Sep 29, 2021 | Intercom, President Updates, Student News
Good afternoon NMC community,
We are excited to welcome three finalists for the new Vice President of Strategic Initiatives to campus next week and hope you will take the time to meet them during a series of candidate forums.
Since the spring we’ve been looking at ways to reimagine the Lifelong and Professional Learning area of the college when Marguerite Cotto announced she would retire at the end of 2021. To advance this work, and the strategic plan we are co-creating, we launched a nationwide search for a new Vice-President of Strategic Initiatives in September. You can read more about the position in NMC Now and watch my video to welcome candidates to our college and this exciting opportunity.
Now thanks to the work of search firm Spelman Johnson and our NMC search team, we have narrowed down a competitive pool of more than 90 candidates to the top three to bring to campus and meet our community.
When: 2-3 p.m. on October 4, 5, and 6, 2021 (one candidate per day)
Where: Milliken Auditorium and livestreamed via Zoom (same link for each day)
Please watch your email for more information on these upcoming forums and opportunities to provide input. If you have any questions, please contact the President’s Office. I hope to see you there!
Nick
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Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College
Sep 28, 2021 | Intercom, President Updates
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our comprehensive strategic planning process during the last six months. It has produced robust discussions, engagement and opportunities for input. Based on this participation, we’ve added some additional sessions along the way to give the strategic planning steering committee and work team adequate time to co-create these important draft mission, vision, values, and strategy statements.
As a result, we will move the all employee feedback session originally scheduled for October 6 to later in the month. We will share more details soon and look forward to advancing this work together.
If you have any questions, feedback or ideas, please email strategic-planning@nmc.edu. You can also find more information and updates at nmc.edu/strategic-planning.
President’s Office
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI
Phone: (231) 995-1010
Sep 27, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
In conjunction with the Marine Technology Society and others, NMC is sponsoring Lakebed 2030 Sept. 29–Oct. 1. This major international virtual conference brings together scientists and researchers, policy makers and government officials and industry professionals to map the Great Lakes. The event has over 275 registrants from 8 countries. Register for the free event here and view the event schedule here.
NMC President Nick Nissley will provide opening remarks for the conference at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, discussing the Blue Economy and NMC’s role as a leader in Great Lakes innovation.
Sep 27, 2021 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Congratulations to Extended Educational Services for a successful 2021 College for Kids program led by Kristy Jackson. On key benchmarks of enrollment, safety, and of course, fun, the program excelled. Zero COVID-19 exposures were reported and 90 percent of seats were filled.
“NMC’s commitment to the human ‘learning span’ is one of our fundamental and enduring values — most happily illustrated in the energy of our youngest learners,” said Marguerite Cotto, Vice President for Lifelong & Professional Learning. “What a way to start a learning journey!”
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Sep 27, 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 set to kick off first esports season
TV 9&10, Sept. 20 (more…)
Sep 27, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Military veterans can now convert active duty sea service into credit toward an engineering officer bachelor’s degree at NMC’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy.
Coast Guard Capt. Bradley Clare signed the approval letter for the Academy’s Military Veterans Program (MVET) on September 23 at the American Merchant Marine Veterans annual convention. MVET will allow student-veterans to transfer sea service and training completed while on active duty into the GLMA engine officer program before GI education benefits expire.
“I am excited to approve this program for the Great Lakes Maritime Academy which greatly supports providing a pathway for military members to integrate into the maritime industry,” Capt. Clare said. “The Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center is very committed to ensuring the success of our transitioning military members.”
More credentialed engineers graduating sooner will also help the merchant marine industry, whose workforce is aging.
Jim Weakley, president of the Lake Carriers’ Association, a trade group representing the U.S.-flag Great Lakes cargo fleet, echoed the importance of the MVET program to the shipping industry.
“As a veteran and the son of a Vietnam veteran, who benefited from the G.I Bill, I can personally attest to the value of the GLMA program and the need to make it as cost effective for our veterans as possible,” Weakley said. “Our commitment to veterans should not end with their service. We need to honor their time in uniform and expedite their transition to good paying jobs. They can continue to serve our nation in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Our national security, homeland security and economic security will continue to benefit from their skills and work ethic.
