Welcome our newest hires
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Daniel Hoseit — Groundskeeper
- Jocelyn Joseph, supplemental employee — GLMA Culinary Intern
Learn to Navigate ClearCo Performance and Goals – What You Need to Know
NMC is implementing ClearCompany for goal management and performance reviews. Join Human Resources at one of the upcoming training sessions to receive an overview of the new system and get your questions answered. Training sessions will be held:
- Monday, April 28, 2–2:45 p.m.
- Thursday, May 1, 10–10:45 a.m.
- Monday, May 5, 9:30–10:15 a.m.
- Friday, May 9, 9:30–10:15 a.m.
All are encouraged to attend. Supervisors and reviewers are strongly recommended to attend. Those interested in attending can use these instructions to register for Learn to Navigate ClearCo Performance and Goals – What You Need to Know in NEOED Learn.
Media mentions for April 28, 2025
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.
Adapted in TC: A different kind of anniversary
Instructor Susan Odgers’ monthly column on living with disability, Record-Eagle, April 27
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Update on Trump Administration orders affecting higher education
Good afternoon NMC Community,
This week, President Trump issued several executive orders related to higher education. These directives focus on federal accreditation rules, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and reporting requirements for foreign funding. While these national-level changes are still new and evolving, I want to take a moment to connect with you directly, because how we respond, together, matters.
Let me start by saying this clearly: there are no immediate changes required of Northwestern Michigan College today. Our accreditors and federal partners are still assessing the implications, and we are in close contact with the organizations that guide our work. We will continue to monitor developments closely, as we always do, and keep you informed as more becomes known.
You may remember our previous communications during the Trump administration when we shared our commitment to staying informed, upholding our values, and supporting our students and employees through uncertain policy shifts. This moment is no different.
We remain:
- Steadfast in our commitment to student access, success, and belonging
- Attentive to the policies that affect our ability to serve you
- Grounded in NMC’s mission and the trust we have in each other
As of today:
- Your financial aid remains secure
- Our DEIB-related programs and supports in place today continue as they are
- There is no disruption to our operations
If and when that changes, you will hear from us directly. In the meantime, I know the end of the semester is a stressful time for many of you. I want to reassure you that the college leadership team is on top of this, asking the right questions, and connected to the right resources. You do not need to worry or take any action at this time.
Thank you for all you bring to this community. Please take care of yourselves and each other as we move toward the close of another academic year.
Nick
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Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College | 231.995.1010
On Journalism, Media & Information Literacy
On Thursday, May 29, Northwestern Michigan College’s International Affairs Forum will present an event on journalism, media and information literacy in partnership with Interlochen Public Radio (IPR). IAF welcomes journalist and advocate Sharon Moshavi, president of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), in conversation with Ed Ronco, news director at IPR.
Sharon Moshavi (pictured left), Ed Ronco (pictured right)
Under Moshavi’s leadership, ICFJ develops and runs programs for its 132,000+ global network of reporters, editors and newsrooms, supporting them to report on critical issues, keep up with technological transformation, and find successful business models. Prior to ICFJ, Moshavi worked as Communications Manager at the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. For more than a decade before that, Moshavi was based in New Delhi, Jerusalem and Tokyo, reporting from countries across Asia and the Middle East for The Boston Globe, Newsday, BusinessWeek, KQED, PRI, and The New Republic, among others.
Ed Ronco joined IPR as its news director in the summer of 2022, after eight years with KNKX Public Radio in Seattle/Tacoma, where he was the local host of All Things Considered. He’s an experienced reporter, interviewer and broadcaster, whose career has also included work in rural Alaska and northern Indiana.
Moshavi and Ronco will explore how journalists and trusted messengers can work together to help us navigate complex issues on the local, national and global news level. Moshavi shared her perspective on this a piece for the Nieman Lab at Harvard University, which seeks “to promote and elevate the standards of journalism”:
“We need to seek out these journalist-adjacent actors who share the same goal as many newsrooms of delivering actionable, trustworthy news and information to people — information that the public can use to make sense of the world and improve their lives and their societies. They just bring different tools and expertise to do it…Breaking through the information overload that we all experience today has to be front and center for journalism to be relevant and impactful. Cross-functional collaboration among stakeholders in the civic space creates a powerful path for getting there.”
