Success story: Early adoption leads to embrace of technology advances

Apr 12, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

April 12, 2023

Back in 1998, philosophy instructor Michael Emerson was asked to join a small pilot group of NMC instructors trying something new: teaching online. A quarter-century later, Emerson now teaches all his classes online, nearly every NMC class has an online component, and the college’s strategic plan prioritizes more online offerings as well as greater student success in them.

That pilot project was an early adoption of the technology that would change the world, and NMC has maintained its position at the forefront of educational technology.

“We made this decision and committed ourselves long before other institutions did it,” Emerson said. “Now people are getting their masters and doctorates totally online.”

He and the other NMC instructors embraced the challenge of trying something new. At the time, online classes meant totally asynchronous instruction conducted essentially by email. Lacking today’s video capabilities, instructor and student were invisible to each other.

“I was initially kind of skeptical. The standard model was to be in the classroom,” said Emerson. The pilot group used what he called a “primitive” Learning Management System, or LMS.

Through the 2000s, 2010s and through COVID-19, which made online education almost an expectation, NMC continued to stay on the leading edge of educational technology, Emerson said. The college has used multiple LMS systems. Moodle, the current provider, is the tool that is found in almost every class.

NMC now boasts an Educational Technologies department of eight. Courses are offered in four different formats: lecture, online, hybrid and livestream. Accelerated and short courses offer more convenience to students. NMC’s strategic plan calls for increasing the proportion of online courses to 35% in fall and spring semester. Online enrollment is highest in summer semester, and will surpass 50 percent this summer.

Emerson sees many advantages of online education. Besides the flexibility and convenience it offers, students are more comfortable discussing the sensitive topics than can arise in his philosophy classes, he said. Participation can be leveled across the class, instead of being dominated by one or two people.

“The discussions have almost always been very very civil in the classroom, because there’s a sense of permanence,” he said. “All of us are more accountable in that regard, in terms of what we say.”

He estimates teaching online saves thousands of pounds of paper, and, as COVID demonstrated, keeps him and his students healthier.

NMC’s strategic plan also calls for improving already high rates of online class success through new teaching strategies. For online courses, the goal is 90 percent success/completion, up from 87 percent. The hybrid course goal is 95 percent, up from 92.

Not bad for what started as a pilot project.

“NMC was really at the very forefront of that, well before many traditional four-year schools,” said Emerson.

Second annual Experiential Learning Institute Learning Symposium May 1–4

Apr 12, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — The second annual Northwestern Michigan College Experiential Learning Institute Learning Symposium will celebrate learning from May 1–4 at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center (TJNIC) on NMC’s main campus.

This symposium is a celebration of learning, with a variety of engaging activities and events for attendees to participate in. Throughout the event, attendees can browse poster displays and artifacts showcasing the innovative and high-impact projects that students have been working on across all academic areas at NMC. The schedule also includes:

Monday, May 1:

• Noon: Jim Bensley’s Study Abroad student panel (TJNIC Rooms 104/105)
• 1 p.m.: Brady Corcoran and Audio Technology reflections (TJNIC Rooms 104/105)

Tuesday, May 2:

• 11 a.m.–1 p.m.: Reflective Table Talks, where attendees can stop by tables and have small group discussions with students and staff around subjects including manufacturing projects, cyber safety, Jobs for Michigan Graduates, Student Success Ambassador events, audio technology events, Home Builders Association series, and more (TJNIC Hallways)
• 1 p.m.: Caroline Schaefer-Hill’s Visual Communications reflections on Visiting the Van Gogh exhibit and How it Impacted their Projects (TJNIC Rooms 106/107)

Wednesday, May 3:

• 11 a.m.: Tony Sauerbrey’s Uncrewed Aerial System demo and presentation (TJNIC Rooms 106/107 and outside)
• 1 p.m.: Brandon Everest’s SOC 201 Modern Social Problems final presentations (TJNIC Rooms 104/105)
• 3 p.m.: Kristy McDonald’s BUS 231 Big Little Hero Race reflection (TJNIC Rooms 106/107)

Thursday, May 4:

• 10 a.m.: Rick Mathis’ Welding student presentations (TJNIC Room 103)
• May 4, 1 p.m.: Kamsang Riddelll and the NMC Motorsports Club “Gearheads” presentation (TJNIC Rooms 106/107)

For a complete schedule of events, visit nmc.edu/experiential-learning/learning-symposium.html. These events are open to everyone. Anyone who is interested in experiential learning or high-impact learning is encouraged to attend.

