Jan 27, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
Failure is scary, but it isn’t the end—it is an opportunity to grow. Student Success will host a week of events dedicated to normalizing setbacks and building resilience so that students can use past missteps to lead to future success. Activities include:
Leveling Up! Adaptability Lunch & Learn with Student Life
Thursday, Feb. 12, 12-1 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 104/105
RSVP
Asking for Help & Ultimate Success Hacks with Student Success Coaches
Monday, Feb. 16, 12–1 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 106/107
RSVP
Student Success Fair
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center Lobby
Connect & learn more about your support services at NMC!
Keep an eye out for “fail” boards on each campus all week long, follow @nmcstudentsuccess on social to hear testimonials about how you can overcome past mistakes and don’t forget to get your Certificate of Failure from the Advising Center!
Jan 26, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
Programs focus on executive power, the new space race, rights of nature, Middle East peace building and climate security
TRAVERSE CITY — The International Affairs Forum continues its 32nd season of programs addressing global issues and fostering vital public dialogue in northern Michigan. Upcoming events include:
- February 19 | Long Arm or Strongarm: Executive Power in Foreign Policy & At Home with Kori Schake, Ph.D., Senior Fellow & Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute. Schake is author of The State and the Soldier: A History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States (Polity Press 2025). She is also the author of Safe Passage: The Transition from British to American Hegemony, and a contributing writer at the Atlantic, War on the Rocks, and Bloomberg. Event presented in partnership with Central Michigan University Hart-Milliken Speaker Series. Book sales provided by Bay Books.
- March 19 | The New Space Race: How Data, Resources, and Power Are Shaping Our Future
Presented by NMC students on the IAF Student Leadership Team. Speaker(s) to be announced. The students will lead an in-depth exploration of competition in space among governments and corporations, with implications for technology, law, environmental stewardship, and global cooperation. Event underwriter: Eleanor Lynn
- April 15 | Rights of Nature: Global Movement, Local Values
Frank Bibeau & Hugo Echeverría on the Rights of Nature global conservation movement. Bibeau is Tribal Attorney & Director of Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights’ Tribal Rights of Nature Program and has led groundbreaking cases protecting manoomin (wild rice), among other precedent-setting legal conservation work. Echeverría, based in Quito, Ecuador, has worked in environmental law since 2001, with an emphasis on biodiversity conservation and the Rights of Nature. Event underwriter: Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.
- April 19 | The Future is Peace — A Conversation with Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon
Presented by the National Writers Series in partnership with the International Affairs Forum. Join authors Aziz Abu Sarah, Palestinian peacebuilder; and Maoz Inon, Israeli peace activist, the co-CEOs of InterAct. Abu Sarah and Inon are both directly impacted by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. InterAct advances a hopeful vision of coexistence grounded in human connection and mutual understanding. Together they share a compelling story of reconciliation and hope drawn from personal loss and their work fostering peace across divides.
- May | This event will be the inaugural Robert & Nancy Giles Press Freedom Lecture hosted by the International Affairs Forum. Speaker(s) to be announced. Subscribe here for IAF newsletter updates.
- June 11 | Threat Multiplier: Climate, Military Leadership, and the Fight for Global Security with author Sherri Goodman, Secretary General, International Military Council on Climate & Security; Distinguished Fellow and Board Director, Atlantic Council; and former U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Environmental Security. As climate change intensifies disasters and sharpens geopolitical competition—from the Arctic and Greenland to global conflict zones—it has become a defining national security challenge. Goodman’s Threat Multiplier explores how the U.S. military now treats a warming world as a force that amplifies every threat. Event underwriters: Harold & Pam Lassers. Book sales provided by Bay Books.
Event Details
Programs are open to the public and are ticketed events. Students and educators attend at no cost thanks to community support. Most programs start at 7 p.m. Eastern at the Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City with a welcome reception at 6 p.m.
Events are presented in hybrid format; in-person events are available to livestream online. Programming continues throughout the academic year through June 2026. All IAF events on campus at NMC are free for students and educators, including all NMC employees and employees of all local schools. For event details and tickets, please visit tciaf.com
IAF’s educational programming at NMC is free for students and educators, and open to the public thanks to its supporting members, regional partners, business sponsors, and Northwestern Michigan College. Learn more about membership, event sponsorship, and opportunities to support here: tciaf.com/support
Release date: January 22, 2026
For more information:
Alexander Tank
Director
International Affairs Forum at Northwestern Michigan College
(231) 995-1844
atank@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
Jan 26, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is looking forward to bringing kids’ summer classes back again in 2026 with its popular College for Kids program. All classes are scheduled to occur in-person, both on NMC campuses and local off-site partner locations. We are excited to once again deliver the College for Kids experience that students have come to expect, with even more options this year for all interests and abilities.
