The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, April 24 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hagerty Center on NMC’s Great Lakes Campus. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Back in 1998, philosophy instructor Michael Emerson was asked to join a small pilot group of NMC instructors trying something new: teaching online. A quarter-century later, Emerson now teaches all his classes online, nearly every NMC class has an online component, and the college’s strategic plan prioritizes more online offerings as well as greater student success in them.
That pilot project was an early adoption of the technology that would change the world, and NMC has maintained its position at the forefront of educational technology.
“We made this decision and committed ourselves long before other institutions did it,” Emerson said. “Now people are getting their masters and doctorates totally online.”
He and the other NMC instructors embraced the challenge of trying something new. At the time, online classes meant totally asynchronous instruction conducted essentially by email. Lacking today’s video capabilities, instructor and student were invisible to each other.
“I was initially kind of skeptical. The standard model was to be in the classroom,” said Emerson. The pilot group used what he called a “primitive” Learning Management System, or LMS.
Through the 2000s, 2010s and through COVID-19, which made online education almost an expectation, NMC continued to stay on the leading edge of educational technology, Emerson said. The college has used multiple LMS systems. Moodle, the current provider, is the tool that is found in almost every class.
NMC now boasts an Educational Technologies department of eight. Courses are offered in four different formats: lecture, online, hybrid and livestream. Accelerated and short courses offer more convenience to students. NMC’s strategic plan calls for increasing the proportion of online courses to 35% in fall and spring semester. Online enrollment is highest in summer semester, and will surpass 50 percent this summer.
Emerson sees many advantages of online education. Besides the flexibility and convenience it offers, students are more comfortable discussing the sensitive topics than can arise in his philosophy classes, he said. Participation can be leveled across the class, instead of being dominated by one or two people.
“The discussions have almost always been very very civil in the classroom, because there’s a sense of permanence,” he said. “All of us are more accountable in that regard, in terms of what we say.”
He estimates teaching online saves thousands of pounds of paper, and, as COVID demonstrated, keeps him and his students healthier.
NMC’s strategic plan also calls for improving already high rates of online class success through new teaching strategies. For online courses, the goal is 90 percent success/completion, up from 87 percent. The hybrid course goal is 95 percent, up from 92.
Not bad for what started as a pilot project.
“NMC was really at the very forefront of that, well before many traditional four-year schools,” said Emerson.
TRAVERSE CITY — The second annual Northwestern Michigan College Experiential Learning Institute Learning Symposium will celebrate learning from May 1–4 at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center (TJNIC) on NMC’s main campus.
This symposium is a celebration of learning, with a variety of engaging activities and events for attendees to participate in. Throughout the event, attendees can browse poster displays and artifacts showcasing the innovative and high-impact projects that students have been working on across all academic areas at NMC. The schedule also includes:
Monday, May 1:
Tuesday, May 2:
Wednesday, May 3:
Thursday, May 4:
For a complete schedule of events, visit nmc.edu/experiential-learning/learning-symposium.html. These events are open to everyone. Anyone who is interested in experiential learning or high-impact learning is encouraged to attend.
Tracy Welch
Experiential Learning Institute Office Manager
elinstitute@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1170
TRAVERSE CITY — Students enrolled in Northwestern Michigan College’s (NMC) Professional Communications class and Audio Tech students invite the community to the first-ever Future Generation Celebration immediately following the eighth annual Big Little Hero Race on Saturday, April 22, underneath the big white tent behind North Hall on NMC’s main campus. The free music festival begins at noon and runs until 7 p.m. Food options, games, and activities are also available. This event is family friendly.
Music lineup for the festival is:
Registration for the Big Little Hero Race is still going on at biglittleherorace.com. The race is an experiential learning project to raise funds towards NMC College for Kids scholarships for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan. Last year’s event raised $5,000 for scholarships. Participants are encouraged to come in their favorite superhero costumes. Complete race details are at biglittleherorace.com.
Kristy McDonald
NMC Business Instructor (Big Little Hero Race)
(231) 735-1055
kmcdonald@nmc.edu
David Chown
Audio Tech Instructor (Future Generation Celebration)
(231) 883-6756
dchown@nmc.edu
Brady Corcoran
Audio Technology Coordinator (Future Generation Celebration)
(310) 909-3924
bcorcoran@nmc.edu
Alex Grassa
Social Media Specialist
(231) 883-8055
nmc4bbbs@gmail.com
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.
Career Tech health science students to receive college credit
Yahoo News, April 10
(more…)
Thanks to the Communications and the Audio Tech. departments for their work on two upcoming events later this month—the Big Little Hero Race and the first ever Future Generation Celebration.
Both events are the result of experiential learning projects that were created for NMC students to give them hands-on experience in their areas of study. The hard work that our faculty, staff and students have put into these events helps to enrich our lives and unite our community.
Proceeds from the race fund College for Kids scholarships which provides enriching learning opportunities for K-12 youth throughout the summer, and nurtures the NMC’s value of lifelong learning.
Registration is still open for the eighth annual Big Little Hero Race on April 22. Complete race details can be found at biglittleherorace.com. The Future Generation Celebration will immediately follow the race, running from noon to 7 p.m. with performances from Dixon’s Violin, The Marsupials and more. This event is family friendly and free to attend.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
Kudos to Eric Carlson! Eric was instrumental in producing the Coffee Chats for EES these last two semesters. He thrived in coordinating, managing, and producing weekly shows without much experience in event production. He was fearless and ambitious in turning out quality content. His support for EES and dedication to NMC’s continued excellence is what the college needs from its talent. Thank you, sir!
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!
