Welcome our newest hires
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
- Amy Shamroe — Extended Education Industry Navigator
- Shirl Martin — Extended Education Non-Credit Transition Navigator
Board approves FY ’26 budget, tuition rates
TRAVERSE CITY — A balanced $56.7 million budget and tuition rates and fees for the 2025-26 academic year were approved unanimously by the Northwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees Monday.
Most tuition rates will rise 4 percent. In-district (Grand Traverse County residents) tuition rates will increase from $126 to $131 per contact hour. Fees will increase $1.25 per contact hour, from $34 to $35.25 per contact hour.
The average in-district student taking 30 contact hours in a two-semester academic year, will see an increase of $187.50 ($150 in tuition, $37.50 in fees.)
| Category | 2024–2025 rate/contact hour | 2025-2026 rate/contact hour |
|---|---|---|
| In-district |
$126 |
$131 |
| Out-of-district |
$269 |
$280 |
| Out-of-state |
$350 |
$364 |
| International |
$394 |
$410 |
The dual enrollment tuition rate for high school students was unchanged. That remains at $160 per contact hour for out-of-district students. Local school districts, not families, pay the dual enrollment tuition. (In-district dual-enrolled students are assessed the lower in-district rate of $131 per contact hour.)
NMC tuition is about one-third the cost of in-state tuition at a four-year public university. (Estimated tuition calculator.)
“I’m proud that NMC offers unparalleled learning opportunities in programs that benefit our regional economy as well as our students,” said NMC President Nick Nissley. “We constantly work to strike the balance of value to our students and stewardship of our taxpayer and philanthropic dollars.”
Thanks to community donors, for the 2024-25 academic year now concluding, NMC expects to award more than $2 million in institutional scholarships, crossing the $2 million mark for the first time. Adults over 25 who don’t already have a degree are eligible for a state scholarship, Michigan Reconnect, which pays 100 percent of in-district tuition.
The high school class of 2025 is also the second class to be eligible for the Community College Guarantee, which provides free tuition and fees to in-district students regardless of income.
A table of tuition rates for all residencies and programs is available here (p. 63). Tuition amounts to nearly half (47 percent) of NMC’s budget. Property taxes (27 percent) and state aid (20 percent) are the two other primary revenue sources.
Release date: JUNE 24, 2025
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College does not discriminate in admission, campus activities, education, employment, housing, public accommodation or public service on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, handicap, height, marital or familial status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, service in the military, veteran’s status, weight, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discriminationLundquist appointed to fill NMC trustee vacancy
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC trustees selected Jody Lundquist to fill the Board of Trustees seat vacated by former trustee Chris Bott earlier this month.
Lundquist, right, is chief financial officer and partner at Boomerang Catapult and executive director of Northern Michigan Angels in Traverse City. A licensed CPA, she said in her application that her skills in finance, governance, and community‐building map directly to a trustee’s fiduciary, policy-setting, and monitoring responsibilities.
“NMC’s emerging priorities, including the expansion of its aviation and drone programs and its collaboration in the development of the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center, resonate with my focus on advanced mobility and blue-economy ventures,” Lundquist wrote in her application. “Serving as an NMC trustee would allow me to give back to the institution that anchors our region’s talent and innovation ecosystem.”
Six applicants were interviewed at Monday’s meeting. Board members also chose Pam Horne to serve as secretary, an office Bott held until he resigned from NMC’s Board of Trustees effective June 9.
Lundquist will serve until the next regular community college election in November 2026. At that time voters will choose a candidate to serve the remainder of the term held by Bott, which expires December 31, 2028.
