Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) Retired Educator FAFSA Specialists are going to be in the NMC Enrollment Services Office in the Tanis Building every Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at least through November.
Stop in to get help completing the 2024–25 FAFSA. You might be missing out on financial aid opportunities through federal, state and NMC scholarships. The FAFSA is the key to accessing all of these!
Architectural rendering of hangar expansion
When American Airlines Capt. Todd Zrimec flies with another NMC pilot, he’s confident of the quality sitting next to him in the cockpit.
“They’re the best pilots out there that we can be hiring at American,” said Zrimec, a 1992 graduate of NMC Aviation who is now a check pilot for American, training new captains for the airline, as well as an FAA examiner.
So he’s excited that NMC is breaking ground Monday on a new hangar that will allow the college to purchase more planes, which means accepting more students, which will address the industry’s need for more pilots.
“That’s a big deal, being able to bring more students in and produce more pilots for the industry with the expansion of the fleet,” Zrimec said. “Having facilities and equipment that replicate what students will use in the industry is a critical component for the students in their learning.”
The new hangar will expand the college’s aviation facilities and increase its capacity to train pilots by 25 to 40 percent, according to Aviation Director Alex Bloye.
Presently NMC’s Aviation program enrolls 50 students per year, but has a up to a two-year waitlist.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of our state and federal legislators, donors and community partners who have made this project possible,” said NMC President Nick Nissley. “This expansion demonstrates NMC’s responsiveness to the needs of our region and our ability to deliver results.”
The current hangar is 48 years old. The renovated, 40,000-square-foot hangar will feature state-of-the-art facilities,, and a secure facility to store and maintain the college’s growing fleet of technically advanced aircraft.
“Thousands of pilots have started through those facilities. Those facilities met those needs. Now as we progress forward, we need updated facilities that match what students are going to see in the industry,” said American’s Zrimec, who also serves on the program’s advisory board.
Total project cost for the hangar is $7 million. NMC matched a $3.75 million state grant. The project also received $550,000 in federal funding.
The hangar is also the first project in NMC’s 10-year campus master plan, NMC Thrive. It is expected to be complete by August 2025, in time for the fall 2025 semester.
“I’m just extremely excited about this next phase of expansion. It’s really going to set the program apart,” Zrimec said.
Looking for information on who and what are on the ballot for the November 5 election? The League of Women Voters’s nonpartisan vote411.org website can help.
Enter your street address at vote411.org/ballot to get personalized ballot and candidate information, including biographical information and questionnaire responses from the five candidates for three NMC Board of Trustee positions.
Also, the American Library Association has put together a comprehensive state-by-state voting and elections toolkit ahead of the election to provide voters a one-stop resource covering everything from registration deadlines and polling places to ballot information and resources for getting a ride to the polls.
The NMC Jazz Bands under the direction of Joshua Wagner will be performing as part of The Alluvion Thursday Night Jazz 4 All series. The NMC Jazz Bands will be joining the Jeff Haas Trio from 6–8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 (Jazz Lab Band) and Thursday, Oct. 17 (Jazz Big Band). These groups contain NMC students, community members and area professionals with a mission of promoting the American art form of Jazz! Audience members will be treated to a variety of styles including blues, latin, swing, fusion and contemporary.
The Alluvion is located on the 2nd floor of the Commongrounds Cooperative at 414 East 8th Street in Traverse City. There are no advanced sales. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a $1–$20 honor cover at the door. We hope to see you there!
