Fall 2015 registration opens Wednesday, . All students have been assigned a registration start time on March 11, 12, or 13 based on earned credit hours. For more information about registration visit: nmc.edu/fall (more…)
Back in 2012, as one of NMC’s pioneer students in Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Brad Kent found himself with a job offer before he’d even finished his training, and headed overseas for six-figure work as a civilian contractor. Now, as approvals for domestic use of UAS rise by the week, Kent and fellow former NMC students are poised to help guide the industry’s development into its second, commercial phase.
NMC was on the forefront of unmanned aircraft training, offering its first classes in the fall of 2010. Students like Kent (front row, second from right) and Darrell Trueblood (back row, far right) found getting in on the ground floor paid off, literally
“Before I even finished my degree I had placement in industry,” said Kent, 24, of Traverse City. He and Trueblood, 35, are among four NMC pilots now deployed in Afghanistan as civilian contractors with an Arizona-based manufacturer of UAS.
They provide force protection services to military, a job both see as worthy and important. Lengthy deployments and life on a military installation create a trade-off, however. “Balancing the benefits of income vs. the moments you miss with your friends and family becomes the tough part,” said Trueblood, who is married and a father to three. His wife and three children live in Tennessee.
“It puts a strain on relationships, it puts a strain on a social life,” said Kent, who still says it’s an “amazing experience” to work overseas.
Now, however, the strains and trade-offs are easing as the UAS industry gets the go-ahead to expand domestically.
Until 2014, the FAA strictly limited use of UAS vehicles in U.S. airspace. The first commercial exemption was granted in June 2014, allowing surveillance of oil fields in Alaska. Since December 2014, the FAA has approved more than 20 other exemptions for uses ranging from photography to agriculture.
Kent anticipates returning stateside later this year, to corporate headquarters in Tucson, Ariz. He’ll work on UAS research and development and train other pilots to fill the vast number of openings the industry expects as commercial permissions expand. “With pending FAA regulations for Unmanned Aerial Systems on the very near horizon, growth in this industry will be immense. Activities like movie production, agriculture monitoring, and infrastructure inspection will become an everyday occurrence, requiring trained professionals,” said Tony Sauerbrey, UAS program manager.
“This career field will grow exponentially in the coming years, both with pilots and support staff,” Trueblood agreed. His advice to prospective students is to be open to change.
“What you know today may be different from what you learn tomorrow. Be willing to continuously learn and continue your education,” he said.
It was that kind of attitude that led Kent to enroll in the first UAS classes.
“At the time it was a couple classes that you could add on if you were going through the manned aviation program,” Kent said. “NMC was very cool in the fact that they were willing to offer classes like that, new technologies.”
Sauerbrey said NMC will continue to grow with the industry and plans to offer full UAS pilot certification once the FAA finalizes regulations. NMC will also continue to work with leading UAS companies to provide a conduit for students seeking to enter the industry.
Ever notice how sometimes web browsers and/or programs that you use everyday suddenly stop working? Sometimes its the applications themselves, but their is one little trick, called Cache Clearing, that often fixes the problem right then and there. (more…)
Sodexo needs your feedback! Now through March 4 please fill out a customer satisfaction survey! This is a great way to let Sodexo know how they can better serve you. Because they value your input so much you will receive a 30% off coupon for completing the survey! Please click here to participate. (more…)
Weekly prizes will be given out on Fridays during the Spring 2015 semester! Just complete a CashCourse or Life Skills lesson each week and be placed in a drawing for a prize every Friday.
For more information on Financial Literacy events and to link to CashCourse and LifeSkills please visit nmc.edu/financial-literacy. (more…)
Are you interested in playing Dodge Ball? Six Player teams are being formed. The season begins March 9.
For more information, please contact Jim Szur, Sports and Recreation Supervisor, at 995-1199, or e-mail him at jszur@nmc.edu (more…)
Student jobs can be found on the Student MyNMC page under “Jobs On Campus.”
Resident Assistant
Security (more…)
Over 30 university representatives will be on NMC’s campus on Wednesday, March 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to talk with students, staff and faculty about their programs and the transfer process. The university representatives will be in two locations:
This is your opportunity to discuss transfer requirements and get information on degrees available at a variety of schools without having to travel to each university. Bring your questions and explore your options! (more…)
The Library has purchased 127 new books so far this new year. You can view a handful here or click here to see the full listing. These books are on display in the lobby of the Library’s lobby. (more…)
Join fellow writers at NMC’s free weekly writing workshop for folks experienced with housing vulnerability. The public are welcome and you do not need to be a registered NMC student to attend. The workshop take place on Tuesdays from 7 – 9 p.m. in Scholars Hall 209. Writing supplies will be provided.
For more info contact: Susan Odgers at (231) 392-6843, cell/text or sodgers@nmc.edu.
TRAVERSE CITY — A creative writing workshop for veterans will again be offered in spring semester, with regular monthly meetings held from 10 a.m. to noon the third Friday of the month in Scholars Hall room 101. Future meetings will be held March 20 and April 17.
In addition, open office hours will be offered to veterans weekly, from 3 to 4 p.m. every Wednesday in Scholars Hall room 102. Veterans can get writing support for academic writing assignments or other writing projects.
For more information, contact Teresa Scollon (231) 383-2958.
NMC Science and Math Faculty are pleased to announce the W.R. Angell Scholarship and Peta Williams Memorial Scholarship. All natural sciences are included-Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology and Physics.
To complete an application and review the selection criteria go to:
https://www.nmc.edu/programs/academic-offices/science-math/scholarships.html
Note that the application, recommendations, and all supporting information must be postmarked or received in the Science and Math Office (located on the 2nd floor of the Les Biederman Building, LB 203G) no later than Friday, April 10. (more…)
Technology grows and adapts at a staggering rate, and as such so does the interaction between office programs. For years Microsoft office was the automatic choice for word processing, image displays, presentations and spreadsheets for the vast majority of users, and while it is still important, there are unique and widely used advantages in using the Google Office equivalent as well. The interaction between the two is very different and as such it is beneficial to know how to go back and forth between the two. (more…)
The following NMC students have been selected to be US Brazil Connect fellows for 2015: (from left to right in picture)
Order your cap/gown/tassel package now at the NMC Bookstore. Price for the graduation package is $34.98, tax included.
If you pre-order your package you will receive a coupon good for 20% off the purchase of one logo item! (more…)
Honor hardworking instructors or colleagues by nominating them for a Foundation Excellence Award.
The NMC Foundation Excellence Awards promote exemplary service to students and clients and recognize the outstanding demonstration of NMC’s values. Multiple awards are granted annually and the recipients are announced at the annual service awards reception in April. All college employees are eligible for this award — regular and adjunct faculty, and staff. (more…)
A select group of Students involved in the NMC Global Endorsement got a chance to travel to Grand Rapids on Sunday to view Shen Yun – 5000 years of Chinese culture through music and dance. A unique insight into Chinese history, this traveling production is actually forbidden in China! To learn more about Shen Yun click here! (more…)
Student jobs can be found on the Student MyNMC page under “Jobs On Campus.”
Resident Assistant
Security (more…)