Jan 5, 2022 | Announcements & News, Intercom, Student News
The Traverse City Parking Patrol will begin issuing warnings at NMC Friday, Jan. 14 and start issuing citations for parking violations on Friday, Jan. 21. All NMC students and employees must have their 2021-2022 permits displayed then. If you haven’t received your permit, they’re available at the Campus Safety & Security office in the West Hall Innovation Center (#9 on the Main Campus Map) and the Enrollment Services office on the main level of the Tanis Building (#5 on the Main Campus Map).
The Traverse City Police Department has provided the following information on how to avoid parking tickets on campus by properly displaying your parking permit:
- Place your permit in the bottom left-hand corner of your windshield.
- Place your permit right side up. An upside-down permit will be considered invalid.
- Hang tags must be on the rear view mirror.
- Be sure that the expiration date on your permit can be seen from the outside of your vehicle. (Some vehicles have a tint on the edges of their windshield, so be sure your permit is not behind a tint, as it will make it difficult to see from the outside.) When it doubt, get out of your vehicle and be sure you can see the entire permit from the outside.
If you do get a ticket, payment can be made at the red drop-off payment box at the east end of the Cedar lot in front of the Health & Science Building on main campus. You can also mail the fine in to the city, or pay at the parking services office in the public parking garage at 303 E. State St. Payment information is also on each ticket.
If you have any questions about parking enforcement on campus, please call Campus Safety & Security at (231) 995-1111.
Jan 5, 2022 | Intercom
Welcome back NMC community,
We hope you had a happy and restful year-end break!
It’s hard to believe we have been living and working in pandemic conditions for almost two full years. In spring of 2020, we were all forced to try new ways of meeting our student and stakeholder needs. Since then the transformation around the future of work has accelerated and you have found innovative ways to get the job done! While the pandemic continues to evolve, we are beginning to normalize some of the temporary measures we’ve adopted during this time. To reflect these changes, we have updated NMC’s existing flexible work policies (D-757.00 and D-757-01.)
The policies themselves did not require many changes, but the way we put them into practice has changed considerably. We believe in this fluid environment we need to put more trust in our employees and their direct supervisors as they are closest to the students and other stakeholders who depend upon their work.
We also believe employees and their supervisors know what kind of arrangement will support each employee in doing their best work, based on the nature of the work performed and the preferences of the employee. This includes methods of service delivery, work location, and media that are used in getting the job done today. Some experimentation may happen and that is part of our Plan Do Check Adjust culture. If a situation isn’t working, the people closest to it will know it first, and probably know best how to fix it.
The updated policies include a revised “Telecommuting Agreement.” Any employee who is performing some part of their job remotely should complete the “Telecommuting Agreement” and send it to their supervisor for approval, then on to their executive and HR for record-keeping purposes. Supervisors, please work with your team members to get these forms completed, fully signed and to HR by January 31, 2022.
The uncertainty of the last two years has presented us with many challenges, but it has also allowed us to innovate, which is a long standing NMC value. Thank you for all you’ve done during this time, and for helping our college continue to advance in the future.
Thank you, Mark
—
Mark Liebling
AVP of Human Resources
1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 995-1342
Jan 4, 2022 | 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.
Maybe This Year Will Be Better Than The Last: Local Leaders Share New Year’s Resolutions For 2022
The Ticker, January 1 (more…)
Jan 4, 2022 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Watch your mailbox next week for the success stories of colleagues, students, alumni and friends in the next issue of Nexus magazine.
From strategic planning to Steve Drake’s math teacher disciples to the new restaurant that the owners (and GLCI alumna) of Frankfort’s Birch & Maple are cooking up, you’ll only read about it in Nexus.
Jan 4, 2022 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Two new culinary certificates offering targeted skills to both entry-level students and professionals already in the workforce will be offered by NMC’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute beginning with the Fall 2022 semester.
NMC trustees unanimously approved the two new certificates in December:
- Culinary Arts Certificate Level 1 is a one-year certificate that meets the needs of students who want just enough skills to get out into the industry while incurring a minimal amount of tuition cost. It may be stacked with either a more advanced culinary certificate or associate degree, allowing students to tailor both their skill and their educational investment to their individual goals.
- Baking & Pastry Certificate Level 2 replaces an existing baking certificate. It offers basic and advanced skills training for students new to the industry and current workforce professionals who want to enhance specific skills.