The May 29 hybrid event at the Dennos Museum Center is open to the public and available to watch online. Admission is free for students, educators, all NMC employees and active-duty military members. Tickets are $15 per person for the general public. Reception begins at 5:30 p.m. with the program starting at 6:30 p.m. For in-person tickets, online tickets and all event details, visit TCIAF.com.
IAF’s 31st season is sponsored by Mercantile Bank.
Board of Trustees regular meeting
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m. in Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, Room 106/107. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Evolving the University Center to meet today’s student needs
Good afternoon NMC community,
Since 1995, the University Center has helped thousands of students “start here and stay here,” completing bachelor’s and advanced degrees through NMC’s university partnerships.
Now, we’re beginning the next chapter.
Starting later this spring, our university partners will begin relocating to the Front Street campus, with classes beginning there this fall. This move, informed by our Campus Master Plan, creates a more integrated, student-centered experience that reflects how students access education today.
As part of this transition, the NMC Board of Trustees will consider renaming the University Center to the Boardman Lake Campus at an upcoming meeting. The proposed name reflects the building’s location and will make it clearer to students that university partner offices and classes are now located on the Front Street campus. The name change supports our ongoing evolution from a physical hub to a stronger, more flexible partnership model. This is about partnership, not place.
Some NMC departments will continue to operate at the University Center in the near term. As we shared in our recent all-employee Zoom, we’re also beginning to move some NMC teams out of the Beckett Building and into other spaces like Scholars Hall. At the same time, we’re thoughtfully evaluating the long-term future of the Boardman Lake Campus in ways that reflect both student needs and community stewardship.
Thank you for all you do to support students and help move NMC forward.
Warmly,
Nick
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Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College | 231.995.1010
2025 Commencement is set for May 3
TRAVERSE CITY — Commencement ceremonies for Northwestern Michigan College’s Class of 2025 will be held Saturday, May 3 in Milliken Auditorium on main campus. Three ceremonies will be held, with graduates grouped by degree or credential earned.
- 11 a.m.: Associate of Science and Arts (ASA) and Associate of General Studies degrees
- 12:30 p.m.: Non-health Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees, Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE) degrees, and certificates
- 2 p.m.: Health Occupations (nursing and dental assistant degrees), Aviation, Marine Technology and Maritime
Each ceremony will feature faculty and student speakers. Ceremonies will be streamed live at nmc.edu/video and NMC’s YouTube channel.
NMC’s Class of 2025 has earned 565 degrees and certificates, including the Associate in Nursing, Associate in Science and Arts, Associate in Applied Science, Associate in General Studies and Certificate of Practical Nursing. Bachelor of Science degrees in Maritime Technology and Marine Technology will also be awarded. More than 20 percent of the graduates are recipients of Michigan Reconnect, a statewide scholarship program that offers free tuition to adults 25 and older who don’t already have a degree or certificate.
Other 2025 highlights include:
- Presentation of NMC’s first Water Quality and Environmental Technology degrees
- Presentation of the first nEXt endorsements. Recipients of this and NMC’s global endorsement will be identified with an expanded key in the commencement program, and by wearing special cords, as veteran and honors graduates already do.
NMC will also hold its annual Honors & Leadership Convocation at 4:30 p.m. May 2 at the Dennos Museum Center. Awards to be presented include:
- Academic area awards
- Honors program participants and graduates
- Dr. Kari Kahler Adult Student of the Year
- President’s Possibilitarian Award
- Student leaders of the year
- Recognition of outstanding student groups
- nEXt and Global Endorsement recipients
Release date: April 24, 2025
For more information:
Cari Noga
Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – text preferred)
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-discriminationMedical procedures on campus: Cardiac arrest
If you encounter someone who you believe is suffering a cardiac arrest:
- Call 911. The 911 dispatcher will ask you about your emergency. Describe the situation then follow the directions from the dispatcher.
