Save on every bite with a meal plan card
Did you know that money loaded onto your eAccount Meal Plan makes every purchase at the Hawk Owl Café 100% tax-free? Simply use your meal-plan-eligible card at checkout to save on your purchases.
Human Resources relocates to Front Street Campus
Human Resources has officially relocated to the Front Street Campus and is now located on the lower level of the Biederman Building in room 34.
To maintain a secure environment, the main entrance will remain locked until a new doorbell system is installed. In the meantime, visitors are asked to knock upon arrival, and a member of the HR team will be happy to let you in.
Additional Boardman Lake Campus relocations
As departments transition from the Boardman Lake Campus to their new locations across NMC, please take note of the following updates:
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- Extended Education & Training: Parsons-Stulen Building, Aero Park Campus
- Strategic Initiatives: Parsons-Stulen Building, Aero Park Campus
- International Affairs Forum: Dennos Museum Center, Front Street Campus
- Office of Research and Planning Effectiveness: Remote
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and flexibility as our teams settle into their new spaces. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation throughout these transitions
‘Bring Your Own’ Book Club at the NMC Library
All of the fun and connection of a book club with none of the pressure to finish the same book at the same time. No assigned reading! No stress!
The NMC Library invites you to come share your latest read, your favorite read or your current read! You’re also more than welcome to just to listen and hear recommendations from other readers.
The group will meet at 12 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month in the Library Fireplace Room. The next meetup will be held on November 17.
Since the meetings are during lunchtime, you’re encouraged to bring your lunch. Tea will be provided!
Employee anniversaries – November
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
Kudos!
Kudos to Stephanie Powers! Stephanie assisted the Campus Safety and Security department with a project to further the department’s impact and visibility at orientation and around campus. Powers was enthusiastic, efficient and her efforts should be recognized. Thank you!
Kudos to Facilities/Grounds Team & IT Team! Kudos to the Facilities/Grounds Team and the IT Department for all of their help in getting Human Resources moved over to the Front Street Campus. Everyone has been responsive and helpful and we are feeling very “welcomed” into our new space by our new neighbors in Tanis and Biederman. Thanks all!
Kudos to Jacob Nardi! Jacob is a newer student employee in the Hawk Owl Café. He has been a fast learner and has a great work ethic. Jacob has opened the Café by himself twice, which wasn’t planned and he did a fantastic job. I feel that Jacob should be recognized for not only being a great worker but handling all of the opening duties by himself with a smile and getting it all done on time. Way to go Jacob; keep up the great work—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!
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- Zach Watson, supplemental employee – Tutor
- Sophia Menhart, student employee – Residence Hall Front Desk
- Sophia Lanza, student employee – Science & Math Office Assistant
- Kevin Summers, supplemental employee – Tutor
- Ella Wheeler, supplemental employee – Tutor
Share your talents
Human Resources is excited to connect with our talented employees and learn more about the unique skills and qualifications that make our college community so special! We invite you to share any professional credentials, organizational memberships or language skills that may not currently be reflected in your employee profile.
We are looking for the following information:
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- License or Certification: Any credential awarded by an official body that confers a level of authority and indicates that an individual’s ability meets certain standards. (e.g., Certified Public Accountant, Attorney, Registered Nurse, Certified Flight Instructor, Emergency Medical Technician, Master Auto Technician, etc.)
- Membership: Status of belonging to any formal group or organization. This could include boards, committees, councils, commissions, task forces, trade or professional associations, and the like. (e.g., Rotary Club, Honors Committee, NMC Foundation Board, NMC Green Team, Father Fred Board of Directors, advisory boards/councils, etc.)
- Language: Any language that you have any level of spoken or written proficiency in. (e.g., English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, Mandarin, etc.)
Please consider completing the Google Form for Employee’s ADP Talent Profile Update. This information will help us see the full range of talent and skills across the college, and will be stored in ADP’s Talent Profile.
Note: Employees may complete this form more than once or email hr@nmc.edu to share more information.
2027 Open Enrollment important dates
ADP will be open for elections November 11 through November 20, 2026.
Medical Plan Q&A Sessions via Zoom
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- October 26 at 3 p.m.
- October 30 at 10 a.m.
- November 3 at 10:30 a.m.
Open Enrollment Overview Meetings (all benefits) via Zoom
This session will be recorded if you can’t attend.
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- November 11 at 11 a.m.
- November 11 at 2 p.m.
Open Computer Labs in TJNIC 123
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- November 18, 8 a.m.–Noon
- November 19, Noon–3:30 p.m.
