Jun 19, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
Students’ bathymetric research published, Aquahacking challenge launching
TRAVERSE CITY — As northern Michigan works to become the hub of the blue economy, Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute has earned two national firsts in water research and water entrepreneurism.
NMC’s two firsts contribute to the body of knowledge about freshwater in general and the Great Lakes specifically, which is the foundation of the blue economy. As a blue economy hub, Traverse City would become like a Silicon Valley for freshwater knowledge. That knowledge will lead to innovation, jobs and solutions for water challenges from contamination to climate change.
- Last week, a team of six NMC Marine Technology students became the first undergraduates to publish underwater, or bathymetric, survey data to an online database run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The data was collected from around the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula the week of May 15 as part of the students’ capstone course, taught by John Lutchko. Water depths, hazard locations and seafloor contours and elevations were among the data collected. Currently, only 15 percent of the Great Lakes have been mapped with high resolution technology. Only half of that amount is on the U.S. side of the lakes.
“The fact we know so little about it is a problem,” said Ed Bailey, director of NMC’s Marine Center and Project Management course instructor. “You cannot solve a lot of other problems around habitat, invasive species, and resilient communities without bathymetry. It’s all connected.”
“Huge congratulations on being the first multibeam dataset in the Great Lakes!”Jessica Nation, bathymetry data manager for NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information told the students via email.
- In September, NMC will be the first binational partner for an Aquahacking challenge. Created in 2015 by AquaAction, a Canadian nonprofit, Aquahacking is a tech innovation program focused on developing solutions to pressing freshwater issues, including growing demand, life-threatening contaminants and climate change. AquaAction’s programs have spawned 50 start-ups across Canada since it was founded in 2015, creating 100 water jobs.
Participants in the nine-month Great Lakes challenge must be 18-35. The top three solutions will receive prizes of at least $35,000, $15,000 and $10,000. The challenge’s semifinal, where Aquahacking competitors pitch their ideas to a panel of judges, will be held in Traverse City in March 2024.
“By hosting this challenge here and the innovation that goes along with it, the hope is they’ll want to stay and spin those businesses up in Traverse City,” Bailey said. “This becomes the pipeline for the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center. It’s bringing blue tech, high tech jobs to Traverse City.”
Evidence of the demand for the knowledge lies in the fact that all four graduating Marine Technology students on the team working with NOAA had multiple job offers before they graduated, Bailey said.
NMC offers the only bachelor’s degree in Marine Technology in the United States. In addition, NMC will begin offering a Water Quality & Environmental Technology (WET Tech) associate degree this fall. The first in the state, the WET Tech program will train the skilled workforce needed to respond to this growing demand for monitoring and cleanup of waters within the Great Lakes watershed. NMC also offers three other water-related programs:
- An associate degree in Freshwater Studies, the first in the nation when it was created in 2009.
- The Marine Center — professional development and training in marine systems, geospatial technologies and land surveying.
- Great Lakes Maritime Academy — Trains deck and engineering officers for the commercial shipping industry. Bachelor’s degree first granted in 2014; program founded in 1969.
Release date: June 19, 2023
For more information:
Hans Van Sumeren
Director, NMC Great Lakes Water Studies Institute
hvansumeren@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1793
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
Jun 19, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
The NMC Bookstore will be closed June 28-30 for annual inventory and will reopen on Monday, July 3. All web orders placed between June 28-30 will be processed on Monday, July 3.
Jun 12, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is proud to announce the 2023 recipients of the college’s Outstanding Alumni award.
Jerry Dobek (Mathematics & General Arts & Sciences 1998, faculty/staff 1989-present): As a student and as a faculty member, Dobek has played a pivotal role in the operations of NMC’s Rogers Observatory and his teaching at NMC extends into numerous school-based, community and national programs.
High-resolution image of
Jerry Dobek
He has written over 50 dark sky ordinances for Michigan cities, is a founding member of the International Dark Sky Association and regularly consults on exterior lighting projects. He’s been recognized with a distinguished service award from NASA for their Ambassadors program, and has received NMC’s Imogene Wise Faculty award both as an adjunct and full-time faculty member. As one nominator wrote, “Dr. Jerry Dobek’s exemplary leadership…aligns with NMC’s values, at the core of his volunteering and public outreach is to bring the community together. Jerry Dobek put ‘community’ into community college. His life’s work revolves around student success. His heart for teaching extends into his life where everyday has become a classroom for learning opportunities.”
