New Books at the Library – November 2021
The library has recently purchased many new books. You can view a handful of them here along with descriptions or go to the library catalog to see the full listing.
Public invited to sixth annual Walk for Health & Housing
TRAVERSE CITY — The community is invited to join NMC students in the Walk for Health and Housing, a guided tour of downtown Traverse City from the perspective of people experiencing homelessness and the providers who serve them, departing from NMC’s Great Lakes campus parking lot at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17.
Ryan Hannon, street outreach coordinator for Goodwill Northern Michigan, leads the sixth annual walk and will highlight stories both tragic and triumphant at stops along the downtown route. Participants will hear from service providers, police officers and elected officials about their concerns and hopes for the future. This experience is part of an interdisciplinary study of health and housing issues by sociology, social work and communications students and open to the public. It is part of National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, held the week before Thanksgiving.
The walk is an example of Experiential Learning at NMC. EL actively engages the learner through relevant and ongoing experiences, critical problem solving and reflective practices.
Release date: November 12, 2021
For more information:
Brandon Everest
Faculty, Social Sciences Area
Director, Experiential Learning Institute
beverest@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1985
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-discriminationPublic invited to sixth annual Walk for Health & Housing
TRAVERSE CITY — The community is invited to join NMC students in the Walk for Health and Housing, a guided tour of downtown Traverse City from the perspective of people experiencing homelessness and the providers who serve them, departing from NMC’s Great Lakes campus parking lot at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17.
Ryan Hannon, street outreach coordinator for Goodwill Northern Michigan, leads the sixth annual walk and will highlight stories both tragic and triumphant at stops along the downtown route. Participants will hear from service providers, police officers and elected officials about their concerns and hopes for the future. This experience is part of an interdisciplinary study of health and housing issues by sociology, social work and communications students and open to the public. It is part of National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, held the week before Thanksgiving.
The walk is an example of Experiential Learning at NMC. EL actively engages the learner through relevant and ongoing experiences, critical problem solving and reflective practices.
Release date: November 12, 2021
For more information:
Brandon Everest
Faculty, Social Sciences Area
Director, Experiential Learning Institute
beverest@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1985
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-discriminationUpdate on OSHA Standard on Mandatory Vaccination and/or Testing
Good morning NMC community,
We continue to monitor developments with the OSHA requirement of mandatory vaccination or testing of employees. While the Emergency Temporary Standard that was issued by OSHA has been stayed, we have been advised to anticipate that it will take effect. The HR team, Vicki Cook and the President’s Council are developing a policy and a detailed procedure for ensuring compliance. Effective January 4, 2022, employees who have not provided proof that they’ve been vaccinated will be required to submit a negative COVID test weekly in order to continue working at NMC. The policy will clarify what forms of proof or of test results are acceptable, and what consequences will exist for employees who do not comply. Our top priorities continue to be the health and safety of our community, and minimal disruption to those served by the college while also complying with the legal requirements.
Look for more information in the coming days as the legal status of this order becomes clearer.
A reminder – staying safe and limiting the spread of COVID-19 on NMC’s campuses is a shared responsibility.
NMC’s commitment:
- Safety protocols include mandatory masks indoors on all campuses. Comprehensive information at nmc.edu/covid-19.
- Work with county health departments to monitor the spread of COVID-19.
- Communication with you about cases on our campuses. You can also check the Cases on Campus Dashboard for additional information.
Student /employee responsibilities:
- Any student who believes they may be positive for COVID-19 should contact NMC’s Health Services at (231) 995-1255.
- Any employee who believes they may be positive for COVID-19 should contact Human Resources at (231) 995-1350.
- Students and employees who may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should follow these guidelines. If you have questions you can call Health Services or Human Resources.
- Take advantage of free, safe, COVID-19 vaccines now widely available for those ages 5 and up. To find a vaccine near you, please visit nmc.edu/vaccines.
- Find a list of local testing sites here.
Thank you for helping to keep our campuses safe.
—
Mark Liebling
AVP of Human Resources
1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 995-1342
Important update: 2021 NMC holiday schedule
Thank you for continuing to demonstrate your dedication to our learners and college, especially during another year of uncertainty because of the COVID-19 pandemic. You truly live our NMC values and are literally helping shape our future values through the strategic planning process.
As a gesture of appreciation, and to give you the opportunity to rest and recharge, the President’s Council has decided to close the college again this year during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Specifically the following days will be treated as additional holidays in 2021:
- Tuesday, December 28
- Wednesday, December 29
- Thursday, December 30
- The remaining (non-annual holiday ) half day on Friday, December 31
We are also exploring how to best connect as a college community for our annual holiday celebration in December. We will continue to communicate these plans as we confirm details.
Thank you again for all you have done to help our learners and our college community this year. We hope you have a successful fall semester.
—
Mark Liebling
AVP of Human Resources
1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 995-1342
Passport to Uganda
The Passport Student Talk Series is a chance to explore other cultures through the experiences of NMC students.
