NMC Campus Life will be hosting a 3 on 3 basketball tournament on Friday, September 15 from 5:30-8 p.m. This tournament is open to all NMC students, staff and faculty and will be held at the outdoor basketball courts behind East Hall.
Teams must sign up by Thursday, September 14.
Questions? Contact Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1401.
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s (NMC) Great Lakes Maritime Academy (GLMA) training ship, the T/S State of Michigan, will call on Milwaukee for the first time in over a decade on Sept. 15-16 to raise funds for the Wisconsin Navy League’s scholarship at GLMA .
Media is invited to tour the training ship, a 224-foot former Navy submarine surveillance vessel, from 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Pier Wisconsin Cruise dock, 530 N Harbor Dr., Milwaukee. The T/S State of Michigan is the flagship of NMC’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy, one of only six state maritime academies in the nation and the only one on freshwater.
The Milwaukee stop is part of a training cruise for the 18 GLMA cadets aboard, as well as two from the Texas A&M Maritime Academy. All cadets are required to earn 360 days of sea time while enrolled at the Academy. The ship will arrive in Milwaukee Friday from Traverse City and depart Saturday afternoon for Grand Haven, Mich. Read more about the ship.
The Wisconsin Navy League is seeking to endow the $1,000 annual scholarship, established in 2021 for Maritime cadets from Wisconsin. It honors the life of World War II Merchant Marine veteran Francis Murphy of La Crosse, Wis., who enlisted in 1944 as a newly-minted high school graduate. During his service to the nation from 1944 to 1951, Seaman Murphy made 57 round-trip Atlantic Ocean crossings on eight different ships.
Founded in 1969, NMC’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy educates and trains deck and engineering officers for the U.S. Merchant Marine. Graduates earn a bachelor’s degree, and an unlimited tonnage/horsepower merchant marine license. Read more at nmc.edu/maritime. NMC’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute also offers a culinary-maritime certificate program which trains students to be shipboard cooks, who are in high demand by the shipping industry.
The Navy League of the United States, founded in 1902, is a nonprofit civilian, educational and advocacy organization that supports America’s sea services: the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine.
RADM Jerry Achenbach
Great Lakes Maritime Academy Superintendent
(231) 995-1203
gachenbach@nmc.edu
Students embarked on three brand-new credentials this fall, preparing for careers in high-demand fields in which NMC has established leadership, while overall enrollment among the more than 60 programs ticked upward slightly.
Enrollment is up 1.6 percent in terms of headcount, or 48 students. While a small increase, it’s a welcome change from the pandemic-accelerated enrollment declines of recent years. This fall’s study body includes the first Michigan Achievement students, 2023 high school graduates who received up to $2,750 from the state, and the third class of Michigan Reconnect students, which provides free in-district tuition for students 25 and older who don’t have a college degree.
The new programs, all approved by NMC’s Board of Trustees, are:
Culinary maritime certificate: Most of the 11 students enrolled are adding the culinary maritime certificate onto their associate degree. The certificate formalizes what began as an intra-campus partnership between NMC’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute and Great Lakes Maritime Academy. For several years, a small number of culinary students have completed an internship onboard the Academy training ship State of Michigan. Due to the strong demand for shipboard cooks, they were employed immediately upon graduation, at high salaries.
Students in the certificate program, the only one in the U.S., will earn both the culinary and maritime credentials required to sail on U.S. flagged vessels.
“This certificate creates a unique offering that will distinguish the Great Lakes Culinary Institute from other programs. It also gives our students more options and meets the needs of industry,” said NMC President Nick Nissley.
UAS degree: Creating a standalone Uncrewed Aerial Systems degree instead of a specialty within NMC’s Engineering Technology degree creates a clearer path for students, said UAS program coordinator Tony Sauerbrey. So far, seven students have enrolled.
NMC first offered drone classes in 2010, several years before the FAA established a commercial license in 2016. Today drones are used for inspection and monitoring in multiple economic sectors, from agriculture to infrastructure. NMC’s Police Academy also offers drone operator certification to its students, the only one in Michigan to do so.
“The new degree will allow for greater flexibility in meeting the needs of the ever-changing drone industry,” Sauerbrey said. “The UAS industry is continuing to grow with a need for workforce development.”
Wet Tech degree: The only one of its kind in Michigan, the degree utilizes existing courses from surveying and unmanned aerial systems programs as well new courses in environmental site assessment, aquifer sampling, and groundwater monitoring. An internship is also required.
Four students have declared it as their program so far.
“This program will focus on training a workforce supporting the direct monitoring and cleanup of waters within the Great Lakes watershed and focusing on the direct impact to the quality of our water resources,” said Great Lakes Water Studies Institute Executive Director Hans Van Sumeren.
Another program, Marine Technology, enrolled its largest class yet this fall, at 14 students.
