Kudos!

Kristy Jackson: Kristy successfully completed and passed the Certified Program Planner recertification through our industry’s guiding organization, LERN (Learning Resources Network). Skills highlighted in the program are pricing, marketing, catalog/description recommendations, youth programming, programming for those 55+, and general programming best practices, among others. Nice work, Kristy!

Amy Burns Bailey and Tracey Welch: Thank you to both of them for all of their efforts during National Apprenticeship Week. The week celebrated the NMC apprenticeship students with daily events, celebrations and goodies. Thank you for making our students feel special.

Amy Burns Bailey: Kudos to Amy Burns Bailey for all the wonderful National Apprenticeship Week events she planned and hosted. These events recognized and celebrated NMC’s apprentices and the companies who partner with NMC to create opportunities for growth and success in their fields.

Bill Czyzyk: Bill worked with the Extended Education team to provide data on Extended Education students who have contributed to the Foundation since 2020. Guess what—Extended Education students have contributed $2.6+ million to NMC since 2020! Thank you, Bill, and the Foundation for engaging our continuing education students, and turning them into donors!

Katy Knight: Katy is always so positive and reassuring. She is ready to take on anything and always puts the students first! Her level-headedness and communication skills are so appreciated!!

Wayne Moody: Wayne Moody officially joined the Emergency Assistance team in January of 2024, and we can’t say enough for what a support Wayne and his team are for helping out students with much needed car repairs that allow our students to stay in their courses and continue their education. Seeing our Automotive instructors and Automotive students stepping up to help get our students’ cars back on the road is so gratifying for our emergency assistance team, and we can’t thank Wayne and his team enough for the care and time and efforts they give to our emergency assistance program. Due to the large geographical area our students travel from, Wayne’s wealth of knowledge and connections to car repair shops around northern Michigan is also priceless. Thank you, Wayne, for all you do for our students!!!!


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!

    • Amber Edmondson, student employee – Environmental Science Lab Assistant
    • Andrea Beehler, supplemental employee – Enrollment Services Assistant
    • Kelly Yauk – Marketing Director
    • Alana McKinnie – Resource Development Assistant
    • Angie Adamick – Facilities Custodial Manager
    • Seth Turner – Records & Registration Assistant

NMC holiday closure reminder

With the winter closure fast approaching, it’s a good time to make sure you’re subscribed to NMC’s Holiday Calendar! Click here to add the calendar (you must be signed into your employee account).

If you want your own calendar to display as busy, click the three dots in the right-hand corner of the appointment and then select the “Copy to…” feature.

NMC holiday calendar

Happy Thanksgiving!

Folks,

Thanksgiving always gives me pause, offering an invitation to reflect on all that I have to be thankful for—and to say thanks to you. An attitude of gratitude seems to be woven into the fabric of our NMC culture. Just this past week, I saw it expressed by students, faculty, and staff alike.

I saw thankful student mentors offering friendship to the Blair Elementary mentees and others engaging in the Walk for Health and Homelessness, showing compassion for those experiencing housing insecurity. I saw Kristy McDonald’s service-learning class handing out Thanksgiving meals, providing members of our community—including NMC students and their families—an opportunity to enjoy a Thanksgiving celebration. I also saw our faculty and staff welcoming TCAPS 5th graders to explore our campus and learn about health occupations. These efforts help young students begin to imagine themselves at NMC and perhaps in a future career in health care.

Day in and day out, students enter our doors. By choosing NMC, they are making an investment in a college education, believing that their time, effort, and resources will pay off in the form of greater opportunities and improved lives for themselves and their families. They trust us to help them move from where they are today to where they hope to be tomorrow. There’s no more meaningful and fulfilling job than ours: to support that hope and help ensure they succeed in that investment.

An added benefit of our community college mission, as you know, is that we not only transform students’ lives but also enrich our community. Community and regional prosperity are central to our work. We have the privilege of serving as leaders in fulfilling this mission: transforming lives and enriching our community.

Lastly, while many issues may divide people today, at NMC, we remain united by our shared values: Learning, Integrity, Collaboration, Respect, Inclusion, Innovation, Stewardship, and Excellence. I am deeply grateful for how our NMC family exemplifies these values. It’s one more reason to give thanks this season.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Nick

WNMC Speaker Series premieres Nov. 26

Eric Hines of WNMC is proud to announce the first on-air Speaker Series premiering at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday November 26, 2024. The first guest will be Scot Zimmerman, who is the Community President at Mercantile Bank. WNMC’s inaugural session came from a collaboration with Alex Tank, Director of IAF and Megan Bylsma, NMC’s Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations as Mercantile is the season sponsor of the International Affairs Forum. This series will continue to engage business leaders and listeners from around our community. We hope you’ll tune in tomorrow.

