Jul 7, 2025 | Intercom
Watch your inboxes Wednesday for the July issue of NMC Now. All employees are now subscribed to this e-newsletter appearing once per month this summer, and every other week during the academic year.
This month’s issue features the Great Lakes Maritime Academy’s plans for the Robinson Bay. The first vessel the Academy has acquired in more than 20 years, the Robinson Bay expands job opportunities for graduates of the nation’s only freshwater maritime academy.
Jul 7, 2025 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
To the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, for receiving a certificate of inspection for its newest vessel, the tugboat Robinson Bay, on July 2, enabling cadets to begin training aboard the donated vessel this week. The first vessel the Academy has acquired in more than 20 years, the Robinson Bay expands job opportunities for graduates of the nation’s only freshwater maritime academy as well as reducing operating costs. Read more
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Jul 7, 2025 | HR Corner, Intercom
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
- Melissa Blyth – Staff – Accounts Payable Assistant
- Mariah Richey – Supplemental – Banquet Cook
Jul 7, 2025 | Intercom, Media Mentions
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.
DMC Birthday Community Day
West Michigan Tourist Association, July 6 (more…)
Jul 7, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC Great Lakes Maritime Academy cadets will begin training this week aboard the donated tugboat Robinson Bay, the first vessel the Academy has acquired in more than 20 years, expanding job opportunities for graduates of the nation’s only freshwater maritime academy as well as reducing operating costs.
By the end of the summer, up to 36 cadets will have completed a 30-day training program aboard the Robinson Bay, earning their mate of tow vessel license endorsement (TOAR). Most of the training in ship handling, watch standing and tow vessel operation will be conducted in West Bay, with additional trips to Mackinac Island. GLMA’s shoreside simulator, located at NMC’s Great Lakes Campus, will also be tapped so cadets can meet requirements.
“The acquisition of the vessel enables GLMA cadets to gain instruction in tow vessel ship handling and operations, and earn tow vessel license endorsements, in addition to unlimited third mate or unlimited third assistant engineer. This will substantially increase their employment opportunities,” said GLMA Superintendent Jerry Achenbach. There are more than 5,000 tow vessels in the U.S. fleet, compared to 350 deep draft vessels where cadets traditionally have sought employment, he said.
Donated by the U.S. Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, the acquisition of the Robinson Bay will save GLMA tow vessel leasing costs that have exceeded $50,000 per year. The Academy has leased a tugboat every summer since 2020.
Having the vessel available year round also means GLMA could offer additional credentials. Plans for later this year include working with the U.S. Coast Guard on approval for engine cadets to earn Designated Duty Engineer (DDE) license endorsement.
The goal is to eventually develop this into a two-year associate degree program. GLMA currently offers a bachelor’s degree in maritime technology. Also in development is a plan for a one-day event for professional mariners who have the 30 days sea time but need to complete the Tow Officer Assessment Record, which GLMA faculty can assess.
The Robinson Bay was constructed in 1958 and substantially rebuilt, including a new engine, in the early 1990s, Achenbach said. Valued at $300,000, it was formally acquired by GLMA in October 2024 and handed off in November.
In December 2024 it arrived at a Toledo, Ohio shipyard to undergo the work necessary to use it as a training vessel. The $500,000 cost of that work was covered by federal and donor funds.
In June, GLMA staff traveled to Ohio to sail the ship to Traverse City. On July 2 it passed U.S. Coast Guard inspection and became available for cadet training, the first new vessel to join the Academy’s fleet since the T/S State of Michigan in 2002.
Release date: July 7, 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-discrimination
Jul 7, 2025 | Intercom
This August, NMC will launch the first phase of its new brand. It’s an exciting milestone, but it’s just the beginning. Full implementation will take about three years.
This work is an investment in NMC’s future. Built from research and shaped by input from students, employees, alumni, and community partners, the brand aligns with our strategic and campus master plans. It’s designed to strengthen enrollment, improve visibility, and more clearly communicate the value NMC delivers.
