Kudos!

KUDOS- (praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com

Submit a Kudos here.


Kudos to Stephen Drake-
He went above and beyond in helping me understand concepts in college algebra. I previously had thought there was no way I would ever pass the class (having taken and dropped it TWICE at a different school), but Drake’s patience and knowledge has proven me wrong. He is without a doubt one of the best teachers I have had.

Kudos to Steve Dixon- Steve works many hours in the Fitness Center as he continues his undergraduate work. He is fully self-supporting and exhibits an extremely positive attitude and approach to everyone he encounters in the Fitness Center and all of the tasks required of him.
I began using the Fitness Center just over a year ago, a first for me (and I am now in my mid-60’s). Steve’s presence is always welcoming and encouraging, no matter what age or level of fitness exhibited. Using him as personal trainer this past summer assisted me in becoming more dedicated to my own goal of strengthening and enhancing my fitness as I move into my aging years.
Never judgmental, ALWAYS positive & encouraging, no matter how often I showed up or how intensively I worked … has provided me with an environment where I feel that whatever I do is good and beneficial.

Kudos to Tina Ulrich- I am an NMC faculty member and a board member of MI Writers. On 9/17, NW Cinematic Storytellers and MI Writers hosted an all-day Screenwriting Seminar at NMC.
Numerous scholarships were given to students, community members and military veterans.
Tina created a multi-page bibliography of the Osterlin writing/film collection (which was put in registrant packets)and created a specific display table in the library of some of those resources. There was even a large sign welcoming MI Writers! The registrants; which included our students, community members and folks from as far away as Chicago were delighted by Tina’s efforts. One registrant from Ann Arbor told me “How thoughtful and helpful your library staff is! It’s these little touches that are both welcoming and say everything about a place.”

Kudos to Scott Goethals- I interview a lot of people who have been through NMC’s IT program. Every single person raves about what an outstanding instructor Scott Goethals is. His courses are tough, so I think that says a lot. He earns their trust and invests in their growth. These former students say all their instructors were good, but Scott was GREAT. The graduates come out of that program very well prepared for a career in computer network administration and technical support. It takes someone willing to go “above and beyond” to stay current with an IT curriculum. Lastly, his collaboration with our company, both on curriculum and placement of qualified candidates, has been invaluable. Kudos to Scott!

Kudos to all of those involved in planning the College-Wide Picnic on August 19! The event was an outstanding success thanks to the enthusiastic support from the following people and departments:
– Roy Bartle, Robert Scott, & the Sodexo catering staff
– Paul Perry, Linda Glaesmer & the Facilities staff
– Kyle Morrison, Educational Media Technologies

Kudos to Sam Foster, Steve Dix, Dan Wasson, Zeb McCauley, Jeff Send, & others that helped from facilities-  The dental assistant department recently acquired new digital x-ray equipment & everyone that was mentioned helped to facilitate the steps needed prior to installation & helped during the install.

Thank you for all you do!!!

Kudos to NMC Communications instructor, Teresa Scollon, related to the September 16 Record Eagle article: Reinvented program takes shape at TBAISD Career Tech Center. Teresa is co-leader of a writing program Front Street Writers, a course that teaches writing as a craft and leads students through several writing styles. Her students will gain the opportunity to meet and learn from working writers.

Kudos to Laura Schmidt-  Congratulations to Laura Schmidt for her nomination to the OADN (Organization of Associate Degree Nursing)Board of Directors.

Position Vacancies

Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:

  • CRM/Financial Aid Assistant
  • Hagerty Center – Server, Bartender, Sous Chef, Cook and Dishwasher

NMC Magazine is looking for adventure submissions

The road less traveled may be fraught with danger, but its journey offers endless possibilities. This semester, NMC Magazine delves into its latest theme: Adventure! Send in your stories, poems, essays, artwork, photographs, or other designs by Monday, October 24.

Bring hard copies to the Communications Office, Scholars Hall 214, Attn: Alissia Lingaur -OR- to the Humanities Office, Fine Arts Building, Attn: Caroline Schaefer-Hills. Email submissions to nmcmag@mail.nmc.edu.

