On the menu: Daily specials at the Hawk Owl Café

The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:40–6 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.

Monday, August 26

Lamb Gyros with lettuce, tomato, pickled red onion, feta, and tzatziki sauce served with pita & lemon rice

Falafel Gyros (V) with lettuce, tomato, pickled red onion, feta, and tzatziki sauce served with pita & lemon rice

Tuesday, August 27

Pine Palooza – Free Lunch!

Grilled Hot Dogs with chili sauce and cheddar served with chips & bottled water

BBQ Jackfruit (V) with brioche bun served with chips & bottled water

Wednesday, August 28

Spaghetti & Meatballs with marinara and parmesan served with garlic bread & broccoli

Roasted Vegetable & Lentil Spaghetti (V) with marinara and parmesan served with garlic bread & broccoli

Thursday, August 29

Potato Gnocchi with Italian sausage and alfredo sauce served with garlic crostini & green beans

Potato Gnocchi (V) with roasted veggies and alfredo sauce served with garlic crostini & green beans

Friday, August 30

H.O.C. Smashburger with cheese, bacon, and onion straws served with sweet potato fries & asparagus

H.O.C. Impossible Burger (V) with cheese, bacon, and onion straws served with sweet potato fries & asparagus

Kudos!

Kudos to Tony Sauerbrey. Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Traverse Connect hosted a Drones & E-Boat Demo Event at Elk Rapids Marina as part of an Advanced Aerial Mobility project grant from the state. Tony showcased NMC’s unique fleet of uncrewed aerial systems for attendees and answered questions from state and local officials regarding the capabilities and use cases for drone technology. Tony demonstrated a drone’s unique ability to collect water samples in shallow waterways where a boat or ROV could not navigate. In addition to this event, Tony will be working on a regional healthcare initiative to use drones for medical applications to improve patient service.

Kudos to Becca Richarson & Sarah Montgomery-Richards. Instructors Becca Richardson and Dr. Sarah Montgomery-Richards are the dynamic duo who have, once again, held two successful sessions of College Edge Summer ’24. Eighteen students in three cohorts were able to successfully navigate the hybrid intensive, gaining $500 scholarships for the completion. Richardson instructed math for all sessions while Montgomery-Richards instructed English for our adult learning program and college success for our math boot camp attendees. The willingness and dedication shown by these two instructors to navigate challenges, yet remain steadfast in the pursuit of delivering educational opportunities to these groups of students is commendable and did not go unnoticed.

Kudos to Katy Knight. For years, the behind-the-scenes person responsible for coordinating fun and engaging events for the student success coaching team is at it again, this time as Office Manager for Student Life. This summer, Katy Knight has been hard at work preparing for Fall 2024 Welcome Week events. For the first week of the semester, we will see students mingling with their instructors at “Popcorn & Professors,” Kayaking on Grand Traverse Bay, Bowling at Lucky Jack’s, and Going Nuts for Donuts, not to mention the biggest event of them all, attending “Pineplooza!” Events on campus are a great way to help students get connected to others and the community. If you are out at any or all of these events, be sure to give Katy a shout-out for all the work she does to help kick off our academic school year with excitement!

Kudos to Sharon Angel. Kudos to Sharon Angel for maintaining such a clean and pleasant environment at the Parsons-Stulen Building. She recently waxed the floors, and they are glowing!! Sharon gave extra attention to the vending area. In addition, the building, offices, and bathrooms are meticulously maintained year around. Thank you Sharon!

Kudos to the Hagerty Center Team. The whole Hagerty Center team always put so much into every event we host with them. The front of house sneak around behind the scenes to make sure beverages are always filled and plates are always cleared and are so efficient at what they do. The back of house team always prepares delicious food that’s worth raving about, their recent addition of breakfast sandwiches met a needed niche of a breakfast between continental and buffet. The bartending team serves with a welcoming smile. And last but certainly not least the supervising and coordinating team always make sure that there’s no details missed and that everything runs smoothly. Together they make quite the dream team and we truly appreciate the passion and commitment they put into every event we host with them.

Kudos to Hollianne McHugh. Hollianne took the lead and organized lab/storage space to accommodate an instructor. She pulled together all the instructors involved, and came up with a solution that works. All this just 3 days before the semester is to begin. Hollianne has been vital in the tech division. Along with teaching full time, she promotes our manufacturing programs, encourages students, works with instructors in all areas, and oversees the manufacturing lab. She took on a daunting task of organizing the lab and storage of equipment and supplies for easier access. Thank you Hollianne, you are appreciated!!


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!

