Thank you to everyone who participated in our first ever Wellness tournament! Congratulations to our 2026 Employee Cornhole Champion Nathan Richey! And a huge shout-out to our runner-up Ashleigh Fender for an amazing competition!
This was an incredible end to the Spring semester, and we can’t wait for the next wellness event!
Kudos to Lisa Rabaut, Denver Peters, and Lisa Cooper! Northern Michigan Start-up Week (NMSW) is an annual event designed to showcase the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem of Traverse City. It is a grassroots effort requiring support from all connected organizations in the region. Denver Peters and Lisa Rabaut represented NMC and were instrumental in joining the planning committee to design and build out a robust week of offerings. In addition, they planned and executed events including OOPs for Education, a BlueTech Ideation Challenge, a future of drones panel, marine technology / Freshwater Research and Innovation Center offerings, and more. Lisa Cooper assisted with planning and logistics for the events on NMC’s campus, helping events run smoothly.
Thank you to everyone at the college that supported aspects of NMSW!
Kudos to the Facilities Team! Kudos to the Facilities Dept. for helping with setting up the 5th Annual NMC Learning Symposium events!
Kudos to Tali Morrison! Congratulations to Tali Morrison, our student success and retention office manager, for her incredible work on our successful Career & Majors Fair. The logistics of an event this size are daunting, but Tali managed it with total professionalism and calm. Thanks to her planning and leadership, we hosted over 200 students and community members, 60+ employers, and 18 academic departments. A big thanks goes out to all of the academic areas for their participation and outreach to advisory board employers as well! Creating a space where students can bridge the gap between their learning at NMC and their future careers is core to our mission, and this event executed that vision perfectly. Tali’s ability to coordinate diverse stakeholders and manage complex logistics was the primary reason this event was our most successful yet. Please join me in thanking Tali for her leadership, dedication, and hard work!
Kudos to Elizabeth Sonnabend! With the help of an anonymous industry partner, Extended Education & Training is bringing back entry level manufacturing seminars through NMC. This partner has started a fund with the Foundation to support EET in resourcing these seminars and other similar training. His goal is to keep the cost down for students, so that we can have more skilled entry level manufacturing employees. These students will have the ability to continue on through credit programs through the strategic pathways laid out by the NOMIAC and NMC’s strategic plan. Thank you, Elizabeth, for making this happen!
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
To the 579 students who earned 632 degrees and certificates that were presented at the 2026 Commencement Saturday. Congratulations and best of luck in the next phase of your lives and careers.
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.
Northern Michigan’s most iconic eats (GLCI)
Northern Express, May 2 (more…)
NMC will host it’s last mobile food pantry distribution of the semester on Monday, May 4 from 3–5 p.m. in the Maple Lot on the Front Street campus. We have 6,251 pounds of goods including mushrooms, potatoes, cottage cheese, milk, oranges, granola, applesauce, peanut butter and pears.
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.
The Hawk Owl Café will switch to summer hours of operation on Friday, May 1.
OPEN
8 a.m.–2 p.m.
OPEN: SELF-SERVICE KIOSK ONLY
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Espresso Bay coffee, bakery items, and Swoop ‘N Go items available
Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Swoop ‘N Go items available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
*subject to change for holidays & special events
TRAVERSE CITY — Commencement ceremonies for Northwestern Michigan College’s Class of 2026 will be held Saturday, May 2 in Milliken Auditorium on NMC’s Front Street campus. Three ceremonies will be held, with graduates grouped by degree or credential earned.
Each ceremony will feature faculty and student speakers. Ceremonies will be streamed live at nmc.edu/video and NMC’s YouTube channel.
NMC’s Class of 2026 has earned 632 degrees and certificates, including the Associate in Nursing, Associate in Science and Arts, Associate in Applied Science, Associate in General Studies and Certificate of Practical Nursing. Bachelor of Science degrees in Maritime Technology and Marine Technology will also be awarded.
More than a third of the graduates are recipients of the Community College Guarantee or Michigan Reconnect, statewide scholarship programs. The CCG offers free tuition to recent high school graduates, while Reconnect is for adults 25 and older who don’t already have a degree or certificate.
Commencement ceremonies will also honor NMC’s 75th anniversary. Each graduate will wear special green cords with their caps and gowns, in recognition of the anniversary.
NMC will also hold its annual Honors & Leadership Convocation at 4:30 p.m.. Friday, May 1 at the Dennos Museum Center. Awards to be presented include:
For more commencement details, go to nmc.edu/commencement.
Release date: April 29, 2026
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
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.
