Hoodie sale at the Campus Bookstore
The Campus Bookstore is offering $10 off all regular priced hoodies from Jan. 19–30.
Employee Wellness: Creative ways to stay active during the workday!
Is one of your goals for this year to be more active? Here are some creative ways to stay active during the day!
- Walking meetings: Having a walking meeting with a colleague can be a great way to get some extra steps in and accomplish a common goal.
- Stretching at your desk: If you can’t get away from your desk, try to stretch a few times a day. Stretching boosts your circulation, which can help relieve stress and tension. Check out some stretches you can do at your desk.
- Taking the stairs: When possible take the stairs instead of the elevator; this can be a great way to stay active.
Also be sure to check out NMC’s fitness center; employees are eligible for a discounted rate, and it’s convenient location makes it easy to squeeze in a quick workout before or after work or even on your lunch break!
Welcome our newest hires!
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Adam Raupp – Adjunct Culinary Arts Instructor
- Stephanie Randles – Adjunct Nursing Instructor
- Matt Keilen – Adjunct Flight Instructor
- Shyann Hillier, student employee – Writing Center Teaching Assistant
- Alina Dhaseleer, supplemental employee – Tutor
- Gabby Baldino, supplemental employee – Food Service Front of House
- Peyton Abney, supplemental employee – Food Service Front of House
Embrace the Dream: Community, learning, and service
Join us for these Embrace the Dream events and activities as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Black History Month!
Beginning January 17 and continuing throughout the month, we invite you to take part in Embrace the Dream. This series of events and activities honors the legacy and values of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These experiences center around reflection through learning, service, community, connection, and inclusion.
Join your colleagues and engage with these meaningful opportunities, both on campus and in the community. Below is a list of currently scheduled events and activities, with more to come:
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Walk & Celebration (sponsored by Northern Michigan E3)
January 17
- 1:30 – 2 p.m. – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Walk, Rotary Square (Corner of Union and State St.)
- 2 – 3 p.m. – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
- 3 – 4:30 p.m. – Socialize after at Bushell’s Kitchen, 127 South Union Street
Contact: Marcus Bennett, mbennett@nmc.edu
Dennos Museum “I have a dream” Day
January 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free admission to the Dennos
Contact: Craig Hadley, chadley@nmc.edu
5th Annual Embrace the Dream Read – Aloud and Craft Night
January 29, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
NMC Library
Kids, preschool through 6th grade are invited to the NMC Library to READ, CRAFT and receive a FREE Book!
Volunteers needed. Contact: Kerrey Woughter, kwoughter@nmc.edu
Children’s Literacy
January 30, 9:45 – 11:15 a.m.
Traverse Heights Elementary School
Join us in reading and crafting with local elementary school students at Traverse Heights Elementary School! You will be paired with one or two fourth-grade students to read part of a children’s book and do a related craft. Volunteers needed. Contact Kerrey Woughter, kwoughter@nmc.edu
Food for the Soul
Thursday, February 5, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6 p.m.
Hawk Owl Café
$6.00/NMC staff & students; $12.00/community members
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- Rib tips or BBQ jack fruit (vegetarian)
- Baked beans
- Mac and cheese
- Sweet potato pie
- Drink option (sweet tea)
Food for the Soul
Thursday, February 12, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6 p.m.
Hawk Owl Café
$6.00/NMC staff & students; $12.00/community members
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- Fried chicken or black bean burger (vegetarian)
- Coleslaw
- Collard greens (with or without ham)
- Banana pudding
- Drink option (Arnold Palmer)
Food for the Soul
Thursday, February 19, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6 p.m.
Hawk Owl Café
$6.00/NMC staff & students; $12.00/community members
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- Country fried steak or mac and cheese (vegetarian)
- Mashed potatoes and gravy
- Red beans and rice
- Yellow pound cake
- Drink option (lemonade)
Food for the Soul
Thursday, February 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6 p.m.
Hawk Owl Café
$6.00/NMC staff & students; $12.00/community members
- Shrimp and Grits or blackened tofu (vegetarian)
- Collard Greens (with and without ham)
- Corn bread (jiffy)
- Cherry cheesecake
- Drink option (sweet tea)
For full details, to add events to your Google Calendar, or to watch for new opportunities, visit the NMC Embrace the Dream calendar. If you have an event or activities to add, please contact lhodek@nmc.edu. Thank you for supporting inclusion and community at NMC!
Visitation, memorial service for Nancy Gray
Nancy Gray, NMC English instructor and Neurodiversity Support Center coordinator, passed away unexpectedly Monday, January 12.
Visitation will take place Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 4-7 p.m. at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth St., and on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Milliken Auditorium. Her memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. in Milliken Auditorium. There will be reserved parking in the Aspen Lot next to the Dennos Museum for memorial visitors; visitors may also park in any other lot on campus.
