Mar 2, 2026 | HR Corner, Intercom
Kudos to Megan Bylsma, Ryan Deering, Carl Shangraw, Dan Goodchild, Shelly VanderMeulen, Jeff Fouch, Michael Nachazel, and Georgenia Hromada! This is the “it takes a village” kudos! NMC’s surveying program was honored for winning the NCEES Surveying Education Award grand prize in the two-year program category. The program was recognized last night at the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors conference. In addition to winning this program award, Ryan Deering also won the Ralph Moore Berry recognizing a non-licensed individual giving back to the profession. Couple this with our own graduates earning their professional surveying license and a scholarship recipient and it was a fulfilling event!
But what makes it special? This doesn’t happen without the support of the Foundation finding funding to support program growth, the college leveraging these funds for recruitment, a strong advisory board advocating to the State that this program is needed, strong faculty developing a 2-year program from scratch and industrial professionals continuing to teach these classes. And none of this happens without the support from the division to keep the program running, scheduled and available to students.
Great job!!!
Kudos to Katie Sommer-Ford, Hannah Rodriguez, Maggie Miron, Tait Ricks, and Tali Morrison! Hats off to the Student Success & Retention team who pulled together NMC’s first ever “Fail Forward” week, meant to normalize setbacks, reduce fear of failure, and build resilience. Events and promotion for Fail Forward week helped students to reframe mistakes as learning opportunities through a series of events including an adaptability workshop, offered by Tait Ricks from Student Life, and a session on asking for help offered by Hannah Rodriguez and Maggie Miron, from the coaching and success team. Throughout the week students could contribute to “fail boards” to share times they failed but learned from their experience and moved forward. Faculty and staff shared their own testimonials via the NMC Student Success social media. The week of events culminated in a Success Fair where students could learn about the many help resources available at NMC. Kudos to Katie Sommer-Ford and Tali Morrison for organizing, supporting, and leading the charge.
Kudos to Stephanie Liss! The Ed Tech department is giving Stephanie heartfelt kudos for the work she does to keep all the areas of the TJNIC building sparkling clean. Every morning, we enter the basement to the sound of a vacuum or the wooshing of the tables or whiteboards being cleaned in a learning or study space. We appreciate her dedication to keeping TJNIC a welcoming, clean environment! Thank you, Stephanie, for modeling NMC’s values of stewardship and excellence.
Mar 2, 2026 | HR Corner, Intercom
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Kelsey Tornga, supplemental employee – Hagerty Center Banquet Server
- Harrison Willow, student employee – Tutor
- Evelyn Harden, student employee – Maritime Assistant
- Colin Burris – Supplemental Aviation Maintenance Technician
Mar 2, 2026 | Intercom, Media Mentions
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.
Remembering Jack Segal: Diplomat, veteran and champion of students
TV 7 & 4, Feb. 27 (more…)
Mar 2, 2026 | Intercom
TRAVERSE CITY — The NMC Commitment Scholarship is vastly expanding the ranks of eligible first generation college students this spring, increasing the impact of a unique college access opportunity that began more than thirty years ago.
Starting with the high school class of 2028 (current high school sophomores), prospective first generation college students in the six-county area can self-nominate for a Commitment Scholarship.
Previously students had to be nominated by their high school counselor as freshmen. Eligibility was limited to 18 regional public high schools, each of which could nominate only three students. Charter, private and homeschooled students are also now eligible.
The scholarship provides $2,000/year for up to three years. First-generation is defined as neither parent having earned an associate degree or higher.
The goal is to expand access and have more students take advantage of the scholarship, which was established by NMC donors in 1993. Students must also participate in two preparatory events prior to starting at NMC and maintain a 2.0 GPA in high school.
Gillian Lovett, a 2023 Bellaire High School graduate, is a Commitment scholar currently enrolled at NMC. She will graduate this May. She said the scholarship helped make college a realistic prospect for her.