GLMA Superintendent Jerry Achenbach said the (MVET) program is the result of more than four years of work involving several members of the Academy’s faculty and staff and USCG officials. It is expected to improve recruitment to the Academy’s engineering program.
In addition to allowing cadets to bypass redundant training, the approval will allow student veterans to complete the engineering program within the constraints of GI bill benefits. Due to sea service requirements, the current GLMA program exceeds the 36 months of benefits awarded to veterans by the GI bill.
Approval is good for five years, until 2026.
Release date: SEPTEMBER 27, 2021
For more information:
Jerry Achenbach
GLMA Superintendent
gachenbach@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1200
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
Sep 27, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Military veterans can now convert active duty sea service into credit toward an engineering officer bachelor’s degree at NMC’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy.
Coast Guard Capt. Bradley Clare signed the approval letter for the Academy’s Military Veterans Program (MVET) on September 23 at the American Merchant Marine Veterans annual convention. MVET will allow student-veterans to transfer sea service and training completed while on active duty into the GLMA engine officer program before GI education benefits expire.
“I am excited to approve this program for the Great Lakes Maritime Academy which greatly supports providing a pathway for military members to integrate into the maritime industry,” Capt. Clare said. “The Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center is very committed to ensuring the success of our transitioning military members.”
More credentialed engineers graduating sooner will also help the merchant marine industry, whose workforce is aging.
Jim Weakley, president of the Lake Carriers’ Association, a trade group representing the U.S.-flag Great Lakes cargo fleet, echoed the importance of the MVET program to the shipping industry.
“As a veteran and the son of a Vietnam veteran, who benefited from the G.I Bill, I can personally attest to the value of the GLMA program and the need to make it as cost effective for our veterans as possible,” Weakley said. “Our commitment to veterans should not end with their service. We need to honor their time in uniform and expedite their transition to good paying jobs. They can continue to serve our nation in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Our national security, homeland security and economic security will continue to benefit from their skills and work ethic.
GLMA Superintendent Jerry Achenbach said the (MVET) program is the result of more than four years of work involving several members of the Academy’s faculty and staff and USCG officials. It is expected to improve recruitment to the Academy’s engineering program.
In addition to allowing cadets to bypass redundant training, the approval will allow student veterans to complete the engineering program within the constraints of GI bill benefits. Due to sea service requirements, the current GLMA program exceeds the 36 months of benefits awarded to veterans by the GI bill.
Approval is good for five years, until 2026.
Release date: SEPTEMBER 27, 2021
For more information:
Jerry Achenbach
GLMA Superintendent
gachenbach@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1200
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
Sep 21, 2021 | Intercom, Student Events
Traverse Health Clinic will hold a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on NMC’s main campus Monday, Sept. 27 from noon to 3 p.m. in the West Hall Innovation Center.
NMC students: Remember to register for NMC’s Win Big drawing after getting your vaccine! Prizes include a semester’s worth of free tuition and fees or free NMC housing, $500 NMC Bookstore gift cards and $100 Amazon gift cards! Enter now through September 30.
Sep 20, 2021 | DEI Insights and Conversations, Intercom
Please read this article and reflect: What are you actively doing (or could you do) to advance these topics in and out of the workplace?
*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.
Sep 20, 2021 | HR Corner, Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
Sep 20, 2021 | HR Corner, Intercom
Kudos to NMC Grounds and Maintenance: What haven’t these folks done?! They have all gone above and beyond to help me out in getting the Art Department ready for the semester. Work order after work order every one of these individuals have made the transformation of our department possible. I can’t say thank you enough.
Kudos and a Shout out to the entire Audio Tech team! Brady, David, Patrick and Jonah are especially generous with the support they provide to Audio Tech students. They not only taught me the skills to be successful as an audio tech, but gave me the confidence to dive in to a significant project this summer, which turned out to be a huge success for everyone involved, and provided an important service to our local community. I am super grateful, and couldn’t have tackled the work without their help. I can’t wait to see what this semester has in store for Audio Tech!
Kudos to John Biolchini: Outstanding lecture in MDK 431 (ECDIS)
Kudos to Kerry McPherson: Kerry took the time to call us after her shift (we’re closed during her normal working hours) to let us know about a package that was left in the old library space in the Osterlin building. This type of care is typical of what we saw from Kerry when we were under her custodial care at Osterlin – always so thoughtful and considerate!