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:40–6 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Italian Pasta Bake with meatballs served with garlic crostini & roasted Brussels sprouts
Italian Pasta Bake (V) with roasted vegetables served with garlic crostini & roasted Brussels sprouts
Beef Tacos with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and chipotle ranch served with tortilla chips, queso blanco & refried beans
Tofu Tacos (V) with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and chipotle ranch served with tortilla chips and queso blanco & refried beans
Chicken Coconut Curry with onion and red pepper served with jasmine rice & naan bread
Tofu Coconut Curry (V) with onion and red pepper served with jasmine rice & naan bread
Lasagna served with garlic bread & broccoli
Vegetable Lasagna (V) served with garlic bread & broccoli
Crispy Chicken with buffalo sauce served with mac and cheese & asparagus
Roasted Cauliflower Steak (V) with chimichurri sauce served with mac and cheese & asparagus
$7 million facility will allow college to train more pilots
Media are welcome to cover the invitation-only groundbreaking ceremony, set for 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at the aviation facilities on NMC’s Aero Park campus, 2600 Aero Park Drive.
Architectural rendering (download high-resolution version)TRAVERSE CITY – Northwestern Michigan College will break ground for a new aviation hangar on October 7, marking a significant milestone that is testament to NMC’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the Grand Traverse region and the aviation industry.
The new hangar will expand the college’s aviation facilities and increase its capacity to train pilots by 25 to 40 percent. It is also the first project in NMC’s 10-year campus master plan, NMC Thrive. This investment reflects NMC’s dedication to providing high-quality education and preparing students for successful careers in aviation. Presently NMC’s Aviation program enrolls 50 students per year, but has a up to a two-year waitlist.
Architectural rendering (download high-resolution version)“We are incredibly grateful for the support of our state and federal legislators, donors, and community partners who have made this project possible,” said NMC President Nick Nissley. “This expansion demonstrates NMC’s responsiveness to the needs of our region and our ability to deliver results.”
The current hangar is 48 years old. The renovated, 40,000 square foot hangar will feature state-of-the-art facilities,, and a secure facility to store and maintain the college’s growing fleet of technically advanced aircraft. Total project cost for the hangar is $7 million. NMC matched a $3.75 million state grant. The project also received $550,000 in federal funding.
NMC Aviation has a proven track record of success, with graduates experiencing 100 percent job placement. As the demand for skilled pilots continues to grow, NMC is committed to providing the necessary training and resources to meet the industry’s needs. The college is also a leader in the growing field of uncrewed aerial systems.
NMC Thrive, the campus master plan guiding development for the next 10 years, was adopted by the Board of Trustees in June. The plan lays out a decade-long vision of renovations and construction and is estimated to cost between $164 and $235 million. Expansion of the Aviation facilities and program are also part of the college’s strategic plan adopted in 2022.
Media are welcome to cover the invitation-only groundbreaking ceremony, set for 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at the aviation facilities on NMC’s Aero Park campus, 2600 Aero Park Drive.
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President, Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019 (o)
(231) 392-6082 (mobile, text preferred)
In honor of National Food Bank week, the NMC Campus Bookstore is collecting non-perishable food items October 14–24 to donate to the NMC Food Pantry. As a thank you, the bookstore will be giving participants a coupon for a discount in the store.
Pre-nursing students — completing your last prerequisite(s) this fall? Now is the time to apply for the ADN Program!
The spring semester application deadline has been extended to October 15. Please submit your application on NMC Self-Service by clicking Admissions → Apply for Admissions → Submit a Competitive ADN Application.
Contact Melanie Griffith at mgriffith@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1238 with any questions.
NMC’s Blair Elementary Mentor Partnership is seeking 60 NMC students to pair with a local 4th or 5th grader at Blair Elementary to serve as a mentor this school year. Mentors spend time with their elementary schooler and help them see a bright future for themselves. In the past, we’ve paired NMC students with every 5th-grader at Blair, but this year we want to expand into the 4th grade too. So, we’re hoping for our biggest group of NMC mentors yet!
A training session for new mentors will be held Thursday, Oct. 17 from 3:30–5 p.m. in Room 104/105 of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center.
This Banned Books Week (September 22–28), you can listen to some of the most frequently challenged books on the Libby app, accessible via the NMC Library. Libby has both audiobooks and ebooks, with a growing collection of popular fiction and nonfiction. All of the titles featured on this list are available on audiobook. Follow these instructions to download Libby and set up your account.
