Sep 2, 2026 | Intercom, Student Events
NMC’s Automotive Technology department is hosting the 1st Annual Mike McIntosh Memorial Cruise on Friday, Sept. 11, beginning at NMC’s Automotive Service Technology Building located at 2510 Aero Park Drive, Traverse City. The cruise takes place the evening before the 20th Annual Mike McIntosh Memorial Truck and Car Show and is open to those who plan to show their car or truck the next day. Participants will receive a commemorative “1st Annual Mike McIntosh Memorial Cruise” dash plaque.
Mike’s son, Kevin, will lead the cruise behind the wheel of a 1957 BMW Isetta that Mike owned but never restored to show quality. Kevin has since completed the restoration, and the little BMW will finally have its moment at the show. Before the cruise departs, a hot air lantern will be floated in Mike’s memory.
The cruise will depart around 7 p.m. and travel partway up Old Mission Peninsula. Along the way, the cars will pass through the Front Street Campus on College Drive. Students and employees are encouraged to grab a spot along the route on College Drive at the Front Street Campus and cheer on the cruisers as they make their way through campus and the community.
The cruise will finish at NMC’s Great Lakes Campus, the original home of NMC’s automotive program and the place where Mike spent much of his career. Once the cars arrive, Morganja Farms’ food truck will be on hand with food and beverages, giving everyone a chance to gather, enjoy the vehicles and celebrate Mike’s legacy together. The cruise will also support Project Feed The Kids.
If you plan to participate in the cruise, please RSVP to Wayne Moody at (231) 995-1316 or wmoody@nmc.edu.
Sep 2, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
The Northwestern Michigan College Nursing Department wishes to announce that it will host a site visit for continuing accreditation of its Associate Degree and Practical Nursing programs by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
You are invited to meet with the site visit team and share your comments about the program in person at a meeting scheduled at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in Room 106 of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center Building located at 1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686.
Written comments are also welcome and should be submitted to the ACEN via email at publiccomments@acenursing.org or to the ACEN office: Attn: Accreditation Services Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing 3390 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta GA, 30326 You must identify the full name of the program in your comments.
All written comments should be received by the ACEN by September 21, 2026
Sep 1, 2026 | Data Wranglers, Intercom
Data Wranglers
Insights. Impact. Student Success.
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🎯 Strategic planning & institutional priorities
📊 Data, dashboards & reporting
📝 Surveys & assessment support
🎓 Enrollment & student success insights
Have a question? Start with ORPE.
We can help identify the right data, frame the question, and connect the findings to decision-making.
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What helps us spot students who may need support?
As classes get underway, early information can help us connect students with support before small challenges become larger ones.
What early alert variables do you use or find most useful?
📚 Grades or academic performance
📅 Attendance
⚠️ Faculty/staff alerts or referrals
📝 Missing or incomplete assignments
💻 LMS / digital engagement
❤️ Personal, wellness, financial or support indicators
📈 Enrollment or retention signals
❓ Other / unsure
Take the September Data Wranglers Poll
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Can AI outreach improve student success?
What researchers found
✅ Students receiving AI-enabled outreach had stronger course outcomes
✅ Students were more likely to engage with academic supports such as tutoring
✅ Effects were generally similar across student groups
✅ In one microeconomics course, women receiving the intervention earned final grades about 7% higher than women in the control group
Why it matters
💡 Technology may be most valuable when it helps students connect with people, resources, and support rather than simply providing answers.
Source: NBER Working Paper 35397, July 2026. DOI: 10.3386/w35397
👥 QUESTION FOR CAMPUS
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- Where could timely, personalized outreach help NMC students most?
Sep 1, 2026 | Cyber Minute, Intercom
Start the semester fresh. Clear your browser cookies and cache, and run any pending software updates. Unpatched software is one of the most common ways malware gets onto your device.
Aug 31, 2026 | Intercom
TRAVERSE CITY — John Lutchko, director of the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at NMC, has been named 
the 2026 recipient of the Ocean News & Technology Early Career Ocean Professional Award by the Marine Technology Society.
The award is presented to an individual within 10 years of their last degree or designation who has shown leadership in MTS and who works in a professional capacity in management, engineering or research and development in a marine technology field. It was presented at the MTS annual meeting Aug. 28.
