The out-of-office vulnerability
Keep your OOO reply generic. Don’t share where you’re traveling or who’s covering specific duties — scammers use that info to trick your colleagues into buying gift cards or wiring money.
Employee Wellness: Book swap (back by popular demand!)
On Thursday, July 16 at 8:30 a.m. NMC’s Employee Wellness program is bringing back another book swap in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 203 (the fireside room in NMC’s library).
Think “Blind Date with a Book” meets the gift-stealing fun of White Elephant! Here’s how it works: Just bring a wrapped book (gently used is best). When you arrive, you’ll fill out a label with a few clues: Genre, Fiction/Non-Fiction and 3 words to describe it. Then, the unwrapping (and stealing) begins!
Plus, indulge in a continental breakfast to make your morning even sweeter.
Employee anniversaries – July
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
Kudos!
Kudos to Matt Hirsch, Denver Peters, Lisa Cooper, John Lutchko, Scott Swan and Merrick Adams! NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute was invited to apply to the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR) Consortium Membership. If accepted, NMC would be the first community college recognized as part of the CIGLR network. A CIGLR membership would result in opportunities for applied research grants, fellowships, undergraduate research experiences and program graduates. In addition, it would recognize GLWSI’s contribution to workforce education and applied research support at a national level and position the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center for future success. We would be in the company of some of the most elite research universities and organizations in the nation. Hats off to this team that developed a comprehensive and compelling application in just a matter of weeks, responding with agility and professionalism. The turnaround time was impressive but the teamwork even more so! Fingers crossed!!!
Kudos to Christa Abdul-Karim, Robb Houston and Elizabeth Sonnabend! Thank you for your outstanding leadership throughout our Aotearoa Adventure: New Zealand’s Geological and Cultural Wonders journey. Your organization, enthusiasm and attention to every detail made the experience seamless and unforgettable. Your passion for sharing New Zealand’s incredible landscapes and rich cultural heritage inspired all of us and made each day an adventure. From transportation and accommodations to handling unexpected changes with grace, your hard work allowed us to fully enjoy every moment of this amazing adventure. Your kindness, professionalism and positive attitude made a lasting impression on everyone in our group. Together, you created an extraordinary experience that combined breathtaking geology, fascinating culture and unforgettable memories. Thank you for making our Aotearoa adventure truly one of a kind!
Kudos to Lauren Marchany! Kudos to Lauren Marchany for always having a positive attitude while working at the Hawk Owl Café! She does a great job of keeping items stocked, answering questions and helping when needed. Thank you for all you do!
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!
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- Nikki Foster, supplemental employee – Residence Life
- Kate Becker – Aviation Maintenance Technician
- Bran Hurst, supplemental employee – Writing and Reading Center Reader
- McKagen Chio, supplemental employee – Tutor
Extended Education Opportunities
Extended Education Opportunities
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!
Master the Pasta-bilities (for Adult & Child 6+)
Flour will fly and the fun will begin as you dive into the art of making pasta completely from scratch! You will mix, knead, roll and shape your dough using simple ingredients and only your two hands-just like Italian chefs have done for generations. Read more about Master the Pasta-bilities.
Saturday, July 11; 1–3 p.m.
Tuition waiver price: $46 for two people (Public price: $149)
Composting 101: Food Scraps, Yard Waste & Wood – Oh My!
Do you wish your trash bins weren’t so full of wet, stinky stuff? Learn about the processes and the magnificent organisms that turn your trash into valuable soil amendments! We’ll cover the basics about what materials can go into different composting systems, how to launch a small system in your own backyard, and the benefits that come from compost. Read more about Composting 101.
Tuesday, July 21; 3–5 p.m.
Tuition waiver price: $29 per person (Public price: $75)
Date Night: The Full Plate
New! Treat yourself to a night of flavor and fun! Dive into the joy of cooking by preparing a Full Plate: a vibrant appetizer, a savory entrée, and a luscious dessert. Explore new ingredients, sharpen your kitchen skills, and enjoy the reward of eating every course you create. Read more about Date Night: The Full Plate.
Tuesday, August 4; 6–9 p.m.