When schools break for summer, NMC’s College for Kids program steps up to engage students, ages 3-17, in fun experiential learning from June 19 through August 18. Class formats include half and full day, and run one day or one week long. Supervised lunch breaks can be added to create a full day from two half day options. Registration is open now at nmc.edu/kids.
Held at either NMC’s main campus or one of several offside partner facilities, classes are taught by passionate and experienced instructors that provide a safe and exciting learning environment. Developing their own curriculum, teachers make each class unique, of high interest to students, and experiential with hands-on engagement. Young learners are introduced to adventures in art, science, technology, engineering, art, theater, dance and more.
Classes range from Beginning Fly Fishing through Kids Quilt Camp to the annual GRASP Math & Reading summer bridge program. From outdoor recreation like Stand Up Paddleboarding to art classes like Italian Mosaic Tile, to cooking, gaming, Bucket Drumming and much more – there is something for every learner. The catalog can be viewed here.
New and returning partnerships such as Arts for All, DramaKids International, Quarkmine, Grass River Natural Area, Discovery Pier, Maritime Heritage Alliance and Michigan Technological University offer specialized classes: Clay Handbuilding, Acting Up, VEX IQ Robotics, Shelter Building, Power Island Adventure, and Creating Art with STEM.
Regular weekly classes start at $149 ($34 with tuition waiver). Thanks to generous donors through events such as the Gala to Give and the Big Little Hero Race in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan, partial financial assistance for classes is available for those who qualify. See details at nmc.edu/kids.
To register or to learn more, visit nmc.edu/kids or contact NMC Extended Education at (231) 995-1700. Please create your household profile online before registering.
The Passport Student Lecture Series is a chance to explore other cultures through the experience of NMC students.
Join us as Maritime student Jose Reynoso-Mazoy talks about life and culture in Mexico on Wednesday, April 12 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, Rm 106/107. Attendees will get to make homemade tortillas, sample fresh pico de gallo and other Mexican treats.
Global Endorsement students, please bring your GE passport so that it can be stamped to earn your GE event points!
Come and visit Founders Hall, home of the NMC Audio Tech program! We are hosting an open house on Friday, April 14 from 3-10 p.m.
All are welcome to come and see our recording space, mix rooms, and live-streaming setup. Aspiring musicians and music lovers are encouraged to stop by and check out what students in the program have access to year-round: guitars galore (electric, acoustic bass guitars, even a baritone!), Steinway B grand piano, hi-fi professional grade speakers, 4K Blackmagic cameras, and more!
Check us out in Founders Hall on Main Campus, next to the Health and Science Building and behind the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center!
TRAVERSE CITY — The community is invited to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy’s “open ship” showcasing the training ship State of Michigan from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 22. The day will include:
Tours will begin at the pier security gate entrance on the north side of NMC’s Great Lakes campus, 715 E. Front St. Low-heel, closed-toe, soft-soled shoes are highly recommended. The event will occur rain or shine.
Great Lakes Maritime Academy
maritime@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1200
TRAVERSE CITY — Registration is now open for College Edge, a new, free program NMC is hosting this summer to help any new college student prepare for their fall semester.
College Edge is a five-week program to help prepare students in the core subjects of math and English before they start college at any school this fall. They’ll also learn tips and tools like time management and studying smarter that will help right away. For completing the program, students will earn a $1,000 scholarship toward NMC’s fall semester tuition.
Students can register at nmc.edu/edge for one of two sessions: June 5–July 7 or July 10–Aug. 11. Held on NMC’s main campus, each session runs Monday–Thursday from 8 a.m.–noon. Breakfast, a laptop and gas cards are all available as well.
College Edge hosted by NMC is just the latest investment the state is making in its student-age population. State scholarships available now include Michigan Achievement for the high school class of 2023, and Michigan Reconnect for adults over 25 who don’t already have a degree. Achievement offers $2,750, or half the cost of NMC’s full-time, in-district tuition, while Reconnect makes tuition free to in-district students (Grand Traverse County residents).
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
Media on deadline, call or text (231) 392-6082
Non-deadline inquiries: (231) 995-1020
Campus Life is hosting a volleyball tournament on Monday, April 17 at 8 p.m. in the Rajkovich Physical Education Center. This tournament is open to all NMC students, staff and faculty. The deadline to sign up is April 16. Maximum of 6 players per team.
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.
Childcare Apprenticeship Programs Coming to Northwest Michigan Hope to Bring More Childcare Options to the Region
9 & 10 News, March 29
Manistee News-Advocate
Interlochen Public Radio, April 3
Jason Quigno wins Art Park Legacy Award
Record-Eagle, March 29
Cheers: To Jason Quigno
Record-Eagle, April 1
18 Unique Places to Visit in Michigan This Spring
Awesome Mitten, March 27
I Just Retired, 9 Reasons I’m Considering A Move To This Modest Midwestern City
Travel Awaits, April 2
It’s spring cleaning at the NMC Bookstore!
Take half off all red tag clearance items Monday, April 17 & Tuesday, April 18. In store only.
Kudos to EES student workers Rachel Bonesteel and Jennifer Yaple. They have gone above and beyond with their creativity, initiative and positive attitudes in their work on the EES team the past two terms. Along with numerous tasks and creative projects, Rachel took on creating College for Kids coloring books for commencement — be on the lookout for them! She also created an EES catalog wall — printed and framed many of our past catalogs — she even invited the cover models to come in and sign their pictures! Stop into the University Center to check it out. Jennifer, along with many other projects and tasks, took on redesigning our nmc.edu/kids landing page. This was a huge undertaking, working first in the staging site, writing code, etc. It looks great, be sure to check it out. Thank you Rachel and Jennifer.
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!