The new certificates are a result of GLCI’s larger reimagining process that began in 2021. That process seeks to redesign the program to demonstrate responsible environmental stewardship, offer more plant-forward culinary training and meet the culinary educational needs of a broader group of potential learners, thus increasing enrollment.
In addition to the certificates, GLCI has diversified its content delivery. Courses will be taught in two sessions over the single semester. Students will take fewer courses at the same time, allowing more concentrated learning and quicker goal achievement. All changes are designed to improve and increase student outcomes as well as reposition GLCI as a culinary educational hub, drawing not only traditional students but those already in the workforce who seek to update or advance their skills, as well as culinary enthusiasts. More changes are expected in 2023. Find out more at nmc.edu/culinary.
Release date: January 4, 2022
For more information:
Les Eckert, MBA, CEPC, CCE, AAC
Director, Great Lakes Culinary Institute
(231) 995-1197
leckert@nmc.edu
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
Jan 4, 2022 | Intercom, Student News
Dear NMC community – We hope you had an enjoyable and restful holiday break. With spring semester classes beginning Jan. 14, we’d like to share some reminders and updates regarding COVID-19.
- While some colleges and universities have recently moved to online-only instruction, NMC’s class formats will remain the same as when students registered. If you signed up for a face-to-face class, it will meet face-to-face. If you signed up for an online class, it will remain online.
- NMC’s requirement to wear face masks while indoors on campus continues into the spring semester. Masks are provided at the entrances to all buildings and signage also informs students, faculty and staff and visitors. This video shows how to properly wear a face mask and other simple COVID precautions.
- As announced in December, cases on campus will be reported via the dashboard only. Campuswide emails have been discontinued.
- Visit nmc.edu/covid19 for more information. Use the feedback form if you have questions.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the health and safety of everyone on campus. We hope you have a happy and healthy 2022!
Sincerely, NMC Public Relations
Jan 4, 2022 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Two new culinary certificates offering targeted skills to both entry-level students and professionals already in the workforce will be offered by NMC’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute beginning with the Fall 2022 semester.
NMC trustees unanimously approved the two new certificates in December:
- Culinary Arts Certificate Level 1 is a one-year certificate that meets the needs of students who want just enough skills to get out into the industry while incurring a minimal amount of tuition cost. It may be stacked with either a more advanced culinary certificate or associate degree, allowing students to tailor both their skill and their educational investment to their individual goals.
- Baking & Pastry Certificate Level 2 replaces an existing baking certificate. It offers basic and advanced skills training for students new to the industry and current workforce professionals who want to enhance specific skills.
The new certificates are a result of GLCI’s larger reimagining process that began in 2021. That process seeks to redesign the program to demonstrate responsible environmental stewardship, offer more plant-forward culinary training and meet the culinary educational needs of a broader group of potential learners, thus increasing enrollment.
In addition to the certificates, GLCI has diversified its content delivery. Courses will be taught in two sessions over the single semester. Students will take fewer courses at the same time, allowing more concentrated learning and quicker goal achievement. All changes are designed to improve and increase student outcomes as well as reposition GLCI as a culinary educational hub, drawing not only traditional students but those already in the workforce who seek to update or advance their skills, as well as culinary enthusiasts. More changes are expected in 2023. Find out more at nmc.edu/culinary.
Release date: January 4, 2022
For more information:
Les Eckert, MBA, CEPC, CCE, AAC
Director, Great Lakes Culinary Institute
(231) 995-1197
leckert@nmc.edu
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
Dec 21, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC trustees unanimously approved job training agreements with five companies Monday, carrying the region over the 1,000 mark for new jobs created under a state program begun in 2008.
Including Monday’s agreements, 1,013 new jobs in northwest Michigan are now attributed to partnerships created through the New Jobs Training Program (NJTP).The newest, 25 new jobs by 2031, was approved with Iron Fish Distillery Monday, while existing agreements with Britten, Inc., Century, Inc, Elmer’s Crane and Dozer, Inc., and Strata Design were amended with extensions.
The statewide program, which grew out of a 2008 bipartisan effort to stimulate job creation, allows companies to divert payroll taxes into a fund to train new hires. NMC receives 15 percent of the funds to administer the program and is also a training provider.
“NJTP continues to be one of our important tools in supporting regional economic development,” said Marguerite Cotto, NMC’s vice president for Lifelong and Professional Learning. “We’re proud to be the only community college in the state to bring agreements for Board approval in every cycle since the program’s inception.”
NMC inked its first agreement with Electro Optics Technology in 2010. All jobs must pay 175 percent of prevailing minimum wage. As of January 1, 2022, that amounts to $17.27 per hour.
