Jan 20, 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.
Historic Robinson Bay tugboat to get new home at Great Lakes Maritime Academy
UpNorthLive, Jan. 17 (more…)
Jan 20, 2025 | HR Corner, Intercom
Congratulations to Jessica Parker for completing her provisional to regular faculty period. Jessica transitioned to regular faculty at the start of spring semester. We are fortunate to have her as one of our great NMC instructors and thrilled to welcome her into the NMC regular faculty employee group.
Thanks for supporting our students well, Jessica, and for being part of the NMC family!
Jan 20, 2025 | Intercom, Student Events
NMC is hosting its first mobile food pantry of 2025 from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23 in the Maple Lot at the Front Street campus. The distribution was originally scheduled for Monday, Jan. 20, but was rescheduled due to the weather.
Food to be distributed includes tangerines, apples, potatoes, tomatoes, cottage cheese, cucumbers, peanut butter, mushrooms and more. Based on the tentative menu, this will equate to nearly $200 in fresh and organic produce and foods for each participant.
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. The distribution will be drive-thru, but walk-thru residential students are welcome.
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.
These pantries are made possible in partnership with Feeding America.
Jan 20, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
Melanie Griffith
(download high-resolution photo) 
Bonnie Shumaker
(download high-resolution photo) TRAVERSE CITY — NMC staff members Melanie Griffith and Bonnie Shumaker have been named NMC’s recipients of the annual NISOD Excellence Awards for 2024–2025.
Affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin, the National Institute for Staff and Organization Development is committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges. The NISOD Excellence Awards provide member colleges with the opportunity to honor the contributions of faculty, staff and administrators who shape their students’ futures.
The awards have been made since 1991. Criteria include professionalism, relationships with students and colleagues, and commitment to learning. Below are NMC’s 2024-2025 recipients, along with highlights from their nomination statements.
Melanie Griffith, Nursing Office Assistant:
“Melanie has been a most remarkable addition to our Health Occupations and Nursing team. Her positive attitude and outlook are noted by her peers and appreciated during our recent leadership transition. She has been of incredible assistance under some challenging situations and exudes kindness and caring through her support to both staff and students. She shares ideas for improving workflow and processes both internally and with our community partners…. With a site visit preparation ahead, I am comforted knowing she is such a key part of this team.”
Bonnie Shumaker, Curriculum and Scheduling Coordinator. An NMC employee for 16 years, who worked as the Business Academic Area Office Manager prior to her current role:
“I could always count on Bonnie to assist me, and she demonstrated this same to commitment to the other departments with any needs or projects that were being worked on. She was always professional and willing to assist in any way possible.”
“She helped with many of the CIT projects that we worked on over the years. She was present and assisted with our annual IT Olympics event each year that she was the office manager of the business academic area.”
“In her new role within academic scheduling, she was faced with learning a new system that was unfamiliar to her. She continues to learn and support all academic areas of the college. She has student success and the success of each academic area in her best interest.”
Release date: JANUARY 20, 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
Jan 19, 2025 | EES Opportunities, 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 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.
Knife Skills
The first step in becoming a confident home chef is choosing the best knife for the job! Chef Les Eckert, Director of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute, will guide you in honing important knife skills. You will work with carrots, celery, cauliflower, red peppers, tomatoes, garlic, herbs, lemon, and avocado using the methods of julienne, small dice, medium dice, concasse, zest, juice, roast, blanch, mince, and chiffonade. Following knife work, you will prepare and eat a meal as a class.
Tuesday, Feb. 4; 6–9 p.m.
Employee price: $34 per person (Public price: $125)
Social Dance: Beginning (No Partner Required!)
Experience a fun form of recreation/exercise/growth through many styles of partner dancing including swing/jitterbug, slow dancing, tango, waltz, salsa, mambo, blues, and more. Learn to dance to any kind of music in any situation: from dances and parties, to clubs and weddings.
7 sessions; Thursdays, Jan. 30 – March 13; 5:30–7:15 p.m.
