Sep 2, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
The safety and security of students, faculty and staff is NMC’s highest priority. We typically test our emergency alert systems the first Monday of each month. Since Sept. 1 was a holiday, this month’s notifications will occur Sept. 8.
With the start of the new semester, we wanted to explain what you will see. Depending on the options you choose when you sign up for emergency alerts, you will receive emails, texts and/or phone messages. In addition, NMC uses a system that displays a full-screen alert message on logged-in NMC computers and campus monitors, and displays the alert until the computer user acknowledges the message or two minutes have passed. This includes classroom computer screens..
Please be sure you have signed up for emergency alerts. Opt in through Self-Service, accessible on your MyNMC page. In addition, store the number to Campus Safety & Security in your phone so it is accessible if you need it: (231) 995-1111.
Aug 29, 2025 | Intercom
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold a study session Wednesday, September 3 at 2 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, rooms 106-107. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Aug 28, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
August 20, 2025
Northwestern Michigan College this week revealed a refreshed brand designed to reflect the college of today and position it to serve the community for years to come, even as higher education grows more competitive.
The research-based, grant-funded brand strategy includes a new logo that builds on the decades of history of NMC’s iconic green pine tree logo, and an updated and expanded color palette. New, multiple shades of blue illustrate NMC’s leadership in freshwater research and careers, including two unique community college bachelor’s degrees, in marine technology and maritime technology.
“A strong NMC brand – what makes us unique and valuable in a challenging higher ed landscape – is an asset, just like our faculty and staff and our campus buildings,” said President Nick Nissley. “Unifying around the NMC brand will enable us to better serve students and attract new ones. We have always been proud of our work; we now have new ways to show and tell our story.”
NMC was awarded a $100,000 grant from Indianapolis-based Lumina Foundation in June 2023 to fund the brand assessment and strategy work. More than 600 college stakeholders contributed input via a survey, including current and prospective students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and community/business partners.
In addition, more than 60 interviews were conducted with the same groups, plus local high school counselors and staff. Since COVID, a significant new enrollment challenge has been fewer high school graduates choosing to attend college at all, especially men. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer highlighted this challenge to Michigan’s talent pool and economy in her 2025 State of the State address.
The first phase of the refreshed brand is timed to the start of the fall semester and includes new signage on all five campuses, completely redesigned admissions materials, and Welcome Week materials for new and current students. New NMC apparel and other logo gear is also available for sale in the NMC Bookstore.
Future phases of the work will extend the brand to academic division and department levels, with priorities shaped by NMC’s new strategic plan, now in development for 2026-29. The new brand also comes in time for NMC to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2026.
“Higher education is evolving rapidly, with more choices, shifting student expectations, and growing competition,” said Diana Fairbanks, associate vice president of strategic communications and change initiatives. “We took a wide-angle view, listening to our community and studying how other colleges position themselves. This brand reflects what makes NMC truly distinctive and equips us to compete more effectively, connect with the next generation of learners, and grow with purpose in the years ahead.”
To find out more, visit nmc.edu/brandnew.
Aug 27, 2025 | Announcements & News, Intercom, Student News
At NMC’s August 19 Opening Conference, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Jason Slade highlighted and celebrated many successes of NMC Next, the strategic plan that came to a close on June 30. It touched all areas of the college; it was focused, results-driven, and values-grounded. It moved the needle and we all did it together!
On August 21, the Strategic Plan Steering Committee (SPSC) met and dug a little deeper into the emerging goals and enabling strategies for the next plan. Future-Focused Education; Enrollment, Student Engagement, and Success; and Vibrancy and Belonging will all be carried over. They are all related to student success and are non-negotiable. Over the course of the next month, the committee will start to refine the language around goals and strategies.
On August 27, Jason and Diana Fairbanks, Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications and Change Initiatives, presented the emerging strategic plan to the NMC Foundation Board. On September 3, they will present to the Board of Trustees the thought process behind the emerging goals and enabling strategies of the next plan, the feedback from Leadership Council and SPSC, and the planning timeline between now and January 2026.
