Welcome our newest hires!
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Macy BeGole – Adjunct Certified Flight Instructor
- Jonathan King, supplemental employee – Law Enforcement (Firearms)
Spring Art Market
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.
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- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spring Art Market
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mother’s Day card making project
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pianist, Dorothy Vogel, in the gallery
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mawby mimosas & sparkling pours (cash bar)
Admission to the museum and parking are free. View the the full list of participating artists on the Dennos Museum’s website.
HR fast facts: Working hours under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
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!
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!
5th Annual TC AAPI Program to Feature Spoken Word Artist Masaki Takahashi and Film Screening by Liann Kaye
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.
Event Details:
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
Board of Trustees regular meeting
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 27, at 5:30 p.m. in the 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.
Cedar lot access restricted April 29 and May 1
Due to outside sporting events on Wednesday, April 29 and Friday, May 1, NMC Campus Security will restrict access to the Cedar Parking Lot. Campus Security will be present at the entrances to the Cedar lot to grant access to NMC employees, students and visitors.
For more information, contact Campus Safety Coordinator Garrett Croon at gcroon@nmc.edu or (231)995-1747
Celebrating NMC Excellence: 2026 Award Nominees
We are thrilled to announce the nominees for the 2026 NMC Staff Excellence Award and the NMC Team Excellence Award.
These individuals and teams have been nominated by their peers for going above and beyond in their service to our students, our colleagues, and the community. Please join us in congratulating this year’s finalists!
Staff Excellence Nominees
The following staff members have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the NMC mission and values:
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Marcus Bennett -
Amy Burns Bailey -
Skylar Berry -
Liz Celeste -
Shannon Croll -
Cindy Duby -
Brittany Hanbury -
Patty Cron-Huhta -
Laura Stevens -
Karen Ford -
Eileen Vaughn -
Lisa vonReichbauer -
Nicole Wenstrup -
Katy Knight -
Dan Simon
Team Excellence Nominees
The following teams have demonstrated outstanding collaboration and commitment to the NMC mission and values:
- Admissions Team: Lisa vonReichbauer, Cathryn Claerhout, Kyle Ferrill, Traci Heidbrider, Rorie Kawula, Augusta Kummer, Beth Weaver
- Foundation Team: Katharine Marvin, Megan Bylsma, Bill Czyzyk, Michele Ensign, Alexandra Galla-Williams, Alana McKinnie, Bridget Munroe, Danielle Quinlan, Paul Schoppe, Rachel Urkowitz, Zach Whitaker
- Grounds Team: Dan Hoseit, Max McColl, Jeremy Maloney
- Residence Life Team: Marcus Bennett, Kaitlyn DeBoer, Brooklynn Golnick, Corbin Thompson
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to NMC. Congratulations to you all!
Save the Date: “You Made It Possible”
The award recipients will be revealed and celebrated during our annual You Made It Possible employee recognition event. Join us for this year’s special NMC 75th Anniversary reunion event (and swag)!
Please RSVP by accepting the calendar invitation and join us for the excitement!
Event: You Made It Possible
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
For questions: hr@nmc.edu or call the HR team at 995-2612
We look forward to seeing you there!
Success story: Swoop symbolizes belonging at NMC
April 22, 2026
Swoop! There he is!
Or will be on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., in all his green-feathered glory, at a special 75th anniversary Student and Community Block Party. The entire community is invited to welcome Swoop, NMC’s new mascot, and then enjoy other festivities on the Front Street campus to celebrate the college’s 75th anniversary.
Running from 3–7 p.m. the Block Party coincides with the end of the spring semester. Students, alumni, staff, faculty, neighbors and friends are all invited to partake of free carnival rides, activities and live music. Food from several local food trucks will be available to purchase.
After his introduction by NMC President Nick Nissley, Swoop will then make the rounds of the party for photo opportunities. Mascots from the Traverse City Pit Spitters, NMC’s University Partners and Traverse City West High School will join the welcome party, too.
NMC adopted the northern hawk owl as a nickname in 2013, and the concept was embraced by the college. Swoop was first visualized as a two-dimensional logo character in 2014. Each graduate receives a “Hawk Owl alumni” T-shirt. The student cafeteria is named the Hawk Owl Café.
The occasion of NMC’s 75th anniversary this year was a fitting time to embody Swoop as an official mascot, and planning for Swoop’s arrival started in late 2024.
“We want NMC to feel vibrant and alive for our students and our community, and finally having Swoop home is a big part of bringing this vision to life.” said Zach Whitaker, manager of NMC Alumni Relations, where Swoop makes his home in between event appearances. “He’s here to cheer on our students and learners as they navigate challenges and celebrate all their accomplishments through their time with us and beyond.”
Advance registration is encouraged. A rain date has been set for Sunday, April 26. For more information, visit nmc.edu/75.
Be the face of our campus: Volunteer as a student photo model this summer
Are you in TC this summer? NMC is looking for the faces of our college! No modeling experience? No problem. We want real students, real smiles and real community vibes. Let’s capture the season together. Fill out the short form below and we’ll reach out to you as our summer photography/video/testimonial schedule goes into action! Please note: this is a volunteer opportunity and is not paid.
Fill out the Summer 2026 call for volunteer student models form
Got questions? Email publicrelations@nmc.edu
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.
Good news about funding for NMC
Good afternoon NMC community,
I have some good news to share about funding for the college, and it’s the result of a lot of careful work behind the scenes over the past couple of years.
