Apr 30, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Starting Monday, May 3, construction will begin at the main entrance of NMC’s Great Lakes Campus, extending south toward E. Front St and impeding access to the circle drive and main walkway into the building. To avoid the construction, park immediately west or east of the building and use the walkway alongside Grand Traverse Bay that leads to the waterfront courtyard.
The Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD) is alerting those coming to the Hagerty Center for a COVID-19 vaccination that the construction is expected to last for the duration of the clinic, and that the west parking lot offers handicap parking for those who are mobility restricted. If you have a previously scheduled appointment or are planning on attending a walk-in clinic at the Hagerty Center and have mobility restrictions, please email gtcovidvaccine@gtcountymi.gov for accommodations.
Construction is also ongoing on and around NMC’s Main Campus as part of the City of Traverse City’s Safe Routes to School project. New sidewalks are being built on the following street segments:
- North side of Eastern Ave. between Milliken Dr. and Eastwood Ave.
- North side of College Drive between E. Front St. and the west side of NMC’s Cherry parking lot.
- East side of Fair St. between E. Eighth St. and E. Front St. including sidewalk ramp construction/replacement at the Fair St. and Titus Ave. intersection.
That work is expected to be substantially complete by June 4. Street segments will remain open to traffic with shoulder closures and/or traffic regulators, and College Drive will be reduced to one lane during the day, so expect some delays.
Release date: APRIL 30, 2021
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
Apr 30, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Starting Monday, May 3, construction will begin at the main entrance of NMC’s Great Lakes Campus, extending south toward E. Front St and impeding access to the circle drive and main walkway into the building. To avoid the construction, park immediately west or east of the building and use the walkway alongside Grand Traverse Bay that leads to the waterfront courtyard.
The Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD) is alerting those coming to the Hagerty Center for a COVID-19 vaccination that the construction is expected to last for the duration of the clinic, and that the west parking lot offers handicap parking for those who are mobility restricted. If you have a previously scheduled appointment or are planning on attending a walk-in clinic at the Hagerty Center and have mobility restrictions, please email gtcovidvaccine@gtcountymi.gov for accommodations.
Construction is also ongoing on and around NMC’s Main Campus as part of the City of Traverse City’s Safe Routes to School project. New sidewalks are being built on the following street segments:
- North side of Eastern Ave. between Milliken Dr. and Eastwood Ave.
- North side of College Drive between E. Front St. and the west side of NMC’s Cherry parking lot.
- East side of Fair St. between E. Eighth St. and E. Front St. including sidewalk ramp construction/replacement at the Fair St. and Titus Ave. intersection.
That work is expected to be substantially complete by June 4. Street segments will remain open to traffic with shoulder closures and/or traffic regulators, and College Drive will be reduced to one lane during the day, so expect some delays.
Release date: APRIL 30, 2021
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
Apr 29, 2021 | DEI Insights and Conversations, Intercom
Having various kinds of privilege doesn’t mean your life has been a breeze, and it doesn’t negate the challenges you’ve faced. It just means there are certain barriers, struggles, and dangers you don’t have to worry much about as a result of your identity (i.e. race, sexual orientation). Read this short article about various types of privilege to better understand your own privilege, as well as how someone else may be disadvantaged. Talk to others about your thoughts and share the resource.
*Please fill out this DEI Intercom Post Feedback Form to be part of our conversation and offer feedback or suggestions on what is being shared.
Apr 29, 2021 | HR Corner, Intercom
Ulliance (Employee Assistance Program) (800) 448-8326
Mental Health Support
Offers free confidential support & resources including counseling, coaching and crisis support. During the month of May, they are offering resources and tools to support mental well-being.
Check out the following webinars throughout May:
Living in Harmony with Young Adults
Thursday, May 6, 11:30 a.m.–Noon
REGISTER HERE
Pro Tips to Improve your Mental Health
Tuesday, May 11, Noon–1 p.m.
REGISTER HERE
Letting Go and Forgiving
Thursday, May 27, Noon–12:30 p.m.