In September and early October, Jason and Diana will host focus group sessions within the college as well as with the local community. Everyone at NMC is welcome to provide feedback during the development process using this feedback form. For your reference, the planning timeline is as follows:
Aug 27, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
NMC’s Fitness Center is located in North Hall and is open to dorm residents as well as NMC employees and enrolled students with a paid membership.
The fall 2025 operating hours are:
Monday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Wednesday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.– 5 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m.– 5 p.m.
Hours subject to change based on Fitness Center staff availability. There may be times when the Fitness Center is unstaffed; please make sure to sign in and sign out correctly and wipe down any equipment used. NMC’s Fitness Center and its amenities are not available for use when the facility is closed.
For more information contact Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu.
Aug 27, 2025 | Intercom
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College will celebrate the completion of its new aviation hangar Sept. 15, marking a significant milestone that illustrates NMC’s commitment to meeting the growing needs of the Grand Traverse region and the aviation industry.
NMC is the only Michigan two-year college to offer an aviation program. Until this fall, it typically enrolled 30 new students each fall, and had up to a two-year waitlist. By expanding the college’s aviation facilities, the hangar increases NMC’s capacity to train pilots significantly. This fall, 50 new students started, a 66% increase.
The hangar was expanded by 16,500 square feet, which enabled NMC to add eight new planes to its fleet of 19 total aircraft, including a sea plane and an aerobatics plane. It is now 33,530 square feet.
Aviation students take to the skies in their first semester and can earn private, instrument, commercial, multi-engine, and flight instructor ratings, preparing them for successful careers.
“There’s never been a better time to launch your aviation career — with rising salaries, signing and retention bonuses, travel perks, and a pilot shortage projected to last another 10 to 15 years,” said Aviation director Alex Bloye.
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.
“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.”
NMC Aviation has a proven track record of success, with graduates experiencing 100 percent job placement. The college is also a leader in the growing field of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).
Release date: August 27, 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 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
Aug 26, 2025 | Intercom, Student Events
Current NMC students and employees are invited to a Fall Basketball Tournament Friday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. on the outdoor basketball courts by East Hall. Sign up for the tournament here.
For more information, contact CJ Schneider at cschneider@nmc.edu or Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu.
Aug 26, 2025 | Intercom, Student Events
NMC Campus Life invites current NMC students and employees to a Cornhole Tournament Friday, Aug. 29 at 2 p.m.
Sign up here, and join us in the courtyard area between East Hall and the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center to play.
Contact Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu for more information.
Aug 26, 2025 | Intercom, Student Events
The NMC Aviation Society is hosting a Fall Kickoff event between 5 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27 for new incoming flight students.
Come join us in the observation area of the Parsons-Stulen Building to enjoy a slice of pizza and cookies and play yard games while meeting your fellow classmates and our NMC instructors!
Aug 26, 2025 | Intercom
Don’t miss your chance to show off NMC’s new brand! Please order your gift item and nametag by 5 p.m. today, Aug. 26. The online store will then close.
In the shipping field, choose your office manager to receive the item, which will be delivered in three-four weeks. In keeping with our value of stewardship, as you replace your old logo items please bring them to the PRMC office, Biederman 104, for recycling.
Thank you!
Aug 25, 2025 | Intercom, International Affairs Forum, Student Events
On Thursday, Sept. 4, Northwestern Michigan College’s International Affairs Forum returns with a critical exploration of the fractious U.S. – China relationship. This discussion will feature Professor David Shambaugh of George Washington University, on his most recent book Breaking the Engagement: How China Won & Lost America.
David Shambaugh is an internationally recognized authority and award-winning author on contemporary China and the international relations of Asia. He is the Gaston Sigur Professor of Asian Studies, Political Science & International Affairs, and the founding Director of the China Policy Program in the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, and Distinguished Visiting Fellow with the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.