Release date: April 12, 2023

For more information:

Tracy Welch
Experiential Learning Institute Office Manager
elinstitute@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1170

Future Generation Celebration set for post-Big Little Hero Race

Apr 10, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Students enrolled in Northwestern Michigan College’s (NMC) Professional Communications class and Audio Tech students invite the community to the first-ever Future Generation Celebration immediately following the eighth annual Big Little Hero Race on Saturday, April 22, underneath the big white tent behind North Hall on NMC’s main campus. The free music festival begins at noon and runs until 7 p.m. Food options, games, and activities are also available. This event is family friendly.

Music lineup for the festival is:

• Noon: The Bourdains
• 1 p.m.: Eliza Thorp
• 2 p.m.: Funky Uncle
• 3 p.m.: Ted Alan and the Under-Privileged
• 4 p.m.: The Marsupials
• 5 p.m.: East Bay Drive with SkyeLea and Ryan Critchfield
• 6 p.m.: Dixon’s Violin

Registration for the Big Little Hero Race is still going on at biglittleherorace.com. The race is an experiential learning project to raise funds towards NMC College for Kids scholarships for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan. Last year’s event raised $5,000 for scholarships. Participants are encouraged to come in their favorite superhero costumes. Complete race details are at biglittleherorace.com.

Release date: April 10, 2023

For more information:

Kristy McDonald
NMC Business Instructor (Big Little Hero Race)
(231) 735-1055
kmcdonald@nmc.edu

David Chown
Audio Tech Instructor (Future Generation Celebration)
(231) 883-6756
dchown@nmc.edu

Brady Corcoran
Audio Technology Coordinator (Future Generation Celebration)
(310) 909-3924
bcorcoran@nmc.edu

Alex Grassa
Social Media Specialist
(231) 883-8055
nmc4bbbs@gmail.com

GLMA hosts ‘open ship’ aboard State of Michigan

Apr 5, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — The community is invited to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy’s “open ship” showcasing the training ship State of Michigan from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 22. The day will include:

• Self guided tours of the T/S State of Michigan
• Interaction with current maritime cadets
• An opportunity to learn more about the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, maritime careers, how to become a chef on a ship and U.S. Navy commissioning options

Tours will begin at the pier security gate entrance on the north side of NMC’s Great Lakes campus, 715 E. Front St. Low-heel, closed-toe, soft-soled shoes are highly recommended. The event will occur rain or shine.

Release date: April 5, 2023

For more information:

Great Lakes Maritime Academy
maritime@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1200

NMC hosts free state program to help all new college students prepare for fall semester

Apr 4, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Registration is now open for College Edge, a new, free program NMC is hosting this summer to help any new college student prepare for their fall semester.

College Edge is a five-week program to help prepare students in the core subjects of math and English before they start college at any school this fall. They’ll also learn tips and tools like time management and studying smarter that will help right away. For completing the program, students will earn a $1,000 scholarship toward NMC’s fall semester tuition.

Students can register at nmc.edu/edge for one of two sessions: June 5–July 7 or July 10–Aug. 11. Held on NMC’s main campus, each session runs Monday–Thursday from 8 a.m.–noon. Breakfast, a laptop and gas cards are all available as well.

College Edge hosted by NMC is just the latest investment the state is making in its student-age population. State scholarships available now include Michigan Achievement for the high school class of 2023, and Michigan Reconnect for adults over 25 who don’t already have a degree. Achievement offers $2,750, or half the cost of NMC’s full-time, in-district tuition, while Reconnect makes tuition free to in-district students (Grand Traverse County residents).

Release date: April 4, 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

Spring Cleaning Sale at the Bookstore April 17–18

Apr 2, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

It’s spring cleaning at the NMC Bookstore!

