Ice skating event Jan. 18

Jan 6, 2025 | Intercom, Student News

NMC Campus Life will host an ice skating event Saturday, Jan. 18 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center’s Howe Arena (1125 W Civic Center Dr, Traverse City, MI). For more details, contact Marcus Bennett at (231) 995-1401 or mbennett@nmc.edu, or CJ Schneider at cschneider@nmc.edu.

Must present a valid NMC ID to participate. This event is free to all current NMC employees and students.

Sign up here.

This event is sponsored by NMC Residence Life and Campus Life. Refreshments provided by NMC student groups Ratio Christ, His House, and Multicultural Club.

Success Story: Apply for Michigan Reconnect by Dec. 31, start spring or summer 2025

Dec 18, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

December 18, 2024

For two more weeks, 21- to 24-year-olds can join the 325 NMC students who already have saved more than $750,000 in tuition through Michigan Reconnect.

Dec. 31 is the deadline for that age group to apply for Reconnect, which offers free in-district tuition to adults who don’t already have a college degree. They can start in spring or summer 2025 semesters, and continue to receive the scholarship until they complete. But Jan. 1, Reconnect eligibility reverts to ages 25 and up.

Current Reconnect student Mitchell Mosley (right) urged eligible students not to let that window of opportunity close.

“If it’s even on your mind, you might as well put the application in. It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s responsive,” said Mosley, 27, who stepped back in an NMC classroom this fall for the first time in eight years. In the interim he discovered his lack of a degree hindered his job advancement. Now he has a drive he didn’t have before.

“I really want it now. I want to be educated,” said Mosley. In just one semester he said he’s learned business math skills, like paying payroll taxes, that will help him better run his business, Swabbies, a yacht cleaning business, but also self-discipline and collaboration skills.

Combining the credits he earned at NMc after high school graduation in 2015 plus others from an Oregon community college, he’ll only need to attend for a year before earning his associate degree in business next year.

“Education is bigger than a diploma. There’s a lot more to it,” said Mosley, who has organized study groups for his classes, and attended on-campus and professional events like the regional Economic Summit (pictured).

“I want more out of life and NMc has kind of helped me,” he said, adding he plans to continue his studies.

“It won’t end here, I can promise you that,” he said.

Students 21 to 24 can start their journey to a tuition-free degree at NMc by applying online by Dec 31. They must have lived in Michigan for at least a year and not have previously earned a degree. They can start classes in spring or summer 2025 semesters. Reconnect eligibility continues until the degree is completed, as long as requirements are met.

NMC Aviation campaign receives largest gifts to date

Dec 6, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY —  Northwestern Michigan College’s Aviation Division has received two anonymous gifts, one of $150,000 and the other of $100,000, to expand its hangar, purchase additional aircraft and relocate its classrooms. The gifts are the largest received to date by Next Level: The Campaign for NMC Aviation, a fundraising initiative to build the Aviation Division’s capacity and admit more students into the program each year.

The Next Level project, with a price tag of $14 million, will be funded by a combination of government support, bonding, and private philanthropy. The college has received $3.75 million in support from the state of Michigan and $550,000 in federal funding toward the project. The NMC Foundation aims to raise $1 million in private philanthropy toward the project. The two anonymous gifts bring the Foundation’s fundraising total to $390,000.

“We are thrilled and so grateful to these two donors for supporting the Next Level campaign,” said Alex Bloye, Aviation Division director. “As the only two-year flight school in the state, we have the unique opportunity to efficiently train the pilots our world desperately needs. Expanding our hangar and fleet will increase the number of students, and ultimately the number of future pilots, we can admit each year. It’s a win for them, a win for our regional economy and a win for our world, which is relying more and more on air travel every year.”

Next Level: The Campaign for NMC Aviation will expand the Aviation Division by:

• Acquiring at least four new, technically advanced aircraft including two Cessna Skyhawks and two multi-engine planes to increase flight capacity (each additional aircraft allows ten additional students in the program)
• Expanding the hangar’s cold and warm storage capacity, creating space for eight additional planes
• Modernizing the hangar infrastructure including the HVAC system, windows and exterior, reducing energy costs
• Relocating Aviation classrooms to the Parsons-Stulen building, revitalizing and reconfiguring the existing space for simulations, testing and flight planning, ensuring NMC Aviation delivers the most efficient and effective training

To learn more about supporting Next Level: The Campaign for NMC Aviation, visit nmc.edu/next-level or call the NMC Foundation at (231) 995-1021.

