and Nicole Speelman (Chemistry) explore seldom-told and oft-misunderstood stories of science and scientists. Like most good stories, science is full of unexpected twists, heroes and villains, happy accidents and dastardly deeds. Discover how some characters try to control the story, how seemingly minor players make major breakthroughs and the surprising ways stories of science continue to unfold today.
UAS instructor Carl Rocheleau works with students at NMC’s UAS training property in Yuba.
A new, standalone degree for NMC’s drone education program will position it for further growth as the industry continues to expand.
Starting this fall, NMC will offer an associate degree in Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), replacing the current UAS specialization within the Engineering Technology associate degree. A UAS certificate is also offered.
Creating a standalone UAS degree creates a clearer path for students and allows NMC to prepare for future industry demand, said UAS program coordinator Tony Sauerbrey (right).
“Going forward, the new degree will give us more flexibility to add classes as the industry changes,” Sauerbrey said. Additional credentials will be needed for more advanced operations, such as Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS), when new federal regulations are issued. That’s expected in the next few years.
Also changing is the first word of the UAS acronym. Formerly called Unmanned Aerial Systems, switching to Uncrewed keeps the college aligned with industry, Sauerbrey said. NMC also has objectives in its strategic plan that call for inclusive and equitable language across the college by 2025.
“The entire aviation industry has begun adopting new, gender-neutral terminology, from the FAA on down. As we made plans for this degree it was perfect timing for us to make the change as well,” Sauerbrey said. “As training on UAS is further integrated at the high school level, we expect to see an increase in interest from female students.”
Currently about 60 students are enrolled in the UAS degree program, with 25 graduating in a typical year. Another 10 students are enrolled in the certificate program.
NMC first offered drone classes in 2010, a foresighted curricular addition. At the time, drones, were mostly a military tool. But Sauerbrey, then NMC’s chief flight instructor, and others in the college’s traditional crewed Aviation program spied opportunity ahead. The Engineering Tech degree with UAS specialty debuted in 2013. The FAA established a commercial license in 2016. Today, drones are used to inspect crop health and infrastructure integrity, photograph and sell real estate, conduct land surveys and monitor everything from shoreline erosion to invasive species.
Drone delivery services are poised to take the industry another giant step forward, but the BVLOS regulations must be in place first. Because of NMC’s early adoption of UAS, last year Traverse City was selected by the Michigan Department of Transportation as one of three sites to study the feasibility of air mobility corridors.
“Traverse City floated to the top,” said Linn Smith, manager of Air, Space and Emerging Aviation Systems at MDOT. NMC’s dozen years of UAS experience topped a list of reasons to select Traverse City, including adding a rural study area to other study sites in southeast Michigan.
“Number one was the college, the work that’s been done in UAS,” Smith said.
Delivery corridors will not necessarily happen in the study sites, Smith said. He sees NMC’s next step as researching use case scenarios for drones, which industry would eventually deploy.
“It’s an opportunity to tie communities together,” Smith said. “How do we get needed medical supplies, a device, to a rural community that might be shut in?”
“MDOT, we’re not in the business of education,” said Alicia Morrison, MDOT analyst and assistant project manager for feasibility study. “We really want to work with you.”
Can technology make you a better student? Join Alison Thornton from Technology Support Services as she covers all of the FREE time-saving and life-hacking technology that NMC offers to its students! Download a new set of skills by learning about the technology and features available to you through NMC, how to level up your tech skills, and where you can get support for all things tech-related.
File Management – Network Drives & Google Drive Thursday, January 19, noon and 5:30 p.m.
Google Docs Monday, January 23, noon and 5:30 p.m.
Google Email & Calendar Thursday, January 26, noon and 5:30 p.m.
Google Slides Monday, January 30, noon and 5:30 p.m.
Register at the link below to receive your zoom link to the course you are signing up for; your registration will ensure you receive the zoom link prior to the course. You will receive a zoom link in your student email at least 3 hours prior to the course. Please sign up for a course no later than 3 hours prior to the beginning of the course.