Employee price: $22 per person (Public price: $125)
Midweek Morning Muse
Begin your day with inspiration and discovery by joining this reflective art appreciation class designed to explore one piece of artwork each week. Held in the early morning hours at the Dennos Museum Center, this course invites participants to delve deeply into the nuances and emotional resonance of a single artwork, fostering a meditative and enriching start to the day.
6 sessions; Wednesdays, Feb. 5–March 12; 8–8:45 a.m.
Employee price: $22 per person (Public price: $99)
Jan 17, 2025 | HR Corner, Intercom
Kudos to Molly Norville. The Friday before Spring semester opened, Molly noticed a student crying in the hall and she stepped away from the desk to console them. She spoke to the student calmly and quietly, comforting them to the point that they were able to walk out head held high.
Kudos to Sharon Angel. Sharon Angel is our custodian at Auto Tech and due to the nature of our work our building can be more of a challenge to keep clean. Sharon rises to the challenge every week and does a fantastic job for us and I just wanted her to know we notice it and appreciate it.
Kudos to Nicco Pandolfi, Paul Kolak, Joelle Hannert, Breanna Goodell and Jessica Parker. Over the past seven years, the NMC Food Pantry has been a vital resource for students, providing countless meals with dignity and convenience while navigating numerous logistical challenges. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for our students!
Kudos to Nicole Wenstrup and Lindsey Dickinson. Nicole just started her role as the Testing Center Specialist and navigated exam week with the dreaded snow day expertly! Both her and Lindsey were instrumental in helping students and proctors have a smooth and successful experience.
Kudos to Residence Life. At the end of a long semester, the Residence Life team went above and beyond to help students by keeping the halls open through Saturday and Sunday. Last week’s snow day in the midst of final exams threw students, faculty, and staff for a loop and the incredible leaders in Res Life adapted! Thank you to Marcus, Kaitlyn, Brooklyn, Corbin, CJ and all of the RAs who courageously extended their time in the halls to meet students’ needs.
Kudos to the Testing Center Team: Nicole Wenstrup, Duane Dodge, Dan Isola, Alex Lane, Tom Auch and John Walker. A huge thank you and hats off to the Testing Center team for helping students get through finals week! The team exhibited patience, flexibility, and true collaboration as they navigated a snow day in the midst of the busiest time of the academic year. While the Osterlin Testing Center typically sees 200 tests on the busiest day of finals, last Friday the Osterlin Testing Center welcomed over 300 students! The team also opened the Parsons-Stulen Testing Center on Friday and the Osterlin Testing Center on Saturday for extra hours to accommodate student and faculty needs. Thank you to Nicole and all of the test proctors: Alex, Duane, Tom, Dan, and John, for your dedication to our students!
Kudos to Garret Croon. I am submitting this kudos to express how impressed I am with Mr. Croon. His presence on campus is truly remarkable. I have seen him walking around campus multiple times a day during the first week, and his visibility and dedication are truly commendable.
Kudos to Tyrel Stott, Michelle Beckett, and Ricky Hagberg. Tyrel, our newest Technology Help Desk staff member, single-handedly foiled a bad actor who called trying to impersonate a faculty member to obtain their credentials. He recognized the caller was acting suspiciously and raised a flag to his supervisor so that we could verify that the faculty member was NOT calling to change their password. Tyrel’s attention to his caller and their behaviors prevented a major issue. Kudos to Tyrel, as well as, Michelle and Ricky for their outstanding work helping clients at the beginning of the semester and staying on top of cybersecurity for NMC.
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!
Jan 17, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
The Board of Trustees Building and Site Committee will meet at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21 in the President’s Office Conference Room in the Tanis Building on NMC’s Front Street campus. The official meeting notice is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
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
Jan 17, 2025 | HR Corner, Intercom
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Amy Lucas – Student Success Coach
- Will Harris – Adjunct Applied Music Instructor
- Sarah Dobbrastine – Adjunct Clinical Nursing Instructor
Jan 17, 2025 | Intercom, Student Events
Campus Life is hosting a spikeball tournament on Monday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Rajkovich Physical Education Building on NMC’s Front Street Campus.
The deadline to sign up is Jan. 26.