Legislation is now under consideration to expand the program by raising the statewide cap on deferred payroll taxes under contract from $50 million to $100 million.
Release date: DECEMBER 21, 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-discrimination
Dec 21, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC trustees unanimously approved job training agreements with five companies Monday, carrying the region over the 1,000 mark for new jobs created under a state program begun in 2008.
Including Monday’s agreements, 1,013 new jobs in northwest Michigan are now attributed to partnerships created through the New Jobs Training Program (NJTP).The newest, 25 new jobs by 2031, was approved with Iron Fish Distillery Monday, while existing agreements with Britten, Inc., Century, Inc, Elmer’s Crane and Dozer, Inc., and Strata Design were amended with extensions.
The statewide program, which grew out of a 2008 bipartisan effort to stimulate job creation, allows companies to divert payroll taxes into a fund to train new hires. NMC receives 15 percent of the funds to administer the program and is also a training provider.
“NJTP continues to be one of our important tools in supporting regional economic development,” said Marguerite Cotto, NMC’s vice president for Lifelong and Professional Learning. “We’re proud to be the only community college in the state to bring agreements for Board approval in every cycle since the program’s inception.”
NMC inked its first agreement with Electro Optics Technology in 2010. All jobs must pay 175 percent of prevailing minimum wage. As of January 1, 2022, that amounts to $17.27 per hour.
Legislation is now under consideration to expand the program by raising the statewide cap on deferred payroll taxes under contract from $50 million to $100 million.
Release date: DECEMBER 21, 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-discrimination
Dec 20, 2021 | 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.
A Sneak Peek At NMC’s New Strategic Plan
The Ticker, December 20 (more…)
Dec 20, 2021 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Congratulations to everyone who helped EES implement and launch their new, improved, user-friendly registration site. Check it out yourself. One new feature is that NMC employees will see the discounted rate before checkout. The Marine Center utilizes the system, too.
Implementation team members: Ed Bailey, Maureen Carlson, Bill Czyzyk, Dan Gentry, Kristy Jackson, Lindsey Lipke, Laura Matchett, Jackie Schenk, Elizabeth Sonnabend
Go Live Additional Team: Christa Abdul-Karim, Lisa Boike, Steve Kellman, Paul Martin, Bryce Turner
Dec 20, 2021 | HR Corner, Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
Dec 20, 2021 | HR Corner, Intercom
Kudos to Emily Crull and Dave Dalquist for revising the Human Resources Staffing & Recruitment section.
Kudos to Denny Nguyen: Denny consistently delivers for NMC, helping resolve pay and HR data issues with fast, accurate and friendly service to all areas of the college. He is a very good communicator, builds solid relationships with every encounter, and ensures that everyone here is paid appropriately and timely, and that the many requests for data are met with a smile (virtually, mostly, these days). We all are better because of his professionalism and passion to serve the college and those it serves.
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!
Dec 20, 2021 | Embrace the Dream, Intercom, Student News
An NMC Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Black History Month
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., most famous for his leadership during the civil rights movement and his “I have a dream” speech,” once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ ” In honor of King’s legacy, NMC will observe its first campus-wide commemorative event, Embrace the Dream, from January 17 through February 14, 2022. NMC faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in these learning activities and volunteer opportunities.
Check out the Embrace the Dream page and Google Calendar and add these activities to your own calendar, including new volunteer activities each week! Please use these opportunities to connect, discuss, reflect, and engage with our community to make a difference in the lives of our underrepresented populations as part of our diversity, equity, and inclusion commitment and our NMC strategic direction. We hope these activities will provide opportunities to learn and share new perspectives with our students, faculty, staff and community members.
We look forward to this important event and to sharing the stories of what we learn and accomplish together along the way. How will you “Embrace the Dream”?
Dec 16, 2021 | Announcements & News, Intercom
Longtime NMC Librarian and Archivist Ann Swaney’s husband, Gerald Swaney, passed away December 12. Gerry was connected to NMC for many years through his efforts recruiting young people into technical and STEM programs, taught College for Kids classes, and was instrumental in development of the Career Tech Center’s Manufacturing Engineering program. Read more and share memories here.
Also, Business Instructor Jane Zlojutro’s husband Nicholas Paul Zlojutro passed away December 12. A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17 at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth St., Traverse City. Read more, share memories and find visitation and memorial service information here.