If you have any questions, please contact the Technology Help Desk at (231) 995-3020 or start a chat session at nmc.edu/help.
First-ever event benefits College for Kids scholarships
TRAVERSE CITY — Put on your glad rags and join this Roaring ’20s extravaganza Friday, January 27! Hosted by the NMC Student Success Ambassador team, the Gala to Give is a networking and fundraising event to connect students with alumni, local businesses, and the greater Traverse City community.
Held from 7–10 p.m. at the Hagerty Center, the Gala is a night of celebrating NMC’s connections with the community while benefiting the NMC College for Kids scholarship fund, so that all kids may have the opportunity to experience these great programs.
Tickets are available to NMC students, faculty, staff, alumni and the general public and include live music, dancing, mocktails, hors d’oeuvres and desserts, with raffle prize drawings throughout the evening. Tickets are $15 for current students and $30 for alumni & guests. Sponsorship opportunities for businesses are also available.
Release Date: January 13, 2023
For More Information:
Mahli Braak Northwestern Michigan College Student Success Lead Ambassador mbraak@nmc.edu
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
TRAVERSE CITY— Northwestern Michigan College kicks off its 2023 Embrace the Dream programming, a series of events marking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month, on January 16.
Free admission to the Dennos Museum Center, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Building Bridges with Music presents “Remembering MLK,” a free concert, 7 p.m., City Opera House. NMC Canticum Novum choral group will perform along with other singers, dancers and spoken word artists.
January 18-Feb. 22: Disrupt & Dismantle film series, Dennos Museum Center Dutmers Theater. Free showings at 1 and 2:30 p.m. each Wednesday. From environmental racism to police brutality to the school-to-prison pipeline, host Soledad O’Brien explores inequalities Black communities face and the actions that need to be taken in order achieve lasting change in the U.S. Find out more and reserve seats online.
January 20, 7 p.m.: Dennos Museum Center opening reception for three new exhibitions that feature Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) artists and work that focuses on their experiences.
Teresa Dunn, a Mexican American artist and a professor of Drawing and Painting at Michigan State University. Her solo exhibition titled, Us, is a collection of her recent narrative painting series.
Vitality and Continuity: Art in the Experiences of Anishinaabe, Inuit, and Pueblo Women. The Dennos is the first museum in the state to host this exhibit.
A Rich History: African American Artists from the Muskegon Museum of Art. Features over 75 years of artistic excellence.
Guests of members and the public may attend, but will not receive complimentary drink tickets. Learn more: dennosmuseum.org/opening and RSVP your group.
February 3, 2 p.m.: “The Color of Care film” screening. Milliken Auditorium, The film chronicles how people of color suffer from systemically substandard healthcare. Produced by Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions
February, ongoing: Food for the Soul events — African-American/Black NMC faculty/staff/students will create menus and work with NMC Dining Services to offer authentic soul food in the Hawk Owl Cafe. Menus posted weekly, nmc.edu/embrace-the-dream.
February 15, 7 p.m.: The Spirit of Harriet Tubman, Milliken Auditorium. On a barren stage with only a trunk of costumes, Leslie McCurdy thrills her audience with her passionate portrayal of The Spirit of Harriet Tubman. Free, sponsored by NMC Student Life.
Release Date: January 9, 2023
For More Information:
Diana Fairbanks Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications (231) 995-1019 dfairbanks@nmc.edu
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
Curiosities, the ‘book club’ for those of us who are wary of a cover-to-cover commitment but still want to talk about interesting stuff with fellow lifelong learners, returns with a star-studded cast of guest facilitators and a mix of in-person and virtual programs.
As always, we’ll explore each topic for four consecutive weeks, meeting weekly for a freewheeling discussion on a curated set of articles, podcasts, and videos. We welcome students, staff, faculty, and community participants! Register for multiple topics throughout the year or just the one that interests you most.
Students may be eligible to earn co-curricular credit for participating – ask your instructor or email us at library@nmc.edu to find out more!
