President’s Update for March 21, 2016

Mar 22, 2016 | Intercom, President Updates

Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”

Activities of Note:  Faculty and Staff

This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible.

  • For the second year in a row, Kristy Groth has placed second in the LAND creative writing contest with her piece entitled, “Trouble.” Teresa Scollon, Communications adjunct faculty member, has been Kristy’s teacher/mentor both years. Kristy works in NMC’s Writing and Reading Center. (IE1)
  • Lisa Dohm, who oversees the World Languages Department, successfully defended her dissertation Wednesday, February 3, thus completing the final step for her Doctorate of Education from Central Michigan University. (IE4)
  • In January the US Coast Guard (USCG) began to administer the merchant marine officer’s license exams to the GLMA class of 2016—22 cadets sat for third mate (unlimited tonnage, oceans) and 14 cadets sat for third assistant engineer (steam and diesel, unlimited horsepower). There are seven exam modules for each license. As of February 3, 30 cadets had passed all modules.  The remaining six are either in the process of re-taking portions of the exams, or at sea and will complete their exams when they return.  After the deck cadets complete their license exams, they begin the exam cycle for First Class Pilot, Great Lakes.  This requires completion of another 24 USCG exams.  As of this date 15 cadets have successfully completed these exams. These cadets have successfully passed 31 USCG exams; seven for their license and another 24 for pilotage. (IE1)
  • The Commission on Dental Accreditation determined that the NMC Dental Assistant program has been granted the accreditation status of approval without reporting requirements. (IE1)
  • NMC recently received some great news from the Institute for International Education: Open Doors data bank. Based on 2014 numbers, NMC ranked 16 in the nation among community colleges for student participation in short term study abroad.  Using 2015 numbers and all things being the same, NMC would currently rank #10!  Almost all of the top 15 are schools have enrollments of 10,000 or more (Miami-Dade, College of DuPage, Mesa CC).  We are currently on track to have 70-75 students studying abroad in seven different countries in 2016. (IE1, IE2, IE4)
  • Mary Jo Elliot has added a hybrid section of General Chemistry 2 (CHM 151). Added to the current hybrid General Chemistry 1, students are now able to complete the General Chemistry sequence online except for the laboratory portions. (IE1, IE3)
  • Brandon Everest of Social Science hosted another Poverty Simulation in January: poverty simulation is an activity co-hosted by NMC Social Sciences and Traverse Bay Poverty Reduction Initiative to sensitize participants to the challenges of low-income life and breakdown pre-conceived notions about people in these situations. The simulation was offered to 80 students in Munson’s Family Practice Residency Program, who will work with families across the income distribution. It also relies on about 25 volunteers to play roles of community resources that commonly interface with working and low-income people.  These were filled by Social Science faculty and directors, and agency officials from a variety of northern Michigan human service and mental health agencies.  The simulation was such a success that Michigan State’s MD program magazine, MD Magazine, is putting together a story to be published to current students and alumni. (IE2)
  • Social Work and Sociology students joined students in Communications to do service learning and scholarship on issues affecting low-income people in our region. The activities highlighted National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in mid-November. In addition to fundraising for local community organizations and doing advocacy work around the SNAP Challenge and other activities, students assembled scholarly poster presentations on topics related to the subject and invited the public to attend their presentations. Student posters have been on exhibit in Scholars Hall and the Osterlin Library.  The project also gained national attention after being picked up by national newswires and published in 70 newspapers around the country.  Lisa Blackford and Brandon Everest, in addition to Melissa Sprenkle, were also nominated by the Office of Service Learning and International Services for a State award through Michigan Campus Compact. (IE1, IE2)
  • Rachel Wilczewski became the faculty advisor for a new student group that has been formed. During fall 2015 semester, sociology major student Kia Schwert had expressed interest in joining a student feminist organization/group, and together they did some research and discovered the only group that resembled what Kia was looking to join was VOX (Voices for Planned Parenthood), which was inactive.  Kia ended up taking over as student leader for VOX and changed the group’s name and focus with Rachel’s assistance and support.  In the short time that Students United for Gender Rights (SUGR) has been active, the group has accomplished quite a bit and has planned some great events for the spring 2016 semester. In January, SUGR co- sponsored a very successful stand-up comedy event with NMC Pride and the NMC Black Student Union.  The event featured Sampson McCormick who is known as one of the first openly gay African American comedians.  In mid-February SUGR members will be attending a performance of the Vagina Monologues at Ferris State University.  In addition, they have been active in working with faculty and staff including Rachel and Joe Verschaeve (Psychology) in planning a student alternative spring break trip that centers on raising awareness about, prevention of, and recovery in relation to human trafficking. The group is also planning some additional public events and film screenings to raise awareness about this issue. SUGR also worked with the Student Life Office to hold a “Take Back The Night” event on March 16. (IE1, IE2, IE4)
