Due to outside sporting events on Wednesday, April 29 and Friday, May 1, NMC Campus Security will restrict access to the Cedar Parking Lot. Campus Security and barricades will be present at the entrances to the Cedar lot to grant access only to NMC employees, students and visitors.
For more information, contact Campus Safety Coordinator Garrett Croon at gcroon@nmc.edu or (231)995-1747
NMC will host a mobile food pantry on Monday, April 20 from 3–5 p.m. in the Maple Lot on the Front Street campus. We have 3,505 pounds of goods including instant mashed potatoes, dried beans, raisins, apples (bulk), eggs, cutie tangerines, frozen zucchini and celery.
We ask that recipients queue up in the car line in a counter-clockwise circle around the edge of the parking lot. Please do not block the main access roads, be aware of other students using the parking spaces and watch for children being picked up at the Oleson Learning Center adjacent to the Maple Lot.
This program is designed for NMC students and is open to anyone in the community who is in need. Interested in volunteering? Email Cathy Warner at cwarner@nmc.edu.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), hourly non-exempt employees may need to consider what hours should be included when recording hours worked, and what are not considered working hours. Below is a nice summary to help folks distinguish between the two.
Hourly workers and their supervisors should evaluate the time that they spend working to determine if hours are being reported properly. All time worked must be reported and paid, and workers may not “volunteer” their time if the activities fall within the scope of their assigned/regular job duties.
If a worker is engaged in genuine volunteer activities outside the scope of their job duties, that time would not be paid. An example may be volunteering with the Mobile Food Pantry.
More information is available in the Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division’s Fact Sheet #22.
NMC also has a policy regarding non-exempt (hourly) employees’ work hours.
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Note: The information in this table was organized with generative AI assistance (Gemini).
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Human Resources at hr@nmc.edu.
NMC is participating in Denim Day a week early on April 22. Everyone is encouraged to wear denim that day if you are able to as a way to show support for survivors during sexual assault awareness month. To learn more about Denim Day and its origins please visit denimday.org.
These colleagues have moved on to a new chapter in their lives. We wish them the very best as they navigate a new adventure, and we thank them for their time and dedication to NMC!
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
Northwestern Michigan College announces its 5th Annual Learning Symposium, scheduled to take place from April 23 to May 2. This event, sponsored by the Experiential Learning Institute, will showcase the diverse ways NMC students and faculty engage in high-impact teaching and learning.
The Learning Symposium will feature a variety of student and faculty artifacts, experiences, and scholarship. Attendees can expect to see oral and poster presentations on research and community engagement projects, academic courses, service learning experiences, and community partnerships. The learning symposium highlights experiential learning and other high-impact practices in and/or out of the classroom.
NMC solutions: Student presentations
1–4 p.m.
Scholars Hall, room 205
Student’s in Cathy Warner’s ENG 111 class have spent the semester researching ways to improve facilities, programming and resources in the community and at the college. Topics range from how NMC can create a universal free meal plan for all students, to environmentally friendly alternatives to rock salt in the winter months. View the full list of presenters
NMC & GVSU Student Science Symposium presentations
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 106/107
Displays and Artifacts
Timothy J Nelson Innovation Center lobby and hallways
Reflective Table Talks
Noon–1 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center hallways
This is an informal session where students and staff will share about their projects and events at tables in the hallways
NMC solutions: Student presentations
1–4 p.m.
Scholars Hall, room 205
Student’s in Cathy Warner’s ENG 111 class have spent the semester researching ways to improve facilities, programming and resources in the community and at the college. Topics range from how NMC can create a universal free meal plan for all students, to environmentally friendly alternatives to rock salt in the winter months. View the full list of presenters
Brandon Everest’s SOC 201 student presentations
1–2:30 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center 104/105
Kristy McDonald’s BUS 231 Big Little Hero Race student presentation
3–4:10 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center 106/107
Becca Richardson’s MTH 120 student poster presentations
1–1:45 p.m.
Health & Science Building atrium next to the bookstore
Charles Macphee’s EGY 105 student presentation
6–9 p.m.
Aero Park Laboratories, room 222
nEXt Endorsement student capstone presentations
2:30–5:10 p.m.
Janis Room, Dennos Museum Center
Honors Convocation
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Milliken Auditorium, Dennos Museum Center
For more information about the 2026 NMC Learning Symposium, please contact Tracy Welch, Experiential Learning Institute Office Manager, at (231) 995-1170, elinstitute@nmc.edu.
We are looking forward to celebrating all of our wonderful colleagues at our You Made it Possible on May 13. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the following employees who have reached milestone anniversaries:
5 Years
10 Years
15 Years
20 Years
25 Years
30 Years
35 Years
At the March 23rd meeting of the Board of Trustees, Jason Slade presented a summary of Strategy 1: Future-Focused Education:
Objective 1: AI Integration The college aims to embed responsible and effective Artificial Intelligence (AI) use across teaching, learning, and operations to improve student outcomes and workforce readiness.
Success Indicators: Faculty and staff will receive training to add ethical AI enhancements to curriculum, while students will develop digital skills required for 4-year transfer institutions. NMC will adapt to meet the needs of regional employers
Year 1 Focus: Identify “AI navigators” and develop a departmental AI decision-making framework covering ethics, cost, and impact. Identify employer and transfer institution needs and expectations.