Besides these three credentials, this summer NMC also began partnering with Davenport University to offer a bachelor of science degree in nursing. Eight students total are now enrolled in the fast-track program.
The new credentials and, for nursing, the accelerated delivery, are part of NMC Next, the college’s strategic plan, specifically offering future-focused education and building on areas of institutional distinction.
Thanks to the Automotive Technology department for organizing this annual event on Saturday, Sept. 9 that benefits the program and scholarships. Classic cars, 4X4s, dragsters, sports cars, modified late models, motorcycles and more will be on display from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at NMC’s Automotive Services Building. Admission is free for spectators. The event includes food, music, prizes and a silent auction.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
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.
Freshwater research: High hopes for Traverse City’s new Innovation Center
WDC TV News, Sept. 3
(more…)
The Traverse City Parking Patrol will start issuing citations for parking violations on Monday, September 11. All NMC students and employees must have their 2023-2024 permits displayed.
If you haven’t received your permit, they can be picked up at the following locations:
The Traverse City Police Department has provided the following information on how to avoid parking tickets on campus by properly displaying your parking permit:
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.
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
TRAVERSE CITY — The Northwestern Michigan College Children’s Choir will hold placement auditions for third through ninth graders this week in the NMC Fine Arts Building, room 102. There are two options:
Families can schedule a 5-minute audition time slot on either date online at http://www.nmcchildrenschoir.com/. The audition involves singing the first verse of “America the Beautiful” and performing simple vocal exercises. Student placement in one of the six choirs depends on both chronological age and musical and vocal readiness. Children in grades K-2 do not need to audition. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, Sept. 12.
Founded in 1990, the NMCC consists of six choirs involving over two hundred singers from kindergarten through the ninth grade. Performances are held several times a year. For more information, visit nmcchildrenschoir.com.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
cnoga@nmc.edu
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.
Welding Fundamentals: Pick Your Process
September 12–October 17 (11 classes), Tuesdays/Thursdays, 5–7:30 p.m.
Price: $169 (originally $899)
Perhaps welding is a future career or hobby, but you want to try it out before making an investment of time and money? Or, already in the field and looking to add new skills? Join NMC instructors at the NMC Welding Lab to learn shop safety along with an understanding of welding aluminum. This experiential welding class is open to anyone over the age of 18. Receive 28 hours of applied training over the course of 7 weeks. Upon completion of the course you will receive an NMC Certificate of Completion.
Register
Functional Fitness (new class!)
September–October 26 (14 classes), Tuesdays/Thursdays, 6–6:45 a.m.
Price: $22 (originally $199)
Early bird exercisers, this one’s for you! Join IT guru, fitness fanatic and fellow colleague, Kyle Morrison, for this early morning 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.
Register
Food for Thought: Comfort Foods (new class!)
Tuesday, September 19, 6–8:30 p.m.
Price: $34 (originally $99)
Love comfort food, but struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle? Learn to make your favorite comfort foods nutritious and good for you. Explore the art of creating healthier versions of classic comfort dishes by using healthier alternatives, not sacrificing taste and texture. You don’t have to choose between health and satisfaction – you can have both!
Register
NEOED Learn is the newest module in NMC’s talent suite. Learn replaces SilkRoad Learning. Explore the 60+ courses in this Professional Development Institute catalog, including:
Go2Knowledge — role-based online training (includes livestream and recorded sessions)
DEIB
Team Building & General Interest Courses
For questions, please email professionaldevelopmentinstitute@nmc.edu
TRAVERSE CITY — The Executive Committee of Northwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, September 1 in room 106 of the University Center, 2200 Dendrinos Drive, Traverse City. The official meeting notice is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
TRAVERSE CITY — Up to 25 NMC students will be able to obtain a free passport this year, thanks to a $4,000 grant from the Institute of International Education.
NMC is one of 48 schools selected to receive the grant, which will help up to 1,200 Pell grant-eligible students obtain their U.S. passports and start their study abroad journey. Required for travel beyond North America, passports typically cost $160 and are valid for 10 years.
“A passport is the first thing that opens up their world to the possibility of study abroad,” said Courtney Temple, IIE executive vice president and chief administrative officer.
This is the first year NMC has received the funding. In spring 2023, NMC had 53 participants visit Guatemala, Iceland, Morocco and Spain/Portugal on faculty – led programs, said Jim Bensley, director of NMC’s office of International Services and Service Learning. Destinations for 2024 include: Brazil, Costa Rica, Ireland, and India. Bensley said the 2023 trips had waiting lists.
The grant prioritizes first-year students, with limited financial means. NMC will couple the grant funding with engagement and outreach, advising, programming, and additional donor support for the students identified for this program.
In 2017, NMC was one of just 28 institutions of higher education to be awarded the IIE Generation Study Abroad Seal of Excellence for doubling student participation in short-term study abroad by the end of the decade.