Registration for all NMC youth summer programs, including College for Kids and GRASP, begins on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 7 AM. Students ages 4-17 will be able to choose from over 80 classes involving art, culinary, science, music, tech, writing, dance, and more. Preview classes at nmc.edu/kids on Tuesday, January 27. Some classes will fill quickly, so prompt registration is encouraged. Household profiles can be set up now at nmc.edu/ees.
Families may sign up to receive a reminder email when registration for each program begins by visiting nmc.edu/kids.
Release date: January 26, 2026
For more information:
Laura Stevens
NMC Extended Education & Training
ees@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1700
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 26, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials during the fall and spring semesters from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4:40 to 6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99, and the vegetarian option (V) is $7.99. Learn more at nmc.edu/dining.
Menu
Monday, January 26
Chicken Fettuccine with pesto cream sauce served with garlic crostini & broccoli
Roasted Vegetable Fettuccine (V) with pesto cream sauce served with garlic crostini & broccoli
Tuesday, January 27
Chicken Enchiladas with peppers, onions and cheese served with Spanish rice & refried beans
Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas (V) with peppers, onions and cheese served with Spanish rice & refried beans
Wednesday, January 28
Sweet & Sour Stir Fry with roasted pork and pineapple served with basmati rice & egg roll
Sweet & Sour Stir Fry (V) with tofu and pineapple served with basmati rice & egg roll
Thursday, January 29
Potato Gnocchi with Italian sausage and Alfredo sauce served with garlic bread & green beans
Potato Gnocchi with roasted vegetables and Alfredo sauce served with garlic bread & green beans
Friday, January 30
BBQ Pulled Pork with brioche bun served with mac and cheese & asparagus
BBQ Jackfruit (V) with brioche bun served with mac and cheese & asparagus
Jan 21, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
January 21, 2026
The Great Lakes Blue Tech Challenge, the third straight entrepreneurial pitch competition NMC has sponsored, launched this week, seeking innovative ideas to fast-track businesses developing solutions for a wide range of issues impacting the world’s largest freshwater system.
At stake is $55,000 in seed funding. First prize is $30,000, second prize is $15,000 and third prize will win $10,000. Finalists will present at the Lakebed 2030 conference in Traverse City Sept. 17, gaining visibility and networking opportunities.
“The Blue Tech Challenge is progressing in parallel with the Freshwater Innovation Center and with the wider idea of TC becoming this freshwater innovation ecosystem. It’s all maturing together in a way which is beneficial for northern Michigan and the entire, bi-national Great Lakes region,” said Canadian Trade Commissioner Dakota Korth, a judge for the 2025 competition. The Challenge is open to entrants from the U.S. and Canada.
Vernon LaLoneThe poster child for the Blue Tech Challenge is the 2025 winner, Wave Lumina of Traverse City. The company, which manufactures a portable, rapid-response PFAS testing device, also placed second in Aquahacking the Great Lakes, the 2024 competition. Since launching in founder Vernon LaLone’s spare bedroom in 2023, Wave Lumina has won a $305,000 National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation & Research grant; hired two employees, both NMC alumni; and served its first paying customers in December.
Now operating in a lab at NMC’s Parsons-Stulen Building, Lalone hopes to become a tenant at the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center when it opens in 2027.
Korth hopes that businesses with Canadian roots will be there, too. The Canadian government contributed $5,000 to last year’s competition and he hopes to provide at least that much again.
“A big piece for me is a deepened Canadian participation,” Korth said. In the 2025 event, 35 companies made initial inquiries, and 18 submitted first-round pitches. Of those, three were Canadian.
“We’re trying to help eliminate the challenge of the border as an impediment to economic progress on both sides,” said Korth, whose office is in Detroit. “It’s natural for us to look to our neighbors to find ways to work together to find what buoys our livelihoods and our health.”
The Challenge is open to motivated entrepreneurs, startups, early-career professionals, and even student-led ventures from across the United States and Canada. Areas of focus are:
- Resilience and Adaptation
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Aquaculture
- Maritime Mobility and Exploration Systems
- Water Treatment and Purification
- Resource Recovery and Circular Solutions
- Water Intelligence and Decision Support
- Water Infrastructure and Asset Management
For more information visit nmc.edu/bluetechchallenge.
Jan 20, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC has opened registration for the Great Lakes Blue Tech Challenge, seeking startups with solutions for a wide range of issues impacting the world’s largest freshwater system.
At stake is $55,000 in seed funding. First prize is $30,000, second prize is $15,000 and third prize will win $10,000. Finalists will present at the Lakebed 2030 conference in Traverse City Sept. 17, gaining visibility and networking opportunities.
