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.
- Alison Collins, Beckie Wooters and four NMC Dental Assistant students, Stephanie Covert, Ashley Carlson, Ashleigh Henigan, and Holly Koenig, participated in a worthwhile experience with the Mission of Mercy, sponsored by the Michigan Dental Association Foundation, June 9-11 in Warren, MI. The group assisted with set-up of the event, patient registration and education, sterilizing instruments, and provided chairside assistance with oral surgery and pedodontics. There were 1,249 patient visits, 4,986 total dental procedures, and over $1 million in oral health care services provided at no charge. (IE1, IE2, IE4).
- Each Friday in May the Advising Center, Admissions, and Student Life held orientation sessions for incoming dual enrolled high school students. Instead of grouping high school students in with general new student orientation, this new model allows for an efficient and effective introduction to the college enrollment process. Students went through the dual enrollment process prior to school letting out for summer, which reinforced the importance of deadlines and urgency for registration with students. (IE2, IE3, IE5)
- The Advising Center has developed and launched a series of communications to new students based on students’ intended major and career choice. These communications are intended to connect students with advising services and resources for major and career decision-making. In the Advising Center, students, with the assistance of professional advisors, can access career, program, and transfer pathways at NMC. (IE1, IE3, IE5)
- Taylor Nash and Kim Schultz led the Advising Center in a major redesign of the Advising Center web pages to reflect the significant advancements of the Guided Pathways initiative at NMC. Advisors continue to offer professional expertise in helping students decide on major and/or career direction by helping students gain a clear understanding of their strengths, interests, personality, and values, and aiding students in identifying, exploring, and evaluating career and major options. (IE1, IE3, IE5)
- Campus Services was pleased to unveil the refreshed Tanis Atrium with new furniture that is stylish, modern and functional. This area is well-used by students and staff for studying and socializing. (IE5)
- Resource Development reports that the finish of their fiscal year exceeded their fundraising goals for both the Annual Fund and overall fundraising. Fundraising Events also exceeded their goal in raising funds for College programs and scholarships. All of this is made possible entirely thanks to the generosity of our community members, alumni, and friends of NMC around the world. (IE1, IE2, IE3)
- Nancy Parshall, Communications Academic Area faculty member, recently published a short story entitled “Shooting for Six.” The story can be found here: https://www.101words.org/shooting-for-six/(IE3, IE5)
- NMC will be introducing a new multiple-measures approach for English placement beginning spring 2017, through joint contributions of Judy Chu, Joy Evans, Nancy Gray, Janet Lively, Deirdre Mahoney, Kristen Salathiel, Beth Wallace, Megan Ward, and Ryan Wilson. At the end of the spring 2017 semester; students’ success rates will be reviewed based on the use of this approach, which will guide potential revisions going forward.
- Scott Goethals and Keith Weber have been meeting (virtually) with representatives from Huanggang Polytechnic Institute in China and the University of Toledo to develop a computer information technology program consortium agreement for Chinese students studying in America. (IE1, IE2)
Activities of Note: Tim
- On June 20, the vice presidents and I attended a day long retreat at the Historic Barns Park Botanical Gardens.
- In June I attended employee group meetings along with Mark Liebling and Hollie DeWalt from our Human Resources department in order to discuss upcoming changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In December 2016 the salary threshold at which an employee is nonexempt from overtime will increase, thus making more employees eligible for overtime pay.
- Nancy and I were invited to a Global Opportunity Scholarship (GOS) luncheon on June 28 where students shared stories from their study abroad experiences, and expressed gratitude for the encouragement and opportunities afforded to them through NMC and the GOS fund.
- The campus was able to thank Vice President Chris Weber and wish her well in her new endeavors through a Farewell Reception held in her honor on June 28. We are very grateful for the many contributions Chris made to enrollment management processes during her tenure at NMC. She will be missed.
- I was able to attend several events of the 2016 National Cherry Festival, which included a meeting with one of the Blue Angles where I provided a gift of an NMC Coin for each member of the Blue Angels team, and attending the Governor’s Breakfast held at the Park Place Dome, among others.
- Over 70 people attended our July 11 groundbreaking ceremony for our new $8.8 million, 140 bed student housing and fitness center. This project is the first of several major construction projects planned over the next few years. Thank you to all attendees for participating in this monumental event, including Senator Wayne Schmidt and Representative Larry Inman who have been outstanding supporters of NMC and championed the approval of NMC’s FY17 West Hall Innovation Center capital outlay request.
- I was invited to participate in a stakeholder discussion concerning infrastructure at the first meeting of the Governor’s Commission of Modern Infrastructure that was held here in Traverse City at the Chamber of Commerce on July 11. I provided written input, but was unable to attend due to our housing groundbreaking event. The commission members had lunch prior to the meeting at NMC’s Lobdell’s. While this event was sponsored by a third party with NMC only providing the location, it presented a nice opportunity to showcase NMC and Traverse City.
Legislative Issues
- Last month, Governor Snyder reappointed NMC nursing instructor Mary Vander Kolk to the Michigan Board of Nursing. Vander Kolk previously worked at Munson Medical Center, Eastern Michigan University, Catherine McCauley Health Center, and Sparrow Hospital. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and nursing from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in nursing from Wayne State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Lake Superior State University. She will continue to represent registered professional nurses with a baccalaureate degree engaged in nursing education in a licensed practical nurse program. Appointees will serve four-year terms expiring June 30, 2020.
- We followed up with Senator Stabenow’s office, Senator Peters office and Senate Armed Services Committee staff to indicate our support of a provision in the House National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would assist in furthering NMC’s goal of creating a “Veterans Transcript.” A Veterans Transcript would be a document presented to exiting members of the military that would translate military skills into civilian educational credits or technical certifications. Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA-7) had an amendment adopted to the NDAA that would require the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a report on the transfer of skills into equivalent college credits or technical certifications for members of the armed forces leaving the military.
- We contacted Senator Stabenow and Senator Peters offices regarding the pending closure of the Great Lakes Fire Training Center. The MARAD operated center provides critical advanced firefighting courses to Great Lakes Maritime Academy cadets. With the closure of the facility after FY16, Admiral Achenbach sent a letter to MARAD requesting that they work with the Northwest Regional Fire Training Center here in Traverse City to acquire the specialized training equipment so that the Northwest Regional Fire Training Center can provide this critical training for GLMA cadets. We followed up with the offices of our U.S. Senators to ask that they weigh in with MARAD on this request.
Miscellaneous
- The MCCA Summer Institute at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island is July 26-29. I will be attending as well as Holly Gorton, and trustees Doug Bishop, Kennard Weaver, Chris Bott, and Ross Childs.
- The CQIN Summer Institute is also coming up July 31 to August 3 in Denver, Colorado, where a team will represent NMC.