REGISTER HERE
Apr 28, 2021 | Intercom
This webinar series sponsored by NMC and the Consulate General of the United States, Toronto Canada, is focused on the technologies and applications associated with building a comprehensive detailed bathymetric map of the Great Lakes. The events will engage the audience with presentations and discussions from leading scientists and researchers on the technologies and issues impacting the Great Lakes ecosystems.
Register for each webinar by selecting the link below. There is no cost for the events.
These events are offered at no cost thanks to a grant from the Consulate General of the United States, Toronto Canada.
Apr 28, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
Good afternoon NMC community,
If you have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine, please visit tomorrow’s clinic for NMC students and employees. This clinic is also being expanded to allow family members and roommates of NMC students and employees who are age 16+. Walk-ins vaccinations are also allowed.
NMC is partnering with the Grand Traverse County Health Department to offer the clinic Thursday, April 29 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at NMC’s Hagerty Conference Center at the Great Lakes campus. This includes current students as well as incoming summer and fall students. Based on demand, more clinics can be added in the future. The health department will schedule your second dose of the vaccine when you receive your first dose.
** Please note, if you are interested in receiving a vaccine, but will be out of the area for your second dose, you should still make an appointment for your first dose now. When you receive your first dose, the health department will help you schedule your second dose close to your future location. **
The entire process should only take 15-20 minutes. With the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Michigan, especially amongst young people, we hope many of you will take advantage of this opportunity. Vaccination is the fastest way to return to fewer restrictions. Our NMC community has done a great job keeping each other safe during this time. Let’s keep it up and finish strong!
To schedule your appointment please click on the link below.
Thursday April 29th: app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=22130662&appointmentType=22296712
Apr 28, 2021 | Intercom, President Updates, Student News
Dear NMC family,
During this busy time of year, I hope you can take a moment to reflect on the incredible work you’ve accomplished this semester in the face of historic challenges. When I think about this past year, I think about how I feel when running a race. At the start, the adrenaline gives us a boost, we know it will be difficult, but we are determined. As the miles, or in this case months, click by, our energy starts to fade, the doubt creeps in and the finish line feels too far. We may even think about quitting. But with each race I’ve done, I find that there is a point, maybe ¾ of the way through, that I realize how far I’ve come and it’s really not too much further to go. My body and brain start to shift perspective, and even though I am tired, I want to finish more than I want to quit. It’s often about that point that I turn off that voice in my head and start to hear the cheers from the spectators and see the nods from my fellow runners. Their support gives me even more of a boost. I may be running my own race, but I am not doing it alone.
This is where we are now as a college community. We are each overcoming our own challenges running this race, but we’re also doing it together. We are here to cheer each other on, help each other succeed and acknowledge the incredible hard work it takes to complete this race. We are almost at the end and I know we will get there! Thank you for all of the work you have done this semester, at our college and in your personal lives. I know it has been a lot and I am so incredibly proud of you. Let me remind everyone, that vaccination is the fastest way to return to fewer restrictions. I know, we’re all looking forward to a fall semester with fewer restrictions. So, please get vaccinated, if you haven’t already.
To our graduates, I offer you heartfelt congratulations and look forward to our commencement ceremony together this weekend. I am confident that you will continue to achieve your goals no matter where life takes you, because that’s the spirit you’ve already shown while you were here at NMC. Remember, you are part of our NMC family for life.
Stay safe and I hope you can take some time to enjoy our beautiful northern Michigan summer.
Nick
—
Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College
Apr 26, 2021 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Thank you to the volunteers who will welcome both the Class of 2020 and 2021 to Milliken Auditorium Saturday for a walk-through Commencement ceremony. The event will adhere to COVID-19 precautions yet still allow graduates to celebrate their achievement in person. For graduates and invited guests only — others may watch at youtube.com/NorthwesternMichiganCollege.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Apr 26, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
Dear NMC community,
NMC is pleased to partner with the Grand Traverse County Health Department to offer two vaccine clinics for NMC students and employees only.
The clinics will be Wednesday, April 28 and Thursday, April 29 at NMC’s Hagerty Conference Center at the Great Lakes campus from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. These clinics will be closed to the public and held solely for NMC students and employees. This includes current students as well as incoming summer and fall students.
