I have some good news to share about funding for the college, and it’s the result of a lot of careful work behind the scenes over the past couple of years.
Over that time, we took a close look at whether Northwestern Michigan College qualified for the federal Employee Retention Credit, a relief program tied to organizations that kept employees on payroll during the very disruptive time of the COVID pandemic. Based on our financials in 2021, we did qualify, and we completed the detailed process required to claim the credit, filing our request in early 2024.
I’m pleased to share that we have now secured approximately $9 million in ERC funds, including interest.
This did not happen automatically. It required detailed financial analysis, persistence, and follow-through over an extended period of time. I want to recognize former trustee Chris Bott for encouraging us to take a closer look at our eligibility, and Vice President of Finance & Administration Troy Kierczynski for leading the work to see it through. We also appreciated the assistance from Congressman Bergman’s office along the way.
Just as importantly, this reflects how this college showed up during the pandemic. We made a deliberate decision to retain our full-time employees and continue serving students. That took commitment across the college, and it is part of what made this credit possible. Thank you for that.
These funds will help us move forward on priorities already identified through our strategic plan and campus master plan, including student-facing spaces, campus infrastructure, and long-term improvements that support our mission. At the same time, they represent one part of a much larger financial picture, and the work in front of us remains significant.
This is also a reminder that business as usual is not enough. We have to keep looking for opportunities, doing the work to pursue them, and following through when they align with our mission. That is what revenue diversification looks like in practice, and it takes effort across the institution to make it happen.
The process itself took time, and there was uncertainty around timing and final approval. We made a deliberate decision to wait to communicate broadly until funds were received and confirmed, so that we could share clear and accurate information.
We will continue to be thoughtful in how these funds are used and ensure they are aligned with the priorities we have already set together. I must emphasize, such one-time funds will not be used to support annual operating budget needs. But, they can and will be used to support construction/capital budget needs.
I’m grateful for the work happening across this college every day. This is a good example of how steady, disciplined effort over time can create real opportunity for our students and our community.
Nick
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Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College | 231.995.1010
TRAVERSE CITY — Media is invited to cover the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center’s “topping off” celebration from 9–11 a.m. Friday, April 24 at the Discovery Pier parking lot, 13271 S. West Bay Shore Drive (bay side of M-22).
A topping off celebration is a-time honored construction tradition, marking the placement of the building’s final structural beam. It is a milestone in the Center’s construction, which began in September 2025 and is on track for completion in spring 2027.
The $29.1 million project is a collaborative effort of Discovery Pier, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse Connect, Michigan Technological University and 20Fathoms. From 9–10 a.m. these community partners and donors will sign the beam. At 10 a.m. the beam will be craned into place at the construction site across the street.
The 38,000 square foot facility is a landmark project establishing northern Michigan as the epicenter of water innovation and a globally relevant hub for the blue economy.
By co-locating working pier space, advanced laboratories and business incubation under one roof, the Center will serve as the home for water technology and marine mobility, where ideas become solutions, technologies become ventures and opportunities become careers.
The project has already secured more than $28 million in commitments from federal, state and private funders, with fundraising ongoing for equipment and the public exhibit space. Once complete, the Center is expected to draw national and international tenants, create high-wage jobs and generate research with global applications.
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-discrimination
TRAVERSE CITY — Threecommittees of Northwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees will meet this week in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on NMC’s Front Street Campus, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City, Mich.
Building & Site Committee: 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, Room 08 (Lower Level)
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Release date: April 20, 2026
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
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.
Crucial Conversations for Accountability is a two-day course that is strongly recommended for all supervisors, academic chairs and program coordinators, but all regular employees are welcome with supervisor approval. While Crucial Conversations for Accountability may sound like a “gotcha” approach, it is exactly the opposite. The training provides practical tools grounded in mutual respect, active listening and collaborative problem-solving. During this two-day training, learn how to have difficult conversations in a way that solves problems while improving relationships. Attendance is required both days for course completion.
Dates/times
Friday, May 15 AND Friday, May 22, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (on campus)
NMC will host a mobile food pantry on Monday, April 20 from 3–5 p.m. in the Maple Lot on the Front Street campus. We have 3,505 pounds of goods including instant mashed potatoes, dried beans, raisins, apples (bulk), eggs, cutie tangerines, frozen zucchini and celery.
We ask that recipients queue up in the car line in a counter-clockwise circle around the edge of the parking lot. Please do not block the main access roads, be aware of other students using the parking spaces and watch for children being picked up at the Oleson Learning Center adjacent to the Maple Lot.
This program is designed for NMC students and is open to anyone in the community who is in need. Interested in volunteering? Email Cathy Warner at cwarner@nmc.edu.
NMC is participating in Denim Day a week early on April 22. Everyone is encouraged to wear denim that day if you are able to as a way to show support for survivors during sexual assault awareness month. To learn more about Denim Day and its origins please visit denimday.org.
These colleagues have moved on to a new chapter in their lives. We wish them the very best as they navigate a new adventure, and we thank them for their time and dedication to NMC!
Magnus Mannor, supplemental employee – Food Service, Back of House
Jenifer Taylor – Facilities Project Manager
Jonah Villanueva, supplemental employee – Banquet Server, Hagerty Center
Zelda Wagner, student employee – Writing Center Teaching Assistant
Northwestern Michigan College announces its 5th Annual Learning Symposium, scheduled to take place from April 23 to May 2. This event, sponsored by the Experiential Learning Institute, will showcase the diverse ways NMC students and faculty engage in high-impact teaching and learning.
