1,066 students earn spring Dean’s List distinction
Congratulations to the 1,066 students who made the Dean’s List for the spring 2026 semester, earning a grade point average of 3.5 or above out of a possible 4.0 while taking five or more credits.
Media mentions for May 18, 2026
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.
Students research for capstone project at National Marine Sanctuary
Alpena News, May 18
You Made it Possible 2026
A huge thank you to the Human Resources and Employee Recognition teams for putting on Wednesday’s wonderful You Made it Possible celebration. The event gave us a chance to come together as a college and celebrate all of our employees, including those earning excellence and service awards and our retirees. The warmth and community spirit felt throughout the event is a direct reflection of the care and hard work you put into supporting and recognizing NMC’s faculty and staff.
Walk with NMC in the National Cherry Festival parade
Show your NMC spirit and join us in the 100th Annual Cherry Royale Parade on Saturday, July 11! Employees, families and kids are all invited to walk with the college in this beloved community tradition. We’ll have fun with the 75th anniversary themed float; just bring your enthusiasm and pride!
To participate, learn more and provide your shirt size, contact Zach Whitaker, Manager of Alumni Relations, at zwhitaker@nmc.edu.
Welcome our newest hires!
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
- Claire Wood, supplemental employee – Student Life Counseling Intern
- Forrester Neff, student employee – Aviation Line Crew
- Andrea Domres, supplemental employee – Residence Life
- Maryn Hulett – T/S State of Michigan Culinary Intern
IAF launches Giles Press Freedom Lecture
TRAVERSE CITY — The International Affairs Forum (IAF) at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) announces the launch of the Giles Press Freedom Lecture, a new annual program championing integrity in journalism and the essential role of a free press in democratic society. The lecture is made possible through a generous legacy gift from the late Robert “Bob” Giles and Nancy Giles, whose lives and work reflected a deep commitment to rigorous, ethical journalism and a compassionate worldview steeped in curiosity.
“Our parents always had a wide-angle lens of the world,” shared Megan Giles Cooney, daughter of Bob and Nancy. “Each of us still carries that sense of curiosity and respect for other cultures that our parents embedded in us. When our father led the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard, that same expansive worldview found its fullest expression. He invested in expanding opportunities for international fellows, recognizing that a truly global program required a diversity of voices. Our mother embraced that mission with characteristic warmth, helping trailing spouses and children settle into their year in Cambridge. Growing that international dimension of the Nieman Program brought them both tremendous joy — and kept their eyes, and ours, wide open to the world.”
The inaugural IAF event on May 28, 2026, generally timed to commemorate United Nations World Press Freedom Day, will feature acclaimed journalist Deborah Amos and serve as a tribute to the Giles’ enduring impact on journalism and public life.
“Bob and Nancy Giles believed deeply in the power of education to enlighten, connect, and strengthen communities,” said Alexander Tank, Director of the International Affairs Forum at NMC. “This annual lecture honors their legacy through thoughtful, fact-based dialogue at a time when journalism practice and democratic integrity are being challenged.”
Bob Giles, who served on the IAF Advisory Board and the Editorial Board of the Traverse City Record-Eagle, was an impactful figure in American journalism. As curator of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University for 15 years, he helped shape generations of journalists and championed the highest standards of reporting and press freedom. His earlier leadership as editor and publisher of the Detroit News earned national recognition for journalistic excellence via his 2nd Pulitzer Prize. Giles’ first Pulitzer was awarded for his team coverage of the Kent State University shootings in 1970.
Nancy Giles, a psychologist and advocate for mental health and education, was an equally vital partner in this work, known for her intellectual engagement, compassion, and steadfast support of journalism’s public mission. Together, their legacy reflects a shared belief in truth, accountability, and an informed civic life.
About the event & speaker
Veteran international correspondent Deborah Amos brings decades of reporting from global conflict zones to northern Michigan for this inaugural lecture. A longtime voice on National Public Radio, Amos has covered the Middle East, migration, and the human consequences of war with depth and clarity. Amos’ work exemplifies the courage, rigor, and integrity at the heart of the Giles Press Freedom Lecture. In conversation, Amos will explore the evolving challenges facing journalists today—from disinformation and declining trust to increasing threats against press freedom worldwide.
