Employee anniversaries
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
Kudos!
Kudos- Praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved. (defined by Merriam-Webster.com)
Kudos to the following people and departments! If you know of co-workers who are going above and beyond, nominate them for kudos here! (more…)
Congratulations to students who made the Fall 2015 Dean’s List
Published at the end of each term, the Dean’s List recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of both full-time and part-time students. These students have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or above out of a possible 4.0 while taking twelve or more credits (full-time) or between six and eleven credits (part-time).
Fall 2015 Dean’s List- Part Time
Christine Lavin and Don White to perform at the Dennos Museum Center
The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College will present Christine Lavin and Don White’s comedy performance of On the Funny Side of The Street: A Night of Brighter Laughter on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 8 PM in Milliken Auditorium. Tickets are $27 advance, $30 at the door and $24 for museum members plus ticket fees. Tickets may be purchased on line at www.dennosmuseum.org or by calling the box office at 231-995-1553 or My North Tickets at 800-836-0717.
Two of the funniest entertainers on today’s music scene. – The Boston Globe
Listen to Lavin and White: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLwRwZ7j3C4
Electronics instructor, Veterans POC win awards
TRAVERSE CITY — Electronics instructor Jason Slade and Veterans Services POC Scott Herzberg have been named NMC’s recipients of annual excellence awards.
Slade, at right, an electronics instructor since 2014, is the 2015-16 recipient of the NISOD award for teaching excellence. Affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin, NISOD is committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges. Criteria include professionalism, relationships with students and colleagues, and commitment to learning
Herzberg, at left, is the recipient of a 2015 John and Suanne Roueche Excellence Award from the League for Innovation in the Community College. The award celebrates outstanding contributions and leadership by community college faculty and staff. Herzberg has been an NMC staff member since 1996 and in 2012 was assigned to his current position to ensure NMC’s compliance with the post 9/11 GI Bill. NMC is currently ranked the fifth-best community college in the nation for its services to veterans, who comprise about 5 percent of the student body.
Release date: January 28, 2016
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
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-discriminationFall Employee of the Semester nominees announced
Congratulations to the following nominees for Employee of the Semester- Spring Semester: (more…)
Benefits corner- Flexible Spending Account claims deadlines
Do you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) from 2015?
You must submit your claims to Meritain Health to receive your funds. Here is the link to the Meritain FSA guide. Their customer service number is 1-800-566-9305. (more…)
Position vacancies
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
Director of Maritime Admissions (more…)
Success story: TC Central student tastes confidence in culinary program
January 6, 2016
When Aiden Voss graduates from Traverse City Central High School in June, she’ll simultaneously be just a few credits shy of an NMC culinary degree, thanks to dual enrollment.
The 18-year-old also discovered something even more valuable than the thousands of tuition dollars she saved by dual-enrolling: the confidence to forge her own opportunities.
While dual enrollment at NMC has increased rapidly the last three years — up almost 30 percent this semester vs. spring 2015 — Voss is the first dual-enrolled student in NMC’s culinary program. (Most students take general introductory classes like English, sociology or psychology, which transfer widely.) She had to get special permission from both her high school counselor and Culinary Institute director Fred Laughlin.
“To have that experience of asking for what I want, and pursuing it, and having these people count on me for quality product and quality grades, that’s been huge,” she said.
Voss had the chops to make the ask. At 13, she walked into the Cook’s House, one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Traverse City’s strong restaurant scene, and started staging, or apprenticing. From dishwashing to salads to food prep to the hot line, she learned her way around the entire kitchen.
Academically self-motivated as well, Voss tested out of several classes by the time she entered high school, leaving a gap in her schedule. Armed with her Cook’s House experience, she decided to see if she could dual enroll in the culinary program. Laughlin, who taught Voss in Introduction to Baking, called her an excellent student.
“She is inquisitive, hard-working and always has a smile on her face. She was a joy to have in class,” he said.
Voss kept pushing the bar for her internship credit this past summer, She worked at Chez Panisse, the venerable Berkeley, Calif. restaurant that pioneered the farm-to-table trend of showcasing fresh, local ingredients that has heavily influenced the Traverse City restaurant scene.
Whether it’s in the kitchen or the classroom, Voss looks for one thing.
“It’s the passion that’s important,” she said. She’s seen it outside the culinary program, too. Her Spanish instructor, Charles Fleis, can go on for half an hour on the etymology of a particular word.
“To see such passion, it just shapes you, I think,” she said. “It’s all about the people you’re around.”
Fleis said that phenomenon is circular. Voss and several other dual-enrolled students took his class in the evening, when they could have chosen other activities, and demonstrated curiosity and excitement about the subject.
“That puts fuel in my fire. They then help to motivate me,” said Fleis, who dual-enrolled himself more than 25 years ago, before it was an established practice. As a Kingsley High School senior in 1988-89 he took French at NMC. He went on to earn a PhD and teaches both Spanish and French now.
“I kind of relate to Aiden in that regard. I was impassioned about language and wanted to do something with it,” he said. “It’s not only a good thing economically for NMC, but it’s wise. It gets students motivated about higher education and what it can do for them.”
Voss’ post-high school plans are still fluid. She’d like to earn a business degree at a small, four-year liberal arts school. She wants to study abroad — Thailand and India are among her top destinations. Eventually, she’d like to return to Traverse City to finish up the culinary degree.
Learn more about dual enrollment »
Success story: TC Central student tastes confidence in culinary program
January 6, 2016
When Aiden Voss graduates from Traverse City Central High School in June, she’ll simultaneously be just a few credits shy of an NMC culinary degree, thanks to dual enrollment.
