Dec 4, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s Visual Communications department invites area non-profit groups to submit graphic design, art direction and new media projects for consideration as pro bono class projects during the spring 2024 semester.
Part of the Visual Communications curriculum, the class project is free to the non-profits selected. The goal is a real-world assignment that allows students to interact with clients and exposes them to the commercial printing and production worlds, including film and new media production, creative advertising, graphic design and packaging. Projects will be completed by the end of the spring semester in April 2024.
Potential projects could include logos, brochures, ad campaigns, packaging, graphic design, branding, posters, infographics, announcements, invitations, film, motion graphics, animations, exhibition design, TV commercials or anything relating to visual communications, commercial art, illustration and film or web design. The department is especially interested in conceptually-driven projects that will offer the students substantial opportunity for interaction with the client and process.
Please include the following in your submission:
- Description, tone and purpose of the design work requested, as well as the targeted audience you identify being associated with this work / your organization.
- List out EACH piece (logo / brochure / short film, etc.) that make up the ideal whole of your project. Other pieces may be identified by your student team or elements may be excluded based on their contracted plan or suggested in place of ones on this list.
- Ideal completion date between February 28 and April 25. All projects will be completed by April 30. Feel free to stagger dates individual elements might be due.
- Ideal time for mid-way progress check meeting in March.
- Budget: While there is no fee for the services students will provide, organizations must provide funds for printing / production expenses. NMC is happy to coordinate printing / production and get quotes under all budgets, and the students should be included in this step as it gains them experience in obtaining production quotes.
Please submit project consideration requests to instructor Caroline Schaefer-Hills at cschaefer@nmc.edu by January 5.
Release date: December 4, 2023
For more information:
Caroline Schaefer-Hills
Visual Communications chair
(231) 995-1334
cschaefer@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
Dec 4, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
The NMC Beautification Consortium’s How Might We 5000 (HM-5000) has already been making its rounds through NMC’s campuses asking the question, “How might we beautify/renew NMC’s campuses, grounds and buildings (inside and out) to create a sense of belonging and community?” If you see the whiteboard that is making its way around the Front Street Campus, please provide your input. Input is open to all students, employees, alumni and community members.
There have been many innovative, interesting and unexpected suggestions since the HM-5000 made it’s debut in North Hall two weeks ago. Traveling through East Hall and the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center has upped the ante with even more intriguing input from the NMC community. The HM-5000 is continuing it’s journey through campus to the Health Science Building, followed by the Les Biederman Building and then the Osterlin Building. The HM-5000 will only be able to spend a couple days in each building before relocating on so that way we can visit all the buildings on NMC’s campuses before the semester ends.
Your efforts are welcome and appreciated.
Thank you from the NMC Beautification Consortium!
For more information, contact Todd Haines at thaines@nmc.edu.
Dec 4, 2023 | Intercom, President Updates, Student News
Advocates for Benzie County is sponsoring several listening sessions to hear residents’ needs and concerns regarding higher education access in Benzie County. As the group has been promoting the sessions, NMC wanted to ensure that our students and employees have also heard about the sessions. The dates, times, and locations are listed below.
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- Monday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m., Frankfort (City Hall)
- Tuesday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m., Benzonia (Mills Community House)
- Thursday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m., Honor (The Gathering Place)
- Saturday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m., Lake Ann (United Methodist Community Center)
- Wednesday, Dec. 13, 12 p.m., Frankfort Rotary (Hotel Frankfort) (NMC President Nissley Presenting)
- Thursday, Jan. 11, 2 p.m., Eagles Club of Interlochen
- Thursday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m., United Methodist Church in Elberta
- Tuesday, Jan. 23 7:30 a.m., Benzie Sunrise Rotary (Lucky Dog Bar) (NMC President Nissley Nick Presenting)
Please do not hesitate to reach out to the NMC Presidents Office at nmcpresident@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1010 with any questions or concerns.
Dec 1, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
On Nov. 29, Damon Livingston of the NMC Esports Varsity team won the NJCAA-E Madden ’24 National Playoff Championship. He defeated Harrisburg Area Community College 3-0 in the best of 5 series. This is the first league or playoff championship for the NMC Esports Varsity program.