Release date: JUNE 24, 2025
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College does not discriminate in admission, campus activities, education, employment, housing, public accommodation or public service on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, handicap, height, marital or familial status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, service in the military, veteran’s status, weight, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discriminationCafé Lobdell’s returns for eighth summer
To the Great Lakes Culinary Institute, which will open Café Lobdell’s for the eighth summer starting tomorrow, June 24, through July 30. The capstone course in GLCI’s one-year Baking Certificate program. culinary students will make and serve fresh sweet and savory baked goods and a wide variety of specialty coffee drinks..Hours are 7:30–11 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Media mentions for June 23, 2025
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.
Letter to the editor: NMC librarians
Record-Eagle, June 22 (more…)
Ordering/delivering at NMC
When ordering items that will be shipped to NMC, please include a delivery name or department in the shipping information. Otherwise, the shipping and receiving department doesn’t have a way of knowing who or where the items are to be delivered. When names or departments are not included on the shipping slip, the items are set aside in the warehouse until they are claimed. To prevent delay, be sure to include identifying information when placing orders.
A few other things to keep in mind when placing orders for NMC:
-
- The correct address to use when shipping packages to NMC is: 1861 College Dr. Traverse City, MI 49686. Do not use 1701 E. Front St or any other address such as Great Lakes Campus, Boardman Lake Campus, etc.
- For Amazon orders—update your preferences in your Amazon account so that packages are delivered to “shipping & receiving” specifically. Hours or operation should also be specified. Shipping and receiving’s hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Adjusting these settings prevents packages from being left outside and delivered outside business hours.
- If you have switched roles or your department has relocated, make sure your information in the staff directory is up-to-date. Shipping and receiving refers to the staff directory to identify where exactly items should be delivered on campus.
If you have any orders that have you know have been delivered but have not been received, contact Lindsey Kimball at lkimball@nmc.edu.
Six apply for trustee vacancy
TRAVERSE CITY — Six candidates are eligible to fill the Board of Trustees seat vacated by former trustee Chris Bott earlier this month. One will be selected at the next regular meeting of the board on Monday, June 23.
The applicants, who must reside in Grand Traverse County, are:
- Brad Akers, Traverse City
- Lance Boehmer, Traverse City
- Myk Garn, Interlochen
- Jody Lundquist, Traverse City
- Leah Moskovitz, Traverse City
- Kevin Query. Traverse City
Bott resigned from NMC’s Board of Trustees effective June 9. The new trustee will serve until the next regular community college election in November 2026. At that time voters will choose a candidate to serve the remainder of the term held by Bott, which expires December 31, 2028.
In accordance with the Michigan Open Meetings Act, interviews and the final appointment will be conducted by the full NMC Board of Trustees at their regular meeting Monday, June 23 in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, rooms 106–107, on NMC’s Front Street campus.
The full board agenda is available online. The meeting will also be livestreamed on NMC’s YouTube channel.
Per board policy A-104.00, Board of Trustees Video Recording of Meetings, the regular meeting will be recorded and made available to the public within eight days after the meeting.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Release date: June 23, 2025
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College does not discriminate in admission, campus activities, education, employment, housing, public accommodation or public service on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, handicap, height, marital or familial status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, service in the military, veteran’s status, weight, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discriminationWellbeing at NMC
Priority Health recently announced it will no longer partner with its preferred wellness program vendor, Personify Health (formerly known as Virgin Pulse). This change will be effective July 1, and with that we will be losing access to the Personify platform.
What does this mean? We see this as an opportunity to evaluate our approach to wellness, so over the course of the next few months we will be offering some wellness opportunities in house while also exploring the other wellness platforms that are available. So while wellness at NMC will look different it definitely isn’t going away. If you have any questions about this please feel free to reach out to Brittany Hanbury at bhanbury@nmc.edu. In the meantime our last Priority Health sponsored Lunch and Learn will center around ways to DIY your own wellness plan so please let me know if you did not receive that invitation.
Wellness Resources at NMC:
- Fitness Center:
- Staff, faculty, adjuncts and supplementals are all eligible for a discounted membership.
- Library:
- Did you know you could check out pickleball, corn hole, disc golf and other fitness activities from the Library of Things?!
