Strategic Plan 2026-2029

Aug 4, 2025 | Intercom

NMC NEXT came to a close on June 30. An amazing amount of work was accomplished in the last three years! Look for a summary of the plan, including successes and opportunities at an upcoming Board of Trustees meeting. THANK YOU to all who played important roles in its success! 

Since June, the Strategic Initiatives team has been gathering feedback for the development of the next strategic plan that is expected to launch in early 2026. Approximately 80% of the strategies will be carryover strategies as they align with college priorities. Another 20% will be new, emerging topics.

The Strategic Plan Steering Committee helped validate a timeline and provided some initial feedback. Leadership Council hosted a workshop dedicated to preliminary strategy development, providing strong guidance and ideas to revise and improve the strategies. Work will be ongoing with both groups.

In addition, a number of outreach/brainstorming sessions will be scheduled with departments, programs and employee/student groups this fall. Look for those invitations to be forthcoming as we look to launch the next strategic plan! As always, we appreciate your thoughts and comments, and urge you to use this feedback form.

Check the Intercom space for timely updates on the development of the forthcoming strategic plan. If you would like additional information or have suggestions on what critical updates we can provide to keep you informed, please contact Jason Slade at jslade@nmc.edu. 

Volunteers sought for Welcome Week 2025

Jul 28, 2025 | Intercom

Welcome Week 2025 is Aug. 21–26. The Welcome Week planning committee is currently organizing a series of engaging events for our students and is seeking additional support for a select number of events. You can help make Welcome Week a success by signing up to volunteer. Volunteers for the East Hall move-in on Friday, Aug. 22 are especially needed. 

For questions, please contact Katy Knight at cknight@nmc.edu.

Brand countdown is on: Three weeks to go

Jul 28, 2025 | Intercom

We can’t wait to share NMC’s new brand with you, which officially launches on August 19.

You’ll start to see updated visuals, signage and messaging. Our brand is more than a logo. It’s a shared tool that shapes how we show up, what we highlight, and how people experience NMC. It influences everything from first impressions to long-term partnerships and helps us compete in a fast-changing higher ed landscape.

This work didn’t come from the outside in. It was shaped by more than 600 voices across the NMC community, including students, employees, alumni, donors and partners. A respected higher ed branding firm helped us listen, make sense of the input, and turn it into a clear, compelling brand strategy.

The strategy work was funded by a $100,000 Lumina Foundation grant. Implementation is being phased in over three years to manage cost and support adoption across the college.

This isn’t just about marketing. It’s a long-term investment in NMC’s future and in the region we serve as the only locally based institution of higher learning. We’re proud of where we’re going and we’re glad you’re part of it.

Board of Trustees approves 3-year faculty contract

Jul 22, 2025 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a new three-year contract with the NMC Faculty Association and the NMC Faculty Chairs Association, continuing the college’s focus on student success while aligning compensation with fiscal responsibility.

The FY26–FY28 contract was ratified by faculty on July 18 and approved by the Board on July 21. It covers 77 faculty members and one librarian, and takes effect August 1.

Key provisions of the agreement include:

• Compensation: Faculty will receive wage scale increases of 4% in 2026, 3% in 2027, and 2.5% in 2028. Those on steps 1–14 will also continue to receive annual step increases of 3.7%.
• Advising Model: The contract introduces an innovative new student advising initiative. Beginning in academic year 2027, every NMC student will be required to meet with an advisor until they have a My Academic Plan (“MAP”) in place. Faculty will play an active role in this process, receiving training in AY26 and advising a minimum of 12 students annually starting in AY27.
• Generative A.I. use: The contract includes a new article outlining expectations and philosophy regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence in teaching and learning.
• Streamlined Compensation Structure: A provision known as the “prep bonus,” which previously incentivized faculty to teach across multiple course formats, has been concluded in favor of refocusing resources on direct student impact through the updated advising model.

“We appreciate the collaborative process that led to this agreement,” said NMC Board Chair Laura Oblinger. “This contract reflects NMC’s ongoing commitment to student success and sound stewardship of public resources. It supports faculty while continuing to evolve our practices to meet the needs of students and the region.”

​​“This agreement helps us build on what makes NMC special,” said NMC President Nick Nissley. “We believe deeply in our students, foster a culture of innovation and are proud of a faculty committed to excellence. It’s a forward-looking step that positions us to grow with purpose and serve our community even more effectively.”

“The NMC Faculty Association and its chairs are proud to have decisively ratified a contract to serve our students over the next three years,” said social sciences instructor and NMC Faculty Association President Brandon Everest.

“Both sides worked diligently and in a collegial way to develop a fair contract that serves our students’ needs with what will be the most robust faculty advising program in the state for community college students. The contract also preserves our salary plan and best represents faculty in shared governance as we build the college’s future and support our students.

“It’s not only what teachers do in the classroom but also what we do alongside it that serves our students in achieving their learning and life goals. We are pleased to continue to provide what is the finest in community college education to our students and region.”

NMC anticipates five new faculty hires in fall 2025 to maintain instructional strength.

The NMC Faculty Association, affiliated with the Michigan Education Association, was formed in 2016 and entered into its first contract with the college that same year.

Release date: JULY 22, 2025

For more information:

Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE

Board of Trustees regular meeting

Jul 18, 2025 | Intercom

The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, July 21 at 5:30 p.m. in Parsons-Stulen Room 222/224 on NMC’s Aero Park Campus. More information is available here.

For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.

Please review your name, job title and department information in the employee directory by July 23

Jul 16, 2025 | Intercom

As part of NMC’s new brand rollout, Public Relations, Marketing and Communications will be printing new name tags for employees. By July 23, please take a moment to review your name, job title and department information in the employee directory. This will help ensure that the correct information is displayed on your name tag when they are printed.

If updates are needed, here is how to make the updates:

To update your preferred name:

• • Go to ADP, select Myself > Profile, and choose View More under “Personal Info.” Make your edits and click Save.
    • Check the box under the “Preferred or Chosen Name” heading to add a preferred name.

To update your your job title, department, or last name:

• • Submit a help desk ticket (Report an issue > Enterprise Apps > Human Resources Systems > ADP).

We appreciate your attention to this by July 23. If you have any questions, please reach out to publicrelations@nmc.edu.