Dec 21, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
December 21, 2016
After a couple years as a ski bum out west, Jackson Pierce felt the tug of home.
The former NMC automotive technology student’s timing was perfect for his skills. Pierce traded ski groomers for cars, and has spent the last two years working at Bill Marsh Automotive, one of several regional repair shops to which Automotive Technology program director Wayne Moody has built an employment pipeline.
“Everyone needs their car fixed,” said Pierce, of Northport, who attended NMC’s automotive program in 2007-08.
But not everyone can fix them. Moody said an aging auto repair workforce combined with increasingly complex, computerized cars has created an opportunity gap that he has worked to fill with NMC students like Pierce.
“The last three years (demand) has gone north by leaps and bounds,” Moody said, who fields calls daily from shops locally, downstate as well as in the U.P. “They are vying for the technicians. I could put two jobs on every student if they want them.”
The Grand Traverse area’s population growth also fuels the local hiring demand. At least six former NMC students work at Bill Marsh’s Garfield Road locations. Fox Grand Traverse employs another eight, including its first female technician since 1992, KT Rafferty. As it has traditionally, the job attracts students who like hands-on work. But it’s more than turning a wrench nowadays.
“It’s not rudimentary. There’s an immense amount of problem-solving,” Pierce said.
That variety attracts students, too. “Anything can happen here,” said Rachel Smith of Elk Rapids, who started NMC’s program in 2013 and has worked at Bill Marsh for about a year and a half. “I like learning new things.”
With cars loaded with dozens of on-board computers, electronics is another important skill set.
“What’s the Ohm’s law? I can’t tell you what it is, but our very best electronics technicians do and it helps them in their job every day,” said Rich King, fixed operations director at Bill Marsh. “They’re learning it in Wayne’s program.”
Pierce added that he appreciated the real-world instruction he got at NMC. “I liked that all the teachers actually owned shops.”
Technicians are financially rewarded for that greater knowledge and as they gain experience. While an entry-level technician might make $12-$14 per hour, Moody said a graduate of the two-year program could be earning between $50,000 and $70,000 after five years. Six-figure salaries are not out of the question for the most experienced technicians.
King said it’s also rewarding at the end of the day. “There’s a huge sense of accomplishment when you fix that car that’s a tough one.”
Registration for spring semester programs, including automotive, is going on now. Find out more about the program here.
Above: From left, former NMC automotive students working at Bill Marsh’s GM store are Mike Bouchey, technician; Tom Garrity, parts; Rachel Smith, Dave Panek, Jackson Pierce and Zach Schaub, technicians.
Dec 21, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
December 21, 2016
After a couple years as a ski bum out west, Jackson Pierce felt the tug of home.
The former NMC automotive technology student’s timing was perfect for his skills. Pierce traded ski groomers for cars, and has spent the last two years working at Bill Marsh Automotive, one of several regional repair shops to which Automotive Technology program director Wayne Moody has built an employment pipeline.
“Everyone needs their car fixed,” said Pierce, of Northport, who attended NMC’s automotive program in 2007-08.
But not everyone can fix them. Moody said an aging auto repair workforce combined with increasingly complex, computerized cars has created an opportunity gap that he has worked to fill with NMC students like Pierce.
“The last three years (demand) has gone north by leaps and bounds,” Moody said, who fields calls daily from shops locally, downstate as well as in the U.P. “They are vying for the technicians. I could put two jobs on every student if they want them.”
The Grand Traverse area’s population growth also fuels the local hiring demand. At least six former NMC students work at Bill Marsh’s Garfield Road locations. Fox Grand Traverse employs another eight, including its first female technician since 1992, KT Rafferty. As it has traditionally, the job attracts students who like hands-on work. But it’s more than turning a wrench nowadays.
“It’s not rudimentary. There’s an immense amount of problem-solving,” Pierce said.
That variety attracts students, too. “Anything can happen here,” said Rachel Smith of Elk Rapids, who started NMC’s program in 2013 and has worked at Bill Marsh for about a year and a half. “I like learning new things.”
With cars loaded with dozens of on-board computers, electronics is another important skill set.
“What’s the Ohm’s law? I can’t tell you what it is, but our very best electronics technicians do and it helps them in their job every day,” said Rich King, fixed operations director at Bill Marsh. “They’re learning it in Wayne’s program.”
Pierce added that he appreciated the real-world instruction he got at NMC. “I liked that all the teachers actually owned shops.”
Technicians are financially rewarded for that greater knowledge and as they gain experience. While an entry-level technician might make $12-$14 per hour, Moody said a graduate of the two-year program could be earning between $50,000 and $70,000 after five years. Six-figure salaries are not out of the question for the most experienced technicians.
