Next Speaker Series to air April 2 on WNMC

The WNMC’s next Speaker Series will feature Doug Luciani, former head of the TC Chamber of Commerce and current VP for Strategy and Community Engagement at the development firm Cunningham-Limp.

Luciani and Eric Hines from the WNMC will discuss the changes that have occurred in Traverse City during his seventeen years at the Chamber and some of the service-oriented projects Cunningham-Limp has been involved with in Northern Michigan over the last few years such as Common Grounds, the Mill in Glen Arbor, several area churches and Cordia Senior Living at Grand Traverse Commons.

This interview will air at 7:30 a.m. on April 2 during Wednesday’s edition of Mornings on WNMC. Tune in at 90.7 FM or stream afterward on the WNMC’s Soundcloud account.

GLMA hosts ‘open ship’ aboard State of Michigan

TRAVERSE CITY — The community is invited to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy’s “open ship” showcasing the training ship State of Michigan from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 12. The day will include:

  • Self guided tours of the T/S State of Michigan
  • Interaction with current maritime cadets
  • An opportunity to learn more about the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, maritime careers, how to become a chef on a ship and U.S. Navy commissioning options

Tours will begin at the pier security gate entrance on the north side of NMC’s Great Lakes campus, 715 E. Front St. Low-heel, closed-toe, soft-soled shoes are highly recommended. The event will occur rain or shine.

Release date: MARCH 26, 2025

For more information:

Great Lakes Maritime Academy
maritime@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1200

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

COVID-19 vaccine clinic

Northwest Michigan Health Services is hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2 in the Cedar Lot on NMC’s Front Street Campus. NMC students, employees and family members ages 12 and older are eligible to receive a vaccine at no cost. Proof of insurance is not needed.

NMC Music presents four spring concerts

TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s Music Department invites the community to the following spring performances:

  • Saturday, April 12 NMC Audio Technology presents Rockin’ Into Spring – Dollars for Scholars. This scholarship benefit concert features Racing Mount Pleasant, formerly known as Kingfisher, and Trillium Groove. Several Audio Tech alumni are among the performers. 7 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Admission is $20 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets are now available.

  • Saturday, April 19 NMC Jazz Bands present the Spring Jazz Ensemble Showcase. Josh Wagner, director. 7:30 p.m. Milliken Auditorium. General admission. Presale tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. ($20 and $15 at the door.)

  • Friday, April 25 NMC Concert Band. Pat Brumbaugh, director. 7:30 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. General admission. Presale tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors ($20 and $15 at the door.)

  • Sunday, April 27 NMC Children’s Choirs present choral music from around the world at their final concert of the season. Ashley Larimer-Kelly, Stephanie Schall-Brazee, Joanna Aldridge and Jamie Moreland, directors. 3 p.m., Lars Hockstad Auditorium. Reserved seating. Presale tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors ($20 and $15 at the door.)

 

Release Date: March 25, 2025

For More Information:

Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
cnoga@nmc.edu

Multi-factor authentication for students

Thanks to those who worked to implement multi-factor authentication for students, which rolled out last week: Bryce Turner, Paul Martin and David Hosler from SLM, Lisa Boike from ITS, and Technology Support Services: Ali Thornton and the Help Desk team of Tyrel Stott, Michelle Beckett, Ricky Hagberg and Cayce Harwood. In addition, thanks to all the faculty and staff who took the time to remind students to update their cell phone numbers in Self-Service, which significantly improved the ease of the roll out. This is an important step to keep NMC data and IT assets secure.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

Media mentions for March 24, 2025

The following college events and stories have appeared in the media recently. We want to share your media involvement too. Please send information about your NMC-related interview or appearance to publicrelations@nmc.edu. If possible, please include a link to the piece and information about where and when it was used.

Please note access to some stories may be limited by paywalls set up by the media outlet. This includes the Traverse City Record-Eagle, which limits free clicks to five per month. You may also read Record-Eagle articles in the print edition at the NMC Library.

Women’s History Month special section: Carolyn Andrews, Lindsey Dickinson recognized
Record-Eagle, March 23
(more…)

Hawk Owl Café spring break hours – Mar. 22-30

Hawk Owl Cafe logo

Spring break hours 

Saturday, March 22 – Saturday, March 29

OPEN: SELF-SERVICE KIOSK ONLY

Sunday, March 30

OPEN
2–6 p.m.


The Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center will close each evening at 7 p.m. from Friday, March 21 through Sunday, March 30. Regular business hours resume on Monday, March 31.

