Apr 12, 2021 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Congratulations to the 13 NMC employees who are retiring as well as those who have achieved excellence and career service milestones this year, who will be honored at Wednesday’s annual Retirement & Recognition ceremony. Yes, it’s a busy time of year, and yes, another Zoom meeting probably doesn’t make your Top 10 list for the week, but as we wrap up this COVID semester, the ceremony a great way to recognize and celebrate our colleagues. Join the celebration here from 4–5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Apr 8, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
Dear NMC community,
As of this week, all Michigan residents age 16 and over are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. We wanted to offer two tools to help you secure an appointment to conveniently receive one of these safe, effective, free vaccines.
If you need help navigating the vaccine scheduling process, call the COVID-19 Hotline at (888) 535-6136 (press 1) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Vaccination is a critical step to ending the pandemic restrictions that we have all lived under for more than a year. At NMC we have been proud to partner with Grand Traverse County to offer the Hagerty Center as a mass vaccine site since January. We encourage you and your loved ones to take the first available opportunity to get vaccinated. It is the best way you can help end the pandemic.
—
NMC Public Relations
Apr 8, 2021 | Intercom, Student Events
NMC Students, Faculty & Staff! Our Audio Tech program is hosting a spring concert on Wednesday, April 14 starting at 5 p.m. on NMC’s main campus. We will have performances by East Bay Drive featuring Laurie Sears, Little Graves, Doc DPC, and more! The stage will be set up on the lawn between West Hall and Founders Hall (note the new location) where there is plenty of space for people to come jam and stay safe. (Please respect COVID-19 social distancing and mask guidelines).
The show will also be livestreamed on the NMC Audio Tech YouTube channel so you can tune in anywhere at any time!
Apr 7, 2021 | Intercom
NMC employees: If you are interested in serving on the Strategic Planning Work Team, please email strategic-planning@nmc.edu by Friday, April 9 to be added to the team. And thank you to everyone who has already volunteered.
Read more about the Strategic Planning Work Team here, and find more information on the strategic planning process at nmc.edu/strategic-planning, which is being continually updated as more events and activities are scheduled.
Apr 7, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
Adult learner champions inclusion of nontraditional students
April 7, 2021
This Saturday, Amber Marsh will find out if she’ll spend the next year as a vice-president of an organization seeking to advance the success of more than 200,000 community college students in 11 countries worldwide.
It’s a position the Kalkaska County resident, licensed cosmetologist, mother and NMC student never imagined herself seeking two or three years ago. But the difference NMC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international community college honor society, has made in Marsh’s own life has compelled her to try and advance its mission still further.
“I know this gives people tools for success,” said Marsh, who’s president of NMC’s chapter. “(PTK) is an organization that has helped me to grow, push me, challenge me.”
It’s been a decade since an NMC chapter member has sought international office, said chapter adviser Kari Kahler. She believes Marsh, one of three finalists for NMC’s district vice presidency, has a good shot at being the first from the college elected to the international level.
“She has embraced the ideals of Phi Theta Kappa. Her heart is service,” Kahler said, adding that under Marsh’s leadership, NMC’s chapter was just named the most distinguished among 31 chapters in Michigan. “She’s just in it for all the right reasons.”
While the conference is mostly virtual, Marsh and other finalist candidates will be in Orlando for the vote.
With this year’s election prioritizing inclusion, Marsh thinks she’s a fitting candidate. She’s studying business administration and hopes to one day start her own business in the beauty industry.
“I want to be a voice for nontraditional students, for trade students,” she said.
Marsh’s interest in advocacy and policy traces to a 2019 conference she attended at the Roosevelt Institute in New York as a Forge Fellow. She’s now on the national leadership board for the institute founded by the former U.S. president. PTK invited her to present on her trip, and wound up extending an invitation for membership, which requires at least a 3.5 grade point average.
“I didn’t think I could afford the ability to be in a scholarly organization,” said Marsh, who also runs a food and clothing pantry at Forest Area Schools, where she graduated from high school and where her two children now attend, and founded a women’s conference in Kalkaska.