  • Taylor Vadeboncoeur – Adjunct – Nursing
  • Danny Grim – Adjunct – English
  • April Hackert – Adjunct – Culinary Baking Arts
  • Elena Stavropoulos – Adjunct – Applied Music
  • Marissa Walton – Staff – Bookstore Assistant
  • Delaney Cook – Adjunct – CFI
  • Chris Buday – Adjunct – Construction Technology
  • Ethan Squires – Student – Writing Center Reader
  • Hal Papcun – Adjunct – Art
  • Nik Burkhart – Adjunct – Art
  • Cristina Pimenta – Supplemental – Reference Librarian
  • Joseph Flowers – Adjunct – Computer Information Technology
  • Jenaya Thoreson – Student – Writing Center Reader
  • Kevin Avery – Adjunct – English
  • Willow MacLaughlin – Adjunct – CFI
  • Valerie Marinello – Student – Writing Center Reader
  • Thursday Maurer – Student – Residence Hall Front Desk
  • Bella Sanchez – Student – Residence Hall Front Desk
  • Ashley Murray – Student – Residence Hall Front Desk
  • Kylie Nelson – Student – Residence Hall Front Desk
  • Kyran Robb – Student – Residence Hall Front Desk
  • Shae Bearss – Student – Residence Hall Front Desk
  • Charlotte Wyszynski – Student – Residence Hall Front Desk
  • Michael Nachazel – Adjunct – Surveying
  • Jeffrey Murray – Adjunct – Culinary Arts
  • Trevor Schick – Supplemental – GLMA Deck Crew AB
  • George Yaniga – Supplemental – GLMA Deck Mate
  • Michael Peterson – Adjunct – Culinary Arts

Welcome NMC students!

On this first day of classes, we wish success to the more than 3,100 students who are enrolled in nearly 5% more credit hours than last fall. Thanks to everyone who’s helped make Welcome Week 2024 memorable so far! If you’d like to volunteer, there’s still opportunities available. Sign up here.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

Fall 2024 Opening Conference Video

Thanks to everyone who joined us at the Hagerty Center for Monday’s Opening Conference, with the theme of “Growing Together: A Caring & Vibrant NMC for All.” Attendees were introduced to new employees and employees who have taken on new roles, met new Chief Advancement Officer Dino Hernandez, and heard updates on multiple NMC projects including the Aviation expansion, Brand Assessment & Strategy, Campus Master Plan and Freshwater Research Innovation Center. You can watch a recording of the conference here.

Mobile Food Pantry distributions start Sept. 9

3 p.m. – Grand Traverse County (Drive Thru), NMC Front Street Campus Maple Parking Lot, 1701 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686

Wondering how to stretch your budget this school year? Let NMC and Feeding America help! Free fresh foods, fruits, vegetables, and more are available to all students and their families through our grant funded Mobile Food Pantry program. The program will distribute goods twice monthly during the 2024–25 school year. ALL Students are able to use this program: there are no means tests or financial measures to participate.

The first mobile food pantry will be held on Monday, Sept. 9 from 3–5 p.m. Hop in the car line in the Maple Lot on the Front Street Campus and drive through the distribution loop. Food will be loaded into your trunk. All students and their families are encouraged to participate. Each recipient receives approximately 7–10 days of fresh fruit, produce, and other food stuffs on a first come, first serve basis.

No car? No problem! You’re welcome to “walk through” and receive goods in a carry-able way. Feel free to bring a backpack or other reusable bags!

As a college, we recognize that so many students live paycheck to paycheck. Our mobile food pantry is specifically designed for students to supplement income with fresh, healthy foods and free up limited funds to go towards other expenses.

Mobile food pantries at NMC are offered in conjunction with the NMC Foundation, grant funding from the Oleson Foundation, and a partnership with Feeding America West Michigan. Each pantry distribution brings up to 7,500 pounds of fresh food, supplying approximately 110 NMC students and their families with an infusion of $350–400 worth of food each month. For 2024–25, this program is expected to free up approximately $318,000 of value in the budgets of our students so that they can meet their other financial obligations.

The NMC Food Pantry offers a variety of programs and resources for NMC students, including a self-service “Hungry Owls” food pantry on campus, mobile pantries, Goodwill resource certificates, and seasonal grab-and-go fruit. Financial support and donations are appreciated and can be sent to the NMC Foundation with the designation “NMC Food Pantry”.

The NMC Pantry programs and Mobile Food Pantry will always need volunteers. Please contact Paul Kolak pkolak@nmc.edu to volunteer with the pantry program or Cathy Warner cwarner@nmc.edu to volunteer with the mobile food pantry program.

