Feb 6, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
The NMC Music Appreciation and Creation (MAC) student group will hold a spring benefit concert from 6-10 p.m. Friday, February 28 at the Dennos Museum. Admission will be by donation, with a suggested amount of $10.
Previously known as the Audio Tech student group, MAC will use all earnings from the show to fund their annual studio tour field trip this spring. The concert will also provide Audio Tech students with practical experience setting up, staging, and running sound during a live music event.
The concert will feature two student acts: One Cent Mafia, a newl- formed rap collective, and Closed for the Season, a budding rock and metal band.
With this event, MAC hopes to bring attention to alternative music scenes that are often overlooked in the Traverse City area, such as punk rock, hip hop, and rap, as well as create new experiential learning opportunities for Audio Tech students.
Feb 6, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
Wandering the world on a walkabout or exploring the unreal, let us journey through your memories, reveries, and aspirations. Traverse outside Traverse City this spring, sharing snapshots, journaling memories, painting picturesque vistas, and scrapbooking souvenirs. Or is the outside not your thing? Has it been awhile since you touched grass? Leeroy Jenkins requests to join your party in your fictional, fantastical worlds. NMC students, faculty, staff, and NMC community-affiliated members may send creative submissions in all forms by March 15.
Email digital works to nmcmag@mail.nmc.edu. Hard copies can be delivered to Fine Arts (attn: Caroline Schaefer-Hills) or Scholars Hall 214 (attn: Tricia Lincoln).
Fiction/Nonfiction: 1500 word limit
Poetry/Lyrics: 30 line limit
Comics: 30 panels/4 pages limit
Visit nmc.edu/nmcmagazine for more information and to complete a submission form for each entry.
Feb 6, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
The Dennos will be offering two design workshops in connection to our exhibition, “The Art of Regeneration” from Central Michigan University. Both workshops are set for Feb. 22 and intended for high school juniors and seniors up to NMC students. Students get a discounted rate of $10 to cover workshop materials.
Fashion Creations: Designing Your Own Modular Cushions!
Saturday, February 22nd | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
In this dynamic workshop where STEAM principles come to life, participants will explore the artistic modular designs from “The Art of Regeneration” exhibition on view at the museum. Get inspired by science, and blend creativity with functionality to create your own unique cushion designs. You’ll learn how to regenerate ideas into stylish, customizable pieces using sustainable materials and innovative techniques. Led by Professors Dr. Su Kyoung An and Dr. Pimpawan Kumphai from the Fashion, Interior Design, & Merchandising Department at Central Michigan University.
Interior Innovation: Create an Infinity Light Fixture and Explore Material Choices for a Virtual Home
Saturday, February 22nd | 2:00 – 4:00 PM
This hands-on interior design workshop is inspired by the axolotl salamander’s incredible regenerative abilities! You’ll create an infinity mirror light fixture that symbolizes renewal, and explore how light, depth, and innovative materials can transform a space. Then, experiment with patterns and textures to design a virtual home, learning how material choices shape the atmosphere and create harmony in interior design. Led by Professor Julie Qun Zuo from the Fashion, Interior Design, & Merchandising Department at Central Michigan University and her student instructors Tyler Cook, Mia Pringle, and Coleton Taylor.
Feb 5, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
FEBRUARY 5, 2025
From left to right, Jason Slade, Eric Roberts (20Fathoms), Matt McDonough (Discovery Pier), NMC President Nick Nissley, Jay Meldrum (Michigan Technological University) and Warren Call (Traverse Connect) at a FRIC signing ceremony in the summer of 2024.
As Silicon Valley is synonymous with information technology, so will Traverse City be to freshwater technology, fueling a new blue economy for the region.
That’s the ultimate ambition behind the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center, which today holds its first board meeting as a formally-constituted nonprofit. With 75 percent of the funding for FRIC secured, the 40,000 square foot facility and dockside learning lab will be home to NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute. It is set to break ground later this year on 17 acres of West Grand Traverse Bay frontage owned by Discovery Pier.
