Nov 6, 2023 | 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.
Health care crisis: Nurses flag culture amid shortfall
Moultrie Observer, Nov. 5
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Nov 3, 2023 | Intercom
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold a study session Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 9 a.m. in Room 106/107 in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on NMC’s main campus. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Nov 3, 2023 | HR Corner, Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
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Nov 3, 2023 | HR Corner, Intercom
Kudos to Rob Rider, Beth Norconk, Chris Little, Justin Guillard, Dan Wasson, and Steve Dix. Many thanks to Rob, Beth, Chris, Justin, Dan and Steve for swarming the Parsons-Stulen labs and helping with the removal and replacement of 73 computer hard drives. We were able to replace the drives, load software on these machines and have them functional within five hours; a task which would have taken me a week working solo.
Kudos to Amy Burns-Bailey. Thank you to Amy Burns-Bailey for setting up the Lunch & Learn with Ken Scott (Transformation Coaching) on the topic “Creating Memories of Your Future”. NMC students, staff and retirees attended the interactive presentation and Ken was very engaging and thought provoking. Hopefully Amy will bring him back this spring to present again!
Kudos to Ryan Deering and Tony Sauerbrey. During College for Kids this past summer, we had an instructor running late due to a flat tire. Tony Sauerbrey and Ryan Deering came to the rescue! Thanks Tony and Ryan for saving the day and running the topographic sandbox in Parsons Stulens so that the College for Kids, “Building Virtual Worlds” students could see augmented reality in action!
Kudos to Lisa Baldyga and Amy Burns-Bailey. Thank you to Lisa Baldyga, Employment Readiness Coordinator, and Amy Burns-Bailey, Experiential Learning Coordinator, for offering “Coffee & Career Chats” each month. This gives our students an informal way to ask questions about resumes, career ideas, internships and more!
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!
Nov 3, 2023 | HR Corner, Intercom
Colleen Burry was recently promoted to Records & Registration Specialist. Congratulations, Colleen!
Nov 3, 2023 | HR Corner, Intercom
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Trisha Meier – GLMA Recruiter & Admissions Specialist
- Augusta Kummer – Admissions Recruiter
- Missy Crow – Testing Center Specialist
- Barb Hoseit – Groundskeeper
- Molly Norville – Office Manager, President’s Office
- Shane Reed, Supplemental – Technology Help Desk
Nov 2, 2023 | Intercom, Student Events

Campus Life is hosting a volleyball tournament on Thursday, November 16 from 7–10 p.m. in the Rajkovich Physical Education Center. This tournament is gender-inclusive and open to all current NMC staff, students and faculty. Teams must sign up by Tuesday, November 14, 2023 before 11:59 pm.
Nov 2, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
Do you have an idea or project that needs resources to reach its full potential? If so, the Office of Possibilities wants to hear from you! OOPS seeks to provide resources for education-related projects as well as projects related to community partnerships with NMC.
The first of two upcoming pitch events will be held on December 1, 2023 from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 104/105.
If you would like a spot on the pitch agenda, please set up a meeting with the OOPs team by emailing oops@nmc.edu or by stopping by either of these locations:
- Commonplace (NoBoMkt), 414 E. Eighth Street, Second Floor, Tuesdays, 9-11 a.m.
- Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 116, Thursdays, 8-11 a.m.
The next pitch event will be held on March 15, 2024.
Nov 2, 2023 | Intercom, Student Events

NMC has joined together with Davenport University to offer a seamless transfer for those interested in advancing thea Bachelor’s in Nursing. Advance your career in nursing with Davenport’s BSN completion program. Join the upcoming informational session to learn how to transfer to Davenport University and earn a BSN in 10 courses. Davenport’s Traverse City team will guide you through the application process and you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions of our faculty experts.
Benefits of completing your BSN at Davenport University include:
In-person
Friday, November 10
1 p.m.
NMC University Center, room 15 (located in the basement)
Register
Now accepting applications for enrollment. Please contact Zach Whitaker, Campus Director and Nursing Advisor, at zwhitaker@davenport.edu or (616)732-1180 for questions.

Nov 1, 2023 | Intercom, President Updates, Student News
Dear NMC Students, Faculty and Staff:
I hope you are having a successful fall semester! As we welcome November, I hope you are looking forward to Thanksgiving as much as I am. To make sure we can all share in this important tradition I am asking for your help.
For the tenth annual year, Kristy McDonald’s Professional Communications class is partnering with the NMC Food Pantry and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan to donate to 125 families in the Traverse City community. Boxes–each of which feeding approximately six people–will be distributed at the NMC gym on November 20.
