Welcome our newest hires!
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Lynne Warren, supplemental employee – Music Ensemble Accompanist
- Rob Reed – Adjunct Visual Communications Instructor
AVIRT (Active Violence Immediate Response Training)
When acts of violence occur, you can’t always wait for EMS to arrive. AVIRT Training was developed with law enforcement and medical experts to empower everyone to become an immediate responder. This course is designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to respond effectively to active violence and emergency situations. AVIRT teaches both active shooter response skills and emergency bleeding techniques. Certification period: 2 years.
Tuesday, October 13 (October Conference)
1:20–3 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 15
Tuesday, October 20
3–5 p.m.
Osterlin Building, room 205
Register through NeoEd Learn using these instructions. For questions, contact Garrett Croon at gcroon@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1747.
Cyber Minute: Vishing: when phishing comes by phone
A caller claiming to be ‘IT’ asking you to read back a verification code or install remote access software is a vishing attempt. The real Technology Help Desk will never ask for your password over the phone. Hang up and call us back directly.
Media mentions for July 20, 2026
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.
OOPs 2.0: NMC Reimagines Its Innovation & Entrepreneurship Office
The Ticker, July 19 (more…)
Register for the Scholarship Open!
Golfers are invited to register for the Scholarship Open golf tournament Thursday, Aug. 6 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. Golfers may register as a team or individual. A premier northern Michigan golf outing since 1982, the Scholarship Open has raised over $2 million for merit-based scholarships, making higher education accessible for NMC students. Visit nmc.edu/golf to register or find out more.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Kudos!
Kudos to Zach Whitaker, Rachel Urkowitz, Sam Boase-Miller, Patrick Quinlan, Uriah Petersen, Danielle Quinlan, Lexi Galla, Bill Czyzyk, Bridget Munroe, Lisa vonReichbauer, Heather VanStratt, Kelly Yauk, Joan Sodini, Wayne Moody, Jim Nelson and Shannah Vergote! A massive thank you to everyone who built the float, took down the float, drove the route, played the tunes, and walked the parade to hype up the crowd while giving out swag. Seeing the joy on people’s faces—especially our alumni spotting the float and sharing their connection—was the absolute best. Everyone represented the college with so much pride and energy. Cheers to a job well done and a ton of fun had by all!
Kudos to Heather VanStratt, Krista McCarty, Shirl Martin, Amy Shamroe and Elizabeth Sonnabend! Heather VanStratt, Grant Manager & Community Coordinator, with the support of Krista McCarty, Shirl Martin, Amy Shamroe, and Elizabeth Sonnabend, led the quarterly meeting of The Northern Michigan Attainment Collaborative (NOMIAC) on July 15th at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center. With over 35 members in attendance, organizations like Manthie Construction, North Central Michigan College, Char Em ISD, and Crystal Mountain among many others were represented. The St. Clair Butterfly Foundation (SCBF) gave a powerful and informative presentation about their work which they described as being the “foundation” or layer before students could succeed in the strategic pathways laid out by the NOMIAC.
The St. Clair Butterfly Foundation (SCBF) is a national nonprofit headquartered in Michigan that strengthens schools, justice, behavioral health, and community systems through a neuroscience-informed approach to human behavior.
In addition, Gaia Pampu from Third Sector, presented about the work she is doing with Maggie Bacon and BEST Benzie, and Heather VanStratt, to build out funding opportunities for adult learners. This is a LiLA (Lifelong Learning Account) initiative, much like a MESP 529. BEST Benzie will be piloting an Earn to Learn model this year, which is an 8 to 1 tuition match for Benzie residents ages 25+ with no post secondary education. All members were welcome to bring promotional materials and share about their upcoming events.
The NOMIAC Heathcare Strategic Pathway is set to launch in December, 2026 (after NMC prepares to launch the blended Healthcare Pathway this fall).
Kudos to Elizabeth Sonnabend and Heather VanStratt! Elizabeth Sonnabend has spearheaded and launched a high-demand program for regional employers, Industrial Sewing. The story was picked up by 9 & 10 News on July 15, 2026. The program has been a long time coming due to a lack of regional instructors and the need for equipment. Elizabeth worked with Diane Arnold of Neuco Furniture & Upholstery and has worked with two of her employees to become our Industrial Sewing trainers.
In addition, Elizabeth has worked with several local companies such as Tent Craft, TC Canvas, Warbird, and others to utilize equipment and for their input on curriculum. The press release has already caught the attention of other employers in the region. Registration is open for a cohort of 8-10 students this September – October. A second cohort will run in the new year. Kudos to Elizabeth and Heather VanStratt for stitching together this program over the past year!
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!
- Brooke Adcock – TSSOM Culinary Intern
- Jordan Muzzy – Residence Hall Manager
- Don Trilla – Groundskeeper
- Tiff Falls – Adjunct – Audio Tech Instructor
Board of Trustees regular meeting
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, July 20 at 5:30 p.m. in Parsons-Stulen Room 222 on NMC’s Aero Park campus. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Scholarship Open tees up student success
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College will again host the Scholarship Open golf tournament Thursday, Aug. 6 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa.
Presented by Bill and Susie Janis in memory of Julie Janis Finch and Eddie Janis, the Scholarship Open is now open for golfer registration. It includes an 18-hole scramble on the award-winning Bear or Wolverine course at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, food and prizes. Golfers may register as a team or individual.
A premier northern Michigan golf outing since 1982, the Scholarship Open has raised over $2 million for merit-based scholarships, making higher education accessible for NMC students. Visit nmc.edu/golf to register or find out more.