The Learning Symposium will feature a variety of student and faculty artifacts, experiences and scholarship. Attendees can expect to see oral and poster presentations on research and community engagement projects, academic courses, service learning experiences, and community partnerships. The learning symposium highlights experiential learning and other high-impact practices in and/or out of the classroom.
Student’s in Cathy Warner’s ENG 111 class have spent the semester researching ways to improve facilities, programming and resources in the community and at the college. Topics range from how NMC can create a universal free meal plan for all students, to environmentally friendly alternatives to rock salt in the winter months. View the full list of presenters
NMC & GVSU Student Science Symposium presentations
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 106/107
April 27–May 2
Displays and Artifacts Timothy J Nelson Innovation Center lobby and hallways
April 28
Reflective Table Talks
Noon–1 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center hallways This is an informal session where students and staff will share about their projects and events at tables in the hallways
Student’s in Cathy Warner’s ENG 111 class have spent the semester researching ways to improve facilities, programming and resources in the community and at the college. Topics range from how NMC can create a universal free meal plan for all students, to environmentally friendly alternatives to rock salt in the winter months. View the full list of presenters
April 29
Brandon Everest’s SOC 201 student presentations
1–2:30 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center 104/105
Kristy McDonald’s BUS 231 NMC Hero Race student presentation
3–4:10 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center 106/107
April 30
Becca Richardson’s MTH 120 student poster presentations
1–1:45 p.m.
Health & Science Building atrium next to the bookstore
Charles Macphee’s EGY 105 student presentation
6–9 p.m.
Aero Park Laboratories, room 222
May 1
nEXt Endorsement student capstone presentations
2:30–5:10 p.m.
Janis Room, Dennos Museum Center
Honors Convocation
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Milliken Auditorium, Dennos Museum Center
We are looking forward to celebrating all of our wonderful colleagues at our You Made it Possible on May 13. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the following employees who have reached milestone anniversaries:
5 Years
Christa Abdul-Karim – EES Program Coordinator
Kevin Avery – Adjunct English Instructor
Skylar Berry – Financial Aid Specialist
Justin Casey – Lead Flight Instructor
Timothy Hudson – Adjunct Sociology Instructor
Tyler King – Adjunct Flight Instructor
Kenneth Klumpp – Technical Instructor
Michael Kudirka – Adjunct Applied Music Instructor
Christine Mac – Math & Science Instructor
Randy Melick – Humanities Instructor
Jim Patterson – Director of Financial Aid
Uriah Petersen – Adjunct Construction Technology Instructor
At the March 23 meeting of the Board of Trustees, Jason Slade presented a summary of Strategy 1: Future-Focused Education:
Objective 1: AI Integration The college aims to embed responsible and effective Artificial Intelligence (AI) use across teaching, learning, and operations to improve student outcomes and workforce readiness.
Success Indicators: Faculty and staff will receive training to add ethical AI enhancements to curriculum, while students will develop digital skills required for 4-year transfer institutions. NMC will adapt to meet the needs of regional employers
Year 1 Focus: Identify “AI navigators” and develop a departmental AI decision-making framework covering ethics, cost, and impact. Identify employer and transfer institution needs and expectations.
Objective 2: Experiential Learning & Durable Skills This objective focuses on integrating work-based learning and “durable skills” (soft skills) across all programs to enhance employability.
Success Indicators: Align curriculum with priority skills identified by regional employers and expand the experiential learning endorsement (nEXt). Create opportunities to provide career resources, micro internships, and pathways to apprenticeship credentials.
Year 1 Focus: Identify programs lacking experiential activities and roll out durable skills language into a new faculty-led advising model. Identify opportunities and funding mechanisms for additional work-based projects.
Objective 3: Distinguished Programs NMC intends to invest in and innovate “distinguished programs” that attract students from outside the immediate region.
Success Indicators: Increase visibility and stature for Aviation, Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), Great Lakes Culinary Institute, Maritime Academy, and the Water Studies Institute (GLWSI). Leverage the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center. Develop advanced certifications for UAS courses.
Year 1 Focus: Develop a comprehensive UAS strategy. Align GLWSI and FRIC for academic and professional blue tech training. Full utilization of GLMA’s Robinson Bay tug.
Objective 4: Support for At-Risk Students The college will use a data-driven approach to support students in courses with high DFW (D, F, or withdrawal) rates.
Success Indicators: Scale the CollegeEdge preparedness program and implement coordinated early interventions in gateway courses to improve outcomes. Increase success and retention rates for at-risk students.
Year 1 Focus: Define “at-risk.” Improve workflows. Create an early alert process. Establish sustainable funding for CollegeEdge.
A dancer in a past 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 2026 graduates from 1–4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, on NMC’s Front Street campus. This annual event is open to the public and celebrates vibrant and culturally significant Native American tribes of our region. Four 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 Cherry lots. A campus map is available at nmc.edu/maps.
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-discrimination
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.
To the Business 231 students organizing the NMC Hero Race to benefit College for Kids scholarships this coming Saturday, April 18. More than 220 runners are registered for 1 mile, 5K and 10K races. The event also includes a Friday evening pasta dinner and family fun after the race. Register and find out more here.
Kudos to Nick Gates and Sharon Angel! Thank you so much to Nick Gates and Sharon Angel for their above-and-beyond efforts cleaning the vent hood in the Parsons-Stulen Makerspace! It was a large, messy job; their efforts made all the difference, making a presentable environment in this public space. Amazing!
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!
Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. Please encourage your colleagues by