 

Extended Education Opportunities

Did you know that your tuition waiver benefits extend beyond credit classes for you and your dependents? Take a fitness class, learn a new hobby, or even enjoy a date night with your partner, parent or friend. Check out these upcoming classes!

 

Explore NoMI: Sip, Savor & Learn

New! Join us for a one-day bus tour through the picturesque landscapes of Leelanau County. This educational adventure is perfect for community members interested in the local beverage scene.

Friday, April 25; 9 am.–5 p.m.

Tuition Waiver Price: $130 per person (public price $225)

Birding By Ear Birding By Ear

Add a new dimension to your enjoyment of local birds by learning to recognize them through their songs. Begin in the classroom and explore photos, listen to recordings, and get tips about listening to distinguish one bird song from another. For session two, head out on a field trip to walk, listen, and look for returning spring migrants.

2 sessions; Friday & Saturday, April 25 & 26; 6:30–8:30 p.m. (Fri) & 8–10:30 a.m. (Sat)

Tuition Waiver Price: $22 per person (public price $79)

Taco Bout Fun Taco ‘Bout Fun (For Adult & Child Age 7+)

New! Ready to level up your kitchen skills? Join us for a hands-on cooking adventure inspired by the vibrant flavors of Mexico! In this adult-child class, we’ll transform ordinary ingredients into extraordinary dishes like nachos, tostadas, and a customizable taco bar.

Saturday, April 26; 1–3 p.m.

Tuition Waiver Price: $46 for two people (public price $125)

Audio Tech Student Showcase

NMC audio tech showcaseAudio Technology students will present their “Student Showcase” production at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 at the Milliken Auditorium in the Dennos Museum Center as part of their experiential learning class project. Admission is free.

This concert will highlight student talent both on and off stage, as Audio Tech students will be running live sound, setting up and tearing down equipment and stage managing during the performances. All of the pre-production and marketing were also entirely student-led.

Performing this year are acts that feature a wide range of genres from indie bedroom pop to hip hop and rock n’ roll, the Audio Tech student body is proud to showcase their hard work over the past semester. The following performers include:

    • Kash Peck
    • Student Designed Font (Ayla Bluhm, Hayden Schonesse, and Carina Ingersoll)
    • K.4.N.3. (Arriam Kane)
    • DJ Flounder (Magnus Mannor)
    • Exist 505 (River Leachman)
    • 90s Boy Band (AB Rollo, Ben Filipkowski, and Jacob Sundermann)

If you have any further questions about the event, please contact:

David Chown
Audio Tech Professor
dchown@nmc.edu

Sam Boase-Miller
Audio Tech Coordinator
sboasemiller@nmc.edu

Library of Things collection: New arrivals for spring/summer 2025

Library of things collectionSpring is here, the snow is melting and the NMC Library has plenty of items in their Library of Things collection to help you get back outside after this brutal winter!

Play some outdoor games with your friends – from old favorites like cornhole and disc golf, to NEW additions to the collection like pickleball, kubb, giant chess and portable laser tag!

Have an outdoor movie night with our NEW mini projector and portable screen! Just add blankets, some popcorn and your favorite film for a perfectly cozy evening under the stars.

Have a picnic with your loved ones, with our NEW portable picnic table! You can also check out a bluetooth speaker, board games and a puzzle to make for a lovely day in the sun!

Go stargazing with our NEW telescope, or our NEW stargazing kit – complete with a red filter headlamp and flashlight as well as a pocket guide to the night sky!

Browse our full collection of Library of Things in the online catalog.

Success Story: On the cusp of nursing application season

March 19, 2025

Thomas Russell hasn’t graduated from high school yet, but he can’t wait to become a nurse.

The Traverse City Central senior is dual enrolled in medical terminology and a math class at NMC currently. This summer, following his high school graduation, he’ll take Anatomy & Physiology I, followed by A & P II in the fall. Once he completes all those prerequisites, he’ll be eligible to apply to the nursing program.

An NMC nursing program instructor demonstrates a medical technique to students in a simulation lab.Russell’s undaunted by the challenges to a profession which, broadly speaking, is still recovering from the powerful impact of the COVID pandemic. At NMC, he has a lot of company, as nursing remains arguably NMC’s most competitive program. Russell, 18, is among 160 students now in a pre-nursing pipeline, at various stages of prerequisite course completion. April 1, applications will open for the 40 available seats in the associate degree program starting this fall.

Grade point average, prerequisite completion, entrance exam score, prior degree status and veteran status all factor into the admission decision, said nursing program director Betsy Boris.

