Apr 30, 2026 | Intercom, Student Events
NMC will host it’s last mobile food pantry distribution of the semester on Monday, May 4 from 3–5 p.m. in the Maple Lot on the Front Street campus. We have 6,251 pounds of goods including mushrooms, potatoes, cottage cheese, milk, oranges, granola, applesauce, peanut butter and pears.
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.
This program is designed for NMC students and is open to anyone in the community who is in need. Interested in volunteering? Email Cathy Warner at cwarner@nmc.edu.
Apr 30, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
The Hawk Owl Café will switch to summer hours of operation on Friday, May 1.
SUMMER HOURS:
Friday, May 1:
OPEN
8 a.m.–2 p.m.
Saturday, May 2–Sunday, May 17
OPEN: SELF-SERVICE KIOSK ONLY
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Monday, May 18–Friday, August 14*
NORTHWEST GRIND:
Espresso Bay coffee, bakery items, and Swoop ‘N Go items available
Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
KIOSK:
Swoop ‘N Go items available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
*subject to change for holidays & special events
Apr 29, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Commencement ceremonies for Northwestern Michigan College’s Class of 2026 will be held Saturday, May 2 in Milliken Auditorium on NMC’s Front Street campus. Three ceremonies will be held, with graduates grouped by degree or credential earned.
- 11 a.m.: Associate of Science and Arts (ASA) and Associate of General Studies (AGS) degrees
- 12:30 p.m.: Non-health Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees, Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE) degrees, Water Studies Institute degrees, and certificates
- 2 p.m.: Aviation, Health Occupations (Nursing and Dental Assistant) and Maritime degrees
Each ceremony will feature faculty and student speakers. Ceremonies will be streamed live at nmc.edu/video and NMC’s YouTube channel.
NMC’s Class of 2026 has earned 632 degrees and certificates, including the Associate in Nursing, Associate in Science and Arts, Associate in Applied Science, Associate in General Studies and Certificate of Practical Nursing. Bachelor of Science degrees in Maritime Technology and Marine Technology will also be awarded.
More than a third of the graduates are recipients of the Community College Guarantee or Michigan Reconnect, statewide scholarship programs. The CCG offers free tuition to recent high school graduates, while Reconnect is for adults 25 and older who don’t already have a degree or certificate.
Commencement ceremonies will also honor NMC’s 75th anniversary. Each graduate will wear special green cords with their caps and gowns, in recognition of the anniversary.
NMC will also hold its annual Honors & Leadership Convocation at 4:30 p.m.. Friday, May 1 at the Dennos Museum Center. Awards to be presented include:
- Academic area awards
- Honors program participants and graduates
- Dr. Kari Kahler Adult Student of the Year
- President’s Possibilitarian Award
- Student leaders of the year
- Recognition of outstanding student groups
- nEXt and Global Endorsement recipients
For more commencement details, go to nmc.edu/commencement.
Release date: April 29, 2026
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
Apr 27, 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.
Action ahead for $20M geothermal project
Record-Eagle, April 24 (more…)
Apr 27, 2026 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
To all those who organized, volunteered for and attended the 75th anniversary Block Party Saturday. The event combined the fun of Cherry Festival midway with the conviviality of a Friday Night Live or a Thirlby Field football game, right here on campus. The introduction of our mascot Swoop added extra excitement and made it especially memorable. Look for future 75th events at nmc.edu/75.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Apr 27, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
Lisa Rabaut, Innovation and Strategic Growth Project Manager, reimagined this event and implemented a pre-screening review, aligned ideas against the strategic plan, master plan, and college initiatives, and developed a robust 2-hour pitch event on Thursday, April 23 during Northern Michigan Startup Week.
Judges included Lisa Rabaut, Camille Hoisington (Traverse Connect), Josh Hart (Ford Insurance, original OOPs founder), Jayne Mohr (NMC Foundation) and Kyle Morrison. The format was 5 minute pitch/5 minute Q&A.