Media mentions for November 25, 2024

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.

Chef on a tugboat: Former TC restaurateur enjoying gig on Mississippi River
Record-Eagle, Nov. 24
(more…)

Happy Thanksgiving, one and all!

Thanks to all who are working to ensure that no student is hungry. That includes the organizers of NMC’s stationary food pantry in Osterlin, which has served students since 2017; the revived mobile food pantry which will distribute from 3-5 p.m. today in the Maple parking lot; and Business 231 students who will distribute 165 holiday meals when their 11th annual Thanks-for-Giving drive culminates tomorrow. 


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

Cybersecurity pop-up winners

Cybersecurity pop-up’s are complete for Fall 2024! The winners of the prizes are Ava Plamondon and Neil Streeter! Kudos to Neil for being a cybersecurity expert and still being willing to test his knowledge.

Thanks to everyone who played a game. Good Cybersecurity choices are core to NMC’s well-being!

Dodgeball tournament

Dodgeball tournament

Campus Life is hosting a dodgeball tournament on Thursday, December 5 at 7 p.m. in the Rajkovich Physical Education Building on NMC’s Front Street Campus.

  • Prizes for 1ˢᵗ and 2ⁿᵈ place teams
  • No entry fees
  • Open to all current NMC students and employees
  • Maximum of 5 persons per team 

The deadline to sign up is December 5, 2024

If you have any questions, please contact CJ Schneider at cschneider@nmc.edu or Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu.

 

Upcoming Extended Education classes for employees – Nov. 25

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 upcoming classes! Place the class in your shopping cart in order to see the discount. Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.

From Truffles to Castelmagno: Flavors of Italy’s Piedmont Region
Immerse yourself in the rich culinary heritage of Italy’s Piedmont region, a land where earthy truffles, robust red wines, decadent cheeses, and divine chocolate intertwine.
Thursday, Dec. 5 ; 6–9 p.m.
Employee price: $37 per person, includes a beverage (public price: $125)

 

Wilderness First Aid Certification
Combining guided presentations with hands-on practice, this interactive class equips you with the skills, knowledge, and abilities to care for an ill or injured person until you can reach qualified care.
2 sessions; Saturday. & Sunday., Dec. 7 & 8; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: $49 (Public price: $299)

 

On the menu: Hawk Owl Café specials & holiday hours for Nov. 25–Dec. 1

The Hawk Owl Café will have special operating hours during the week of Thanksgiving and will only be serving daily specials on Monday and Tuesday.

Monday, November 25

Italian Pasta Bake with meatballs
served with garlic crostini and green beans

Italian Pasta Bake with roasted vegetables (V) 
served with garlic crostini and green beans

The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.

Tuesday, November 26

Beef Tacos with lettuce, tomato, cheese and chipotle ranch
served with tortilla chips, queso blanco and refried beans

Tofu Tacos with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and chipotle ranch (V)
served with tortilla chips, queso blanco and refried beans

The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.

Wednesday, November 27

Thanksgiving Break – No Special
Northwest Grind will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the café will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursday, November 28

Closed – Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 29

Closed – Happy Thanksgiving!

Saturday, November 30

Closed – Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunday, December 1

Thanksgiving Break – No Special
Northwest Grind will be open from 2–6 p.m.

Election season can be stressful

Election season can be stressful. Over the past few weeks, we have heard from many of you in our NMC community about the emotional and mental strain you are feeling. While there are issues dividing people today, at NMC we are united by our shared values of Learning, Integrity, Collaboration, Respect, Inclusion, Innovation, Stewardship and Excellence.

In our NMC community we also support one another. We have access to a resource with our Employee Assistance Program where we can connect and receive individualized support. Simply call Ulliance at (800) 448-8326. They have also provided a great read on Emotional Agility, and tips for Taking a Mindful Break which you may find helpful.

If you need help any time of year, NMC Human Resources is here for you. Please reach out to us if you need support and we will help connect you to available resources.

Kudos!

Paul Martin: Paul has worked hard the past few months getting internet access set up for the students who live in the Front Street Flats.


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!