Make sure to include the submission form, available here: nmc.edu/nmcmagazine/submissions.pdf

Voter Registration at NMC (for National Voter Registration Day)

voting-poster-2016Osterlin Library, the League of Women Voters of the Grand Traverse Area, and the League of Women Voters of Leelanau County are cooperating to offer voter registration and provide voter information on NMC’s campus on National Voter Registration Day, Tuesday September 27th. Volunteers will be in the library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday the 27th and Wednesday the 28th, as well as at the Parsons-Stulen Building on NMC’s Aero Park Campus on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to Noon.

Volunteers will assist people in completing voter registration forms, and will submit them to the county clerk’s office. They can also help people find out whether they’re registered to vote, where they should vote, and what candidates and issues will be on the ballot.

Check whether you’re registered to vote and view a sample ballot at the Michigan Voter Information Center »

 

President’s Update for September 20, 2016

Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”

Notable Accomplishments provided by Faculty and Staff

This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Directions (SD) and Institutional Effectiveness Criteria (IE) are provided where possible. (more…)

Career Counseling for Students

career counselingThe Advising Center is available to help students who are undecided about their career or major! Career counseling involves helping a student explore their interests, values, abilities, personality to find a best fit career or major area. Refer students to us for assistance with the career decision-making process! 5-1040 or advising@nmc.edu

Building a culture of peace Sept. 21

Panelists including NMC faculty and students will discuss “Building a Culture of Peace” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, in Scholars Hall 109.

The discussion is part of International Day of Peace, commemorated Sept. 21, and is organized in part by the NMC International Student Club and local Veterans for Peace chapter. 

For more information visit www.vfp50.org.

 

Success story: Gamification of an anatomy class

September 14, 2016

Nick Roster, NMC anatomy and physiology instructorIt was just another day in Anatomy and Physiology class, until instructor Nick Roster told students working in groups that the first group to finish a task would win five points.

The effect was immediate and obvious. Students leaned in across the lab tables, their body language showing focus, intensity and concentration as they worked together. By making the task into a race — a basic gamification concept — Roster simultaneously challenged and motivated students, fostered collaboration and self-directed learning.

It’s those kind of results which led the science instructor to completely rebuild his A & P course on gamification principles. He received an NMC Foundation grant to pilot the idea in 2015, and in spring 2016 moved completely to a gamification structure.

“I’m using some of the game elements and an (online) platform to run the whole class,” said Roster.

While the structure is a natural fit for students who grew up trying to get to the next level on PlayStation or Xbox, Roster said such gamification concepts as leveling up are ideal for learning.

“What this allows for is mastery learning. There’s no 70 percent,” he said. “Student performance is better because they have to get it right.”

They have to get it right — eventually. The level-based structure of his class allows students to practice until they gain the knowledge or skills necessary to advance. Failure is not the disaster that it would be on a midterm or final exam.

“This allows students the opportunity to fail, or get it wrong, or misread the question, and still be successful,” said Roster, whose e-mail signature includes a quote from Einstein: “I never teach my students, I only give them the opportunity to learn.”

NMC anatomy and physiology classAnatomy and Physiology still includes a traditional hands-on lab, though much of what was the lecture format of the class can now be conducted online. That allows students to progress at their own pace, and frees up class time for questions and discussion.

Roster has discussed the potential to apply gamification concepts with colleagues in NMC’s Business, Aviation, Computer Information Technology and other science disciplines. He says he knows one group that hopes the idea spreads: Students.

“My student reviews have never been better,” he said. “They’re hoping or wishing other classes were structured this way.”

Success story: Gamification of an anatomy class

September 14, 2016

Nick Roster, NMC anatomy and physiology instructorIt was just another day in Anatomy and Physiology class, until instructor Nick Roster told students working in groups that the first group to finish a task would win five points.

The effect was immediate and obvious. Students leaned in across the lab tables, their body language showing focus, intensity and concentration as they worked together. By making the task into a race — a basic gamification concept — Roster simultaneously challenged and motivated students, fostered collaboration and self-directed learning.

It’s those kind of results which led the science instructor to completely rebuild his A & P course on gamification principles. He received an NMC Foundation grant to pilot the idea in 2015, and in spring 2016 moved completely to a gamification structure.