Take half off all red tag clearance items Monday, April 17 & Tuesday, April 18. In store only.

Gene Jenneman, Brad, D.J. and Marty Oleson named NMC Fellows

Mar 27, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

Gene Jenneman
( Download a high-resolution photo) Brad Oleson
( Download a high-resolution photo) D.J. Oleson
( Download a high-resolution photo) Marty Oleson
( Download a high-resolution photo) TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s highest honor, the NMC Fellow award, has been bestowed for 2023 on Gene Jenneman and Brad, D.J. and Marty Oleson, all of Traverse City.

Jenneman was the first director of NMC’s Dennos Museum Center. The Olesons — siblings Brad and D.J. and cousin Marty — are the third generation of the family whose financial and volunteer support for NMC spans all eight decades of its existence.

Appointed as Dennos director before the museum even opened in 1991, Jenneman led the museum until his retirement in 2019. His mission was to bring the world to Traverse City via the art exhibited in the galleries and performed in Milliken Auditorium. His culminating achievement was a 15,000 square foot expansion completed in 2017, which nearly doubled the museum’s exhibition space. The new galleries showcase pieces from the permanent collection that Jenneman acquired over 30 years, as well as the Dennos’ signature Inuit art collection. One of the permanent collection galleries bears his name.

The Oleson trio carried on the NMC Barbecue tradition started in 1956 by their grandparents, Jerry and Frances Oleson, until it concluded in 2020 after raising nearly $2 million for college projects. Marty Oleson is a member of the NMC Foundation Board, appointed in 2010. She served on the annual campaign and alumni committees, as well as the Innovation Grants Committee, now known as the Office of Possibilities Committee. Brad Oleson was the Oleson family representative on the Barbecue Board for decades. He helped engineer many improvements through the years and was a tremendous stabilizing force. He was typically the first to arrive and the last to leave every Barbecue Day.

D.J. sits at the helm of Oleson’s Corporation and was recently chair of the Michigan Grocer’s Association. His internal leadership with the business helps make it possible for the Oleson legacy to live on as he cheers his sibling Brad and cousin Marty in their community-facing roles.

The Fellow is Northwestern Michigan College’s highest honor, awarded annually since 1964. Fellows may be nominated because they have demonstrated influential networking on behalf of the College, have demonstrated a pattern of outstanding financial or personal time contributions to NMC, or as a retiree of the College continue to contribute back to their academic or professional fields as volunteers, mentors or advisors. Exceptional contributions in one or more of these areas may justify nomination.

See a list of past recipients here.

Release date: March 31, 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

InfoSec: Using public Wi-Fi

Mar 24, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

Be wary of using a public Wi-Fi. If you access one, it is best to use a VPN like Nord, Proton or other secure VPN!

Fraudsters will often set up a Wi-Fi hotspot of their own and disguise it as genuine public Wi-Fi. 

New books at the NMC Library

Mar 24, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

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

(more…)

Success story: Dental assistant program looks to the U.P. for students

Mar 22, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

March 22, 2023

To address another workforce sector where employer demand exceeds labor supply, NMC has formally partnered with Bay Mills Community College in the U.P., seeking to admit more dental assistant students.

Last month, NMC and Bay Mills, a tribally-controlled community college in Brimley, signed an articulation agreement that will allow Bay Mills students to transfer to NMC’s dental assistant program after their first year. NMC’s yearlong dental assistant curriculum allows them to sit for the state exam to become a registered dental assistant (RDA). NMC Dental Assistant Director Beckie Wooters will make a recruiting visit to Bay Mills on April 17.

Ability to earn RDA licensure is a key advantage of NMC’s program. NMC has an outstanding exam pass rate, exceeding the state of Michigan’s average in both the clinical and written portion of the exams. Since 2019, at least 96 percent of NMC graduates have passed the clinical portion.

“With a registered dental assistant, a dentist can see about 60 percent more patients. They can do more clinical procedures under the dentist’s supervision,” said Dr. Jessica Rickert, a now-retired Traverse City area dentist who hired NMC graduates in her practice.

