Success Story: Trio wins statewide Innovation in Transfer award

Nov 20, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

November 20, 2019

Updates to NMC’s longstanding engineering partnership with Michigan Technological University designed to increase student success and reduce costs will receive statewide recognition this week.

Faculty members Jerry Dobek (seated) Jay Smith (right) and NMC adviser Deb Maison (center) will receive the 2019 Innovation in Transfer Award on Thursday at a statewide conference.

The trio’s work to establish a “2 + 2” program with MTU in seven different engineering specialties is especially significant as more universities seek to enroll students for all four years, rather than accepting them as transfer students from community colleges. NMC was also ahead of others in the state in terms of a transfer pathway specifically for engineering.

“Michigan Tech is acknowledging the quality of our courses, the quality of our instruction, and the quality of our students with this agreement,” said Lindsey Dickinson, NMC director of advising, who nominated the trio for their 18 months of work. Students who complete NMC’s engineering certificate with a 2.75 GPA are guaranteed admission to MTU, entering as juniors to complete their bachelor of science. The agreements are expected to increase NMC’s enrollment pipeline to one of Michigan’s leading engineering schools, located in Houghton, Mich.

“Our engineering program here is in a growth period, which should only be aided by agreements like these,” Smith said.

The first seven agreements became effective this fall. Another 12 are in the works, Dobek said. They plan to work with other schools, including Kettering University, Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University, to establish more engineering options.

Other community colleges are also seeking NMC’s advice on how to replicate the agreements, Dickinson said.

NMC-MTU engineering articulation agreements date to 1990. The new agreements reflect how engineering programs have changed and how graduation requirements have become more specialized. Read more at nmc.edu/engineering.

Beyond engineering, NMC has articulation agreements in place with 35 educational institutions for more than 100 programs. Read more at nmc.edu/transfer.

Read more about it

Read about more success stories like the NMC-MTU partnership in the next issue of Nexus, the NMC magazine. The next issue mails Dec. 16 with a cover story on retiring president Timothy J. Nelson’s legacy, a feature on NMC’s reality TV stars, and much more. Call (231) 995-1021 to have one sent to your mailbox!

Celebrate the season with NMC performance ensembles

Nov 19, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s performance ensembles will hold the following holiday-themed concerts:  

• Saturday, Nov. 23 – NMC Children’s Choirs, NMC Chambers Singers, and Grand Traverse Chorale join other area choirs for a concert featuring John Rutter’s “Mass of the Children.” 7 p.m. First Congregational Church. (231) 947-6698 for ticket info.
• Sunday, Nov. 24 – NMC Children’s Choirs, NMC Chambers Singers, and Grand Traverse Chorale join other area choirs for a concert featuring John Rutter’s “Mass of the Children.” 4 p.m. First Congregational Church. (231) 947-6698 for ticket info.
• Saturday, Dec. 7 – NMC Jazz Bands and Vocal Jazz Ensemble present the Winter Jazz Ensemble Showcase. 7:30 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Tickets $13 for adults, $8 for students and seniors and available at MyNorthTickets.com and at the door. (800) 836-0717 for ticket info.
• Tuesday, Dec. 10 – NMC Concert Band presents Winter Wonderland. 7:30 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Tickets $13 for adults, $8 for students and seniors and available at MyNorthTickets.com and at the door. (800) 836-0717 for ticket info.

Release Date: November 19, 2019

For more information:

Jeff Cobb
Director of Music Programs
jecobb@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1338

Student Appreciation Week!

Nov 18, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

NMC Student Life & the NMC Yoga Club would like to invite you to take part in Student Appreciation Week. Join us during the lunch hour in Osterlin for snacks and beverages and in the East Hall Basement for some relaxing yoga. (more…)

Can one individual change the world? Former Peace Corps director speaks at IAF

Nov 15, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY —  Former Peace Corps director Carrie Hessler-Radelet will speak at a special International Affairs Forum lecture at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Hagerty Center on NMC’s Great Lakes campus.

Her topic is “Engaging for Good: Can one individual volunteer change the world?” She’ll tackle the question of whether, in the face of significant political, humanitarian and developmental challenges around the world, a single volunteer or humanitarian can hope to make a difference.

Hessler-Radelet, 62, was the director of the Peace Corps from 2014 to 2017. She has deep roots with the organization, starting her career as a Peace Corps volunteer secondary school teacher in Apia, Western Samoa, from 1981-1984. Born in Frankfort, she is an environmental advocate and global health care expert who is now president and CEO of Project Concern International. She returns to her native northern Michigan to tell stories from her four decades of humanitarian service.

Tickets are $15; students and educators admitted free. The Hagerty Center is located on NMC’s Great Lakes campus, 715 E. Front St., Traverse City.