The first phase focuses on college-wide needs and high-impact audiences: prospective students, current students, and employees. Here’s what to expect:
- A fully redesigned suite of admissions materials
- New outdoor gateway and directional signage for all campuses
- Environmental branding in most buildings (think accent walls, decals, or rugs)
- Welcome Week items for current students
- Swag, Canva templates, Google templates (like letterhead and syllabi), and basic office supplies for employees
We know people are excited to use the new brand in their own areas. That enthusiasm is a good sign. At the same time, we’re rolling things out in a way that’s intentional and sustainable. Future phases in 2026 and beyond will support divisions, departments, and offices, with priorities shaped by NMC’s new strategic plan.
For now, we’re asking a few things:
- Please hold off on placing branded orders for your area
- Please don’t create new materials on your own
- Do reach out if you have ideas or upcoming needs
While most projects will need to wait, we may be able to support some early requests based on strategic impact and available capacity. Let’s talk before you make plans so we can find the best path forward together.
Thank you for your support and partnership. The brand belongs to all of us, and we’re excited to bring it to life with you.
Jun 30, 2025 | Intercom
This is a friendly reminder to NMC employees to continue using the promotion request form at nmc.edu/promo for promotional coverage of your NMC announcement, program or event. Filling out the form will help assure that it gets prompt attention, since it goes to the entire Public Relations, Marketing & Communications team and provides us with the information we need to consider your request. It also adds your request to our project management system. (The PR team has not transitioned to using the Promotional Requests feature of the new helpdesk system yet.)
If you have any questions about the form or the process, please contact the PR team at publicrelations@nmc.edu.
Jun 30, 2025 | Intercom, Media Mentions
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.
North Ed extends accelerated program for child care certification
Benzie County Record Patriot, June 26
(more…)
Jun 30, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
NMC’s Fitness Center will be closed on Friday, July 4, and will reopen on Saturday, July 5.
For more information contact Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu.
Jun 30, 2025 | Intercom
This year, NMC employees will have dedicated access to parking at Great Lakes Campus to watch the 4th of July fireworks and the end of Cherry Festival fireworks on Saturday, July 5. Parking is limited to NMC employees only. NMC security will be stationed at each entrance to the property and enforcing parking all day. Please bring your NMC ID and show it to security to access the lot. No formal events will be held at the Hagerty Center and the building will be locked.
Jun 30, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
Over the past month, several bicycles have been reported stolen from campus. As a precaution, please remember to always lock your bicycle securely or, if possible, store it inside your residence.
If your bicycle is stolen, take the following steps:
- Report the theft to the Traverse City Police Department at (231) 922-4550.
- Notify NMC Security at (231) 995-1111 after filing your police report.
Your vigilance helps keep our campus community safe. Thank you for taking steps to protect your property.
Jun 30, 2025 | HR Corner, Intercom
Kudos to Corbin Thompson, Brooklynn Golnick, Kaitlyn DeBoer, Denny Nguyen, Bob Bugai and John Burris. Corbin, Brooklynn, Kaitlyn, Denny, Bob and John were instrumental in the setup and take down of all the equipment needed for the Juneteenth Celebration. Without their commitment and assistance, the event would not have been as successful as it was.
Kudos to Dylan Schaub, Chris Hanna and Kyle Morrison. The wizards at EMT save the day again! They have assembled a hardware-based solution that allows our Engine simulator (physically located in GL-214) to be controlled from and displayed in GL-111, greatly increasing its utility as a teaching tool while avoiding the need for an expensive additional computer license.
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!
Jun 30, 2025 | HR Corner, Intercom
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
Jun 24, 2025 | Intercom
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.)
Northwestern Michigan College general tuition rate categories:
| 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-discrimination
Jun 24, 2025 | Intercom
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-discrimination
Jun 23, 2025 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
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!
Jun 23, 2025 | Intercom, Media Mentions
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…)
Jun 23, 2025 | Intercom
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.