Jan 17, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Tickets are now on sale for A Taste of Success, the premier annual fundraiser for students at NMC’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute, which will be held Friday, April 25 at NMC’s Great Lakes Campus.
At the strolling tasting event, guests will enjoy international cuisine prepared and served by culinary students along with local wines and beverages. First held at the Park Place Hotel in 1994, the 2024 event raised more than $157,000 for student scholarships and the greatest needs of the program.
The Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College offers both degree and certificates. It is accredited by the American Culinary Federation, one of fewer than 200 U.S. colleges to receive that distinction. Students are eligible to become ACF Certified Culinarians upon graduation.
Tickets are $150 each. Sponsorships are also available. Call (231) 995-1021 or buy online at nmc.edu/taste-of-success.
Release date: JANUARY 17, 2025
For more information:
Chef Les Eckert
Director, Great Lakes Culinary Institute
(231) 995-1197
leckert@nmc.edu
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
Jan 14, 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.
Veteran overcomes PTSD to graduate summa cum laude in social work
WZZM-TV Online, Jan. 10
(more…)
Jan 14, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
NMC kicks off its 2025 Embrace the Dream programming, a series of events marking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month, on January 20. A calendar of events is available at nmc.edu/embrace-the-dream.
Monday, Jan. 20, Martin Luther King Jr. Day:
- Free admission to the Dennos Museum Center, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
- The 2025 Marching for Justice exhibit, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. in the museum’s sculpture court. This extraordinary exhibit showcases over 150 original artifacts, highlighting pivotal moments in Black history—from the Transatlantic Slave Trade to contemporary social justice movements.
- Free MLK Day Lecture featuring Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, 2–3 p.m. A former social studies teacher, Dr. Khalid el-Hakim’s expertise encompasses Black History, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), Implicit Bias, Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, and Hip Hop Pedagogy. Get free tickets and learn more about the lecture here.
- Building Bridges with Music presents An Evening of Voices to Commemorate Dr. King, City Opera House, 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) Featuring The Brazea Dennard Chorale, NMC Chamber Singers and NMC Children’s Choir: Cantus. Learn more and get free tickets to the concert here.
January 30, February 4, 20 & 25: Food for the Soul meals at the Hawk Owl Café. 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. and 4–6 p.m. (No 4–6 p.m. serving February 20)
Thursday Feb. 6, 4:30–6 p.m.: NMC Library Read-Aloud & Craft Night. Children ages 3–12 are invited to an Embrace the Dream Read Aloud and Craft Night hosted at the library. The books have been selected with an eye for great stories and diverse characters and are written and illustrated by Black authors and artists. In addition to a read-aloud with our volunteers, each child will complete a craft and receive their own copy of the book to keep. Accompanying adults can browse the library collection but should plan on remaining close by in the building. The library is also recruiting volunteers to serve as readers or craft station facilitators, interested folks can sign up here.
For more information visit nmc.edu/embrace-the-dream, which will be updated with more events as they are added.
Jan 13, 2025 | EES Opportunities, 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 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.
Explore NoMI: Sip, Savor, and Learn
Join us for a one-day bus tour through the picturesque landscapes of Leelanau County. This educational adventure is perfect for community members interested in the local beverage scene. Explore the world of winemaking at a local winery, learn about the intricacies of sparkling wine production, and gain insights into the distillation process at a distillery. Throughout the tour, engage with experts who will discuss sustainable practices, marketing strategies, and the unique qualities of local beverages. Savor a delicious lunch at Black Star Farms Bistro Polaris, celebrating local culture and agriculture. Limited Seats!
Friday, April 25; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Employee price: $130 per person; includes lunch (Public price: $225)
Date Night: Crepes (2 seats left!)
There is nothing more French than a crêpe except, perhaps, Chef Vanessa Grasset at Crêpes and Co. She will share the secret to mixing and making perfectly airy, paper-thin crêpes that elevate everything they enfold. They are quick to prepare and can be served any time of day. Try her French-style crêpe plate and learn to make crêpes with equipment you already have at home. Prepare sweet and savory fillings for a complete crêpe-making experience.