“I was definitely pretty surprised. College wasn’t on my radar yet. I felt pretty lucky to be nominated, and I felt grateful that I did have an opportunity ahead of me to go to school and not worry about the money,” Lovett said.
2024 Mancelona High School graduate Kai Collins also received the Commitment scholarship. By combining it with dual enrollment, he earned a UAS certificate from NMC. Now he’s a sophomore at Michigan Technological University majoring in mechanical engineering, and has landed an internship at Milwaukee Tool this summer. In addition to the financial benefit, Collins said the scholarship gave him a big confidence boost.
“Being a Commitment scholar felt like I was being treated as an adult. I had to learn management skills,” Collins said. “It’s made me a lot more confident in my college journey. I know I can use opportunities I’m given to their fullest.”
Apply online at nmc.edu/commitment.
Release date: MARCH 2, 2026
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-discrimination
Feb 24, 2026 | Intercom, Student Events
Versiti is holding a blood drive from 12:30 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 9 in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 104/105 on NMC’s Front Street Campus. Do your part to help save lives during a vital time of need!
Make sure you eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating. Walk-ins are welcome, though scheduling an appointment is recommended.
Feb 23, 2026 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Thanks to the Advising Center, which has filled the employer slots for the Career & Majors Fair April 10. It is the region’s largest career fair and offers a valuable service to both students and community members.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Feb 23, 2026 | Intercom
The NMC Board of Trustees Policy Committee will meet Tuesday, February 24 at 1:30 p.m. in Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, Room 14. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Feb 23, 2026 | Intercom, Media Mentions
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.
From a coal dock to a Blue Tech hub
Northern Express, Feb. 21
(more…)
Feb 23, 2026 | Intercom, Student Events
NMC is hosting a Curling Night at the Traverse City Curling Center, 1712 S Garfield Ave., from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 6.
This event is open to the first 50 NMC participants that register. Participants can expect to be on the ice for 2 hours of instruction and play. Children under the age of 8 will not be able to participate in this activity. For those that bring a child between the age of 9 to 13, the child will be required to wear a helmet when on the ice.
To join the fun, fill out the registration form.
For questions, please contact Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu.
Feb 23, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur Lab (MVE-Lab) is a free entrepreneurial accelerator program tailored for military-connected individuals in Michigan. This program is developed and led by the Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) at Grand Valley State University (GVSU).
Participants will cover relevant topics each week and will leave with actionable takeaways. Topic examples include:
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- Knowing your customer
- Marketing and messaging
- Financial modeling
- “Ask the Lawyer”
- Planning for growth
- Funding streams
The MVE-Lab cohort 17 will run in Traverse City from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesdays from April 7 through June 9 at GVSU’s Traverse City Regional Center located in the James Beckett Buildng on NMC’s Front Street Campus. Participants can join in-person of via Zoom. Dinner is provided. The program will conclude with a Final Pitch and Showcase event on Monday, June 15 to celebrate the end of the cohort with an opportunity to pitch for $15,000 in cash prizes.
To apply, visit gvsu.edu/mve. Applications will close on April 7 at 11:59 p.m.
Feb 23, 2026 | Intercom, Student Events
Take the first step toward your medical career by joining Grand Valley State University at the Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Preview Day at their Traverse City Campus in the James Beckett Building from 1–3 p.m. on Friday, March 20.
This event offers a unique opportunity to connect directly with the Assistant Program Director, Traverse City PA faculty, and Grand Valley advisors who can help navigate your path to enrollment. You’ll gain firsthand insights from current PA students and receive a guided tour of our new facilities. Whether you have specific questions about the admissions process or simply want to learn more, this session is designed to provide the overview and clarify you need. This event is open to all prospective students and community members.
Please RSVP for this event at gvsu.edu/traverse/pa.
Feb 20, 2026 | HR Corner, Intercom, Student Events
Bring your team and join us in February for these Food For The Soul events as we continue to Embrace the Dream and celebrate Black History Month.