Objective 2: Experiential Learning & Durable Skills This objective focuses on integrating work-based learning and “durable skills” (soft skills) across all programs to enhance employability.
Success Indicators: Align curriculum with priority skills identified by regional employers and expand the experiential learning endorsement (nEXt). Create opportunities to provide career resources, micro internships, and pathways to apprenticeship credentials.
Year 1 Focus: Identify programs lacking experiential activities and roll out durable skills language into a new faculty-led advising model. Identify opportunities and funding mechanisms for additional work-based projects.
Objective 3: Distinguished Programs NMC intends to invest in and innovate “distinguished programs” that attract students from outside the immediate region.
Success Indicators: Increase visibility and stature for Aviation, Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), Great Lakes Culinary Institute, Maritime Academy, and the Water Studies Institute (GLWSI). Leverage the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center. Develop advanced certifications for UAS courses.
Year 1 Focus: Develop a comprehensive UAS strategy. Align GLWSI and FRIC for academic and professional blue tech training. Full utilization of GLMA’s Robinson Bay tug.
Objective 4: Support for At-Risk Students The college will use a data-driven approach to support students in courses with high DFW (D, F, or withdrawal) rates.
Success Indicators: Scale the CollegeEdge preparedness program and implement coordinated early interventions in gateway courses to improve outcomes. Increase success and retention rates for at-risk students.
Year 1 Focus: Define “at-risk.” Improve workflows. Create an early alert process. Establish sustainable funding for CollegeEdge.
The full Strategic Plan March 2026 memo can be found here. The Strategic Plan Steering Committee will meet on Tuesday, June 2 at 11 a.m. in TJNIC 104/105.
A dancer in a past graduation pow wow
(download a high-resolution version here)TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s Native American Student Organization will hold a traditional pow wow honoring 2026 graduates from 1–4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, on NMC’s Front Street campus. This annual event is open to the public and celebrates vibrant and culturally significant Native American tribes of our region. Four Native American students are graduating this spring.
The pow wow will take place under the pines on the south side of the Osterlin Building, and feature Native American dancers, drummers, storytelling, music and more. Food and vendors will also be available. Grand Entry is set for 2:30 p.m. Attendees can park in the Aspen or Cherry lots. A campus map is available at nmc.edu/maps.
Julieanna Frost
Native American Student Organization faculty advisor
(734) 368-8569
jfrost@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.
‘We Don’t Have the People’: Region still struggling from lack of workers across many industries
Traverse City Business News, April (more…)
To the Business 231 students organizing the NMC Hero Race to benefit College for Kids scholarships this coming Saturday, April 18. More than 220 runners are registered for 1 mile, 5K and 10K races. The event also includes a Friday evening pasta dinner and family fun after the race. Register and find out more here.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Many of the Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) machines on campus are being replaced with ZOLL AED Plus machines.
Watch this 5-minute video to learn how to properly use the new AED machines.
Campus Life will host a dodgeball tournament on Friday, April 24 at 6 p.m. in the Rajkovich Physical Education Building on NMC’s Front Street Campus.
The deadline to sign up is April 24 by 4 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu.
Kudos to Nick Gates and Sharon Angel! Thank you so much to Nick Gates and Sharon Angel for their above-and-beyond efforts cleaning the vent hood in the Parsons-Stulen Makerspace! It was a large, messy job; their efforts made all the difference, making a presentable environment in this public space. Amazing!
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!
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 exclusive employee passes (remember, you must be logged into your student account to view) and browse classes for you and yours this spring!
Learn how to paint beautiful spring flowers using acrylic paints. Acrylics are easy to work with and dry quickly, making them perfect for creating vibrant and fresh flower scenes. Read more about Painting With Acrylics: Spring Flowers.
Saturday, April 18; 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Tuition Waiver Price: $22 per person (public price $99)
New! Discover the powerful, direct link between your food choices and cognitive performance, memory, mood, and focus. This class explores the essential nutrients and foods that nurture a healthy gut-brain connection—the critical axis for mental well-being. Read more about Date Night: Fuel Your Focus.
Wednesday, April 22; 6 – 8 p.m.
Tuition Waiver Price: $27 for two people (public price $145)
New! Conclude your culinary journey with dessert, mastering classic French techniques for stunning finales. We’ll focus on texture and contrasting flavors with three elegant recipes. Read more about Date Night: Decadent Desserts.
Tuesday, April 28; 6–9 p.m.
Tuition Waiver Price: $46 for two people (public price $99)
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials during the fall and spring semesters from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4:40 to 6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99, and the vegetarian option (V) is $7.99. Learn more at nmc.edu/dining.
Chicken Gyros with grilled pita served with lemon rice and roasted fingerling potatoes
Falafel Gyros (V) with grilled pita served with lemon rice and roasted fingerling potatoes
Chicken & Cheese Quesadillas served with Spanish rice and refried beans
Roasted Poblano & Bean Quesadillas (V) served with Spanish rice and refried beans
Sesame Chicken Stir Fry served with basmati rice and egg rolls
Sesame Tofu Stir Fry (V) served with basmati rice and egg rolls
Italian Sausage Rigatoni with sundried tomato cream sauce served with garlic bread and broccoli
Roasted Vegetable Rigatoni (V) with sundried tomato cream sauce served with garlic bread and broccoli
Crispy Chicken with buffalo sauce served with mac & cheese and asparagus
Battered Cauliflower Bites (V) with buffalo sauce served with mac & cheese and asparagus