“Today represents a significant milestone for the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center,” said NMC Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Jason Slade, who has led the college’s involvement in the project since 2023. “The blue economy is the future of our region’s economy, destined to be as important as lumber, agriculture and tourism.”
Other board members include representatives from Michigan Technological University, Traverse Connect, 20Fathoms and two at-large positions held by Michigan State University and the Marine Technology Society.
The FRIC will create high-value, year-round jobs in sensor development, engineering, autonomous underwater vehicles, forever chemical detection and remediation and data analysis. It has attracted $25.2 million in funding, including $15 million from the state of Michigan, and is scheduled to be complete in 2027.
NMC has committed $3 million to the new facilities, which in addition to the GLWSI will house research initiatives, start-ups like Traverse City’s Wave Lumina, currently renting space at NMC’s Aero Park campus, small businesses and water-related organizations.
NMC is also fostering those start-ups and small businesses through events like the Great Lakes Blue Tech Challenge, launched last week as a successor to last year’s Great Lakes Aquahacking Challenge. Wave Lumina took second place in that technology-based innovation challenge and pitch competition focused on the issues facing the Great Lakes like water quality, forever chemicals and microplastics. Teams are now forming for the Blue Tech Challenge, which will culminate in October at the Oceans 25 conference in Chicago.
“From FRIC’s goals to the facility design to its users, NMC is being intentional and collaborative, ensuring that this enhances our community years into the future,” Slade said.
Feb 4, 2025 | Intercom, President Updates, Student News
Good afternoon NMC community,
As we navigate recent federal policy changes, I want to take a moment to address another issue that may be on the minds of many in our community. Following new executive orders related to immigration enforcement, we recognize that students and employees may have questions about how these policies could impact NMC and what to do if federal law enforcement officers visit campus.
Just as I shared in my message earlier today about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), NMC remains committed to student success, open access, and fostering a welcoming environment for all members of our community. Changes in federal policy can create uncertainty, but our guiding principles remain the same: we will continue supporting students and employees, ensuring compliance with the law, and upholding our values of open access to education.
NMC’s Approach to Federal Law Enforcement Requests
NMC follows established procedures to balance three key responsibilities:
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Compliance with Federal & State Laws: NMC follows all legally required procedures while ensuring due process is observed.
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Protection of Student & Employee Privacy: Student records are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and NMC does not track or disclose immigration status unless legally required to do so.
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Access to Education Without Discrimination: NMC is an open-access institution, meaning that all students, regardless of their citizenship status, can enroll and attend classes in a supportive environment.
What to Do If Approached by Federal Law Enforcement
If a federal law enforcement officer (ICE, FBI, DHS, etc.) comes to campus requesting access to student or employee records or whereabouts, or access to nonpublic areas such as residence halls or classrooms, please follow these steps to ensure a safe and consistent response:
- Refer all inquiries to NMC Security.
- Inform the officer that all such requests must go through NMC Security.
- Direct officers to the Security desk at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center at (231-995-1111).
- For phone or email inquiries, contact Garrett Croon, Campus Safety Coordinator at (231-715-0003) (cell) or (231-995-1747) (desk), or via email at gcroon@nmc.edu.
- Do not take possession of or sign any legal documents.
- Do not accept service of a subpoena, warrant, or other legal document.
- Instead, refer the officer to Security, who will review the request and coordinate the appropriate response.
- Prioritize safety and cooperation.
- Do not physically interfere with law enforcement actions.
- NMC is considered a Sensitive Location under ICE policy, meaning enforcement actions on campus are generally discouraged unless exceptional circumstances exist.
- Let Security handle the next steps.
- Security is trained to manage these situations in compliance with federal and state laws while ensuring student and employee privacy.
Staying Informed & Moving Forward Together
We know that federal policies may continue to change, and we will remain vigilant in monitoring developments. NMC will continue to work closely with our state and national partners, including the Michigan Community College Association (MCCA), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), to stay informed and advocate for policies that support student success and open access to education.
As we navigate these evolving issues together, I encourage open, respectful conversations and remind you that NMC remains committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning and working environment. If you have any questions about these policies, please reach out to NMC Security, Student Services (students) or Human Resources (employees).