Ground was broken on the hangar expansion in October. The NMC Foundation is one of the top 20 community college foundations in the United States. In 2019 the NMC Foundation received a Sustained Excellence Award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). 

Release date: DECEMBER 6, 2024

For more information:

Dino Hernandez
Chief Advancement Officer, Northwestern Michigan College
(231) 995-1103
dhernandez@nmc.edu

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Success Story: New classes + dual enrollment rate expected to draw student scientists

Dec 5, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

December 5, 2024

Nicole Speelman, Nick Roster and Nancy OlenchekNMC is preparing to become a magnet for future Albert Einsteins and Marie Curies, offering new courses that will allow high school students conducting advanced scientific research to earn college credits as dual enrolled students.

Eight Advancing Scientific Research (ASR) courses will debut next year, four offered at the high school level and four at NMC. High school instructors from Cadillac to the Mackinac Bridge have been invited to participate, with a stipend funded by the NMC Foundation. These pioneer instructors will receive training in February, and NMC will host its first Science Symposium in April.

The effort is being led by NMC biology instructor Nick Roster, chemistry instructor Nicole Speelman, and Kingsley High School science teacher Nancy Olenchek. A former NMC success coach, Olenchek started a high school research class at Kingsley last year. Through a teacher training organization, she connected her students with mentors at universities like Stanford and Cornell. But in addition to the prestige, Olencheck wanted students to be able to earn college credit.

Enter NMC’s Roster, who last year launched a research project on microplastics contamination with his NMC students.

“They’re doing college level research, no doubt,” he said of Olenchek’s students, citing one who is using fruit fly larva to research generational alcoholism.“It’s only fair for these students, if they’re doing this work, to have it transcribed (as credit),” he said.

The high school teachers will instruct their students in research methodology, and NMC will provide oversight and support.

“No one up here is doing this,” said Roster, adding that the ASR classes eventually could draw students from much farther than Kingsley, as well as students interested in fields beyond natural sciences. Earlier this year NMC trustees passed a dual-enrolled tuition rate that allows high school students to dual enroll from virtually anywhere without incurring out of pocket expenses.

“You do what you want to do. You research your passion,” he said. “This will hopefully be a vehicle for anyone to participate in scientific research.”

The dual-enrolled credit is key.

“It’s a huge benefit to them,” Olencheck said. “It validates their research, No. 1. It gives them some elective credit that they don’t have to pay for.”

The eight-course sequence will allow students to pursue an idea or question through the entire research cycle, from initial framing to gathering data to peer review to potentially publishing and presenting. The top students at the April NMC Science Symposium will go on to the Flint Science and Engineering Fair, the stepping stone to the International Science and Engineering Fair. Prizes and scholarships are available to the winners at these higher levels.

Roster and Olenchek hope that some of these budding scientists elect to stay at NMC.

“There’s not a lot of undergraduate research opportunities,” Roster said. “We have classes set up for them to continue that research. “

“We’re trying to grow our own,” said Olenchek. “We’re trying to make a whole bunch more Hawk Owls.”

Cancelled: Long Night Against Procrastination

Dec 3, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

Please note that this event has been cancelled due to inclement weather.

Join the Library, Writing Center, Tutoring, Advising, and Success Coaching teams for the Long Night Against Procrastination on Wednesday, December 4th from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the library.

In addition to writing, research, tutoring, coaching and advising support, we’ll have snacks, hot and cold beverages, and two deliveries of Dino’s pizza (at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.) to fuel you as you tackle your late semester pile of final assignments and exam prep. The NMC Student Ambassadors will also be hosting a Game Room downstairs in TJNIC 106/107 for those seeking a much-needed study break.

Come for assistance, snacks, commiseration, solidarity or all of the above!

Holiday gift guide and red tag sale at the Campus Bookstore

Dec 2, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

Looking for creative ideas for gifts this holiday season? Check out the Campus Bookstore’s 2024 Holiday Gift Guide! Visit bookstore.nmc.edu to find great ideas under the gift section. All items featured in the gift guide are also available in store.

Those who visit the Campus Bookstore in person during December 9-13 can also finish their holiday shopping with big savings! All clearance items will be an additional 50% off.

