Help your work orders work for you!

Earlier this year, NMC’s facilities department began using a new work order request system called Maximo. Here are a few reminders on using the system so you can get the help you need as soon as possible.

  • Maximo only works with the Firefox browser (not Chrome, Internet Explorer, or Safari.)
  • You do need to register to use Maximo.
  • You must use your NMC email as your user ID and email address.
  • Facilities can reset your password if you forget it.
  • If you don’t use Maximo for 90 days your account will deactivate (the system will give you a warning the week before this happens).
  • In the details box please be as specific as possible about your request. You can also attach documents or pictures.
  • Routine work orders typically take 5 working days to complete.
  • Urgent requests can be completed in one day. Please also call facilities directly with urgent matters at 995-1111.
  • If you have questions on any facilities work order requests, you can call Nancy Durecki or Casey White at 995-1111.
  • The Maximo Registration and Help Sheets on the employee site can also answer additional questions about the system. Please read this is you are new to the system.

Success Story: Bicycling border to border, coast to coast

June 1, 2016

Pauly Hurlbert in MichiganPauly Hurlbert at the Michigan border on his way home Planning to try Smart Commute Week next week? It just might change your life.

Last year, Pauly Hurlbert had never ridden his bike further than Traverse City to Suttons Bay — a long-ish commute distance. Yet on September 10, the NMC aviation alumnus and certified flight instructor embarked on a West Coast bike tour from Vancouver, British Columbia. He wasn’t sure he’d like pedaling thousands of miles, but keen on the personal discovery and adventure he anticipated along the way, Hurlbert committed to ride to Tijuana.

By the time he reached the Mexican border November 28, Hurlbert not only liked bicycle touring, he was hooked. He turned east, bound for Florida. After a month there he turned north, arriving home in Traverse City in early April having logged 6,138 miles.

“Border to border, coast to coast, and then back home,” said Hurlbert, a 2008 alumnus originally from Kalamazoo. He carried about 120 pounds of gear and camped about half the time.

Now back in a more regular routine that includes bartending, playing music and teaching flight instructor students, Hurlbert, 30, said he applies lessons from the bike tour daily. Chief among them is patience, something that can be hard to impart to students always anticipating what comes next.

“They’re thinking about flying jets, when they’re here teaching students,” he said of his flight instructor students. “Teaching is such a valuable life experience. While they’re here and teaching, make the most of it.”

Pauly Hurlbert in MexicoAnother lesson: Deliberately step out of your comfort zone. Hurlbert practiced this from day one of his trip, which at 65 miles was twice as far as he’d ever ridden before.

“It makes you more comfortable with everything,” he said. He loves to see students taking that risk, recalling one international student who arrived a few years ago with minimal English. This spring, she took her exam to become a flight instructor.

“Now she’s a day away from teaching people how to fly,” he said. “It’s pretty amazing.”

Hurlbert isn’t sure what’s in store for him after the summer semester.

“Not having plans forces you to make challenging choices more regularly,” he said. “It makes you more comfortable and confident.”

But it’s likely he’ll eventually climb back aboard Charlotte, the road bike that carried him to innumerable scenic vistas, milestones like the Mexican border, and personal highlights like riding down Morgan, his childhood street in Kalamazoo. Hurlbert recalled traversing it on training wheels.

“When I was a kid, that was my bike tour,” he said. “Now the nation. Hopefully the world, eventually.”

Success Story: Bicycling border to border, coast to coast

June 1, 2016

Pauly Hurlbert in MichiganPauly Hurlbert at the Michigan border on his way home Planning to try Smart Commute Week next week? It just might change your life.

Last year, Pauly Hurlbert had never ridden his bike further than Traverse City to Suttons Bay — a long-ish commute distance. Yet on September 10, the NMC aviation alumnus and certified flight instructor embarked on a West Coast bike tour from Vancouver, British Columbia. He wasn’t sure he’d like pedaling thousands of miles, but keen on the personal discovery and adventure he anticipated along the way, Hurlbert committed to ride to Tijuana.

By the time he reached the Mexican border November 28, Hurlbert not only liked bicycle touring, he was hooked. He turned east, bound for Florida. After a month there he turned north, arriving home in Traverse City in early April having logged 6,138 miles.

“Border to border, coast to coast, and then back home,” said Hurlbert, a 2008 alumnus originally from Kalamazoo. He carried about 120 pounds of gear and camped about half the time.

Now back in a more regular routine that includes bartending, playing music and teaching flight instructor students, Hurlbert, 30, said he applies lessons from the bike tour daily. Chief among them is patience, something that can be hard to impart to students always anticipating what comes next.

“They’re thinking about flying jets, when they’re here teaching students,” he said of his flight instructor students. “Teaching is such a valuable life experience. While they’re here and teaching, make the most of it.”

Pauly Hurlbert in MexicoAnother lesson: Deliberately step out of your comfort zone. Hurlbert practiced this from day one of his trip, which at 65 miles was twice as far as he’d ever ridden before.

“It makes you more comfortable with everything,” he said. He loves to see students taking that risk, recalling one international student who arrived a few years ago with minimal English. This spring, she took her exam to become a flight instructor.