Release date: NOVEMBER 15, 2019

For more information:

Leila Hilal
Director, International Affairs Forum
lhilal@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1847 

NMC trio wins Innovation in Transfer award

Nov 14, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Three Northwestern Michigan College employees will be honored next week with a statewide award for their work with Michigan Technological University to develop a new 2+2 degree program designed to increase student completion and reduce cost for engineering students.

Faculty members Jerry Dobek and Jay Smith and advisor Deb Maison will receive the MACRAO 2019 Innovation in Transfer Award at the organization’s annual conference, to be held at Shanty Creek Resort Nov. 20-21. MACRAO, the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, works to contribute to the advancement of higher education in the state of Michigan by collaborating on issues of common interest to Michigan’s colleges and universities.

NMC President Timothy J. Nelson and Michigan Tech President Richard J. Koubek signed the seven new articulation agreements in August, and all went into effect this fall. Engineering students are now able to take their first two years at NMC then transfer to Michigan Tech as a junior.

The engineering programs include:

• Biomedical
• Chemical
• Civil
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Electrical Engineering Technology

Dobek, Smith and Maison worked on the agreements for 18 months, building on a strong shared history of collaboration. The first 2+2 program between the schools was created in 1990. This new set of agreements reflects how engineering programs have changed over the years and how graduation requirements have become more specialized.

Dobek said, “This agreement creates a new pipeline for engineering students more likely to complete their 4-year degree at Michigan Tech and provides cost savings for students by allowing them to take their first two years at NMC. These agreements will really give our students a much stronger pathway to success.”

Release date: November 14, 2019

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019

Global Tastes and Tunes – International Education Week

Nov 11, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

Let all your senses join in on the fun of International Education Week. International Club members and Sodexo have developed special lunch menus, that will be paired with music from that culture. Monday, Nov. 18th through Wednesday, Nov. 20th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Hawk Owl Cafe, located on campus in the Oleson Center. The featured countries each day are;
Monday: Morocco
Tuesday: Italy
Wednesday: India

Calling high school students interested in world affairs

Nov 7, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Registration is now open to all area high school students in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Kalkaska counties for the annual Academic WorldQuest competition. Teams consist of four students and an advisor — and the desire to learn about the world. Participation is free and the deadline to register teams is November 29.

This is the seventh year the International Affairs Forum and Northwestern Michigan College have organized Academic WorldQuest. All participating students will have the chance to win door prizes plus enjoy a free lunch the day of the competition, February 6, 2020 at NMC’s Hagerty Center, noon-4 p.m. The winning team will travel to Washington, DC to compete at the national level in late April, 2020.

Schools can field more than one team. To register, email juliedoyal@yahoo.com to indicate your school’s interest by Nov. 29. Teams will answer ten rounds of ten multiple-choice questions. Study materials are provided. This year’s topics are:

• US-Russia Relations
• Country in Focus: South Korea
• Preventing Extremism in Fragile States
• Oceans: The World’s Garbage Dump
• Great Decisions
• Brexit and the EU
• China’s Belt & Road Initiative
• Germany: 30 Years After the Fall of the Berlin Wall
• Qatar and the Future of the Gulf Cooperation Council
• Current Events

Underwriters, sponsors and prize donors are also sought. Contact Julie Doyal, Coordinator of Academic WorldQuest (juliedoyal@yahoo.com).

Academic WorldQuest is the flagship high school education program of the World Affairs Councils of America of which the International Affairs Forum is an affiliated partner. More than 4,000 students participate in AWQ competitions across the U.S. with the national competition held in Washington D.C. in late April.

Release Date: November 7, 2019

For more information:

Julie Doyal
juliedoyal@yahoo.com
(231) 649-1781
tciaf.com
worldaffairscouncils.org

NEW DATE: Nelson retirement open house is Nov. 19

Nov 7, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — A retirement open house in honor of NMC President Timothy J. Nelson’s 18-plus years of service to students, faculty and staff and community will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Dennos Museum Center, on the main campus of NMC.

Nelson is the longest-serving president of the college and will retire Dec. 31, 2019.

“I have committed myself to our ultimate purpose, which is to provide our learners and communities with the skills, experiences and values that will help them to create social and economic wealth during their lifetimes,” said Nelson. “I am humbled to think that as I look to the future, the people, programs and systems that we have developed together, position this institution for continued success in meeting that purpose well into the future.”

Under Nelson’s leadership, NMC has transitioned from the traditional time-based, place-based and knowledge transfer system to become a community college that is focused on competency-based, content-based knowledge application in pursuit of social, economic and talent development. This includes the implementation of a strategic plan and focusing on five strategic directions: ensuring learners are prepared for success in a global society and economy; establishing national and international competencies; delivering learning through a networked workforce; establishing lifelong relationships with learners; and transcribing learning to establish credentials of value.

Before becoming president in 2001, Nelson served as NMC’s Executive Director of Administrative Services. He was the college’s Residence Hall and Apartment Supervisor from 1975 to 1977.