Tuesday, Feb. 11; 6-9 p.m.
Employee price: $46 for two people; includes beverages (Public price: $199)
Meditation: Beginning & Advancing
Need a lunch break reset? 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.
10 sessions; Wednesday, Jan. 15 – March 19; 12–1 p.m.
Employee price: $25 per person (Public price: $145)
Jan 13, 2025 | HR Corner, Intercom
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Marysue Lessner – Facilities Administrative Assistant
- Brianne Munch – Adjunct Art Instructor
- Richard Wolf – Adjunct Culinary Instructor
- Tait Ricks, supplemental – Student Life Office Assistant
- Emma Dyer – Adjunct Certified Flight Instructor
- Robert Grose – Adjunct Welding Instructor
- Krista Hepner – Adjunct Nursing Instructor
- Laura Ford – Adjunct Nursing Instructor
Jan 13, 2025 | HR Corner, Intercom
How is your DEIB goal completion coming? If you completed your goal, remember to document your learning in the DEIB goal reflection form and send a copy to yourself to use in your spring performance evaluation. Use this form to reflect on your experience (reading or learning event/activity participation). Your feedback will help influence how we incorporate these learning experiences into our goals for 2025–2026.
Congratulations to those of you who have completed their DEIB goal(s) this year. Below are examples of some DEIB team building and engagement events that have occurred.
Images from the Jim Crow Museum tour led by DEIB and EES.
Images from the Jim Crow Museum tour led by DEIB and EES.
Images from the Jim Crow Museum tour led by DEIB and EES.
Educational Technology volunteers for Special Olympics
Want some ideas? Check out the Embrace the Dream calendar and this list of DEIB Learning Opportunities (feel free to add your ideas to this list to encourage others to participate too).
Thanks for participating.
Questions? Contact Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu or Lori Hodek at lhodek@nmc.edu.
Jan 8, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY— Northwestern Michigan College congratulates the 1,078 students who made the fall semester Dean’s List, earning a grade point average of 3.5 or above out of a possible 4.0 while taking five or more credits.
The full list is available here.
Jan 7, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — The community is invited to join students at NMC’s updated, expanded 2025 Career & Majors Fair at the Park Place Hotel & Conference Center Thursday, March 6 from 1-6 p.m..
Several hundred students and community members are expected to attend and experience a new, guided pathway format. Employers will be clustered with faculty and staff from NMC’s relevant academic areas to showcase how NMC programs can lead to employment opportunities in northern Michigan. More than 80 employers will be recruiting for all kinds of opportunities, from full time positions to summer internships. (See the list at nmc.edu/careerfair.)
“We expect this format to better serve both employers and attendees,” said Academic and Career Advisor Katie Sommer-Ford. “Prospective and undecided students can better explore their options, while those already on a career path can conveniently find and identify relevant employers.”
The for-credit academic areas attending are:
The Career & Majors Fair will also feature a dedicated space for veterans and military members offering services such as resume review, as well as information from NMC’s Financial Aid and Extended Education and Training (noncredit) offices. It is free to attend. Transportation aboard BATA’s Bayliner is available free of charge.
The event is presented in partnership with Northwest Michigan Works and Networks Northwest. and sponsored by Tentcraft, North Arrow ABA Services, Park Place Hotel, World Magnetics. Highpoint, Vanenkevort Tug & Barge Inc., Fox Motors-Fox Grand Traverse, Grand Traverse Plastics Corp, Truly Free Inc. UA Local 85 Plumbers, Steamfitters, HVACR Technicians, Aflac and Molon Excavating & Asphalt. Find out more at nmc.edu/career-fair.
Release date: FEBRUARY 17, 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
Jan 6, 2025 | Intercom, Student News
Versiti Blood is having another blood drive in the big pink bus on Thursday, Feb. 6 from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Versiti is hoping to get at least 18 donors this time around as their donations drop significantly over winter. Every eligible donation will get a $10 e-gift card!
Make sure you eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating. You can call 1-866-642-5663 or go here to register for an appointment. Feel good about helping your fellow friend and get a small reward as well! Thank you for your time and donation!
