Cyber Minute: Public Wi-Fi and the lakeshore trap
Working remotely from a local coffee shop this summer? Public Wi-Fi is rarely secure. Connect to the college’s VPN before logging into Canva, grading systems, or MyNMC.
Explore History Day volunteers sought
Saturday, July 25 is Explore History Day, NMC’s second signature 75th anniversary event. The work group is looking for a few good volunteers! Opportunities are:
- 9–10:30 a.m.: Help set up and greet guests
- 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.: Staff a swag and selfie station
- 2–3 p.m. Help take down/clean up
If you can share a couple hours of your time, please email Cari Noga at cnoga@nmc.edu, or text (231) 392-1800. High school students or scouts looking for service hours are welcome.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Kudos!
Kudos to Garrett Croon and Security! Super Kudos to Garret Croon and the IT Security Team for security for reserving/enforcing our parking lot for our employees during the Cherry Festival! A wonderful perk for employees and not an easy job for our Security Team.
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!
Celebrating new chapters
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!
- Lil Anderson – Hagerty Center Events Coordinator
- Cherline Barnum, supplemental employee – Food Service Back of House
- Nikolas Burkhart – Adjunct – Art
- Emily Fitzpatrick, supplemental employee – Banquet Cook – Hagerty Center
- Alaina Frank, supplemental employee – Food Service Front of House
- Madeline Mcchesney, student employee – Lobdell’s Kitchen & Dining Room
- Rojan Meno, supplemental employee – Food Service Back of House
- Benjamin Moore, supplemental employee – Food Service Back of House
- Jack Shiner, supplemental employee – Food Service Front of House
Welcome our newest hires!
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
- Austin Corbin, supplemental employee – Enrollment Services Assistant
- Brandon Thompson, supplemental employee – Food Service Back of House
- Austin Dietel, student employee – Aviation Line Crew
- Dakota Mummey, student employee – Enrollment Services Office Assistant
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!
Master the Pasta-bilities (for Adult & Child 6+)
Flour will fly and the fun will begin as you dive into the art of making pasta completely from scratch! You will mix, knead, roll and shape your dough using simple ingredients and only your two hands-just like Italian chefs have done for generations. Read more about Master the Pasta-bilities.
Saturday, July 11; 1–3 p.m.
Tuition Waiver Price: $46 for two people (public price $149)
Composting 101: Food Scraps, Yard Waste & Wood – Oh My!
Do you wish your trash bins weren’t so full of wet, stinky stuff? Learn about the processes and the magnificent organisms that turn your trash into valuable soil amendments! We’ll cover the basics about what materials can go into different composting systems, how to launch a small system in your own backyard, and the benefits that come from compost. Read more about Composting 101.
Tuesday, July 21; 3–5 p.m.
Tuition Waiver Price: $29 per person (public price $75)
Date Night: The Full Plate
New! Treat yourself to a night of flavor and fun! Dive into the joy of cooking by preparing a Full Plate: a vibrant appetizer, a savory entrée, and a luscious dessert. Explore new ingredients, sharpen your kitchen skills, and enjoy the reward of eating every course you create. Read more about Date Night: The Full Plate.
Tuesday, August 4; 6–9 p.m.
Tuition Waiver Price: $62 for two people (public price $199)
Data Wranglers – July 2026
Hello Data Wranglers,
Happy July! As we move through the summer months, this is a great time to pause, review, and prepare for the data, reporting, assessment, and planning work that will support the year ahead.
Data Wranglers
Insights. Impact. Student Success.
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What to Review This Month
July is a good time to check in on dashboards, reports, and lingering data questions before the fall semester gets busy.
A few helpful reminders:
- Ensure that you are connected to VPN
- Review dashboard access and make sure the right people can see the data they need.
- Check for upcoming reporting, planning, or assessment deadlines.
- Identify data questions early so there is time to clarify definitions, sources, and next steps.
- Use existing dashboards when possible before requesting a new report.
- When sharing data, include important context such as filters, timeframe, population, and source.
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Data Tip: Start With the Question
Before opening a dashboard or requesting a report, start with the decision you are trying to make.
Ask yourself:
- What are we trying to understand?
- What decision will this information support?
- Who needs to use the information?
- What action might we take based on what we learn?
Starting with the question helps make data more meaningful and useful. It also helps ensure we are not just collecting information, but using it to support planning, improvement, and student success.
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Dashboard Reminder
Filters matter.
A small change in a dashboard filter can significantly change what the data shows. Before sharing a dashboard screenshot, summary, or takeaway, double-check the selected term, student group, program, course format, location, or other filters.
Whenever possible, include the filter settings with your summary so others can understand exactly what the data represents.
Looking Ahead
As fall approaches, data will continue to play an important role in enrollment conversations, student success work, assessment, planning, and continuous improvement.
Thank you for the work you do to ask good questions, support thoughtful decisions, and help strengthen NMC’s culture of evidence.