Thank you for being part of our mission-driven and values-grounded NMC community.
Nick
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Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College | 231.995.1010
Feb 4, 2025 | Intercom, President Updates, Student News
Good morning NMC community,
I want to take a moment to address the recent Trump administration executive orders related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) programs. I know that many of you have questions about how these changes impact Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) and our ongoing commitment to student success and belonging.
The direct impact of these orders on NMC is minimal. The only adjustments required are within the Great Lakes Maritime Academy (GLMA) to align one course with U.S. Navy curriculum updates. No other programs, policies, or funding at NMC are affected, given the federal-focus of the orders. Our mission remains unchanged: We are committed to open access, student success, and ensuring that everyone at NMC feels a sense of belonging. These commitments reflect the history and purpose of community colleges in general, as well as NMC’s specific mission, values, and strategic plan. Our strategic plan reflects our college’s and community’s priorities (that we shaped together), and we’ll continue to deliver on those priorities.
As we continue finalizing our current strategic plan and looking ahead, we are focusing on engagement and belonging—because research shows that when students feel connected, they persist and succeed. This commitment extends to our employees as well, making NMC a welcoming and supportive place to learn and work.
We recognize that shifts in federal policy can create uncertainty. That’s why we remain engaged with state and national partners, including the Michigan Community College Association (MCCA), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). We will continue monitoring developments, advocating for policies that support student success, and making decisions that align with NMC’s mission and values.
To be clear: NMC is not phasing out DEIB initiatives or preemptively making changes beyond what is required for compliance. We will continue investing in student success, scholarships, and accessibility services to ensure all learners have the resources they need to thrive.
I know these topics can spark strong feelings, and I encourage open, respectful conversations as we navigate changes together. Above all, I want to reaffirm that NMC remains committed to being a place where all students and employees feel valued and supported.
Thank you for being part of our NMC community.
—
Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College | 231.995.1010
Feb 3, 2025 | Intercom, International Affairs Forum, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — The International Affairs Forum continues its 31st season of global issues education hosting renowned topic-area experts at public events running from February through June 2025. Upcoming events include:
- Haiti: Crisis In Context
February 20, 6:30 p.m.
IAF will host Monique Clesca & Jake Johnston for a discussion on Haiti, the Haitian diaspora, and aid policy.
- The Blue Economy: Michigan’s Global Role
March 20, 6:30 p.m.
John Austin, Director of the Michigan Economic Center at the University of Michigan, Senior Fellow at the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College, and Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, will discuss the role of the Great Lakes’ region as a global leader in sustainable water-related economic growth.
- Echoes of Change: The Legacy of Student Activism
April 17, 6:30 p.m.
Presented by current NMC students. This first-of-its-kind student event will explore the enduring impact of pivotal, historical student movements and their relevance in today’s culture.
- On Journalism and Media & Information Literacy
May (date TBD)
IAF will host a discussion on journalism, media and information literacy, and disinformation, exploring how local journalism fortifi es freedom and connects local issues to global challenges.
- North America 2.0
June 12, 6:30 p.m.
IAF will partner with the Economic Club of Traverse City to host a discussion on the state of trade relations between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Programs are presented in hybrid format; in-person events are available to livestream online. Most programs start at 6:30 p.m. Eastern at the Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City with a welcome reception at 5:30 p.m.
IAF’s educational programming at NMC is free for students and educators, and open to the public thanks to its supporting members, regional partners, business sponsors and Northwestern Michigan College. Find more information at TCIAF.com.
IAF’s 31st season is sponsored by Mercantile Bank. Learn more about event sponsorship and opportunities to support here: tciaf.com/support
Release date: February 3, 2025
For more information:
Alex Tank
Director, International Affairs Forum
atank@nmc.edu
(231)995-1844
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
Feb 3, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
Find these audiobooks and more on the NMC Library’s Libby app. Follow these instructions to download Libby and set up your account.