- Yell for help—get others nearby to assist you. This takes the pressure off of you having to do it all yourself.
- Direct someone to get an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machine and administer treatment. An AED should be used when a person is unconscious, unresponsive and not breathing properly, indicating potential cardiac arrest. AEDs are located in a public area of all campus buildings. See a list of locations on this page. The video below from the American Red Cross shows how to properly use an AED when necessary.
- Direct someone to call the Campus Security at (231) 995-1111.
First Science Symposium set for April 26
TRAVERSE CITY – NMC will host its first Science Symposium, a celebration of scientific inquiry and discovery, from 3–6 p.m. Saturday, April 26 in rooms 104–105 of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on NMC’s Front Street campus.
The symposium will showcase the research projects of high school and college students from across the region. Presentations will span a diverse range of scientific disciplines, including engineering, biology, technology and chemistry, offering attendees a glimpse into the future of science.
The symposium provides a valuable platform for students to share their findings, engage in intellectual discourse, and receive constructive feedback from experts in the field. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the innovative ideas and groundbreaking research being conducted by the next generation of scientists.
In addition to the presentations, the symposium will feature light appetizers and drinks, providing a relaxed and engaging atmosphere for networking and discussion. Awards will be presented to the top three student projects, recognizing their contributions to their respective fields.
Find out more about advanced scientific research at NMC.
Release Date: April 21, 2025
For More Information
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
cnoga@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
Welcoming the community to campus
Thanks to Great Lakes Maritime Academy students for hosting more than 1,100 visitors at the April 12 Open Ship event, and to Business 231 students who hosted the 10th annual Big Little Hero Race on April 19. These experiential learning opportunities also provide important opportunities for the Traverse City community to see the college’s work up close and in person, which strengthens their support.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Media mentions for April 21, 2025
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.
11 Michigan towns with unforgettable main streets
World Atlas, April 20
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Kudos!
Kudos to Nancy Gray, Diane Bolton and Ann Hosler! On Monday, April 14, 2025, a student had a seizure on the second floor of Scholars Hall. Employees Nancy Gray, Diane Bolton, and Ann Hosler notified Emergency Services, Security, and comforted the victim until the ambulance arrived — remaining calm during the entire matter. These kind employees showed empathy during an emergency and excelled at notification and care. Kindly join me in commending these employees for a job well done.
Kudos to Michael Anderson! Professor Anderson took the time to meet with myself and a student who had questions and concerns about her English course. He kindly and patiently answered all of our questions and helped us to create a plan to help the student move forward. Professor Anderson made time to explain the NMC policies and the departmental policies in a way that was easily understood. He went over and above to help the student to connect to needed resources. Thank you. Your help and professionalism are very much appreciated.
Kudos to Jeff Cobb! Congratulations to Jeff Cobb and the Chamber Singers for their outstanding concert on April 12 at Kirkbride. Jeff is an exceptional leader, inspiring all who work with him. His unwavering dedication and talent significantly enhance the music program at NMC. Creating such an excellent singing group is no small achievement, and Jeff’s ability to attract additional high-caliber musicians further elevates the musical experience for both singers and audience members. Thanks to his stellar reputation, these musicians eagerly participate in the initiatives he leads. NMC has every reason to be proud!
Kudos to Ali Thornton! Thank you, Ali, for bringing new training to NMC! The AI training on Workflow was very helpful. I look forward to more training on AI and other technology areas in the future!
Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. Please encourage your colleagues by submitting a KUDOS. Let them know you appreciate their hard work and are thinking of them!
Welcome our newest hires
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Kyle Wingeier — Adjunct Certified Flight Instructor
- Benjamin Ertle — Adjunct Certified Flight Instructor
- Cameron DeBortoli — Adjunct Certified Flight Instructor
- Christian Smith — Adjunct Certified Flight Instructor
Listening to the Earth: Environmental Science audiobooks on Libby
Find these audiobooks and more on the NMC Library’s Libby app. If you’re new to Libby, follow these instructions to set up your account.