ALA reports that its Office for Intellectual Freedom documented an unprecedented 1,247 demands to censor library books in the past year, and that “titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts.” Browse a list of Banned Books available to read and listen on Libby at libbyapp.com/library/omia.
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:40–6 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Lamb Gyros with pita bread served with lemon rice
Falafel Gyros (V) with pita bread served with lemon rice
Chicken & Cheese Quesadillas served with Spanish rice & refried beans
Roasted Poblano, Bean, and Cheese Quesadillas (V) served with Spanish rice & refried beans
Sesame Chicken Stir Fry served with basmati rice & egg rolls
Sesame Tofu Stir Fry (V) served with basmati rice & egg rolls
Sun-Dried Tomato Rigatoni with Italian sausage served with garlic bread & broccolini
Sun-Dried Tomato Rigatoni (V) with roasted vegetables served with garlic bread & broccolini
HOC Smashburger with bacon & onion straws served with garlic aioli, sweet potato fries, and asparagus
Impossible Burger on Brioche (V) with cheese & onion straws served with garlic aioli, sweet potato fries, and asparagus
TRAVERSE CITY — As health care occupations dominate Michigan’s latest Hot 50 job outlook, Direct Connect, a new partnership between Northwestern Michigan College and Grand Valley State University, creates a timely, affordable pathway to careers with the strongest growth outlook.
Starting this fall, Direct Connect aims to double the number of NMC students transferring to GVSU’s Allied Health Sciences bachelor’s degree by guaranteeing admission to qualifying students. Credits earned toward their NMC associate degree count as freshman and sophomore year credits at GVSU.
“They’re earning the first half of their bachelor’s degree at an NMC price,” said NMC Director of Student Success & Retention Lindsey Dickinson.
“It is a pioneering initiative in the region that creates a clear, streamlined pathway for NMC students to continue their education at GVSU,” said Shannon Owen, GVSU’s Director of the Northern Region. “We believe this program will help remove barriers in the transfer process and accelerate students’ entry into the workforce.”
Students concurrently enroll in GVSU and NMC classes their third semester, getting a jump start on their bachelor’s, then complete the junior and senior level curriculum for the Allied health Sciences bachelor’s degree entirely in Traverse City. The program is designed to meet the needs of health professionals from medical social workers to physical therapists to physician assistants.
All of those jobs are among Michigan’s latest Hot 50 job outlook, just released this week by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Updated every other year, the forecast shows the healthcare sector has the strongest job outlook of any In Michigan through 2032.
Most healthcare jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree, however, which NMC students must transfer to earn. NMC already offers a transfer path to a bachelor’s of nursing. Direct Connect expands that to other health care occupations.
“Students don’t always understand the transfer process,” said NMC advisor Katie Sommer-Ford. “We want them to know right from the start that they can go to Grand Valley.”
Beyond guaranteed admission to qualifying students and a more affordable path to a bachelor’s, Direct Connect will make transfer smoother through co-advising and academic support from both NMC and GVSU.
Next year, NMC plans to expand the Direct Connect process to other University Center partner schools Davenport University, Ferris State University and Central Michigan University.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
cnoga@nmc.edu
Do you have an idea or project that needs resources to reach its full potential? If so, the Office of Possibilities wants to hear from you! Pitch dates are set, so mark your calendars:
Pitches are open to NMC students, faculty, and staff, so if you have a great idea or project that needs resources to reach its full potential, the Office of Possibilities wants to hear from you! Fill out this application to connect with an OOPs team member who will assist in planning your pitch. If you have any questions about the application or the process, please email oops@nmc.edu and someone will get back to you promptly. Meeting with an OOPs team member is required before entering a pitch so please plan accordingly.
The Office of Possibilities is grateful for the generous annual funding from the NMC Foundation that supports innovative projects across campus!
We look forward to the exciting year ahead and hope to see you at one of the pitch events!
NMC President Nick Nissley and GVSU president Philomena Mantella sign the Direct Connect agreement. (Download a high-resolution version here.)
