Dec 8, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s Visual Communications department invites area non-profit groups to submit graphic design, art direction and new media projects for consideration as pro bono class projects during the spring semester. Submissions are due by January 1, 2018.
Part of the Visual Communications curriculum, the class project is free to the non-profits selected. The goal is a real-world assignment that allows students to interact with clients and exposes them to the commercial printing and production worlds, including film and new media production, creative advertising, graphic design and packaging. Projects will be completed by the end of the spring semester in April 2018. Some projects may be able to be completed before this date.
Potential projects could include logos, brochures, ad campaigns, packaging, graphic design, branding, posters, infographics, announcements, invitations, film, web animations, Flash animations, exhibition design, TV commercials or anything relating to visual communications, commercial art, illustration and film or web design. The department is especially interested in conceptually-driven projects that will offer the students substantial opportunity for interaction with the client and process.
In the past, NMC students have created:
- The initial design for the “Bay Bucks” local currency
- Newsletters and brochures for TART Trails
- Branding for Grow Benzie
- Streetscape signage and metalwork bridge design for the city of Alden
- Book design for the Dunes Review literary journal and A Colorful Cast – The Rise of Visual Arts in Traverse City
Images of past projects are available here.
Interested non-profits with valid 501(c)(3) status in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim, Kalkaska and Wexford counties should direct questions to Visual Communications instructor Caroline Schaefer-Hills at (231) 995-1334. A brief description of the project and the organization’s needs are required and should be sent via email to cschaefer@nmc.edu by Jan. 1. Non-profits will be notified of status by Jan. 9.
Release date: December 7, 2017
For more information:
Caroline Schaefer-Hills
Visual Communications Department Chair
(231) 995-1334
cschaefer@nmc.edu
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
Dec 7, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
Find lots of unique gifts for the holidays.
From now until the end of December, receive 20% off all items in the Dennos Museum Store (only 10% on consignment art).
If an item is already marked down, you will receive 20% off the lowest price.
Dec 6, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
The library has purchased many new books so far this year. You can view a handful here along with partial descriptions or go here to see the full listing. These books are on display in the library’s lobby.
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Dec 6, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
December 6, 2017
Commuters hurrying home along Eighth Street these dark evenings will find a bright spot, thanks to a collaboration between NMC and Roost.
NMC’s solar power trailer is lighting up the Roost prefabricated tiny home located at 444 E. Eighth, opposite Family Video. The home is illuminated from 5–8 p.m. nightly.
The collaboration is designed to show what’s possible with solar energy, said NMC construction technology adjunct instructor Mike Schmerl.
“It does work, in northern Michigan, in the winter,” said Schmerl.
And it’s ideal for Roost, said Geoff Nelson, a co-founder of the company that created the 370-square-foot, finish-ready home that’s occupied the former vacant lot since June.
“There’s a great many people who want to live smaller, greener,” Nelson said. Roost’s other green features include renewable materials, a sustainable building process and tight building envelope to maximize energy efficiency.
Parked on the home’s west side with its solar panels tilted south, the trailer is only illuminating the home, not heating it or powering appliances. Still, it kick-starts consideration of solar, said Schmerl, whose own Traverse City home is 50 percent solar-powered.
“All things are possible,” Schmerl said. “What we demonstrate is expandability.”
NMC first developed the solar trailer in 2006. Schmerl updated it for the Roost project using equipment sold to the college at a discount.
“The technology has become more user-friendly, easier to understand, and more adaptable to people’s power requirements,” said Schmerl. “Using that trailer and our classroom skill set, we can adapt to almost any inquiries.”
As electric cars become more prevalent, Schmerl sees more opportunity for solar growth. The website Charge Hub lists 26 public charging stations in Traverse City, including at the Cambria Suites hotel, the original Meijer parking lot, and the Old Towne parking deck just down the street from Roost.
“Why wouldn’t they package the sale of an electric vehicle with the sale of the charging equipment, which would lead to the sale of the solar,” he said.
