Important Announcement from the President

It is with mixed emotions that I provide you notice that I will retire from my position as President of Northwestern Michigan College 14 months from now on December 31, 2019. By providing this notification now, there is sufficient time to execute a thoughtful, inclusive search for my successor. Rest assured, I will continue to give you my all during the ensuing time.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, the college and the region. I am incredibly proud of what the college has achieved during my time at NMC. We have committed ourselves to keeping learning at the center. This provides a basis to achieve our ultimate purpose, which is to provide you, our learners, and communities, with the skills, experiences and values that will help you to create social and economic wealth during your lifetime.

I have seen a lot of change in the almost 18 years I have been serving as president. Critical programs, such as maritime and aviation, have been redesigned; and first in the nation programming has been developed, including our marine tech and UAS programs. In each area of the college, people are innovating in order to assure learners’ success in a global society and economy. We now view our community as the world and are recognized as a leader in study abroad and international delivery of specialty programs. The physical, technical and data infrastructures of all our campuses have been completely rebuilt and renewed. As I look to the future, I am humbled to think that the people, programs and systems we have developed, position this institution for continued success in meeting our purpose well into the future.

I will truly miss not being here to continue to lead current initiatives or start new projects we have on the horizon, but at NMC there will always be great people designing and implementing new and innovative projects and practices. We are blessed with a dedicated college leadership, staff and faculty. You should have great confidence in their abilities to carry out the strategic agenda of NMC as we achieve our mission.

The Board, with more than 42 years combined experience representing the voters in leading NMC, has begun thinking about the succession process and how best to seek input from the college’s many stakeholder groups. I look forward to the next 14 months as I continue in my current role and will serve actively as an advisor during the transition period with support from the college’s long serving leadership team. Updates to this public process will be made available at nmc.edu.

My family and I intend to remain residents of Traverse City and will actively support NMC in any way we can. I’m not sure what lies ahead for us except I am sure we will continue to work to improve our communities. Again, I thank you for the opportunity to work with and for you and this amazing college.

Timothy J. Nelson
President

Important Announcement from the President

It is with mixed emotions that I provide you notice that I will retire from my position as President of Northwestern Michigan College fourteen months from now on December 31, 2019.  By providing this notification now, there is sufficient time to execute a thoughtful, inclusive search for my successor. Rest assured, I will continue to give you my all during the ensuing time. (more…)

Success Story: Keeping learning at the center for 18 years

November 2, 2018

NMC President Tim NelsonNMC President Timothy J. Nelson on Thursday announced his plans to retire December 31, 2019, bringing to a close his tenure as the longest-serving president of the college.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have worked to achieve during my time at this college,” said Nelson, who has led NMC for 18 years. “I have committed myself to our ultimate purpose, which is to provide our learners and communities with the skills, experiences and values that will help them to create social and economic wealth during their lifetimes.”

Nelson first worked at NMC as residence hall supervisor in 1975 and returned to campus as executive director of administration in 2000. He was named president Feb. 26, 2001, and since then has made his motto “keeping learning at the center.”

Elaine Wood was a member of the Board of Trustees that hired Nelson. She said he was the clear choice in a search that yielded candidates from around the country.

“He was the ideal person to take NMC into the 21st century, in very creative, substantial ways,” said Wood, a trustee from 1990-2008. “Tim really stood out as having the kind of vision for NMC that was not only the most creative and the biggest, but also the most consistent with this community, the values of this community and the character of this community.”

From technology to a global economy, Nelson foresaw and prepared the college and community for changes and challenges, Wood said, adding that he brought both financial acumen and a grasp of learning systems.

“That is kind of a rare combination, to get somebody who’s well-rounded in both aspects,” she said.