Rickert is also the first female Native American dentist in the United States, and remains the only one in Michigan. She now consults with insurer Delta Dental of Michigan and leads Anishinaabe Dental Outreach, whose goal is to improve dental health in Native communities. She saw an opportunity to connect NMC and Bay Mills to better serve the Upper Peninsula, where the shortage of dental professionals is especially acute.

“The scarcity of timely dental care is causing serious hardship,” Rickert said of the U.P. “They have a wonderful program at NMC. Dental assisting is such a great career, and it’s really fulfilling and it’s necessary. Let’s make this happen.”

Wooters said the agreement is another way to boost enrollment. NMC’s dental assistant program currently has 13 students, and can accommodate 24. Need is great in the lower peninsula as well, she said.

“We’re not filling the needs for all of the jobs,” said Wooters.

NMC recently invested $52,000 in new equipment for the dental assistant program. It has six fully-functioning patient rooms and some of the latest technology, including an intraoral scanner.

In addition to dental assistants, NMC has been working to increase the ranks of professionals in multiple fields. In just the past nine months the college has introduced several programs in response to employer demand and labor shortages:

• Nurses – A fast-track bachelor’s degree in partnership with Davenport University will allow students to complete the program more quickly and less expensively.
• Cooks on ships – A culinary-maritime certificate will prepare students for this well-paid, niche occupation.
• Police officers – A shortened Police Academy as well as participation in the Michigan Public Safety Academy Assistance Program, in which police agencies pay for tuition.
• Water Quality Environmental Technology – Michigan’s first associate degree aimed at the workforce that will monitor and clean up waters within the Great Lakes watershed.
• Drone pilots – A standalone degree in Uncrewed Aerial Systems will debut this fall.
• Surveyors – A donor-funded recruiter is seeking to boost enrollment in order to meet employer needs.

Celebrating Women’s History Month at the NMC library

Mar 17, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

Notice the Libby tag next to a title? This means the book is available as an eBook and can be found on the Libby app. All audiobooks can be accessed through Libby. Haven’t set up your Libby account yet? Follow these easy instructions!

books available to request from MeLCat!       

(more…)

Feeding America mobile food pantry

Mar 10, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

The NMC Food Pantry is partnering with Feeding America to host a mobile food pantry once a month this semester. Upcoming dates include Tuesday, March 21 and Tuesday, April 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Maple Lot on NMC’s Main Campus. Mobile pantries are like farmers’ markets on wheels—delivering a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products and baked goods. Anyone who needs access to healthy food is welcome to stop by. Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis in a drive-thru format.

Agreement with Bay Mills aims to increase ranks of dental assistants in northern Michigan

Mar 9, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College has formally partnered with Bay Mills Community College in an effort to increase the number of dental assistants serving northern Michigan, and Native American patients in particular.

In February, NMC and Bay Mills, a tribally-controlled Upper Peninsula community college in Brimley, Mich., signed an articulation agreement that will allow Bay Mills’ students to transfer to NMC’s dental assistant program after their first year. NMC’s yearlong dental assistant curriculum allows them to sit for the state exam to become a registered dental assistant (RDA). NMC Dental Assistant Director Beckie Wooters will make a recruiting visit to Bay Mills on April 17.

Ability to earn RDA licensure is a key advantage of NMC’s program, the furthest north among six accredited dental assistant programs in Michigan. NMC has an outstanding pass rate history, exceeding the state of Michigan’s average in both the clinical and written portion of the exams. Since 2019, at least 96 percent of NMC graduates have passed the clinical portion.

“With a registered dental assistant, a dentist can see about 60 percent more patients. They can do more clinical procedures under the dentist’s supervision,” said Dr. Jessica Rickert, a now-retired Traverse City area dentist who hired NMC graduates in her practice.

Rickert is also the first female Native American dentist in the United States, and remains the only one in Michigan. She now consults with insurer Delta Dental of Michigan and leads Anishinaabe Dental Outreach,whose goal is to improve dental health in Native communities. She saw an opportunity to connect NMC and Bay Mills to better serve the Upper Peninsula, where the shortage of dental professionals is especially acute.

“The scarcity of timely dental care is causing serious hardship,” Rickert said of the U.P. “They have a wonderful program at NMC. Dental assisting is such a great career, and it’s really fulfilling and it’s necessary. Let’s make this happen.”

