NMC Curling Night: A successful evening on the ice

Mar 12, 2026 | Intercom, Student News

On Friday, March 6, over 50 NMC faculty, staff, and students gathered at the Traverse City Curling Club for a fun night of learning a new sport, curling!

NMC students and employees learning to curl

Participants were divided among the five curling sheets, and volunteers from the club led the instruction on the basics of curling and friendly competition.

NMC students and employees learning to curl

Shout out to the 20 GLMA Cadets that showed up for the event! Way to represent the Academy!

Thanks to Marcus Bennett, Lynne Moritz and Terri Gustafson for organizing this event.

Suit up for the NMC Hero Race

Mar 10, 2026 | Intercom, Student Events

TRAVERSE CITY — Registration is now open for Northwestern Michigan College’s Hero Race, hosted by Professional Communications students on Saturday, April 18 on NMC’s Front Street campus as a part of an experiential learning class. 

This is a family-friendly chip-timed race with a superhero theme. Last year’s race earned the Traverse City Track Club’s Favorite Race of 2025 award. Race events include:

  • One-mile fun run (free event and cape) 9 a.m. start
  • 5k run ($30) 10 a.m. start
  • 10k run ($35) 10 a.m. start 
  • Medals and prizes 

All proceeds from the event go towards a goal of $5,000 to support scholarships for NMC College for Kids, which helps local youth attend the college’s summer educational programs.

Families and spectators can also enjoy several activities throughout the event, including:

  • Carnival games and food
  • Cake walk
  • Sensory room
  • Bake sale
  • Silent auction
  • Award ceremony

Each year, the race recognizes a community member as a “Local Hero” for their leadership and impact. This year’s Local Hero Award celebrates the 2026 Outstanding Alumni honorees of NMC. This is NMC’s 75th anniversary, and this year’s race will have a celebratory theme

Participants are encouraged to register early:

  • Early bird pricing deadline: March 18
  • Race shirt guarantee deadline: March 31

Packet pickup will be held the evening before the race, featuring a pasta dinner and mask and cape decorating from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Participants who cannot attend the evening pickup may also pick up their race packets the morning of the event. 

Community members who cannot attend the race are encouraged to donate for a chance to win a two-night stay at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island with a one-time donation of $20 or more through the NMC Foundation (designate NMC Hero Race).

To register, become a sponsor, or learn more about the event, visit nmcherorace.com today.

 RELEASE DATE: March 10, 2026

For more information:

Roberto Cuadra
Public Relations Specialist
(269) 930-1046
cuadrar@mail.nmc.edu

Kristy McDonald
Business Instructor
(231) 735-1055
kmcdonald@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

Nominations open for Staff and Team Excellence Awards

Mar 9, 2026 | HR Corner, Intercom

Every day, we see colleagues who go above and beyond, not for recognition, but because they care deeply about our students, our colleagues, our community, and our mission. Now is our chance to say “thank you.”

Who to nominate?

A staff member or a team who:

    • Consistently embodies NMC’s values?
    • Has made a clear, positive impact on NMC this year?
    • Inspires you with their dedication?

Who is eligible?

  • Staff: Full-time, part-time, or supplemental.
  • Teams: Departments, committees, or project groups (2+ employees).

How to nominate 

Complete and submit the Staff Excellence Nomination Form or the Team Excellence Nomination Form by Thursday, April 2, 2026

Help us highlight the incredible work happening across our campus! Recipients will receive a monetary award and an engraved plaque to be presented at the You Made It Possible Celebration on May 13, 2026.

NMC Employee Recognition Committee: Lori Hodek, Chair, Marcus Bennett, Hollie DeWalt, Les Eckert, Kim Gourlay, Craig Hadley, Taylor Nash, Denny Nguyen, Nancy Parshall and Lisa vonReichbauer.

 
 

Food for the Soul

Mar 9, 2026 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom

Thanks to the Hawk Owl Café staff and Associate Dean of Campus & Residence Life Marcus Bennett for offering a Food for the Soul menu in February. This four-week series of special menus was presented as part of NMC’s Embrace the Dream programming and in support of NMC’s goal to create a vibrant campus where everyone belongs.

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

Media mentions for March 9, 2026

Mar 9, 2026 | Intercom, Media Mentions

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.

The People’s College: 75 years of higher learning
Baylife Magazine, March-April 2026, pp. 34-45
(more…)

Mobile food pantry March 16

Mar 9, 2026 | Intercom, Student News

NMC Mobile Food Pantry

NMC will host a mobile food pantry on Monday, March 16 from 3–5 p.m. in the Maple Lot on the Front Street campus. The menu includes potatoes, onions, cottage cheese, applesauce, pinto beans, juice, cereal, venison and pasta.

While our program is designed for NMC college students and their families, it is open to all in the community who are in need of food.

We ask that recipients queue up in the car line in a counter-clockwise circle around the edge of the parking lot. Please do not block the main access roads, be aware of other students using the parking spaces and watch for children being picked up at the Oleson Learning Center adjacent to the Maple Lot.

 

 

Kudos!

Mar 6, 2026 | HR Corner, Intercom

Kudos to Amy Shamroe! Last Friday, the NOMIAC team hosted an Industry Navigator Lunch and Learn. Industry Navigator Amy Shamroe delivered a compelling and informative presentation that clearly outlined the breadth of training opportunities available through Extended Education, workforce training programs, and partner institutions across the 10-county region. Attendees walked away with a deeper understanding of available resources and a renewed appreciation for the collaborative strength behind the NOMIAC and Sixty by 30 initiatives. Thank you, Amy, for leading our industry partners in training with NMC and the NOMIAC!