Action ahead for $20M geothermal project
Record-Eagle, April 24 (more…)
To all those who organized, volunteered for and attended the 75th anniversary Block Party Saturday. The event combined the fun of Cherry Festival midway with the conviviality of a Friday Night Live or a Thirlby Field football game, right here on campus. The introduction of our mascot Swoop added extra excitement and made it especially memorable. Look for future 75th events at nmc.edu/75.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Lisa Rabaut, Innovation and Strategic Growth Project Manager, reimagined this event and implemented a pre-screening review, aligned ideas against the strategic plan, master plan, and college initiatives, and developed a robust 2-hour pitch event on Thursday, April 23 during Northern Michigan Startup Week.
Judges included Lisa Rabaut, Camille Hoisington (Traverse Connect), Josh Hart (Ford Insurance, original OOPs founder), Jayne Mohr (NMC Foundation) and Kyle Morrison. The format was 5 minute pitch/5 minute Q&A.
A total of 19 submissions were received from students, faculty and staff. Of those 19, the top 6 were selected to move on to the pitch competition. All 6 received some funding, described in more detail below.
Prescribing the Arts: A Creative Pathway Supporting Student Success
Applicant: Liz Celeste, Dennos Museum Curator of Education and Exhibitions
Amount Requested: $3,600
Amount Awarded: $2,600 (the judges would like this project to receive input from students before implementation)
Alignment: campus vibrancy, student belonging, experiential learning, Dennos enhancements
Instructional Virtual Reality (VR) Systems for Biomedical Engineering Tech Training
Applicant: Joe Deater, Adjunct Engineering Tech Faculty Member
Amount Requested: $6,000
Amount Awarded: $6,000 (enough for 2 VR goggles and a 3-year subscription)
Alignment: future-focused education with a focus on technology, meeting regional employer needs (improved student outcomes), engineering tech PESR opportunity
All Hands on Tech: Great Lakes Water Studies Voyage on Inland Seas Schooner Alliance
Presenter: Matt Hirsch, Great Lakes Water Studies Institute Coordinator
Amount Requested: $4,000
Amount Awarded: $4,000
Alignment: GLWSI enhancement/improvements (PESR, Strategic Plan), opportunity for credentialing (Marine Center), meeting national employer needs (skills expected by employers [sea time]), community partnership with Inland Seas Education Association
NMC Flight Team
Presenter: Alex Modryznski, Aviation student
Amount Requested: $3,976
Amount Awarded: $8,000 (this project was awarded more than requested because the students provided a very lean budget in terms of fuel, food, and lodging costs; the judges felt a more robust budget would help cover all costs and potentially allow more students to participate)
Alignment: national program recognition, potential recruitment opportunity, elevate our aviation program (enrollment targets from previous strategic plan, NMC Next)
Hawk Owl Uncrewed Competition Team
Presenter: Tony Sauerbrey, UAS Coordinator
Amount Requested: $10,042
Amount Awarded: $10,042
Alignment: national program recognition, potential recruitment opportunity, support of the NorthSky Consortium (partnerships, regional needs)
Reaching Adult Learners with CollegeAPP and data-informed decision-making
Presenter: Kelly Yauk, PRMC Marketing Director
Amount Requested: $10,440
Amount Awarded: $10,440
Alignment: adult learner recruitment, blending of credit and noncredit, PRMC enrollment strategies
In total, OOPs for Education and the NMC Foundation provided $41,082, leaving approximately $9K for other activities prior to the end of the fiscal year. Lisa really raised the bar and set the tone for leveraging these funds to support college initiatives moving forward. She did a great job!
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials during the fall and spring semesters from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4:40 to 6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99, and the vegetarian option (V) is $7.99. Learn more at nmc.edu/dining.
Chicken Fettuccine with pesto cream sauce served with garlic crostini & broccoli
Roasted Vegetable Fettuccine (V) with pesto cream sauce served with garlic crostini & broccoli
Beef Barbacoa Tacos served with Spanish rice & refried beans
Tofu Barbacoa Tacos (V) served with Spanish rice & refried beans
BBQ Pulled Pork with brioche bun served with mac & cheese and asparagus
BBQ Jackfruit (V) with brioche bun served with mac & cheese and asparagus
Potato Gnocchi with Italian sausage and alfredo sauce served with garlic bread & green beans
Potato Gnocchi (V) with roasted vegetables and alfredo sauce served with garlic bread & green beans
No Special Today – Enjoy the summer break!
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!
Tired of waiting for repairs and frustrated by high contractor costs? Empower yourself! Master essential DIY skills to tackle everyday home improvement projects that you absolutely can do yourself. Learn how to take on basic electrical projects, basic plumbing projects, and common carpentry projects, and more. Read more about Homeowners 101.
3 sessions; Fridays, June 6 – June 19; 9 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Tuition Waiver Price: $75 per person (public price $249)
Aerobic exercise is not enough to keep the body well-conditioned; research shows the need for the addition of weekly weight strengthening. We will focus on all major muscle groups resulting in increased strength, better posture, greater mobility, improved metabolism, and a slowing of the development of osteoporosis. Read more about Weight Strengthening.