For over five decades following the 1972 rapprochement between the United States and China, the two countries seemed to be steadily building a sound relationship, even accounting for periodic setbacks like the Tiananmen Square massacre. The last decade, though, has seen a sharp increase in tensions and a complete reorientation of American policies toward China—from “engagement” to “competition.” What happened? In Breaking the Engagement: How China Won & Lost America, esteemed scholar David Shambaugh examines the evolution, expansion, and disintegration of the American engagement strategy towards China.
With over 40 years of first-hand experience in US-China relations, Shambaugh draws on extensive government and private sector sources, interviews with senior officials, as well as never-before-examined Chinese language sources.
The September 4 hybrid event at the Dennos Museum Center is open to the public and available to watch online. Admission is free for students, educators and all NMC employees. Tickets are $15 per person for the general public purchased in advance, or $20 at the door. Reception begins at 6 p.m. with the program at 7 p.m. For in-person tickets, online tickets, and all event details, visit TCIAF.com.
Aug 25, 2025 | Announcements & News, Intercom, Student News
Thanks to a generous grant from the Mahogany Foundation and the support of the NMC Foundation, NMC will host 14 Mobile Pantries throughout the 2025–26 academic year.
The pantries are designed specifically for NMC students, with grab and go type foods, fruits, vegetables, and family friendly snacks. Every other week, Feeding America West Michigan and NMC will distribute about 6,000 pounds of fresh goods via a drive-thru (or walk-thru) car line in the Maple Lot.
All distributions are held on Mondays, from 3–5 p.m. Food is distributed first-come, first-served until gone. While designed for students, any member of the community is welcome to participate.
This event is 100% free for participants. There are no means tests or financial requirements. At NMC, we believe no student (or member of our community) should go hungry.
Fall Dates: September 8 and 22, October 6 and 20, November 3 and 24, and December 1
Spring Dates: January 19, February 2 and 16, March 2 and 16, April 13 and 27
View the full schedule and learn more here.
Aug 25, 2025 | HR Corner, Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
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Aug 25, 2025 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Thanks to all who helped create record attendance at Opening Conference last week. Your enthusiasm for NMC’s refreshed brand will carry over to students. Check out this 1- minute recap video, and remember you have until 5 p.m. Tuesday to order your gift item and new name tag online.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Aug 25, 2025 | 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.
This Traverse City-Based Startup Wants To Revolutionize PFAS Testing
The Ticker, Aug. 24
Philanthropy News Digest, Aug. 24 (more…)
Aug 25, 2025 | Intercom
Student response to the refreshed brand during Welcome Week has been hugely positive. With classes beginning this week, many more will start seeing it. Returning students especially might wonder why we changed logos, or what it means for them as a student. Here’s a quick answer:
A. We updated our look to match the high caliber work happening at NMC. Hopefully it means a more vibrant campus and a stronger sense that you belong to this community. Let us know what you think – publicrelations@nmc.edu or on Instagram or Facebook.
You can also tell them to check their NMC email, where a post in tomorrow’s Student News should answer most questions.
Aug 21, 2025 | Intercom
President Nick Nissley pulled Jim Morse’s name from 247 entries submitted by employees after this year’s Opening Conference. The kayak was a fun and meaningful way to celebrate NMC’s connection to water and the launch of our new brand.
Thanks to everyone who attended the conference and for all you do everyday to make NMC extraordinary. Have a great semester!
Aug 21, 2025 | Intercom
Thank you to everyone who’s begun using the new design resources on the new employee brand hub. Unfortunately, the original version of the new email signature wasn’t working reliably for everyone.
It’s now been updated, so if you’ve already copied it into your email program, please download it again and update it in your program. To make sure you’re viewing the current version of the page with the updated signature, double-check that the section headline reads “Email Signature template (Updated)“. If not, force-refresh the page in your browser and then download the signature.
If you’re still having issues, please let the PR team know using the Web Request form. And thank you for your patience.