Lutchko is an alumnus of NMC, earning his associate degree in Freshwater Studies in 2013. He was named GLWSI director in 2024.
The Marine Technology Society promotes awareness, understanding, and the advancement and application of marine technology internationally.
Release date: AUGust 31, 2026
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC 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-discrimination
Aug 31, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
As part of NMC’s committment to a safe college community, we notify students, faculty and staff of emergencies, including campus delays or closures due to weather, via multiple methods including texts and phone calls. The next test of emergency communications is set for Sept. 8, so now is a great time to check NMC Self-Service to see that your personal information is entered correctly. Click Personal Details under Personal Info menu.
Thanks for helping us keep NMC safe!
Aug 31, 2026 | HR Corner
Aug 31, 2026 | HR Corner, Intercom
Kudos to all volunteers who assisted with residence hall move in! The Residence Life team would like to say thank you to all the countless volunteers who made the Fall 2026 Move-in a success. The parents that interacted with the volunteers on Thursday, August 20, 2026 and Friday, August 21, 2026 stated they felt welcomed and comfortable knowing that NMC cares about its students based on the positive experience during move in. One parent commented that they were a little worried when they began their tract towards Traverse City, but after experiencing all the positivity on move in day they can sleep a little easier at night.
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!
Aug 31, 2026 | HR Corner, Intercom
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
- Hannah Mabie – Adjunct – Art History
- Daniel Spencer, supplemental employee – Technology Support Assistant
- Kylie Gibson, student employee – Residence Hall Front Desk
- Riley Parish, student employee – Fitness Center Staff
- Jacqueline Hanna, student employee – Library Assistant
- Noah Betram, supplemental employee – Food Services Back of House
- Lilianah Townes, supplemental employee – Food Services Back of House
- Bella Freysinger, supplemental employee – Food Services Back of House
- Sam TwoCrow, supplemental employee – Learning Services Learning Assistant
- Jack Costine, student employee – Aviation Line Crew
- Madison Long, student employee – Writing Center Reader
- Trenton McGill, student employee – Aviation Line Crew
- Asher Nelson – 2nd shift Custodian
- Daniel Kukla – 3rd shift Custodian
Aug 31, 2026 | Intercom, Student Events
Campus Life is hosting a 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Friday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. in the Rajkovich Physical Education Building (#16 on the campus map). This tournament is open to all current students and employees.
If you have any questions please reach out to Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu, CJ Schneider at cschneider@nmc.edu or Natalie Laprad at nlaprad@nmc.edu
Aug 31, 2026 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
To the International Affairs Forum, which launches its 33rd season Thursday, Sept. 3 with a free event, “Five Years After the Fall of Kabul: The Afghan Connection in Traverse City.” The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. in Milliken Auditorium. More details here.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Aug 31, 2026 | 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.
NMC Extended Ed: Who’s still going to class?
The Ticker. Aug. 30
Aug 27, 2026 | Intercom
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is accepting nominations for the 2027 Outstanding Alumni awards through October 30.
Since 1988, Northwestern Michigan College’s Outstanding Alumni Award has recognized graduates and past students for their significant professional achievements, leadership locally and beyond, and commitment to NMC values. To celebrate the full scope of our community’s impact, nominations are welcome for alumni from every era of NMC’s history and across all programs, certificates and fields of study. Nominees and self-nominees should meet the following criteria:
- Completed at least one academic course, degree or certificate at NMC
- Achieved notable professional success in their field or career
- Championed lifelong learning and used their NMC experience to benefit society or the college
- Demonstrated integrity, respect and professionalism, living out the mission and values of NMC
More information, a list of past honorees and the nomination form are available at nmc.edu/alumni. For more information about NMC’s Alumni program, visitnmc.edu/alumni.
Release date: August 27, 2026
For more information:
Zach Whitaker
Manager of Alumni Relations
(231) 995-2826
zwhitaker@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
Aug 27, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
Due to underground utility work taking longer than anticipated, the main entrance to NMC will be closed through 9 a.m. today, Aug. 27. Detours are in place.
The intersection will be closed again for paving starting at 7 p.m. tonight, Thursday, Aug. 27. Anticipated reopening is 7 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28.
Thank you.
Aug 26, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
August 26, 2026
Adults 21 to 24 are jumping at the chance to earn a college degree from NMC, submitting more than half of total applications to Michigan Reconnect last week, when it opened to their age group.