American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America’s First Paramedics by Kevin Hazzard
“Journalist and former paramedic Kevin Hazzard paints a vivid picture of the nation’s first EMS service….[His book] is a medical and human drama that will make readers appreciate the courage of the first paramedics, the foresight of a physician not content to restrict emergency medicine to other doctors and the artistry of modern EMS workers. It’s also a narrative bristling with the indignities of racism and medical ignorance. Hazzard’s subjects defied and overcame prejudice but also were often overwhelmed by both.”―The Washington Post
Night Flyer: Harriet Tubman and the Faith Dreams of a Free People by Tiya Miles
“Though broad strokes of Tubman’s story are widely known, Miles probes deeper, examining her inner life, faith and relationships with other enslaved Black women to paint a deeper, more vibrant portrait of a historical figure whose mythic status can sometimes overshadow her humanity.” – The New York Times
A Black Women’s History of the United States by Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross
Historians Berry and Gross illuminate the lives of black women like “Isabel de Olvera, the first black woman to arrive in North America in 1600, Milly and Christine McCoy, enslaved conjoined twins, Gladys Bentley, the gender-bending blues musician, Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to the U.S. Congress” – WHYY/Radio Times
Hip Hop is History by Questlove
“Questlove traces the creative and cultural forces that made and shaped hip-hop, highlighting both the forgotten but influential gems and the undeniable chart-topping hits-and weaves it all together with the stories no one else knows.” – from the publisher
Black AF History by Michael Harriot
“Emphasizing Black survival and resistance, Harriot simplifies complex issues into easily understandable, digestible bites. . . . Blunt, entertaining, irreverent, sarcastic, and sometimes laugh-out-loud.” — Library Journal
The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi by Wright Thompson
“Thompson . . . has written a gut-punch of a book about the murder of Emmett Till and the place where it happened. Foregoing the harrowing photos that emphasize Till’s martyrdom, Thompson dives instead into family trees, court transcripts, witness memoirs and more to unearth the enormous human tragedy we forget at our peril: ‘Hate grows stronger and resistant,’ he reminds us, ‘when it’s pushed underground.’” — Los Angeles Times
Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum by Antonia Hilton
“Peabody and Emmy award-winning journalist Antonia Hylton tells the ninety-three-year history of Crownsville Hospital, one of the last segregated asylums with surviving records and a campus that still stands to this day in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. She blends the intimate tales of patients and employees whose lives were shaped by Crownsville with a decade-worth of investigative research.” – from the publisher
Further listening: Critically acclaimed podcasts
The Black History Buff podcast
Buried Truths podcast
Uncivil podcast
Jan 29, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
NMC will host two Mobile Food Pantries during the month of February on February 3 and February 24. The distributions will occur from 3-5 p.m. in the Maple Lot at the Front Street campus.
We anticipate 8-10 different items; recipients can expect to receive approximately 60 pounds worth of goods—a value up to $200. We average 4,000-6,000 lbs of goods per distribution—come get some fresh fruits, veggies, and other foods for FREE. The program is free to participate with no financial means tests. This program is specifically designed to support NMC students (and their households) by supplementing their diets with fresh, healthy produce while helping to free up financial resources to cover other household expenses. Everyone is welcome.
Walk-up and drive-thru options are both available. Come over and drive-thru OR bring a backpack or reusable bag and take what you and your household can use in the next 7-10 days.
Additional pantries will be on March 3, March 17, April 7 and April 21. These pantries are made possible in partnership with Feeding America.
Jan 29, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
JANUARY 29, 2025
Business Instructor Kristy McDonald and her students shop for thanksgiving meal items as part of an experiential learning project.NMC now has an answer for student job seekers who confront an enduring conundrum: Employers want experience. But how do you show experience if you haven’t had a job yet?
The NMC Experience Transcript, or nEXt, will give students a way to demonstrate that they’ve gained experience during their education, particularly in sought-after soft skills like communication, teamwork and problem solving.
“It presents evidence around that,” said Jennifer Ewing of Human Resource Partners in Traverse City. She likened the nEXt endorsement to a portfolio, a standard for fields like graphic design or architecture.