14 sessions; Tuesday/Thursdays, June 23 – August 6; 7–8 a.m.
Tuition Waiver Price: $46 per person (public price $249)
Michigan reigns supreme as a top asparagus producer, so it is time to give these “mighty green giants” the spotlight they deserve. Ditch the boring steamed stalks and dive into a world of flavor. Read more about Date Night: Amazing Asparagus.
Thursday, May 28; 6–9 p.m.
Tuition Waiver Price: $46 for two people (public price $199)
Cost includes a glass of wine or NA beverage for each
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
The Dennos Museum Center will host the 5th annual Spring Art Market, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 9. This one-day juried art event is held indoors in the Sculpture Court and falls on Mother’s Day weekend. Special programming is planned into the day to let moms feel the love while offering a fun-filled experience for visitors of all ages.
Walk the museum’s galleries while enjoying a glass of Mawby Sparkling at our cash bubbly bar and listen to the talented pianist, Dorothy Vogel, as you stroll. Engage with 27 Michigan artists selling their work and pop into the Museum Store to find a gift for Mom or maybe for yourself. Have fun making a Mother’s Day card with your kids.
Admission to the museum and parking are free. View the the full list of participating artists on the Dennos Museum’s website.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), hourly non-exempt employees may need to consider what hours should be included when recording hours worked, and what are not considered working hours. Below is a nice summary to help folks distinguish between the two.
Hourly workers and their supervisors should evaluate the time that they spend working to determine if hours are being reported properly. All time worked must be reported and paid, and workers may not “volunteer” their time if the activities fall within the scope of their assigned/regular job duties.
If a worker is engaged in genuine volunteer activities outside the scope of their job duties, that time would not be paid. An example may be volunteering with the Mobile Food Pantry.
More information is available in the Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division’s Fact Sheet #22.
NMC also has a policy regarding non-exempt (hourly) employees’ work hours.
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Note: The information in this table was organized with generative AI assistance (Gemini).
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Human Resources at hr@nmc.edu.
Kudos to Josh Wagner! Josh organized and ran a Jazz Invitational to invite local high school jazz bands to come play and engage with the NMC Jazz Bands. I have spent my life working in events, and this was one of the most well organized events I have been a part of. His communication and passion made this all possible. We all talk about experiential learning but Josh put in so much extra time, effort and I’m sure money into make this happen. He is a shining example of what education can be and a great person to work with. He is championing NMC and the arts to future generations and investing in the future of both.
Kudos to Krista McCarty! Krista McCarty has led a digital advertising campaign for leadership training through Extended Education & Training. She is generating leads and filling classes! Thank you, Krista!
Kudos to Fred Cook & Gary Schettek! Fred and Gary really helped out the Hawk Owl Cafe by cleaning up a large fryer oil spill. Not only did they respond quickly but they went above and beyond to make sure it was cleaned up properly. Thank you both for helping us in our time of need!
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!
The Dennos Museum Center will host the 5th Annual TC Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) program on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Dennos Museum Center and Milliken Auditorium, headlined by spoken word artist Masaki Takahashi and a special film screening by filmmaker Liann Kaye.
The evening’s keynote program will feature Masaki Takahashi, Poet Laureate Emeritus of Lansing, Michigan (2022–2024), whose powerful, community-centered work has been featured on platforms including Button Poetry and TEDx. As founder of The Poetry Room, Takahashi is widely recognized for creating spaces that uplift diverse voices and for his commitment to education, mentorship, and the transformative power of storytelling.
The program will also include a screening of Seoul Switch, the award-winning proof-of-concept short film written and directed by Liann Kaye. The story follows a shy Korean American college student and a global K-pop idol who discover they are identical doubles and swap lives, exploring themes of identity, ambition, and authenticity. The feature adaptation is currently in development and has already received significant industry support.
The evening will begin with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by the main program from 6 to 8 p.m., including the keynote spoken word program and film screening.
5th Annual TC AAPI Program to Feature Spoken Word Artist Masaki Takahashi and Film Screening by Liann Kaye
Dennos Museum Center and Milliken Auditorium
1410 College Drive, Traverse City
5–6 p.m.: Reception
6–8 p.m.: Spoken word program and film screening
This event is made possible by Northern Michigan E3, the Dennos Museum Center, the NMC Library, The Good Bowl, Samsara, and Traverse Area District Library and is free and open to the public. Free registration in advance is strongly encouraged at dennosmuseum.org by signing up through Simpletix.
About TC AAPI
Join Traverse City’s AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Community for a free event with the goal to build greater understanding and empathy for people of different cultural backgrounds through positive engagement and welcoming learning events.
For More Information:
Sakura Takano
TC AAPI Planning Committee
(617) 501-8533
stakano@rotarycharities.org