DU, NMC celebrate first graduate of fast-track BSN program

12 nurses among first in Michigan to graduate, find employment after 2022 legislation

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College and Davenport University will celebrate the first 12 graduates of a new, fast-track bachelor’s of science in nursing program at a pinning ceremony set for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19 in Lobdell’s Restaurant on NMC’s Great Lakes campus.

The pinning ceremony marks the transition of the graduates, 11 of whom are also NMC alumni, from student nurses to professional nurses. All are already employed at regional providers including Munson Medical Center, the Grand Traverse County Health Department, and Harbor Care Associates.

A BSN offers nurses higher salaries, and broader job and career advancement opportunities than an RN. They are among the first students in Michigan to complete their BSNs through a 2022 legislative initiative designed to expand nursing education. NMC and Davenport announced their partnership under the legislation in February 2023.

In the concurrent program, students are enrolled for two years at NMC and a third year at Davenport, providing a faster, less expensive path to a BSN, which is increasingly sought by employers. Munson Medical Center requires its nurses to earn a BSN within five years of hire. Students also receive robust support services, including a nursing-specific adviser, a nursing student navigator who provides tutoring support, and a researcher responsible for tracking student success through the completion of the BSN.

“Our partnership with NMC provides an educational pathway that is empowering, convenient, and affordable to nurses, allowing them to take the next step in their education and training,” said Amy Stahley, dean, College of Health Professions at Davenport University. “Together, we are not only meeting the critical demands of the present, but actively contributing to the future of health care in northern Michigan.”

Graduate Aliyah Nowlin of Traverse City said that the partnership saved her more than $3,000. NMC students get Davenport credit for passing the NCLEX state licensing exam, which comes at the end of the associate degree program. Nowlin, 21, earned her associate degree in nursing in May 2023 and her BSN in December 2023.

“With the way the program is set up, they gave me a chunk of credits for just having my license,” Nowlin said. “That’s a third of your BSN, right there. That was really empowering for me.”

She plans to pursue her master’s degree in nursing this fall through Davenport, while working on the stroke/telemetry unit at Munson Medical Center.

“I wouldn’t be starting my master’s this fall without that partnership program,” said Nowlin, who also took advantage of tuition reimbursement offered to employees by Munson.

The pinning ceremony’s contemporary origin dates to Florence Nightingale, considered the founder of modern nursing. Each nurse is presented with his or her pin by someone they have selected, often a family member.

NMC currently has 278 students in its nursing pipeline.

 

Release date: August 13, 2024

For more information:

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

 

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE

Northwestern Michigan College does not discriminate in admission, campus activities, education, employment, housing, public accommodation or public service on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, handicap, height, marital or familial status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, service in the military, veteran’s status, weight, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discrimination

Strategic Plan, NMC Next, Kicks off Year 3!

As the college’s strategic plan, NMC Next, moves into its final year, I wanted to provide an update and celebrate some of our accomplishments. First off, thank you to the dozens of colleagues who worked tirelessly over the last 12 months on Year 2 of the NMC Next Strategic Plan! Behind the scenes, objective leads, champions, and their teams worked to keep actions steps on time and on track. An astounding 56 actions were completed in FY24 (Year 2 of implementation). Some highlights include:

  • Experiential learning opportunities for over 90% of our students
  • Responding to students by providing courses in the timeline and of the format they are seeking
  • Increased enrollment for the last three semesters
  • PRMC developed marketing and enrollment campaigns focused on conversion and enrollment
  • Customized workforce development training for some of the area’s biggest employers
  • A financial turnaround by GLCI exceeding the expectations of the Strategic Plan
  • An aviation expansion that breaks ground this Fall

These are just a few of the many successes of the strategic plan.

A few specifics: if you would like to view Year 2, archived PDFs are available here to view by anyone with an NMC email address.

Recently, strategy champions and objective leads spent many hours fine-tuning actions for Year 3 (FY25), which is the final year to execute NMC’s current strategic plan. Year 3 and its associated actions are located here.

The metrics will be updated again in September as Fall enrollment data becomes available. Thank you, ORPE, for your continued support of the strategic plan by providing much needed data and analytics.

In closing, I wanted to thank the entire college community for your continued support of the strategic plan. This work continues to propel the college forward to the future state we envisioned when we launched this effort.

— Jason Slade

Media mentions for August 12, 2024

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.

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Upcoming Extended Education classes for employees

Fall Classes are now open for registration! 