King said it’s also rewarding at the end of the day. “There’s a huge sense of accomplishment when you fix that car that’s a tough one.”
Registration for spring semester programs, including automotive, is going on now. Find out more about the program here.
Above: From left, former NMC automotive students working at Bill Marsh’s GM store are Mike Bouchey, technician; Tom Garrity, parts; Rachel Smith, Dave Panek, Jackson Pierce and Zach Schaub, technicians.
Dec 19, 2016 | 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…)
Dec 15, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
Health Services will be closed at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 16 until 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. If you need refills, please contact our office as soon as possible at 995-1255, or stop by the office in the Les Biederman building, room 106.
Dec 12, 2016 | Intercom, President Updates
NMC President Tim Nelson has been appointed to Michigan’s Building the 21st Century Economy Commission by Gov. Rick Snyder.
Nelson is one of three educators on the 23-member commission, which serves as an advisory body within the Executive Office of the Governor. Members are charged with identifying priorities over the next 20 years along with short-term and long-term action items to achieve the vision of Michigan’s economic future. The commission will issue a final report to the governor by June 30, 2017.
Dec 9, 2016 | 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 Dave Dalquist – Dave always gives good support for the server that allows off-campus users’ access to library databases. Recently, we needed to upgrade the server software, but were concerned about finding a time that wouldn’t affect students’ research projects. Dave was able to do the upgrade quickly and smoothly, avoiding problems for us and our users.
Kudos to All of the librarians, staff at the library, media dept, writing center – Brava to Tina Ulrich and her team of folks for hosting the second Longest Night Against Procrastination December 1, at the Osterlin Library.
The library stayed open until 2 a.m.!
The team offered free food, snacks, raffle/drawing prizes, coffee, desserts and lots of help from the librarians, Writing Center, tutors, Media Services, Support Services, faculty, etc.
Everyone was given the chance to fill-out evaluations so organizers could make next time even better.
The library was filled with happy, engaged learners.
I stayed right until the end and the most common comment I heard from students was “I just love this night! It’s so cool.”
Thank you to this team of professionals for their vision, creativity, service and risk-taking.
Kudos to Joy Evans – Joy took the time to organize a wonderful cookie exchange. This was a fun event that provided networking and tasty treats. Thank you.
Kudos to Alan Beer – Kudos to Alan Beer for your support of all of us over the years. Your knowledge and expertise were much appreciated. You are a pleasure to work with and will be missed and so will our Wednesday popcorn deliveries. Happy retirement!
Kudos to Kay Harris – She helped me come up with an idea for a project in my class. And she helped me to design the project and has helped my students complete the project. She offered her home number so students could call her at home over the weekend if they needed help setting things up. The project was for Bio 108 plant biology- it was the plant family project. We used the online product voice threads.
Dec 9, 2016 | Intercom
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find them here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
- Digital Media Systems Technician
- Visual Communications – Web Design Adjunct Instructor
Dec 9, 2016 | Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
(more…)
Dec 7, 2016 | Intercom
December 7, 2016
With a global opportunities fund scholarship deadline coming up Dec. 16, prospective study abroad students might not have to wait for Santa to get what they want for Christmas.
NMC sends more students to study abroad than any other community college in Michigan and ranks 12th nationally for short-term study abroad participation. The global opportunities scholarship helps make that happen for students like Eillie Sambrone, who studied abroad in Costa Rica last May.
“I’ve barely traveled within the States,” said Sambrone, 20, of Canton, Mich. Prior to the trip, her furthest trip south was to Cedar Point in Ohio.
Cost is a limiting factor for many aspiring study abroad students, underscoring the importance of the scholarship. In fact, more than 80 percent of 2016 trip participants received the global opportunities scholarship. The $1,000 award further motivated Sambrone to set up a crowdfunding campaign to help cover the $3,000 total trip cost, plus missing work while traveling.
It was all worth it. Sambrone completed her associate degree in freshwater studies and is now enrolled in the NMC-Western Michigan Freshwater Science and Sustainability bachelor’s program. She expects to graduate in 2018.
“I want to travel a lot more. Everything was so different, and you had to continuously adapt and be flexible,” she said.
In particular, she wants to build on her Spanish skills. The trip required a “boot camp” Spanish course which whetted her appetite for the language.
“For me, it was a stepping stone,” she said. “Being able to speak another language is invaluable.”
The global opportunities scholarship requires a 2.5 grade point average. Applications are due Dec. 16.
Dec 7, 2016 | Intercom
December 7, 2016
With a global opportunities fund scholarship deadline coming up Dec. 16, prospective study abroad students might not have to wait for Santa to get what they want for Christmas.
