Let’s play pickleball!
Join fellow NMC employees for pickleball in the Rajkovich Physical Education Building (#16 on the campus map) on Mondays from 4:15–6 p.m.
Please email Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu for more details.
Update from the Office of Possibilities (OOPs)
The Office of Possibilities (OOPs) had a very successful fall! Three pitches were presented at the third OOPs pitch event on Friday, December 1, 2023. All three received funding from the NMC Foundation to advance their innovative projects:
Jaron Larson, NMC Motorsports student group, is establishing a multi-disciplinary leadership team to guide the integration of design, engineering, and trade technology, to better position the group as competitors on the national level. The Motorsport students build vehicles and enter local and regional competitions against dozens of four-year universities. They are seeking mentorship and leadership development skills to facilitate collaboration and create a sense of belonging within the group. Members will enroll in NMC’s Innovation Mindset credential, a program designed to create entrepreneurial thinkers, during spring semester to gain valuable skills that can move the team forward in the national–and possibly international–arenas. They hope to hone their skills in welding/structure, design/engineering, automotive technologies, business administration, digital and event marketing, leadership/mentorship while growing this student group. This project was awarded $7,500.
Nicholas Roster, Ph.D., Science and Math Instructor, is leading his students on an assessment of microplastics in the Boardman/Ottaway watershed. To date no extensive analysis of microplastics in the Boardman/Ottaway watershed has been conducted. His biology classes are now engaged in a process to gather baseline data to begin to tell the story of this forever pollutant. Microplastics are an emerging pollutant and thought by many to be second only to climate change in terms of its environmental impact. Students are currently learning how best to collect and analyze the data so that they can paint a robust picture of what is happening in our watershed. The tools needed to increase validity and reliability of this research include using SampleServe software which is being provided at no charge by Russ Schindler. The hardware to run the software was lent to NMC for one sampling period, NMC needs to have its own hardware in place for our students to use. Nick is also participating with his students in the AquaHacking Challenge, a program supporting nextGen innovators as they solve freshwater issues. This is the type of work that would directly connect with the freshwater innovation center partnerships. This project was awarded $7,500.
Steve Rice, M.S., Accounting Instructor, is developing a human flourishing curriculum: a series of master courses designed to help people live in the fullness of their potential. He is collaborating with colleagues at Stanford, Harvard, and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE). Steve previously pitched this project and received $5,000. He was awarded another $5,000 in OOPs funding to support Faculty Release Time using the OOPs/CIE-developed procedure for one course, and also received $5,000 from NACCE in support of this project .
If you have an idea or project that you would like to pitch on March 15th, fill out this short questionnaire and a member of the OOPs team will be in touch. OOPs regular office hours are:
- Tuesdays 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Commonplace
414 E. Eighth Street, Second Floor, Traverse City - Thursdays 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center at NMC
1720 College Drive, (#9 on this map), Traverse City
Learn about the design thinking process and frame “how might we” questions to help NMC faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members learn how to innovate and meet their goals. Workshop sessions will be held in the evening on Feb. 5, 19 and 26. Sign up here
Mark your calendar for Friday, May 10 for the Great Lakes AquaHacking Challenge finale at the Hagerty Center. Additional details to come.
Upcoming Extended Education classes for employees
Did you know that your tuition waiver benefits extend beyond credit classes? Take a fitness class, learn a new hobby, or even enjoy a date night with your partner. Check out these upcoming classes! Place the class in your shopping cart in order to see the discount. Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.
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Functional Fitness |
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The Science of Stress |
Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.
Supporting neurodiverse learners
Communications faculty member Nancy Gray’s leadership has resulted in NMC’s Neurodiversity Support Center. Neurodiversity encompasses a range of learning differences, often including but not limited to anxiety, autism, ADHD and OCD. Gray spent her 2022-23 sabbatical year researching the support services other colleges and universities offer. Working with an advisory board, NMC’s NSC opened this semester in Scholars Hall 13. Find out more at nmc.edu/neurodiversity.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Media mentions for January 15, 2024
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.
TIF timeline: Questions arise on city and public vote
Record-Eagle, Jan. 14
(more…)
Coffee Chats resume Feb. 2
Coffee Chats are back this winter—in person! NMC staff and faculty are invited to attend Coffee Chats this season, free of charge! No need to register, just come and enjoy. You may bring a lunch or buy at the nearby Hawk Owl Café.
Join NMC VP Emeritus, Marguerite Cotto, and incredible community guests each Friday for a one-hour interview, followed by live Q&A, all right on campus in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 106/107 from 12–1 p.m.
