University Center partner campus visits

Do you want to finish a bachelor’s after NMC but stay in the area? NMC’s University Center partners will be at the Front Street Campus throughout the spring semester on these dates:

    • Tuesday, April 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Scholar’s Hall
    • Tuesday, April 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Health & Science Building

Stop by to meet representatives from Davenport University, Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University and Central Michigan University and gets answers to your questions about transferring after NMC.

NMC, LSSU sign engineering transfer agreements

TRAVERSE CITY — Engineering students have four more options to complete a bachelor’s degree thanks to new articulation agreements Northwestern Michigan College has signed with Lake Superior State University.

The agreements allow students to complete an associate degree at NMC and guarantee both admission and transferability of the credits to LSSU, in Sault Ste. Marie, toward a bachelor of science degree in four specialty areas: Computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and robotics engineering.

The computer and robotics engineering pathways in particular provide students with new options for majors while beginning their education at NMC. Depending on the degree program chosen, students could spend two years at NMC, saving nearly $20,000, and two at LSSU to earn their bachelor’s. As an added benefit of the robotics engineering pathway, students can typically earn a minor in electrical or mechanical engineering within their final two years at LSSU.

“These new agreements complement our already robust transfer pathways, providing our students with greater options for majors all while enjoying guaranteed admissions and course transferability to an exceptional engineering program” said Jay Smith, engineering instructor. “Like NMC, LSSU has a student-centered approach with small class sizes and a focus on student success, which I am confident our learners will appreciate.”

LSSU engineering graduates have 100-percent job placement with a median salary of $70,000. The campus is also home to a $2 million robotics lab.

Find out more at nmc.edu/engineering.

 

Release date: April 1, 2024

For more information:

Jay Smith
NMC Engineering instructor
jsmith@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1270

IAF Freshwater Focus programming April 17 & 18

Northwestern Michigan College’s International Affairs Forum turns its focus to our freshwater resources in back-to-back events on April 17 and 18. The programs are presented by IAF in partnership with Interlochen Public Radio, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute. Both events are supported by a grant from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

Relentless documentary screening NMC IAF

Relentless Documentary Screening & Panel Discussion

Wednesday, April 17, 6–8:30 p.m.
Milliken Auditorium, Dennos Museum Center

The International Affairs Forum, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and Interlochen Public Radio present Relentless, a documentary narrated by J.K. Simmons on the deadly invasion of sea lampreys into the Great Lakes and the tenacious scientists who were determined to find a solution.

After the screening, stay for a panel discussion including:

    • T. Lindsey Haskin, Director, writer, producer of Relentless
    • Jennifer Read, Ph.D., Director, University of Michigan Water Center
    • Frank Ettawageshik, President, American Association on Indian Affairs
    • Ellie Katz, moderator, Environment Reporter, Interlochen Public Radio

This is a free event. Space is limited. Reserve tickets at TCIAF.com.

NMC IAF Freshwater Focus Peter Annin

Global Water Tension & The Great Lakes Compact

Thursday, April 18, 5:30–8 p.m. (7 p.m. ET livestream)
Milliken Auditorium, Dennos Museum Center

Peter Annin will present a keynote address on Global Water Tension & The Great Lakes Compact. Annin is the director of the Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation and the author of The Great Lakes Water Wars, the definitive work on the Great Lakes water diversion controversy. Before coming to Northland College in 2015, Peter served as a reporter at Newsweek, the associate director of the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources, and the managing director of the University of Notre Dame’s Environmental Change Initiative. He continues to report on the Great Lakes water diversion issue and published the second edition of The Great Lakes Water Wars in the fall of 2018.

In his latest book, Purified: How Recycled Sewage Is Transforming Our Water, Annin shows that wastewater has become a surprising weapon in America’s war against water scarcity — and a potential global model for innovation.

The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and will feature freshwater-related content from event partners NMC Great Lakes Water Studies Institute & Interlochen Public Radio. GLWSI will brief reception attendees on its new associate degree in water quality environmental technology — a.k.a. the Wet Tech degree. IPR will highlight its Great Lakes reporting via its Points North podcast team. These brief “breakout” presentations will be delivered in a gallery adjacent to the museum’s sculpture court.

