NMC names NISOD teaching excellence winners

Jan 19, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

Brandon Everest
(download high-resolution photo)Nicole Fewins
(download high-resolution photo)Justin Guillard
(download high-resolution photo)Scott Powell
(download high-resolution photo)Becca Richardson
(download high-resolution photo)Nicole Speelman
(download high-resolution photo)TRAVERSE CITY — Six faculty and staff members have been named NMC’s recipients of the annual NISOD award for teaching excellence.

Affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin, the National Institute for Staff and Organization Development is committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges.

The awards have been made since 1991. Criteria include professionalism, relationships with students and colleagues, and commitment to learning. Below are NMC’s recipients, with highlights from their nomination or recipient statement.

2024 Recipients:

Brandon Everest, social sciences faculty member for 24 years and co-chair of NMC’s Experiential Learning Institute. His leadership roles reflect a commitment to promoting academic vitality, fostering innovation and continuous improvement.

Nicole Fewins, business faculty member for 23 years. In response to a waiting list for her online classes, Fewins gave face-to-face students the option to attend online. She anticipates students’ needs before any issues even arise. She not only inspires her students but inspires her colleagues.

Justin Guillard, Educational Technologies staff member for eight years. Guillard endeavors to understand and troubleshoot specialty software and is responsive and easy to work with.

Scott Powell, Great Lakes Maritime Academy instructor for 22 years and 1998 GLMA alumnus. Recognized nationally for his expertise with respect to maritime education, Powell is presently pursuing a doctor of education (EdD) degree.

​2023 recipients:

Becca Richardson, math faculty member for 10 years and NMC alumna. “By showing (students) the value of hard work and persistence, I can make a difference in their academic success, as well as their future success,” Richardson said.

Nicole Speelman, chemistry faculty member for six years. “I hope to inspire my students to be amazed by the chemical world around them,” Speelman said.

“Teaching is at the heart of the NMC mission,” said President Nick Nissley. “We’re proud to recognize these outstanding educators alongside their peers from around the country.”

Release date: January 19, 2024

For more information:

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

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New books at the NMC library

Jan 19, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.

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NMC celebrates MLK, Black History Month with Embrace the Dream programming

Jan 10, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY— Northwestern Michigan College kicks off its 2024 Embrace the Dream programming, a series of events marking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month, on January 15.

Planned events include the following. A complete calendar of events, including events at other community locations, is available and will be updated at nmc.edu/embrace-the-dream.

January 15 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day:)

• Free admission to the Dennos Museum Center, 11 a.m.–4 p.m..
• Building Bridges with Music presents a Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Day show, livestreamed at both the Dennos Museum Center and the Alluvion at 7 p.m.. NMC Cantus Children’s Choir and NMC Chamber Singers will perform along with other artists and musicians. Free ticketed event. Go to mynorthtickets.com for tickets. 

January 18 Free screening of Razing Liberty Square 4 p.m.., Dutmers Theater inside Dennos Museum Center. Free ticketed event.

January 31 Third annual ‘Embrace the Dream’ read-aloud and craft event, 5-6:30 p.m.., NMC Library
Kids in preschool through sixth grade are invited to the library, located on the second level of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, to read, craft, and receive a free book. Accompanying adults are invited to join in or find a space in the building to relax while kids read and craft. Free and open to the public.

Sunday, February 11, 1–3 p.m.. Second Sunday Art Project – Embrace the Dream Get inspired by the watercolor work of Caldecott honor recipient E.B. Lewis who thoughtfully illustrates narratives of the African American experience for children’s books and create your own watercolor work. Join the fun for free with the price of Dennos Museum Center admission!

Thursday, February 22, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.. A Food for the Soul buffet will be served in the Hawk Owl Café. Open to the public. $14. 

Friday, February 23, 7 p.m.. Straight Ahead concert in Milliken Auditorium inside the Dennos Museum Center. The Detroit-based all-female jazz ensemble has received multiple Grammy nominations and toured the world. Tickets $25-$35.

For more information visit nmc.edu/embrace-the-dream.

Release Date: January 10, 2024

For More Information:

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

NMC opens Neurodiversity Support Center

Jan 8, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Beginning this month, support services designed specifically for neurodiverse NMC students will be offered for the first time at an on-campus center.