A total of 19 submissions were received from students, faculty and staff. Of those 19, the top 6 were selected to move on to the pitch competition. All 6 received some funding, described in more detail below.
Prescribing the Arts: A Creative Pathway Supporting Student Success
Applicant: Liz Celeste, Dennos Museum Curator of Education and Exhibitions
Amount Requested: $3,600
Amount Awarded: $2,600 (the judges would like this project to receive input from students before implementation)
Alignment: campus vibrancy, student belonging, experiential learning, Dennos enhancements
Instructional Virtual Reality (VR) Systems for Biomedical Engineering Tech Training
Applicant: Joe Deater, Adjunct Engineering Tech Faculty Member
Amount Requested: $6,000
Amount Awarded: $6,000 (enough for 2 VR goggles and a 3-year subscription)
Alignment: future-focused education with a focus on technology, meeting regional employer needs (improved student outcomes), engineering tech PESR opportunity
All Hands on Tech: Great Lakes Water Studies Voyage on Inland Seas Schooner Alliance
Presenter: Matt Hirsch, Great Lakes Water Studies Institute Coordinator
Amount Requested: $4,000
Amount Awarded: $4,000
Alignment: GLWSI enhancement/improvements (PESR, Strategic Plan), opportunity for credentialing (Marine Center), meeting national employer needs (skills expected by employers [sea time]), community partnership with Inland Seas Education Association
NMC Flight Team
Presenter: Alex Modryznski, Aviation student
Amount Requested: $3,976
Amount Awarded: $8,000 (this project was awarded more than requested because the students provided a very lean budget in terms of fuel, food, and lodging costs; the judges felt a more robust budget would help cover all costs and potentially allow more students to participate)
Alignment: national program recognition, potential recruitment opportunity, elevate our aviation program (enrollment targets from previous strategic plan, NMC Next)
Hawk Owl Uncrewed Competition Team
Presenter: Tony Sauerbrey, UAS Coordinator
Amount Requested: $10,042
Amount Awarded: $10,042
Alignment: national program recognition, potential recruitment opportunity, support of the NorthSky Consortium (partnerships, regional needs)
Reaching Adult Learners with CollegeAPP and data-informed decision-making
Presenter: Kelly Yauk, PRMC Marketing Director
Amount Requested: $10,440
Amount Awarded: $10,440
Alignment: adult learner recruitment, blending of credit and noncredit, PRMC enrollment strategies
In total, OOPs for Education and the NMC Foundation provided $41,082, leaving approximately $9K for other activities prior to the end of the fiscal year. Lisa really raised the bar and set the tone for leveraging these funds to support college initiatives moving forward. She did a great job!
Apr 27, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials during the fall and spring semesters from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4:40 to 6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99, and the vegetarian option (V) is $7.99. Learn more at nmc.edu/dining.
Menu
Monday, April 27
Chicken Fettuccine with pesto cream sauce served with garlic crostini & broccoli
Roasted Vegetable Fettuccine (V) with pesto cream sauce served with garlic crostini & broccoli
Tuesday, April 28
Beef Barbacoa Tacos served with Spanish rice & refried beans
Tofu Barbacoa Tacos (V) served with Spanish rice & refried beans
Wednesday, April 29
BBQ Pulled Pork with brioche bun served with mac & cheese and asparagus
BBQ Jackfruit (V) with brioche bun served with mac & cheese and asparagus
Thursday, April 30
Potato Gnocchi with Italian sausage and alfredo sauce served with garlic bread & green beans
Potato Gnocchi (V) with roasted vegetables and alfredo sauce served with garlic bread & green beans
Friday, May 1
No Special Today – Enjoy the summer break!
Apr 27, 2026 | Intercom
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 exclusive employee passes (remember, you must be logged into your student account to view) and browse classes for you and yours this spring!
New! No singing experience necessary! Beginners and all levels are welcome to join. This is a confidence-building class designed to help people reconnect with their voice and experience the well-being benefits of singing in a relaxed, supportive setting. This isn’t about perfection or performance — it’s about expression, connection, and the sheer joy of making music together. Read more about Sing for Fun!