Media mentions for August 19, 2024

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: Parkinson’s disease and the environmentalist
Instructor Susan Odgers’ monthly column on living with disability, Record-Eagle, Aug. 18 (more…)

Upcoming Extended Education classes for employees

Fall Classes are now open for registration! 
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 upcoming classes! Place the class in your shopping cart in order to see the discount. Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.

Unlock the Secrets of Metalworking: Make Your Own Rain Chain
Thursday–Saturday, Oct. 3-5; 5–8 p.m. (Th-F) & 8 a.m.–Noon (Sa)
Employee Price: $75 per person (public price $299)
Dive into the captivating world of metalworking with our introductory course designed to ignite your imagination and hone your skills. Make your very own rain chain! Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate student, this 3-day workshop is your gateway into unraveling the mysteries of metal. No prior sculpture or metalworking experience is necessary – just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm, and let us guide you on an unforgettable journey of discovery and creation.

Functional Fitness (new time!)
14 classes; Tu/Th Sept 17–Oct 31; 4–4:45 p.m.
Employee Price: $22 (public price: $199)
Join IT guru and fitness fanatic Kyle Morrison for this end of the work day workout that blends flexibility, strength training, aerobics, posture improvement, and breathing techniques to increase overall fitness and enhance recovery. Participation in this class will be alongside others with similar goals, abilities and limitations – a personalized experience unique to each individual. Utilize a mix of boxing, kettlebells, and bodyweight exercises, ending with a total body stretch to promote recovery.

Soul Stirring Strength & Stretch
13 classes; Wednesdays Sept 11–Dec 11; 5:45–6:45 p.m.
Employee Price: $22 (public price: $175)
Enjoy an evening yoga practice without leaving campus! Designed to empower you from the inside out, this class encompasses everything from asana (postures), vinyasa (transition flows), and pranayama (breath work), coupled with additional elements of functional strength and mobility, concluding with stretching.

 

Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.
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Congrats to first ADN to BSN nursing grads!

Congratulations to the first 12 graduates of a new, fast-track bachelor’s of science in nursing program offered as a partnership between NMC and Davenport University! A pinning ceremony will be held tonight, August 19, to honor the graduates, 11 of whom are also NMC alumni. They  are among the first in Michigan to graduate and find employment since 2022 legislation that established a BSN path for community colleges.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

Parking enforcement starts Aug. 24

The Traverse City Parking Patrol will begin issuing warnings at NMC on Saturday, Aug. 24 and start issuing citations for parking violations on Tuesday, Sept. 3. All NMC students and employees must have their 2024–2025 permits displayed then. If you haven’t received your permit, they’re available at the Campus Safety & Security office in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center (#9 on the Front Street Campus map) and the Enrollment Services office on the main level of the Tanis Building (#5 on the Front Street Campus map).

The Traverse City Police Department has provided the following information on how to avoid parking tickets on campus by properly displaying your parking permit:

  • Place your permit in the bottom left-hand corner of your windshield.
  • Place your permit right side up. An upside-down permit will be considered invalid.
  • Hang tags must be on the rear view mirror.
  • Be sure that the expiration date on your permit can be seen from the outside of your vehicle. (Some vehicles have a tint on the edges of their windshield, so be sure your permit is not behind a tint, as it will make it difficult to see from the outside.) When it doubt, get out of your vehicle and be sure you can see the entire permit from the outside.

If you do get a ticket, payment can be made at the red drop-off payment box at the east end of the Cedar lot in front of the Health & Science Building on main campus. You can also mail the fine in to the city, or pay at the parking services office in the public parking garage at 303 E. State St. Payment information is also on each ticket.

If you have any questions about parking enforcement on campus, please call Campus Safety & Security at (231) 995-1111.

DU, NMC celebrate first graduate of fast-track BSN program

12 nurses among first in Michigan to graduate, find employment after 2022 legislation

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College and Davenport University will celebrate the first 12 graduates of a new, fast-track bachelor’s of science in nursing program at a pinning ceremony set for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19 in Lobdell’s Restaurant on NMC’s Great Lakes campus.

The pinning ceremony marks the transition of the graduates, 11 of whom are also NMC alumni, from student nurses to professional nurses. All are already employed at regional providers including Munson Medical Center, the Grand Traverse County Health Department, and Harbor Care Associates.

A BSN offers nurses higher salaries, and broader job and career advancement opportunities than an RN. They are among the first students in Michigan to complete their BSNs through a 2022 legislative initiative designed to expand nursing education. NMC and Davenport announced their partnership under the legislation in February 2023.

In the concurrent program, students are enrolled for two years at NMC and a third year at Davenport, providing a faster, less expensive path to a BSN, which is increasingly sought by employers. Munson Medical Center requires its nurses to earn a BSN within five years of hire. Students also receive robust support services, including a nursing-specific adviser, a nursing student navigator who provides tutoring support, and a researcher responsible for tracking student success through the completion of the BSN.

