Success Story: Community leader credits college for achievements

March 7, 2018

Kevin SchlueterThirty years ago, newly-named Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce chairman Kevin Schlueter was preparing to graduate from NMC. Now, as he embarks on his latest leadership challenge, he continues to credit the college and hopes to illuminate the sparkle from the “gem that we have in Traverse City” to the Chamber’s 2,000 member businesses.

“Everything that I have, I owe to NMC,” said Schlueter, 49, also the president and CEO of Kalkaska Screw Products. “It’s just flat-out factual.” Here’s how NMC is woven, both professionally and personally, into Schlueter’s life:

  • Scholarship – a Presidential scholarship covered the St. Francis High School graduate’s bills. The scholarship required him to keep up his GPA, which in turn meant he was admitted to the competitive Michigan Technological University, where he earned a bachelor’s in engineering in 1992. A master’s at Central Michigan followed in 1998. Neither degree, Schlueter says, would have happened without first graduating from NMC, in 1988.
  • Family – Schlueter met his wife Leana when both were students at NMC. They have two children, son Cameron and daughter Lydia.
  • Industry – In the eight years he’s led Kalkaska Screw Products, the company has increased employment more than sixfold, from 19 to 125. In his Chamber role now, Schlueter wants to play a liaison role between the manufacturing industry and the economic development and business community to help boost the skill set of potential employees. He sees NMC as well-positioned to do that. “It’s not just a local college that perhaps is affordable. The education is superior,” he said.

In addition to his Chamber leadership, Schlueter also serves on the NMC Foundation Board, the Scholarship Open golf committee, and the Alumni Relations steering committee.

“I’ve got an opportunity to give back, and I like doing that,” he said. “Every time I stretch my comfort zone a little bit, I grow as a human.”

NMC Jazz Bands

Join us for a swinging, toe tapping evening Saturday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Milliken Auditorium. The NMC Jazz Concert will feature these NMC groups: the Jazz Big Band, Jazz Lab Band and Vocal Jazz Ensemble performing music from Count Basie to Miles Davis and beyond, and featuring Swing, Latin and Rock styles plus much more, something for everyone. 

Success Story: Community leader credits college for achievements

March 7, 2018

Kevin SchlueterThirty years ago, newly-named Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce chairman Kevin Schlueter was preparing to graduate from NMC. Now, as he embarks on his latest leadership challenge, he continues to credit the college and hopes to illuminate the sparkle from the “gem that we have in Traverse City” to the Chamber’s 2,000 member businesses.

“Everything that I have, I owe to NMC,” said Schlueter, 49, also the president and CEO of Kalkaska Screw Products. “It’s just flat-out factual.” Here’s how NMC is woven, both professionally and personally, into Schlueter’s life:

  • Scholarship – a Presidential scholarship covered the St. Francis High School graduate’s bills. The scholarship required him to keep up his GPA, which in turn meant he was admitted to the competitive Michigan Technological University, where he earned a bachelor’s in engineering in 1992. A master’s at Central Michigan followed in 1998. Neither degree, Schlueter says, would have happened without first graduating from NMC, in 1988.
  • Family – Schlueter met his wife Leana when both were students at NMC. They have two children, son Cameron and daughter Lydia.
  • Industry – In the eight years he’s led Kalkaska Screw Products, the company has increased employment more than sixfold, from 19 to 125. In his Chamber role now, Schlueter wants to play a liaison role between the manufacturing industry and the economic development and business community to help boost the skill set of potential employees. He sees NMC as well-positioned to do that. “It’s not just a local college that perhaps is affordable. The education is superior,” he said.

In addition to his Chamber leadership, Schlueter also serves on the NMC Foundation Board, the Scholarship Open golf committee, and the Alumni Relations steering committee.

“I’ve got an opportunity to give back, and I like doing that,” he said. “Every time I stretch my comfort zone a little bit, I grow as a human.”

NMC Sexual Assault Awareness Week 2018

NMC Sexual Assault Awareness Week 2018 will take place the week of April 9-13, 2018.

The week of events is hosted by NMC Student Life and NMC Voices, and includes a showing of a mini-documentary on sexual assault as a global issue, Take Back the Night on Tuesday, a Healthy Relationships workshop on Wednesday and a Self-Defense workshop on Thursday.

For more information please contact Student Life at (231) 995-1118.

Innovation Grants are due April 1

The deadline for this round of Innovation Grant applications is April 1, 2018. Applications must be submitted to your area Vice President by this date.

It is strongly recommended that you discuss your proposal idea with your Vice President before developing the full proposal. VPs do have the authority to reject an application but can also provide valuable feedback to help develop great proposals that are more likely to be successful!

Find more information about innovation grants here. Or check out the “quick links” on the NMC Foundation’s home page at nmc.edu/foundation.

Please note that ALL applicants are required to do a 5-minute presentation for the committee plus plan 5 minutes for Q&A.

Open Education Week 2018

Join the library, CIE, and EMT in thanking our Textbook Heroes during Open Education Week 2018, March 5-9. Students can get a free #textbookbroke t-shirt for sharing how they cope with the high cost of textbooks. Stickers, pens, information, and sheet cake on Thursday. Stop by the library lobby between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Or check out our fabulous OER faculty at nmc.libguides.com/freeandopen/textbookheroes!