If you are enrolled at NMC as a student (part-time or full-time), you can apply to receive a full Thanksgiving meal for you and your family. The process will be confidential and convenient. The boxes also supplement for the days after the holiday itself, easing any uncertainty families might have.
Any monetary contributions that are collected in our month-long drive results in donors having the chance to win prizes like a weekend stay at the Delamar Hotel, an Elev8 family climbing package, a wine tasting for six at Chateau Chantal, and other prizes by donating $10 or more at nmc.edu/give. (Choose the amount, select “designate my gift to other,” and type in “Thanks For Giving.”) Donors can only enter the prize drawing once. Winners will be announced after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Community members also have the option to donate at a glow skate event hosted by our class on November 3 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the Howe Ice Arena in the Traverse City Civic Center. Admission will be $10 to enter and $5 to rent ice skates.
The final option to assist is to donate pop cans in their marked bins, found in NMC’s North Hall, East Hall, Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center and Parsons-Stulen Building. The bins will be collected twice a week from now until November 13. If any departments are interested in donating items, please contact Meredith Kilbourn at kilbou14@mail.nmc.edu.
Thank you for your help. Together we can ensure all Hawk Owls have a memorable Thanksgiving!
Nick
Nov 1, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
November 1, 2023
Esports correspondent Michael Stevens
By offering new credentials in Esports, NMC, Ferris State University and a handful of others now stand where giant, influential powerhouses like the NFL and NBA stood 70 to 100 years ago.
That’s what Michael Stevens (right), Esports correspondent and meteorologist for TV 9&10 thinks. With eight years of experience in the still-fledgling Esports field, he’s in a better position to know than almost anyone else in northern Michigan. And as NMC prepares to launch its Esports Management Certificate, which feeds into a business associate degree or a bachelor’s degree at Ferris, Stevens believes the enrollment will follow.
“We continue to see programs like NMC and Ferris run with it, making examples for colleges to follow,” said Stevens. “Michigan has a Mecca of great collegiate Esports programs.”
NMC started offering varsity Esports in 2021. That led to the creation of the certificate. Careers in Esports include coaching, event casting and streaming, event security, marketing, management, content creation and design, and more. None of those jobs existed even in 2008, when STevens graduated from college with a meteorology degree.
“Things have really changed,” said Stevens, 37, whose gaming handle is Flake of Wrath. “My job now is weather man and video games.”
Stevens forged that second career path due to his love of gaming, which dates to high school. He started streaming in 2015. He recruited four students who won a $4.5 million prize in the Fortnite world cup in 2019. At 9&10, he created a show, the OneUp XP Show.
“There was never a career path in video games, otherwise I would have probably pursued that,” said Stevens. “I made it my job.”
What NMC’s certificate will do is create that career path for students like he was. Professional playing opportunities will be reserved for elite players. But a wide range of careers will develop around them, just like it has around football, basketball, hockey, soccer and others.
“One thing that’s super special about esports is you’re getting the first generation of kids who are pros, and now they’re stepping out and doing the education,” Stevens said.
NMC is developing five new courses for the certificate. Those plus three existing classes in public speaking, management and digital imaging constitute the certificate.
“So many potential students or current students are gamers. This will be a different path for them, to take something they love doing and make it into a career.”
Nov 1, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
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Nov 1, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
Stop by the Hawk Owl Café on Wednesday, November 15 for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
Featured menu items include:
- Turkey or Tofurky
- Mashed potatoes and gravy
- Green bean casserole
- Fresh rolls with butter
- Pumpkin pie with whipped cream
- Lemonade
The complete meal is $9.00 and will be available during 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 pm.
Oct 30, 2023 | 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.
Adapted in TC: A new awareness of breast cancer
Faculty member Susan Odgers’ column on living with disability
Record-Eagle, Oct. 29
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Oct 30, 2023 | Intercom
PRMC recently redesigned NMC’s campus maps pages to help new students and guests easily navigate our campuses, especially on mobile devices. Thank you to all of the NMC departments that provided valuable input into the redesign. The new pages can be accessed at nmc.edu/maps.
Oct 30, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
11/1/23 UPDATE: NMC’s pitch won $5,000 with another $35,000 pending completion of a feasibility study by March 2024.
TRAVERSE CITY — An NMC team is competing today for a prize that would allow the college to update its construction technology curriculum to include potentially revolutionary 3D wall printing capability.
NMC’s team is among six finalists at today’s National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship Pitch for the Trades competition in Nashville, Tenn. Construction Coordinator Carolyn Andrews and two members of NMC’s Office of Possibilities (OOPS)are seeking the maximum $50,000 prize for a 3D printer and supporting materials to make building homes more affordable, sustainable and faster.