High-resolution image of
Tiffany McQueer
Tiffany Smith McQueer (General Studies 2012, Practical Nursing 2013): McQueer and her husband Jason McQueer have owned J&S Hamburg South in Traverse City since 2014. With the onset of COVID-19, Tiffany McQueer saw a need to support families beyond the pick-up meals provided to students through schools during the week.
What began as one cooler outside their restaurant stocked with a handful of meals has turned into a full-fledged nonprofit organization, with three locations providing food, as well as drives for holiday gifts, winter wear, and back-to-school support. Project Feed the Kids has distributed over 225,000 meals over the past three years.
One nominator explained, “Tiffany is the best example of a local person who saw an urgent need…she mobilized her family, using her own time and business as a base of operation to Feed the Kids and provide many with a normal Christmas and other celebrations. Why? Because she’s been hungry before–and her empathy for others in need is a perfect reason for nominating her as an NMC Outstanding Alumni.”
Since 1988, Northwestern Michigan College’s Outstanding Alumni award has recognized graduates and past students for professional achievement and/or exemplary leadership in the local or global community. Nominees for this award should have demonstrated accomplishments that also reflect the NMC values of dedication to life-long learning, innovation and integrity, and respect for and collaboration with others. Recognition is not solely contingent on having received a degree or certificate from NMC, but on the achievements of the nominee and positive perspective as to the role that NMC played in their lives. Visit nmc.edu/alumni for more information and a nomination form.
Release date: JUNE 13, 2023
For more information:
Carly McCall
Director of Alumni Engagement
alumni@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1834
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
Jun 12, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
Saturday’s pow wow will be held south of the Osterlin
Building, where the 2022 Indigenous Peoples Day
was held. Download high-resolution image here. TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s Native American Student Organization will hold its 2023 pow wow honoring Native American graduates from 1–5 p.m. Saturday, June 17 on main campus. Grand Entry is at 2:30 p.m.
The pow wow will be held under the pines south of the Osterlin Building on main campus, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City. Admission and parking are free. The event will include food and other vendors in addition to traditional dancing. All tribal vendors from any tribe are welcome. Honorariums are available to the first 50 dancers.
Release date: June 12, 2023
For more information:
Sally Smarsty
Student Success Coordinator
ssmarsty@nmc.edu
Non-deadline inquiries: (231) 995-3021
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
Jun 8, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — More than 250 young anglers and their families are expected at the annual Kids Free Fishing Day, set from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday, June 17 at Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Campus.
Kids accompanied by an adult are invited to join in the free fishing fun. Under the supervision of the Department of Natural Resources, 750 rainbow trout 10 inches or longer will be stocked in the campus harbor for the event. Fishing rods, reels and bait are all provided. Children may also bring their own fishing gear. Experienced volunteers will help with baiting hooks and fishing instruction, and clean the fish.
The Great Lakes Children’s Museum will host a free fish painting activity for kids waiting to fish. There will also be a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter flyover, contingent on availability. Parking is available at NMC’s Great Lakes Campus, located just east of the Delamar Hotel on U.S. 31.
Free Fishing Day is sponsored by Traverse City Rotary Clubs, Rotary Camps & Services, NMC, Friends of the Boardman, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, and the Northwest Michigan Fishing Club.
Release date: June 8, 2023
For more information:
Chris DeGood (Rotary)
cdegood@bria2.com
(231) 420-5601 (mobile)
(231) 933-8400 (office)
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
Jun 2, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
Café Lobdell’s will reopen this summer from on June 13 for dine-in and carryout service. Enjoy handcrafted coffee and tea drinks, sweet and savory baked goods, and cafe-style to-go lunch items. Café Lobdell’s, which functions as the capstone course in GLCI’s one-year baking certificate program, is open from 7:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through July 20.
Dine in and enjoy the West Bay view from the second level of NMC’s Great Lakes campus or carryout.
No reservations necessary. Closed July 4
Jun 2, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
(more…)
May 22, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY— Northwestern Michigan College congratulates the 927 students who made the spring semester Dean’s List, 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.