The health department will have at least 1,200 doses of the Pfzier vaccine available. Based on demand, more clinics can be added in the future. The health department will schedule your second dose of the vaccine when you receive your first dose.
**Please note, if you are interested in receiving a vaccine, but will be out of the area for your second dose, you should still make an appointment for your first dose now. When you receive your first dose, the health department will help you schedule your second dose close to your future location.**
The entire process should only take 15-20 minutes. With the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Michigan, especially amongst young people, we hope many of you will take advantage of this opportunity. Vaccination is the fastest way to return to fewer restrictions. Our NMC community has done a great job keeping each other safe during this time. Let’s keep it up and finish strong!
To schedule your appointment please click on the link below. Because these clinics are closed to the public, please do not forward these links to anyone other than NMC students and employees.
Wednesday April 28th
app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=22130662&appointmentType=22231237
Thursday April 29th
app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=22130662&appointmentType=22296712
Apr 26, 2021 | 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.
Milocks Make Record-Breaking $3 Million Gift To NMC
The Ticker, April 21
Record-Eagle, April 21
9&10 News, April 21 (more…)
Apr 26, 2021 | Intercom, Student Events
The 2021 Virtual Honors Convocation will be streamed Friday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m. The annual event has been adapted this year to recognize NMC students for their outstanding achievements in their academic areas. Students and their families can watch the ceremony from the NMC YouTube Channel beginning at 5:30 p.m. Faculty and staff will be taking part to recognize students in their respective area. For more information or questions, please contact Katie Sommer-Ford at ksommer@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1040.
Apr 23, 2021 | HR Corner, Intercom
- Who is eligible?
All NMC Employees
- How many hours do I have?
The average hours you work in two weeks. Full-time employees have 80 hours, and part-time employee hours vary depending on what you normally work.
- When can I use Families First Leave for my own COVID-19 related absence?
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, have COVID-19 symptoms, under quarantine due to exposure of someone who is confirmed positive, receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, or ill due to side effects from the vaccination.
- What leave policy should I select in ADP when reporting absences for myself?
Families First Paid Sick Leave- SELF.
- Why are there three different Families First Leave Policies listed in ADP?
They cover different reasons related to COVID-19:
-
- Families First Paid Sick Leave- SELF– described in #3
- Families First Paid Sick Leave- FAMILY– If you must care for a family member who is dealing with any COVID-19 related issues (including assistance to receive their vaccination).
NOTE– this leave only pays at 2/3 wages, so you must report to Hollie DeWalt, in HR, how you would like to cover the other 1/3 of your time (sick, vacation or unpaid).
- Families First- FMLA– If you must care for your child because their school is closed due to COVID-19.
NOTE– this leave only pays at 2/3 wages, so you must report to Hollie DeWalt, in HR, how you would like to cover the other 1/3 of your time (sick, vacation or unpaid).
Please let Hollie DeWalt in Human Resources know if you have any questions at (231) 995-1350 or hdewalt@nmc.edu.
Apr 22, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
As part of its Safe Routes to School project, the City of Traverse City and Elmer’s Crane and Dozer will be constructing new sidewalks on the following street segments on and around NMC’s main campus:
- • North side of Eastern Ave. between Milliken Dr. and Eastwood Ave.
- • North side of College Drive between E. Front St. and the west side of NMC’s Cherry parking lot.
- • East side of Fair St. between E. Eighth St. and E. Front St. including sidewalk ramp construction/replacement at the Fair St. and Titus Ave. intersection.
The work is expected to start shortly and be substantially complete by June 4, 2021. Street segments will remain open to traffic with shoulder closures and/or traffic regulators, but expect some delays. Elmer’s will provide flaggers, signage and barricades as needed, and College Drive will be reduced to one lane during the day.
Please use caution in and around the work zones to promote pedestrian and worker safety.
Safe Routes to School is a movement that aims to make it safer and easier for students to walk and bike to school. Beyond the many health benefits of walking, studies have shown that walking to school can improve academic performance and reduce anxiety. Read more about the project here.
