Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Notable Accomplishments provided by Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Directions (SD) and Institutional Effectiveness Criteria (IE) are provided where possible.
- The math department held its annual summer, continuing education meeting over the week of August 10-13. It was attended by all math regular and adjunct faculty plus new science/math faculty. They spent the time learning changes in the Moodle gradebook, course software, quantitative reasoning course outcomes and linking course outcomes to examinations. This is an annual event and builds on the already excellent skills of our faculty. (IE1, IE3)
- The NMC community and King of the Mountain staff are proud of some of our very own Great Lakes Maritime Academy students who are a testament to our institution and the Maritime Program itself and the standards and integrity expected out of each of our cadets. The King of the Mountain 5k obstacle course challenge, held September 19 at Mt. Holiday benefiting the Grand Traverse Veteran’s Coalition, was designed by the Army. NMC’s GLMA team dubbed “Wild Hogz” was made up of Nicholas Burcicki, Brandon Gotha, Liam Armstrong, and Avery Perez. This team appeared for the news crews talking live on radio and TV, and just being out in the community, leave a lasting impression with everyone they came in contact with. Staff members from King of the Mountain report being impressed with the professionalism, politeness, and maturity with which they interacted with everyone, and the true gratitude they have expressed to the Fit For You Gym owners for sponsoring their team in this competition. NMC and Maritime should be extremely proud of this representation. As a result comments have been received as to the quality program we obviously have for Maritime and NMC—thank you to Sherry Trier for this submittal. (SD1, SD2, SD3, IE2, IE3)
- The NMC University Center celebrated its 20th Anniversary this past week, recognizing its current and past staff and University Partners who have all contributed to the success and positive impact on the Traverse City community and surrounding region by offering higher learning opportunities to community members without having to leave their current jobs and local lifestyles. Thank you to those who were available to attend and help celebrate this momentous occasion.
Important Updates from Tim
- I would like to take this opportunity to, again, offer NMC’s gratitude to longtime college supporters Diana and Richard Milock for their gift of $2 million that will create nearly 9,000 square feet of expansion at the Dennos Museum Center.
- Consultant Kathy Cole reported to the Foundation Board on the results of the feasibility study she has conducted pertaining to a potential comprehensive campaign. Her study revealed very positive support for NMC and she recommends moving forward with next steps in preparing for a comprehensive fundraising campaign.
- Thank you to Terry and Wayne Lobdell and the culinary students and staff for a wonderful Lobdell’s Scholarship Dinner on September 18. This event brings together many different friends of NMC, including alumni, business partners, community leaders, culinary enthusiasts, Dennos Museum supporters, and local agricultural leaders. In fact, one of the strategic next steps for the Culinary Institute is to strengthen the relationship with our local agricultural producers. There have been 34 scholarships awarded as a result of this annual event ($78,750).
- Thank you to Courtney Sorrell, Annual Giving Specialist, and other personnel involved, for organizing this year’s Annual Fund kickoff event that occurred at Parsons-Stulen on September 23. Some of the speakers even addressed the crowd from the top of the recently installed Water Studies Institute water tank funded through the CSTEP grant. Attendees were able to see many of NMC’s unique program offerings that were exhibited, i.e. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Freshwater Studies, and Advanced Electronics. These programs are preparing students for careers that did not exist 10 years ago.
- A team from NMC visited the campuses of Southwestern Community College and Jackson College this past week to tour their libraries and housing. These are areas that NMC will be focusing on in the upcoming year for capital projects.
- With the help of recently hired firm of Kelley Cawthorne, I am having many personal meetings with legislators in Lansing regarding the state capital outlay request process and discussing NMC’s potential project request for 2016.
- Please find attached a press release announcing the results of an EPIC-MRA poll demonstrating overwhelming support for expanding community college authority to offer four-year degrees in certain workforce-oriented areas, including nursing. EPIC-MRA posed the following question to the public: “Under current state law, Michigan community colleges can offer four-year degrees in culinary arts, energy production, cement technology, and maritime technology. Legislation under consideration would change state law to allow community colleges to offer four-year degrees in nursing, as well as several other technical fields. Do you favor or oppose this legislative proposal?” Eighty four percent (84%) of respondents support expanding community college baccalaureate authority. In 2012, the Legislature granted community colleges in Michigan the authority to join community colleges in 20 other states by conferring baccalaureate degrees in four applied and technical program areas – concrete technology, maritime technology, energy production technology, and culinary arts. The rationale for that legislation was improving college access, affordability, and responding to workforce demands. It was always clear that the legislation would need to be revisited over time as employer needs changed. Senator Mike Shirkey’s bill (SB 98), reported from the Senate Commerce Committee and awaiting Senate vote, does just that by extending the authority to confer degrees in nursing, allied health, ski area management, information technology, and manufacturing technology (see MCCA Brief on SB 98).
Miscellaneous
- Several of the Trustees will be attending the upcoming Association of Community College Trustees national Leadership Congress, which provides valuable learning opportunities through a wealth of session offerings.