Watch a recording of the competition here.
Dec 1, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
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Nov 30, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is seeking community input to its Master Planning process through mid-January via a survey and public meetings.
Regional community members, neighbors, visitors, current and former employees, current and former students, business partners, and any other guests who observe or interact with NMC’s five Traverse City campuses including Front Street, Aero Park, Great Lakes, University Center and Rogers Observatory are encouraged to take the survey to inform the next steps in the process.
The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and responses are requested by Jan. 12, 2024. Responses will help the planning team assess needs and opportunities and refine the short and long-term vision for physical campus spaces. In addition,
NMC is hosting two open public forums to gather input on a new Facilities Master Plan.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13, 2023, 6–7:30 P.M.
Location: NMC Great Lakes Campus, 715 E Front St, Traverse City, MI
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 24, 2024, 6–7:30 P.M.
Location: Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center Room 106/107, NMC Front Street Campus, 1701 E Front St, Traverse City, MI
The survey link and more information are also available on the Facilities Master Plan webpage (nmc.edu/facilities-master-plan).
Release date: November 30, 2023
For more information:
Cari Noga
Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
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
Nov 28, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
Aby Kowalske
(Download a high-resolution photo) 
Gabby Paryani
(Download a high-resolution photo) TRAVERSE CITY — NMC students Aby Kowalske and Gabby Paryani are among seven Michigan students who will travel to Washington, D.C. for the National Student Leadership Academy as a part of Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG).
Accompanied by NMC Employment Readiness Specialist Lisa Baldyga, they will join around hundreds of other students from across the country at the Academy Nov. 30–Dec. 2. They will attend leadership training sessions, engage in experiential learning and advocate for their communities and youth.
Students applied and wrote an essay about why they should be chosen, as well as submitted letters of recommendation. In 2021, NMC became the first college in the state of Michigan to offer a Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates program.
NMC students between ages 16–24 are eligible to match with student mentors in their field, get paid work experience or job shadowing opportunities and internships and other beneficial career opportunities Financial assistance with job equipment such as tools or work boots, uniforms, bus passes or gas cards for transportation to work is also available
Release date: November 28, 2023
For more information:
Cari Noga
Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (call or text)
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
Nov 27, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
Spring textbooks will be available on Dec. 1. Stop by the NMC Campus Bookstore or check them out online at bookstore.nmc.edu. Looking to use financial aid for your books? Spring financial aid will be available Dec. 11–Feb. 1.
Fall textbook rentals are due back by Tuesday, December 19.
Books that have been purchased can be sold back during December 11-15.
Nov 16, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
November 16, 2023
New state scholarship dollars could cut tuition in half or more for eight short-course NMC health care programs, all in high hiring demand and some offering signing bonuses at Munson Healthcare.
In January, skills/short term training programs including practical nurse, phlebotomy technician, pharmacy technician, eldercare certificate, medical assistant, hemodialysis technician, medical coding and billing and medical scribe will become eligible for funding from two existing scholarships, Michigan Achievement and Michigan Reconnect.
The Michigan Achievement Skills scholarship offers up to $2,000 per year for two years to 2023 high school graduates. The Michigan Reconnect short-term training program offers $1,500 to students 21 and over who don’t already have a college degree.
Gina Stein, Munson Healthcare manager of talent acquisitions operations, said the region’s largest employer welcomes the new scholarships.
“There’s a lot of competition for the current workforce,” she said. “Anything we can do to provide additional scholarships or tuition reimbursement would be key.” Tuition reimbursement is available for benefited roles at Munson, which start at 20 hours. The Reconnect funds could also help entice former healthcare workers who retired or left during Covid to return in new roles, she said.
Elizabeth Sonnabend, program manager for NMC Extended Education and Training, said enrollments in the programs could increase significantly. State funding has dwindled since 2020–21, when 72 students were enrolled, almost triple current numbers.
“I expect these numbers will go up for 2024 again, now that students can get the majority of the costs covered,” she said. Tuition for most of the eligible programs ranges between $1,800-$,3800.