The third such competition of its kind at NMC, the Blue Tech Challenge is progressing in parallel with the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center, with the wider idea of Traverse City becoming a freshwater innovation hub.
“It’s all maturing together in a way which is beneficial for northern Michigan and the entire, bi-national Great Lakes region,” said Canadian Trade Commissioner Dakota Korth, a judge for the 2025 competition.
The Challenge is open to entrants from the U.S. and Canada. Registration closes March 27, and first-round pitches will take place on June 29. The Challenge is open to motivated entrepreneurs, startups, early-career professionals, and even student-led ventures from across the United States and Canada. Areas of focus are:
- Resilience and adaptation
- Aquatic ecosystems and aquaculture
- Maritime mobility and exploration systems
- Water treatment and purification
- Resource recovery and circular solutions
- Water intelligence and decision support
- Water infrastructure and asset management
After 35 initial inquiries, 18 teams entered the 2025 Challenge, won by Wave Lumina of Traverse City. The company, which manufactures a portable, rapid-response PFAS testing device, also placed second in Aquahacking the Great Lakes, the 2024 competition. Since launching in founder Vernon LaLone’s spare bedroom in 2023, Wave Lumina has won a $305,000 National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation & Research grant; hired two employees, both NMC alumni; and served its first paying customers in December.
Now operating in a lab at NMC’s Parsons-Stulen Building, LaLone hopes to become a tenant at the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center when it opens in 2027.
For more information visit nmc.edu/bluetechchallenge.
Release date: January 21, 2026
For more information:
Denver Peters
Director, Strategic Portfolio and Development
dpeters@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1215
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 16, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
The Campus Bookstore is offering $10 off all regular priced hoodies from Jan. 19–30.
Jan 15, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
Nancy Gray, NMC English instructor and Neurodiversity Support Center coordinator, passed away unexpectedly Monday, January 12.
Visitation will take place Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 4-7 p.m. at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth St., and on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Milliken Auditorium. Her memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. in Milliken Auditorium. There will be reserved parking in the Aspen Lot next to the Dennos Museum for memorial visitors; visitors may also park in any other lot on campus.
If you are interested in making a gift in memory of Nancy Gray, you may select the Neurodiversity Support Center from the drop-down menu at nmc.edu/give. You can dedicate your gift to and make it in memory of Nancy.
Read her complete obituary here. Read NMC President Nick Nissley’s message to campus here.
Jan 13, 2026 | President Updates, Student News
Dear NMC students,
It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that our colleague and instructor Nancy Gray passed away unexpectedly.
Nancy was a teacher through and through. For more than 15 years at NMC, she devoted herself to students who often found school challenging, meeting them with patience, creativity, and deep respect for who they were as learners and as people. Many of you knew Nancy through her English classes, where she made writing feel human, manageable, and meaningful.
More recently, Nancy’s passion for student success led her to found the Neurodiversity Support Center, the first of its kind at a Michigan community college. In a very short time, the Center became both a vital support service and a welcoming space on campus for students who needed it most. It reflected Nancy’s belief that barriers to learning are meant to be identified and removed, not accepted.
Nancy was a fierce advocate for students and individuals who experienced the world differently. Her legacy lives on in the countless students she encouraged, supported, and believed in, often at moments when that belief mattered most. Our deepest sympathies are with her family, including her husband and child here in Traverse City. Her recorded memorial service is available to watch.
An unexpected loss like this can land differently for each of us. Whether you knew Nancy personally, worked with her, learned from her, or simply feel the weight of losing someone who shaped this campus, please know that it is okay to pause, to grieve, and to take care of yourself.
Support is available to you. Personal counseling services are available through the NMC Student Life Office. You may complete the counseling intake form or stop by the office in the Osterlin Building, and staff will assist with scheduling an appointment. A 24-hour crisis hotline is also available through the Grand Traverse Mental Health Crisis Center at 1-833-295-0616.
Please take care of yourselves and one another during this difficult time. Nancy believed deeply in compassion, dignity, and possibility. May we carry those values forward together.
Holding our community close,
Nick
Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College | 231.995.1010
Jan 12, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
At the end of January, the NMC Library will host its fifth annual Embrace the Dream Read-Aloud and craft event series — a celebration of Black History Month, diverse characters and the power of reading to break down barriers!
We are counting on NMC employees and student to turn out in large numbers to ensure this program series’ success. Interested in volunteering during one of these events?
NMC Library Read-Aloud & Craft Night
Thursday, Jan. 29, 4:15-6:30 p.m.
Hosted at the NMC Library for preschool through 6th graders
*Volunteer for the entire event or pick a shift!
4th Grade Book Buddies
Friday, Jan. 30, 1:15-2:30 p.m.