Shakirah Lieffers, a student from Uganda studying pre-medicine at NMC, became a U.S. citizen last month and will talk about life and culture in Uganda on Wednesday, Dec. 1 between 12:15–1 p.m. in West Hall Rm. 107.
Global Endorsement students, please bring your GE passport so that it can be stamped to earn your GE event points!
IAF & NWS team up for events on Nov. 16 & 18
The International Affairs Forum remotely welcomes Ambassador Anthony Wayne Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. to dissect the border policies, trade, and migration dynamics that shape our relationship with Central America. Wayne is the former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and Argentina, and Deputy Ambassador to Afghanistan. He is currently Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer and Distinguished Diplomat in Residence
at the American University School of International Service, as well as Public Policy Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and Co-Chair of its Mexico Institute Advisory Board. The program is presented as a joint event with the National Writers Series.
In-person event at the City Opera House, remote speaker, livestream available:
- 5 p.m. reception with cash bar
- 6 p.m. presentation followed by public Q & A
In-person tickets and livestream access: tciaf.com/nov-16-
Free to current student and educators
Then on Thursday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m., in another joint event with IAF, NWS hosts a conversation with bestselling author Omar El Akkad about his newest book, What Strange Paradise, which looks at the global refugee crisis through the lens of children. As an international journalist, El Akkad has reported from Afghanistan, Guantánamo Bay, and many other locations around the world, and brings his experience to the page in a book that the New York Times says “deserves to be an instant classic.”
Learn more and sign up for the virtual event here.
IAF and NWS are proud to partner on these events which will highlight the ways that international stories and circumstances have a local impact, and how global policies impact the lives of real people right here in northern Michigan.
Veterans Day ceremonies begin at 9:30 a.m.
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College invites the campus and community to attend its annual Veterans Day ceremonies either in person (between the Tanis and Osterlin buildings on NMC’s main campus) or virtually (via Zoom at nmc.zoom.us/j/99338
- Welcome remarks by Kevin D’Alessandro, NMC Enrollment Services
- Student veteran remarks by Brandon Williams, U.S. Navy veteran and current NMC student
- Flag raising ceremony presented by the VFW, Post 2780 Honor Guard
* Star Spangled Banner performed by the Traverse City Central Marching Band
* Three Volleys/Taps and a rifle salute in honor of the fallen will be performed - Closing remarks by Doug Bishop, NMC Trustee
All remarks will be delivered from the flagpole area.
Serving those who have served is a year-round priority for NMC. About 5 percent of students are either veterans or active-duty military. NMC has many services specifically designed for veteran student success, including veteran-specific scholarships and opportunities to convert military service to academic credit. Find out more at nmc.edu/veterans.
Release date: November 9, 2021
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
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-discriminationVeterans Day ceremonies begin at 9:30 a.m.
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College invites the campus and community to attend its annual Veterans Day ceremonies either in person (between the Tanis and Osterlin buildings on NMC’s main campus) or virtually (via Zoom at https://nmc.zoom.us/j/99338
- Welcome remarks by Kevin D’Alessandro, NMC Enrollment Services
- Student veteran remarks by Brandon Williams, U.S. Navy veteran and current NMC student
- Flag raising ceremony presented by the VFW, Post 2780 Honor Guard
* Star Spangled Banner performed by the Traverse City Central Marching Band
* Three Volleys/Taps and a rifle salute in honor of the fallen will be performed - Closing remarks by Doug Bishop, NMC Trustee
All remarks will be delivered from the flagpole area.
Serving those who have served is a year-round priority for NMC. About 5 percent of students are either veterans or active-duty military. NMC has many services specifically designed for veteran student success, including veteran-specific scholarships and opportunities to convert military service to academic credit. Find out more at nmc.edu/veterans.
Release date: NOVEMBER 9, 2021
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
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-discriminationOpen Recreation in the PE Building
Mondays and Thursdays from 2–5 p.m. in the Physical Education Building (#16 on the main campus map).
Join us for volleyball, basketball, cornhole, table tennis, pickleball, soccer, badminton, foursquare, dodgeball and much more!
Open to all NMC students, faculty and staff. Please bring your NMC ID and clean shoes.
For any questions, please contact idedenbach@nmc.edu or mbennett@nmc.edu.
Benefit Updates and Information for 2022
- Open Enrollment dates are Tuesday, Nov. 9–Thursday, Nov 18
- Open Enrollment overview meetings are through Zoom on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m.
- If you can’t attend live, the session will be recorded and posted to the website
- Individual appointments available on Monday, Nov. 15 and Tuesday, Nov. 16 between 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Email Hollie DeWalt at hdewalt@nmc.edu for available time slots.
- If you don’t want to make any changes for 2022, no action is needed, EXCEPT for Flexible Spending and Health Savings Account contributions
- A change in medical and dental plan costs is detailed HERE.
- NY Life (previously Cigna) is offering a one time offering to employees to increase their voluntary life insurance up to $150,000 for self and up to $30,000 for spouse with no medical paperwork required.