With health care occupations dominating Michigan’s latest Hot 50 job outlook, NMC’s new Direct Connect partnership with Grand Valley State University’s Allied Health Sciences bachelor’s degree creates an opportune, affordable pathway to careers with the strongest growth outlook.
Starting this fall, Direct Connect aims to double the number of NMC students transferring to GVSU, a longtime University Center partner, by guaranteeing admission to qualifying students. Credits earned toward their NMC associate degree count as freshman and sophomore year credits at GVSU.
“They’re earning the first half of their bachelor’s degree at an NMC price,” said NMC Director of Student Success & Retention Lindsey Dickinson.
Students concurrently enroll in GVSU and NMC classes their third semester, getting a jump start on their bachelor’s, then complete the junior and senior level GVSU curriculum entirely in Traverse City. The Allied Health Sciences bachelor’s degree is designed to meet the needs of health professionals from medical social workers to physical therapists to physician assistants.
All of those jobs are among Michigan’s latest Hot 50 job outlook, just released this week by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Updated every other year, the forecast shows the healthcare sector has the strongest job outlook of any In Michigan through 2032. Most healthcare jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree, however, which NMC students must transfer to earn. NMC already offers a transfer path to a bachelor’s of nursing degree. Direct Connect expands that to other health care occupations.
“Students don’t always understand the transfer process,” said NMC advisor Katie Sommer-Ford. “We want them to know right from the start that they can go to Grand Valley.”
Beyond guaranteed admission and a more affordable path to a bachelor’s, Direct Connect will make transfer smoother through co-advising from both NMC and GVSU.
“It is a pioneering initiative in the region that creates a clear, streamlined pathway for NMC students to continue their education at GVSU,” said Shannon Owen, GVSU’s Director of the Northern Region. “We believe this program will help remove barriers in the transfer process and accelerate students’ entry into the workforce.”
Next year, NMC plans to expand the Direct Connect process to other University Center partner schools Davenport University, Ferris State University and Central Michigan University.
Flu season is upon us once again and Student Health Services will host at least three Flu Clinics this Fall. As a reminder, we are located in the Les Biederman Building, Room 106 on the Front Street Campus.
Our three clinics are as follows:
If you can’t make these dates please call us at (231) 995-1255 to schedule an appointment; we have limited walk-in availability. We will also let everyone know of future clinics as we plan them.
For students the price of a flu shot is $15, and for staff without NMC insurance the cost is $20.
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:40–6 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Orange Chicken & Broccoli Bowl with mandarin oranges and ramen served with rice & Bosco sticks
Tofu & Broccoli Bowl (V) with mandarin oranges and ramen served with rice & Bosco sticks
Asada Pulled Tacos, Chicken or Pork with cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and salsa served with Mexican street corn & rice
Tofu Tacos (V) with cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and salsa served with Mexican street corn & rice
Spaghetti & Meatballs with marinara sauce and parmesan served with garlic bread & broccoli
Roasted Vegetables (V) with marinara sauce and parmesan served with garlic bread & broccoli
Breakfast for Dinner!
French Toast Sticks with Syrup
Sausage Patties
Veggie Egg Strata (V)
Fresh Fruit
Beer-Battered Cod Sandwich with tartar sauce served with creamy coleslaw & French fries
BBQ Jackfruit (V) with brioche bun served with creamy coleslaw & French fries
NMC’s Student Government Association is celebrating Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on NMC’s Front Street campus, and at the Great Lakes and Aero Park campuses. Come enjoy Vote 2024 cake and get Vote 2024 buttons and voter registration information along with the opportunity to register to vote. SGA is working with the Grand Traverse Area League of Women Voters to offer this event.
Events will be held at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center between 10 a.m.–1 p.m., at the Parsons-Stulen Building between 1–3 p.m., and at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy between 2–4 p.m.
Get ready for fall with a storewide hoodie sale! Take $10 off all regularly priced hoodies September 23–26. Sale applies to regular priced merchandise only.