Book give-away, read-aloud & crafting with fourth grade students at Traverse Heights Elementary School (933 Rose Street, TC)
If you would like to volunteer, fill out the Embrace the Dream Read-Aloud & Craft Event series volunteer form.
Jan 12, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
Planning to hang flyers or share materials on campus? Before you post, take a moment to review the college guidelines so your message can stay up—and reach the right audience.
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- Post flyers and posters only on designated bulletin boards (one per board, max size 11” x 17”). Include the sponsor name and contact info on all materials.
- Only one copy may be placed on any designated bulletin board. Posting must not cover up any other posting or information.
- Posting on doors, walls, vehicles, or other surfaces isn’t allowed and may be removed.
- Non–date-specific postings may be removed after 21 days; event flyers come down after the event.
- Only the individual or entity responsible for posting the material or NMC Security may remove materials.
- Printed literature may only be distributed in designated areas.
For more information, view the full Posting (D-505.13) policy.
Thanks for helping keep our campus organized and welcoming!
Jan 9, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
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Jan 7, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
January 7, 2026
A community cornerstone was born 75 years ago when Northwestern Michigan College opened its doors, establishing itself as the state’s first community college and a reputation for excellence, innovation and responsiveness that continues today.
NMC is launching its 75th anniversary year by introducing a special 2026 class of Outstanding Alumni — a group of more than five dozen individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their communities and career fields — as well as a year-long slate of special events.
“The accomplishments of these alumni span an incredible range of professions, from entrepreneurs to health care providers, from law enforcement to elected leadership,” NMC President Nick Nissley said of the class of 2026. “Daily, they embody NMC’s mission to transform lives and enrich our communities.”
The recipients are from every decade since NMC opened its doors in 1951. Some of the more familiar names include current state representatives Betsy Coffia and John Roth, Networks Northwest CEO Janie McNabb, city of Traverse City manager Benjamin Marentette , Grand Traverse County Sheriff Mike Shea and author Chasten Buttigieg. It also includes seven current NMC faculty and staff members.
The yearlong anniversary celebration is highlighted by three signature events open to the public:
- April 25: Student and community block party, Front Street campus
- July 25: History walk, Front Street campus
- Sept 19: Anniversary celebration, Great Lakes campus
“In 1951, the community spoke loud and clear — they wanted a college in northern Michigan. Seventy-five years later, that wisdom is reflected in a healthy, thriving NMC,” Nissley said. “We want the community to join us in a celebration of that founding vision, which we plan to carry out for 75 more years.
NMC opened its doors on Sept. 19, 1951. A total of 65 students attended classes held at the Traverse City airport terminal building. Today, more than 3,400 students are enrolled.
NMC has named Outstanding Alumni since 1988. In addition to the class of 2026, the college is honoring all past recipients of the award, as well as NMC’s Fellow award, as Legacy recipients. Visit nmc.edu/75 to see the list.
Jan 5, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY— Northwestern Michigan College congratulates the 1,193 students who made the Dean’s List for the fall 2025 semester, earning a grade point average of 3.5 or above out of a possible 4.0 while taking five or more credits.
The full list is available here.
Dec 19, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
At their meeting on December 15, 2025, the Board of Trustees approved the strategic plan as presented. This document summarizes the strategies, objectives, strategic drivers, and the strategic impact statement of Anchor and Edge, NMC’s new strategic plan. In this preliminary phase of strategic plan development, work continues behind the scenes drafting actions for the thirteen objectives with three deep-dive strategy workshops scheduled for early January. Teams will work to finalize their action steps, identify resourcing needs, and align with internal processes during spring. The official launch of this three-year plan will coincide with the start of FY27 on July 1, 2026.
Strategic Initiatives would like to thank the Strategic Plan Steering Committee, Leadership Council, ESIMT, Faculty and Staff Councils, student groups, ORPE, industry partners, and the many others that provided valuable input and support during the development process. Look for more engagement as objective leads reach out as they implement action steps.
Dec 15, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
The Fitness Center will have modified operating hours the next few weeks and will be open from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Monday–Friday. It will be closed Dec. 24–Jan. 1 and will reopen with on Friday, Jan. 2.
Normal operating hours will resume Monday, Jan. 12.
Dec 9, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
It’s the perfect time to stop into the Dennos Museum store to do a little holiday gift shopping. The museum and store are open until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through December 23!
Members, NMC employees and students will receive DOUBLE DISCOUNTS at 20% off storewide on purchases through Christmas.
Special holiday sales include 25% off jewelry and 30% off calendars, holiday ornaments and holiday cards.
And if you’re not sure what to get, Museum store gift cards are available at a $10 minimum.
As always, the highest discount prevails, and consignment items are not included in special promotions.
Dec 8, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
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