More information about Nelson’s NMC tenure as well as information about the transition to the president designate is available at nmc.edu/president.

Release Date: October 29, 2019

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019

Success Story: Doubling down on veterans’ futures

Nov 6, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

November 6, 2019

With two new endowed veterans scholarships and a ranking as the No. 2 community college in the nation for veteran’s services for the second year in a row, NMC is better equipped than ever to serve those who have served us.

The Staff Sergeant Drew Kostic Veterans’ Scholarship was established in memory of the former Marine and NMC student who died in 2016, by the board of 22-2-NONE, which exists to raise awareness and provide support to end veteran suicide. Initial funds were raised through registration in the DK5K Tough Run (photo right) now in its third year. Additional donations increased it to the $25,000 endowed level — the threshold for the scholarship to be awarded in perpetuity.

“Most of our veterans coming back are looking for better jobs. They’ve got families they’ve got to take care of at the same time,” said board vice president Ray McDaniel. “There’s no one answer to solving the suicide epidemic, but if we can take one more burden, one more stressor off their plate, we’re achieving our goal.”

“It means a great deal,” said Kostic’s father, Jim Kostic, of the scholarship. “It’s a good way to honor his name.”

The scholarship is also available to active duty military students, as is the Class of 1953 Veterans Memorial Scholarship, created by George Comden (left, seated) a member of NMC’s first graduating class (pictured in 2011). Years ago Comden, an Army veteran himself, established his first scholarship. Reading about current veterans in a college publication inspired him to create the new one.

“I got to thinking, that story kind of triggered my time is on the GI Bill^® at CMU,” said Comden. “The more I read about it, the more I thought, why not have a scholarship for veterans?”

The Class of 1953 included two other veterans, Ray Cilva (wearing the letter jacket) and Gene Bisson, he added.

“They went the extra mile to take care of us, and it’s now time for us to help take care of them.”

To donate to either scholarship or to find out more about scholarships, contact the NMC Foundation at (231) 995-1021 or foundation@nmc.edu.

About 200 veterans are currently enrolled at NMC, comprising 5 percent of enrollment.

The Best for Vets 2020 ranking comes from Military Times magazine. The publication cites NMC’s “wide array of support services for its student veterans, many of them specially created for vets. This includes academic support, such as tutoring and mentorship, career support, such as resume assistance and job placement, and mental health support.” NMC ranked No. 2 in 2018, and No. 3 in 2018.

NMC will start a new, community-wide veterans project in December. Coffee with Veterans will be held from 8 to 9: 30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13 in Lobdell’s Teaching Restaurant on NMC’s Great Lakes campus, and monthly thereafter. Any veteran in the community is welcome to stop in for complimentary coffee and conversation.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Google Takeout

Nov 5, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

Make a back-up of your files using Google Takeout! For more information on what that is and how to use this feature, read more here.

International Education Week is Nov. 18-21!

Nov 4, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education and celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. It was first held in 2000 and is now celebrated in more than 100 countries around the world. Read more »

NMC’s 2019 commemoration of International Education Week is Nov. 18-21 and includes three days of global food and music, a guided museum tour, talks from former Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet, and more! (more…)

TCPD determines no threat at Aero Park Campus after lockdown

Nov 4, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — All campuses of Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) are open after a Traverse City Police Department (TCPD) investigation determined there was no threat to public safety.

Late Monday morning, TCPD received a report of a person with a gun at the Parsons-Stulen Building. NMC security immediately locked down all of the buildings on the Aero Park campus. TCPD conducted a room-by-room search of the Parsons-Stulen Building, but did not find a threat to public safety. NMC security lifted the lockdown shortly before 2 p.m. TCPD then did a final search of other Aero Park campus buildings as a precaution.

“We appreciate the quick actions from our students and employees and the quick response from TCPD. Safety is our top priority and everyone’s responsibility,” said NMC president Timothy J. Nelson. “We have increased our safety measures, drills and trainings during my tenure. I am grateful those processes worked today and we will continue to find ways to improve.”

NMC practices safety drills several times a year, most recently on November 1, 2019. NMC also tests its emergency communication system monthly. Possession of weapons, including firearms, is prohibited on NMC’s campuses. The full policy is available here.

Release Date: November 4, 2019

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019

International Affairs Forum – Nov. 21, Engaging for Good with Carrie Hessler-Radelet

Oct 30, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

In the face of significant political, humanitarian and developmental challenges around the world, how can a single volunteer or humanitarian hope to make a difference? Carrie Hessler-Radelet, former Peace Corps director, environmental advocate, and global health care expert, returns to her native northern Michigan to tell stories from her four decades of humanitarian service. Tickets are $15, students admitted free, visit tciaf.com or call 231-995-1844.

November 21 – 6 p.m. at the Hagerty Center, Great Lakes Campus; pre-event reception starts at 5:15 pm.