But she’s found PTK dovetails well with her interests in community. One project she led was sewing reusable cloth face masks for residence hall students, to reduce the waste of disposable masks. She’ll be joining the NMC Foundation Board as a student member, and is also a member of the strategic planning steering committee launching this month.
“I just have a passion for PTK and how it grows community at NMC,” Marsh said.
Apr 7, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is now recruiting student athletes for varsity teams in two Esports with competition slated to begin this fall.
Esports, or competitive video gaming, already exist as a student group on campus. Forming official varsity teams will allow NMC to compete in both the Michigan Esports Conference and the NJCAAE (National Junior College Athletic Association – Esports) Conference.
Esports are also a tactic to boost enrollment and student engagement, align with the priority NMC places on experiential learning, and intersect with multiple program areas, including computer information technology, marketing, visual communications, audio technology, and business.
“Esports are relatively new at the collegiate level, but the pace of growth is astounding,” said Todd Neibauer, vice president for Student Services and Technologies. “This is another way for NMC to stand out as students choose where to pursue their post-secondary goals.”
Terri Gustafson is the NMC ESports adviser. She said that Esports teach players transferable career skills including teamwork, communication, collaboration, leadership and time management.
“They are a pathway beyond college just as traditional sports and extracurricular activities are,” said Gustafson, who has overseen 93 students in NMC’s club version of Esports that began on a virtual basis in fall 2020, making it NMC’s top student group in terms of participation.
Club play has been mostly virtual to date due to the pandemic. When restrictions allow in-person competition, the varsity teams will practice and compete in an Esports lab in the lower level of the newly renovated Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center featuring 10 PC stations and one coach station. (Download high-resolution photos of the Esports lab.)
As it moves from club to varsity play, NMC has also hired a consultant with head coach experience at a Mid-American Conference (MAC) program in the state of Michigan. NMC expects about 13 student athletes in its first year of competition, and will hire coaches for each of the two teams. Athletes must maintain a 2.0 grade point average to retain their academic eligibility.
More information is available at nmc.edu/esports. A program information night will be held via Zoom at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 13. Details about the program, including collegiate esports requirements and a timeline for recruiting will be discussed.
According to the industry site greenmangaming, Esports are growing at a pace to top traditional sports in all areas, from spectators to revenue. In 2020, the global Esports audience was 586 million, more than double 2015 figures. It had overtaken the combined audience of American professional football and rugby and was poised to overtake baseball. Prize money won in tournaments has soared from $4 million in 2009 to $173 million in 2019, and the number of professional athletes tripled between 2014 and 2019.
Release date: April 7, 2021
For more information:
Terri Gustafson
NMC Esports director
tgustafson@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1076
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 7, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is now recruiting student athletes for varsity teams in two Esports with competition slated to begin this fall.
Esports, or competitive video gaming, already exist as a student group on campus. Forming official varsity teams will allow NMC to compete in both the Michigan Esports Conference and the NJCAAE (National Junior College Athletic Association – Esports) Conference.
Esports are also a tactic to boost enrollment and student engagement, align with the priority NMC places on experiential learning, and intersect with multiple program areas, including computer information technology, marketing, visual communications, audio technology, and business.
“Esports are relatively new at the collegiate level, but the pace of growth is astounding,” said Todd Neibauer, vice president for Student Services and Technologies. “This is another way for NMC to stand out as students choose where to pursue their post-secondary goals.”
Terri Gustafson is the NMC ESports adviser. She said that Esports teach players transferable career skills including teamwork, communication, collaboration, leadership and time management.
“They are a pathway beyond college just as traditional sports and extracurricular activities are,” said Gustafson, who has overseen 93 students in NMC’s club version of Esports that began on a virtual basis in fall 2020, making it NMC’s top student group in terms of participation.
Club play has been mostly virtual to date due to the pandemic. When restrictions allow in-person competition, the varsity teams will practice and compete in an Esports lab in the lower level of the newly renovated Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center featuring 10 PC stations and one coach station. (Download high-resolution photos of the Esports lab.)