Study Abroad photo contest
Stop by the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center lobby from noon-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11 to see the winning photographs from the Study Abroad 2026 experiences in the landscape/cultural categories and place your vote for your favorite photo in the animal category.
All photos were taken by students during their study abroad experiences in Kenya, Scotland, Guatemala and Italy.
Need more details? Email Marina Call mcall@nmc.edu
Success story: Increasing experiential learning for all students
November 5, 2026
If you remember school as rows of desks with an instructor standing in front, consider joining students in two of NMC’s longest-running experiential learning projects this month, which showcase the college’s strategic goal to offer more classes like them.
NMC is a leader in experiential learning, which flips the traditional “learn to do” method of instruction to “doing to learn” by providing students with hands-on opportunities to solve real problems and engage in their community. That’s exactly what the 13th annual Thanks-for-Giving food drive and the 11th annual Walk for Health & Housing do.
The food drive, led by business students (pictured above), seeks to provide 215 Thanksgiving meal boxes to local families. Collection of food and financial donations is underway now, including a public Glow Skate event from 7-9 p.m. Friday at Howe Arena. Meals will be distributed Nov. 23.
The walk, set for Wednesday, Nov. 18, shows downtown Traverse City from the perspective of people experiencing homelessness and the providers who serve them. Departing from Central United Methodist Church, the 90-minute guided tour is a collaborative project involving social work, sociology and English classes held during National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov. 15–22.
Research shows students involved in experiential learning are more likely to persist through their college coursework and graduate. NMC offers a degree-accompanying endorsement that transcribes a student’s experiential learning into personal and professional skills sought by employers. Currently 105 students are enrolled, ahead of the 100-student target, which is nearly double the 2025–2026 endorsement enrollment.
Luke Klug, a 2026 graduate in construction management, earned the endorsement along with his degree. He is a project manager at Endura Performance Homes.
“The skills and the experiences that I went through through the endorsement helped build my confidence to go through the interview process,” said Klug, who moved into the role from a position as a carpenter at another company.
For his endorsement, Klug participated in a variety of activities, including studying sustainable building in Denmark. Key for him was a business class he took with Kristy McDonald, who also leads the Thanksgiving meal drive project.
“Having taken that class really helped me build those skills to have a conversation professionally,” Klug said.
McDonald, who co-directs NMC’s Experiential Learning Institute with Brandon Everest, the sociology instructor behind the walk, said they are intent on growing EL strategically, well beyond their own classes.
“As we expand experiential learning and intentionally embed a durable skills curriculum across NMC, our goal is to ensure more students have these transformative opportunities and can clearly communicate the skills they’ve gained to future employers and opportunities,” she said.
Data Wranglers – November 2026
Data Wranglers
Insights. Impact. Student Success.
🏛️ ORPE ON CAMPUS
What predicts success in MTH 121?
NMC’s analysis found that high school GPA and prior math performance were stronger indicators of success than simply taking another math course first.
- 57% of students with a high school GPA of 3.49 or lower earned a C or better.
- 80% of students with a high school GPA of 3.50 or higher earned a C or better.
- 69% of students who started directly in MTH 121 succeeded, compared with 61% of students who took another NMC math course first.
Prior performance matters. Students earning a 3.0 or higher in MTH 111 later succeeded in MTH 121 75% of the time.
Note. MTH 121 only; excludes MTH 121/021
📣 DATA PRIORITIES
WHAT DATA MATTERS MOST TO COLLEGE PRESIDENTS?
A recent poll asked respondents to name the two data points most important to their president or CEO.
Enrollment was named more than twice as often as retention, the second-highest response.
🤖 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT
Some college, no credential: an opportunity to reconnect
MDRC followed Washington’s on-time 2017 high school graduates and identified 18,498 students who enrolled in college but left without a credential.
- 29% of the cohort followed this pathway.
- 73% connected through a community or technical college.
- Median earnings among those stably employed were $42,473, about $500 more than peers who never enrolled.
Source: O’Donoghue et al. (2026), MDRC. Some College, No Credential.
👥 QUESTION FOR CAMPUS
How can NMC identify and reconnect students who have made progress but left before earning a credential?
Fall 2026 Volleyball Tournament
Campus Life is hosting a volleyball tournament at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20 in the Rajkovich Physical Education Building. This tournament is open to all employees and current students.
Teams must sign up by 6 p.m. on November 20. For questions, please contact Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu.
