Welcome our newest hires
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Rosali Collier – Staff – Student Success Office Manager
- Justin Rabish – Supplemental – GLMA Assistant Engineer
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, July 22 at 5:30 p.m. in rooms 222-224 of the Parsons-Stulen building on the Aero Park campus, 2600 Aero Park Drive. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
From June 27 through August 7, the Student Success Center is holding a Duck Hunt Scavenger Hunt. Duck posters are hanging out at the following main campus locations:
Your mission is to go to all of these offices, take a selfie with the posters and email them to tricks@nmc.edu. Each photo submitted will be one entry into our prize drawing. Taking a silly selfie with the poster will count as two entries! Prizes range from $100 gift cards to the campus bookstore to gas gift cards and more. To end this event we will be hosting an ice cream party under the pines from 2 pm-4 pm on August 8th where we will be visited by a local ice cream truck. Those that participate in the Duck Hunt can have ice cream on us and will have the chance to collect any prizes they have won!
We can’t wait to receive your selfies this summer! Happy hunting!
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.
Neuro-Inclusive Campus: Supporting Students in the Classroom & Beyond (3 SCECH)
Help us spread the word! We are opening up attendance at our Opening Conference on August 20 to our K-12 colleagues. Please share!
Embracing neurodiversity allows colleges to accommodate diversity in learning while also allowing for recognition of unique strengths—ensuring that campuses are not simply diverse, but genuinely inclusive, allowing students to thrive both academically and socially. By making small and meaningful changes, the impact becomes a cultural shift that transforms a campus into a vibrant and inclusive community that honors the whole student.
Tuesday, August 20; 12:45–4 p.m.
Public price: $99 (Employees do not need to register)
Date Night: Sauce It Up
Tired of the same old meals? Unlock a world of flavor with the power of homemade sauces! This course isn’t just about eating healthy; it’s about creating vibrant, delicious plant-based dishes that will wow your family and friends (and maybe even yourself!).
Tuesday, July 30; 6–8:30 p.m.
Employee price: $46 (public price: $175)
Evening Glow: Setting Sun
Capturing the setting sun in northern Michigan makes a great subject for your watercolor paintings. Learn about wet-on-wet techniques that can make your sunsets glow with color, how to create colorful dark values when painting silhouettes, and how to make your sunset paintings look cohesive from the foreground to the background. Bring home a completed watercolor painting of the beautiful summer skies.
Wed & Thurs, July 24 & 25; 6 – 8:30p
Employee Price: $37 (public price: $149)
Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.

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.
Sow She Grows in Frankfort, Michigan
MyNorth, July 15 (more…)
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, July 22 at 5:30 p.m. in 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.
Traverse City — The NMC Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 11 in Room 104/105 of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on the Front Street campus, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City.
The Board of Trustees Policy Committee will meet at 2:30 p.m. the same day, also in Room 104/105 of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center.
Both meeting notices are available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
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.
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Botany Tour of Lost Lake Bog |
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Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.

Alex Tank (download high-resolution photo)TRAVERSE CITY — Alex Tank, an International Affairs Forum staff member since 2020, has been named IAF’s new director effective July 1.
IAF’s mission is to advance understanding of the world and its critical issues through education and public dialogue. Topics during the 2023-24 season included indigenous sovereignty, international coordination of freshwater resources, China dynamics, policy cooperation on AI, the Israel-Palestine conflict, global population trends, and the struggle for victory in Ukraine.
During Tank’s tenure IAF’s programming has gained significant momentum, evolving into a fully hybrid program with viewers and supporters from several states and overseas. As a local, regional and global program, IAF exemplifies NMC’s vision to be a global community. Specific achievements include:
“I am humbled and thrilled to help guide the International Affairs Forum into its fourth decade, building upon the dedication and impactful work of so many past leaders,” Tank said. “With the integral support of our volunteer advisory board, we craft content and experiences that impact students’ academic trajectories and broaden attendees’ collective knowledge base.”
Tank succeeds Jim Bensley, who was director until July 1, 2023, in addition to his role as director of International Services and Service Learning at NMC. Bensley now serves as a member of the IAF Advisory Board, representing an integral connection between IAF and NMC faculty and students.
Over the last year Tank has helped lead IAF through its 30th season with the significant support of IAF Advisory Board co-chairs Major General Mike Lehnert, USMC ret., and Stan Otto, former senior U.S. diplomat.
IAF’s 31st season of programming will begin in September 2024. The lineup of fall events and topics will be shared later this summer. Tank foresees Academic WorldQuest expanding again. He also hopes to encourage the region’s business community to engage in global affairs education through a new membership opportunity.
“We’re open to new ideas and new modes to engage our community, including a WorldQuest competition for the general public, discussion groups based around critical issues, and student-driven programming,” he said.
Find out more, including how to become a supporting member or sponsor, at tciaf.com.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)