Tuition waiver price: $62 for two people (Public price: $199)
Employee Wellness: Walking group rescheduled to next Tuesday
Do you want to get some extra steps in to meet your goals while connecting with colleagues? Join Brittany Hanbury from Human Resources for an employee wellness walk around the Civic Center loop! The route is approximately one mile and is a great opportunity to get outside, enjoy some fresh air and catch up with coworkers.
Please note: Due to the heatwave advisory and an expected heat index near 90 degrees, we’ve rescheduled today’s walk to help keep everyone safe. If you’re looking to stay active during the heat, consider taking a walk indoors through the Dennos and checking out their new new exhibits while enjoying the air conditioning.
New schedule:
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- Tuesday, July 7, 12:15 p.m.
We’ll leave promptly at 12:15 p.m., so grab your water bottle and meet us outside the Dennos! We hope to see you next Tuesday!
Cafe Lobdell’s is open through July 29
Cafe Lobdell’s is open through July 29
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute will host and operate Cafe Lobdell’s through July 29.
Cafe Lobdell’s is the capstone course in GLCI’s one-year Baking Certificate program. Culinary students will make and serve fresh sweet and savory baked goods, quiche, yogurt parfaits, healthy breakfast bowls plus sandwiches and salads to go, as well as a wide variety of specialty coffee drinks.
No reservations are required. Counter service hours are 7:30–11 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Cafe Lobdell’s is on the second level of NMC’s Great Lakes campus, 715 E. Front St.
Find out more about culinary programs at nmc.edu/culinary.
Release date: JUNE 29, 2026
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
choga@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-discriminationMedia mentions for June 29, 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.
Dennos Museum Center gets a new look and new exhibits
Ticker, June 29
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Kudos!
Kudos to Denny Nguyen! Denny Nguyen went over and beyond with the setup and tear down of the Juneteenth Celebration on Friday, June 19. Denny just showed up and helped out with anything that needed to be done.
Kudos to Nick Roster, Tiffani Wilke, Cheryl Bloomquist, Melissa Thiebaut, Kim Anderson, Tamella Livengood, Jim Morse, Patty Cron-Huhta, Les Eckert, Lisa Blackford, Tricia Lincoln, Jim Bensley and Tanja Wittrock! A huge thank you to the faculty members who led or co-led this year’s study abroad experiences across four different countries: Kenya, Italy(x2), Guatemala and Scotland. Because of their dedication, 65 students had the unforgettable opportunity to experience new cultures, engage in discipline-specific fieldwork and grow personally.
Kudos to Brittany Hanbury! Kudos to Brittany Hanbury and HR for organizing the employee wellness yoga. It was a great class!
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!
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- James Coughlin – Science & Math Instructor
- Benjamin Ertle – Adjunct Certified Flight Instructor
- Jeremy Maloney – Groundskeeper
Welcome our newest hires!
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Harley Burkhard, student employee – Fitness Center Staff
- Austin Meiste, supplemental employee – Aviation Maintenance Technician
Parking at Great Lakes Campus for fireworks displays
On Saturday, July 4 and Saturday, July 11, NMC Security will restrict access to the Great Lakes Campus parking lot beginning in the afternoon. Parking is limited to NMC employees, students, their guests and scheduled private events. Please bring your NMC ID and show it to security to access the lot.
eCampus Partnership with NMC Bookstore
We are excited to launch the partnership between eCampus and the NMC Bookstore with the availability of fall books on July 1. As students have expressed their preferences and frustrations around course materials, we have heard them clearly say that they are looking for an easy shopping experience, low prices and the ability to rent and return their textbooks. The partnership with eCampus allows us to better assist our students with what they need.
Benefits to students include:
- Free expedited shipping to the Bookstore in 2-3 business days
- Free shipping to a student’s home for orders over $59
- A price match guarantee, matching competitor websites as well as brick and mortar competitors
- Rental options for all titles (excluding consumable items like lab manuals)
- Visible buyback pricing at time of purchase
- Immediate access for digital purchases
- Free prepaid shipping labels for returning rental books
- Online buyback store and free prepaid shipping labels for any books sold to eCampus
- Select titles include complimentary 7 day digital access while the student’s book is in transit
- Expanded payment options, including credit card, debit card, Venmo, Paypal and financial aid
- A student dashboard that consolidates all information a student needs: rental due dates, access to shipping labels, access to digital books and purchase history
The NMC Bookstore will not have physical inventory in store; students will need to order directly from the eCampus website. It can be found at nmc.ecampus.com; when a student logs into the eCampus website, a personalized list of books and materials is generated for the student, eliminating any confusion over what to purchase.