The pilot cohort of NMC’s Neurodiversity Support Center (NSC) consists of four students with a range of learning differences, including but not limited to anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive compulsive disorder. Students may still apply for NSC services, which are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and expand upon what is already provided by the college’s office of Disability Support Services.

NSC Coordinator Nancy Gray said the transition from high school to college is often more difficult for neurodiverse students. In high school, disability law grants them additional support services. In college, they must self-advocate. However, challenges with communication and initiation are a hallmark of neurodiversity.

“Neurodiverse students need more than the accommodations, which address academics. They need help and support, and the supports must also meet their social and sensory needs,” Gray said.

An English faculty member, Gray proposed the NSC after spending her 2022-23 sabbatical year researching neurodiversity support services that many other colleges and universities provide A key component of the NSC, located in Scholars Hall on NMC’s Front Street campus, will be training staff to meet the specific needs of these learners. For instance, self-stimulating behaviors, also known as “stimming,” help some neurodiverse students manage emotional and environmental conditions. Yet “stimming” is often frowned upon as disruptive.

“We want to normalize it, so that it is seen as both acceptable and necessary,” Gray said. “We need to increase awareness of neurodiversity, celebrate the strengths, and design educational practices that address the specific needs of neurodiverse students.”

Services will then include:

• Weekly one-on-one mentoring meetings to work on individual short- and long-term goals
• Structured study times in the Center with on-site tutors and success coaches
• Workshops and seminars that address needs and build skills
• Supported communication between students, faculty and NMC staff
• Regularly-scheduled virtual parent or support system meetings, as desired.
• Sensory-friendly social events, connecting students with similar interests

The prevalence of neurodiversity has increased significantly worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates autism spectrum disorder occurs in 1 of every 36 U.S. children, or 2.8 percent. In 2000 the prevalence was 1 in 150. About 11 percent of children have received an ADHD diagnosis, also per the CDC. Both conditions are significantly more prevalent among boys. Anxiety prevalence is estimated at just under 10 percent. Co-occurrence of multiple conditions is also common in neurodiverse individuals.

An advisory body including neurodiverse students, NMC employees and community partners have assisted Gray in planning the NSC. For more information, visit nmc.edu/neurodiversity 

Release date: JANUARY 8, 2024

For more information:

Nancy Gray
Neurodiversity Support Center Coordinator
ngray@nmc.edu
(505) 501-3258 (mobile)

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Trustee Building & Site committee meets Jan. 9; Fellows Nominating committee Jan. 12

Jan 5, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — The Building & Site committee of Northwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9 in the President’s Conference Room of the Tanis Building on NMC’s main campus, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City. The official meeting notice is available here.

The Fellows Nominating committee will meet at 12 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12 in the President’s Conference Room of the Tanis Building on NMC’s main campus, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City. The official meeting notice is available here.

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

RELEASE DATE: January 5, 2024

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Design thinking workshop

Jan 2, 2024 | Intercom, Student News

Do you have a project or an idea and need help bringing it to fruition? Join the upcoming design thinking workshop that is being offered in February. This hands-on series will introduce the design thinking process to NMC faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders. Together, we’ll:

• • connect and empathize
  • define challenges
  • ideate and prototype solutions
  • test and assess solutions
  • review

This hands-on workshop will frame “how might we” questions to help participants learn how to innovate and meet their goals. The sessions will be facilitated by Brittany VanderBeek and will be held on February 5, 19 and 26 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in room 104/105 of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center.

Dennos Museum store annual winter sale

Dec 15, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

The Dennos Museum store’s annual winter clearance sale begins Wednesday, Dec, 27. Enjoy deep discounts on art-inspired products, 2024 calendars, and all remaining holiday ornaments, cards and décor! Items move quickly so make sure to pop in to snag a great deal on something unique!

NMC among top 10 nationally for short-term study abroad

Dec 15, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — NMC has received its highest-ever ranking for short-term study abroad by the Institute of International Education, notching the No. 10 spot in the nation.

All nine institutions ahead of NMC in the category of community college academic study abroad participation have much higher enrollments, averaging 17,000 students. As a percentage of fall enrollment, NMC’s 50 students who traveled in 2022 ranks first among community colleges in the nation, with nearly 2 percent of students participating in a study abroad experience.

Rankings are for the first travel season (spring/summer 2022) following COVID-19. Countries NMC students traveled to in 2022 were Colombia, France, Spain and the United Kingdom. In 2023 53 students traveled to Guatemala, Morocco, Iceland, Spain and Portugal.