Release date: May 22, 2023
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
Media on deadline, call or text (231) 392-6082
Non-deadline inquiries: (231) 995-1020
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
May 19, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY— Northwestern Michigan College will host a carnival, a story hour and offer free admission to the Dennos Museum Center on Saturday, June 3 as part of Up North Pride’s Pride Month events.
- Rainbow Story Time, Dennos Museum Center, 10–11:30 a.m.: Rainbow Story Time will feature Mindful + Musical with Miriam Pico, a book read aloud with Wild + Wonder, Brilliant Books and a thoughtful collection of diverse and inclusive children’s books, and a little craft project with artist Jenn Oltersdorf.
- Dennos Free Day, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.: After story time, stay to enjoy free admission to the museum.
- Pride Carnival, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.: The Cirque de TC Bays will feature food vendors, engaging activities from local non-profit organizations, and free family-friendly carnival-style attractions. Located in the Chestnut lot off College Drive on main campus and on the campus green between the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center and East Hall.
Release date: May 19, 2023
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
Media on deadline, call or text (231) 392-6082
Non-deadline inquiries: (231) 995-1020
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
May 17, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Forty-eight cadets from Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy plus a chef intern from the Great Lakes Culinary Institute will depart aboard the T/S State of Michigan on the first of three training cruises this Saturday, May 20. The ship is expected to depart the Great Lakes campus harbor at 6 p.m.
The training ship will be at sea through Oct. 27, providing an opportunity for about 110 cadets to earn required sea time. Cadets must earn 360 days of required sea time during their four-year program. GLMA and GLCI have also collaborated for several years to offer internships to NMC culinary students during the sailing season. GLCI students who have completed an underway internship are in high demand by the shipping industry. A Culinary Maritime certificate that will expand opportunities for students in this specialty area will be offered in Fall 2023.
As one of only six state maritime academies, Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy educates and trains deck and engineering officers for the U.S. Merchant Marine. Graduates earn a bachelor’s degree, and an unlimited tonnage/horsepower merchant marine license. Read more about the Academy and see the cruise itinerary at nmc.edu/maritime.
Release date: May 17, 2023
For more information:
RADM Jerry Achenbach
Great Lakes Maritime Academy Superintendent
(231) 995-1203
gachenbach@nmc.edu
Editors: For departure time updates on Saturday, contact Chuck Miller at (702) 281-1063.
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
May 11, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College has recognized the following employees for excellence in the 2022–23 academic year:
Mike Skarupinski, President Nick Nissley, Les Eckert and Jim Morse (high resolution image) Great Lakes Culinary Institute, Team Excellence Award
Led by director Les Eckert, the team includes Patty Cron-Huhta, Mike Skarupinski, Jim Morse and Dean Haselton. Together they restructured the culinary program’s operating plan and developed a new model focused on long-term sustainability. Key components of the plan included shorter, 8-week sessions, which are more appealing to students; improving their financial performance by more than $200,000; creating new revenue-producing events that usually sold out in hours; and working with the Great Lakes Maritime Academy to create a new credential. The Culinary-Maritime certificate will train students to work as cooks on ships, a high-demand specialty field, beginning this fall.
Gail Kurowski ( high resolution image) Gail Kurowski, Staff Excellence Award
Director of the Police Academy since 2019 and a 1983 alumna, Kurowski led the program’s switch from a single, nine-month academy per year to two 16-week academies per year. Due to her efforts, the Academy will be able to double the number of students it serves starting this year. Had she not made these changes, it’s likely the Academy would have withered away due to competition from shorter options at other colleges. She also obtained new equipment for the program, including cars, firearms and a realistic simulation training program, the only one in Michigan.
Sarah Montgomery-Richards ( high resolution image) Sarah Montgomery-Richards, Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award
Chosen by a student selection committee, award criteria includes teaching excellence, rapport with students, innovation in the classroom and a sense of dedication. Student nominators said of Montgomery-Richards, a philosophy instructor, “In a class of 30 students, she makes it feel 1 on 1.” “Sarah is just so clearly passionate about teaching the subject matter that you can’t help feeling that same passion for that as well.”
The award was created in 1999 as a companion to the Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award.
Nick Roster ( high resolution image) Nick Roster, Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award
Chosen by a student selection committee, award criteria includes teaching excellence, rapport with students, innovation in the classroom and a sense of dedication. Student nominators said of Roster, a biology instructor, “His exams are innovative and involve applying our knowledge to real case studies and real- world situations rather than just regurgitating facts.” “He always ensures that his students fully understand the content they are studying. He adds his own personal podcasts on Moodle to help explain content even further.”