- The library also has a collection of cookbooks and books on fitness and wellbeing.
- EES:
- Employees eligible for the tuition waiver can get discounted rates on yoga classes through yen yoga, climbs at elevate, discounts at PickleU, and more! Visit nmc.augosoft.net to view upcoming classes.
- Ulliance EAP:
- Through the Ulliance portal you have access to wellbeing resources and free counseling.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Incredible Employees!
To our amazing employees,
We are writing to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation for your outstanding contributions to our hiring success in 2025. We are thrilled to announce that 25% of all new hires to date this year have come directly from your invaluable employee referrals!
This isn’t just a number; it’s a testament to the incredible talent within our organization and your belief in our company’s mission and culture. When you refer someone, you’re not just helping us fill a position; you’re bringing in individuals who are often high-performers, highly motivated, ready to contribute from day one and statistically tend to stay with our organization longer.
Your referrals are a true competitive advantage for us. They help us:
- Attract top-tier talent who might not otherwise discover us.
- Strengthen our company culture by bringing in people who align with our values.
- Reduce the time and cost for the College associated with finding exceptional candidates.
- Ultimately, drive our collective innovation, success, and growth.
Thank you for putting your trust and your network on the line for our company. Your willingness to share your positive experiences and recommend talented individuals speaks volumes about your dedication and pride in what we do here. A special thank you to our supervisors for your leadership and involvement in making NMC a great place to work!
We are truly fortunate to have such a committed and engaged team. Please keep those fantastic referrals coming! Your efforts make a tangible difference to our community every single day.
With immense gratitude and pride,
The Human Resources Team
Employee anniversaries – June
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
Kudos!
Kudos to our Enrollment Services Directors, Lisa vonReichbauer, Jim Patterson, Alyssa Irani and Lisa Eiden. The Directors in Enrollment Services are team players! They listened to staff’s request at our ES Department retreat, set expectations/goals for the department and are following though! Go team!!
Kudos to Ben Herman and Facilities. Ben and the entire Facilities team helped organize and execute the emptying and freshening up of faculty offices in Scholars Hall in anticipation of welcoming Business faculty and staff to the building. With Beckett undergoing similar changes, it became necessary to relocate Business, Social Science, and Communications faculty, especially moving instructors out of the SH115 pod and into their new offices. Ben was quick to answer questions, provide needed moving supplies like boxes and solve any problems that developed during the painting, refurbishing and moving process. He coordinated with other NMC staff to facilitate the moving of computers and telephones, and he made sure that everything was clearly and promptly communicated to all those involved. Such a labor-intensive and detailed task went smoothly with the guidance of Ben and the Facilities team.
Kudos to Jim Gullen. Jim was instrumental in helping to provide research and planning in our successful effort to secure our recent $120,000 workforce development contract with MI Works.
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!
- Christina LaMie, supplemental employee — Learning Services Office Assistant
- Leah Waterstripe, student employee — Environmental Science Lab Assistant
- Evyn Morgan-Huchison, supplemental employee — Learning Services Office Assistant
Board of Trustees regular meeting
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, June 23 at 5:30 p.m. in Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, Room 106/107. At the meeting, a candidate will be chosen to fill the Board of Trustees seat vacated by former trustee Chris Bott earlier this month. The six eligible applicants, who must reside in Grand Traverse County, are:
- Brad Akers, Traverse City
- Lance Boehmer, Traverse City
- Myk Garn, Interlochen
- Jody Lundquist, Traverse City
- Leah Moskovitz, Traverse City
- Kevin Query. Traverse City
Bott resigned from NMC’s Board of Trustees effective June 9. The new trustee will serve until the next regular community college election in November 2026. At that time voters will choose a candidate to serve the remainder of the term held by Bott, which expires December 31, 2028.