Nelson agreed that he’s seeing interest increase among all kinds of clients, from millennials to boomers.
“It’s been super encouraging to see the people responding to living smaller, greener, low-maintenance,” he said.
Dec 4, 2017 | Intercom
The bookstore is excited to announce a custom NMC apparel section on the bookstore website! Check out our new selection here. Choose your style, color, and size; submit your order, and we’ll contact you when it arrives! Custom orders will take approximately 2-3 weeks; all pieces will be embroidered with the NMC classic logo. New pieces and styles will be added regularly – check back often for new apparel!
And…Don’t forget! NMC employees get 10% off NMC products at the bookstore; use the coupon code HAWKOWLS for a 10% discount on any NMC items on the website!
Questions? Contact Sarah at smavis@nmc.edu or 5-1288.
Dec 4, 2017 | Intercom
Chris Barr- Blue Cross Wellness Coordinator will be leading a quick break time exercise on your campus!
Monday, December 11:
- 9:30 a.m.- University Center Room 106
- 11 a.m.- Great Lakes Campus Room 103
- 1:30 p.m.- Health Science Room 101
- 3 p.m.- Parsons Stulen Room 101/103
Dec 4, 2017 | Intercom
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 Human Resources: A big thank-you from the NMC Green Team for going paperless for the 2018 Benefits Enrollment package. We appreciate your use of technology over trees as we seek to transition NMC toward a more sustainable future!
Dec 4, 2017 | Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
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Nov 30, 2017 | Intercom
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: http://mailchi.mp/nmc/nmc-training-services-december-2017-newsletter
This month’s topics include open spaces and planning for tomorrow, Right Brain Brewery, forensic scientists at Petoskey Plastics, Manufacturing Day, upcoming workshops, and more!
Nov 22, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
November 22, 2017
In this season of gratitude, quality child care is near the top of the list for the young families fortunate enough to have found it.
This fall, one NMC alumna took a step toward filling that crucial community need by doubling her home child care capacity, including more desperately-needed infant care. Alison Burns’ Healthy Start Child Care in Traverse City also now employs two NMC child development students, (including Emily Spica, above) providing them valuable work experience.
A licensed provider in Michigan since 1996, Burns (right) originally chose child care as a way to stay home with her own three children. Until this year, her license limited her to six children in care simultaneously, only two of whom could be under a year old. However, Burns self-limited infant enrollment to one. She frequently had a waiting list, and felt badly for the families she had to turn away.
“There’s such a demand for infant care,” she said.
Then this fall, timing and preparation coincided, allowing Burns to help meet that demand.
Back in 2011, inspired to learn more about children with special needs after one came into her care, Burns enrolled in an Exceptional Child psychology class at NMC. Child development program coordinator and instructor Cheryl Bloomquist then persuaded her to complete the entire Child Development certificate course sequence — 32 credit hours. Even after practicing child care for 15 years, Burns found herself invigorated in the classroom.
“It reinforced what I already knew, (and) I learned so much,” she said. An Infant and Toddler Development class was especially beneficial, she said, bolstering her knowledge of best practices for that age group and confidence working with them.
She completed her certificate in 2013 and returned to running her six-child daycare home. She also made time to serve on Bloomquist’s Early Childhood Advisory Committee.
“Her input is so valuable, because I don’t always have a family home provider there,” Bloomquist said.
Fast-forward to this fall, when Burns’ youngest daughter left for college, creating more physical space for child care in their home. Simultaneously Burns was up for relicensing, and the lack of child care regionally had become an acknowledged obstacle to continued economic growth.
“Babies need care, and they need good care,” said Bloomquist. “They take up a lot of space and they take up a lot of employees.”
Burns decided to expand her license to allow her to care for 12 children, up to four of whom can be younger than 18 months. All those slots are filled, and in fact she cares for 19 different children over the course of a week, since some attend part-time.
She also turned to NMC to find staff. Both Kalee Lown, lead infant and toddler teacher, and Spica, lead preschool teacher, are NMC students. On a recent brisk morning, Spica played with preschoolers in Burns’ backyard while Lown and Burns each held an infant, and another napped.