The newly-eligible programs also align with NMC’s strategic goal of offering more courses and credentials in short formats as well as online, which both employers and students say they need. The medical coding and billing and medical scribe programs are completely online. Except for Practical Nursing and Eldercare, coursework for the other four programs is offered online, prior to an in-person externship. Most programs are self-paced and require 300–600 hours to complete. Tuition covers access for a year.
Also in 2024, eligible students ages 21-24 will begin receiving reimbursement for a portion of this fall’s tuition and fees. Last month, Michigan Reconnect temporarily expanded its age eligibility to 21 and up. Some 70 NMC students have already applied to take advantage of it. An additional 29 potential new students have applied. The 21- to 24-year-old cohort has until November 15, 2024, to apply for Reconnect before it reverts to its original 25 and older age requirement.
“The money is there, waiting to go to you to support students,” said Sarah Szurpicki of Office of Sixty by 30, urging students to apply. That office oversees Michigan Reconnect and Achievement, which both were created to help reach the goal of 60 percent of Michiganders earning a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2030. It now stands at 50.5 percent.
In fall 2023, NMC disbursed $1.7 million in aid programs administered by the State of Michigan and $1.9 million in federal Pell grants. With the expansion of Reconnect to ages 21–24 expansion, it seems likely that state aid could top Pell grants by the end of the year.
Nov 13, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
The Audio Tech Club is hosting a fundraiser to raise money for their upcoming road trip to recording studios throughout Michigan.
On November 20–21 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., chili, hot cocoa and baked goods will be available for purchase in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center. Proceeds benefit the Audio Tech student group’s upcoming trip.
Nov 11, 2023 | Student News
Students interested in transferring to earn a degree in the humanities, natural or social sciences at the University of Michigan can learn more on Monday, November 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center. Learn about Transfer Bridges to Michigan, the Go Blue Guarantee and connect with a university representative on campus.
Transfer Tuesday follows the next day on the November 14 in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come meet University Center Representatives from Davenport, Grand Valley State, Ferris State and Central Michigan University to learn about continuing educational opportunities after NMC in the Traverse City area.
Nov 9, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — The community is invited to join NMC students and Goodwill Northern Michigan on the 8th annual Walk for Health and Housing, a guided tour of downtown Traverse City from the perspective of people experiencing homelessness and the providers who serve them, departing from NMC’s Great Lakes campus parking lot at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15.
The walk is a part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, happening Nov. 11-19, and brings together students and community partners to raise awareness about the increasing affordability crisis in Northwest Michigan. Lasting about two hours, the guided walk through downtown Traverse City illuminates the problems of food insecurity and homelessness. Along the route, participants will stop to hear stories from service providers about their efforts to mitigate these problems in region.
The walk is an example of Experiential Learning at NMC. EL actively engages the learner through relevant and ongoing experiences, critical problem solving and reflective practices. Community partners include the organization National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Goodwill NM, Northern Michigan Supportive Housing, Jubilee House, Central United Methodist Breakfast program, Food Rescue of Northern Michigan, Traverse City Police Department, Safe Harbor, and the Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness.
NMC’s Great Lakes campus is located at 715 E. Front St., Traverse City.
Release date: November 10, 2023
For more information:
Brandon Everest
Faculty, Social Sciences Area
Director, Experiential Learning Institute
beverest@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1985
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
Nov 2, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
Do you have an idea or project that needs resources to reach its full potential? If so, the Office of Possibilities wants to hear from you! OOPS seeks to provide resources for education-related projects as well as projects related to community partnerships with NMC.
The first of two upcoming pitch events will be held on December 1, 2023 from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 104/105.
If you would like a spot on the pitch agenda, please set up a meeting with the OOPs team by emailing oops@nmc.edu or by stopping by either of these locations:
- Commonplace (NoBoMkt), 414 E. Eighth Street, Second Floor, Tuesdays, 9-11 a.m.
- Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 116, Thursdays, 8-11 a.m.
The next pitch event will be held on March 15, 2024.
Nov 2, 2023 | Student News
The Student Veterans of America NMC chapter is hosting weekly coffee hours for NMC veterans to have an opportunity to connect with one another and get a jumpstart to their day.
The meetups will be held on Wednesdays throughout the fall semester from 9–10 a.m. at the Veterans Lounge in the Osterlin Building.
Free coffee and baked goods will be provided.
