FY 26 Budget Town Hall video
Thank you for joining us for the June 3 Budget Town Hall meetings to discuss NMC’s FY 25 budget with Vice President for Finance & Administration Troy Kierczynski. Watch a video of the morning session here.
Juneteenth Celebration
Please join E3 for a very special Juneteenth Celebration with special guest speaker Byron Brooks, guest performer Crystal Woodward-Turner and DJ Chris Stone.
The celebration will be held Thursday, June 19 from 3 to 9:30 p.m.
FREEDOM EVENT SCHEDULE:
3–5 p.m.
“Who We Are” special screening
Dennos Milliken Auditorium
5–6 p.m.
Community gathering & youth activities
Outside Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
Local Food Trucks
Chestnut lot
5:30–6 p.m.
Children’s storytime with TADL
Outside Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
6–7:30 p.m.
Juneteenth program
Outside Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
8–9:30 p.m.
E3 & T.C. roller derby & family freedom roller skating
Civic Center, 1213 W Civic Center Dr.
In the event of inclement weather, outdoor festivities will be held in the open space on the first floor of the Osterlin Building (#3 on campus map). For more information, contact Marcus Bennett mbennett@nmc.edu.
NMC Children’s Choir auditions June 10 and 12
TRAVERSE CITY — The Northwestern Michigan College Children’s Choir will hold placement auditions for third through ninth graders from 6–8 p.m. Tuesday, June 10 and Thursday, June 12 in the NMC Fine Arts Building, room 102.
Families can schedule a 5-minute audition time slot on either date online at nmcchildrenschoir.
Founded in 1990, the NMCC consists of six choirs involving over two hundred singers from kindergarten through the ninth grade. Performances are held several times a year. For more information, visit nmcchildrenschoir.com
Release date: May 21, 2025
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
choga@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-discriminationNMC Children’s Choir auditions June 10 & 12, 6–8 PM
Come join this award winning program! For students in 3-9, schedule a 5-minute audition by visiting nmcchildrenschoir.com/join.
For students in K-2, join Prelude (K/1) or Dolce (2nd) choir, no audition is needed. Register on our website.
For questions, email Stephanie Schall-Brazee at schallbrazee@gmail.com.
Media mentions for June 9, 2025
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.
Scholarships awarded to future manufacturing leaders
The Daily News (Ionia and Montcalm Counties) June 9 (more…)
Student Success Center gives students an Edge
To the Student Success Center for offering Adult College Edge again this summer. The four-week session begins July 7 and helps prepare students to succeed in math, taught by Becca Richardson; English, taught by Rebecca Carlson; and college skills, taught by Amy Lucas, before they start or continue college at NMC this fall.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Cafe Lobdell’s opens
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute will host and operate Cafe Lobdell’s from June 24-July 30.
Cafe Lobdell’s is the capstone course in GLCI’s one-year Baking Certificate program. Culinary students will make and serve fresh sweet and savory baked goods, quiche, yogurt parfaits, healthy breakfast bowls plus sandwiches and salads to go, as well as a wide variety of specialty coffee drinks.
No reservations are required. Counter service hours are 7:30–11 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Cafe Lobdell’s is on the second level of NMC’s Great Lakes campus, 715 E. Front St.
Find out more about culinary programs at nmc.edu/culinary.
Release date: JUNE 9, 2025
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
choga@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-discriminationKudos!
Kudos to Danielle Quinlan. Danielle Quinlan coordinated and managed Extended Education’s first Campus Day since 2019. This event falls under “Community Engagement” in our current strategic plan. On May 9, 2025 Campus Day returned to the main Front Street Campus. Over $13K in net revenue (income minus direct expenses) was realized. The team welcomed 300+ participants, instructors, and volunteers. The day consisted of 40+ learning sessions from Extended Education offerings, plus community offerings such as Old Town Playhouse, BATA, city government, and the NMC Foundation. Thank you, Danielle, for making this event a huge success!
Kudos to our Grounds Crew. The grounds crew did an amazing job making sure that Front St. campus looked amazing for Campus Day on Friday, May 9th. They also set up picnic tables to ensure our attendees had outdoor seating at lunch time. Thank you, grounds team – we appreciate you!
Kudos to Garrett Croon & The Security Team. Garrett and his team facilitated all aspects of parking and security for Campus Day. In addition to providing assistance before the event began, they also stepped up to help secure an area for our BATA shuttle and assisted our guests who needed handicapped parking. You’re the best! Thank you for your support and collaboration.
Kudos to Kyle Morrison, Chris Hanna, and Dylan Schaub. The EdTech team assisted in all technical needs during our May 9th Campus Day event. They responded quickly to tech issues and walked instructors who were new to our campus through all technical challenges. And the best part – they did it collaboratively – it’s a pleasure working with you!
Kudos to Angie Adamick. Angie and her custodial team were instrumental in making sure campus looked great for Campus Day on May 9th. In addition to real-time sweeping and mopping of the floors in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, one of our participants wrote in his evaluation survey, “FYI, the cleanest bathrooms and classrooms I have ever seen. Your cleaning crew is excellent!”