NMC’s previous highest rank was 17th in 2015. Currently, 65 students are slated to travel to Brazil, Costa Rica, Ireland, India and Switzerland in May 2024.

Twenty-five of those students will travel with a complimentary passport. In February, NMC was one of only 40 institutions nationwide to win a $4,000 grant, also from IIE, which covered 25 free passports. Required for travel beyond North America, passports typically cost $160 and are valid for 10 years.

Studying abroad is one type of experiential learning opportunity. In its strategic plan, NMC’s goal is that every credential-seeking student have at least one experiential learning opportunity before graduation.

To help students with the cost of studying abroad, NMC also offers the Global Opportunities Scholarship, established by former president Timothy J. Nelson and his wife Nancy Johnson. Most students are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship that typically covers about 25 percent of the cost.

For more information, visit nmc.edu/study-abroad

Release date: December 15, 2023

For more information:

Jim Bensley
Director of International Services and Service Learning
(231) 995-2527
jbensley@nmc.edu

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Foundation invests $50,000 in NoBo Mrkt

Dec 14, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — The Northwestern Michigan College Foundation (NMCF) and NoBo Mrkt are pioneering a new partnership that aims to bring a fresh wave of opportunities to NMC and its students.

For the first time, the NMCF is embarking on impact investing in a local business with the goal of increasing innovation in Northern Michigan and creating new community partnerships with benefits for NMC students. Thanks to a specifically designated and generous gift, the NMCF will invest $50,000 into NoBo Mrkt, a cafe and beverage bar located in the Commongrounds building, 414 E. Eighth St., Traverse City.

This membership investment, set to become a part of the NMC Foundation’s portfolio, offers the Foundation 5% equity in NoBo Mrkt as a safety net for the investment.

In impact investing, investors seek to achieve measurable positive impact on society or the environment as well as financial returns. In the case of the NMCF and NoBo Mrkt, the desired impact is increased innovation in northern Michigan and new community partnerships with benefits for NMC students, such as paid internships, business opportunities for NMC’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute students and graduates, and much more. NoBo Mrkt’s founding chef, James Thomas III, is a GLCI alumnus who also received the Michigan Reconnect scholarship for students 25 and older.

Additionally, the NMC Foundation has adopted an Impact Investments provision. It allows the Foundation to invest up to $500,000 or 0.5% of the portfolio’s assets, whichever is less, in impact investments which support NMC’s strategic goals and diversify its portfolio.

“I believe this investment will help provide great opportunities to enhance learning for GLCI students and benefit the local economy. Our foundation board saw this as a win-win,” said Jayne Mohr, NMCF Board chair.

About NMC Foundation:
The NMC Foundation mobilizes generosity to advance learning for a global community. The foundation was founded in 1981 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in support of Northwestern Michigan College. Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends, the foundation is a leader in resourcing learning, innovation, and community transformation.

About GLCI:
NMC’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute is American Culinary Federation-accredited and offers certificates and associate degrees in culinary arts, with specialties in baking/pastry and culinary-maritime. Located at NMC’s Great Lakes campus, GLCI’s facilities include baking, introductory and advanced kitchens, and Lobdell’s teaching restaurant.

About NoBo Mrkt:
NoBo Mrkt is a new, innovative community space that operates at the intersection of food and entrepreneurship. Its mission is to strengthen local food markets in the Grand Traverse region by fostering a culture of support to new and evolving “foodpreneurs.” Together with the Grand Traverse Foodshed Alliance, NoBo Mrkt will provide community, entrepreneurship and mentoring opportunities based on inclusion and equitable opportunities for the Grand Traverse region.

Release date: DECEMBER 13, 2023

For more information:

Jennifer Hricik
Interim Director of the NMC Foundation and AVP of Resource Development at NMC
jhricik@nmc.edu
(336) 264-0808

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Feeding America mobile food pantry

Dec 12, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

The final mobile food pantry for 2023 will be held on Tuesday, December 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (car line up starts at 11, distribution starts 11:30 a.m.). Hop in the line in the Maple Lot on the Front Street Campus and drive through the distribution loop. Food will be loaded into your trunk. All students and their families are encouraged to participate. Each recipient receives approximately 7-10 days of fresh fruit and produce on a first come, first serve basis.