Nov 1, 2023 | Intercom, President Updates, Student News
Dear NMC Students, Faculty and Staff:
I hope you are having a successful fall semester! As we welcome November, I hope you are looking forward to Thanksgiving as much as I am. To make sure we can all share in this important tradition I am asking for your help.
For the tenth annual year, Kristy McDonald’s Professional Communications class is partnering with the NMC Food Pantry and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan to donate to 125 families in the Traverse City community. Boxes–each of which feeding approximately six people–will be distributed at the NMC gym on November 20.
If you are enrolled at NMC as a student (part-time or full-time), you can apply to receive a full Thanksgiving meal for you and your family. The process will be confidential and convenient. The boxes also supplement for the days after the holiday itself, easing any uncertainty families might have.
Any monetary contributions that are collected in our month-long drive results in donors having the chance to win prizes like a weekend stay at the Delamar Hotel, an Elev8 family climbing package, a wine tasting for six at Chateau Chantal, and other prizes by donating $10 or more at nmc.edu/give. (Choose the amount, select “designate my gift to other,” and type in “Thanks For Giving.”) Donors can only enter the prize drawing once. Winners will be announced after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Community members also have the option to donate at a glow skate event hosted by our class on November 3 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the Howe Ice Arena in the Traverse City Civic Center. Admission will be $10 to enter and $5 to rent ice skates.
The final option to assist is to donate pop cans in their marked bins, found in NMC’s North Hall, East Hall, Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center and Parsons-Stulen Building. The bins will be collected twice a week from now until November 13. If any departments are interested in donating items, please contact Meredith Kilbourn at kilbou14@mail.nmc.edu.
Thank you for your help. Together we can ensure all Hawk Owls have a memorable Thanksgiving!
Nick
Nov 1, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
November 1, 2023
Esports correspondent Michael Stevens
By offering new credentials in Esports, NMC, Ferris State University and a handful of others now stand where giant, influential powerhouses like the NFL and NBA stood 70 to 100 years ago.
That’s what Michael Stevens (right), Esports correspondent and meteorologist for TV 9&10 thinks. With eight years of experience in the still-fledgling Esports field, he’s in a better position to know than almost anyone else in northern Michigan. And as NMC prepares to launch its Esports Management Certificate, which feeds into a business associate degree or a bachelor’s degree at Ferris, Stevens believes the enrollment will follow.
“We continue to see programs like NMC and Ferris run with it, making examples for colleges to follow,” said Stevens. “Michigan has a Mecca of great collegiate Esports programs.”
NMC started offering varsity Esports in 2021. That led to the creation of the certificate. Careers in Esports include coaching, event casting and streaming, event security, marketing, management, content creation and design, and more. None of those jobs existed even in 2008, when STevens graduated from college with a meteorology degree.
“Things have really changed,” said Stevens, 37, whose gaming handle is Flake of Wrath. “My job now is weather man and video games.”
Stevens forged that second career path due to his love of gaming, which dates to high school. He started streaming in 2015. He recruited four students who won a $4.5 million prize in the Fortnite world cup in 2019. At 9&10, he created a show, the OneUp XP Show.
“There was never a career path in video games, otherwise I would have probably pursued that,” said Stevens. “I made it my job.”
What NMC’s certificate will do is create that career path for students like he was. Professional playing opportunities will be reserved for elite players. But a wide range of careers will develop around them, just like it has around football, basketball, hockey, soccer and others.
“One thing that’s super special about esports is you’re getting the first generation of kids who are pros, and now they’re stepping out and doing the education,” Stevens said.
NMC is developing five new courses for the certificate. Those plus three existing classes in public speaking, management and digital imaging constitute the certificate.
“So many potential students or current students are gamers. This will be a different path for them, to take something they love doing and make it into a career.”
Nov 1, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
(more…)
Nov 1, 2023 | Intercom, Menu, Student News
Stop by the Hawk Owl Café on Wednesday, November 15 for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
Featured menu items include:
- Turkey or Tofurky
- Mashed potatoes and gravy
- Green bean casserole
- Fresh rolls with butter
- Pumpkin pie with whipped cream
- Lemonade
The complete meal is $9.00 and will be available during 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 pm.