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!
Sep 20, 2021 | HR Corner, Intercom
Instructional Technology Specialist Justin Guillard has been promoted to Client Systems Administrator.
Sep 20, 2021 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Congrats to Social Sciences office manager Cindy Duby who finished tenth in her age group at the Half-Ironman World Championships Saturday in Utah. Duby finished the 1.2 mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run in a total time of 5 hours, 49 minutes, 43 seconds. Department chair Sean Ruane says Duby’s IM performance is only equaled by her performance on campus. The 20-plus year NMC employee is adept at shifting priorities, staying positive and focused on problem-solving, even when working remotely.
“As Cindy states in her own words, ‘I believe staying healthy makes me a better employee, and is essential for the mind & body to better handle the demands of a busy work environment,’” Ruane said.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Sep 20, 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 students to receive fourth round of federal COVID funds
TV 9 & 10 News, September 15 (more…)
Sep 19, 2021 | Intercom
Sep 16, 2021 | Intercom, Student Events
Join us at the Hagerty Center on NMC’s Great Lakes Campus Thursday, Oct. 28 from 7:30–9:30 a.m. for a free community discussion on healthy aging in northern Michigan. Panelists from across the community will share information on local resources, why healthy aging is important for our community and how to start planning.
This is great for students interested in healthcare, individuals who have aging family members or those wanting to be prepared for the future.
Sep 16, 2021 | Intercom
Keep up with what’s happening at NMC by signing up for NMC Now, an email newsletter highlighting NMC success stories, upcoming events, and news articles about the college! New issues are sent out every other week during the fall and spring semesters, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Recent issues have included the story of Afghan alumnus Edris Fana, whose parents were unable to attend his wedding following the Taliban’s takeover of his home country, and NMC’s search for its first-ever vice president of strategic initiatives.
Sep 15, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC students received $3 million in American Rescue Plan funds this month, bringing the total amount of federal COVID-19 relief funds the college has distributed to students to $5.2 million since April 2020.
NMC has prioritized rapid disbursement of four rounds of COVID funds intended for students, as well as supplemented them with dollars raised by the NMC Foundation. In 2020, NMC distributed more than $1 million in federal funds to 705 students, who received an average award of $1,500 each.
In February of this year, students received another $1 million earmarked by Congress for direct student aid. More than 900 students received an average of $964 each. Awards were based on demonstrated financial need and enrollment status.
In June, another $550,000 went to 1,000 students registered for summer semester. Average awards from the September disbursement were more than $1,000 each to 3,060 students, who received notification Sept. 10. Funds go out this week.
“As the pandemic persists, so do our students’ challenges,” NMC President Nick Nissley said. “We’re pleased to be able to efficiently steward these taxpayer dollars and distribute them to students who have persevered toward their goals through 18 months.”
While the COVID relief dollars are extraordinary, NMC champions affordability as a key element of college access. Among the ways the college regularly strives to help students pay for their education:
- Participation in federal student aid financial aid programs, the keystone for all student aid. In August NMC was approved for a six-year recertification. This enables the college to receive dollars like the COVID-19 funds, as well as participate in the statewide Michigan Reconnect program, which offers free in-district tuition to Michigan residents over age 25 who do not already have a college degree.
“This is one of those, ‘it takes a village’ things. Everyone at NMC contributes to the institutional eligibility,” said Linda Berlin, director of financial aid.
- Awarding more than $1 million in student scholarships annually through the NMC Foundation. This year alone five new scholarships have been created in academic areas ranging from nursing to accounting. A scholarship dinner to benefit construction trade programs will be held Oct. 7. New scholarships with residential criteria are also available to residents of Grand Traverse County, Leelanau County, and Mancelona.
- Innovations such as an open educational resources filter for the course schedule, which allows students to search for courses that only require free or low-cost textbooks. (There are 188 for spring 2022 semester.)
- Services such as the NMC Food Pantry. Usage of the free service for the 2020-21 academic year was the highest ever, with 1,232 people served. The average of 102.6 people per month served was up 17 percent from the 2019-20 academic year.
Release date: September 15, 2021
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
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