“Our communities need more dental professionals of any kind. This seems like a really good fit,” agreed Diana McKenzie, dean of science and allied health at Bay Mills, which enrolls about 600 students. About 62 percent are Native American. Among more than 315,000 dental assistants nationwide, Rickert said only 0.7% are American Indian or Alaska Native.

Natalia Chugunov, chair of the Bay Mills science department, said she hopes the partnership can benefit tribal health centers, too.

“We try to help both the community, our college and our students,” she said.

Wooters said the agreement is another way to boost enrollment. NMC’s dental assistant program currently has 13 students, and can accommodate 24. Need is great in the lower peninsula as well, she said.

“We’re not filling the needs for all of the jobs,” said Wooters.

NMC recently invested $52,000 in new equipment for the dental assistant program. It has six fully-functioning patient rooms and some of the latest technology, including an intraoral scanner.

“After earning their associate degree and passing the RDA exam, a dental assistant can expect to begin their career making between $18 and $25 per hour,” Wooters said. A typical work week is only four days, offering flexibility. Job settings include general practice dental offices, pediatric offices, oral surgery and other specialty offices, dental labs and more.

The program has been designed with student convenience in mind. Bay Mills’ students can take their first year of general education requirements entirely online. The second year of in-person dental assistant classes is scheduled in a Tuesday-Thursday block, allowing students to spend most of their week back home in the U.P., if necessary. On-campus housing is also available at NMC.

Rickert said the Michigan Dental Association, the American Dental Association and other sources offer scholarships to students of color.

Release date: MARCH 9, 2023

For more information:

Northwestern Michigan College
Beckie Wooters
(231) 995-1240
bwooters@nmc.edu

Bay Mills Community College
Natalia Chugunov, M.D.
Science Department Chair and Faculty
(906) 248- 8425
nchugunov@bmcc.edu

Success story: Confidence for fall

Mar 8, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

March 8, 2023

With significant state scholarships and even free tuition for more students than ever before, college has never been a better deal, and Michigan just sweetened it even more for students planning to start this fall.

Debuting this summer, College Edge hosted by NMC is the latest investment the state is making in its student-age population. It’s a free, five-week program to help prepare students starting college at any school this fall in the core subjects of math and English. They’ll also learn tips and tools like time management and studying smarter that will help right away. For completing the program, they’ll earn a $1,000 scholarship toward fall semester tuition.

Edge joins the scholarship programs Michigan Reconnect for adults 25 and older, and Michigan Achievement for the class of 2023, in accelerating the state toward its goal of 60 percent of adults having a skills certificate or degree by 2030. Edge, however, aims to give students a head start even before they officially enroll. It’s partially a response to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, which shuttered schools three years ago this month, and continues to ripple through student lives.

“It’s intended to address learning loss related to Covid disruptions,” said Jenny Shanker of the Michigan Center for Student Success. “This is a recruitment tool for colleges to #1 help students build their skills to be more successful in their first semester of college.”

The high school class of 2023 will graduate with the pandemic affecting all four years of their secondary education. Studies have shown learning loss and student achievement declines since the pandemic began in March 2020. More broadly, college attendance statewide has dropped 10 percent in just five years, from 62.5 percent in 2017–18 to 52.8 percent last year. While the Grand Traverse region’s picture is better, from 64 percent attending in 2017–18 to 57 percent in 2021–22, it still reflects the downward trend.

Math and English courses were chosen for College Edge because success in those gateway classes is associated with better college completion rates, Shanker said. Now the key is to reach prospective students.

“(This is for) those 50 percent of students who might not be planning to go anywhere to let them know that college is a possibility for them,” she said. “They can build their skills and enter further ahead than they might have thought.”

College Edge offers students a choice of two five-week, Monday–Thursday sessions June 5–July 7 or July 10–Aug. 11. Breakfast, gas cards for transportation and access to a laptop are all included at no cost to the student. College Edge is open to any student starting any college this fall. Those who complete a session hosted by NMC, however, will be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship.

Find out more at nmc.edu/edge