Initiated by a contribution from longtime NMC benefactors Harold and Imogene Wise in 1970, the award was first made to a full-time faculty member in 1971.
See a full list of all past faculty and adjunct faculty excellence winners at nmc.edu/cie.
Release date: May 11, 2023
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
Media on deadline, call or text (231) 392-6082
Non-deadline inquiries: (231) 995-1020
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
May 9, 2023 | Student News
The NMC Food Pantry has transitioned to a new format. Effective immediately, the NMC Food Pantry will be all self-service. You will be able to shop for the items you need based on the maximums listed on the shelves. Those maximums help us spread our food orders to more NMC families.
To shop, just visit the Hungry Owl space in the Osterlin Building next to Advising, scan the QR code to log your visit and answer a couple of quick questions, and fill a bag!
Summer hours for the Osterlin Building are:
Monday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed on Saturday and Sunday
If you would like a Goodwill store certificate, those are still available at the Testing Center desk from a proctor. Please continue to limit your food pantry visits to once per week.
May 2, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Commencement ceremonies for Northwestern Michigan College’s Class of 2023 will be held Saturday, May 6 in Milliken Auditorium on main campus. Three ceremonies will be held, with graduates grouped by degree or credential earned.
- 11 a.m. : Non-health Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees, Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE) degrees, and certificates
- 1 p.m.: Associate of Science and Arts (ASA) and Associate of General Studies degrees
- 2:30 p.m.: Health Occupations (nursing and dental assistant degrees), Aviation, Marine Technology and Maritime
Each ceremony will feature faculty and student speakers. Ceremonies will be streamed live starting at 2 p.m. at nmc.edu/video and NMC’s YouTube channel.
About 200 graduates are expected to participate in the three ceremonies. More than 600 degrees and certificates will be awarded this spring, including the Associate in Nursing, Associate in Science and Arts, Associate in Applied Science, Associate in General Studies and Certificate of Practical Nursing. Bachelor of Science degrees in Maritime Technology and Marine Technology will also be awarded. In addition to the main ceremonies, specific events are also held for Maritime, Nursing and Police Academy graduates.
NMC will also hold its annual Honors Convocation at 5:30 p.m. May 5 at the Dennos Museum Center. The event honors winners of the annual Academic Area scholarships, honors scholarships and Adult Student of the Year.
Release date: May 2, 2023
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 392-6082 (mobile – text preferred)
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
May 2, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
Celebrate and learn more with community members during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month. These events are FREE and open to the community.
Smithsonian Conversations in Context
May 9, 2023, 6 p.m., Traverse Area District Library
Join us for a screening of Conversations in Context, hosted by MTV News correspondent Yoonj Kim and produced by the Smithsonian Channel. The brief films cover a number of topics, ranging from Asian American stereotypes in Hollywood to student protests for socioeconomic change.
Before the film, enjoy some light refreshments provided by a local AAPI restaurant, and afterwards for a post-screening panel discussion with AAPI community members.
Please register in advance. Limit of 80 people. If you would like to join online for the panel discussion only, please register for Zoom on TADL’s website. Zoom attendees can watch the Smithsonian shorts on their own via The Smithsonian’s YouTube channel.
BAD AXE screening
May 15, 6 p.m., Dennos Museum Center
Winner of the 2022 Critics’ Choice Documentary Award for Best First Doc Feature & the TCFF Audience Award for Best Feature Film, Bad Axe captures a closely-knit Asian American family living in rural Michigan during the pandemic as they fight to keep their local restaurant and American dream alive. With rising racial tensions, the family uses their voice and must unite as they reckon with backlash from a divided community, white supremacists and intergenerational trauma from Cambodia’s “killing fields.”
Before the film, enjoy some light refreshments provided by a local AAPI restaurant in the Dennos Sculpture Court. Then, join us in Milliken Auditorium for brief remarks with the film to follow. Please register in advance. Limit of 250 people.
Generous support for this project provided by Northwestern Michigan College, Northern Michigan E3, the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation and Oryana. Additional program partners include the Traverse Area District Library, Dennos Museum Center, and the Traverse City Human Rights Commission.
