Connecting with our community at the Cherry Festival

Thanks to all those helping to showcase NMC to the community during the 100th National Cherry Festival this week. Admissions staff is hosting a tent at the main festival entrance all week long. The office of Alumni Relations will sponsor a float in Saturday’s Grand Royale Parade. Volunteer marchers will be led by President Nick Nissley and his wife, Elise Ballenger.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

Media mentions for July 6, 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.

Multiple IT openings in Traverse City
News Break, July 3
(more…)

Health Occupations Open House

NMC Health Occupations Open House flyerCurious about a future in healthcare? Join representatives from NMC’s health occupations programs for a hot dog cookout on Monday, July 13. Drop in anytime from 4–6 p.m. to explore our facilities and get your questions answered or join the program’s guided tour at 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Health & Science Building.

Monday, July 13, 2026
4–6 p.m.
Health & Science Building
Front Street Campus (#6 on the Front Street Campus Map)

For questions, email healthoccupations@nmc.edu or call (231) 995-1235.

 

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 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.

CPR-AED training

Learn how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) to respond to sudden cardiac arrest. This is a non-certification training that will provide attendees with hands-on learning opportunities. 

Thursday, September 10
4–5 p.m.
Osterlin Building, room 205 (upstairs)

Thursday, November 5
4–5 p.m.
Osterlin Building, room 205 (upstairs)

Register through NeoEd Learn using these instructions. For questions, contact Garrett Croon at gcroon@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1747.

 

 

Cyber Minute: The out of office vulnerability

Keep your out of office 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 hosting 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.

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!

    • 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-bilitiesMaster 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: Yard Waste, Food Scraps & Wood - Oh My!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 PlateDate 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

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.

    • 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 there!

 

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-discrimination

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-discrimination

Media 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
(more…)

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!

    • James Coughlin – Science & Math Instructor
    • Benjamin Ertle – Adjunct Certified Flight Instructor
    • Jeremy Maloney – Groundskeeper