Apr 22, 2021 | Announcements & News, Intercom, Student News
NMC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international community college honor society, finished as the seventh-most distinguished chapter out of more than 1,200 chapters at the organization’s annual conference held in April. It is the highest the chapter has ever finished.
Rank is determined by combining scores for two projects, Honors in Action and College Project. NMC’s projects were both in the top 50 nationwide. Previously, the Honors in Action project was judged the top project in Michigan, while the college project was second runner-up.
NMC’s Honors in Action project goals were to demonstrate undergraduate fundamentals, critical thinking and reflective skills in a research project. Their project, Deconstructing the Binary Complex in Racism, will also be published in Civic Scholar, PTK’s undergraduate research journal, this summer. For the project, which was also awarded a $1,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, chapter officers and advisor participated in Title Track’s Understanding Racial Justice course, hosted “An Evening for Social Justice” with opening music from Crystal Turner and Seth Bernard, a free community screening of John Lewis: Good Trouble documentary and a panel discussion following with facilitators from Title Track, Northern Michigan E3, adjunct faculty Diane Emling, students from Phi Theta Kappa’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion panel and PTK chapter officers.
As a follow-up to the event, PTK hosted a Songwriting for Collective Liberation Workshop with musician and Title Track facilitator, Seth Bernard. Chapter members created a music video with lyrics and submitted it as media accompanying the Honors in Action project submission.
Apr 22, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
Congratulations to the White Pine Press and Faculty Adviser Jacob Wheeler for winning three First Place awards and seven total awards this year from the Michigan Community College Press Association, for stories published between March 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021:
- First Place, Best News Story, Kathryn DePauw — “Women in Welding Forging a Path into the Future” March 6, 2020
- First Place, Best In-depth Enterprise Reporting, Kathryn DePauw — “Poll Challengers Prepare for Election Day” October 23, 2020
- First Place, Best Personality Profile, Emily Slater — “Nissley Pushes Through Difficult First Year” January 28, 2021
- Second Place, Best Column, Randi Upton — “The Argument for Universal Basic Income”
- Third Place, Best In-depth Enterprise Reporting, Micah Mabey — “Creativity Rises to the Challenge of COVID” December 11, 2020
- Honorable Mention, Best News Story, Nick Moug — “The Troubling Rise of QAnon”
- Honorable Mention, Best Photo Essay, Courtney Ockert — “Local Seasonal Cheer”
Apr 22, 2021 | Intercom, Student Events
Make a difference in a few hours that can last decades! ReLeaf Michigan, a non-profit tree organization, in collaboration with Northwestern Michigan College, will be planting 15 trees along the Dogwood lot at Northwestern Michigan College on Friday, April 30 between 8:45 a.m. and noon to increase tree canopy, with funding from the DTE Foundation.
ReLeaf Michigan’s tree experts will be there to show volunteers how to plant a tree and oversee the event. Covid protocols will be followed. Volunteers are asked to sign up as a ‘family’ or a ‘team’ of 3 to 4 folks who have been social distancing together. Masks are required and gloves recommended. Please wear closed toe shoes and bring a shovel if you have one. Event occurs rain or shine (we’re a hearty group!). No planting experience necessary. We hope to see you there!
Questions, please contact Troy Kierczynski at tkierczynski@nmc.edu or (231) 649-6378.
Apr 22, 2021 | Intercom, Tech Tips
Check out Genius Scan! It’s an easy to use scan to Email or PDF application that is available on Android and iOS and is supported by Technology Help Desk and Student Success Center. Using the Genius Scan app on Android or iOS, you are able to take pictures, create a PDF document, and export to Gmail.
In an effort to facilitate the submission of documents to Instructors, Human Resources, and the Business Office, please recommend the use of Genius Scan. Directions on how to use it on Android and iOS Devices are linked below.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the NMC Technology Help Desk at (231) 995-3020 for assistance.
Apr 21, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
April 21, 2021
Amid abundant challenges, bright spots and silver linings are still plentiful as NMC’s first full academic year under COVID-19 restrictions draws to a close.