The keynote address will follow at 7 p.m.

Admission is $15 per person. Admission is free for all students and educators. For tickets and all event details, visit TCIAF.com.

IAF logo

Board of Trustees to hold special meeting April 2

TRAVERSE CITY — The NMC Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting Tuesday, April 2 at 4 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, Room 14 (lower level), on NMC’s main campus, to discuss the Benzie County annexation. The meeting notice is available here.

For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.

 

Release date: March 28, 2024

 

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. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discrimination

Success Story: Experiential Learning Institute aims for new endorsement

March 20, 2024

NMC Audio Technology program students view a music production studio in East Lansing
NMC Audio Technology program students check out a music production studio in East Lansing.

Imagine a classroom where “sticky” experiences occur regularly, the kind that students remember for years and develop skills they’ll draw upon in the future, like solving problems and communicating more clearly, whether in their work, family or civic lives.

More and more of those classrooms now exist at NMC, as the college marks a giant leap toward its goal of offering experiential learning opportunities (ELOs) to every degree-seeking student by September 2024.

The latest tracking update shows that in the fall 2023 semester, 92 percent of students had ELOs, the often hands-on activities designed to engage them in a cycle of experience, reflection and action. That’s up from 66 percent in spring 2023 and 54 percent in fall 2022.

“It’s about intentionally changing the fundamental student experience in the classroom,” said faculty member Brandon Everest, who has co-directed the Institute with business faculty member Kristy McDonald since 2016.

Some 113 instructors offered ELOs in 263 classes last fall, reaching 2,685 students. The method has been so well received that Everest and McDonald are considering a future EL endorsement students could add to their degree or certificate that would help distinguish them in the job market and NMC among other colleges.

“This is a real differentiator for us here at the college,” Everest told NMC trustees at a board meeting Monday. ELOs, which can occur in courses, internships, apprenticeships, community research, service learning, international services and extracurricular activities also reinforce the material learned, and improve student retention, meaning it’s more likely students will complete their goal.

Trustees wholeheartedly support the ELI, board chair Laura Oblinger said.

“You have the same enthusiasm among this board of trustees. We’ll be continuing to root for you,” she said.

Examples of ELOs include:

  • The NMC Motor Sports Club’s participation in Baja endurance races, which involved automotive, engineering and welding students. 
  • The ninth annual Big Little Hero Race, organized by McDonald’s  professional communications students and set for April 20
  • The Lunch and Learn held today for Holi, a Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of spring and love. (See slides 12-16)

In addition to ELOs, which can be as short as a single assignment, NMC began offering Experiential Learning Designated courses, where at least 80 percent of the course it taught through experiential learning.  McDonald’s Professional Communications class is one of them. A “co-curricular mapping” project is now underway to identify ELOs in every degree and certificate program, class and section, with a goal of providing ELOs as early as possible to students.

The proposed voluntary endorsement would be a credential students could earn in addition to a degree or certificate. It would also enable students to easily choose EL classes when they register.

“It would be a real clear pathway for them to select,” said McDonald, who added that she and Everest often field inquiries from colleges around the country about how to implement ELOs. They will present at a teaching conference in New Orleans this summer.

“One of our goals is to showcase that we are that leader,” she said.

On the menu: Daily specials at the Hawk Owl Café

The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.

Monday, March 18

Entrée: Sausage & mozzarella pasta bake or roasted vegetable tortellini bake
Sides: Broccoli and garlic crostini

Tuesday, March 19

Holi celebration menu
Entrée: Tandoori Chicken thighs or tandoori braised tofu with basmati rice
Sides: Indian spiced roasted root vegetables, grilled naan bread and tzatziki sauce

Vegan samosas will be available all day!

Wednesday, March 20

Entrée: Chicken or tofu coconut curry with jasmine rice
Side: naan bread

Thursday, March 21

Entrée: Spaghetti with meatballs or red lentils & roasted vegetables
Sides: garlic bread & green beans

Friday, March 22

No daily special offered. The Hawk Owl Café will be closing at 2 p.m. for spring break.

Drop-in speed coaching

NMC drop-in speed coachingAre you planning to attend the Walk-in Wednesdays with the advisors? Finish your semester strong and see a coach too! The Student Success coaching team is hosting drop-in speed coaching to help with study tips, time management, organization skills and stress management!