Kudos to Emily Crull! Emily has recently gone above and beyond in providing support to our department. She laid out an entirely new webpage that was needed for a tight turnaround while her team was short-staffed – and it looks fantastic! She has also created extensive graphic libraries for several different initiatives that our department is involved with, so our materials look professional and polished. We truly appreciate all you do!

Celebrating new chapters

Mar 6, 2026 | HR Corner, Intercom

These colleagues have moved on to a new chapter in their lives. We wish them the very best as they navigate a new adventure, and we thank them for their time and dedication to NMC!

    • Gabriella Baldino, supplemental employee – Food Service Front of House
    • Andre Dean, supplemental employee – Instructional Tech Specialist
    • Jillian Kaley, student employee – Residence Hall Front Desk
    • Steven Miles – Adjunct Math Instructor

Welcome our newest hires!

Mar 6, 2026 | HR Corner, Intercom

These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!

    • Bee Kelly, student employee – Ceramic Studio Lab Assistant
    • Kim Ockert, supplemental employee – Test Proctor
    • Charlotte Davis, supplemental employee – Banquet Server. Hagerty Center
    • Mitchell Gingras, supplemental employee – Tutor

Volunteers sought for A Taste of Success

Mar 6, 2026 | Intercom

Want a front-row seat to the hottest ticket in town? The NMC Foundation and Alumni Relations are looking for volunteers for the annual A Taste of Success on Friday, April 24 at the Hagerty Center.

We’d love to have you on the team! From greeting guests to helping with our high-energy Heads or Tails game or the “By the Glass” live donation portion of the evening, our volunteers are the secret sauce that makes this night special. Most importantly, you’ll be helping us raise critical funds and scholarship dollars for the students of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute.

It’s fast-paced, social and an absolute blast. Fill out the yellow sections of the Google Sheet to secure your spot. We will send out email communications the week of the event to give you a rundown of what to expect, and your day-of contact will be there upon arrival.

If you have any questions, please contact Zach Whitaker at zwhitaker@nmc.edu or (231) 995-2826.

Sign up to volunteer at A Taste of Success

NMC Jazz Lab Band and student vocalists to perform at The Alluvion

Mar 5, 2026 | Intercom, Student Events

The NMC Jazz Lab Band and vocalists from NMC’s music program will join the Jeff Haas Trio for an evening of performances from 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26 at The Alluvion.

The roster is part of the Alluvion’s weekly Jazz 4 All series. NMC students will be singing a wide range of jazz favorites including:

    • Anna Dewey, “Don’t Know Why”
    • Gloria Sobkoviak, “L-O-V-E”
    • Liliana Sosa Dunn, “Over The Rainbow”
    • Mason Moran, “All The Things You Are”
    • Rheanna Gilzene, “Almost Like Being In Love”
    • Tae Detweiler-Smith, “I’m Beginning To See The Light”

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 “pay what you can” cover at the door. Come as you are and don’t miss the show!

Success Story: Commitment Scholarship expands access

Mar 4, 2026 | Intercom, Student News

An NMC student stands in the Campus Bookstore holding class supplies

March 4, 2026

The NMC Commitment Scholarship is vastly expanding the ranks of eligible first-generation college students this spring, increasing the impact of a unique college access opportunity that began more than thirty years ago.

Starting with the high school class of 2028 (current high school sophomores), prospective first-generation college students in the six-county area can self-nominate for a Commitment Scholarship.

Previously students had to be nominated by their high school counselor as freshmen. Eligibility was limited to 18 regional public high schools, each of which could nominate only three students. Charter, private and homeschooled students are also now eligible. 

Kai Collins, NMC commitment scholarIn addition to the financial help (up to $2,000/year for up to three years) Commitment helps students gain confidence and focus. At a Michigan Tech recruiting fair last fall, seeking a summer internship among throngs of other students, sophomore Kai Collins (right) believes lessons he learned years earlier as an NMC Commitment Scholar helped him stand out.

“Being a Commitment scholar felt like I was being treated as an adult. I had to learn management skills,” said Collins, a 2024 Mancelona High School graduate. “It’s made me a lot more confident in my college journey. I know I can use opportunities I’m given to their fullest.” 

Collins landed an internship, with Milwaukee Tool, and is headed to Wisconsin this summer. 

The scholarship can be combined with other aid, including the Michigan Community College Guarantee. First-generation is defined as neither parent having earned an associate degree or higher. 

The goal is to expand access and have more students take advantage of the scholarship, which was established by NMC donors in 1993. Students must also participate in two preparatory events prior to starting at NMC and maintain a 2.0 GPA in high school.

Gillian Lovett, a 2023 Bellaire High School graduate, is a Commitment scholar currently enrolled at NMC. She will graduate this May. She said the scholarship helped make college a realistic prospect for her.

“I was definitely pretty surprised. College wasn’t on my radar yet. I felt pretty lucky to be nominated, and I felt grateful that I did have an opportunity ahead of me to go to school and not  worry about the money,” Lovett said.

Lovett is studying psychology and plans to transfer to Western Michigan University to complete her bachelor’s degree. She’s considering a career in the correctional field, as a rehabilitation counselor.

Collins expects to graduate from Michigan Tech in 2028 with a degree in mechanical engineering. While at NMC he also earned a certificate in Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS).

Apply online.