“Our partnership with NMC provides an educational pathway that is empowering, convenient, and affordable to nurses, allowing them to take the next step in their education and training,” said Amy Stahley, dean, College of Health Professions at Davenport University. “Together, we are not only meeting the critical demands of the present, but actively contributing to the future of health care in northern Michigan.”

Graduate Aliyah Nowlin of Traverse City said that the partnership saved her more than $3,000. NMC students get Davenport credit for passing the NCLEX state licensing exam, which comes at the end of the associate degree program. Nowlin, 21, earned her associate degree in nursing in May 2023 and her BSN in December 2023.

“With the way the program is set up, they gave me a chunk of credits for just having my license,” Nowlin said. “That’s a third of your BSN, right there. That was really empowering for me.”

She plans to pursue her master’s degree in nursing this fall through Davenport, while working on the stroke/telemetry unit at Munson Medical Center.

“I wouldn’t be starting my master’s this fall without that partnership program,” said Nowlin, who also took advantage of tuition reimbursement offered to employees by Munson.

The pinning ceremony’s contemporary origin dates to Florence Nightingale, considered the founder of modern nursing. Each nurse is presented with his or her pin by someone they have selected, often a family member.

NMC currently has 278 students in its nursing pipeline.

 

Release date: August 13, 2024

For more information:

Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)

 

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-discrimination

Strategic Plan, NMC Next, Kicks off Year 3!

As the college’s strategic plan, NMC Next, moves into its final year, I wanted to provide an update and celebrate some of our accomplishments. First off, thank you to the dozens of colleagues who worked tirelessly over the last 12 months on Year 2 of the NMC Next Strategic Plan! Behind the scenes, objective leads, champions, and their teams worked to keep actions steps on time and on track. An astounding 56 actions were completed in FY24 (Year 2 of implementation). Some highlights include:

  • Experiential learning opportunities for over 90% of our students
  • Responding to students by providing courses in the timeline and of the format they are seeking
  • Increased enrollment for the last three semesters
  • PRMC developed marketing and enrollment campaigns focused on conversion and enrollment
  • Customized workforce development training for some of the area’s biggest employers
  • A financial turnaround by GLCI exceeding the expectations of the Strategic Plan
  • An aviation expansion that breaks ground this Fall

These are just a few of the many successes of the strategic plan.

A few specifics: if you would like to view Year 2, archived PDFs are available here to view by anyone with an NMC email address.

Recently, strategy champions and objective leads spent many hours fine-tuning actions for Year 3 (FY25), which is the final year to execute NMC’s current strategic plan. Year 3 and its associated actions are located here.

The metrics will be updated again in September as Fall enrollment data becomes available. Thank you, ORPE, for your continued support of the strategic plan by providing much needed data and analytics.

In closing, I wanted to thank the entire college community for your continued support of the strategic plan. This work continues to propel the college forward to the future state we envisioned when we launched this effort.

— Jason Slade

Media mentions for August 12, 2024

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.

3 Senate debates set around Michigan for Rogers-Slotkin matchup
Detroit News, Aug .7 (more…)

Upcoming Extended Education classes for employees

Fall Classes are now open for registration! 

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 upcoming classes! Place the class in your shopping cart in order to see the discount. Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.

NEW! Zenga
22 sessions; Mon & Wed, Sept. 9–Nov. 20; 8–9 a.m.
Employee price: $46 per person (public price: $225)
Get a workout in before your workday begins! Develop the grace of a dancer and the power of a warrior with this mindful workout that combines elements of movement and flow with a deep awareness of connection and control. This class promises to increase circulation, stimulate the central nervous system, and improve flexibility all while strengthening the mind-body connection.

Date Night: Amazing Mediterranean Cooking
Tues, Sept. 17; 6–9 p.m.
Employee price: $46 for two people (public price: $199)
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Mediterranean cuisine, a symphony of fresh flavors and enticing aromas. This culinary journey will equip you with the skills to create balanced dishes that showcase the bounty of the region. Expect to explore a variety of techniques using vegetables at their peak, fragrant herbs, and warming spices.

New! Gluten Free Sourdough Bread
Wed, Oct. 16; 6–8:30 p.m.
Employee price: $32 per person (public price: $99)
No gluten? No problem! Learn how to make delicious gluten free sourdough bread! The recipe is totally allergen free: no gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, or nuts! Learn about sourdough starters, different grains and flours, and how to blend them for the best texture and flavor.

 

Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.

EES Help Desk