- Please review, and update if needed, your life insurance beneficiaries in ADP
- H SA seeding will remain the same- $1300 for single, and $2600 for family (70% in January and 30% in July)
- We are using ADP again this year. Please access (beginning 11/9/21) the enrollment instructions HERE.
- NMC’s Open Enrollment Website, which covers all benefit options is HERE.
Wellness
That’s a wrap!
Fall 2021 Race Around the World Step Challenge
Congratulations to all who participated in the NMC Race Around the World Step Challenge. We hope you enjoyed the challenge and took it as an opportunity to move a little more and maybe explore a new trail or walking path! We also hope you enjoyed learning about Goa, Cape Town, Granada and Paris.
An additional congratulations to our prize drawing winners: Roger Heeres, Shayrrl McCready, Caroline Schaefer-Hills, Amanda Gower, Rorie Kawula, and Lynne Moritz. Please keep an eye on your home mail for a $50 Visa gift card!
We look forward to seeing you on the Wellbeing Hub, at the virtual lunch and learns, and for our next program challenge Hold It for the Holidays! Weigh in will be open November 17-21 and the challenge begins on November 22, 2021.
Questions on the NMC wellness program?
Contact Priority Health Wellbeing at (877) 689-3161 or Wellness@priorityhealth.com
Employee Anniversaries – November
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
Thank you to Scott Herzberg
Scott Herzberg, NMC’s Military Point of Contact for the college’s military and veteran students since 2012, is leaving the college Tuesday after 25 years of service to the college and its students.
In recognition of his work to increase the services that NMC offers student veterans, Herzberg won a 2015 John and Suanne Roueche Excellence Award from the League for Innovation in the Community College. He was also a Foundation Excellence Award winner in 2000 and 2016.
Thank you, Scott!
Media Mentions for November 8, 2021
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.
Local veterans saddled with PTSD walk forward
Record-Eagle, November 7 (more…)
NMC Veterans Day Ceremony is Nov. 11
NMC invites the campus and community to attend its annual Veterans Day ceremonies either in person (between the Tanis and Osterlin buildings on NMC’s main campus) or virtually (via Zoom at https://nmc.zoom.us/j/
- Welcome remarks by Kevin D’Alessandro
- Student veteran remarks by Brandon Williams, U.S. Navy veteran and current NMC student
- Flag raising ceremony presented by the VFW, Post 2780 Honor Guard
* Star Spangled Banner performed by the Traverse City Central Marching Band
* Three Volleys/Taps and a rifle salute in honor of the fallen will be performed - Closing remarks by NMC Board member Doug Bishop
* All remarks will be delivered from the flagpole area.
Origin Of The Three Volleys
The practice of firing three rifle volleys over the grave of a veteran, and at other honor military-related ceremonies, originated in the old custom of halting the fighting to remove the dead from the battlefield. Once each army had cleared their dead, it would fire three volleys to indicate that the dead had been cared for and that they were ready to fight again. Three volleys fired has become a tradition to mean the dead have been cared for. It has evolved into a military salute for the deceased serving their country. Firing the three volleys is one of the highest honors to give a deceased military veteran.
New archivist joins NMC
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC has welcomed a new steward of the college’s institutional memory, archivist and librarian Michelle Seman.
Michelle Seman (download a high-resolution version here)Seman succeeds Ann Swaney, who retired in October after 38 years with the college, or more than half of NMC’s entire 70-year history. She said one of her goals is to make archival materials more accessible to the community. The archives are currently housed in the basement of the Osterlin Building. While materials will remain there, renovations are underway to convert former offices on the second floor into space better suited to research.
“It’ll be more research-friendly,” said Seman, a 2010 graduate of Traverse City Central High School. She earned a master’s degree in library and information science with a concentration in archives from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2020.
Historic photographs and yearbooks are among the most popular items in the NMC Archives, Seman said. Some of these are available online at nmc.edu/archives. Seman is available to assist the public with archival research. Email mseman@nmc.edu or call (231) 995-1016.
Release date: November 5, 2021
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
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-discriminationNew archivist joins NMC
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC has welcomed a new steward of the college’s institutional memory, archivist and librarian Michelle Seman.
Michelle Seman (download a high-resolution version here)Seman succeeds Ann Swaney, who retired in October after 38 years with the college, or more than half of NMC’s entire 70-year history. She said one of her goals is to make archival materials more accessible to the community. The archives are currently housed in the basement of the Osterlin Building. While materials will remain there, renovations are underway to convert former offices on the second floor into space better suited to research.
“It’ll be more research-friendly,” said Seman, a 2010 graduate of Traverse City Central High School. She earned a master’s degree in library and information science with a concentration in archives from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2020.
Historic photographs and yearbooks are among the most popular items in the NMC Archives, Seman said. Some of these are available online at nmc.edu/archives. Seman is available to assist the public with archival research. Email mseman@nmc.edu or call (231) 995-1016.
Release date: November 5, 2021
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019