Amos will be in conversation with Elizabeth Jensen, Knight-Wallace Great Lakes News Fellow 2025-’26. Jensen is the co-chair of Press Forward Northern Michigan, an organization working to support local journalism in the region. A longtime media beat reporter, Jensen is an expert on U.S. public media and served as NPR’s fifth public editor/ombudsman. In that role, she represented the interests of the public in the newsroom, and created a series of live events where NPR journalists discussed their newsgathering processes and ethical decisions.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. reception | 7 p.m. hybrid event
Location: Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City
Format: In person with online livestream available.
Tickets: $15 advance, $20 at the door, $10 livestream. Open to the public. Free for students and educators. Tickets & details at tciaf.com
Sponsors & Support
International Affairs Forum programming at Northwestern Michigan College is supported by gifts from community members and sponsors. The Giles Press Freedom Lecture is made possible through the generosity of the Giles family and supporters who believe in the vital role of journalism in sustaining democracy. IAF thanks the following for their support of its 32nd season:
Central Michigan University | IAF Gold Sponsor
Grand Traverse Pie Company | IAF Gold Sponsor
Thompson Retractor | IAF Gold Sponsor
IAF Members | Across northern Michigan & across the country
Learn more about event sponsorship and opportunities to support here: tciaf.com/support
Release date: May 7. 2026
For more information:
Alexander Tank
Director, International Affairs Forum at Northwestern Michigan College
atank@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1844
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-discriminationAlumni Night at the Pit Spitters
Join fellow students, employees and alumni on Friday, June 5 for Alumni Night at the Traverse City Pit Spitters.
Your registration secures TWO tickets (you + a guest) in our exclusive, designated alumni area. The Finale: Stick around after the final out for spectacular Firework Friday!
Wear your NMC swag and be ready to have some FUN! Rumor has it…Swoop might be joining us in the stands! Keep your eyes peeled and your cameras ready—you might just snag a selfie with our favorite hawk owl.
Please RSVP by Thursday, May 21 to secure your ticket.
Extended Education Opportunities
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 exclusive employee passes (remember, you must be logged into your student account to view) and browse classes for you and yours this spring!
Painting Landscapes in Watercolor
We have beautiful landscapes all around us, so perhaps you have wanted to try capturing them using watercolor paints. Learn how to create the 3D effect of landscapes in a 2D painting using perspective techniques. Read more about Painting Landscapes in Watercolor.
2 sessions; Wednesday & Thursday, June 17 & 18; 6–8:30 p.m.
Tuition waiver price: $42 per person (Public price: $125)
Downrigger Fishing: Rig Your Boat for Results
Learn how to rig your boat for big lake fishing success. If you are new to downrigger fishing, or simply want to learn more about trolling equipment, system designs, rig set ups and latest techniques, this is for you. Read more about Downrigger Fishing: Rig Your Boat for Results.
Sunday, May 31; 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Tuition waiver price: $27 per person (Public price: $99)
Date Night: Under the Tuscan Spoon
New! Trade the daily grind for the rolling hills of Central Italy in this flavorful celebration of rustic tradition. Explore the heart of cucina povera, where high-quality, simple ingredients are transformed into sophisticated feasts. Read more about Date Night: Under the Tuscan Spoon.
Tuesday, July 14; 6–9 p.m.
Tuition waiver price: $70 for two people (Public price: $199)
Cost includes a glass of wine or NA beverage for each
NMC names 2025-26 Excellence award winners
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College has recognized several employees for excellence in the 2025-26 academic year:
Faculty excellence award winners are chosen by a student selection committee. Criteria includes teaching excellence, rapport with students, innovation in the classroom and a sense of dedication.
Kristen Salathiel (download high-resolution photo)Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award: Kristen Salathiel, Communications. Student nominators said of Salathiel, an who began teaching at NMC as an adjunct in 2002 and moved to full-time faculty in 2009.
- “The two semesters I had her she was always wanting to help the class learn and wanted to help struggling students to get their work done. She is very thoughtful, patient, and caring to all of her students. She gave very thorough instructions in class, and came up with fun group activities to get everyone in the class engaged and talking to each other.”