Over that time, we took a close look at whether Northwestern Michigan College qualified for the federal Employee Retention Credit, a relief program tied to organizations that kept employees on payroll during the very disruptive time of the COVID pandemic. Based on our financials in 2021, we did qualify, and we completed the detailed process required to claim the credit, filing our request in early 2024.
I’m pleased to share that we have now secured approximately $9 million in ERC funds, including interest.
This did not happen automatically. It required detailed financial analysis, persistence, and follow-through over an extended period of time. I want to recognize former trustee Chris Bott for encouraging us to take a closer look at our eligibility, and Vice President of Finance & Administration Troy Kierczynski for leading the work to see it through. We also appreciated the assistance from Congressman Bergman’s office along the way.
Just as importantly, this reflects how this college showed up during the pandemic. We made a deliberate decision to retain our full-time employees and continue serving students. That took commitment across the college, and it is part of what made this credit possible. Thank you for that.
These funds will help us move forward on priorities already identified through our strategic plan and campus master plan, including student-facing spaces, campus infrastructure, and long-term improvements that support our mission. At the same time, they represent one part of a much larger financial picture, and the work in front of us remains significant.
This is also a reminder that business as usual is not enough. We have to keep looking for opportunities, doing the work to pursue them, and following through when they align with our mission. That is what revenue diversification looks like in practice, and it takes effort across the institution to make it happen.
The process itself took time, and there was uncertainty around timing and final approval. We made a deliberate decision to wait to communicate broadly until funds were received and confirmed, so that we could share clear and accurate information.
We will continue to be thoughtful in how these funds are used and ensure they are aligned with the priorities we have already set together. I must emphasize, such one-time funds will not be used to support annual operating budget needs. But, they can and will be used to support construction/capital budget needs.
I’m grateful for the work happening across this college every day. This is a good example of how steady, disciplined effort over time can create real opportunity for our students and our community.
Nick
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Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College | 231.995.1010
FRIC to celebrate construction milestone
TRAVERSE CITY — Media is invited to cover the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center’s “topping off” celebration from 9–11 a.m. Friday, April 24 at the Discovery Pier parking lot, 13271 S. West Bay Shore Drive (bay side of M-22).
A topping off celebration is a-time honored construction tradition, marking the placement of the building’s final structural beam. It is a milestone in the Center’s construction, which began in September 2025 and is on track for completion in spring 2027.
The $29.1 million project is a collaborative effort of Discovery Pier, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse Connect, Michigan Technological University and 20Fathoms. From 9–10 a.m. these community partners and donors will sign the beam. At 10 a.m. the beam will be craned into place at the construction site across the street.
The 38,000 square foot facility is a landmark project establishing northern Michigan as the epicenter of water innovation and a globally relevant hub for the blue economy.
By co-locating working pier space, advanced laboratories and business incubation under one roof, the Center will serve as the home for water technology and marine mobility, where ideas become solutions, technologies become ventures and opportunities become careers.
The project has already secured more than $28 million in commitments from federal, state and private funders, with fundraising ongoing for equipment and the public exhibit space. Once complete, the Center is expected to draw national and international tenants, create high-wage jobs and generate research with global applications.
Visit freshwatercenter.org to learn more.
Release date: April 20, 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-discriminationThree Trustee committees to meet April 22, 23
TRAVERSE CITY — Three committees of Northwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees will meet this week in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on NMC’s Front Street Campus, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City, Mich.
- Building & Site Committee: 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, Room 08 (Lower Level)
- Audit Committee: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday April 22, Room 08 (Lower Level)
- Executive Committee: 3 p.m. Thursday, April 23, Room 104/105
The official meeting notices are available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Release date: April 20, 2026
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 April 20, 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.
Crucial Conversations for Accountability
Crucial Conversations for Accountability is a two-day course that is strongly recommended for all supervisors, academic chairs and program coordinators, but all regular employees are welcome with supervisor approval. While Crucial Conversations for Accountability may sound like a “gotcha” approach, it is exactly the opposite. The training provides practical tools grounded in mutual respect, active listening and collaborative problem-solving. During this two-day training, learn how to have difficult conversations in a way that solves problems while improving relationships. Attendance is required both days for course completion.
Dates/times
Friday, May 15 AND Friday, May 22, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (on campus)
Register through NeoEd Training using these instructions. For questions, contact professionaldevelopmentinstitute@nmc.edu.
Mobile food pantry April 20
NMC will host a mobile food pantry on Monday, April 20 from 3–5 p.m. in the Maple Lot on the Front Street campus. We have 3,505 pounds of goods including instant mashed potatoes, dried beans, raisins, apples (bulk), eggs, cutie tangerines, frozen zucchini and celery.
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.
Denim Day at NMC
NMC is participating in Denim Day a week early on April 22. Everyone is encouraged to wear denim that day if you are able to as a way to show support for survivors during sexual assault awareness month. To learn more about Denim Day and its origins please visit denimday.org.
Celebrating new chapters
These colleagues have moved on to a new chapter in their lives. We wish them the very best as they navigate a new adventure, and we thank them for their time and dedication to NMC!
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- Magnus Mannor, supplemental employee – Food Service, Back of House
- Jenifer Taylor – Facilities Project Manager
- Jonah Villanueva, supplemental employee – Banquet Server, Hagerty Center
- Zelda Wagner, student employee – Writing Center Teaching Assistant