NMC sends more students to study abroad than any other community college in Michigan and ranks 12th nationally for short-term study abroad participation. The global opportunities scholarship helps make that happen for students like Eillie Sambrone, who studied abroad in Costa Rica last May.
“I’ve barely traveled within the States,” said Sambrone, 20, of Canton, Mich. Prior to the trip, her furthest trip south was to Cedar Point in Ohio.
Cost is a limiting factor for many aspiring study abroad students, underscoring the importance of the scholarship. In fact, more than 80 percent of 2016 trip participants received the global opportunities scholarship. The $1,000 award further motivated Sambrone to set up a crowdfunding campaign to help cover the $3,000 total trip cost, plus missing work while traveling.
It was all worth it. Sambrone completed her associate degree in freshwater studies and is now enrolled in the NMC-Western Michigan Freshwater Science and Sustainability bachelor’s program. She expects to graduate in 2018.
“I want to travel a lot more. Everything was so different, and you had to continuously adapt and be flexible,” she said.
In particular, she wants to build on her Spanish skills. The trip required a “boot camp” Spanish course which whetted her appetite for the language.
“For me, it was a stepping stone,” she said. “Being able to speak another language is invaluable.”
The global opportunities scholarship requires a 2.5 grade point average. Applications are due Dec. 16.
Dec 2, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
Thank you to all the students, faculty, and staff who took part in Hoodies for the Homeless! Together we donated over 150 articles of clothing. The clothing will be taken directly to people who live on the streets through the Goodwill Street Outreach program.
Thank you for your generosity to help people in need in Traverse City.
Dec 1, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
This year’s NMC Challenge collected 1,952 non-perishable food and hygiene products to contribute to NMC’s Food for Thought drive! Faculty, staff and the student community participated in the week-long challenge, competing against other departments for the highest number of items collected. The Student Veterans Association swept the challenge with a grand total of 1,157 items collected, winning a pizza party for up to 60 people. Congratulations Veterans! Your dedication to the challenge and our community is appreciated.
Kristy McDonald’s Professional Communications class donated over 30,000 items to local food pantries, in time for Thanksgiving, to help battle food insecurity in our area. The 2016 Food for Thought team expresses a huge thank you to the NMC community for a successful campus-wide challenge and all of the work involved in gathering donations. More information on NMC’s Food for Thought can be found on their Facebook page: facebook.com/NMCFoodForThought/
Dec 1, 2016 | Intercom
- Please complete your open enrollment online through Benefits Insight. The last day it will be available is Friday, December 9, 2016.
- All documents and resources for 2017 Open Enrollment are available on the employee site.
- If you need assistance with your enrollment Benefits Insight has a customer service line – (855) 246-1872.
- A computer lab is available if you need assistance on Tuesday, Dec 6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the University Center 205.
Dec 1, 2016 | Intercom
Copies of the Global Literature Reading Group’s choice for spring semester are available for $5 from Tina Ulrich at the Osterlin Library. The group will meet on Friday, April 21, 2017, from noon to 1:30, in Scholars Hall 104 to discuss Nadine Gordimer’s My Son’s Story. This novel is set in apartheid-era South Africa in the 1980s and tells the story of a black activist and his family. Gordimer won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991 and was active in the anti-apartheid movement.
Nov 30, 2016 | Intercom
As a member of the NMC faculty and staff, you have the opportunity daily to see how gifts affect the College. When you contribute to NMC, you are investing in the lives of our students and reinforcing and supporting the work you do each day. Beyond the time and talents you share, your generosity helps promote learning and transforms lives.
Now, giving through payroll deduction is easier than ever before. Simply fill out this online form with your giving preferences. Or, you can fill out this PDF form and return it to the Foundation via email or campus mail. You can make a gift to your favorite NMC program or to the Annual Fund, which addresses the College’s greatest needs — making a difference for every student every day.
The gift of education lasts a lifetime. Thank you for all that you do for NMC and its students!
Nov 30, 2016 | Intercom
Monday, December 12 – Maintain Don’t Gain – Surviving the Holidays. Come and meet with Chris Barr (Wellness Coordinator from Blue Cross) to make a plan for not gaining more than 3 pounds through the holidays!
Health & Science Building 101- Noon-1 p.m.
Monday, December 19 – Chris will be available to schedule individual consultations with you if you like. He will be on Front Street Campus (10-11:30 a.m.) and at the University Center (12:30-1:30 p.m.). Please send him an email at cbarr@nmc.edu, or call 313-969-8753, if you are interested in an appointment.
Nov 30, 2016 | Intercom
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
- Visual Communications – Web Design Adjunct Instructor
- GLMA Great Lakes Adjunct Instructor
Nov 30, 2016 | Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
(more…)