Students should submit the Passport Online Application. Studying abroad is encouraged, but not a requirement for eligibility. Selected students will be notified by November 1.
For more information, students should contact Marina Call in the office of International Services and Service Learning at mcall@nmc.edu or (231) 995-2524.
Jim Bensley
NMC Director of International Services and Service Learning
(231) 995-2527
jbensley@nmc.edu
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s International Affairs Forum will launch its 30th season of events on September 22 at the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City with a 5:30 p.m. reception followed by a 6:30 program. For in-person tickets, online livestream tickets, and all event details, visit TCIAF.com. IAF events are hybrid format; in-person events are available to livestream online. All events are free for students and educators.
IAF’s 30th season begins with Alexander Evans, Ph.D., Professor in Practice of Public Policy at the London School of Economics. Dr. Evans is a former advisor to the British Prime Minister, Strategy Director in the Cabinet Office, Cyber Director in the Foreign Office, and a senior advisor to Ambassador Richard Holbrooke at the U.S. Department of State. He has been the Henry Kissinger Chair at the Library of Congress, a Senior Fellow at Yale, and a Gwilym Gibbon Fellow at Nuffield College Oxford. He was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) by the late Queen Elizabeth II and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He has published widely, including in Foreign Affairs and The Economist.
Dr. Evans will discuss cyberwars in relation to Russia’s war in Ukraine, Chinese hacking, digital threats to democracy, data privacy, anticipatory policymaking, and more.
IAF welcomes Ambassador (ret.) Susan D. Page, Director of the Weiser Diplomacy Center & Professor of Practice in International Diplomacy at the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, and Professor from Practice at the University of Michigan Law School.
Amb. Page has deep expertise in international relations, particularly in Africa. Her senior level roles have included Assistant Secretary General/Special Adviser on Rule of Law, Global Focal Point Review Implementation, Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) to the United Nations Mission for Justice Support to Haiti (MINUJUSTH), first U.S. Ambassador to newly independent South Sudan, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to the African Union, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, key adviser to the peace process that resolved Africa’s longest-running civil war through international mediation, head of rule of law programs for the UN, and a foreign service regional legal advisor and political officer in East, Central, and Southern Africa.
Amb. Page will discuss the structural difficulties Africa faces for the future, including refugee crises, famine, terrorism, foreign influence by Russia & China, among other critical issues.
IAF will host a discussion on the Middle East and freshwater resources with Kaveh Madani, Ph.D., an environmental scientist, educator, and activist working at the interface of science, policy, and society. He is currently a Visiting Professor at the Centre for Environmental Policy (CEP) of the Imperial College London and a Henry Hart Rice Senior Fellow at the MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale University.
He has previously served as the Deputy Vice President of Iran in his position as the Deputy Head of Iran’s Department of Environment, and the Vice President of the UN Environment Assembly Bureau. He has co-authored nearly 200 publications with students and research colleagues in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Middle East on issues such as water management, environmental policy, energy systems, food security, climate change impacts and adaptation, sustainable development, and transboundary-conflicts and negotiations.
Dr. Madani will discuss the relentless drought in Iran and water scarcity in the Middle East. His work focuses on policy solutions and governance insights for complex problems involving water, energy, food, climate and environment.
Events
All regular season events are open to the public. Presentations begin at 6:30 p.m. & receptions begin at 5:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Tickets are required and available for purchase at TCIAF.com or at the door. In-person tickets are $15 per person; online livestream access is $10. Current students and educators receive free admission with school I.D. or name badge. For in-person tickets, online livestream tickets, and all event details, visit TCIAF.com.
Membership
The International Affairs Forum is a member-supported global affairs education series and a program of Northwestern Michigan College (NMC). The organization was founded in 1994 by a group of citizens eager to learn more about our nuanced world through speaker events with invited experts. IAF welcomes new members and sponsors for its 30th season September 2023 – June 2024.
Memberships start at $100 for individuals or $160 for families and include in-person admission and online livestream access to all regular season events. A newly offered online membership is customized for viewers outside the region who want to support global affairs education in northern Michigan. Learn more about IAF membership, event sponsorship, and student outreach at TCIAF.com.
Alex Tank
Communications & Production Coordinator
International Affairs Forum at Northwestern Michigan College
(231) 995-1844
atank@nmc.edu
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s International Affairs Forum will launch its 30th season of events on September 22 at the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City with a 5:30 p.m. reception followed by a 6:30 program. For in-person tickets, online livestream tickets, and all event details, visit TCIAF.com. IAF events are hybrid format; in-person events are available to livestream online. All events are free for students and educators.