Human Trafficking: Awareness to Action

TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s Office of Student Life will host Human Trafficking: Awareness to Action, a free, one-day conference, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 16 in Milliken Auditorium.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m. participants will watch the northern Michigan premiere of the award-winning film “Break the Chain” by Laura Swanson, followed by a panel discussion featuring Swanson; Jane White, founder of the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force; Bob Cooney, Grand Traverse Prosecuting Attorney and Elinor Jordan, lead attorney for the Survivor Law Project and the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence.

At noon, a complimentary lunch follows the panel discussion. The afternoon keynote speaker is Jordan at 1 p.m. The conference concludes with coffee and conversation with speakers at 2 p.m. The event is free, but please register by March 12. To register online, go to nmc.edu/student-life and click the link below the film poster in the right-hand box.

Release Date: March 5, 2018

For more information:

NMC Office of Student Life
(231) 995-1118

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

Training Services March 2018 Newsletter

Read about what our Training Services team is up to including upcoming classes that you may be able to take for free using the tuition reimbursement benefit: https://mailchi.mp/nmc/nmc-training-services-march-2018-newsletter

This month’s topics include the Northern Michigan Lean Learning Consortium, the Grand Traverse Area Manufacturing Summit, Petoskey Plastics, Armor Express and KDH Defense Systems, upcoming workshops, and more! 

New digital marketing certificate available this fall

TRAVERSE CITY — A new one-year digital administration & marketing certificate will be offered to students this fall following unanimous approval by NMC’s Board of Trustees Monday.

Designed collaboratively by NMC’s Computer Information Technology (CIT) and Business Administration departments, the certificate combines existing courses in accounting, the Microsoft Office suite, computers in business, computer programming, advertising, marketing and graphic design.

It is intended to help address the needs of currently employed and underemployed white-collar workers who want to improve their digital skills for professional advancement, and their employers, who are interested in forestalling the loss of employees to competitors.

All core courses and several elective courses are offered online, creating flexibility for working students. Registration for fall classes begins March 14. Go to nmc.edu/fall for a checklist of steps to enroll and register.

Release Date: February 28, 2018

For More Information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director, NMC 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-discrimination

Spring 2018 Transfer Fair is March 13!

Over 20 university representatives will be on NMC’s campus on Tuesday, March 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to talk with students, staff and faculty about their programs and the transfer process. The university representatives will be located in Health & Science Building Lobby – Main Level.

Please let your students know about this opportunity to discuss transfer requirements and get information on degrees available at a variety of schools without having to travel to each university. Faculty and staff are encouraged to take advantage to dialogue with the university representatives as well!

A Printable List of Colleges attending and Questions to Ask at a Transfer Fair is available on the College Visits page: nmc.edu/student-services/advising-center/college-visits.html

See you there!

Advising Staff

Northern Michigan Manufacturing Summit

TRAVERSE CITY — More than 40 regional manufacturers will discuss igniting the manufacturing base and economy at the fourth annual Northern Michigan Manufacturing Summit from 7:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 6 at NMC’s Hagerty Center.

Free to manufacturers, the summit begins with breakfast at 7: 30 a.m. The program begins at 8 a.m. with keynote speakers John, Mark and David Vantongeren, owners of Grand Rapids-based Ferris Nut and Coffee. They will discuss the transformation of their nearly century-old business from a small family operation into a considerable employer in the Grand Rapids area.

The summit also offers three breakout sessions. Attendees will rotate through all three.

  • Digital Movement – What to know to stay competitive in the advanced manufacturing world
  • Continuous Improvement – Learn from companies that have fostered a culture of CI, and unlocked next-level business results
  • Talent Development – How to start an internship program and the benefits of doing so.

The summit is offered by the Grand Traverse Area Manufacturing Council, a volunteer-led organization founded in 2012 to support the region’s manufacturing industries, foster collaboration and inspire the next generation of manufacturing talent. For more information or to register, contact Matt Schwarze at mschwarze@nmc.edu.

Release Date: February 26, 2018

For more information:

Matt Schwarze
Northwestern Michigan College
mschwarze@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2009

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

FREE Bring a friend week

Tighten and tone up for Spring Break at our New Fitness Center. The first week in March will be a free trial week for anyone interested. Bring your friends along.

Earn Money for Your Student Group at the NMC Foundation Phone-a-thon

Be a Hawk Owl Hero!

Ask our friendly community members to donate money to student scholarships, academic programs, and other initiatives on campus. 

No experience necessary! You will be trained to talk about the work of the NMC Foundation, given an easy phone-calling script, and given time to practice before you make phone calls.

This is a fantastic way to practice marketing skills, as well as a chance to talk with alumni and donors about their careers. 

Dinner provided.

You will earn $10/hour for your student group.

Date, time, and location:
Thursday, March 15, 2018 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. in Founders Hall.

For more information contact Katharine Zurek, Annual Giving Specialist at kzurek@nmc.edu or 231-995-1030.

Kudos

KUDOS – (praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com

Submit a Kudos here.

Kudos to Jason Dake:  Jason has created engaging, thought-provoking lessons each time I have taken my EDU101 course to visit the museum. He has been willing to stay late to facilitate the visit of my evening class and he has created meaningful learning on observation skills and interpretation skills that students can then use during the semester. Jason also models good teaching and lesson plan creation for the future educators in this class. Thank you, sir!

Kudos to Mark DeLonge and Tom Gordon:  Congrats to Mark DeLonge and Tom Gordon for winning the Liberal Arts Network for Development (LAND) Institutional Excellence Award for their Perceptual Learning Method/Modules Project! The award will be presented at the 2018 LAND Conference, on Thursday, February 22, 2018.