If you are interested in making a gift in memory of Nancy Gray, you may select the Neurodiversity Support Center from the drop-down menu at nmc.edu/give. You can dedicate your gift to and make it in memory of Nancy.
Read her complete obituary here. Read NMC President Nick Nissley’s message to campus here.
Mobile food pantry
NMC’s mobile pantry has been rescheduled due to inclement weather and will be held from 3–5 p.m. on Wednesday Jan. 21 in the Maple Lot on the Front Street campus. This is the first distribution of the semester.
We have over 6,000 pounds of food to share with our students and community. The menu includes potatoes, apples, tangerines, chocolate fudge Pop-Tarts, milk, peanut butter, zucchini, cheese and boxed mac & cheese kits.
NMC’s mobile pantry program is designed specifically for NMC students and their families though all members of the community are welcome. Drive-thru and walk-up options are both available. If a student is unable to attend the distribution due to a class conflict, they may send a friend or family member to pick-up on their behalf.
Remembering Nancy Gray
Dear NMC community,
It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that our colleague and friend Nancy Gray passed away unexpectedly.
Nancy was a teacher through and through. For more than 15 years at NMC, she brought extraordinary care and determination to her work, particularly in support of students who often struggled to feel seen or be successful in academic spaces. Her teaching was grounded in empathy, high standards, and a deep belief in human potential.
Nancy played a central role in strengthening our developmental English curriculum and in ensuring students could earn credit while receiving the support they needed to succeed. Most recently, she founded and led the Neurodiversity Support Center, the first such center at a Michigan community college. In just two years, it became a transformative resource and a physical place of belonging for many on our campus.
Her excellence as an educator was widely recognized, including receiving the NISOD Award for Teaching Excellence. Yet those who worked with Nancy know that her greatest impact was quieter and more enduring: the way she showed up for students, listened without judgment, and advocated relentlessly for inclusive learning environments.
Her recorded memorial service is available to watch. Nancy was a fierce advocate for students and individuals who experienced the world differently. Her legacy lives on in the countless students she encouraged, supported, and believed in, often at moments when that belief mattered most. Our deepest sympathies are with her family, including husband and child here in Traverse City.
Loss like this affects each of us differently. Some may feel grief immediately, others more slowly, and some in ways that are hard to name. All of those responses are valid. I encourage you to extend grace to yourselves and to one another in the days ahead.
Confidential support is available to employees through the Employee Assistance Program. You can reach them at 800-448-8326 or through the Ulliance Life Advisor website. Students can contact NMC Personal Counseling for confidential support.
This is a profound loss for NMC and for all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside Nancy. May we honor her by continuing to lead with compassion, courage, and care for all of our students and one another.
Holding our community close,
Nick
Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College | 231.995.1010
NMC Library Embrace the Dream 2026 events: Call for volunteers
At the end of January, the NMC Library will host its fifth annual Embrace the Dream Read-Aloud and craft event series — a celebration of Black History Month, diverse characters and the power of reading to break down barriers!
We are counting on NMC employees and student to turn out in large numbers to ensure this program series’ success. Interested in volunteering during one of these events?
NMC Library Read-Aloud & Craft Night
Thursday, Jan. 29, 4:15-6:30 p.m.
Hosted at the NMC Library for preschool through 6th graders
*Volunteer for the entire event or pick a shift!
4th Grade Book Buddies
Friday, Jan. 30, 1:15-2:30 p.m.
Book give-away, read-aloud & crafting with fourth grade students at Traverse Heights Elementary School (933 Rose Street, TC)
If you would like to volunteer, fill out the Embrace the Dream Read-Aloud & Craft Event series volunteer form.
Fall 2025 Dean’s List
Congratulations to the more than 1,100 students who made the Dean’s List for the fall semester. May their success continue as they begin spring semester classes.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Posting on campus
Planning to hang flyers or share materials on campus? Before you post, take a moment to review the college guidelines so your message can stay up—and reach the right audience.
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- Post flyers and posters only on designated bulletin boards (one per board, max size 11” x 17”). Include the sponsor name and contact info on all materials.
- Only one copy may be placed on any designated bulletin board. Posting must not cover up any other posting or information.
- Posting on doors, walls, vehicles, or other surfaces isn’t allowed and may be removed.
- Non–date-specific postings may be removed after 21 days; event flyers come down after the event.
- Only the individual or entity responsible for posting the material or NMC Security may remove materials.
- Printed literature may only be distributed in designated areas.
For more information, view the full Posting (D-505.13) policy.
Thanks for helping keep our campus organized and welcoming!
Media mentions for January 12, 2026
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.