Have a great July!
ORPE
Meijer Festival of Races to impact Front Street Campus access and parking July 11
The Meijer Festival of Races will be held on Saturday, July 11, beginning at approximately 5:30 a.m. Access to College Drive and multiple parking lots will be restricted. The restrictions will conclude at around 9 a.m. Please be patient when traveling to campus during these times.
AVIRT (Active Violence Immediate Response Training)
When acts of violence occur, you can’t always wait for EMS to arrive. AVIRT Training was developed with law enforcement and medical experts to empower everyone to become an immediate responder. This course is designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to respond effectively to active violence and emergency situations. AVIRT teaches both active shooter response skills and emergency bleeding techniques. Certification period: 2 years.
Tuesday, October 20
3–5 p.m.
Osterlin Building, room 205
Register through NeoEd Learn using these instructions. For questions, contact Garrett Croon at gcroon@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1747.
NMC hosts Explore History Day
TRAVERSE CITY — Explore NMC’s 75 years of history Saturday, July 25, a day packed full of free activities from the opening of the 2001 college time capsule to a self-guided, interactive campus tour to a live band concert.
Explore History Day begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 25 and runs all day with four distinct events on NMC’s Front Street campus. Come for one or stay for all four. Attendance is free with lunch available to purchase. This event is for you whether you’re an alumnus with cherished memories, a proud community member, a newcomer interested in discovering heritage or a future student.
EVENT SCHEDULE:
10–11:30 A.M. | History Showcase
Milliken Auditorium
Kick off the day watching the premiere of NMC’s anniversary history video, an engaging panel discussion and the opening of the college’s 50th anniversary time capsule, closed during that 2001 celebration. You’ll also have an opportunity to contribute to the centennial time capsule, to be opened in 2051.
11 A.M.–2 P.M. | History Walk — Family Friendly
Front Street Campus
Explore at your own pace with a self-guided tour and activities across seven stops that highlight NMC’s historic moments.
11:30 A.M.– 1:30 P.M. | Lunch
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
Enjoy a picnic lunch from the Hawk Owl Café ($12 adults, $8 children) or visit the NMC Library upstairs.
7– 8:30 P.M. | 75th Anniversary Concert
Milliken Auditorium
Celebrate the evening with live performances from NMC’s Concert Band and Jazz Band.
Don’t miss this opportunity to discover NMC’s defining moments. While registration is not required, letting us know you are coming helps us plan for a great day. Visit nmc.edu/75 for more information.
Release date:
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 Executive Committee meeting
The NMC Board of Trustees Executive Committee will meet Tuesday, July 14 at 2 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center rooms 104-105. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Connecting with our community at the Cherry Festival
Thanks to all those helping to showcase NMC to the community during the 100th National Cherry Festival this week. Admissions staff is hosting a tent at the main festival entrance all week long. The office of Alumni Relations will sponsor a float in Saturday’s Grand Royale Parade. Volunteer marchers will be led by President Nick Nissley and his wife, Elise Ballenger.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Media mentions for July 6, 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.
Multiple IT openings in Traverse City
News Break, July 3
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Health Occupations Open House
Curious about a future in healthcare? Join representatives from NMC’s health occupations programs for a hot dog cookout on Monday, July 13. Drop in anytime from 4–6 p.m. to explore our facilities and get your questions answered or join the program’s guided tour at 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Health & Science Building.
Monday, July 13, 2026
4–6 p.m.
Health & Science Building
Front Street Campus (#6 on the Front Street Campus Map)
For questions, email healthoccupations@nmc.edu or call (231) 995-1235.
CPR-AED training
Learn how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) to respond to sudden cardiac arrest. This is a non-certification training that will provide attendees with hands-on learning opportunities.
Thursday, September 10
4–5 p.m.
Osterlin Building, room 205 (upstairs)
Thursday, November 5
4–5 p.m.
Osterlin Building, room 205 (upstairs)
Register through NeoEd Learn using these instructions. For questions, contact Garrett Croon at gcroon@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1747.
New books for July 2026
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
Cyber Minute: The out of office vulnerability
Keep your out of office reply generic. Don’t share where you’re traveling or who’s covering specific duties—scammers use that info to trick your colleagues into buying gift cards or wiring money.
Employee Wellness: Book swap (back by popular demand!)
On Thursday, July 16 at 8:30 a.m. NMC’s Employee Wellness program is hosting another book swap in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 203 (the fireside room in NMC’s library).
Think “Blind Date with a Book” meets the gift-stealing fun of White Elephant! Here’s how it works: Just bring a wrapped book (gently used is best). When you arrive, you’ll fill out a label with a few clues: Genre, Fiction/Non-Fiction and 3 words to describe it. Then, the unwrapping (and stealing) begins!
Plus, indulge in a continental breakfast to make your morning even sweeter.