Thursday, February 26, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6 p.m.
Hawk Owl Café
$6.00/NMC staff & students; $12.00/community members
- Shrimp and Grits or blackened tofu (vegetarian)
- Collard Greens (with and without ham)
- Corn bread (Jiffy)
- Cherry cheesecake
- Drink option (sweet tea)
For full details, to add events to your Google Calendar, or to watch for new opportunities, visit the NMC Embrace the Dream calendar.
If you have an event or activities to add, please contact lhodek@nmc.edu. Thank you for supporting inclusion and community at NMC!
Feb 20, 2026 | HR Corner, Intercom
Kudos to Lynne Moritz and Terri Gustafson! Kudos to Lynne and Terri for co-organizing the Curling Watch Party! What a fun way to celebrate the Olympics and to learn more about curling.
Feb 20, 2026 | HR Corner, Intercom
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Redick Powell, student employee – Aviation Line Crew
- Amanda Sanchez, student employee – Tutor
- Gracie Gross, student employee – Residence Hall Front Desk
Feb 20, 2026 | Intercom
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, February 23 at 5:30 p.m. in Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, Room 106/107. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Feb 19, 2026 | Intercom, Student Events
NMC is hosting a mobile pantry from 2:45–5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23 in the Maple Lot on the Front Street campus.
The menu includes oranges, grapefruit, honeydew melons, apples, potatoes, kidney beans, poptarts and juice. NMC’s mobile pantry program is designed specifically for NMC students and their families though all members of the community are welcome. Drive-thru and walk-up options are both available. If a student is unable to attend the distribution due to a class conflict, they may send a friend or family member to pick-up on their behalf.
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.
Feb 18, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
Campus Safety and Security has completed multiple CPR training sessions at NMC with more to follow.
Kindly watch this important video on providing hands only CPR.
Keep in mind:
- The most likely emergency you will encounter on a college campus is a medical emergency.
- Good Samaritan laws protect bystanders from civil liability when providing voluntary and reasonable emergency assistance to injured or ill individuals.
Feb 18, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
February 18, 2026
More area high school students are getting a head start on degrees and careers through record enrollment at NMC this spring.
Combined, 613 high school students were dual enrolled or in Early College at NMC this spring, up from the previous record of 544 set just last fall. High school students now constitute 19.3%, or nearly one in five, of the 3,188 students enrolled.
The increase comes despite the fact that overall spring semester enrollment is lower than fall’s, as is typical. Spring-to-spring overall enrollment is up 1.2% from spring 2025.
“More students continued on, and we were able to get more students interested and enrolled,” said NMC Admissions director Lisa vonReichbauer.
Offering opportunities for high school students is one of the top two priorities of local residents, according to NMC’s latest Community Attitudes & Awareness survey.
Hence NMC put an all-out effort on financial, communication and programming fronts into affording residents those opportunities, including a special tuition rate. Tuition for both dual enrollment and early college is paid by local school districts, but until two years ago, the tuition rate for students outside Grand Traverse County left a difference that families paid out of pocket. In January 2024, NMC trustees approved a rate for out-of-district dual enrolled students that eliminates that out of pocket expense.
Equipped with that new rate, vonReichbauer said NMC has improved outreach to both high schools and families, including home school families.
“We’ve communicated better about the opportunities, so we’re seeing more people taking advantage of that,” she said.
Beyond saving money and a head start, research shows that students who dual-enroll in a college class or Early College students, who earn an associate degree in just one year, are more likely to get to the finish line – graduation.
“It increases college going skills, college success and college completion,” vonReichbauer said.
Most students can dual enroll as early as their sophomore year, take up to 10 classes and choose from more than 100 courses. However, each high school handles dual enrollment differently and NMC defers to each individual high school’s requirements.
Fall enrollment for all students, including dual enrolled, starts March 11. Find out more about opportunities for high school students.