Release date: July 15, 2026
For more information:
Rachel Urkowitz
NMC Foundation
(231) 995-1834
Email: rurkowitz@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-discriminationCyber Minute: Public Wi-Fi and the lakeshore trap
Working remotely from a local coffee shop this summer? Public Wi-Fi is rarely secure. Connect to the college’s VPN before logging into Canvas, grading systems, or MyNMC.
Explore History Day volunteers sought
Saturday, July 25 is Explore History Day, NMC’s second signature 75th anniversary event. The work group is looking for a few good volunteers! Opportunities are:
- 9–10:30 a.m.: Help set up and greet guests
- 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.: Staff a swag and selfie station
- 2–3 p.m. Help take down/clean up
If you can share a couple hours of your time, please email Cari Noga at cnoga@nmc.edu, or text (231) 392-1800. High school students or scouts looking for service hours are welcome.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Kudos!
Kudos to Garrett Croon and Security! Super Kudos to Garret Croon and the IT Security Team for security for reserving/enforcing our parking lot for our employees during the Cherry Festival! A wonderful perk for employees and not an easy job for our Security Team.
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!
Celebrating new chapters
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!
- Lil Anderson – Hagerty Center Events Coordinator
- Cherline Barnum, supplemental employee – Food Service Back of House
- Nikolas Burkhart – Adjunct – Art
- Emily Fitzpatrick, supplemental employee – Banquet Cook – Hagerty Center
- Alaina Frank, supplemental employee – Food Service Front of House
- Madeline Mcchesney, student employee – Lobdell’s Kitchen & Dining Room
- Rojan Meno, supplemental employee – Food Service Back of House
- Benjamin Moore, supplemental employee – Food Service Back of House
- Jack Shiner, supplemental employee – Food Service Front of House
Welcome our newest hires!
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
- Austin Corbin, supplemental employee – Enrollment Services Assistant
- Brandon Thompson, supplemental employee – Food Service Back of House
- Austin Dietel, student employee – Aviation Line Crew
- Dakota Mummey, student employee – Enrollment Services Office Assistant
Data Wranglers – July 2026
Hello Data Wranglers,
Happy July! As we move through the summer months, this is a great time to pause, review, and prepare for the data, reporting, assessment, and planning work that will support the year ahead.
Data Wranglers
Insights. Impact. Student Success.
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What to Review This Month
July is a good time to check in on dashboards, reports, and lingering data questions before the fall semester gets busy.
A few helpful reminders:
- Ensure that you are connected to VPN
- Review dashboard access and make sure the right people can see the data they need.
- Check for upcoming reporting, planning, or assessment deadlines.
- Identify data questions early so there is time to clarify definitions, sources, and next steps.
- Use existing dashboards when possible before requesting a new report.
- When sharing data, include important context such as filters, timeframe, population, and source.
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Data Tip: Start With the Question
Before opening a dashboard or requesting a report, start with the decision you are trying to make.
Ask yourself:
- What are we trying to understand?
- What decision will this information support?
- Who needs to use the information?
- What action might we take based on what we learn?
Starting with the question helps make data more meaningful and useful. It also helps ensure we are not just collecting information, but using it to support planning, improvement, and student success.
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Dashboard Reminder
Filters matter.
A small change in a dashboard filter can significantly change what the data shows. Before sharing a dashboard screenshot, summary, or takeaway, double-check the selected term, student group, program, course format, location, or other filters.
Whenever possible, include the filter settings with your summary so others can understand exactly what the data represents.
Looking Ahead
As fall approaches, data will continue to play an important role in enrollment conversations, student success work, assessment, planning, and continuous improvement.
Thank you for the work you do to ask good questions, support thoughtful decisions, and help strengthen NMC’s culture of evidence.
Have a great July!
ORPE
Meijer Festival of Races to impact Front Street Campus access and parking July 11
The Meijer Festival of Races will be held on Saturday, July 11, beginning at approximately 5:30 a.m. Access to College Drive and multiple parking lots will be restricted. The restrictions will conclude at around 9 a.m. Please be patient when traveling to campus during these times.
NMC hosts Explore History Day
TRAVERSE CITY — Explore NMC’s 75 years of history Saturday, July 25, a day packed full of free activities from the opening of the 2001 college time capsule to a self-guided, interactive campus tour to a live band concert.
Explore History Day begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 25 and runs all day with four distinct events on NMC’s Front Street campus. Come for one or stay for all four. Attendance is free with lunch available to purchase. This event is for you whether you’re an alumnus with cherished memories, a proud community member, a newcomer interested in discovering heritage or a future student.
EVENT SCHEDULE:
10–11:30 A.M. | History Showcase
Milliken Auditorium
Kick off the day watching the premiere of NMC’s anniversary history video, an engaging panel discussion and the opening of the college’s 50th anniversary time capsule, closed during that 2001 celebration. You’ll also have an opportunity to contribute to the centennial time capsule, to be opened in 2051.
11 A.M.–2 P.M. | History Walk — Family Friendly
Front Street Campus
Explore at your own pace with a self-guided tour and activities across seven stops that highlight NMC’s historic moments.
11:30 A.M.– 1:30 P.M. | Lunch
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
Enjoy a picnic lunch from the Hawk Owl Café ($12 adults, $8 children) or visit the NMC Library upstairs.
7– 8:30 P.M. | 75th Anniversary Concert
Milliken Auditorium
Celebrate the evening with live performances from NMC’s Concert Band and Jazz Band.
Don’t miss this opportunity to discover NMC’s defining moments. While registration is not required, letting us know you are coming helps us plan for a great day. Visit nmc.edu/75 for more information.
Release date:
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
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-discriminationBoard of Trustees Executive Committee meeting
The NMC Board of Trustees Executive Committee will meet Tuesday, July 14 at 2 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center rooms 104-105. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.