    • Kylie Gibson, supplemental employee – Banquet Server
    • Libby Louvar, supplemental employee – Banquet Cook

New additions to Library of Things collection

Library of Things collectionWhether you’re snowed in, home for the holidays, or just plain bored over break—the NMC Library has plenty of options to make this winter amazing, including many exciting NEW arrivals to the collection!

Play a board game to get the holiday party started with some friendly competition! We’ve added over 20 new games to the collection this semester, from classics like Battleship, Scrabble, and Trouble, to new favorites like Wavelength, Azul, and Monikers. We’ve even added some RPGs like Mausritter and The Quiet Year for those looking for a more immersive experience!

Learn an instrument, because nothing beats cabin fever like picking up a new hobby! This semester, we’ve added bongo drums for percussion and a headphone amplifier for quieter practice sessions!

Piece together a puzzle and relax while also boosting your mental agility! We recommend the Women in Art puzzle, featuring a diverse array of fifteen accomplished artists, from well-known figures such as Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keefe to lesser-known trailblazers including nineteenth-century African American sculptor Mary Edmonia Lewis and Hopi-Tewa ceramic artist Nampeyo!

Try your hand at crafting and create a truly unique, handmade gift for your loved one! This semester, we’ve added an art projector, calligraphy set AND weaving loom to the collection!

Browse our full collection of Library of Things in the online catalog

Mobile Food Pantry Nov. 25

NMC Mobile Food Pantry

NMC is hosting a mobile food pantry in partnership with Feeding America from 3-5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25 in the Maple Lot of the Front Street campus. 

The tentative list of menu items includes carrots, apples, cheese, potatoes, squash, rice, peppers, grapes and juice. College caffeine fiends rejoice: we anticipate we will also have a donation of 1000 bottles of mountain dew. 

Walk or drive-thru options exist. Come over and drive-thru OR bring a backpack or reusable bag and take what you and your household can use in the next 7-10 days.

This program is specifically designed to support NMC students [and their households] by supplementing their diets with fresh, healthy produce while helping to free up financial resources to cover other household expenses. Everyone is welcome. Take as little or as much as you need for your household.

One additional distribution will be offered this later semester on Monday, December 2. Seven additional pantries will be held during the spring semester.

 

Success Story: Registered apprenticeships expand regionally

November 20, 2024

Mike MorefieldMike Morefield, a maintenance apprentice at LearUpdated for the modern economy, apprenticeships are flourishing at NMC in traditional as well as new fields, helping create a workforce equipped for the 21st century.

“There are so many wins,” said Zoe Lilly, manager at Lear Corp. in Traverse City, which has had 16 apprenticeships with NMC, for tool and die and maintenance positions. From her employer perspective, the chief win is a reliable pipeline of staff in an era when it’s difficult to hire externally.

“It’s easier to train from within. The partnership with NMC has been great,” Lilly said.

Apprenticeships, which are being recognized this week as National Apprenticeship Week, have spread beyond traditional trade and manufacturing fields, too.

“There’s a national shortage in surgical technologists. We were struggling with getting applicants, period,” said Amy Verburg, director of surgical services at Munson Medical Center. That has started to shift since the hospital started a surgical technologist apprenticeship with NMC in 2023.

“It looks like it’s gaining momentum,” Verburg said.

From the student/ employee perspective, it’s a way to cover their educational costs — flipping the historical script. Apprenticeships originated in the Middle Ages as unpaid labor exchanged for the opportunity to learn from a skilled trades or craftsman.

“As soon as an opening came up, I went for it,” said Mike Morefield, who started as an assembly worker at Lear in 2020, entered the manufacturing apprenticeship program in 2021 and earned his certificate in 2023. Lear paid for his tuition, books, and basic tools. Other companies reimburse for tuition.

As an apprentice Morefield started at 74% of the journey worker wage of $33 per hour. Within four years he reached the full journey worker wage.

“All of the teachers were very supportive,” said Morefield, 36, who had last been in a classroom in 2006.

Surgical Technology student Danielle Ellis, 30, is enthusiastic about her career path, which includes an apprenticeship at Munson.

“I’m getting paid to learn,” said Ellis. Her tuition is paid through Michigan Reconnect. She has the added incentive of a $10,000 signing bonus after she completes her one-year program.

“I’m already guaranteed a job,” she said. “I totally think I made the right move.”

Surgical Technology coordinator Breana Goodell said the attraction of the apprenticeship has boosted enrollment, too.

“This is really helping get more students to come in. Our numbers have gone up significantly,” she said.