Thanks-for Giving Glow Skate
Thanks to Business 231 students for organizing a Glow Skate this Friday as part of their annual Thanks-for-giving food drive and experiential learning project. Enjoy fun on the ice and help a good cause from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6 at Howe Arena at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
51st annual Mariners Memorial Service
TRAVERSE CITY — The community is invited to attend the 51st annual Mariners Memorial service, to take place Nov. 10 in the courtyard of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy on NMC’s Great Lakes Campus, 715 E. Front Street.
Held to remember and honor mariners who have perished on the Great Lakes and oceans, the memorial service is sponsored by the Student Propeller Club, Port 150, of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy.
The service begins at noon on Tuesday, November 10. Guests are invited to enter the facility through the glass exhibition hall and proceed into the outdoor courtyard on the north side (harbor side) of the Academy. Car pooling is encouraged due to limited parking on site.
For more information, call the Great Lakes Maritime Academy at (231) 995-1200.
Release date: October 21, 2026
For more information:
Scott Fairbank
Great Lakes Maritime Academy
sfairbank@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-discriminationPublic invited to Veterans Day ceremony, evening concert
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College invites the campus and community to attend its annual Veterans Day ceremonies beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. The ceremony will include:
- 8 a.m. – Coffee and doughnuts for all veterans in the Osterlin Building.
- 8:30 a.m.- Flag-raising ceremony by VFW honor guard, including three-volley salute, “Taps” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” performed by the Traverse City Central High School Band
- Post-ceremony – Coffee and doughnuts in the Osterlin Building.
In addition, NMC’s Aurora choral group will perform a Veterans Day concert at 7:30 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church. The program will feature patriotic music, American folk music and the world premiere of a new concert work: “American Mosaic.” This new piece, with text by Laura Knight Cobb and music by NMC Music Director Jeffrey Cobb, is a portrait of three strong women who helped shape the heart and soul of the United States: Sacagawea, Helen Keller and Sojourner Truth. Admission is by donation.
Serving those who have served is a year-round priority for NMC, currently recognized as a gold level Veteran-Friendly School by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and a silver level Military Friendly School by the online community Miltary-Friendly.com. Among the services NMC offers to veteran students are:
- Priority class registration
- Veteran-specific student services
- Active student veteran organization/club
- Veteran’s lounge
- Veteran-specific scholarships / grants
- Veteran graduation recognition
In addition NMC offers opportunities to convert military service to academic credit. Find out more at nmc.edu/veterans.
Release date: November 2, 2026
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – 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-discriminationPublic invited to 11th annual Walk for Health & Housing, film
TRAVERSE CITY — The community is invited to join NMC students on Wednesday, Nov. 18 for the annual Walk for Health and Housing, a guided tour of downtown Traverse City from the perspective of people experiencing homelessness and the providers who serve them.
Ryan Hannon, leader of Central Outreach, will lead participants on the 90-minute walk departing from Central United Methodist Church, 222 Cass St., at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. Central Outreach is a hub of services for people without housing in the area. Tour stops will highlight service and volunteering opportunities.
Free parking will be available beginning at 5 p.m. in Municipal Parking Lot B on North Cass Street.
In addition to the walk, students have organized a screening of the documentary, No Place to Grow Old at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 in Scholars Hall room 109. The documentary explores the challenges and systemic barriers facing unhoused older adults. A facilitated discussion will follow the screening.
Both the walk and the film are part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, happening Nov. 15–19. Led by NMC faculty Lisa Blackford, Brandon Everest, and Melissa Sprenkle, students in NMC social work, sociology and English classes have collaborated on projects to support the week since 2015.
In addition to NMC and CUMC, the walk is sponsored by the Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness.
Release date: November 2, 2026
For more information:
Lisa Blackford
Faculty, Social Sciences Area
lblackford@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1294
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-discriminationMedia mentions for November 2, 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.
NMC campus to see new blooms next spring after student-led bulb planting
UpNorthLive, Nov.1
(more…)
No Place To Grow Old film screening
National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is November 15-22. The community is invited to attend a powerful documentary screening that explores the challenges and systemic barriers facing unhoused older adults.
No Place To Grow Old examines issues that contribute to housing insecurity, including the lack of affordable housing, predatory lending practices and societal stigmas surrounding unhoused seniors. Through powerful stories and perspectives, the film encourages viewers to look beyond common misconceptions and better understand the complex realities of homelessness among older adults.
Event Details
- Date: Tuesday, November 17
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Location: Scholars Hall, room 109
Following the screening, attendees are invited to participate in a facilitated discussion to reflect on the film.