Kudos to our Custodial, Grounds, and Maintenance departments, and Cathy Brown. The entire facilities department worked together to transform a storage closet in the Extended Education suite into an office for a new full-time hire. By utilizing the new work order system, we were able to have shelving removed, carpet replaced, walls painted, and furniture delivered and assembled in a few short weeks. The process was smooth and easy! Thank you!
Kudos to Lil Anderson, Marcus Bennett, Katy Knight, Kristi Hallett, Facilities Team, Educational Technology, Emily Crull, and more! I want to give a huge kudos to the folks who made our Pride Family Field Day with Up North Pride a success! It was a beautiful, sunny day filled with so much joy and fun, and it would not have been possible without everyone’s help!
Special thanks to Lil Anderson for jumping in and coordinating many of the moving parts, to Marcus Bennett and Campus Life for lending games and equipment, to Emily Crull and Katy Knight for their help with getting the word out to our communities, and to Kristi Hallett, the Facilities and Educational Technology teams for helping make sure we had the space set up the way we needed!
Thanks also to the folks who were there as vendors, everyone who volunteered to help during the event, and anyone who came out to enjoy a little fun in the sun with us! Your participation always helps make events like ours extra special!
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!
Welcome our newest hires
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
- Kathleen Moore – Faculty – CIT Infrastructure Instructor
- Tucker Nelson – Supplemental – GLMA Vessels AE
- Robert Caron – Supplemental – GLMA Culinary Intern
- Riley Smith – Student – Fitness Center
Subscribe for summer success stories
PRMC is piloting summer editions of NMC Now, our success story e-newsletter. This week’s issue, in honor of Father’s Day, features Automotive Technology coordinator Wayne Moody and his daughter/NMC alumna Lynnett Vanderwal. Through their family business, D & W Automotive, and by training hundred of automotive technologists, the father-daughter pair has kept thousands of northern Michigan vehicles in good running condition. Subscribe to get it in your inbox Wednesday!
Celebration of Life for Tim Quinn
Northwestern Michigan College invites the community to an informal gathering and Celebration of Life for former NMC President Tim Quinn on Saturday, June 14 from 1–3 p.m. at the Hagerty Center.
Join us as we remember and honor Tim’s lasting impact on NMC and the community.
To read more about Tim’s life and legacy, visit lifestorytc.com/obituaries/timothy-quinn.149268
Aero Park Drive closure starts June 9
Aero Park Drive will be blocked to through traffic from June 9–13 due to construction on NMC’s new aviation hangar. Entrances on both Three Mile Road and Parsons Road will remain open, but drivers will need to bypass construction using North Aero Park Court. Signage will be in place. See the map below for details. Thanks for your cooperation.
Aero Park Drive closure map
Congratulations, NMC Fellows!
To NMC’s 2025 Fellows, Mark Lundmark and Jayne Mohr. The Fellow is the highest honor NMC bestows and is awarded to those who have demonstrated influential networking on behalf of the college and/or a pattern of outstanding financial or personal time contributions to NMC. They will be honored at a dinner this week. Read more and see a list of all Fellows since 1964.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Kudos!
Kudos to Dennos Museum Center Team. The Dennos Museum hosted its 4th Spring Art Market with 25 Michigan artists in May. As a team, the staff knocked this event out of the park with their creativity, enthusiasm, time, and presence from set-up to tear-down. The event exceeded last year’s attendance and offered a range of fun for all ages through staff collaboration, from a Mother’s Day card-making project to Mimosas & a pianist in the galleries. The market garnered much praise from visitors and participants and one of the compliments heard most centers around the museum’s staff and volunteers. When asked what they love most about the event artists say,
- “The friendliness and helpfulness of staff and volunteers :)”
- “The beautiful venue, the happy atmosphere, and the wonderful staff & people”
- “It’s so nice to feel taken care of in every way. This is one of my favorite venues for a market!”
So, kudos to the entire Dennos Museum Staff!
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!
Welcome our newest hires
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
- Samantha Joslin – Adjunct – Culinary Arts Pastry Production
- Shawn Hayes – Supplemental – GLMA Vessels Deck Crew (AB)
- Melissa Fruge – Adjunct – Culinary Arts Bakery Sales, Merchandising and Packaging
NMC hosts Kids Free Fishing Day June 14
TRAVERSE CITY — More than 250 young anglers and their families are expected at the annual Rotary Kids Free Fishing Day, set from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday, June 14 at Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes campus.
Kids accompanied by an adult are invited to join in the free fishing fun. Under the supervision of the Department of Natural Resources, 500 brown trout 10 inches or longer will be stocked in the campus harbor for the event. Fishing rods, reels and bait are all provided. Children may also bring their own fishing gear.