Dec 16, 2021 | Intercom
Good afternoon NMC community,
It’s time to celebrate the best of the worst! While we couldn’t use our super scientific in-person cheer-o-meter this year to determine the winner, we asynchronously assembled a highly skilled taskforce of taste makers to wade through all of your wooly entries to determine the 2021 NMC Ugly Sweater contest winners!
It is our distinct pleasure to announce the finalists!
The finalist for best “uncanny valley elf assistant” entry goes to Health Occupations instructor Betsy Boris with her prescription for cheer from the nursing lab!
The finalist for best “life imitating art” entry goes to Humanities instructor Caroline Schaefer-Hills and her bullies!
The finalist for the best “12 31 days of Christmas spirit” and winner of the “best submission by an individual” goes to GLCI/Lobdell’s Service Lead Zach Whitaker.
And last but not least, the finalist for this year’s “Way to Lean into a Theme” award and winner of the “best submission by a department” goes to repeat champion, and pride of Parsons-Stulen, Aviation Department featuring Alex Bloye, Mike O’Keefe and Frank Jabour with special guest star Marguerite Cotto.
The photo was accompanied by this caption, “As an ode to “the boss” (AKA LPL VP MC), we took it back to 1979. That year the Sony Walkman made its debut, ‘My Sharona’ was the #1 Billboard hit, and the Happy Meal landed on Mickey D’s menu. That was also the year Marguerite Cotto taught her first class on campus, and began her NMC story [legacy].”
With that, our friends in Aviation will once again be able display with pride the coveted Ugly Sweater trophy for 2022! As individual winner Zach Whitaker will receive a spirit award! (See larger versions of all the entries and the Ugly Sweater trophy here.)
Thanks to everyone who participated and for those who joined in the Innovation Center for cocoa and cheer Wednesday! Happy Holidays!
—
NMC Public Relations
Dec 16, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s Visual Communications department invites area non-profit groups to submit graphic design, art direction and new media projects for consideration as pro bono class projects during the spring semester. Submissions are due by January 3, 2022.
Part of the Visual Communications curriculum, the class project is free to the non-profits selected. The goal is a real-world assignment that allows students to interact with clients and exposes them to the commercial printing and production worlds, including film and new media production, creative advertising, graphic design and packaging. Projects will be completed by the end of the spring semester in April.
Potential projects could include logos, brochures, ad campaigns, packaging, graphic design, branding, posters, infographics, announcements, invitations, film, web animations, Flash animations, exhibition design, TV commercials or anything relating to visual communications, commercial art, illustration and film or web design. The department is especially interested in conceptually-driven projects that will offer the students substantial opportunity for interaction with the client and process. 2019 projects included logos for the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Michigan Arts & Culture Network, and Wagbo Farm & Education Center.
Interested non-profits with valid 501(c)(3) status in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim, Kalkaska and Wexford counties should direct questions to Visual Communications instructor Caroline Schaefer-Hills at (231) 995-1334. A brief description of the project and the organization’s needs are required and should be sent via email to cschaefer@nmc.edu by Jan. 3.
Release Date: December 16, 2021
For more information:
Caroline Schaefer-Hills
Visual Communications Department Chair
(231) 995-1334
cschaefer@nmc.edu
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
Dec 16, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s Visual Communications department invites area non-profit groups to submit graphic design, art direction and new media projects for consideration as pro bono class projects during the spring semester. Submissions are due by January 3, 2022.
Part of the Visual Communications curriculum, the class project is free to the non-profits selected. The goal is a real-world assignment that allows students to interact with clients and exposes them to the commercial printing and production worlds, including film and new media production, creative advertising, graphic design and packaging. Projects will be completed by the end of the spring semester in April.
Potential projects could include logos, brochures, ad campaigns, packaging, graphic design, branding, posters, infographics, announcements, invitations, film, web animations, Flash animations, exhibition design, TV commercials or anything relating to visual communications, commercial art, illustration and film or web design. The department is especially interested in conceptually-driven projects that will offer the students substantial opportunity for interaction with the client and process. 2019 projects included logos for the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Michigan Arts & Culture Network, and Wagbo Farm & Education Center.
Interested non-profits with valid 501(c)(3) status in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim, Kalkaska and Wexford counties should direct questions to Visual Communications instructor Caroline Schaefer-Hills at (231) 995-1334. A brief description of the project and the organization’s needs are required and should be sent via email to cschaefer@nmc.edu by Jan. 3.
Release Date: December 16, 2021
For more information:
Caroline Schaefer-Hills
Visual Communications Department Chair
(231) 995-1334
cschaefer@nmc.edu
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
