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).
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
Faculty Excellence Award nominations are due by Friday, April 5.
Award criteria includes teaching excellence, rapport with students, innovation in the classroom and a sense of dedication.
Nominate your favorite instructor!
Stop by the NMC Bookstore on Leap Day (Thursday, February 29) and receive 29% off all regularly priced apparel and hats! One day only!
TRAVERSE CITY — Current students, alumni, and the community are invited to attend Northwestern Michigan College’s 18th annual Career Fair on Thursday, March 7 at the Hagerty Center on the Great Lakes Campus.
Held in partnership with Northwest Michigan Works and Networks Northwest, the Career Fair runs from 3–6 p.m. (Veterans and active military families are invited to arrive at 2 p.m.) More than 70 participating employers will be recruiting for career-track, seasonal and entry-level positions as well as internships and service learning. See the list at nmc.edu/career-fair.
Katie Sommer-Ford
NMC Advising Center
ksommer@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1040
Caps and gowns are now available! Stop by the NMC Bookstore (located in the Health & Science building) or shop online at bookstore.nmc.edu.
A significant road construction project is expected to begin in March that will affect access to NMC campuses and may cause delays for commuters. While construction will be closest to the Front Street campus and the Great Lakes campus, planners expect traffic throughout the region to be impacted.
MDOT is embarking on a significant reconstruction of a 2-mile section of US-31/M-37/M-72 (Grandview Parkway/Front Street) in Traverse City, spanning from the US-31/M-37/M-72 west junction (Division Street) to just east of Garfield Road.
The project will be divided into two segments:
Construction will begin on the eastern segment in March, with completion scheduled before the National Cherry Festival. Work on the western segment will begin after the festival.
This construction will impact businesses, drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and anyone traveling along that section of road during the construction phase, as well as those along the proposed detour route.
During the eastern segment construction starting in March 2024, westbound traffic will be detoured on Railroad Avenue and Eighth Street, while eastbound traffic will be detoured on Peninsula Drive, Eastern Avenue, and Milliken Drive. Northbound and southbound M-37/Garfield Avenue traffic will be detoured on Eastern Avenue, Milliken Drive, Fair Street, and Eighth Street.
During the western segment construction starting in July, there will be lane closures and traffic shifts for both directions of traffic.
MDOT aims to implement operational enhancements at the intersections of Division Street, Hall Street, Front Street, and Peninsula Drive, as well as drainage improvements, Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades, repairs to the Murchie Bridge over the Boardman River, and installation of new signs and pavement markings. Additionally, MDOT plans to add pedestrian crossings at Peninsula Drive and Front Street, improve the pedestrian crossing at Division Street, and collaborate with TART and the city to extend the trail to the east and widen where possible.
If you have additional questions about this project please visit these resource pages:
We apologize for any inconvenience this construction may cause and encourage everyone to plan ahead, allow extra time for travel, and utilize alternative routes if possible. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated as we work through this important infrastructure improvement.
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Entrée: meat or vegetable lasagna
Side: broccoli and garlic crostini
Entrée: beef or tofu tacos with lettuce, tomato, cheese and chipotle ranch
Sides: Spanish rice and refried beans
Entrée: chicken or tofu coconut curry with jasmine rice
Side: naan bread
Food for the Soul buffet ($14.00; available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. only)
Entrées: fried catfish, rib tips, black bean burgers or blackened tofu
Sides: fried okra, collard greens (with or without ham), cornbread, banana pudding, peach cobbler
Entrée: GLCI smashburger with cheese, bacon, & onion straws on brioche
Side: sweet potato fries and asparagus
The Motorsports Club at Northern Michigan College is one of many student-led groups on campus that aim to support and engage students. NMC Motorsports has a large-scale goal to design and build a vehicle that will rival others within the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
As a multifaceted group, the members have gained experience in everything from marketing to hands-on mechanics and CAD software design. Having just placed a favorable 14th out of 38 vehicles at the MTU BAJA race in January, the group is preparing for another sizable competition at the University of Wisconsin next October.
“NMC Motorsports is not just a club; it’s a catalyst for diverse student growth, providing a nurturing environment for hands-on learning, skill development, and a sense of community beyond traditional academic experiences at NMC.” – Jaron Larson, NMC Motorsports President
Members have actively worked on collaborating with other student groups and are encouraging students to consider joining the Motorsports Club, regardless of mechanical interest. Roles like Event Planner, Social Media Strategist and Logistics Coordinator are just a few the group is looking to recruit. If you are interested in learning more, email Jaron Larson at larso167@mail.nmc.edu
Do you want to see a specific student group featured? Fill out the nomination form. Questions? Email cknight@nmc.edu
The Health & Science Building atrium on NMC’s Front Street campus will be used as a polling place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27 for Precinct 9 voters to cast their ballots. Some parking in the Cedar lot will be set aside for voters at those times.
The NMC Bookstore will be closed that day as well, and will reopen with normal hours on Wednesday, February 28.
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is seeking nominations for the 2024 Outstanding Alumni awards. Nominations will be accepted through March 8.
Since 1988, Northwestern Michigan College’s Outstanding Alumni award has recognized graduates and past students for significant professional achievements and/or exemplary leadership in the local or global community. Nominees for this award should have demonstrated accomplishments that also reflect the NMC values of dedication to life-long learning, innovation and integrity, and respect for and collaboration with others. Recognition is not solely contingent on having received a degree or cerificate from NMC, but on the achievements of the nominee and positve perspective about the role that NMC played in their lives.
