Q: Quit or Grit?
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Activities of Note: Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible. (more…)
The dark days of February are a perfect time to channel your creative juices and develop a hobby. Hobbies let you explore interests outside of your line of work. They let you be creative and try all kinds of new things. If you are bored with an old hobby, pick a different one. Don’t forget to factor in cost. Some hobbies are more expensive than others. (more…)
Please join us in welcoming these new additions to our NMC staff! (more…)
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…)
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
Counselor
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Mothers who are breastfeeding children are welcome to use Scholars Hall 215a. You will find this room through the faculty lounge. If the door is locked please go to SH 214 for assistance. The faculty says it is happy to put the room to such good use! If you have any questions please call the Communications Academic Office at (231) 995-1175. (more…)
Come join us and learn about the Social Work Program right here in Traverse City. This program will enhance the depth of practice, refine and shape advance practitioners. Students will be prepared to effectively intervene and acquire advanced skills in leadership. The meeting will take place on February 10 at the NMC University Center, room 13 from 5-7 p.m. (more…)
Engineering students will battle both biting cold and much bigger universities when they head to the U.P. for the annual Blizzard Baja endurance race next month.
Sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers, Baja endurance races are a longstanding tradition for NMC’s Student Engineering Club. Michigan Technological University will host this year’s winter race on Feb. 13.
Teams design, build and race cars over a snow-covered course, competing for the most laps in four hours. In 2015, NMC was the only community college to participate and tied for sixth place. Historically the Hawk Owls have performed with the best of their four-year brethren, including a first place finish and a couple third places. With three of the four drivers returning this year, including Jonathan Lindfors (above) the team is feeling good about their chances.
“Everything does work. Now we’re being picky, trying to squeeze out every last drop of performance that we can,” said mechanical engineering student Drew Johnson, 32, one of the team’s veterans.
Since they’re re-using the 2015 car, they’ve had the advantage of driveability since the end of November, he said. Last year, the car wasn’t completely assembled until the end of January.
The “picky” adjustments include a new engine, a stripped-down and re-welded suspension (it broke during the 2015 race) and a new paint job, from purple to white.
“Maybe a little bit of camo, to blend into the snow, so the other teams can’t see us,” Johnson joked of the paint choice.
While the track is competitive, the race pits aren’t. Johnson said that teams pitch in to help each other with repairs when cars break down.
“We’re here to learn,” he said. “This is a very hands-on application of what we learn in class.”
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…)
Ronnie Malley – oud/guitar/vocals
The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College will present Caravanserai: American Voices – A Place Where Cultures Meet on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 8 PM in Milliken Auditorium. Tickets are $20 advance, $23 at the door and $17 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. (more…)
Engineering students will battle both biting cold and much bigger universities when they head to the U.P. for the annual Blizzard Baja endurance race next month.
Sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers, Baja endurance races are a longstanding tradition for NMC’s Student Engineering Club. Michigan Technological University will host this year’s winter race on Feb. 13.
Teams design, build and race cars over a snow-covered course, competing for the most laps in four hours. In 2015, NMC was the only community college to participate and tied for sixth place. Historically the Hawk Owls have performed with the best of their four-year brethren, including a first place finish and a couple third places. With three of the four drivers returning this year, including Jonathan Lindfors (above) the team is feeling good about their chances.
“Everything does work. Now we’re being picky, trying to squeeze out every last drop of performance that we can,” said mechanical engineering student Drew Johnson, 32, one of the team’s veterans.
Since they’re re-using the 2015 car, they’ve had the advantage of driveability since the end of November, he said. Last year, the car wasn’t completely assembled until the end of January.
The “picky” adjustments include a new engine, a stripped-down and re-welded suspension (it broke during the 2015 race) and a new paint job, from purple to white.
“Maybe a little bit of camo, to blend into the snow, so the other teams can’t see us,” Johnson joked of the paint choice.
While the track is competitive, the race pits aren’t. Johnson said that teams pitch in to help each other with repairs when cars break down.