IAF’s 30th season begins with Alexander Evans, Ph.D., Professor in Practice of Public Policy at the London School of Economics. Dr. Evans is a former advisor to the British Prime Minister, Strategy Director in the Cabinet Office, Cyber Director in the Foreign Office, and a senior advisor to Ambassador Richard Holbrooke at the U.S. Department of State. He has been the Henry Kissinger Chair at the Library of Congress, a Senior Fellow at Yale, and a Gwilym Gibbon Fellow at Nuffield College Oxford. He was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) by the late Queen Elizabeth II and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He has published widely, including in Foreign Affairs and The Economist.
Dr. Evans will discuss cyberwars in relation to Russia’s war in Ukraine, Chinese hacking, digital threats to democracy, data privacy, anticipatory policymaking, and more.
IAF welcomes Ambassador (ret.) Susan D. Page, Director of the Weiser Diplomacy Center & Professor of Practice in International Diplomacy at the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, and Professor from Practice at the University of Michigan Law School.
Amb. Page has deep expertise in international relations, particularly in Africa. Her senior level roles have included Assistant Secretary General/Special Adviser on Rule of Law, Global Focal Point Review Implementation, Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) to the United Nations Mission for Justice Support to Haiti (MINUJUSTH), first U.S. Ambassador to newly independent South Sudan, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to the African Union, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, key adviser to the peace process that resolved Africa’s longest-running civil war through international mediation, head of rule of law programs for the UN, and a foreign service regional legal advisor and political officer in East, Central, and Southern Africa.
Amb. Page will discuss the structural difficulties Africa faces for the future, including refugee crises, famine, terrorism, foreign influence by Russia & China, among other critical issues.
IAF will host a discussion on the Middle East and freshwater resources with Kaveh Madani, Ph.D., an environmental scientist, educator, and activist working at the interface of science, policy, and society. He is currently a Visiting Professor at the Centre for Environmental Policy (CEP) of the Imperial College London and a Henry Hart Rice Senior Fellow at the MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale University.
He has previously served as the Deputy Vice President of Iran in his position as the Deputy Head of Iran’s Department of Environment, and the Vice President of the UN Environment Assembly Bureau. He has co-authored nearly 200 publications with students and research colleagues in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Middle East on issues such as water management, environmental policy, energy systems, food security, climate change impacts and adaptation, sustainable development, and transboundary-conflicts and negotiations.
Dr. Madani will discuss the relentless drought in Iran and water scarcity in the Middle East. His work focuses on policy solutions and governance insights for complex problems involving water, energy, food, climate and environment.
Events
All regular season events are open to the public. Presentations begin at 6:30 p.m. & receptions begin at 5:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Tickets are required and available for purchase at TCIAF.com or at the door. In-person tickets are $15 per person; online livestream access is $10. Current students and educators receive free admission with school I.D. or name badge. For in-person tickets, online livestream tickets, and all event details, visit TCIAF.com.
Membership
The International Affairs Forum is a member-supported global affairs education series and a program of Northwestern Michigan College (NMC). The organization was founded in 1994 by a group of citizens eager to learn more about our nuanced world through speaker events with invited experts. IAF welcomes new members and sponsors for its 30th season September 2023 – June 2024.
Memberships start at $100 for individuals or $160 for families and include in-person admission and online livestream access to all regular season events. A newly offered online membership is customized for viewers outside the region who want to support global affairs education in northern Michigan. Learn more about IAF membership, event sponsorship, and student outreach at TCIAF.com.
Alex Tank
Communications & Production Coordinator
International Affairs Forum at Northwestern Michigan College
(231) 995-1844
atank@nmc.edu
What is the purpose of the Team?
The Behavioral Intervention Report Team is a group of college officials, including mental health staff, that meets on a regular basis to consult and intervene early and provide support and behavioral response to students displaying varying levels of disruptive, disturbed, distressed and/or dysregulated behaviors. (more…)
The Dennos Museum Center is hosting a dance party on Thursday, September 21 from 7-9 p.m. to welcome Hawk Owls back to campus with a joyful celebration of pride. Dance, enjoy snacks, and view art at this 18+ friendly event. Museum members, NMC employees and the public are welcome to attend. Enjoy 0 proof cocktails from Audacia Elixirs. One drink ticket provided with your reservation. Additional drink tickets available for $10 per drink at the bar. Free for NMC students and staff.
Student Health Services 2023 Walk-In Flu Shot Clinic will be held in Les Biederman room 106.
Dates:
If you can’t make these dates, please call (231) 995-1255 to schedule an appointment. As a reminder, our office does not bill insurance, although we do offer a reduced rate of $20 for staff and $15 per student. If you have NMC insurance, any charges will be processed as in previous years.
NMC’s Dental Assistant program has joined other community partners to open United We Smile, a dental clinic in Traverse City offering free care to children. Beckie Wooters, the Director of NMC’s Dental Assistant program, said that she hopes the partnership with the clinic will inspire more people to become dental assistants, too.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!