Employee Anniversaries – September
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
Kudos to Alyssa Irani; Alyssa has worked diligently to submit documentation and complete the required tasks for the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, helping NMC achieve Gold level status as a Veteran Friendly School for the 2024-2025 academic year. The Michigan Veteran-Friendly Schools Program recognizes academic institutions committed to supporting the needs of veterans and military-connected students. Institutions are awarded Gold-, Silver-, and Bronze-level status based on their veteran-centric services and programs. The Gold level is the highest designation awarded and the Gold level status not only recognizes the excellence of these institutions but also serves as a benchmark for others to aspire to in their efforts to support veterans and military-connected students. Congrats to Alyssa and the Veteran Services team!
Kudos to Robin Maloney; We are thankful for Robin Maloney’s professionalism and attention to detail. She regularly communicates with the library staff about the cleanliness of the library– which looks great, by the way!
Even though facilities is down four custodial positions and has been for quite some time, Robin cleaned a very difficult to access area that had been bothering us all (pesky flies on the high stairway window ledge). She thinks about the campus as the students’ home away from home and makes it welcoming. Robin exemplifies the NMC value of quality stewardship.
Kudos to Denny Nguyen; Denny has an amazing capacity for processing data and having it make sense for the rest of us! He recently was charged with a request that required extensive research, years and years of compiled data, and an eye for accuracy. He rose to the challenge, did the hard work (which was in addition to all of his other workload),produced an excellent end product and all the while with a gracious smile on his face. NMC is so fortunate to have someone like Denny holding up the NMC Values of Integrity, Collaboration, Respect, Stewardship and Excellence. THANK YOU Denny!
Kudos to Danielle Quinlan; Danielle Quinlan has been in her role as the Office Manager for NMC Extended Education & Training now for almost a year. Danielle very successfully took on the project of planning and conducting our first formal instructor meeting at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center. Danielle worked with the Extended Education team to put together an instructor handbook and assembled instructor folders and name tags for each Extended Education instructor. We had a full house of instructors (over 20) and received excellent feedback, mostly around how much a sense of belonging this meeting created for them. They also reported how much they enjoyed hearing what other instructors were teaching this fall, from The Origin & Meaning of the Second Amendment, to the Art of Crossword Construction, to Functional Fitness (Kyle Morrison!) to Digital Essentials (Ali Thornton) – it was wonderful to see our instructors get to know each other a bit (and be interested in each other’s classes!). At Extended Education & Training, as the Office Manager & Registration Specialist, Danielle has made it her mission to ensure that every student, instructor, and staff member feels informed and welcome, and a sense of belonging. Thank you, Danielle!
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!
Join us to celebrate Jennifer Hricik and everything she has done for NMC and the Foundation. We will miss her, but looking forward to her new adventure and celebrating!
Join us at the Dennos Museum Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 4–6 p.m. with remarks around 4:45 p.m. Light appetizers and beverages will be served.
The Young Vote, a film that follows a diverse group of students and activists during the 2020 election, will be screened Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 7–8:30 p.m. with facilitated discussion to follow, for students, staff and faculty. This event, in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center’s Room 106, is part of the Constitution Day celebration and intended to promote voter registration among our student population. Free Detroit style deep dish pizza and cheese sticks will be served. The event is sponsored by NMC’s Student Government Association and the NMC Library.
NMC’s Student Government Association is celebrating Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on NMC’s Front Street campus, and at the Great Lakes and Aero Park campuses. Come enjoy Vote 2024 cake and get Vote 2024 buttons and voter registration information along with the opportunity to register to vote. SGA is working with the Grand Traverse Area League of Women Voters to offer this event.
Events will be held at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center between 10 a.m.–1 p.m., at the Parsons-Stulen Building between 1–3 p.m., and at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy between 2–4 p.m.
Get ready for fall with a storewide hoodie sale! Take $10 off all regularly priced hoodies September 23–26. Sale applies to regular priced merchandise only.
Register now for a unique simulation game confronting the plight of refugees!Passages will be held on Friday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m.– 1 p.m. (30 students max). Register here or using the registration link on nmc.edu/international-services.
Experience what forces people into refugee situations and the train of events that brings them to refugee camps and beyond. Consider possible solutions to refugee problems, particularly with regards to integration within the country of asylum and repatriation to the country of origin. This role-playing game will take place on the NMC’s Front Street Campus, the Eastern Avenue property and East Bay.
Sponsored by NMC International Services and Service Learning, Multicultural Club, International Affairs Forum, Student Life, and the Special Assistant to the President for DEIB. For more information, contact Jim Bensley at jbensley@nmc.edu.
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC will host Applying to College 101, an event for high school students beginning their college search, from 6–7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7.