Drop-in speed coaching will be available on:

Wednesday, April 3
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, rooms 124 & 125

Resident Assistant information nights

Residence Life is looking for student leaders to be Resident Assistants during the 2024-25 school year.  If interested, please visit the student jobs board to apply and attend one of the upcoming RA information nights. The student jobs board can be accessed in the Careers section on the lower lefthand side of students.nmc.edu.

Upcoming information sessions:

  • March 18, 7 p.m., Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 15
  • March 19, 8 p.m., East Hall basement
  • March 20, 9 p.m., North Hall, 2nd Floor Enclave

For more information, contact Brooklyn Golnick, Corbin Thompson or Marcus Bennett at (231)995-1400.

Planned power outage March 28

NMC will be conducting a planned power outage at the Front Street Campus on Thursday, March 28 from noon to 4 p.m. This outage will allow NMC Facilities and Traverse City Light & Power (TCLP) to conduct preventative maintenance work on the College’s primary electrical distribution system to address vulnerabilities that led to recent campus power outages in November and February. The work will be conducted during spring break to minimize disruption for students and staff, and will result in total loss of power for the following buildings:

    • Dennos Museum
    • Scholars Hall
    • Osterlin Building
    • Tanis Building
    • Biederman Building
    • Health & Science Building
    • Founders Hall
    • Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
    • East Hall
    • Fine Arts Center
    • PE Building
    • Front St. campus buildings not affected by the outage:
    • Beckett
    • Oleson Center
    • Apartments
    • North Hall
    • Facilities
  •  

If you are scheduled to work in one of the affected buildings on Front Street Campus that afternoon, please treat this situation as you would under the College’s inclement weather procedure which is to work remotely, if possible. If you can’t accommodate remote work that afternoon, and you fill out a timecard, please use the code SNO for time that is not worked that afternoon.

Aero Park, Great Lakes, University Center, and Observatory campuses will not be impacted. If you have any questions, please reach out to your supervisor. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Northern Michigan Startup Week

Northern Michigan Startup Week will be held on April 22–25. The annual event promotes entrepreneurship, innovation and the growing startup community in Northern Michigan. The following events will take place on NMC’s campuses:

Northern Michigan’s Rural Health Landscape: Innovation and Higher Education Engagement in Building Thriving Communities
Tuesday, April 23; 10 a.m, to 12 p.m.
Osterlin Building, Front Street Campus

 

The Office of Possibilities (OOPs) Innovation Network
Thursday, April 25; 9–11 a.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 106/107, Front Street Campus

 

Shifting Mindsets: Extending Health Spans Through Innovation
Thursday April 25; 3–6:00 p.m.
Aero Park Laboratories, Aero Park Campus

 

Northwestern Michigan College is a proud partner of the annual weeklong event. For more information and the full schedule of events, visit Traverse Connect’s website.

 

On the menu: Daily specials at the Hawk Owl Café

The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.

Monday, March 11

Entrée: lamb gyros or falafel on pita
Side: lemon rice

Tuesday, March 12

Entrée: Chicken or bean and roasted poblano quesadilla
Sides: Spanish rice and refried beans

Wednesday, March 13

Entrée: sesame chicken tofu stir fry with basmati rice 
Side: egg roll

Thursday, March 14

Entrée: smoked BBQ baked chicken 
Sides: mashed potatoes and broccoli or roasted sweet potato with kale

Friday, March 15

Entrée: buffalo crispy chicken or roasted cauliflower with mac & cheese
Side: asparagus

Trustee Executive Committee to meet

TRAVERSE CITY — The NMC Board of Trustees Executive Committee will meet at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 14 in the Gray conference room (202F) of the University Center, 2200 Dendrinos Drive, Traverse City.

The meeting notice is available here.

For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.

 

Release date: March 11, 2024

 

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. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discrimination

Trustee Building & Site Committee to meet

TRAVERSE CITY —The NMC Board of Trustees Building & Site Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12 in the President’s Office Conference Room in the Tanis Building on NMC’s main campus.

The meeting notice is available here.

For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.

 

Release date: March 8, 2024

 

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. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discrimination