College Night brings 30+ colleges to NMC

Sep 15, 2026 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — High school students beginning their college search can visit more than 30 colleges and universities at NMC’s annual College Night, from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on the Front Street campus.

The event offers northern Michigan high school students a one-stop shop to evaluate their post-graduation options, including military service. Students can also learn about dual enrollment and Early College, which allow them to begin earning college credit in high school.

Both NMC Financial Aid and Michigan Student Aid representatives will be available to provide financial aid and scholarship information.

Registration is required. Go to strivescan.com or use the button on the event page, www.nmc.edu/collegenight.

If students are unable to attend College Night, they can visit the same schools at the Transfer Fair held earlier in the day, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the TJNIC.

Release date: SEPTEMBER 15, 2026

For more information:

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

Non-Discrimination Policy Notice

Extended Education Opportunities

Sep 14, 2026 | Intercom

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!

Meditation: Evolution of Consciousness

Even brief periods of meditation practice can reduce and help heal the effects of stress, balance emotions, boost immune function, and improve overall physical and spiritual well-being. For this livestream class, seated in a chair at home, you will learn meditation techniques and breath exercises. Read more about Meditation: Evolution of Consciousness.

12 sessions; Wednesdays, Sept. 16-Dec. 9; 12–1 p.m.
Tuition waiver price: $22 per person (Public price: $169)

Date Night: Dublin Your Dinner

New! Savor the soul-warming traditions of the Emerald Isle by exploring two iconic culinary staples. This flavor-filled journey dives into the art of crafting a rich, savory shepherd’s pie topped with pillowy mashed potatoes and baking a crusty, authentic Irish soda bread from scratch. Read more about Date Night: Dublin Your Dinner.

Tuesday, September 29; 6-9 p.m.
Tuition waiver price: $46 for two people (Public price: $199)

Bats of Northern Michigan

New! Bats are among Northern Michigan’s most fascinating—and misunderstood—mammals. Join Grass River staff as we explore the incredible world of our local bats, learning about their biology, identification, echolocation, life history, and the important role they play in keeping insect populations in check. Read more about Bats of Northern Michigan.

Friday, September 18; 7–9 p.m.
Tuition waiver price: $26 per person (Public price: $69)

CPR-AED training

Sep 11, 2026 | Intercom

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. 

Tuesday, October 13 (October Conference session 2)
11:15 a.m.–Noon
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 15

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.

Success story: Lakebed conference shows blue economy momentum

Sep 9, 2026 | Intercom

An NMC student prepares to deploy a remotely-operated vehicle aboard the research vessel Northwestern

September 9, 2026

Mapping the Great Lakes has taken a Grand Canyon-sized leap since the last Lakebed 2030 conference, and NMC students are a part of it.

When the effort to map all five Great Lakes at high resolution started five years ago, such data existed for less than 15 percent of the lakes. Next week, when 175 professionals from science, research, policy, government and industry gather again at the Hagerty Center, 17 percent of the U.S. waters will be mapped. The increase of 1,885 square miles roughly equals Grand Canyon National Park.

U.S. Senator Gary Peters speaks via video at a Lakebed 2030 event in 2022.That data is critical to keeping the lakes drinkable, fishable and swimmable. It’s also vital to creating new jobs and industries based around water resources — the essence of the blue economy that NMC is advancing in multiple ways. From seed funding for new entrepreneurs to collaborating with community and academic partners to experiential learning opportunities for NMC students, Lakebed will showcase all of it Sept. 15–17. Highlights include:

• Naming the 2026 Great Lakes Blue Tech Challenge winner. The starting field of 48 early-stage companies has been narrowed to three finalists: Lacuum, Naiad Technologies and NS2, who will compete Sept. 17 in a pitch competition for $55,000. All three are developing innovative products that use autonomous technology to monitor, preserve and improve water quality.
  “All three are examples of the kinds of tenants – and employers – NMC wants to see for the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center,” said Jason Slade, vice president for Strategic Initiatives at NMC. “Their work dovetails with NMC programs like Marine Technology and uncrewed aerial systems, where students learn proficiency in autonomous technology.”
• Tour of the under-construction, 40,000 square foot FRIC facility on West Grand Traverse Bay Sept. 16. Scheduled for completion in spring 2027, marking another milestone for the blue economy, the Center will unite education, research and economic development under one roof, making it a collaborative hub for freshwater unique in the Great Lakes region.
• NMC Marine Technology students have mapped the Lake Michigan lakebed off the tip of the Leelanau peninsula since 2023, using industry-standard multibeam sonar and hydrographic survey techniques aboard NMC’s research vessel, the Northwestern. NMC Great Lakes Water Studies Institute director John Lutchko, recently named the Early Career Ocean Professional by the Marine Technology Society, who teaches the capstone course, will moderate an industry panel discussion Sept. 16.
• NMC President Nick Nissley will sign the Presidents for Entrepreneur Pledge Sept. 17. A project of the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, NMC has actively worked to advance entrepreneurship among students for several years, from offering a maker’s space to funding for innovative student projects and ideas. The pledge is a natural next step.
• In another collaboration, the University of Michigan has approved NMC’s application to join the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research. This consortium is now seeking grant funding for research and workforce training.

“NMC is committed to future-focused learning and to being a community cornerstone,” Nissley said. “Both the entrepreneurship pledge and joining CIGLR illustrate those commitments, and how they benefit our students and region.”