Did you know that your tuition waiver benefits extend beyond credit classes? Take a fitness class, learn a new hobby, or even enjoy a date night with your partner. Check out these upcoming classes! Place the class in your shopping cart in order to see the discount. Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.

NEW! Zenga
22 sessions; Mon & Wed, Sept. 9–Nov. 20; 8–9 a.m.
Employee price: $46 per person (public price: $225)
Get a workout in before your workday begins! Develop the grace of a dancer and the power of a warrior with this mindful workout that combines elements of movement and flow with a deep awareness of connection and control. This class promises to increase circulation, stimulate the central nervous system, and improve flexibility all while strengthening the mind-body connection.

Date Night: Amazing Mediterranean Cooking
Tues, Sept. 17; 6–9 p.m.
Employee price: $46 for two people (public price: $199)
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Mediterranean cuisine, a symphony of fresh flavors and enticing aromas. This culinary journey will equip you with the skills to create balanced dishes that showcase the bounty of the region. Expect to explore a variety of techniques using vegetables at their peak, fragrant herbs, and warming spices.

New! Gluten Free Sourdough Bread
Wed, Oct. 16; 6–8:30 p.m.
Employee price: $32 per person (public price: $99)
No gluten? No problem! Learn how to make delicious gluten free sourdough bread! The recipe is totally allergen free: no gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, or nuts! Learn about sourdough starters, different grains and flours, and how to blend them for the best texture and flavor.

 

Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.

EES Help Desk

Registration Open for NMC Fall Extended Education & Training Classes

EES Fall catalog coverTRAVERSE CITY, MI — Northwestern Michigan College Extended Education & Training announces the release of its Fall Catalog, featuring over 230 diverse learning options. The catalog is now accessible online at www.nmc.edu/ees and registration is open for all classes.

This season, NMC Extended Education & Training presents a dynamic collection of in-person, livestream, and online classes. Led by local experts, these informal and short courses span an array of captivating topics, including cooking, art, recreation, global issues, music, fitness, technology, and more. Exciting new additions this fall include Ceramics: Glaze Chemistry, Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread, Plant Monsters of the Silver Screen and Prompts for GenAI. Additionally, expanded school-year youth programs include a new after-school art program, Art Ventures, plus Learn Together culinary classes for adults and children.

Beyond the enriching short classes, this fall’s professional development and career training offerings include a special focus on Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Interested in building a business or starting a new venture? Innovation 101 and associated classes will help develop the skills and network opportunities to be successful. These classes are underwritten by the support of NMC’s Office of Possibilities. To explore these exciting new classes, visit nmc.edu/pd.

Tuition Waiver applies for NMC full time and retired NMC employees. To see the tuition waiver price, add the class to your cart. Need help creating your student profile? Please submit a “EES Full Time Employee Tuition Waiver Profile Set Up” help desk ticket through MyNMC.

To view the full range of classes and reserve your seat, visit www.nmc.edu/ees. To request a printed catalog, email ees@nmc.edu.

18th Annual Mike McIntosh Memorial Truck & Car Show

Car and truck show flyer imageCome see cool cars and support students at NMC’s 18th annual Mike McIntosh Memorial Truck & Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at NMC’s Automotive Service Technology Building, located at 2510 Aero Park Drive on NMC’s Aero Park Campus. Car enthusiasts will display their classic cars, 4X4s, dragsters, sports cars, modified late models, motorcycles and more.

Admission is free for spectators, and there will be food, music, prizes and trophies. There is a $20 entry fee per vehicle for contestants and registration begins at 8 a.m. Proceeds benefit NMC’s Automotive Technology program.

The show is named after the late NMC Automotive instructor Mike McIntosh, who retired in 2004 after 34 years of service. McIntosh organized the first car show for the Automotive program in 2004.

Call (231) 995-1316 for more information.

Media mentions for August 5, 2024

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.

Primary candidates vie for votes Aug. 6
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Kudos!

Kudos to Paul Martin. Paul made the transition of moving the S and Q drives into an easy format of Google Drive. The best part? I didn’t have to learn any codes, go through three hours of training, or struggle through this (what seemed to me) enormous task.