Experienced volunteers including Rotarians and cadets from the Great Lakes Maritime Academy will help with baiting hooks and fishing skills. Members of the Northwest Michigan Fishing Club will clean the fish for the young anglers. The Great Lakes Children’s Museum will host a free fish painting activity for kids waiting to fish. There will also be a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter flyover.
Parking is available at NMC’s Great Lakes campus, 715 E. Front St., Traverse City, located just east of the Delamar Hotel on U.S. 31. Free Fishing Day is sponsored by Traverse City Rotary Clubs, Rotary Camps & Services, NMC, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Mike and Rhonda Estes, Great Lakes Children’s Museum and the Northwest Michigan Fishing Club.
Release date: May 30, 2025
For more information:
Christopher DeGood
Traverse City Rotary Clubs
cdegood@bria2.com
(231) 420-5601
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. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discriminationState grants to fund personalized skill and degree attainment pathways
From left to right: Laura Stevens Matchett, Director of NMC Extended Education & Training; Lisa Schut, Regional Director at Northwest Michigan Works!; and Lisa vonReichbauer, Director of NMC Admissions
(Download a high-resolution version here.)TRAVERSE CITY – NMC has received $1.19 million in state grants to pilot a first-of-its kind collaborative and team of navigators aimed at creating nontraditional pathways to credentials and degrees for adult learners between 2025 and 2028.
“These investments reflect our deep commitment to adult learners and the communities that support them,” said Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “By working with local colleges and community leaders, we are removing barriers to education and helping more Michiganders earn the credentials they need to thrive in today’s economy.”
The NoMi Attainment Collaborative, which includes more than 20 agencies, led by NMC and Northwest Michigan Works!, today opened to new students. The goal is that within three years about 2,000 more northern Michigan residents will possess the certificates or degrees they need to increase their paychecks, thus growing the middle class, and contributing to a thriving regional economy.
“This collaboration is a powerful example of what happens when we imagine more for our region: more opportunity, more access, and more futures unlocked. Together, we’re building a community where learning truly lasts a lifetime,” said NMC President Nick Nissley.
Key to the collaborative’s approach is blurring the line between non-credit and traditional credit classes at NMC. Students will meet with grant-funded navigators for personalized support and access to low-barrier, try-it-out skill attainment opportunities. This stepping stone approach is paired with a “no wrong door” philosophy under which all collaborative members commit to meeting students’ needs first and referring to programs offered within our 10-county region.
“You can start small and follow your curiosity; dip your toes in welding, construction technology, health care, IT or more, without committing to a semester-long class,” said Laura Stevens Matchett, director of NMC Extended Education and Training. In addition, students may be able to obtain credit for prior learning, a strategic initiative at NMC.
The aim of the initiatives supported by the grants is to increase the proportion of working age adults who hold certifications and degrees from 49% to 55% in an 10-county region: Antrim, Benzie, Emmet, Charlevoix, Kalkaska, Manistee, Missaukee, Leelanau, Grand Traverse and Wexford. That translates to 2,344 individuals. Statewide, Michigan has a goal of 60% of adults having a degree or certificate by 2030. The grants are from the office of Sixty by 30.
“This grant will empower more people to achieve industry-recognized credentials and degrees, opening doors to stable, high-wage careers,” said Lisa Schut, regional director at Northwest Michigan Works! “By providing personalized support and breaking down barriers to education and employment, we are strengthening our workforce, expanding the middle class, and fostering long-term economic growth in northern Michigan.”
To get started, contact NMC Extended Education & Training at ees@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1700. A navigator will assist you in choosing your class or program, and with seeking support for entering an educational training pathway, all at your own pace — with you in the driver’s seat.
Current Collaborative members are:
- 20 Fathoms
- BEST Benzie County (LCAN)
- BATA
- Century & Clark
- Char Em ISD
- Davenport University
- Goodwill Northern Michigan
- Grand Traverse County
- Grand Valley State University
- GROW Benzie
- Manistee County Community Foundation
- Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center
- Michigan College Access Network
- Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center
- North Central Michigan College
- Networks Northwest
- Northwest Education Services
- Northwest Michigan Works!
- Northwestern Michigan College
- Sara Lee Frozen Bakery
- SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers
- Traverse Connect
- United Way
- West Shore Community College
Release Date: May 29, 2025
For More Information
Laura Stevens Matchett
Director of NMC Extended Education & Training
lmatchett@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1704
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. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discriminationSeeking 40 under 40, regional leaders nominations
Congratulations once again to the 2025 winners of NMC’s annual excellence awards. We know our colleagues do great work every day. Two upcoming award opportunities offer us the chance to share that great work with the community. The Traverse City Business News’ annual 40 under 40 award is seeking nominations through June 11. The Record-Eagle’s Leaders of Northern Michigan is accepting nominations through June 13. Know someone who should be nominated for either? Please send their name to PRMC at publicrelations@nmc.edu. If you’d like to submit a nomination yourself, we’d be happy to collaborate with you to submit the best possible application. Thank you!