The Insect Crisis: The Fall of the Tiny Empires That Run the World by Oliver Milman
“[The Insect Crisis] is a somber book, a catalogue of loss and unravelling, but also a lucid homage to the fabulous utility of insects and a critique of our fixation with backbones…If its visions are sometimes mournful, there is also something wondrous in Milman’s revelation of our fragile dependency on insect life as well as its beauty and strangeness.” – The Guardian
Becoming Earth: How Our Planet Came to Life by Ferris Jabr
“This exploration of the Earth as a living entity is lyrical, smart, and will make you appreciate our home planet in countless new ways. It’s really a fascinating book.”—Science Friday
Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201-Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration by Sara Dykman
“An extraordinary story in which Dykman seamlessly weaves together science, a real love of nature and the adventure and hazards of biking with butterflies from Mexico to Canada and back. They share an epic journey and encounter hardships, but they do not give up. The book is a lament for our thoughtless destruction of nature and at the same time a celebration of the beauty that remains. The migration of the monarch butterflies is one of the wonders of the world—we must save it for future generations.” —Dr. Jane Goodall
How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World by Ethan Tapper
A personal narrative on the importance of forest ecologies by a Vermont forester.
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
“Braiding Sweetgrass is instructive poetry. Robin Wall Kimmerer has put the spiritual relationship that Chief Seattle called the ‘web of life’ into writing. Industrial societies lack the understanding of the interrelationships that bind all living things—this book fills that void. I encourage one and all to read these instructions.”—Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper, Onondaga Nation and Indigenous Environmental Leader
Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake
“Nearly every page of this book contained either an observation so interesting or a turn of phrase so lovely that I was moved to slow down, stop, and reread… This book rocked me into remembering that nature, especially fungal nature, is big and encompassing and creative and destructive. It reminded me that fungi are, like the Universe, sublime.” — Science
Board of Trustees Special Study Session and Building & Site Committee Meeting
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold a special study session on Wednesday, April 23 at 10 a.m. in Hagerty Center Room A on NMC’s Great Lakes Campus. This meeting is likely to include a quorum of the NMC Foundation Board.
The Board of Trustees Building & Site Committee will meet at 3 p.m. the same day, in the President’s Office Conference Room in the Tanis Building on NMC’s Front Street campus. Meeting notices for both meetings are available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Pow wow honoring our NMC graduates April 26
A dancer in the 2019 graduation pow wow
(download a high-resolution version here)TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s Native American Student Organization will hold a traditional pow wow honoring 2025 graduates from 1–4 p.m. Saturday, April 26, on NMC’s Front Street campus. This annual NMC event is open to the public and celebrates vibrant and culturally significant Native American tribes of our region. Ten Native American students are graduating this spring.
The pow wow will take place under the pines on the south side of the Osterlin Building, and feature Native American dancers, drummers, storytelling, music and more. Food and vendors will also be available. Grand Entry is set for 2:30 p.m. Attendees can park in the Aspen or Cedar lots. A campus map is available at nmc.edu/maps.
RELEASE DATE: APRIL 17, 2025
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Nathan Bootz
Native American Student Success Coach
(231) 995-2135
nbootz@nmc.edu
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-discriminationApril mobile food pantry distributions
NMC is hosting a mobile panty on from 3–5 p.m. on Monday, April 21 in the Maple Lot at the Front Street campus.
Menu items include potatoes, apples, carrots, sweet potatoes, cottage cheese, beef stew pouches, granola, juice and a homeward bag to bring it all home!
NMC’s mobile pantry program is designed specifically for NMC students and their families. Mobile pantries provide 7-10 days worth of fresh and shelf-stable goods to supplement family incomes. While this is intended for students, all are welcome. There are no financial requirements or means tests. Drive-thru and walk-up options are both available.
These pantries are made possible in partnership with Feeding America.