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-discrimination
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-discrimination
TRAVERSE CITY — The community is invited to attend the 46th annual Mariners Memorial Service at noon Wednesday, November 10 in the courtyard of NMC’s Great Lakes Campus.
The memorial service is held to remember and honor mariners who have perished on the Great Lakes and oceans and is sponsored by the Student Propeller Club, Port 150, of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy.
The Great Lakes Campus is located at 715 E. Front Street, at Barlow Avenue (next to the Holiday Inn) in Traverse City. Guests are invited to enter through the glass exhibition hall and proceed into the outdoor courtyard on the north side (harbor side) of the building.
For more information, call the Great Lakes Maritime Academy at (231) 995-1200.
Release date: November 4, 2021
For more information:
Scott Fairbank Great Lakes Maritime Academy sfairbank@nmc.edu (231) 995-1200
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 — The community is invited to attend the 46th annual Mariners Memorial Service at noon Wednesday, November 10 in the courtyard of NMC’s Great Lakes Campus.
The memorial service is held to remember and honor mariners who have perished on the Great Lakes and oceans and is sponsored by the Student Propeller Club, Port 150, of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy.
The Great Lakes Campus is located at 715 E. Front Street, at Barlow Avenue (next to the Holiday Inn) in Traverse City. Guests are invited to enter through the glass exhibition hall and proceed into the outdoor courtyard on the north side (harbor side) of the building.
For more information, call the Great Lakes Maritime Academy at (231) 995-1200.
Release date: November 4, 2021
For more information:
Scott Fairbank Great Lakes Maritime Academy sfairbank@nmc.edu (231) 995-1200
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 — Eleven candidates are eligible to fill the seat on Board of Trustees vacated by former trustee Michael Estes last month.
The applicants, who must reside in Grand Traverse County, are:
Jackie Anderson, Traverse City
Vince Cornellier, Traverse City
Brian Craig, Traverse City
Madison Ford,Traverse City
David Grams, Traverse City
Todd Hall, Traverse City
Pamela Horne, Interlochen
Mattias Johnson, Traverse City
Andy Robitshek, Traverse City
Ty Schmidt, Traverse City
Thomas Webb, Traverse City
Estes resigned from NMC’s Board of Trustees effective Oct. 17. The new trustee will fill the term he was elected to in 2016 until the next regular community college election in November 2022.
Interviews will be conducted in special public meetings according to the Michigan Open Meetings Act. Final appointment will be made by the full NMC Board of Trustees at a special meeting at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, at NMC’s Hagerty Center.
Release date: November 4, 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
TRAVERSE CITY — Eleven candidates are eligible to fill the seat on Board of Trustees vacated by former trustee Michael Estes last month.
The applicants, who must reside in Grand Traverse County, are:
Jackie Anderson, Traverse City
Vince Cornellier, Traverse City
Brian Craig, Traverse City
Madison Ford,Traverse City
David Grams, Traverse City
Todd Hall, Traverse City
Pamela Horne, Interlochen
Mattias Johnson, Traverse City
Andy Robitshek, Traverse City
Ty Schmidt, Traverse City
Thomas Webb, Traverse City
Estes resigned from NMC’s Board of Trustees effective Oct. 17. The new trustee will fill the term he was elected to in 2016 until the next regular community college election in November 2022.
Interviews will be conducted in special public meetings according to the Michigan Open Meetings Act. Final appointment will be made by the full NMC Board of Trustees at a special meeting at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, at NMC’s Hagerty Center.
Release date: November 4, 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
NMC is investigating several reports of someone searching through unlocked vehicles in campus parking lots recently. Two unlocked bikes were also stolen on campus. Security is increasing surveillance in those areas.
Please remember to lock your vehicle when you are parked in campus lots. If you are traveling by bike, also remember to secure it with a bike lock.
The Dennos Museum Center will display an exhibition of artwork by NMC faculty starting Wednesday, Nov. 3. The exhibition by Art Department faculty members — each a dedicated educator as well as a working professional artist — is the first on campus in over five years.
