Kudos to Kyle Morrison, Chris Hanna and Dennis Schultz for overseeing and completing over 20 classroom renovations and upgrades this summer. Thanks to their efforts, rooms in the Beckett Building, Fine Arts, Great Lakes Culinary Institute and Aero Park campus buildings are now equipped with audiovisual equipment to support hybrid learning options.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
A supporter of local schools, NMC has received two sports passes good for all GTACS sporting events for the 2021-2022 school year, as part of our support for GTACS. We’d love to pass these along to NMC employees who could put these to good use cheering on the Gladiators!
First two to claim these via an email to publicrelations@nmc.edu will receive them!
Dear NMC Community — Thank you for your continued active and engaged participation in our ongoing strategic planning process!
Since our last update, we have finished the scanning, or research phase of the process and moved into the active planning phase. This has been no small feat! Throughout July and early August, nine Scan Teams conducted research into the nine key topics to develop recommendations for the Steering Committee and Work Team.
All faculty and staff also had an opportunity to take part in an Employee Values Workshop during Opening Conference on August 23, as well as to respond to a values survey. The Steering Committee and Work Team held its first strategy workshop (Scan to Plan) the next day. Nearly two dozen potential strategies were drafted. As the fall semester gets underway, our intensive focus on NMC’s future continues. Milestones between now and Thanksgiving include the following:
We will continue to provide regular updates on the strategic planning process as we work toward final plan approval by the Board of Trustees in December 2021. You can get updates any time at nmc.edu/strategic-planning and email any questions to strategic-planning@nmc.edu.
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
Dear NMC Community — Thank you for your continued active and engaged participation in our ongoing strategic planning process!
Since our last update, we have finished the scanning, or research phase of the process and moved into the active planning phase. This has been no small feat! Throughout July and early August, nine Scan Teams conducted research into the nine key topics to develop recommendations for the Steering Committee and Work Team.
All faculty and staff also had an opportunity to take part in an Employee Values Workshop during Opening Conference on August 23, as well as to respond to a values survey. The Steering Committee and Work Team held its first strategy workshop (Scan to Plan) the next day. Nearly two dozen potential strategies were drafted. As the fall semester gets underway, our intensive focus on NMC’s future continues. Milestones between now and Thanksgiving include the following:
We will continue to provide regular updates on the strategic planning process as we work toward final plan approval by the Board of Trustees in December 2021. You can get updates any time at nmc.edu/strategic-planning and email any questions to strategic-planning@nmc.edu.
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
Have you ever wondered what people think about inclusion at work?
Please take 3 ½ minutes of your time and watch this YouTube video!
*Please fill out this DEI Intercom Post Feedback Form to be part of our conversation and offer feedback or suggestions on what is being shared.
2021 NMC Step Challenge begins the week of September 13!
Please join your colleagues for this year’s challenge as we Step Around the World.
Priority Health members- sign up through your portal HERE.
All other employees- email Hollie DeWalt at hdewalt@nmc.edu to access the Google tracking sheet.
You can call the Technology Help Desk about Passwords, but don’t forget about all the other technology that we can help you with…Google, WiFi, Office 365, Printing, and any other questions you may think of.
We’ll be glad to help!
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s International Affairs Forum will kick off its fall lecture series on Sept. 16 with “Middle East: War, Women and Struggle” featuring CNN senior international correspondent and Middle East specialist Arwa Damon.
Damon has spent much of 2021 reporting from Iraq and Syria. Her award-winning reporting on the humanitarian crisis in Syria has proven to be essential, helping viewers understand the human toll of the ongoing conflict. Damon is president and co-founder of the International Network for Aid, Relief, and Assistance (INARA), a non-profit that “provides life-altering medical care for children from conflict areas who have catastrophic injuries or illnesses.”
Damon’s appearance will be livestreamed with a moderator on stage in Milliken Auditorium starting at 6 p.m. Audience members may stream directly to their own device ($10 suggested donation) or watch the livestream in person at Milliken Auditorium (tickets $15 at the door).