NMC Campus Life is hosting a pickleball tournament on Wednesday, July 17 from 4–6 p.m. at the basketball courts* on NMC’s Front Street Campus. Familiarity with pickleball is necessary but not required. Teams will be randomized on date of event. This tournament is open to all NMC students and employees.
If you have any questions please reach out to CJ Schneider at cschneider@nmc.edu or Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu.
*In the event of inclement weather the tournament will be held in room 100 of the Rajkovich Physical Education Building (#16 on the campus map).
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
Kudos to Christa Abdul-Karim and Robb Houston. On May 23, NMC Extended Education & Training Programmer, Dr. Christa Abdul-Karim, and NMC Science & Math Instructor, Robb Houston, led a group of 20 lifelong learners to Iceland for a 15-day geology, climate and cultural adventure. The trip was a great success, which included puffin and seal sightings, viewing an active volcanic eruption, geysers, glaciers, icebergs, waterfalls, basalt columns and black sand beaches. In addition to seeing a variety of natural wonders, student travelers learned about the history of the country, its literature (specifically about the sagas), geothermal power, farming and fishing (and fish farms!) and the culture of the Icelandic people. They bonded and grew in their love of NMC and the seemingly endless learning opportunities we collectively provide as a community college.
Kudos to Elizabeth Sonnabend and Hollianne McHugh. Hollianne McHugh and Elizabeth Sonnabend attended the LERN Contract Training virtual conference in June. Congratulations to Hollianne and Elizabeth as they both passed the Certified Contract Trainer course and exam! Elizabeth oversees Extended Education & Training’s Work and Career portfolio. Hollianne is both a Technical Instructor in Manufacturing Technology here at NMC, and a contract trainer for Extended Education & Training. This knowledge will impact their work in the field of contract training and is already shifting Extended Education’s contract training pricing model.
Kudo to Christa Abdul-Karim and Jennifer Yaple. Dr. Christa Abdul-Karim and our fantastic student worker, Jennifer Yaple, developed a new landing page for all international tours with EES. Lifelong learners can now view past tours, as well as see upcoming travel opportunities: https://nmc.augusoft.net//info/landing/travel
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!
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
NMC would like to recognize the faculty and staff who helped coordinate the first session of this summer’s College Edge program, which wrapped up last Friday as well as the cohorts who completed the program.
The first edition in summer 2023 was a resounding success, with 97 percent of students persisting from fall 2023 to spring 2024 semesters, vs. 64.7 percent among the general population. Students truly do gain an edge by participating. Two more sessions begin next week.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
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.
Northern Living in brief: Dennos
Record-Eagle, June 30
(more…)
NMC is seeking both adult and youth volunteers to participate in the annual Cherry Royale Parade on Saturday, July 6. The theme of this year’s float is “What can you be at NMC…”
Youth volunteers ages 4-10 are needed to dress up as professionals from numerous NMC programs (ex. pilots, nurses, sailors). Costumes will be provided. NMC students and empoloyees are also welcome to walk with the float.
The parade kicks off at 11:15 a.m. Contact Brady Corcoran at bcorcoran@nmc.edu for more information.
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
Please join the NMC community in wishing Hans Van Sumeren all the best as he embarks on his new role at the Marine Technology Society as the Senior Director of the Ocean Enterprise Initiative. We will gather in the courtyard at the Great Lakes Campus from 2–4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16 for light refreshments and beverages (Ballroom C in case of inclement weather). See you there!