The 18-year-old also discovered something even more valuable than the thousands of tuition dollars she saved by dual-enrolling: the confidence to forge her own opportunities.
While dual enrollment at NMC has increased rapidly the last three years — up almost 30 percent this semester vs. spring 2015 — Voss is the first dual-enrolled student in NMC’s culinary program. (Most students take general introductory classes like English, sociology or psychology, which transfer widely.) She had to get special permission from both her high school counselor and Culinary Institute director Fred Laughlin.
“To have that experience of asking for what I want, and pursuing it, and having these people count on me for quality product and quality grades, that’s been huge,” she said.
Voss had the chops to make the ask. At 13, she walked into the Cook’s House, one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Traverse City’s strong restaurant scene, and started staging, or apprenticing. From dishwashing to salads to food prep to the hot line, she learned her way around the entire kitchen.
Academically self-motivated as well, Voss tested out of several classes by the time she entered high school, leaving a gap in her schedule. Armed with her Cook’s House experience, she decided to see if she could dual enroll in the culinary program. Laughlin, who taught Voss in Introduction to Baking, called her an excellent student.
“She is inquisitive, hard-working and always has a smile on her face. She was a joy to have in class,” he said.
Voss kept pushing the bar for her internship credit this past summer, She worked at Chez Panisse, the venerable Berkeley, Calif. restaurant that pioneered the farm-to-table trend of showcasing fresh, local ingredients that has heavily influenced the Traverse City restaurant scene.
Whether it’s in the kitchen or the classroom, Voss looks for one thing.
“It’s the passion that’s important,” she said. She’s seen it outside the culinary program, too. Her Spanish instructor, Charles Fleis, can go on for half an hour on the etymology of a particular word.
“To see such passion, it just shapes you, I think,” she said. “It’s all about the people you’re around.”
Fleis said that phenomenon is circular. Voss and several other dual-enrolled students took his class in the evening, when they could have chosen other activities, and demonstrated curiosity and excitement about the subject.
“That puts fuel in my fire. They then help to motivate me,” said Fleis, who dual-enrolled himself more than 25 years ago, before it was an established practice. As a Kingsley High School senior in 1988-89 he took French at NMC. He went on to earn a PhD and teaches both Spanish and French now.
“I kind of relate to Aiden in that regard. I was impassioned about language and wanted to do something with it,” he said. “It’s not only a good thing economically for NMC, but it’s wise. It gets students motivated about higher education and what it can do for them.”
Voss’ post-high school plans are still fluid. She’d like to earn a business degree at a small, four-year liberal arts school. She wants to study abroad — Thailand and India are among her top destinations. Eventually, she’d like to return to Traverse City to finish up the culinary degree.
Learn more about dual enrollment »
Employee anniversaries
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
Comedian Sampson McCormick to perform at Dennos
Sampson McCormick is a nationally touring, award winning stand-up comedian, writer and activist who makes audiences double over in laughter whether he’s joking about his wacky Aunt Jackie or homophobia, poverty, and religion. For over a decade, he has been a favorite at LGBT pride festivals and mainstream venues alike. Join us on Friday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Milliken Auditorium for “What’s Real: Being Gay in Black America” a hilarious stand-up special for a night of riveting, refreshing, and original takes on religion, sexuality, life and politics.
This event is a part of the Embrace the Dream series, and is coordinated by and helps to support the NMC student groups: Black Student Union, PRIDE, and Students United for Gender Rights. The show has a suggested donation of $10, however no one will be turned away for lack of funds. See the all-inclusive Embrace the Dream events page here. (more…)
Taco Day at the Hawk Owl Cafe is January 12!
Taco Day will be Tuesday, January 12 at the Hawk Owl Cafe! Join us for these great deals on 1, 2 or 3 tacos with a side of rice and beans!
1 Taco & Sides : $4.99
2 Tacos & Sides: $5.99
3 Tacos & Sides: $6.99 (more…)
Remembering Lucy House
Lucy House, an NMC culinary instructor from 1991-2015, passed away Dec. 29, 2015. She was 59.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Frankfort. Read more details in her online obituary.
Welcome to NMC, Angie!
Angie Law joined NMC as the Coordinator of Data Reporting and Analysis on January 4, 2015. She can be reached at (231) 995-1561 or alaw@nmc.edu.
Angie was born in Grand Haven, MI and completed high school in Harbor Springs, MI. After high school she attended Michigan State University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Communications. Following graduate school she lived in Seattle, Washington for eight years, gaining experience in data management/analysis while working at a local social service non-profit; YWCA of Seattle. She relocated to Traverse City in May 2015 to be closer to her boyfriend. She enjoys yoga, hiking, craft projects, reading and spending time with her family. (more…)
Welcome to NMC, Katharine!
Katharine Zurek joined NMC as Annual Giving Specialist on January 4, 2016. She can be reached at (231) 995-1030 or kzurek@nmc.edu.
Katharine hails from Grosse Pointe, Michigan and earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Women’s Studies and a master’s degree in Social Work, both from the University of Michigan. Prior to earning her master’s degree, Katharine worked in the nonprofit sector in both direct service and administrative roles, including work at a Detroit area domestic violence shelter as well as at the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency in Traverse City. Katharine enjoys reading, knitting, hiking, snowshoeing, and strolling through farmer’s markets. (more…)
Welcome to NMC!
Please join us in welcoming these new additions to our NMC staff! (more…)
Board of Trustees recap- December 21, 2015
Here is an informal account of the Northwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees meeting Monday, December 21, 2015, at the Oleson Center.
Details on the actions items and reports are contained in the Board Packet available online. (more…)