After completion of his prerequisites, Russell will be eligible to apply this fall for spring 2026 admission. He said “a lot of reflection” led him to choose nursing. He’s worked in construction, and found he wanted more interaction with people. He’s been a caregiver to his mother, who has disabilities, and experienced the patient side himself due to a severe allergy as a child.

“At the base of it, it’s just being able to help people,” he said. “I found a very solid grounding in helping people, and what that made me feel like.”

NMC runs the largest nursing program north of Grand Rapids, and graduates provide skilled, proficient patient care. NMC exceeds both Michigan and U.S. average pass rates on the RN license exam, the NCLEX. In 2024, 97% of NMC nursing students passed.

“Application season is always an exciting time for our students as well as faculty and staff, as we welcome future nurses to this challenging yet rewarding and fulfilling field,” Boris said. “NMC is proud to train many of the nurses who go on to work at Munson Healthcare, at nursing homes and in public health, sharing their skills with the entire region.”

Through a partnership with Davenport University, NMC students can also earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The first class of 12 graduated last summer. Another 14 will start this summer.

Right now, Russell is leaning toward long-term care nursing. “Something where I can build a deeper connection with the individual,” he said.

He’ll also be able to take advantage of the Community College Guarantee. As a 2025 high school graduate, the scholarship will cover the cost of his associate degree.

“I’m on top of that,” Russell said. “Very glad and thankful.”

What the U.S. Department of Education Changes Mean for NMC

Good afternoon NMC community,

By now, many of you have likely heard about the significant reductions at the U.S. Department of Education, where nearly 1,300 employees — almost half the department — were affected by a workforce reduction announced last week. Since the news broke, we have been working to understand the full scope of these changes and what they mean for our students, faculty and staff.

Let me be clear: there are no immediate changes to federal student aid. The Department has confirmed that FAFSA processing, Pell Grants and student loan servicing remain fully operational. Our Financial Aid Office continues to monitor the situation, and if anything changes, students will be notified directly.

At NMC, we are committed to staying ahead of changes that may impact our students. Some federal offices responsible for program oversight and compliance are being restructured, and we are keeping a close eye on any potential long-term effects. Our priority remains the same: ensuring every student has the support they need to succeed.

We recognize that change — even at the federal level — can bring uncertainty. But as always, NMC will continue to adapt, innovate and put students first. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Financial Aid team at SFS@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1035.

Thank you for being part of NMC. Together, we will navigate these changes with the same commitment to excellence and student success that has always defined our college.

Nick

Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College | 231.995.1010

Northwestern Michigan College

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The Blue Economy: Michigan’s Global Role

NMC IAF John AustinThe International Affairs Forum at Northwestern Michigan College will host a discussion about a future focus for northern Michigan’s vitality – The Blue Economy: Michigan’s Global Role.

IAF welcomes John C. Austin, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and director of the Michigan Economic Center at the University of Michigan. Austin is an economic coalition builder and a regional advocate for sustainable Great Lakes economic activity.

Joining Austin is Frank Ettawageshik, executive director of the United Tribes of Michigan and an internationally recognized environmental activist who has represented our region at COP21. Lending perspective on workforce training and development is John Lutchko, director of the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at NMC.

The event will be held on Thursday, March 20 at the Dennos Museum Center, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City. The discussion starts at 6:30 p.m. 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.

NMC Library spring break hours

NMC’s Library will be open for special hours during March 23-30.

    • Sunday, March 23 CLOSED
    • Monday, March 24 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Tuesday, March 25 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Wednesday, March 26 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Thursday, March 27 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Friday, March 28 CLOSED
    • Saturday, March 29 CLOSED
    • Sunday, March 30 CLOSED

Normal operating hours will resume on Monday, March 31.

Spring jazz concert April 19

Immerse yourself in the joyful exuberance of the NMC Jazz Bands. This concert promises to be a musical feast for all attendees!

The NMC Jazz Bands, a conglomerate of talented musicians, is all set to dazzle the audience with their musical prowess at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 19 in the Milliken Auditorium at the Dennos Museum Center. The concert will feature a vibrant mix of music genres, showcasing each band’s versatility. Expect an evening filled with rhythm, melody and harmony that will leave you spellbound.

Join us for an unforgettable night of music and harmony at the NMC Jazz Bands Spring Concert!

Tickets are $15/advance $20/door for adults, $10/advance $15/door for seniors and students. Exact change cash purchases at the door are appreciated.

 

Contact the NMC Box Office line at (231) 995-1340 for questions or assistance in purchasing tickets.