No Winter Blues Here: 40+ Concerts & Shows | Features
Northern Express, Jan. 11
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Board of Trustees Policy Committee meeting
The NMC Board of Trustees Policy Committee meet Wednesday, January 14 at 9 a.m. in Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center Room 104/105. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
New books for January 2026
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
New year, new me!
Welcome to a new year full of possibilities! As we step into this fresh chapter, it’s the perfect time to embrace new opportunities and make positive changes. Check out the opportunities NMC already has available to help you on this journey below and keep an eye out for even more wellness events and information coming from NMC’s newly revamped wellness program!
Wellness Resources at NMC:
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- Fitness Center:
- Staff, Faculty, Adjuncts, and Supplementals are all eligible for a discounted membership!
- Library:
- Did you know you could check out pickleball, corn hole, disc golf and other fitness activities from the Library of Things?!
- Also check out their collection of cookbooks, and books on fitness and wellbeing!
- Extended Education & Training:
- Employees eligible for the tuition waiver can get discounted rates on yoga classes through yen yoga, climbs at elevate, rowing with the Leelanau Rowing Club, discounts at PickleU, and more! Check out their website edu/ees for even more opportunities.
- Ulliance Employee Assistance Program:
- Full-time NMC employees have access to wellbeing resources and free counseling through the Ulliance portal
- Fitness Center:
Employee anniversaries – January
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
Kudos!
Kudos to Rob Rider! I had a very new staff member who unexpectedly had to work from home the other day. I emailed Rob Rider asking if there was anyway to get her setup with MiCollab, so she could answer our phone from home. Rob responded within 30 minutes, and had our new employee up and running swiftly. Thank you, Rob, for your dedication to keeping things running (and ringing!) here at NMC. Your kind and swift communication and follow-through are so greatly appreciated.
Kudos to Krissy Steinebach! Krissy took charge and coordinated a gift box full of wishes for a Salvation Army family in need over the holidays. Without her efforts and thought fullness this family may have not enjoyed Christmas as much. We appreciated her efforts.
Kudos to Danielle Quinlan and Lynne Mortiz! On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, an NMC student was involved in a car accident on College Drive while exiting the Cedar Lot. The vehicle airbags deployed and the student was badly shaken up.NMC Employees Danielle Quinlan and Lynn Moritz comforted the student until her dad arrived on scene. Employees Quinlan and Moritz’s actions were valuable, should be recognized and commended.
Kudos to Angela Adamick and Kristi Hallett! Thank you to Kristi Hallett, Angela Adamick and the facilities crew for setting up the Osterlin first floor for the CIE Faculty PD. It was perfect for the event!
Kudos to Kyle Morrison and Dylan Schaub! Thank you to Kyle Morrison and Dylan Schaub for setting up all the technology needed for a successful CIE Faulty PD day!
Kudos to Crystal Bailey, Chef Scott Williams, Lindsey Bradeen and crew! Thank you to Crystal, Chef Jim and the crew at Food Services for the delicious breakfast at the CIE Faculty PD day.
Kudos to Janet Lively and the CIE board! Kudos to Janet Lively and the CIE board for bringing back Robert Talbert for the January Faculty professional development event!
Kudos to Anna Bachman! Many cheers and accolades to Anna Bachman for finding solutions that made the upgrade of the registration system in Banner as smooth as possible. There were considerable challenges to overcome and Anna was an open, informative and strategic team member as we worked through potential challenges. I am grateful every day for her support!
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!
Welcome our newest hires!
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Perry Harmon, supplemental employee — Oleson Center Kitchen Manager
- Luci Correia, student employee — Library Assistant
- Karena Feiger, student employee — Library Assistant
- Michael Wolpe — Adjunct Audio Tech Instructor
- Uriah Petersen — Adjunct Construction Supervision/Carpentry Instructor
- Sarah Bauerle — Adjunct Applied Music Instructor
- Dawn Kucera — Adjunct Clinical Nursing BSN Instructor
- Nathan Fish — Adjunct Applied Music Instructor
- Ayla Weldon, student employee — Fitness Center Staff
- Zygmund Villalobos, student employee — Residence Hall Front Desk
Craig Shattuck’s retirement party
Please join us in celebrating the retirement of Craig Shattuck after 19 years of dedicated service to NMC. As the leader of our second-shift custodial team, Craig has been the definition of a ‘take-charge’ leader.
He is deeply respected for his encyclopedic knowledge of our campus and its people, but he will be missed most for what he brought to our culture. Whether it was a perfectly timed movie reference, a great story, or simply his unwavering cheerful personality, Craig made NMC a better place to work. Craig, we wish you nothing but the best as you head into a well-deserved season of rest and relaxation!
A retirement party will be held for Craig from 4–6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30 in the Sculpture Court at the Dennos Museum Center. All employees are welcome to attend.