Apr 28, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
(more…)
Apr 26, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Certificates in computer support and cybersecurity specialization and Esports management will debut at NMC in January, offering students several additional paths to employment.
NMC’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the computer support specialist and cybersecurity specialist certificates Monday. At one semester and one year to complete, respectively, both align with NMC’s strategic goal of offering future-focused education — more classes in shorter formats.
‘We’re giving students the opportunity to have quicker completion,” said Vice President for Educational Services Stephen Siciliano.
Employers also seek a faster path to credentials.The computer support specialist certificate will reduce the time to earn a credential from nearly two years to one semester. Students would potentially also receive six IT industry-recognized certifications that employers value. These certifications were recently approved by the State of Michigan as a measurement for student completion.
Both certificates will help students find employment in Michigan’s strong IT industry — multiple IT careers are among Michigan’s hot 50 jobs with the best prospects through 2030.
The Esports certificate builds upon NMC’s success with varsity Esports teams, and puts NMC at the forefront of Esports’ development into an academic discipline. The certificate is designed to feed into the current business administration associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree in Esports production that Ferris State University launched last fall. Lake Michigan College starts an associate degree program this year.
“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,” said Terri Gustafson, NMC’s Esports director. NMC entered varsity Esports competition last year with two teams, and expanded to five this year. Nineteen students played varsity this semester, each earning a $500 scholarship per semester.
Both CIT certificates use existing curriculum, meaning NMC incurs no additional costs. The cybersecurity certificate creates another area of specialization for students, and allows them to begin working in the field after a year. Students could also choose to stack the certificates toward associate degrees.
The Esports certificate utilizes existing courses in business, communications and visual communications. Five new experiential Esports courses are now in development. Job opportunities in Esports exist in marketing, accounting and graphic design, Gustafson said.
Release date: APRIL 26, 2023
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
Call or text (231) 392-1800
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
Apr 26, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
April 26, 2023
Certificates in computer support and cybersecurity specialization and Esports management will debut at NMC next year, offering students several additional paths to employment.
On Monday, NMC’s Board of Trustees approved the computer support specialist and cybersecurity specialist certificates. At one semester and one year to complete, respectively, both align with NMC’s strategic goal of offering future-focused education — more classes in shorter formats.
‘We’re giving students the opportunity to have quicker completion,” said Vice President for Educational Services Stephen Siciliano. Employers also seek a faster path to credentials.The computer support specialist certificate will reduce the time to earn a credential from nearly two years to one semester.
Both certificates will help students find employment in Michigan’s strong IT industry — multiple IT careers are among Michigan’s hot 50 jobs with the best prospects through 2030.
The Esports certificate builds upon NMC’s success with varsity Esports teams, and puts NMC at the forefront of Esports as an academic discipline. The certificate is designed to feed into a bachelor’s degree in Esports production that Ferris State University launched last fall. Lake Michigan College starts an associate degree program this year.
“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,” said Terri Gustafson, NMC’s Esports director. NMC entered varsity Esports competition last year with two teams, and expanded to five this year. Nineteen students played varsity this semester, each earning a $500 scholarship per semester.
Students would potentially also receive six IT industry recognized certifications that employers value. These certifications were recently approved by the State of Michigan as a measurement for student completion.
The cybersecurity certificate creates another area of specialization for students, and allows them to begin working in the field after a year. Students could also choose to stack the certificates toward associate degrees.
“The demand for this is not going down. There’s a lot of potential for students,” Trustee Rachel Johnson said of cybersecurity, calling it one of the most expensive risks employers must manage.
Both CIT certificates use existing curriculum, meaning NMC incurs no additional costs. Gustafson said five new Esports courses are now in development and she expects the certificate to be offered in January 2024, at the same time as the CIT certificates. Job opportunities in Esports exist in marketing, accounting and graphic design, Gustafson said.
Apr 21, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
Damon Livingston, the NMC varsity Esports Madden 23 player, will be competing in the NJCAA-E Championship match against Hutchinson Community College on Saturday, April 22 at 6 p.m. in the NMC Esports lab.
Damon finished the league regular season undefeated and has won his quarterfinal and semi-final matches 3-0. His opponent in the championship also ended the regular season and first two rounds of the playoffs undefeated, setting up a competition between the #1 and #2 seeds in the playoffs. This is the first league championship game for the NMC Esports program.