“Now she’s a day away from teaching people how to fly,” he said. “It’s pretty amazing.”

Hurlbert isn’t sure what’s in store for him after the summer semester.

“Not having plans forces you to make challenging choices more regularly,” he said. “It makes you more comfortable and confident.”

But it’s likely he’ll eventually climb back aboard Charlotte, the road bike that carried him to innumerable scenic vistas, milestones like the Mexican border, and personal highlights like riding down Morgan, his childhood street in Kalamazoo. Hurlbert recalled traversing it on training wheels.

“When I was a kid, that was my bike tour,” he said. “Now the nation. Hopefully the world, eventually.”

2016 Smart Commute Week June 6-10

2016 Smart Commute Week poster-FNLThey say there is no such thing as a free lunch … but you can get a free breakfast!

How? Join us for the 22nd Annual Smart Commute Week June 6-10.

What is Smart Commute Week? It’s an annual celebration, held during the first full week of June, consisting of events promoting cycling, walking, taking the bus and carpooling. Free daily breakfasts are hosted at various locations around town for smart commuters. Every year community members challenge each other to a friendly competition known as the Smart Commute Challenge. (more…)

Hawk Owl Café specials for the Week of May 31

Hawk Owl CafeThe Hawk Owl Café is OPEN! Summer hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Come in for some exciting specials this week.

Tuesday: Buffalo Shrimp Salad
Monterey Black Bean Burgers

MDF_HoneyBBQChickSand_FBadWednesday: Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich
TACO DAY!

Thursday: Chicken & Black Bean Quesadilla & Yogurt
Mediterranean Spinach & Quinoa Salad

Friday: Greek Gyros
Lemon Parmesan Chicken
Vegetable Risotto

Don’t Forget Frappy Hour: Monday-Friday, Noon-1 p.m.

Kudos!

Kudos- Praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved. (defined by Merriam-Webster.com) Kudos to the following people and departments! If you know of co-workers who are going above and beyond, nominate them for kudos here!
(more…)

June concerts

TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s Canticum Novum choral group and Summer Concert Band have several performances scheduled this month.

Canticum Novum

Friday, June 3, 7:30 p.m., Central United Methodist Church
Hear the music of Mozart, Brahms, Whitacre, Lauridsen, Swingle, Rogers and Hammerstein, and Verdi under the beautiful CUMC dome. Donations will be accepted at the door.

Saturday, June 11, 7:30 p.m., St. Andrews Presbyterian, Beulah
Hear Mozart, Brahms, Whitacre, Lauridsen, Swingle, Rogers and Hammerstein, and Verdi for the St. Andrews’ “Concert on the Hill” concert series.

Canticum Novum will also perform three concerts in southwest Michigan in late June.

NMC Summer Concert Band

Wednesday, June 22, 7 p.m., Traverse City Senior Center
An outdoor concert of band favorites! Admission is free.

Sunday, June 26, 2:30 p.m., Grand Traverse Pavilions
An outdoor concert of band favorites during the Pavilions’ Strawberry Social. Admission is free.

Friday, July 1, 7:30 p.m., Milliken Auditorium
Join the NMC Summer Concert Band as they share the stage with the Northport Community Band. Admission is free.

Release date: May 31, 2016

For more information:

Jeff Cobb
Director of Music Programs
jecobb@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1338

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

President’s Update for May 20, 2016

Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”

Activities of Note:  Faculty and Staff

This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible. (more…)

May NMC Scan Available!

The latest NMC Scan is now available for download on the ORPE employee site page. This biannual edition is dedicated to understanding demographics on a local, regional, state and national level. Data include population changes, median income levels, unemployment data, high growth occupations and industries in our region, and educational attainment levels to name a few. Check out the May NMC Scan, and please send feedback to kruedinger@nmc.edu.

If you enjoy monitoring trends in the environment such as those topics covered by the NMC Scan, please consider joining a “futures” community of practice lead by faculty member Steve Rice and Scan coordinator Karen Ruedinger. Contact Steve (5-1024) to learn more about this new group starting up in the fall.

GVSU Master of Public Health Open Houses starting June 9

gvsuGrand Valley State University is extremely excited to offer their M.P.H. – Health Promotions program at the Traverse City Regional Center beginning Fall 2016!

The M.P.H. program is accepting applications for the new Traverse City cohort. Classes will be held in late afternoons(typically beginning at 3 p.m.) or evenings, and will be offered both online and at the Traverse City Regional Center. Students will focus on the health promotion emphasis and may choose electives in policy, environmental health, and health disparities.

Want to learn more? Attend one of the M.P.H. Open Houses in June or July. Please RSVP here or at one of the links below:

Benefits Corner – Flexible Spending

Do you have a Flexible Spending Account through Meritain Health?

Please watch for information in your email about their new online system for submitting reimbursement requests!  You will no longer need to use a fax machine!

Kudos!

Kudos- Praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved. (defined by Merriam-Webster.com) Kudos to the following people and departments! If you know of co-workers who are going above and beyond, nominate them for kudos here! (more…)

Position vacancies

Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
Hagerty Center – Server, Bartender, Cook and Dishwasher
Adjunct Faculty – Surgical Technology
Major Gifts Officer