The artwork, by Coreene Kreiser, Mathew McGovern, Randolph Melick, Caroline Schaefer-Hills, Leah Schroeder, Rufus Jame Snoddy, Zach Tate, Adam VanHouten and Glenn Wolff, will be on display through January 2, 2022. Learn more here.
The NMC Board of Trustees Fellows Selection Committee is seeking nominations for the 2022 Northwestern Michigan College “Fellow” award. The Fellow is NMC’s highest honor and the following criteria are taken into consideration during the selection process.
Demonstrated influential networking on behalf of the College — Exercising helpful influence among their resource networks in public life, academe or business and industry with those who can positively affect the mission of the College.
Financial contribution — Demonstration of pattern of outstanding contributions over time to NMC.
Time devoted in the interest of NMC — Exemplifying dedicated and loyal volunteer service over a period of years.
Retirees — In addition to service deemed extraordinary during their active careers as members of the faculty and staff, retirees who continue to contribute to their academic or professional fields and provide exemplary service back to NMC as volunteers, mentors or advisors shall be considered.
Exceptional contributions in one or more of these areas may justify nomination. No staff, faculty, or trustee shall be named a Fellow while still employed or in office. A list of previously selected Fellows is attached for your reference.
Please see the attached nomination form to nominate a worthy candidate. Nominations may be submitted to the President’s Office and via email to nmcpresident@nmc.edu by Wednesday, December 1, 2021.
President’s Office
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI
Phone: (231) 995-1010
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.
NMC President Nick Nissley and nursing student Kendall McNitt share three simple steps on how to to keep safe and stay healthy this fall and winter: Stay home if you or another household member are sick; wear a mask indoors while at NMC; and wash your hands thoroughly and often. Learn more at nmc.edu/covid-19.
Scott Herzberg, our Military Point of Contact, will be leaving the college after 25 years of service to our students.
We will be offering a farewell celebration to Scott on Monday, Nov. 8 from 2–4 p.m. in the atrium of the Biederman Building on NMC’s main campus. Please stop by to offer your farewells and thanks to Scott for his many years of service.
Scott’s last day will be Tuesday, Nov. 9. After that day, the point of contact will be NMC’s Certifying Official, Julie Hansen. She can be reached via phone at (231) 995-1057 and via email at jhansen@nmc.edu.
Students needing assistance with issues other than VA benefits can contact the Student Life Office in Room 152 of the Osterlin Building or via phone at (231) 995-1118.
NMC President Nick Nissley and nursing student Kendall McNitt share three simple steps on how to to keep safe and stay healthy this fall and winter: Stay home if you or another household member are sick; wear a mask indoors while at NMC; and wash your hands thoroughly and often. Learn more at nmc.edu/covid-19.
Dear NMC Community — Thank you for your continued active and engaged participation in our ongoing strategic planning process. Initiated in April, the Strategic Planning Steering Committee has reached a milestone: Completion of draft mission, vision, values, and strategy statements.
Strategy direction statements were presented to the Board of Trustees at the meeting on October 25. The Office of Research, Planning and Effectiveness is now conducting a survey of all employees on the final wording of the strategic direction statements as well as the mission, vision, and values statements. Please complete the survey by Nov. 2. Students and community members will also have an opportunity to provide feedback. We will also have a series of feedback forums next week for students, employees and the community to share their thoughts on the drafts. Please watch for specific communication on these events.
The strategies will be supported by actionable objectives that will serve as the College’s focus for the next three years. We embarked on the objectives phase in a workshop joined by 50 employees Oct. 22. A second objectives workshop will be held Nov. 5.
We also now know who will be overseeing implementation of those objectives. Jason Slade has been named as our new Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and will start his new role Nov. 29. Jason rose to the top of 90 candidates in a nationwide search and we are confident we have found the individual whose strengths and experiences will position the college all for great future success.