The season kicks off on February 2 with fellow colleague Glenn Wolff, whose wonderful illustrations are among the most immediately recognizable of any artist in our region. Glenn will join us to talk about the work of the visual artist as illuminator of ideas and things, and the nature of collaboration between writer and painter that can create completely new understandings of the world we think we know.
Coffee Chats will continue each Friday through March 1.
On the menu: Daily specials at the Hawk Owl Café
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Monday, Jan. 15
Entrée: Lamb gyro or falafel
Side: lemon rice
Tuesday, Jan. 16
Entrée: Chicken & cheese quesadilla
Sides: Spanish rice & Mexican street corn
Wednesday, Jan. 17
Entrée: Sesame or tofu stir fry
Sides: basmati rice & egg roll
Thursday, Jan. 18
Entrée: Sausage, broccolini and sun-dried tomato rigatoni
Sides: broccoli and garlic bread
Friday, Jan. 19
Entrée: Crispy chicken w/ mac & cheese with buffalo sauce
Sides: asparagus
Employee Anniversaries – January
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
Kudos!
Kudos to Andrea Gerring. When seeing an “Everyone” email from a name Andrea didn’t recognize, Andrea took the time to check the Staff Directory for my name, sent an entirely unique email to me(not using the Reply button), and checked with me to make sure it was an email that was legitimate.
Kudos to Brittany Hanbury, Erika Cotner, Denny Nguyen and Dee Galloup. Outstanding planning and execution of the New Employee Orientation Day! This event is such an important step in welcoming our new employees to NMC. It is made possible by the careful planning of Erika Cotner and Brittany Hanbury as they consider every detail of the day. Thank you to Denny Nguyen and Dee Galloup for assisting with the bus tour and making sure everyone returned safely! Special thanks to every person who took time to show our new employees around or shared your passion about NMC. I am extremely proud of the work of this team!
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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- Hannah Rodriguez – Student Success Coordinator
- Wyatt Roehler – Computer Information Technology Project Management
- Katie DeYoung – Adjunct Clinical Nursing Instructor
- Weston Babcock, supplemental – Human Resources Assistant
- Presleigh Yovich – Adjunct Clinical Nursing Instructor
- Shelby Golnick – Adjunct Clinical Nursing Instructor
- Alex Crocker – Adjunct Welding Instructor
- Kevin Salveta – Adjunct Electrical Technology Instructor
- Rick Warfield – Adjunct Electronics Technology Instructor
Community blood drive Jan. 23
Versiti blood supply is severely low and could use your help! What more can you ask for than the good feeling of having saved a life and being paid to do it!
They are hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, January 23 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The drive will occur at the Versiti mobile bus in the Cedar Lot.
Those who donate will receive a warm beanie (while supplies last) and a $10 e-gift card.
Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating.
For questions, contact Susan Street, Senior Representative of Versiti, at sstreet@versiti.org.
NMC celebrates MLK, Black History Month with Embrace the Dream programming
TRAVERSE CITY— Northwestern Michigan College kicks off its 2024 Embrace the Dream programming, a series of events marking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month, on January 15.
Planned events include the following. A complete calendar of events, including events at other community locations, is available and will be updated at nmc.edu/embrace-the-dream.
January 15 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day:)
- Free admission to the Dennos Museum Center, 11 a.m.–4 p.m..
- Building Bridges with Music presents a Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Day show, livestreamed at both the Dennos Museum Center and the Alluvion at 7 p.m.. NMC Cantus Children’s Choir and NMC Chamber Singers will perform along with other artists and musicians. Free ticketed event. Go to mynorthtickets.com for tickets.
January 18 Free screening of Razing Liberty Square 4 p.m.., Dutmers Theater inside Dennos Museum Center. Free ticketed event.
January 31 Third annual ‘Embrace the Dream’ read-aloud and craft event, 5-6:30 p.m.., NMC Library
Kids in preschool through sixth grade are invited to the library, located on the second level of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, to read, craft, and receive a free book. Accompanying adults are invited to join in or find a space in the building to relax while kids read and craft. Free and open to the public.
Sunday, February 11, 1–3 p.m.. Second Sunday Art Project – Embrace the Dream Get inspired by the watercolor work of Caldecott honor recipient E.B. Lewis who thoughtfully illustrates narratives of the African American experience for children’s books and create your own watercolor work. Join the fun for free with the price of Dennos Museum Center admission!
Thursday, February 22, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.. A Food for the Soul buffet will be served in the Hawk Owl Café. Open to the public. $14.
Friday, February 23, 7 p.m.. Straight Ahead concert in Milliken Auditorium inside the Dennos Museum Center. The Detroit-based all-female jazz ensemble has received multiple Grammy nominations and toured the world. Tickets $25-$35.