“We are asking for that money to help us introduce 3D printing homes into our curriculum,” Andrews said. “We need to do whatever we can to solve some of this housing crisis and labor shortage.”
Through 2027, the Grand Traverse region has a housing gap of more than 31,000 units according to Housing North, a nonprofit housing advocate. More than 22,000 for sale units are needed and 8,800 rental units. In both categories, lower-priced housing is in the highest demand.
3D printing accomplishes this by using a robotic arm to build a programmed wall from a single material like concrete. Andrews said a single-story home could be printed in a day with three people. A traditional stick frame home would require a bigger crew and take multiple days or weeks, which increases the cost.
“You’re getting something done a lot more efficiently with less people,” she said.
In addition, materials like concrete are much less vulnerable to threats like hurricanes, flooding, and fires, which are becoming increasingly common with climate change.
“It’s actually a better home than your traditionally-framed home,” Andrews said.
NMC students will get their first chance to try the technology this fall when they join pitch team member Al Everett’s private company, Thrive TC, to build the region’s first 3D-printed home. It will break ground in November, Andrews said.
“We want students out there,” Andrews said. “We’ve been building the same way we have been since the 50s. Change is scary, and we haven’t embraced technology like we should.”
To advance to today’s finals, Andrews, Everett and Will Kitchen, also of OOPS, delivered a virtual pitch earlier this month. The idea is backed by leaders from both the Michigan and Grand Traverse area Home Builders Association, Andrews said.
“They are in strong support of it,” she said.
Andrews also thinks it will boost NMC enrollment.
“The fact that we’re embracing technology and giving students a unique opportunity for a specific skill, that’s going to set them apart for higher paying jobs,” she said.
NMC has budgeted $35,000 for a printer that utilizes a 3D robotic arm to create panelized walls, $10,000 for curriculum development and faculty training, and $5,000 for innovation mindset credential development and ecosystem support
Pitch results are expected Tuesday morning. The judges have discretion on how to divide a $150,000 prize pot among the six finalists.
“As an optimist, I believe we will make a positive impression and have a good chance of coming back with something,” said Kitchen, a founder of OOPS.
Release date: October 30, 2023
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (call or text)
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-discrimination
Oct 30, 2023 | EES Opportunities, Intercom
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.
Pickling & Fermenting Masterclass
Fri Nov. 10; 6–9 p.m. & Sat, Nov. 11; 9 a.m to 2 p.m.
Employee price: $99 (public price: $349)
Perfect for avid home cooks, farmer’s market enthusiasts, CSA patrons, and novice chefs, this class dives into methods to preserve our local produce through pickling and fermentation. Chef Jim Morse leads an in-depth, hands-on class that traces the history of pickling and fermentation for both preservation and nutritional benefits. Students will prepare vinegar-brined pickles, naturally-fermented pickles, kimchi, kraut, and kombucha. Chef Morse will also open his pantry of pickles and ferments for students to sample.
Register
Welcome to Writing Children’s Books
2 classes; Wednesday, Nov. 1 & 8; 6:30–8 p.m.
Employee price: $20 (public price: $75)
Have you always wanted to write for children? Come learn about the world of children’s books, from writing to publishing. The story might be short, but the idea must be tall. Like poetry, writing children’s books can look easy from the outside, but there’s a lot to it. We will explore writing for children at different levels, from picture books to novels.
Register
Instant Piano (or Guitar) for Hopelessly Busy People
Piano: Saturday, Nov. 4; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Guitar: Saturday., Nov. 4; 1–3:30 p.m.
Employee price: $19 (public price: $89)
Do you have a piano, keyboard or guitar that you’ve been meaning to learn to play, but never seem to have the time? Enter Craig Coffman, creator of Chords Are Key. His one one-night, virtual workshops will teach you chords that will have you playing instantly and enjoying music for years to come!
Register
Oct 27, 2023 | Intercom, Student News
The Dennos welcomes visitors to kick off the 2023 holiday gift shopping season at the 24th annual Holiday Artist Market on Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.. Visitors will discover a unique variety of artful gifts in a lively and festive marketplace.
30 artists will have work on display in the museum’s sculpture Court and Milliken Auditorium lobby as well as sweet treats for purchase from Le Macaron.
The museum’s beloved raffle returns this year to support K–12 tours to the museum with prizes generously donated by artists and local businesses! Be sure to bring cash for ticket purchases.
NMC staff and students receive 10% off regularly priced items in the Museum Store.
Admission is free to all.