As a result of Nelson’s leadership at the college, NMC has been recognized as:

  • 2nd in the nation among community colleges in Military Times “Best for Vets” rankings
  • Offering first community college baccalaureate in Michigan
  • 16th for short-term study abroad nationwide
  • 10th out of top 15 Best Drone Training colleges
  • 16th out of 50 “Best Choice Schools for Culinary” nationwide
  • Only ADCI-certified ROV pilot technician training program in the world
  • Top 20 foundation endowment per student

“President Nelson has served this college and this community well during his tenure,” said NMC Board of Trustees Chairman Kennard Weaver. “We are fortunate to have had a leader of this caliber for much longer than the average community college president. The role of the college president is to provide vision, leadership, and focus to the growth of a college. Bringing in a new president means NMC can build upon the successes and stable system built by President Nelson, while also benefiting from new energy and ideas to continue to propel the college forward to the benefit of our students and our community. The Board is committed to a public and transparent process during this transition.”

The Board, with more than 42 years combined experience, has begun thinking about the succession process and how best to seek input from the college’s many stakeholder groups. Nelson looks forward to continuing in his current role and serving actively as an advisor during the transition period with support from the college’s long-serving leadership team. Updates to this public process will be made available at nmc.edu.

Nelson, 66, and his family plan to remain in Traverse City after his retirement, where they will continue to support NMC and other initiatives to improve the community.

NMC President to retire after 2019

Timothy J. Nelson TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) President Timothy J. Nelson today announced his plans to retire December 31, 2019.

He is the longest-serving president of the college and has led the institution for 18 years.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have worked to achieve during my time at this college,” said Nelson. “Beginning with my first job after college as the Residence Hall supervisor in 1975, to my return to campus as an Executive Director of Administration in 2000, and then being hired by the board to serve as President in 2001, I have committed myself to our ultimate purpose, which is to provide our learners and communities with the skills, experiences and values that will help them to create social and economic wealth during their lifetimes,” said Nelson. “I am humbled to think that as I look to the future, the people, programs and systems that we have developed together, position this institution for continued success in meeting that purpose well into the future.”

As a result of Nelson’s leadership, NMC has been recognized as:

  • 2nd in the nation “Best for Vets” community colleges nationwide
  • First community college baccalaureate in Michigan
  • 16th for short term study abroad nationwide
  • 10th out of top 15 Best Drone Training Colleges
  • 16th out of 50 “Best Choice Schools for Culinary” nationwide
  • Only ADCI-certified ROV pilot technician training program in the world
  • Top 20 foundation endowment per student

“President Nelson has served this college and this community well during his tenure. We are fortunate to have had a leader of this caliber for much longer than the average community college president,” said NMC Board of Trustees Chairman Kennard Weaver. “The role of the college president is to provide vision, leadership, and focus to the growth of a college. Bringing in a new president means NMC can build upon the successes and stable system built by President Nelson, while also benefiting from new energy and ideas to continue to propel the college forward to the benefit of our students and our community. The board is committed to a public and transparent process during this historic transition.”

The board, with more than 42 years combined experience representing the voters in leading NMC, has begun thinking about the succession process and how best to seek input from the college’s many stakeholder groups. Nelson looks forward to continuing in his current role and serving actively as an advisor during the transition period with support from the college’s long serving leadership team. Updates to this public process will be made available at nmc.edu.

Nelson, who will turn 66 in 2018, and his family plan to remain in Traverse City after his retirement where they will continue to support NMC and other initiatives to improve the community.

Release date: 5:30 p.m., November 1, 2018

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communication
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

Walk for Health & Housing

The annual Walk for Health & Housing begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Great Lakes Campus, Monday November 12 and will continue through downtown Traverse City with speakers addressing various topics along the way. The walk will last approximately two hours. The walk is hosted by Ryan Hannon of Street Outreach, Good Will in collaboration with ENG111, SOC101 & SWK121 classes. The walk helps to raise awareness to the issues of homelessness and food insecurity. Students, faculty, staff and all community members are strongly encouraged to come and participate in this powerful event.