“It’s really giving the student a way to go into the employer and demonstrate what they’re learning in a more tangible way,” said Ewing, who’s worked in HR for more than 30 years.
Debuting as a pilot this semester, nEXt will roll out collegewide this fall. It’s a project of NMC’s Experiential Learning Institute, created in 2019. Led by faculty members Kristy McDonald and Brandon Everest, the Institute formalized NMC’s commitment to experiential learning, which actively engages learners through relevant, hands-on experience, critical problem solving and reflective practices.
Emma Herrington is a member of the pilot cohort. The 2024 Traverse City West High School graduate has taken three EL classes with McDonald so far, starting as a dual-enrolled high school student, and said they affirmed her desire to open her own business after she graduates this fall.
“I’ve never heard of a school doing this much hands-on learning before,” Herrington said. “A lot of universities will just make you do the textbook information. You can’t apply that to the workforce until you’ve graduated or had an internship.”
In addition to taking EL-designated classes, students must earn points for the nEXt endorsement from four different domains which make up the EL cycle: discovery, exploration, mastery and reflection. Options include presenting at a conference, being a member or leader of a campus student group, conducting community research, mentoring, honors projects, independent study, registered apprenticeships, internships, community service and campus or community events.
Kenzie Kazim, another member of the pilot cohort, looks forward to the variety. Thanks to a contact she made with a commercial real estate first through her EL class, Kazim plans to get her real estate license this summer and hopes to get an internship there.
”It felt like a more meaningful learning experience to me, instead of feeling I had crammed all this information from a textbook and forgotten it as soon as I had a test,” Kazim said.
“I fully support it. I wish more schools would do that,” said Jennifer Anderson, HR Generalist at Traverse City manufacturer TentCraft. “I really think it gives students an edge, having that extra learning piece and have it for their interviews later on.”
Jan 28, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
NMC is currently reviewing what the Trump Administration’s freeze on federal aid and grants could mean for the college and our students. While the impact of this order is expected to be broad and remains uncertain, NMC has determined that student financial aid is exempt.
Rest assured, NMC will disburse federal financial awards for spring as planned beginning Monday, Feb. 3. NMC will continue to advocate for our students to minimize learning disruption, and we will continue to communicate with the NMC community as we learn more.
If you have any questions, please contact NMC’s Student Financial Services team at (231) 995-1035 or sfs@nmc.edu.
Jan 28, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
Join representatives from NMC’s Financial Aid and Admissions teams Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 4–7 p.m. to learn about the various types of financial aid and how to receive this aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The event will be at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on NMC’s Front Street Campus.
The whole community is invited — current and prospective students and their parents and anyone no matter what college they are planning on attending. Get one-on-one planning for financing your college journey — at NMC and beyond. Learn more and register here.
Jan 24, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
Brr! It’s cold out there! Take $10 off all regularly priced adult hoodies from Jan. 27–Feb. 6.
Jan 23, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
To find these selections and more, browse our full collection of Library of Things in the online catalog.
Games & Puzzles
Game – Mausritter
Take up the sword and don the whiskers of a brave mouse adventurer in Mausritter, a rules-light fantasy adventure roleplaying game. Character creation is speedy and simple, designed to get you playing as soon as possible. Your mouse is defined by their randomly assigned background, ability scores, and the gear they carry. A tactile card-based inventory system makes managing your gear a fun challenge. Mausritter is built on the chasis of Into the Odd, with new rules for setting, character generation, magical artefacts, and mouse-scale adventures. GMs are provided with procedures for running a mouse-scale sandbox, along with a bestiary and numerous tables for quickly creating adventures in the mouse kingdoms.
Game – Wavelength
Wavelength is a social guessing game in which two teams compete to read each other’s minds. Teams take turns rotating a dial to where they think a hidden bullseye is located on a spectrum. One of the players on your team — the Psychic — knows exactly where the bullseye is, and draws a card with a pair of binaries on it (such as: Job – Career, Rough – Smooth, Fantasy – Sci-Fi, Sad Song – Happy Song, etc). The Psychic must then provide a clue that is *conceptually* where the bullseye is located between those two binaries. For example, if the card this round is HOT-COLD and the bullseye is slightly to the “cold” side of the centre, the Psychic needs to give a clue somewhere in that region. Perhaps “salad”?