8 sessions; Mondays, May 4–June 29; 7–8:30 p.m.
Tuition Waiver Price: $22 per person (public price $299)
New! Fans of Sauvignon Blanc meet your new favorite wine, Grüner Veltliner. Known for its signature “white pepper” snap and electrifying acidity, this versatile grape offers a crisp alternative to mainstream whites. Read more about Date Night: Grüner Veltliner.
Tuesday, May 5; 6–7:30 p.m.
Tuition Waiver Price: $52 for two people (public price $149)
Cost includes wine tastings and food pairings for each
Michigan reigns supreme as a top asparagus producer, so it is time to give these “mighty green giants” the spotlight they deserve. Ditch the boring steamed stalks and dive into a world of flavor. Read more about Date Night: Amazing Asparagus.
Thursday, May 28; 6–9 p.m.
Tuition Waiver Price: $46 for two people (public price $199)
Cost includes a glass of wine or NA beverage for each
Apr 27, 2026 | HR Corner, Intercom
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Macy BeGole – Adjunct Certified Flight Instructor
- Jonathan King, supplemental employee – Law Enforcement (Firearms)
Apr 27, 2026 | Dennos Events, Intercom, Student Events
The Dennos Museum Center will host the 5th annual Spring Art Market, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 9. This one-day juried art event is held indoors in the Sculpture Court and falls on Mother’s Day weekend. Special programming is planned into the day to let moms feel the love while offering a fun-filled experience for visitors of all ages.
Walk the museum’s galleries while enjoying a glass of Mawby Sparkling at our cash bubbly bar and listen to the talented pianist, Dorothy Vogel, as you stroll. Engage with 27 Michigan artists selling their work and pop into the Museum Store to find a gift for Mom or maybe for yourself. Have fun making a Mother’s Day card with your kids.
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- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spring Art Market
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mother’s Day card making project
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pianist, Dorothy Vogel, in the gallery
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mawby mimosas & sparkling pours (cash bar)
Admission to the museum and parking are free. View the the full list of participating artists on the Dennos Museum’s website.
Apr 27, 2026 | HR Corner, Intercom
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), hourly non-exempt employees may need to consider what hours should be included when recording hours worked, and what are not considered working hours. Below is a nice summary to help folks distinguish between the two.
Hourly workers and their supervisors should evaluate the time that they spend working to determine if hours are being reported properly. All time worked must be reported and paid, and workers may not “volunteer” their time if the activities fall within the scope of their assigned/regular job duties.
If a worker is engaged in genuine volunteer activities outside the scope of their job duties, that time would not be paid. An example may be volunteering with the Mobile Food Pantry.
More information is available in the Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division’s Fact Sheet #22.
NMC also has a policy regarding non-exempt (hourly) employees’ work hours.
Working Hours under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
|
Category
|
Working hours (paid) include:
|
Non-working hours (unpaid) include:
|
|
Breaks and Meals
|
- Short breaks (5–20 mins)
- Working through lunch; “on-call” lunches (e.g., eating while answering phones)
|
- Bona fide meal periods (30+ mins) where the employee is completely relieved of all duties
|
|
Travel
|
- Travel between job sites/campuses
- Travel that is a principle activity in an employee’s job
- Travel that occurs during your normal workday
|
- Normal commute from home to work
- Any travel as a passenger outside of regular work hours
|
|
Waiting Time
|
- “Engaged to wait” Time: Waiting for a machine to be fixed, waiting for a customer, or waiting for instructions at the worksite
|
- Time “waiting to be engaged”: Completely relieved of duty with enough time to use the time for your own purposes
|
|
Training & Meetings
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- Required meetings
- Training during work hours
- Training directly related to your current job
|
- Voluntary attendance
- Outside normal hours
- Not job-related
- No productive work performed
|
|
Prep & Cleanup
|
- Setting up equipment
- Safety checks
- Putting on/taking off specialized safety gear
|
- Changing clothes at home
- Normal hygiene
|
|
On-Call
|
- Restricted on-call (must stay on-premises or so close you can’t use time for yourself)
|
- Unrestricted on-call (just leaving a phone number and being free to go about your day)
|
|
Incidental Work
|
- Correcting mistakes (“rework”)
- Checking work emails/texts after hours
- Staying late to “catch up”
|
- Volunteering for a charity event (truly voluntary and outside work hours)
- Social office parties
|
Note: The information in this table was organized with generative AI assistance (Gemini).