“I’m using some of the game elements and an (online) platform to run the whole class,” said Roster.

While the structure is a natural fit for students who grew up trying to get to the next level on PlayStation or Xbox, Roster said such gamification concepts as leveling up are ideal for learning.

“What this allows for is mastery learning. There’s no 70 percent,” he said. “Student performance is better because they have to get it right.”

They have to get it right — eventually. The level-based structure of his class allows students to practice until they gain the knowledge or skills necessary to advance. Failure is not the disaster that it would be on a midterm or final exam.

“This allows students the opportunity to fail, or get it wrong, or misread the question, and still be successful,” said Roster, whose e-mail signature includes a quote from Einstein: “I never teach my students, I only give them the opportunity to learn.”

NMC anatomy and physiology classAnatomy and Physiology still includes a traditional hands-on lab, though much of what was the lecture format of the class can now be conducted online. That allows students to progress at their own pace, and frees up class time for questions and discussion.

Roster has discussed the potential to apply gamification concepts with colleagues in NMC’s Business, Aviation, Computer Information Technology and other science disciplines. He says he knows one group that hopes the idea spreads: Students.

“My student reviews have never been better,” he said. “They’re hoping or wishing other classes were structured this way.”

NMC Mindfulness Initiative

mindfulnessTuesdays at Noon Health & Science 101

A 10 minute mindfulness practice can help:

  • Improve focus and awareness
  • Reduce anxiety, depression and stress
  • Promote emotional balance
  • Cultivate compassion
  • Promote academic performance
  • Prevent burnout
  • Increase creativity

Come unplug for 20 minutes with NMC’s new mindfulness learning community. Students, faculty, staff and the public are welcome!

For more information or a private mindfulness session, contact Kristy McDonald at 995-1059 or kmcdonald@nmc.edu

NMC Board Candidates Forum

The League of Women Voters (LWV) is hosting a forum for NMC Board of Trustees candidates that will be moderated by Mary Grover from the LWV. The forum will be Tuesday, October 18, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Milliken Auditorium.

UpNorth Media Center will cover the event and record it for future viewing.

Six candidates are running for two positions on the NMC Board of Trustees. The following will be on the November election ballot for Grand Traverse County:

  • Chris M. Bott
  • Carolyn Collins
  • Christopher Dailey
  • Michael Estes
  • Michael B. Haynes
  • Rachel Johnson

WNMC Volunteer Call-Out

WNMC, the community public radio service of NMC, is looking for some new volunteers. Thousands of people in the Grand Traverse region listen every week, hundreds are listening at any given time. WNMC plays music heard nowhere else on the dial — jazz, blues, alternative rock, indie, Michigan music, and music from around the world. Most of that music is brand new. You don’t have to know a lot, but you do have to be willing to be a musical explorer and tour guide. All you need is a sense of sonic adventure and a bit of time. Four training sessions are provided, and you can apply online.

Time for a Check

checkmarkIt’s hard to believe we’re almost one quarter of the way through FY’17. It seems as though it just started! A quarterly check of your department’s operational plan A3 is recommended as a way to ensure that you’re on track with goals for the year and to foster open communication when things are not going as planned.

Here’s a suggested structure for your check meeting:

  1. What is the target?
  2. What is the current state – where are we now?
  3. What obstacles are preventing us from reaching the target? Which ones are being addressed now?
  4. What’s the next step?
  5. By when – when can we meet to check again on progress?

The key is to remember that problems are golden – they represent an opportunity to learn. Therefore problems should be brought to the surface rather than buried. Also, remember this is a check-in not a problem solving brainstorm. Stay focused, and determine the one next best step and check again after that next step is completed.

Additional check guidelines are available on the Planning employee site located here: employees.nmc.edu/depts/orpe/planning/support-toolbox/tools.html

Questions about the planning process can be directed to Karen Ruedinger at 5-1032.

Growing Pains

There will be a few temporary growing pains while we build our new student housing and expand the Dennos Museum Center. Sections of the Aspen and Elm parking lots will be used for construction crews and their equipment during the projects. You may want to plan a little extra time if you usually park in these lots. You can also check out alternatives with this parking lot map. Sorry for any inconvenience and thanks for understanding.