“I get to apply the things we’re learning in class,” said Spica, who will graduate next spring. “A lot of (the work) coincides with the assignments we’re given.”
Burns empowers them to use their education on the job.
“These teachers are teachers. They’re not just waiting for me to tell them what to do,” she said.
“Now she is the mentor,” Bloomquist said. “It’s just been a really good fit.”
For information on Healthy Start Child Care, call (231) 933-7002.
Nov 21, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
The Invisible War is a documentary that discusses sexual assault in the United States Military. The documentary interviews veterans from different branches of the United States Armed Forces who have experienced sexual assault while in their branch.
Wednesday December 6
6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Milliken Auditorium
Nov 21, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
Phi Theta Kappa and NMC Voices are partnering up to bring you an event centered around Sexual Assault & the Bystander Effect. We will be showing NMC’s International Club & NMC Voices sexual assault video, followed by a panel discussion on the topic.
Wednesday, November 29
5:15–6:45 p.m.
Scholars Hall 217
Nov 21, 2017 | Intercom
NMC Facilities and Security would like to thank you for your help during the transition into the new exterior door lock system on our campuses. Here are a few updates on that process:
- If you notice any problems with the exterior doors, please call security immediately at (231) 995-1111.
- Do not prop open exterior doors.
- During the next two months, facilities is beginning the process of changing the keyed locks on all exterior doors. Previously issued keys for those doors will no longer work and users must use key cards to enter through exterior doors. Keys to interior doors will not change.
Thank you for your continued help during this transition to make our campuses even safer. If you have any questions, call (231) 995-1111.
Nov 21, 2017 | Intercom, President Updates
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Notable Accomplishments provided by Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Directions (SD) and Institutional Effectiveness Criteria (IE) are provided where possible. (more…)
Nov 20, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
Spring Arbor University will have a display table in the lobby of NMC’s Health and Science Building on December 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Spring Arbor University allows students the opportunity to complete their bachelors degrees and masters degrees in Traverse City and across Northern Michigan in a format that is geared for working adults. We offer Bachelor’s degrees in Organizational Management, Nursing, BSW, & Human Services. We also offer MBA, MSW, and MSN (along with the RN-MSN program). Classes are 1 night a week for less than 2 years. We have programs available online, as well. SAU is very VA friendly; it meets 6 out of 7 of the MVAA’s Gold Standards. Ask if you are eligible for a VA discount!
Nov 20, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
Want to help distribute food to NMC students and their families? Just sign up using the link below and then meet up in the Advising Center in the library to serve your shift.
We’re using SignUp.com (the leading online signup and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming activity.
Please sign up for Food Pantry Volunteer!
Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:
1. Click here to go to our invitation page on SignUp.com.
2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on SignUp.com)
3. Sign up! Choose your spots – SignUp.com will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!
Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Paul Kolak at pkolak@nmc.edu to sign up manually.
Thanks for supporting this cause and helping students get their needs met!
Nov 16, 2017 | Intercom
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 Emily Martin: she is our fantastic student worker in the Foundation department! Every month, she makes thank you phone calls to people who made donations to the NMC Foundation in the previous month.
Emily noticed that many donors wanted to know about students in the program to which they made a donation, and she couldn’t always answer those questions. Emily took the initiative to recruit and train some of her peers to make thank you calls.
Now, she can have a student in the Maritime Academy, for instance, make the thank you call to a GLMA donor. The donor can hear about the experiences of cadets, and cadets can make connections with GLMA alumni and supporters.
Great job Emily for identifying a need and creating a solution!
Nov 16, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
The Student Success Center will be hosting one math bootcamp session over winter break this year. It will run 9 a.m.-12 p.m., January 2-5. The cost will remain $25.
Students who completed math bootcamp over the summer increased their math placement 1.5 levels on average!
Interested students can call 231-995-2134 or e-mail studentsuccesscenter@nmc.edu to register.