For more information visit nmc.edu/embrace-the-dream.
Release Date: January 10, 2024
For More Information:
Cari Noga
Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
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-discriminationNMC opens Neurodiversity Support Center
TRAVERSE CITY — Beginning this month, support services designed specifically for neurodiverse NMC students will be offered for the first time at an on-campus center.
The pilot cohort of NMC’s Neurodiversity Support Center (NSC) consists of four students with a range of learning differences, including but not limited to anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive compulsive disorder. Students may still apply for NSC services, which are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and expand upon what is already provided by the college’s office of Disability Support Services.
NSC Coordinator Nancy Gray said the transition from high school to college is often more difficult for neurodiverse students. In high school, disability law grants them additional support services. In college, they must self-advocate. However, challenges with communication and initiation are a hallmark of neurodiversity.
“Neurodiverse students need more than the accommodations, which address academics. They need help and support, and the supports must also meet their social and sensory needs,” Gray said.
An English faculty member, Gray proposed the NSC after spending her 2022-23 sabbatical year researching neurodiversity support services that many other colleges and universities provide A key component of the NSC, located in Scholars Hall on NMC’s Front Street campus, will be training staff to meet the specific needs of these learners. For instance, self-stimulating behaviors, also known as “stimming,” help some neurodiverse students manage emotional and environmental conditions. Yet “stimming” is often frowned upon as disruptive.
“We want to normalize it, so that it is seen as both acceptable and necessary,” Gray said. “We need to increase awareness of neurodiversity, celebrate the strengths, and design educational practices that address the specific needs of neurodiverse students.”
Services will then include:
- Weekly one-on-one mentoring meetings to work on individual short- and long-term goals
- Structured study times in the Center with on-site tutors and success coaches
- Workshops and seminars that address needs and build skills
- Supported communication between students, faculty and NMC staff
- Regularly-scheduled virtual parent or support system meetings, as desired.
- Sensory-friendly social events, connecting students with similar interests
The prevalence of neurodiversity has increased significantly worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates autism spectrum disorder occurs in 1 of every 36 U.S. children, or 2.8 percent. In 2000 the prevalence was 1 in 150. About 11 percent of children have received an ADHD diagnosis, also per the CDC. Both conditions are significantly more prevalent among boys. Anxiety prevalence is estimated at just under 10 percent. Co-occurrence of multiple conditions is also common in neurodiverse individuals.
An advisory body including neurodiverse students, NMC employees and community partners have assisted Gray in planning the NSC. For more information, visit nmc.edu/neurodiversity
Release date: JANUARY 8, 2024
For more information:
Nancy Gray
Neurodiversity Support Center Coordinator
ngray@nmc.edu
(505) 501-3258 (mobile)
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College does not discriminate in admission, campus activities, education, employment, housing, public accommodation or public service on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, handicap, height, marital or familial status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, service in the military, veteran’s status, weight, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discriminationJanuary 2024 Conference Slides and Video
Thank you to everyone who attended today’s January Conference, which took place at the NMC Hagerty Center and featured guest speaker Erica Orians, Vice President of the Michigan Community College Association. You can find slides of Erica’s presentation, “The Ecosystem of Higher Education”, here and watch a video of the conference here.
Media mentions for January 8, 2024
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.
Mike Wills honored for decades of maritime advocacy
Record-Eagle, Jan. 7 (more…)
Upcoming Extended Education classes for employees
Did you know that your tuition waiver benefits extend beyond credit classes? Take a fitness class, learn a new hobby, or even enjoy a date night with your partner. Check out these upcoming classes! Place the class in your shopping cart in order to see the discount. Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.
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Furniture Making: Build a Modern Rustic Coffee Table |
Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.
Parking enforcement starts Jan. 15
The Traverse City Parking Patrol will begin issuing warnings at NMC on Monday, Jan. 15 and start issuing citations for parking violations on Monday, Jan. 22. All NMC students and employees must have their 2023-2024 permits displayed then. If you haven’t received your permit, they’re available at the Campus Safety & Security office in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center (#9 on the Front Street Campus map) and the Enrollment Services office on the main level of the Tanis Building (#5 on the Front Street 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.
Trustee Building & Site committee meets Jan. 9; Fellows Nominating committee Jan. 12
TRAVERSE CITY — The Building & Site committee of Northwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9 in the President’s Conference Room of the Tanis Building on NMC’s main campus, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City. The official meeting notice is available here.
The Fellows Nominating committee will meet at 12 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12 in the President’s Conference Room of the Tanis Building on NMC’s main campus, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City. The official meeting notice is available here.
For more information on either meeting, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
RELEASE DATE: January 5, 2024