  • This year the Student Veterans organization raised $464 and had a total of 15 entries in the chili cook off. The event was a great success again this year thanks to all who attended. (IE2, IE4)
  • Leanne Baumeler, Disability Support Services Specialist, continues to mentor students with disabilities by acting as the staff advisor for Students for Educational Access and Disability Awareness (SEADA). This student organization meets weekly to support one another and our community.  Through their fundraising efforts, three families identified by the Department of Health and Human Services received gifts around the Holiday season. The annual talent show and various social outings organized by SEADA gives these students a sense of community and belonging, which is believed to impact retention and completion. (IE1, IE2, IE3)
  • The Developmental Education Committee has partnered with MI Works to provide prospective NMC students with free access to adult education programming right here on campus. This effort, led by Ashley Darga, Kristen Salathiel, and Nancy Gray, will allow future NMC students to work toward college readiness without exhausting their financial aid. Students will also be able to experience the campus culture and interact with NMC faculty and staff in preparation for their future enrollment.  The MI Works partnership began registering students on March 1. (IE1, IE2)
  • The Residence Life Leadership Group started reading the book titled, “The Student Leadership Challenge: Five Practices for Becoming an Exemplary Leader,” for the month of February.  The 12 students participating are learning about the tools needed to become an exceptional leader in a collegiate setting. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
  • On February 3, 2016, the 3rd Annual Snow Bowl took place for students who resided in Hawks Nest and East Hall. There were 13 students that participated in the event. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
  • On February 10, 2016, NMC’s Student Life Office hosted Angie McArthur (author of Collaborative Intelligence and 2015 Traverse City TEDx speaker) and Annie Powell as speakers on “Thinking With People Who Think Differently.” They presented to approximately 30 staff, faculty and students in workshops during the day and nearly 50 community members (which included about 20 students) that evening, despite a snow storm.  Our speakers engaged the evening crowd for an hour and everyone stayed an extra 30 minutes for Q&A time. Angie and Annie also joined a group of students after their evening talk to continue the conversation and answer more questions.  (IE1, IE2, IE3)
  • Student Financial Services, Residence Life and TBA Credit Union collaborated on a financial literacy event on February 11, which occurred in the East Hall basement. The students in attendance learned financial information in reference to student loans and how to manage debt. Only 4 students were in attendance at the event. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
  • Ed Bailey and Hans VanSumeren attended the Underwater Intervention (UI) conference held in New Orleans, LA. This is the fourth year that we have had representation at the conference. This was the first year we had an exhibition booth and the second year they have presented a paper.  This conference brings approximately 150-200 exhibitors from the marine industry along with 2500-3000 attendees.  It is co-hosted by the Marine Technology Society (MTS) – ROV committee and the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI).  We are members of the MTS and will become a member of ADCI shortly.  ADCI is the credentialing organization that is promoting our ROV training programs.  This year, the Ocean Sciences meeting was held in the exhibit hall next to UI and brought in thousands more, many of whom were able to walk through UI.  All of the marine equipment that NMC operates was represented at this conference by the industry exhibitors.  It was also attended by the majority of our advisory board for marine technology.  Our exhibit booth showcased our programs, facilities, assets and people.  Our new NMC videos were on display, as well as programmatic material of the various offerings.  All material was gone by the second day.  There was great interest in what we offer and the common question started with “How…” or “I’ve got someone you need to meet.”  People from all sectors were very impressed with the breadth of offerings, the facilities and the equipment.   There is no other US institution that has the complete package as we do.  This was echoed through numerous conversations.
  • On February 24, 2016, Student Financial Services, TBA Credit Union and Residence Life hosted an Etiquette Dinner for NMC students to learn appropriate business, networking and dinner etiquette for a professional setting. 43 students were in attendance at the event. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
  • The office of Admissions held its first “Explore Your Major” event spotlighting Engineering Technology on February 27, at the Parsons-Stulen building. Over 51 prospective students and their families visited campus and received hands-on technology demos, one-on-one time with instructors, and lunch. (IE2, IE3, IE4, IE5)