Game – Monopoly: Hello Kitty and friends
Buy, sell, and trade locations where all your favorite characters work and play in this all-new, custom version of the classic game featuring My Melody, Keroppi, Badtz-Maru, Chococat, Cinnamoroll, and many others. Seven collectible tokens feature Hello Kitty and Friends as the cutest vehicles, and Celebrations and Adventures are in store as you collect Kuromi’s Candy Shop, Doki-Doki’s Burger Shack, and more to be the last player standing to win!
Game – Catchphrase
This is a fully electronic re-implementation of the classic team word-guessing hot-potato game Catch Phrase! Players divide into two teams. One team selects the category and presses the start button. An audible timer beeps a count-down while the person holding the device tries to get their team to say the word or phrase on the screen. If they are successful, they hand the device to the next person on the opposite team. The goal of the round is to not be holding the device when the timer goes off — though those last furtive seconds can get dicey! When the timer goes off, the opposing team gets a point and (based on what version of the game you are playing) may also have a chance to steal the phrase for an extra point. The first team to reach seven points wins!
Puzzle – Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
This jigsaw puzzle captures the breathtaking beauty of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan. The towering, sandy dunes stand against the clear blue sky and the tranquil waters of Lake Michigan in Vintage poster Style, creating a stunning and serene landscape.
Instruments & Music
Bongo drums
The soft and warm tone of the buffalo head, combined with the Birch wood body and metallic rim, enhances sound projection, resulting in a clearer and brighter sound. Its neutral sound is suitable for a variety of music styles, including Cuban, Latin, world music, and jazz, making it an ideal choice for exploring different genres and rhythms.
Boombox with CD, cassette, and radio
The Sony CFD-S01 offers an all-in-one, portable way to go old school with your tunes! Highlights include AM/FM radio tuning as well as CD and cassette playback. In addition, the unit features Sony’s Mega Bass Sound System for deep bass tones. All controls are located on the top of the boombox, as is an LCD for track and station info. The convenient carry handle folds down when not in use.
Arts & Crafts
LED tracer opaque art projector
The tracer projector enlarges any design or pattern onto a wall or easel from 2 to 14 times the original size. The projected image can be traced and colored as desired. Use it for artwork sketches, outlining, posters, signs, small murals, home wall decor and decoration, quilt patterns, and more.
Calligraphy pen set
This set will enable you to develop your calligraphy skills to express your creativity through a wide range of lettering styles. The handy instruction and exercise booklets included with this set can be photocopied and offer a letter-by-letter introduction to the art of calligraphic writing as well as a lot of handy tips.
Art print – Feathering the nest by Qavavau Manumie
Qavavau Manumie was born in Brandon, Manitoba in 1958 where his mother, Paunichea, was hospitalized for treatment of tuberculosis. He returned to Cape Dorset as a very young child and has lived there since. Qavavau has demonstrated a range of stylistic abilities over the years – from the very literal to the more expressive. His work is idiosyncratic and often amusing in his depictions of Inuit legends and mythology, Arctic wildlife and contemporary aspects of Inuit life.
Summaries and images adapted from publishers.
Jan 20, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
Melanie Griffith
(download high-resolution photo) 
Bonnie Shumaker
(download high-resolution photo) TRAVERSE CITY — NMC staff members Melanie Griffith and Bonnie Shumaker have been named NMC’s recipients of the annual NISOD Excellence Awards for 2024–2025.
Affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin, the National Institute for Staff and Organization Development is committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges. The NISOD Excellence Awards provide member colleges with the opportunity to honor the contributions of faculty, staff and administrators who shape their students’ futures.
The awards have been made since 1991. Criteria include professionalism, relationships with students and colleagues, and commitment to learning. Below are NMC’s 2024-2025 recipients, along with highlights from their nomination statements.