More information and the nomination form can be found at nmc.edu/alumni. Nominations may be submitted online. To have a paper nomination form mailed, call (231) 995-1834 or email alumni@nmc.edu.
The 2023 Outstanding Alumni recipients were Dr. Jerry Dobek and Tiffany McQueer. A complete list of past honorees may be found online. For more information about NMC’s Alumni program, visit nmc.edu/alumni.
Carly McCall
Director of Alumni Engagement
alumni@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2825
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 returns to its in-person format on April 26, for the first time since 2019.
At the strolling tasting event, guests will enjoy international cuisine prepared and served by culinary students along with curated wines and beverages. First held at the Park Place Hotel in 1994, the 2023 to-go event raised more than $145,000 for student scholarships and the greatest needs of the GLCI 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.
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
TRAVERSE CITY — High school students and families can learn more about NMC’s new, lower dual enrollment tuition rate for students from outside Grand Traverse County at several upcoming information sessions.
The new rate of $160 per contact hour will allow hundreds more students to access a fast track to an affordable college degree by dual-enrolling at NMC while still in high school, usually as a junior or senior.
School districts pay for dual enrollment, using a portion of their state funding to cover the tuition. Since a student’s residency factors into their NMC tuition rate, however, the state dollars haven’t always covered the total bill. Until now, families could be billed for the difference.
The new rate, unanimously approved by NMC’s Board of Trustees in January, is expected to cover the tuition and fee bill for three- and four-credit classes. This would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for most dual-enrolled students regardless of where they live, with the potential exception of books and course fees, where applicable, such as lab courses.
Five upcoming sessions give students and parents in-person and virtual options to learn more about dual enrollment, the application process and choosing courses aligned with their future goals. In-person sessions are held in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on NMC’s Front Street campus.
The first two sessions focus more on what classes to take based on individual interests and goals, while the last three are focused on applying and admission. However, families can attend any session that fits their schedule.
Kaitlyn Watson, a 2020 graduate of Grand Traverse Academy, earned 42 credits through dual enrollment at NMC. With that head start, Watson graduated from Michigan State University with her bachelor’s degree in December 2022, just two and a half years after her high school commencement.
“Dual enrollment allowed me to complete college quickly, debt-free, and begin to pursue my true passions,” said Watson, who majored in statistics and now works for MSU. “It truly changed my life.”
Visit nmc.edu/dual-enroll for more information.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
cnoga@nmc.edu
TRAVERSE CITY – Northwestern Michigan College’s performance ensembles will hold three upcoming concerts:
Friday, February 23: NMC Chamber Singers and Canticum Novum choral performance. 7:30 p.m., at the Alluvion, 414 E. 8th St. Directed by Jeff Cobb, the concert will include choral works from around the world and will feature several classic and contemporary spirituals in celebration of Black History Month. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and available online.
Wednesday, February 28: NMC Chamber Singers host the Eastern Michigan University Choir. 7:30 p.m. in Milliken Auditorium at the Dennos Museum Center on NMC’s Front Street campus. Free and open to the public.
Saturday, March 2: NMC Concert Band and Grand Traverse Chorale present “Coming of Light.” 7:30 p.m., Corson Auditorium, Interlochen Center for the Arts. Performance features John Rutter’s “Magnificat” and C.M. von Weber’s “Clarinet Concerto.” Tickets are $8 students/seniors or $13 adults pre-order, and $10 students/seniors or $15/adults at the door. Contact the NMC box office at (231) 995-1340 for questions or assistance in purchasing tickets.
Jeff Cobb
NMC Music Programs Director
(231) 995-1338
jecobb@nmc.edu
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Entrée: lamb gyros or falafel with pita
Side: lemon rice
Entrée: chicken & cheese or roasted poblano & bean quesadilla
Sides: Spanish rice and Mexican street corn
Entrée: sesame chicken or tofu stir fry with basmati rice
Side: egg roll
Food for the soul menu (protein option $6.00; vegetarian option is $5.00)
Entrée: country fried steak or red beans and rice (vegetarian)
Sides: mashed potatoes, gravy and yellow pound cake
Entrée: crispy chicken with mac & cheese with buffalo sauce or roasted cauliflower steak with chimichurri sauce
Side: asparagus
This semester, NMC Magazine wants your colorific creations. The theme is color and we want you to explore warm and cool, polychromatic versus monochromatic, saturated or muted shades.
Color symbolism, vivacious imagery, grayscale, rainbow, and even CMYK all qualify; as long as it’s colorful, we want to see your submissions shine.
Pick one color, three, seven—as many colors as you like!
Accepted mediums include:
Visit nmc.edu/nmcmagazine to submit your entry. The deadline to enter is Friday, March 15, 2024.
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
TRAVERSE CITY — Six candidates are eligible to fill the Board of Trustees seat vacated by former trustee Rachel Johnson last month.
The applicants, who must reside in Grand Traverse County, are:
Johnson resigned from NMC’s Board of Trustees effective Jan. 22. The new trustee will serve until the next regular community college election in November 2024. At that time voters will choose a candidate to serve the remainder of the term held by Johnson, which expires December 31, 2026.
In accordance with the Michigan Open Meetings Act, interviews and the final appointment will be conducted by the full NMC Board of Trustees at a special meeting set for 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19 in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, rooms 106–107, on NMC’s Front Street campus.
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
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! OOPS seeks to provide resources for education-related projects as well as projects related to community partnerships with NMC.
The next pitch event will be held on March 15, 2024 from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 104/105.
Those interested in pitching an idea should submit an application in order to be connected with an OOPs team member who can assist in planning your pitch.