“We’re here to learn,” he said. “This is a very hands-on application of what we learn in class.”
Thanks again to everyone who filled out a Hawk Owl Hero at Mid-Year Conference! These show your appreciation for fellow members of our NMC community. They are now on display outside the Hawk Owl Cafe, as well as at the welcome desk of Parsons Stulen, and will be on display till Spring Break.
If you didn’t have the opportunity to fill out a Hawk Owl Hero, or would like to fill out additional ones, send an email to Anne Varga in the Public Relations Office at avarga@nmc.edu. We’ll make sure yours join the flocks at one of their locations! And don’t forget, year-round you can show appreciation for your co-workers who are going above and beyond by nominating them for kudos here! (more…)
Tech Tips is presented by our Technology Help Desk and will provide you with simple explanations to tech troubles you may come upon in everyday technology use. These posts will occur regularly and will include a wide variety of topics. If you have further questions regarding the Tech Tips, please contact the Technology Help Desk at (231) 995-3020.
The following is important information for staff and faculty for the start of the spring semester.
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NMC faculty and staff are invited to request funding support from the 2016 NMC Barbecue for an NMC special project.
Last year the BBQ awarded more than $40,000 for nine deserving projects. Read more about projects that have been funded by the BBQ here.
Funding proposals are due by noon on Friday, Jan. 29, 2016. The funding proposal form and more information is available here! (more…)
The library has purchased many new books so far this new year. You can view a handful here or click here to see the full listing. These books are on display in the lobby of the library’s lobby. (more…)
TRAVERSE CITY – In a move that affirms Northwestern Michigan College’s leadership in water studies, NMC on Thursday signed an agreement with a Chinese technical school that takes the institutions one step closer to faculty exchanges and co-enrolled students.
Signed by NMC President Timothy J. Nelson (at left in image) and Yellow River Conservancy Technical Institute President Liu Guoji (at right), the agreement seeks recognition from the 
Chinese government of the Sino-US Northwestern Michigan International Institute, to be located at Yellow River in Kaifeng, China. The two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding in 2014, and formal recognition of the partnership is the next step necessary for NMC’s coursework to be recognized as valid toward a Yellow River diploma.
Once formally recognized, NMC instructional teams will begin preparing college coursework for delivery to up to 40 students studying water conservancy engineering, civil engineering, surveying and mapping engineering. Instruction will be offered in English and students would earn a diploma from Yellow River and a corresponding credential from NMC, such as a certificate or associate’s degree.
“Today’s agreement is testimony to the expertise and leadership NMC has built in water and related marine areas,” Nelson said. “Yellow River realizes our faculty and facilities are second to none, and we’re pleased to take this next step together.”
Nelson added that the relationship gives NMC access to additional water facilities that NMC could not afford on its own. Located on the Yellow River, the third-longest in Asia, the Institute dates to 1929 and provides academic training in support of large, river-based, hydroelectric dams in China.
NMC opened the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute in 2004. In 2009 it launched the first associate degree for Freshwater Studies in the United States. Collaborating with NMC’s technical division, an associate degree in engineering technology-marine technology was offered in fall 2012. In 2015 a bachelor’s degree with a marine technology major was added. Hans Van Sumeren, director of the Water Studies Institute, and Ed Bailey, director of the technical division, both visited Yellow River last November.
NMC faculty could begin teaching in China a year from now, said Marguerite Cotto, vice president for lifelong and professional learning. Eventually, NMC students could also enroll at Yellow River.
As part of its strategic goal to ensure that NMC learners are prepared for success in a global society and economy, NMC has been working to forge partnerships with multiple Chinese institutions since October 2012, when it hosted officials from six Chinese colleges as part of the American Association of Community Colleges’ Vocational Education Leadership Training.
Release date: January 15, 2016
Marguerite Cotto
Vice President for Lifelong and Professional Learning
mcotto@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1775
Please join us in welcoming these new additions to our NMC staff! (more…)