Recapping the challenges: For safety, about 85 percent of NMC’s classes were offered remotely in both fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters, a complete flip of the usual proportions. College and student events both pivoted to virtual, changing the feel of the campus community. Two brand-new state workforce investment programs, Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect, were built and unveiled, and COVID safety precautions kept Dennos volunteers at home.
Classes and student events
Due to their accreditation requirements, health programs like dental assisting and nursing were among the few holding face to face classes in 2020–21.
“We had a great group of students who realized there might be a few bumps in the road, but were always grateful to be face-to-face,” said Dental Assistant Program Director Deb Kaser.
There were no cases of COVID-19 among her students, thanks to social distancing and triple precautions: masks, face shields, and eye protection. Just two students had to quarantine due to household members’ illness, but they were able to keep up thanks to online instruction and proctored testing.
Director of Advising Lindsey Dickinson said that virtual options have been a silver lining for her office, too, especially for students who are parents or have transportation issues.
“It has leveled the playing field in terms of access. Sometimes, getting people to campus was the biggest barrier,” Dickinson said. “We can still build relationships with our students.”
She is especially proud of the fact that the annual Career Fair — one of the last in-person college events in March 2020— carried on in a virtual format in March 2021.
“We had 12 students who got interviews off the back of that Career Fair,” Dickinson said.
Financial aid
2021 opened with three immediate priorities: Distributing $1 million in federal emergency student aid approved in 2020; awarding aid for the state’s Futures for Frontliners program, and aid for Michigan Reconnect. Both Frontliners and Reconnect cover in-district tuition for students who worked during the initial pandemic shutdown in spring 2020 (Frontliners) or are age 25 and lack a college degree (Reconnect.)
The two programs were the first new aid in decades, said NMC Financial Aid Director Linda Berlin. In addition, Frontliners drew a much larger response than expected— more than 1,800 students, according to admissions director Cathryn Claerhout. For spring, 529 enrolled at NMC.
“We had no system set up to handle it,” Berlin said. But NMC’s Information Technology Services stepped up.
“NMC is better positioned than a lot of schools. Our IT, they rocked,” Berlin said. Using the new systems, NMC has awarded $403,000 in Frontliners scholarships with another $83,000 pending for fall.
Awards for Michigan Reconnect start this summer. Also coming up for Berlin’s team: Awarding another $2 million in emergency student aid through the federal American Rescue Plan.
After an initial shutdown, since August 2020 the museum has remained mostly open to the public, albeit with limited hours. Events like concerts and artist workshops are still virtual, however.
“We’ve gotten really good at Zoom programs,” said Executive Director Craig Hadley, noting the Dennos has virtually presented artists from as far away as Iceland.
A silver lining has been new partnerships. The Dennos recently pooled grants funds with Manistee’s Ramsdell Center for the Arts to present Windy City Blues, a virtual concert featuring two Chicago artists neither could have afforded on their own. Offered free online, it led to about 35 new subscribers to the Dennos YouTube channel.
“We definitely are reaching new audiences,” Hadley said. “It’s been an opportunity to expand our reach, and who we’ve been able to engage.”
Volunteers have begun to return to the museum, and Hadley looks forward to increasing their numbers, which will allow the museum to expand hours beyond the current Sunday–Thursday.
“That’s going to get us weekend coverage,” Hadley said.
Phi Theta Kappa
Despite a mostly virtual year, NMC’s chapter of the international community college honor society had its best showing ever, ranking as one of the top 10 most distinguished chapters for the first time in its history.
“It was amazing. It was a sort of out of body experience,” said chapter president Amber Marsh of the countdown at the PTK conference where the No. 7 rank was revealed.
On the heels of the rank, Marsh also learned that the NMC chapter’s honors in action project, Deconstructing the Binary Complex in Racism, was selected to be published in Civic Scholar, PTK’s journal of undergraduate research, this summer. She’s thrilled that “the work that we became so passionate about” as the nation began to reckon with racial justice last summer will now reach a wider audience.
“You have a great chance to change minds,” she said.
The classes of 2020 and 2021 will both graduate in a modified, COVID-compliant walk-through commencement ceremony on May 1.