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Human Resources at hr@nmc.edu.
Apr 27, 2026 | HR Corner, Intercom
Kudos to Josh Wagner! Josh organized and ran a Jazz Invitational to invite local high school jazz bands to come play and engage with the NMC Jazz Bands. I have spent my life working in events, and this was one of the most well organized events I have been a part of. His communication and passion made this all possible. We all talk about experiential learning but Josh put in so much extra time, effort and I’m sure money into make this happen. He is a shining example of what education can be and a great person to work with. He is championing NMC and the arts to future generations and investing in the future of both.
Kudos to Krista McCarty! Krista McCarty has led a digital advertising campaign for leadership training through Extended Education & Training. She is generating leads and filling classes! Thank you, Krista!
Kudos to Fred Cook & Gary Schettek! Fred and Gary really helped out the Hawk Owl Cafe by cleaning up a large fryer oil spill. Not only did they respond quickly but they went above and beyond to make sure it was cleaned up properly. Thank you both for helping us in our time of need!
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!
Apr 27, 2026 | Intercom, Student Events
The Dennos Museum Center will host the 5th Annual TC Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) program on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Dennos Museum Center and Milliken Auditorium, headlined by spoken word artist Masaki Takahashi and a special film screening by filmmaker Liann Kaye.
The evening’s keynote program will feature Masaki Takahashi, Poet Laureate Emeritus of Lansing, Michigan (2022–2024), whose powerful, community-centered work has been featured on platforms including Button Poetry and TEDx. As founder of The Poetry Room, Takahashi is widely recognized for creating spaces that uplift diverse voices and for his commitment to education, mentorship, and the transformative power of storytelling.
The program will also include a screening of Seoul Switch, the award-winning proof-of-concept short film written and directed by Liann Kaye. The story follows a shy Korean American college student and a global K-pop idol who discover they are identical doubles and swap lives, exploring themes of identity, ambition, and authenticity. The feature adaptation is currently in development and has already received significant industry support.
The evening will begin with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by the main program from 6 to 8 p.m., including the keynote spoken word program and film screening.
Event Details:
5th Annual TC AAPI Program to Feature Spoken Word Artist Masaki Takahashi and Film Screening by Liann Kaye
Dennos Museum Center and Milliken Auditorium
1410 College Drive, Traverse City
5–6 p.m.: Reception
6–8 p.m.: Spoken word program and film screening
This event is made possible by Northern Michigan E3, the Dennos Museum Center, the NMC Library, The Good Bowl, Samsara, and Traverse Area District Library and is free and open to the public. Free registration in advance is strongly encouraged at dennosmuseum.org by signing up through Simpletix.
About TC AAPI
Join Traverse City’s AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Community for a free event with the goal to build greater understanding and empathy for people of different cultural backgrounds through positive engagement and welcoming learning events.
For More Information:
Sakura Takano
TC AAPI Planning Committee
(617) 501-8533
stakano@rotarycharities.org
Apr 24, 2026 | Intercom
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 27, at 5:30 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center Room 106/107. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Apr 24, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
Due to outside sporting events on Wednesday, April 29 and Friday, May 1, NMC Campus Security will restrict access to the Cedar Parking Lot. Campus Security will be present at the entrances to the Cedar lot to grant access to NMC employees, students and visitors.
For more information, contact Campus Safety Coordinator Garrett Croon at gcroon@nmc.edu or (231)995-1747
Apr 23, 2026 | Intercom
We are thrilled to announce the nominees for the 2026 NMC Staff Excellence Award and the NMC Team Excellence Award.