No car? No problem! You’re welcome to “walk through” and receive goods in a carry-able way. Feel free to bring a backpack or other reusable bags!

As a college, we recognize that so many students live paycheck to paycheck. Our mobile food pantry is specifically designed for students to supplement income with fresh, healthy foods and free up limited funds to go towards other expenses.

Mobile food pantries at NMC are offered in conjunction with grant funding and a partnership with Feeding America West Michigan. Distribution throughout 2923 has been wholly funded by grant funding with 3,500-5,000 pounds of fresh food were distributed to an average 110 families each month during the academic school year.

The Food Pantry program is currently seeking donations to continue the program in 2024. Each mobile pantry costs up to $875 to offer. Sponsors and donations can be sent to the NMC Foundation with the designation “Food Pantry” or “Mobile Food Pantry”.

NMC Esports varsity Valorant team wins championship

Dec 11, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

The NMC Esports varsity Valorant team beat the previously undefeated Butler University, 2-0 on December 6 to win their divisional playoff championship in the NACE Starleague Varsity Plus Division.

Watch a recording of the competition here.

First employed police recruits graduate Dec. 9

Dec 7, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

Law enforcement agencies from UP to metro Detroit will gain new officers

EDITORS: Media coverage of the graduation is welcome. It will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Cherryland VFW Post 2780, 3400 Veterans Drive, Traverse City.

TRAVERSE CITY — Students in NMC’s first 16-week condensed Police Academy program will graduate Saturday and head immediately to jobs around the state, exiting an enrollment- to- employment pipeline that will ultimately improve community safety in Michigan.

Nine of the 10 graduates are employed, or sponsored, recruits whose tuition was paid for through the Michigan Public Safety Academy Assistance Program, established a year ago to help address the critical, statewide need for additional police officers. Law enforcement agencies are eligible for up to $20,000 per recruit for tuition and other training costs, plus $4,000 in salary.

Thanks to that and changes to NMC’s structure which condensed the Academy from two semesters to one, eight agencies are now gaining an additional officer: police departments in Traverse City, Manistee and Farmington Hills, sheriff’s offices in Grand Traverse, Manistee, Antrim and Benzie counties, and the Escanaba Department of Public Safety.

“That creates a potential police officer for us in literally half the time,” said Grand Traverse County Sheriff Mike Shea, who will attend graduation to support his recruit, Andrew Bankey. “We will be able to have that officer in a patrol car the week after he graduates. It is going to help immensely.”

Shea expects Bankey to be on the department’s schedule the week of Dec. 15. He also plans to sponsor at least two and possibly three recruits in NMC’s Academy starting in January. The combination of the state assistance program and NMC’s shorter structure means Shea’s hiring picture is much brighter than a year ago.

“I’m cautiously optimistic that we have turned a corner, at least locally,” said Shea, who graduated from NMC in 2005 himself. “Between people in the hiring process and/or being sponsored, I believe we will have all of our current vacancies accounted for.”

When Connor Rischel graduates Saturday, Manistee Police Chief Josh Glass will fill one of his three current vacancies. Rischel is the first sponsored recruit Glass has had in his 20-year career. Like Shea, Glass said the 16-week schedule made it possible.

“It gets the person up and running and impacts the services we provide our community,” he said. “Not as many people are entering our profession.”

Glass praised the Police Academy curriculum under the leadership of Director Gail Kurowski, who has led a shift to scenario-based training, which simulates real-world situations. The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), sets a minimum threshold for such training that NMC far exceeds.

“Whenever possible, we will teach the MCOLES training modules with scenario-based instruction,” said Kurowski, who expects another class of ten, eight of whom are sponsored, to start in January.

“Based on my experience, I certainly would promote or advocate for sending students to NMC’s academy,” Glass said.

NMC is also the only academy in Michigan to offer drone certification to students. NMC can also meet another practical need for recruits.

“One of the big draws for NMC is that they have housing available. That’s a big deal in northern Michigan,” Glass said.

For more information on NMC’s program, visit nmc.edu/police.

Media coverage of the graduation is welcome. It will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Cherryland VFW Post 2780, 3400 Veterans Drive, Traverse City.

Release date: December 7, 2023

For more information:

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

Day-of graduation contact:
Gail Kurowski
NMC Police Academy Director
gkurowski@nmc.edu
(517) 256-8772 (mobile)

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Gala to Give 2024 survey

Dec 6, 2023 | Intercom, Student News