As it moves from club to varsity play, NMC has also hired a consultant with head coach experience at a Mid-American Conference (MAC) program in the state of Michigan. NMC expects about 13 student athletes in its first year of competition, and will hire coaches for each of the two teams. Athletes must maintain a 2.0 grade point average to retain their academic eligibility.
More information is available at nmc.edu/esports. A program information night will be held via Zoom at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 13. Details about the program, including collegiate esports requirements and a timeline for recruiting will be discussed.
According to the industry site greenmangaming, Esports are growing at a pace to top traditional sports in all areas, from spectators to revenue. In 2020, the global Esports audience was 586 million, more than double 2015 figures. It had overtaken the combined audience of American professional football and rugby and was poised to overtake baseball. Prize money won in tournaments has soared from $4 million in 2009 to $173 million in 2019, and the number of professional athletes tripled between 2014 and 2019.
Release date: April 7, 2021
For more information:
Terri Gustafson
NMC Esports director
tgustafson@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1076
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 6, 2021 | Intercom, Student Events
Thursday, April 22, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
between the West Hall Innovation Center and Founders Hall
Let’s celebrate Earth Day 2021 by taking the day to clean up NMC’s campus! Grab a friend and join us in this socially-distanced service project—upon arrival, check-in at the Student Success Center table!
- Campus cleanup and beautification projects (bring garden gloves if you have them, compostable bags will be provided)
- Onsite e-waste recycling (computers, iPods, laptops, inkjet printer cartridges, cell phones, network equipment, modems, CR card readers, flat screen monitors, printers, home electronics)
- Book swap
- Live music courtesy of NMC’s Audio Tech program, and more!
Sponsored by NMC Student Engagement, in collaboration with the NMC Green Team. Please contact Sally Smarsty at ssmarsty@nmc.edu for more information.
Apr 5, 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.
NMC strategic planning effort kicks off
Record-Eagle, April 1 (more…)
Apr 5, 2021 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Thank you to the organizers of the Light Up the Night rally scheduled for 7:30-8:30 p.m. this Thursday, April 8, between West Hall and East Hall.
This evening of hope and healing is is sponsored by NMC’s Student Life Office and held in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Activities will include flag and chalk decorating, food, a candlelight vigil, and connection with the campus community.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Apr 5, 2021 | DEI Insights and Conversations, Intercom
The Employee Group of the NMC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Team will serve the DEI core team. The Employee Group will work to promote and engage employees in expanding knowledge of and opportunity with diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Group’s broad charge is to initiate, foster, coordinate, evaluate and effectively communicate the diversity, equity and inclusion activities of the College through initiatives and events that support the goal of enhancing the environment for diversity, equity and inclusion within employees and extending to the college. The employee group will also take the lead in addressing areas of need and concern for NMC employees.
Currently, we are working on gathering information on our current state of diversity, equity and inclusion. Thank you if you completed the recent climate survey that was sent out. We are working on summarizing the responses, so a NMC action plan can begin to take form. We look forward to growing, celebrating, and valuing diversity together as employees of Northwestern Michigan College.
Watch the Intercom for “DEI: Insights and Conversations” where we plan to share DEI thoughts, challenges, and topics to get you thinking and keep you up to date on our projects.
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 5, 2021 | HR Corner, Intercom
Kudos to Kelsey Wright: Kelsey is one of our 7 Supplemental Success Coaches. A student nominated her for the faculty excellence award. Since she isn’t faculty, she won’t be recognized in that way. But we wanted to make sure she was recognized! Great job Kelsey, you are here to support student success and make our team proud!
“Kelsey has truly been inspirational this semester to me. I can’t speak for the other students but she has really pushed me to do my best. Every time we have a conversation I’m so inspired it’s awesome, it was like being in boot camp all over again. The first time we met we went over my schedule and planned out what I should expect from each class. In the proceeding meetings, we went over what is working and what is not working. For example, we went over my study habits and set up a study plan for the week. I remember during the third or fourth meeting the topic of dropping classes was brought up and I was like “no way, with you as my success coach I could climb Mt. Everest.” More recently during midterms and such, I was struggling with my English paper, having a mean case of writer’s block, and it just so happens that Kelsey emailed me asking me if I needed anything. I told her about it and she shared a story she saw on The Weather Channel (believe it or not the weather channel cleared my writer’s block). It was her help that gave me the push needed to finish my paper. Kelsey’s positive attitude is another reason why I don’t want to give up on anything. I look forward to showing her my grades at the end of the semester and thanking her in person for her support.”