- “She makes sure that everyone feels included in class discussions and promotes group work. This helps the students in the class not only connect with one another, but also connect with the class content. Additionally, even years after having taken her class, she goes out of her way to ask me how I’m doing when she sees me outside of the classroom and congratulates me on awards/performance at events.”
Initiated by a contribution from longtime NMC benefactors Harold and Imogene Wise in 1970, the award was first made to a full-time faculty member in 1971.
Daniel Grim (download high-resolution photo)Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award: Daniel Grim, Communications. Student nominators said of Grim, who has taught two years at NMC:
- “Professor Grim made everything relevant and interesting. He spoke authentically and had real-world examples and stories that were compelling. He listened to the experiences and ideas of others and he would take it a step further adding an insight onto it that stayed with me all semester long. I always looked forward to coming to his class and I learned so much!”
- “He creates a sense of community by encouraging open discussions where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts. He takes time to respond to students’ ideas and builds conversations with them, which makes people feel heard and included. He’s also very patient with students, which is something I wish other professors could incorporate into their teaching methods.”
The Adjunct Excellence award was created in 1999 as a companion to the Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award. This is the first time both the full-time and adjunct faculty winners have been from the same department. See a full list of all past faculty and adjunct faculty excellence winners at nmc.edu/cie.
Criteria for the team and staff excellence awards includes commitment “above and beyond” the NMC mission, vision, and values.
NMC Grounds Team (download high-resolution photo)Team Excellence Award: Grounds Team – Dan Hoseit, Max McColl and Jeremy Maloney. Cited for stewardship, collaboration and excellence, Grounds’ duties include plowing campus parking lots and sidewalks. Despite being down one staff member and the challenges of a very snowy winter, including an unprecedented three consecutive snow days in March, they rose to the task and helped keep the college community safe. Their efforts earned them nominations from four different sources.
Marcus Bennett (download high-resolution photo)Staff Excellence Award: Marcus Bennett, Associate Dean of Campus Life. Bennett, who joined the college in 2011, epitomizes going above and beyond in his work. He and his family live in East Hall and he is available to students 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. He works both behind the scenes, one-on-one with students, and in the spotlight, organizing large public events like the annual fall Welcome Week, when students move into the dorms, and the recent 75th anniversary Student & Community Block party.
Release date: MAY 14, 2026
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
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-discriminationBoard of Trustees regular meeting
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, May 18 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.
Boardman/Ottaway River cleanup: Post-storm community day
Join FishPass and friends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, May 22 for a post-storm cleanup of the lower Boardman/Ottaway River, from FishPass to the mouth at West Grand Traverse Bay. Our community river was deeply affected by the historic flood last month — let’s give it some love.
Meet at 10 a.m. in Rotary Square for coffee, donuts and to pick up supplies. Participants will then head out to clean at their own pace. Post a picture of the event on Facebook, use the hashtag #CleanBoardman, and tag @fishpass to have a chance to win a Downtown Traverse City gift certificate!
This project is being funded by FishPass.
Anchor and Edge: Summary of Strategy 2
At the April 23 meeting of the Board of Trustees, Jason Slade presented a summary of Strategy 2: Enrollment and Student Success: Advance enrollment and student success by removing barriers and ensuring every learner experiences the coordinated support needed to persist and achieve their goals.
Objective 1: Integrate and strengthen a unified, data-informed enrollment ecosystem that aligns all student services, PRMC, and academic programs around shared priorities to ease the enrollment and success pathways and increase the college attendance rates with key local audiences (high school and adult learners) and select national audiences.
- Success Indicators: Increase the application to enrollment rates and the number of dual-enrolled students.
- Year 1 Focus: SWOT analysis of the “enrollment ecosystem. NMC website redevelopment. New digital marketing campaign aligned with website redesign. Feedback from dual-enrolled students and parents; based on feedback, begin refinement of enrollment ecosystem.
Objective 2: Build a coordinated communication and information system that ensures important details stay accurate, visible, and accessible throughout the student journey. Shared dashboards, portals, and consistent messaging will reduce confusion, strengthen follow-through, and improve decision-making across NMC.