We will continue to provide regular updates on the strategic planning process as we work toward final plan approval by the Board of Trustees. The final strategic plan document will be presented to the Board of Trustees in December and then launched to the campus community in January 2022. The voices and critical insights of the entire NMC community are central to the success of our efforts, and we value everyone’s participation as we engage in this important process. You can get updates any time at nmc.edu/strategic-planning and email any questions to strategic-planning@nmc.edu.
Join the NMC community on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m. in a guided tour of downtown Traverse City from the perspective of people experiencing homelessness and the providers who serve them. The walk starts at NMC’s Great Lakes Campus parking lot.
Ryan Hannon, Goodwill Industries, leads the way with stops along the downtown route, highlighting stories both tragic and triumphant. We will hear from service providers, police officers and elected officials about their concerns and hopes for the future.
This experience is associated to an interdisciplinary study of these issues by sociology, social work and communications students.
Kudos to Gary Schetteck and his ongoing drywall efforts to help make the newly built portable exhibit walls at the Dennos Museum look a lot better than they are. We learned a lot with our first construction effort, and the number one thing to remember is to have a good drywall mud guy. Thank you, Gary.
Kudos to Bob Bugai and Brandon Asher for coming to the rescue and completing our exhibition packing of the Tom Parish exhibit by lifting and stabilizing painting crates with metal straps. We truly couldn’t have done it without you.
Kudos to The Grounds Team for re-landscaping the flower beds at the College Dr. and Fair St. entrances. We have had many compliments from volunteers and visitors on their new appearance.
Kudos to Laura Carmickle: Laura was instrumental in creating the new, homegrown Teaching Online Database (TOD). This database and reporting tool helps Educational Technology collect and track data regarding online courses, course reviews, teachingSOLUTIONS status, success rates, and more. Her patience dealing with Mark and Ryan should earn her an early retirement. She was able to synthesize data from 6+ sources that were being tracked manually and incorporate those sources into one online tool that is saving us buckets of time. Three cheers for Laura!!
Kudos to the Student Success Center Staff: Thank you for all of the great activities you have planned and attended! You guys make such a difference in the students’ lives! Your awesome involvement and care make student success happen!
Kudos to Erika Cotner and Emily Crull: The dynamic duo of (EC)2 have been a powerful, fast-moving machine in bringing talent into the college. (Fiscal) Year-to-date hires are at more than 100 and September’s tally was 52 hires! All this output while maintaining the highest standards for process to ensure great quality hires and excellent candidate experiences. They consistently go the extra mile for our candidates and for the NMC team. Kudos to the awesome dynamic duo and THANK YOU to them for all they do!
Kudos to Nora Cosnowski: Nora is a tutor in MTH 019 (08). She has gone above and beyond as a tutor in this course. Nora takes time and works through the material in advance and helps identify errors in the toolkits before the students get to them. The 019 instructors wouldn’t know what we would do without Nora. So, THANK YOU NORA! YOU ARE AMAZING!
Kudos to Hans VanSumeren and the Water Studies team for their successful grant submission to the National Science Foundation.
Kudos to the Search Committee for their work on the search for the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and congratulations to Jason Slade!
Kudos to the entire Grounds Team for their continued work in moving materials (and people) from one location to another – specifically the University Center over the past several months. The Grounds team is very efficient and always pleasant and helpful. We appreciate you!
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!
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.
The Dennos Museum Center will display an exhibition of artwork by NMC faculty starting Wednesday, Nov. 3. The exhibition by Art Department faculty members — each a dedicated educator as well as a working professional artist — is the first on campus in over five years.
Scott Herzberg, our Military Point of Contact, will be leaving the college after 25 years of service to our students.
Join the NMC community on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m. in a guided tour of downtown Traverse City from the perspective of people experiencing homelessness and the providers who serve them. The walk starts at NMC’s Great Lakes Campus parking lot. 
Diversity
Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. Please encourage your colleagues by