Activities of Note:  Tim

  • I was asked to make a Global Education and Workforce Initiatives presentation at Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) and combined the trip with NMC Foundation donor visits at the beginning of February.  Nancy and I, along with Rebecca Teahen, had a nice visit with Bill and Susie Janis, and then Nancy and I spent time with Dudley and Barb Smith before my scheduled presentation at FSCJ on February 11.
  • We hosted a focus group session on February 18 with community business members interested in collaborative work with NMC to strengthen economic development and technology within the region. There were good discussions and ideas shared.  There is a lot of interest in having NMC play an active role in building a network of high-performing entities within our community. Notes are still being finalized and future discussions will be planned.
  • The MCCA presidents met in Lansing on February 18-19. We covered many important topics including the Michigan New Jobs Training Program and dark stores taxing value issues.  We had discussions with the new Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction Brian Whiston, MCCA Center for Global Initiatives executive director Carol Stax Brown, and staff from the Michigan State Budget Office on the capital outlay process.  Other state-wide community college issues were discussed, as well.
  • Nancy, my son Leland and I attended the Taste of Success, as did trustee Chris Bott and his daughter Rachel. It was a wonderful event that greatly benefits NMC’s culinary program.
  • Gabe Schneider has been meeting with our Advocacy Communications Team, has arranged many legislator meetings for me, as well as coordinated efforts with our capital outlay consultant David Gregory.  It has been very effective, as proven by the high prioritization of our state capital outlay request to be included in the top three potential recipients to be funded by the governor’s budget.
  • Gabe also coordinated a successful Legislative Roundtable Breakfast that we hosted at Lobdell’s on February 26. Legislators present included State Representative Larry Inman, State Senator Darwin Booher, State Representative Phil Potvin, Jamie Callahan, Chief of Staff for Representative Phil Potvin, Brandon Fewins, Regional Manager for U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, and Leah McCallum, Regional Director for U.S. Senator Gary Peters.  Others present included NMC executive staff and several NMC trustees and Foundation directors.  Both NMC and legislators presented, but time did not allow for questions from others, which provides an opportunity to improve upon with future scheduled sessions.
  • Kennard and Judy Weaver, Jerry Achenbach, Mike Surgalski, and Nancy and I were invited to attend a reception and dinner hosted by Keystone Power at the Grand Traverse Resort the evening of February 29. Keystone Power, from Duluth, Minnesota, is a member of our GLMA Board of Visitors with a Great Lakes fleet.  Keystone held their annual conference at the GT Resort and is looking to increase their availability to GLMA cadets.
  • I was able to attend the beginning of the second annual Grand Traverse Area Manufacturing Summit took place at NMC’s Hagerty Center on March 1. This year the summit focused on safety, as well as setting the direction for the Grand Traverse Area Manufacturing Council for the next 12 months. The mission of the Council is to promote long-term thinking, education, and collaboration through people and companies.
  • Marguerite Cotto and I attended the annual Continuous Quality Improvement Network (CQIN) CEO/Rep Forum in Denver March 2-4 as preparation for the annual CQIN Summer Institute, which an NMC team will attend in August. The summer institute provides an opportunity for teams of colleagues to participate in the practical framework of utilizing continuous quality principles and explore the best practices identified from corporate learning partners and other experts who have quality models to share that can be customized for practice on the college campus.  This year’s theme will be Demonstrating Value through Results.
  • Gabe Schneider, our capital outlay consultant David Gregory, and I had a productive dinner meeting in Lansing on March 7 with state representatives Larry Inman and Al Pscholka who is chair of the Committee on Appropriations and a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Joint Capital Outlay.
  • We held our spring town hall meeting at the Milliken Auditorium on March 9 where I provided a brief update and took questions from the audience. The session was live streamed and recorded for those unable to attend in person.
  • Gabe and I also met with Brandon Fewins, Regional Manager for U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, and Leah McCallum, Regional Director U.S. Senator Gary Peters, on March 10.
  • Trustees Chris Bott, Ross Childs, and Kennard Weaver and I attended the Spring MCCA Board of Directors meeting hosted by Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor on March 10 & A report on this meeting was given at the March 21 NMC Board meeting.

Legislative Issues

  • Included above.

Miscellaneous

  • NMC Commencement is on Saturday, April 30. Please make sure to let Holly know of your plans to attend so that she can assign speaking parts.

Dates of Note are available on the Board of Trustees web portal.