Michigan Reconnect, the state scholarship that last year awarded $1.3 million to 513 adult NMC students who didn’t previously have a degree or certificate, is again open to students 21 and older. Application activity last week indicated that there’s a strong demand for the opportunity.
Students 21 to 24 submitted 32 applications, more than half of NMC’s 57 total Reconnect applicants last week, when the online application was updated.The state introduced Michigan Reconnect in 2021, as part of its goal to increase economic competitiveness. Until this fall, age eligibility for the free, in-district tuition scholarship had been 25 for all but 15 months.
Reconnect graduates and current students strongly recommend the program.
“I was looking for a new career path and was ready to start something new. Michigan Reconnect has helped me pay for my entire degree, so it has been a huge help,” said Jacob Holcomb (above), a Reconnect recipient currently enrolled in Water Quality & Environmental Technology.
“I often struggle asking for help,” said Hannah Ramsby (right), a Reconnect recipient and 2024 culinary graduate. “The money is there to help. I love that it is helping those who may think that they’re too old to go to school or don’t deserve it.”
A study by the American Educational Research Association published in 2025 found that Michigan Reconnect increased adult enrollment at Michigan’s 31 community and tribal colleges by about 38 percent. That puts NMC’s first week applications ahead of pace.
In-district tuition is the rate charged to Grand Traverse County residents, who also pay a property tax to support NMC. Out-of-district residents’ tuition is discounted by that amount, currently $136/contact hour for general academic programs.
The change was funded by a $25 million appropriation in the 2026-27 Michigan state budget, adopted in July. Learn more about the scholarship and eligibility.
Aug 25, 2026 | Cyber Minute, Intercom
Voice-cloning tools can mimic a real person’s voice from a few seconds of audio. If you get an urgent call during the chaos of move-in week that sounds like a supervisor demanding gift cards or wire transfers, verify through a second channel before acting.
Aug 24, 2026 | 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.
Lakebed 2030 conference upcoming
Ticker, Aug. 23
(more…)
Aug 24, 2026 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Advocates for a drinkable, fishable, swimmable Great Lakes will meet Sept. 15-17 at NMC’s Hagerty Center for the Lakebed 2030 conference, an update on collaborative efforts to map the world’s largest available freshwater body.
Lakebed 2030 is a consortium of researchers, policy, governmental and industry partners who seek to fully map the 94,250 square miles of the Great Lakes in high resolution by 2030. Presently, about 17 percent of the U.S. waters are mapped, a 2 percent increase since Lakebed 2030 was formed in 2019. That increase represents about 1,885 square miles.
This lack of information is vital to keeping the Great Lakes drinkable, fishable and swimmable, as well as to the region’s growing blue economy. It also hinders effective management, research and innovation, which are critical given threats like climate change, invasive species, water pollution and more. The conference will bring together Great Lakes experts and stakeholders from around the U.S. and Canada to:
- Focus on high-resolution mapping and bathymetry (shape and depth) data in the Great Lakes.
- Develop a strategy to catalog new and existing lake bed information for shared use, including crowdsourced data from recreational boaters.
- Select the winner of the Great Lakes Blue Tech Challenge, an NMC-led competition to inspire, support, and fast-track early-stage businesses that are developing technologies and solutions for issues impacting the Great Lakes basin. Three early-stage companies will win $55,000 in seed funding.
NMC Marine Technology bachelor’s degree students contribute directly to the Lakebed 2030 initiative through annual capstone hydrographic mapping projects conducted in partnership with NOAA. Using industry-standard multibeam sonar and hydrographic survey techniques aboard the R/V Northwestern, students collect high-resolution bathymetric data north of the tip of the Leelanau peninsula, a previously unmapped or inadequately mapped area of Lake Michigan.
These graduates are highly sought after by employers working in the global marine space. NMC also offers professional development courses through the Marine Center and is a lead partner in the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center, set to open next year on West Bay. This collaborative hub will protect freshwater for future generations by uniting education, research and innovation.
The Great Lakes contain more than 80 percent of North America’s surface freshwater and 20 percent of Earth’s surface freshwater. Mapping it completely at high density is estimated to cost $200 million.
Lakebed 2030 registration is $275 for in-person attendance and $155 for virtual attendance. See the full schedule here.
Release date: August 20, 2026
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC 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-discrimination