The fall season continues with the following:
Livestream links and ticket details for in-person lectures will be shared at tciaf.com when available. The IAF is also welcoming new members for the 2021-22 season. Membership starts at $100 for individuals or $160 for families and includes in-person and livestream access to all regular season events. Learn more about IAF membership, event sponsorship, and student outreach at TCIAF.com.
Alex Tank
IAF Communications & Events Program Officer
atank@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1844
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
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s International Affairs Forum will kick off its fall lecture series on Sept. 16 with “Middle East: War, Women and Struggle” featuring CNN senior international correspondent and Middle East specialist Arwa Damon.
Damon has spent much of 2021 reporting from Iraq and Syria. Her award-winning reporting on the humanitarian crisis in Syria has proven to be essential, helping viewers understand the human toll of the ongoing conflict. Damon is president and co-founder of the International Network for Aid, Relief, and Assistance (INARA), a non-profit that “provides life-altering medical care for children from conflict areas who have catastrophic injuries or illnesses.”
Damon’s appearance will be livestreamed with a moderator on stage in Milliken Auditorium starting at 6 p.m. Audience members may stream directly to their own device ($10 suggested donation) or watch the livestream in person at Milliken Auditorium (tickets $15 at the door).
The fall season continues with the following:
Livestream links and ticket details for in-person lectures will be shared at tciaf.com when available. The IAF is also welcoming new members for the 2021-22 season. Membership starts at $100 for individuals or $160 for families and includes in-person and livestream access to all regular season events. Learn more about IAF membership, event sponsorship, and student outreach at TCIAF.com.
Alex Tank
IAF Communications & Events Program Officer
atank@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1844
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-discriminationThe recording of the college update portion of the conference held on August 23, 2021, is available for viewing here. As a reminder, the Values Workshop segment of the morning was not recorded. Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in both portions of the morning. Please contact our office with any questions or concerns.
We hope your semester is off to a great start!
President’s Office
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI
Phone: (231) 995-1010
You’re invited to attend the NMC Music Department’s first Music Convocation of the semester this Friday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. in Milliken Auditorium. We’re kicking off the year with a short (40-minute) concert featuring Music, Audio Tech and Dance faculty. Join us Friday for a variety of performances including solo trumpet, dance, Spirituals, Jazz, Bluegrass, Funk, and for good measure, a little Samba.
Performers include Josh Wagner, Dorothy Vogel, Susan Steele, David Husser, Jill Tremonti, David Chown, Brady Corcoran, Jonah Powell, Andy Evans, Will Harris, Jeffrey Cobb, Phil Tarczon, Bob Pavelek, Laurie Sears, Mike Davis and Mike Hunter.
We hope to see you there!
Northwestern Michigan College is seeking its first-ever vice president of strategic initiatives, a newly-created executive role that will lead strategic planning implementation and innovation management at the college.
Specifically, the new vice president will be accountable for leading the college through implementation of the strategic plan that is now being drafted; leading NMC’s innovation management process, including revenue-generating ventures; and serving as a point person for business partnership and local employers.
“We’re at a unique point in our college’s history,” President Nick Nissley said in a recruiting video. “The pandemic has accelerated the transformation of higher education, allowing us to challenge our previous assumptions.”
The new vice president, Nissley continued, will be charged to “develop new ways to springboard into the future to meet the evolving needs of our diverse stakeholders.”
The position was created by realigning executive leadership responsibilities, and does not add an additional administrator. The vice president will oversee several existing departments including the NMC Marine Center, Extended Educational Services and the International Affairs Forum.
Each of these divisions serves a broader group of learners than traditional, post-high school, degree-seeking students. Demographically, that pool of students is declining in Michigan and nationwide, so the college aims to grow enrollment by reaching new populations, particularly adult learners who need credentials for advancement and professional development.
Massachusetts-based recruiting firm Spelman Johnson was retained to facilitate the nationwide search. Given the broad responsibilities, the position has drawn keen interest from dozens of applicants from around the country. NMC will begin reviewing applications this week and the position will remain open until filled.