Melanie Griffith, Nursing Office Assistant:
“Melanie has been a most remarkable addition to our Health Occupations and Nursing team. Her positive attitude and outlook are noted by her peers and appreciated during our recent leadership transition. She has been of incredible assistance under some challenging situations and exudes kindness and caring through her support to both staff and students. She shares ideas for improving workflow and processes both internally and with our community partners…. With a site visit preparation ahead, I am comforted knowing she is such a key part of this team.”
Bonnie Shumaker, Curriculum and Scheduling Coordinator. An NMC employee for 16 years, who worked as the Business Academic Area Office Manager prior to her current role:
“I could always count on Bonnie to assist me, and she demonstrated this same to commitment to the other departments with any needs or projects that were being worked on. She was always professional and willing to assist in any way possible.”
“She helped with many of the CIT projects that we worked on over the years. She was present and assisted with our annual IT Olympics event each year that she was the office manager of the business academic area.”
“In her new role within academic scheduling, she was faced with learning a new system that was unfamiliar to her. She continues to learn and support all academic areas of the college. She has student success and the success of each academic area in her best interest.”
Release date: JANUARY 20, 2025
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC 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
Jan 17, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
The Board of Trustees Building and Site Committee will meet at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21 in the President’s Office Conference Room in the Tanis Building on NMC’s Front Street campus. The official meeting notice is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
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
Jan 17, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Tickets are now on sale for A Taste of Success, the premier annual fundraiser for students at NMC’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute, which will be held Friday, April 25 at NMC’s Great Lakes Campus.
At the strolling tasting event, guests will enjoy international cuisine prepared and served by culinary students along with local wines and beverages. First held at the Park Place Hotel in 1994, the 2024 event raised more than $157,000 for student scholarships and the greatest needs of the program.
The Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College offers both degree and certificates. It is accredited by the American Culinary Federation, one of fewer than 200 U.S. colleges to receive that distinction. Students are eligible to become ACF Certified Culinarians upon graduation.
Tickets are $150 each. Sponsorships are also available. Call (231) 995-1021 or buy online at nmc.edu/taste-of-success.
Release date: JANUARY 17, 2025
For more information:
Chef Les Eckert
Director, Great Lakes Culinary Institute
(231) 995-1197
leckert@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
Jan 14, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
NMC kicks off its 2025 Embrace the Dream programming, a series of events marking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month, on January 20. A calendar of events is available at nmc.edu/embrace-the-dream.
Monday, Jan. 20, Martin Luther King Jr. Day:
- Free admission to the Dennos Museum Center, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
- The 2025 Marching for Justice exhibit, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. in the museum’s sculpture court. This extraordinary exhibit showcases over 150 original artifacts, highlighting pivotal moments in Black history—from the Transatlantic Slave Trade to contemporary social justice movements.
- Free MLK Day Lecture featuring Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, 2–3 p.m. A former social studies teacher, Dr. Khalid el-Hakim’s expertise encompasses Black History, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), Implicit Bias, Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, and Hip Hop Pedagogy. Get free tickets and learn more about the lecture here.
- Building Bridges with Music presents An Evening of Voices to Commemorate Dr. King, City Opera House, 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) Featuring The Brazea Dennard Chorale, NMC Chamber Singers and NMC Children’s Choir: Cantus. Learn more and get free tickets to the concert here.
January 30, February 4, 20 & 25: Food for the Soul meals at the Hawk Owl Café. 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. and 4–6 p.m. (No 4–6 p.m. serving February 20)
Thursday Feb. 6, 4:30–6 p.m.: NMC Library Read-Aloud & Craft Night. Children ages 3–12 are invited to an Embrace the Dream Read Aloud and Craft Night hosted at the library. The books have been selected with an eye for great stories and diverse characters and are written and illustrated by Black authors and artists. In addition to a read-aloud with our volunteers, each child will complete a craft and receive their own copy of the book to keep. Accompanying adults can browse the library collection but should plan on remaining close by in the building. The library is also recruiting volunteers to serve as readers or craft station facilitators, interested folks can sign up here.
For more information visit nmc.edu/embrace-the-dream, which will be updated with more events as they are added.