Winter Session: Responding to Global Climate Change (w/ Traverse City International Affairs Forum) January 19–February 9, Thursdays, 12–1 p.m. via Zoom
A bonus fifth Curiosities session this year in collaboration with Alex Tank at the Traverse City International Affairs Forum, following last spring’s collaborative Curiosities series on China. This winter we will explore climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts around the world spanning the local to the multinational. Topics will range from carbon use, capture and storage to resilient infrastructure and climate-driven migration.
Spring Session I: Stories of Science February 2–February 23, Thursdays, 3:15–4:15 p.m. @ NMC Library
The scientific world is full of the weird and the wonderful! Join us – along with faculty guest hosts Kristen Salathiel (English) and Nicole Speelman (Chemistry) – to explore lesser known and seldom told stories of science and scientists. From happy accidents to dastardly deeds, marvels in the night sky to phantoms of the deep sea.
Spring Session II: Touring the Senses March 2–March 23, Thursdays, 4–5 p.m. @ Various NMC Locations
Hearing, sight, smell, taste, touch: our senses mediate every moment of our relationships with others and the world around us. And yet, despite their deceptive familiarity, our tools of perception are wondrous and strange! How do they work, exactly? How (in)complete is our understanding of them? Let’s find out! Special interactive series featuring guest hosts Craig Hadley (Dennos Museum), James Morse (Culinary Institute), Leanne Baumeler (Disability Support) & Maria Ulrich (Audio Tech).
Traverse City — Northwestern Michigan College congratulates the more than 900 students who made the fall semester Dean’s List, earning a grade point average of 3.5 or above out of a possible 4.0 while taking five or more credits.
Diana Fairbanks Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications (231) 995-1019 dfairbanks@nmc.edu
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
President Nissley recently chatted with Angie Morgan Witkowsk for her “Bet on You” podcast.
Nissley says that the podcast “has many great leadership insights, especially about the importance of risk taking. She reminded me how important ‘guides’ are to us—that successful journeys aren’t completed alone. Rather, we often succeed thanks to the guides who have helped us out along the way.”
Their recent discussion is also available on Apple Podcasts.
NMC Surgical Technology students Natalie Balogh and Courtney Myers were recently featured on an episode of the Scrub Life podcast. Tune in to listen to them talk about dual enrollment, NMC’s Surgical Technology program, their favorite type of surgery and killer surgeons. Both Natalie and Courtney are graduating this month and will be working at Munson Medical Center upon graduation.
The Scrub Life Podcast is a surgical technology podcast hosted by Chris Blevins in partnership with the Association of Surgical Technologists. The podcast started as a senior project for her students in 2018 though it has gained popularity and currently has over 15,000 subscribers.
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 
books available to request from MeLCat!
Planning to transfer after NMC? Meet with a university advisor during Transfer Tuesdays! NMC’s University Center partners will be at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on the first Tuesday of each month and in the Health & Science building on the third Tuesday of the month from 11 a.m.– 1 p.m. to talk about transfer opportunities in Traverse City.
Creating a standalone UAS degree creates a clearer path for students and allows NMC to prepare for future industry demand, said UAS program coordinator Tony Sauerbrey (right).
NMC first offered drone classes in 2010, a foresighted curricular addition. At the time, drones, were mostly a military tool. But Sauerbrey, then NMC’s chief flight instructor, and others in the college’s traditional crewed Aviation program spied opportunity ahead. The Engineering Tech degree with UAS specialty debuted in 2013. The FAA established a commercial license in 2016. Today, drones are used to inspect crop health and infrastructure integrity, photograph and sell real estate, conduct land surveys and monitor everything from shoreline erosion to invasive species.
NMC Surgical Technology students Natalie Balogh and Courtney Myers were recently featured on an episode of the Scrub Life podcast. Tune in to listen to them talk about dual enrollment, NMC’s Surgical Technology program, their favorite type of surgery and killer surgeons. Both Natalie and Courtney are graduating this month and will be working at Munson Medical Center upon graduation.