“The ability to build strong relationships and to deliver results is at the heart of this role,” Nissley said. “I believe an entrepreneurial spirit will inspire and excite our internal and external partners as we work toward shared success.”
Northwestern Michigan College is seeking its first-ever vice president of strategic initiatives, a newly-created executive role that will lead strategic planning implementation and innovation management at the college.
Specifically, the new vice president will be accountable for leading the college through implementation of the strategic plan that is now being drafted; leading NMC’s innovation management process, including revenue-generating ventures; and serving as a point person for business partnership and local employers.
“We’re at a unique point in our college’s history,” President Nick Nissley said in a recruiting video. “The pandemic has accelerated the transformation of higher education, allowing us to challenge our previous assumptions.”
The new vice president, Nissley continued, will be charged to “develop new ways to springboard into the future to meet the evolving needs of our diverse stakeholders.”
The position was created by realigning executive leadership responsibilities, and does not add an additional administrator. The vice president will oversee several existing departments including the NMC Marine Center, Extended Educational Services and the International Affairs Forum.
Each of these divisions serves a broader group of learners than traditional, post-high school, degree-seeking students. Demographically, that pool of students is declining in Michigan and nationwide, so the college aims to grow enrollment by reaching new populations, particularly adult learners who need credentials for advancement and professional development.
Massachusetts-based recruiting firm Spelman Johnson was retained to facilitate the nationwide search. Given the broad responsibilities, the position has drawn keen interest from dozens of applicants from around the country. NMC will begin reviewing applications this week and the position will remain open until filled.
“The ability to build strong relationships and to deliver results is at the heart of this role,” Nissley said. “I believe an entrepreneurial spirit will inspire and excite our internal and external partners as we work toward shared success.”
Thank you to the many Welcome Week volunteers! Over 40 NMC faculty and staff helped residents move into East and North halls and dip their toes into life as a Hawk Owl with meet-and-greet activities from kayaking to esports to volleyball to an ice cream social. Events began Aug. 26, continue through the annual Pine Palooza student fair from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. tomorrow, and conclude Wednesday.
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.
Make an investment in yourself! Registration is open for Professional Development Opportunities for fall semester. Sign up now for Foundations of Leadership I and other new courses available to employees sponsored by PDI. Watch for technology sessions coming soon!
Kudos to NMC facilities and custodial teams for supporting College for Kids programming this summer. College for Kids utilizes many of our NMC buildings and campuses, and this summer we’ve set up camp in Scholars Hall for our new full day programming (and continue to run our half day classes as well). Facilities and the custodial teams have made the space hospitable for the youngest Hawk Owls. Thank you!
Kudos to Koleen Spigarelli and Ashley Hulwick who did a fantastic job testing students for Move-In Week! Not only were they testing them back to back, but they were also cleaning between tests, running back to enter in results, and heading back to the next student on the schedule for hours! These ladies rocked their job and went above and beyond to get students tested so they could move in. You couldn’t tell it was only Ashley’s fourth day in Health Services by the way she flawlessly handled the situation! Koleen was not only testing, but also working on her presentation for the parents, and taking care of her everyday duties as Director and Nurse Practitioner for Student Health Services! The students and I couldn’t have done it without them; thanks, ladies!
Kudos to Kristin Salathiel: Thank you for presenting at the Board of Trustees meeting this month! Your presentation with Colin about non-traditional assessment was innovative and creative! NMC is lucky to have such an excellent educator!
Kudos to Custodial Services and Facilities: WOW! …That was the first word out of my mouth this morning when I entered West Hall. It was done! All of the tables, chairs, workspaces, group areas…done. Even with the detail of the smaller coffee tables configured to reach the plugs on the walls. The teaching podiums were set up with cables run to the correct ports. Having been through the process of reading blueprints, locating furniture, and setting up the active learning labs, I know the process and it is not easy. Please pass along my praise, accolades, and kudos to those that converted these areas in the middle of the night. I greatly appreciate it!
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!
Katy Knight has been recently promoted to Testing Center Lead Proctor & Data Specialist. Brady Corcoran has been recently promoted to Audio Technology Coordinator.