These individuals and teams have been nominated by their peers for going above and beyond in their service to our students, our colleagues, and the community. Please join us in congratulating this year’s finalists!
Staff Excellence Nominees
The following staff members have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the NMC mission and values:
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Marcus Bennett
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Amy Burns Bailey
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Skylar Berry
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Liz Celeste
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Shannon Croll
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Cindy Duby
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Brittany Hanbury
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Patty Cron-Huhta
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Laura Stevens
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Karen Ford
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Eileen Vaughn
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Lisa vonReichbauer
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Nicole Wenstrup
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Katy Knight
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Dan Simon
Team Excellence Nominees
The following teams have demonstrated outstanding collaboration and commitment to the NMC mission and values:
- Admissions Team: Lisa vonReichbauer, Cathryn Claerhout, Kyle Ferrill, Traci Heidbrider, Rorie Kawula, Augusta Kummer, Beth Weaver
- Foundation Team: Katharine Marvin, Megan Bylsma, Bill Czyzyk, Michele Ensign, Alexandra Galla-Williams, Alana McKinnie, Bridget Munroe, Danielle Quinlan, Paul Schoppe, Rachel Urkowitz, Zach Whitaker
- Grounds Team: Dan Hoseit, Max McColl, Jeremy Maloney
- Residence Life Team: Marcus Bennett, Kaitlyn DeBoer, Brooklynn Golnick, Corbin Thompson
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to NMC. Congratulations to you all!
Save the Date: “You Made It Possible”
The award recipients will be revealed and celebrated during our annual You Made It Possible employee recognition event. Join us for this year’s special NMC 75th Anniversary reunion event (and swag)!
Please RSVP by accepting the calendar invitation and join us for the excitement!
Event: You Made It Possible
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
For questions: hr@nmc.edu or call the HR team at 995-2612
We look forward to seeing you there!
Apr 22, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
April 22, 2026
Swoop! There he is!
Or will be on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., in all his green-feathered glory, at a special 75th anniversary Student and Community Block Party. The entire community is invited to welcome Swoop, NMC’s new mascot, and then enjoy other festivities on the Front Street campus to celebrate the college’s 75th anniversary.
Running from 3–7 p.m. the Block Party coincides with the end of the spring semester. Students, alumni, staff, faculty, neighbors and friends are all invited to partake of free carnival rides, activities and live music. Food from several local food trucks will be available to purchase.
After his introduction by NMC President Nick Nissley, Swoop will then make the rounds of the party for photo opportunities. Mascots from the Traverse City Pit Spitters, NMC’s University Partners and Traverse City West High School will join the welcome party, too.
NMC adopted the northern hawk owl as a nickname in 2013, and the concept was embraced by the college. Swoop was first visualized as a two-dimensional logo character in 2014. Each graduate receives a “Hawk Owl alumni” T-shirt. The student cafeteria is named the Hawk Owl Café.
The occasion of NMC’s 75th anniversary this year was a fitting time to embody Swoop as an official mascot, and planning for Swoop’s arrival started in late 2024.
“We want NMC to feel vibrant and alive for our students and our community, and finally having Swoop home is a big part of bringing this vision to life.” said Zach Whitaker, manager of NMC Alumni Relations, where Swoop makes his home in between event appearances. “He’s here to cheer on our students and learners as they navigate challenges and celebrate all their accomplishments through their time with us and beyond.”
Advance registration is encouraged. A rain date has been set for Sunday, April 26. For more information, visit nmc.edu/75.
Apr 21, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
Are you in TC this summer? NMC is looking for the faces of our college! No modeling experience? No problem. We want real students, real smiles and real community vibes. Let’s capture the season together. Fill out the short form below and we’ll reach out to you as our summer photography/video/testimonial schedule goes into action! Please note: this is a volunteer opportunity and is not paid.
Fill out the Summer 2026 call for volunteer student models form
Got questions? Email publicrelations@nmc.edu
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.