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!
Mar 30, 2021 | Intercom, Student Events
The International Affairs Forum continues a worthy annual tradition by commemorating World Press Freedom Day. As ever, it is vital that journalists be able to conduct their work freely, without fear of reprisal. To speak to the ongoing issue, on April 15 @ 7:00 PM IAF welcomes Dr. Courtney Radsch, advocacy director at the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Dr. Radsch addresses the daily dangers journalists face the world over. She is author of Cyberactivism and Citizen Journalism in Egypt: Digital Dissidence and Political Change. As a veteran journalist, researcher, and free expression advocate, she writes and speaks frequently about the intersection of media, technology, and human rights.
The conversation will be moderated by Jacob Wheeler, NMC journalism instructor, editor of the Glen Arbor Sun, and journalist-at-large. This event will be broadcast via Zoom and simulcast on IPR News Radio, WICA 91.5 FM. Join the discussion on April 15!
The event is open to the public, free for students and educators. Regular season IAF events are “pay what you can” for non-members. Livestream via Zoom and IPR News Radio. Q & A submissions via Zoom only. Find more info at TCIAF.com.
Mar 30, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
A Black Women’s History of the United States by Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross
A Black Women’s History of the United States is a critical survey of black women’s complicated legacy in America, as it takes into account their exploitation and victimization as well as their undeniable and substantial contributions to the country since its inception. Two award-winning historians, Berry and Gross prioritize many voices: enslaved women, freedwomen, religious leaders, artists, queer women, activists, and women who lived outside the law.
(more…)
Mar 29, 2021 | Intercom
Monday, April 5⋅2:30–4 p.m.
During this presentation, CampusWorks will introduce and lead a discussion on trends in higher education, identifying themes related to enrollment, student success, technology, and accountability that can support institutional transformational objectives.
The workshop will provide an overview of the technology landscape, highlight trends occurring in higher education with a focus on student services/experiences and look at long-range future horizons challenges that could further impact NMC. It will explore the overall use and leveraging of technology to streamline operations and provide desired employee and student experiences, minimizing administrative work. This session acts as a primer to assist faculty, staff, and administration in embracing the redefining of the student experience by challenging them to embrace the possibility of new models of services.
Mar 29, 2021 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Thank you to the Great Lakes Culinary Institute students and instructors who are offering the popular Taste of Success event in a to-go format this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Tickets are $200 for a box that generously serves two. Order online now and pickup April 16 between 4–6 p.m., followed by an online Zoom program at 7 p.m. Taste of Success is the largest annual culinary scholarship fundraiser.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Mar 29, 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.
WSCC, Northwestern Michigan students honored for top academic achievement
Manistee News-Advocate, March 23 (more…)
Mar 26, 2021 | HR Corner, Intercom
Kudos to Becca Richardson: Becca completed EL 101 and successfully created an excellent new EL assignment for her online course! Thank you for being an awesome educator and looking for effective and innovative ways to engage and teach your students!
Kudos to Jacob Wheeler: Thank you for presenting during the faculty showcase portion of the Board of Trustees meeting. The presentation showed your commitment to your students, the White Pine Press, and experiential learning. During this challenging year, you provided a rich learning experience that not only taught your students journalism but also invaluable interpersonal skills. Thank you for including your student’s voice in your presentation, it was awesome to hear about her experience with the WPP!
Kudos to Sarah Montgomery-Richards: Sarah offered her students extra credit to experience an Indian Cooking class on Zoom while they were studying Hinduism. She provided them with the recipes ahead of time and made suggestions where they could find ingredients. They all cooked together on Zoom! Sarah said, “It was great seeing them all in their kitchens, asking questions not only about the food but about topics from class.”
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!