More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Marvin named NMC VP of College Advancement
TRAVERSE CITY – Katharine Marvin has been named vice president of College Advancement at Northwestern Michigan College, leading the NMC Foundation, Dennos Museum Center, WNMC Radio and International Affairs Forum.
Katharine Marvin (download high-resolution photo)Marvin brings to the role a decade of experience at the NMC Foundation, most recently as director of Development & Alumni Relations. She was an integral part of the team that exceeded the $35 million goal of NMC’s first-ever comprehensive campaign, Be What’s Possible, by 14 percent. That campaign raised $40.3 million between 2016- 2021.
“Katharine’s leadership, relationships and deep college history will be critical to us as we execute our strategic plan, campus master plan, and brand strategy over the next several years.” said NMC President Nick Nissley. “As we ramp up for our next fundraising campaign, her proven results will drive our future successes.”
Marvin, 35, of Traverse City, was named this year’s recipient of the NMC Staff Excellence Award. Her achievements included securing $1.4 million in gifts for a wide range of programs, including Nursing, Culinary, Construction Technology, Aviation, WNMC and the International Affairs Forum. Notably, her proactive approach to fundraising has cultivated relationships that have blossomed into significant future investments, exemplified by a $500,000 planned gift made this year and designated for aviation scholarships.
“I’m thrilled to lead the teams of colleagues I know so well already, as well as to steward the college’s strong support from donors,” Marvin said. “It’s truly a privilege to be able to further NMC’s mission of delivering llifelong learning opportunities, commitment to student success, and legacy as a community cornerstone that will celebrate 75 years in 2026.”
Marvin joined NMC in 2016 as an annual giving specialist. She rose to director of annual giving in 2019, director of development in 2022 and director of development and alumni relations in 2024. She also taught as an adjunct faculty member at NMC from 2017-21. She earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Michigan in 2011 and 2015, respectively.
Release Date: June 18, 2025
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College does not discriminate in admission, campus activities, education, employment, housing, public accommodation or public service on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, handicap, height, marital or familial status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, service in the military, veteran’s status, weight, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discriminationMedia mentions for June 16, 2025
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.
Glen Lake Woman’s Club awards $21K in college scholarships
Glen Arbor Sun, June 16 (more…)
Top 75 Alumni — Call for nominations
NMC’s 75th anniversary begins in 2026 and we’re taking the recognition of the Outstanding Alumni award tradition to the next level — by recognizing the Top 75 Alumni who’ve helped shape the legacy of our college over the past seven decades.
Do you know a remarkable NMC grad who’s made a difference? Whether they’re a recent graduate or a trailblazer from years past, we want to hear their story!
Nominations and self nominations are open through September 12, 2025. Final selections will be announced in late fall.
For more information or questions, please call (231) 995-2826 or email alumni@nmc.edu
What We’re Looking For:
-
- Nominees must have completed at least one academic course, degree, or certificate at NMC
- Achieved notable professional success in their field or career
- Championed lifelong learning and used their NMC experience to benefit society or the college
- Demonstrated integrity, respect, and professionalism, living out the mission and values of NMC
When submitting your nomination, be sure to include as much detail as possible — including achievements, dates, roles held and any supporting information that tells their story.
Let’s shine a spotlight on the alumni who’ve made NMC proud — and inspire future generations to do the same.
Pit Spitters ticket promo code
Alumni Relations is postponing their annual outing to the TC Pit Spitters this summer, but we’ve got the next best thing!
NMC community members can grab a ticket to any Pit Spitters game that fits their schedule. Use promo code NMC to redeem a Pit Spitters ticket to a game of your choosing. Your seat’s waiting!
New additions to Library of Things collection
To find these selections and more, browse our full collection of Library of Things in the online catalog.