The NMC Bookstore will continue to stock items such as lab kits, uniforms, school supplies, and all the Hawk Owl merch that our students love. The bookstore staff is available to assist students with ordering and questions about their materials; an ordering kiosk will also be available in the store for students who would prefer to have some support placing their order.
Classes participating in the AutoAccess program will continue to use the same digital platform that students are used to, via the VitalSource Bookshelf. Students will simply use the eCampus Course Materials tab in Canvas instead of the VitalSource tab, and will have the same experience that they are accustomed to.
Faculty will have access soon to a Student Readiness Dashboard; this tool will show which students have purchased their materials (and when), giving better transparency to the data regarding student buying habits.
Fall book information will be available starting July 1 at nmc.ecampus.com; financial aid will be available for students Aug. 3 – Sept. 9.
Please reach out to Sarah Denniston at sdenniston@nmc.edu with any questions.
Media mentions for June 22, 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.
Dennos Museum Center opens three summer exhibitions, marks Juneteenth with free admission
9&10 News, June 19
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Explore three new exhibits at the Dennos
Thanks to the Dennos Museum for opening three new summer exhibits last Friday. “Americans,” a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian, examines the enduring influence of American Indians on U.S. history, culture and identity. In “This Old House is All We Have,” artist Caroline Monnet explores the connections between economic development, the environment and Indigenous communities through a mix of images and sculpture. “Echoes of Flight” by Xavi Bou uses chronophotography to reveal the hidden beauty of bird flight patterns while encouraging a deeper appreciation of the natural world. The exhibits will be on display through September 6.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Summer fire alarm and sprinkler testing
To help ensure the continued safety of our campus community, fire alarm and sprinkler system testing will take place throughout NMC campuses this summer. Please do not be alarmed if you encounter testing activity in the buildings listed below. Testing is scheduled as follows:
FIRE ALARMS
July 24
Scholars Hall
Health & Science Building
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
Beckett Building
North Hall
Parsons-Stulen Building
July 29
Okerstrom Fine Arts Building
Aviation
Automotive Service Technology Building
Power House
July 30
Osterlin Building
Tanis Building
1880 Apartment
Front Street Flats
Aero Park Labs
July 31
Rajkovich Physical Education Building
Aug 4
Founders Hall
East Hall
Rogers Observatory
Aug 5
Dennos Museum, 7 a.m.
Les Biederman Building
Great Lakes Campus
1882/1884 apts
Aug 6
Oleson Center for Continuing Education
FIRE SPRINKLERS
July 20
Dennos Museum, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
July 21
Scholars Hall, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
July 22
Les Biederman Building, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
July 23
Health & Science Building, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tanis Building, 2–4 p.m.
July 24
James Beckett Building, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, 1–4 p.m.
July 27
Dennos Museum, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fine Arts Building, 2–4 p.m.
July 28
Osterlin Building, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Okerstrom Fine Arts Building, 12–3:30 p.m.
Facilities Building, 3:30–4 p.m.
July 29
East Hall, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
July 29
East Hall, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Aviation, 12–1 p.m.
1880, 1882, 1884 Apartments and Automotive Service Technology Building, 1–4 p.m.
July 31
Rajkovich Physical Education Building, 8–11:30 a.m.
Oleson Center for Continuing Education 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Aug. 3
Parsons-Stulen Building, 8 a.m. to Noon
Aero Park Labs, Noon to 4 p.m.
Aug. 4
North Hall, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Aug. 5
North Hall, 8 a.m. to Noon
Great Lakes Campus, Noon to 4 p.m.
Aug. 6
Great Lakes Campus, 8 a.m. to Noon
If you have any concerns about the scheduling, please reach out to Nancy Durecki at (231) 995-1112 or ndurecki@nmc.edu.
Board of Trustees regular meeting
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, June 22 at 5:30 p.m. in Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, Room 106/107. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.