Admissions representatives will guide participants through the college application process, focusing on what to expect and time frames to be aware of. The event will be held in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, Room 106/107 on NMC’s Front Street campus. Food is provided. Students should RSVP online for food count at nmc.edu/applying-101
Event takeaways:
Applying to College 101 precedes and prepares students for the annual College Night, set for Oct. 9 from 6–8 p.m., also in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center. More than 40 colleges, universities and military branches will be represented at College Night, offering northern Michigan high school students a one-stop shop to evaluate their post graduation options.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
cnoga@nmc.edu
Congratulations to NMC’s Dental Assistant program, which earlier this month was officially notified of its accreditation through 2030 following a site visit last December. Curriculum revisions and a new pathway offering students another route to success were also approved.
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.
Forum: Tax Increment Financing: Just the facts about TIF
Record-Eagle, Sept. 15 (more…)
Join NMC & Versiti Blood in helping your community! The Versiti Blood Bus will be in the Cedar Lot on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to gather blood donations. Walk-ins will be accepted but to ensure a quick in-and-out stop it’s best to sign up for a specific time slot here.
Please be sure to hydrate and eat before donating blood. Versiti is once again giving out $10 e-gift cards so if you were unsure before, how about making a few bucks while doing good for those around you?
If you have any questions, please reach out to Kate from Versiti at kshapkaroff@versiti.org.
Building Tomorrow is a hands-on construction and automotive career and college readiness event for high school students.
During this unique experience, students will find out what it’s like to be a project manager, an automotive technician, an electrician, a welder and more — direct from the people who do these jobs every day!
Building Tomorrow will expose students to exciting careers in the construction industry and get them inspired about their futures!
Building Tomorrow students are able to:
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College will celebrate Voter Registration Day and commemorate Constitution Day on Tuesday, September 17 with activities for students, staff, faculty and the public.
Voter Registration Day event:
Register to vote, learn about the voting process, and enjoy cake and refreshments. NMC’s Student Government Association is partnering with the Grand Traverse Area League of Women Voters to offer voter registration opportunities at the following locations:
Constitution Day discussion: Toleration and Engagement in American Democracy: Building Social Capital through Dialogue and Debate
Dr. John Zachman, instructor of political science and philosophy, will lead an interactive discussion on the importance of diversity, toleration, and engagement in American democracy from 3–4:15 p.m. in Scholars Hall Room 101 on NMC’s Front Street campus. Participants will be asked to critically analyze the role of dialogue in our political and social communities in the United States. Each participant will receive a free pocket-size copy of the U.S. Constitution, which was signed on Sept. 17, 1787.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
cnoga@nmc.edu

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Join NMC’s Student Success team for a comprehensive workshop designed to help you navigate key resources for your academic journey. We’ll cover essential topics like:
Our expert panel includes:
Date: September 11th
Time: Noon–1 P.M.
Location: TJNIC 106/107
Enjoy a free lunch from Olive Garden and drinks while learning how to make the most of the tools available to you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to boost your success!
Did you know that your 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. Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.
Fitness Conditioning (3 spots left!)
Condition your entire body by using a variety of modalities like Pilates, yoga, strength training, and cardio. By using many different types of exercises that incorporate flexibility, strength, and resistance, you will build strength, agility, and power.
14 sessions; Mon/Wed, Sept. 16 – Oct. 30; 5:30-6:30p
Employee Price: $35 (public price: $225)
Date Night: Mediterranean
Immerse yourself and a guest in the vibrant world of Mediterranean cuisine, a symphony of fresh flavors and enticing aromas. This culinary journey will equip you with the skills to create balanced dishes that showcase the bounty of the region.
Tuesday, Sept. 17; 6-9p
Employee Price: $46 for two people, includes beverages (public price: $199)
Artisan Bread Masterclass: Holiday Breads
Chef Les Eckert leads this two-and-a-half day intensive course that will take your holiday baking to the next level! Learn how to make beautiful and tasty holiday breads that have been around for centuries: Stollen, Challah, Panneton, and more!
3 sessions; Fri – Sun, Nov. 8-10; 5-9p (Fri) and 9a-3p (Sa & Su)
Employee Price: $149 includes lunch Sa & Su (public price: $499)
Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.

Follow these instructions to download Libby and set up your account.
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:40–6 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Chicken Fettuccine with pesto cream sauce served with crostini & broccoli
Roasted Vegetables (V) with pesto cream sauce served with crostini & broccoli
Chicken Enchiladas with peppers and onions served with Spanish rice & refried beans
Roasted Vegetables (V) with peppers and onions served with Spanish rice & refried beans
Sesame Chicken Stir Fry served with basmati rice & egg rolls
Sesame Tofu Stir Fry (V) served with basmati rice & egg rolls
Italian Sausage Rigatoni served with garlic bread & broccolini
Sun-Dried Tomato Rigatoni (V) served with garlic bread & broccolini
BBQ Pulled Pork with brioche bun served with creamy coleslaw & baked beans
BBQ Jackfruit (V) with brioche bun served with creamy coleslaw & baked beans