WNMC Speaker Series premieres Nov. 26

Nov 25, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

Eric Hines of WNMC is proud to announce the first on-air Speaker Series premiering at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday November 26, 2024. The first guest will be Scot Zimmerman, who is the Community President at Mercantile Bank. WNMC’s inaugural session came from a collaboration with Alex Tank, Director of IAF and Megan Bylsma, NMC’s Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations as Mercantile is the season sponsor of the International Affairs Forum. This series will continue to engage business leaders and listeners from around our community. We hope you’ll tune in tomorrow.

Cybersecurity pop-up winners

Nov 25, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

Cybersecurity pop-up’s are complete for Fall 2024! The winners of the prizes are Ava Plamondon and Neil Streeter! Kudos to Neil for being a cybersecurity expert and still being willing to test his knowledge.

Thanks to everyone who played a game. Good Cybersecurity choices are core to NMC’s well-being!

New additions to Library of Things collection

Nov 22, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

Whether you’re snowed in, home for the holidays, or just plain bored over break—the NMC Library has plenty of options to make this winter amazing, including many exciting NEW arrivals to the collection!

Play a board game to get the holiday party started with some friendly competition! We’ve added over 20 new games to the collection this semester, from classics like Battleship, Scrabble, and Trouble, to new favorites like Wavelength, Azul, and Monikers. We’ve even added some RPGs like Mausritter and The Quiet Year for those looking for a more immersive experience!

Learn an instrument, because nothing beats cabin fever like picking up a new hobby! This semester, we’ve added bongo drums for percussion and a headphone amplifier for quieter practice sessions!

Piece together a puzzle and relax while also boosting your mental agility! We recommend the Women in Art puzzle, featuring a diverse array of fifteen accomplished artists, from well-known figures such as Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keefe to lesser-known trailblazers including nineteenth-century African American sculptor Mary Edmonia Lewis and Hopi-Tewa ceramic artist Nampeyo!

Try your hand at crafting and create a truly unique, handmade gift for your loved one! This semester, we’ve added an art projector, calligraphy set AND weaving loom to the collection!

Browse our full collection of Library of Things in the online catalog. 

Mobile Food Pantry Nov. 25

Nov 21, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

NMC is hosting a mobile food pantry in partnership with Feeding America from 3-5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25 in the Maple Lot of the Front Street campus. 

The tentative list of menu items includes carrots, apples, cheese, potatoes, squash, rice, peppers, grapes and juice. College caffeine fiends rejoice: we anticipate we will also have a donation of 1000 bottles of mountain dew. 

Walk or drive-thru options exist. Come over and drive-thru OR bring a backpack or reusable bag and take what you and your household can use in the next 7-10 days.

This program is specifically designed to support NMC students [and their households] by supplementing their diets with fresh, healthy produce while helping to free up financial resources to cover other household expenses. Everyone is welcome. Take as little or as much as you need for your household.

One additional distribution will be offered this later semester on Monday, December 2. Seven additional pantries will be held during the spring semester.

2024 Apprentice of the Year named

Nov 19, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

Derek Councilor
(high resolution image)TRAVERSE CITY — NMC has named Derek Councilor, an apprentice at Sara Lee Frozen Bakery as its 2024 Apprentice of the Year for his exceptional work ethic.

Councilor, 38, of Traverse City, has been completing his apprenticeship since 2022. He works full-time in the maintenance department on second shift at Sara Lee Frozen Bakery while taking courses toward four different certificates. The first three are from NMC.

• Manufacturing Apprenticeship
• Engineering Technology – Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
• Construction Technology – HVAC/R Technology
• Apprenticeship Certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship

Councilor’s colleagues praised his abilities at a ceremony held Wednesday at NMC’s Parsons-Stulen Building in conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week. He was commended for his high-quality on-time work, friendliness, knowledgeability and leadership among his peers, and attendance and early arrival.

“He is a multi-team player,” said Dan Wallington, maintenance department manager, adding that Councilor works with the operations team as well as maintenance and helps train more junior employees. “Derek helps continue the confidence we have in the apprenticeships.”

Sara Lee currently has three active apprentices and two who have graduated from NMC’s program. Senior Human Resources generalist Caitlin Zielinski said apprentices accelerate through the company’s skill grid at a doubled pace.

“It’s twice the speed of anyone doing on the job training,” Zielinski said. “It is so beneficial and I hope it continues to grow.”

Councilor said he likes the opportunity to advance quickly, too, which he’s seen modeled with previous apprentices.

“I like the classes. It’s all stuff I’m interested in,” he said. “Our last apprentice is now our lead electrician.”

Find out more at nmc.edu/apprenticeships 

Release date: NOVEMBER 19, 2024

For more information:

Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)

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