- Success Indicators: Student awareness of key college journey deadlines and milestones. Student actions taken based on calls to action (on-time payment, registration, advising meetings, etc.).
- Year 1 Focus: Identify communication touchpoints across time for students from orientation through completion, assessing and mapping current communication. Define greatest pain points (poor process completions) in communication with students. Develop implementation plan for new student-facing dashboard.
Objective 3: Create a coordinated advising system that ensures every student chooses a clear path early and stays on track to complete it. Integrated advising touchpoints, career exploration, faculty collaboration, and technology tools will support informed decisions and continuous progress.
- Success Indicators: Advising engagement. Career decision rates.
- Year 1 Focus: Work with academic areas to determine advisor assignments of adjacent/pathway majors. All eligible faculty and staff complete Canvas course and practicum workshops. Create new advisor assignment process and schedule.
Objective 4: Expand learning options and clarify stackable pathways so every student, especially adult, rural, and part-time learners, can advance toward employment or further education.
- Success Indicators: Create new credit/noncredit “blended pathways.” Increase the number of students moving from noncredit training to an academic program.
- Year 1 Focus: Inventory of current credit/noncredit opportunities per strategic pathway, based on the Hot Jobs report, NOMIAC-identified clusters, and NMC strengths. NOMIAC will survey and leverage industry and community resource expertise to inform strategic blended pathways at NMC and throughout our 10-county region. Develop 1-2 blended pathways during year 1.
The full memo can be viewed here. Next up — Strategy 3 (May Board of Trustees meeting).
Bayshore Marathon to impact NMC campus access and parking May 22-23
The Bayshore Marathon will be held on Saturday, May 23, from approximately 5:45 a.m. until 4 p.m. This event begins and ends at Central High School and impacts NMC’s Campus including College Drive and multiple parking lots. The main entrance to NMC at College Drive and Front Street will close at approximately 5:45 a.m. that day and other entrances to campus will close shortly thereafter. Barricades will be set up to block parking lots along College Drive to prevent exiting vehicles for the safety of the runners.
The Cedar lot will close Friday afternoon, May 22, and barriers will be set up around the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center in preparation for the event.
Please be patient when traveling to campus during these times.
Board of Trustees Executive Committee meeting
The NMC Board of Trustees Executive Committee will meet Thursday, May 14 at 2 p.m. in Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center Room 104/105. The agenda is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Audio Technology Open House!
May 15, 2026, from 6–8 p.m.
Founders Hall, Front Street Campus (#8 on the Front Street Campus Map)
Curious about a future in Audio Technology? 🎧 Stop by Founders Hall anytime from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 15 to see where creativity meets cutting-edge sound.
Explore our studios, talk with instructors and get a feel for what you’ll learn in NMC’s Audio Technology program.
Media mentions for May 11, 2026
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.
(more…)
Global Cinema Series: Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine
Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine will screen at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17 in the Dutmers Theater as part of NMC’s Global Cinema Series.
Admission is FREE and is open to students, staff and the community, although seating is limited. Doors open and 5:30 p.m. and films begin at 6 p.m. in the Dutmers Theater at the Dennos Museum on NMC’s Front Street Campus.
External Funding Opportunity: Michigan Virtual EdTech Pitch Contest
The Michigan Virtual EdTech Pitch Contest and Innovation Bootcamp is built for Michigan educators, school leaders, parents, recent grads, education professionals and anyone connected to our education ecosystem who has an idea for a technology-driven solution and wants to take it further. The Bootcamp gives participants hands-on training in startup fundamentals, and the Pitch Contest awards over $22,000 in grant funding to help winners bring their ideas to life.
-
- Applications accepted May 1 through June 12
- Bootcamp: June 22–25 (live online, 8:00 a.m.–noon daily)
- Final Pitch Contest: July 23
- Over $22,000 in prizes, including $10,000 for first place
- Michigan educators can earn 20 SCECH credits through the Bootcamp
All the details — eligibility, how to apply, and program structure — are available at michiganvirtual.org/edtechcatalyst.
Please note: This is for idea-stage programming. The Conquer EdTech accelerator, focusing on growth and scale of already founded companies, will open for applications later this summer.