Kudos to Christa Abdul-Karim, Tammy Coleman, Jennifer Ewing, Scott Goethals, Sarah Montgomery-Richards, and Elizabeth Sonnabend. In 2023 the Michigan Public Health Institute hired Extended Education & Training to provide a bi-monthly noon webinar for the Michigan Department of Environmental Health staff throughout the state. In 2024 they asked us back again for monthly webinars! NMC employees who have or are signed up to be speakers include Dr. Christa Abdul-Karim, Dr. Tammy Coleman, Jennifer Ewing, Scott Goethals, Dr. Sarah Montgomery-Richards, and Elizabeth Sonnabend. Average attendance is 50-75 of their 450 employees. They’ve used this as both professional development and employee engagement as most of their workforce is remote.

Kudos to Lynne Moritz. Ms. Moritz went above and beyond to onboard this new CAO/Vice President of College Advancement, especially in preparing me a well-thought-out Orientation Binder. In my 29+ year career in higher education, this is the very first time someone has done this…in my past institutions, I had to personally sift through data and request my own onboarding information. I am deeply grateful to you Ms. Moritz for doing this for me and being ready on Day One.


Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. Please encourage your colleagues by submitting a KUDOS. Let them know you appreciate their hard work and are thinking of them!

Welcome our newest hires

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

  • Rebecca Carlson – Adjunct – English Instructor
  • Erin Peters – Adjunct – Clinical Nursing
  • Kristi Fish – Adjunct – Applied Music
  • Gabrielle Henderson – Supplemental – Banquet Server

Bookstore Extended Hours

The NMC Campus Bookstore will be open for extended hours in August:

  • Starting August 5: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Starting August 19: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Regular hours will resume September 9.

Kudos!

Kudos to Nancy Durecki, Linda Glaesmer, Wendy Roberts, Jim White, and Patrick Quinlan. A huge thank You to Nancy Durecki and NMC Facilities Department. A visually impaired student has been frequenting campus for a summer program he is enrolled in. The student takes public transportation and has been standing for long periods of time in front of the Innovation Center in hopes to not miss the BATA bus. A call to ask if it would be possible to have a small bench placed in front of the building was quickly responded to by our Facilities team. Thank you for accommodating the needs of our student so quickly.

Kudos to Shannon Croll. There is no one “good deed” that Shannon has done, rather a multitude of kind actions has led to this kudos. As an Academic and Career Advisor, she warmly greets her students, gives thoughtful consideration to her advice and sets students up on a path for success. She is responsive to employee communication and is quick to follow up or schedule with a student who is in need of an advisor. No question is foolish and no request is too big, Shannon embodies our college’s mission by helping to transform the lives of our students (and staff) daily.


Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. Please encourage your colleagues by submitting a KUDOS. Let them know you appreciate their hard work and are thinking of them!

Welcome our newest hires

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

  • Nathan Hock – Staff – Custodian
  • Jake Butterfill – Staff – Custodian

Media mentions for July 29, 2024

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.

Saving cherry land: What’s the future of our farms?
MyNorth, July 23 (more…)

Upcoming Extended Education classes for employees

NMC’s tuition waiver benefits extend beyond credit classes—take a fitness class, learn a new hobby, or even enjoy a date night with your partner. Check out these upcoming classes! Place the class in your shopping cart in order to see the discount. View the Calendar of Classes.

Find EES in Scholars Hall 114C during College for Kids (June 17–August 2). Our office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Confronting Racism: A Visit to the Jim Crow Museum
Fridays through Nov. 11: 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Employee price: $75 (public price: $199)
Step into community and conversation with your fellow citizens here in Northern Michigan to explore the history of race relations in America through a unique lens at the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Imagery at Ferris State University. This one-day trip offers a unique opportunity to create belonging by fostering connection, while confronting the realities of the Jim Crow era (1877-1950s) through a collection of artifacts of intolerance that tell a powerful story and help to teach tolerance and promote a more just society.

 

Date Night: Bubbles
Tuesday, Aug. 13; 6–7:30 p.m.
Employee Price: $46 (public price $149)
Enjoy a night out while learning new things and drinking great wine. Do you want to explore the world of sparkling wine, but don’t know the difference between champagne and prosecco? Learn the background of these and other wines, plus perfect your tasting technique.

 

How To Use a Sewing Machine Part 2
Thursday, August 29; 10 a.m.–Noon
Employee Price: $27 (public price $75)
Ready to level up your sewing skills? This class is perfect for graduates of our “How to Use a Sewing Machine” class who crave more, or for anyone with basic sewing machine knowledge who wants to master the mysteries of sewing accessories.

 

Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.

EES Help Desk