Outdoors & Recreation
Telescope
Discover the wonders of the night sky with the Gysker 80mm AZ Space Astronomical Refractor Telescope! This versatile and beginner-friendly telescope is designed to offer clear, detailed views of celestial objects, making it ideal for stargazers of all ages. This model offers an 80mm aperture and 400mm focal length for bright, crisp views of the moon, planets, and star clusters. The sturdy, adjustable tripod and easy-to-use mount make setup and tracking simple. Lightweight and portable, this telescope is perfect for backyard astronomy or taking on the go!
Laser tag set
Strap on your vest, grab a gun, and transform any space into a battle zone for a high-intensity laser tag war! Lives and team data are automatically synced, and LCDs on the vests and guns allow you to check your status, even in the heat of battle – without having to rely on lights or audio.The set also includes an innovative charging station to replenish all the gear at once easily. Run, hide, roll, take aim, and eliminate your enemies to win the game!
Pickleball set
Let’s face it – pickleball is a hot sport right now! Get in on the fun with this 4-person pickleball set, most suitable for beginner to intermediate players. Complete with paddles, outdoor balls, and a convenient carrying case, this set has everything you need to get your pickle on! Pair with our portable pickleball net to play your match anywhere with a hard, flat surface!
Portable pickleball net
This portable net system is perfect for pickleball enthusiasts who want the freedom to play anywhere! The included carrying bag makes it easy to transport the net to different locations and the lightweight design ensures that no heavy equipment will burden you with your gear. Enjoy the convenience of having everything you need in one place, with a straightforward set up that requires no tools and can be assembled in minutes!
Giant chess, checkers & chess tac toe
Play a classic game of checkers anywhere on this giant 4×4 ft vintage-style canvas checkerboard! Then, flip the discs to battle your opponent in chess. Finally, flip over the mat to play chess tac toe, a simple and strategic game, perfect for all ages!
Portable picnic table
The table is made with light-weight aluminum making it easy to pack up and carry – when folded the table forms a self-carry case that can be stored almost anywhere. It also comes with a built-in hole in the center of the table to hold an umbrella for shade. Whether planning a picnic in the park, camping or just enjoying your own backyard, this table makes it easy to provide seating for you and your crew!
Instant canopy pop-up tent
Experience quick and hassle-free assembly with this pop-up canopy, requiring just three simple steps for complete setup in less than 5 minutes! The waterproof canopy cover, fortified with UV protection coating, ensures not only protection from harmful sun rays but also creates a cool and relaxing haven on scorching summer days. Enjoy instant shade with ease, making every outdoor moment comfortable and sheltered!
Stargazing kit
This kit includes a powerful 600-lumen rechargeable headlamp for versatile, hands-free illumination, plus a red light option to preserve night vision. It also features a rechargeable red flashlight designed specifically for astronomy to maintain dark adaptation. A USB to USB-C charging cable keeps your devices powered on the go. Finally, the kit comes with a handy Pocket Guide to the Night Sky of North America, perfect for identifying constellations and celestial events. All items are neatly organized in a durable carrying case, making it easy to take your stargazing essentials anywhere.
Kubb
Often called Viking Chess, Kubb is a classic Swedish lawn game that blends strategy and skill. It can be played on grass, sand, or even snow, making it a versatile choice for outdoor gatherings! The objective is to knock down your opponent’s blocks and ultimately the King, but only after clearing all other blocks.
Tech
Mini projector
This projector delivers bright, clear images with 170 lumens of white brightness and native 1080p resolution, ensuring crisp visuals in various lighting conditions. Integrated WiFi and two-way Bluetooth 5.1 enable seamless wireless mirroring and high-quality audio through built-in speakers without extra equipment. The zoom function allows flexible image sizing from 40″ to 200″ screens, supported by a 600:1 contrast ratio for deeper blacks and vibrant colors. Its compact, portable design makes it easy to carry and set up anywhere!
Projection screen
This 100 inch portable projection screen is suitable for either indoor or outdoor use and can be assembled with ease – no tools required. Pair with our mini projector for on-the-go entertainment or presentations!
