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 Advising Center, in partnership with Records & Registration, sent a customized email to students showing their current program of study and asking them to confirm it for accuracy. The message, opened by more than 60% of students, also gave information about our different degree types (ASA, AAS, AGS, etc.). This message’s purpose was to help students achieve the learning outcome of knowing their current program of study. Advising received several follow-up contacts with students wishing to change their program of study or inquiring about further information. Advising plans to continue this and additional efforts to help students be aware of and understand their program of study and degree requirements, as an essential element of NMC’s Guided Pathways initiative. (IE1, IE3, IE5)
- Computer Information Technology program implemented a curricular redesign that includes the following:
- Reducing the number of credits and classes for students to complete AAS and incorporating stackable certificates in the program.
- Eliminating overly restrictive prerequisites to make scheduling more flexible for students.
- Increasing the amount of lab time per the recommendation of our students and advisory board.
- Adding more alternatives for elective courses. (IE1, IE2, IE5)
- The CIT Student Game Design Club unveiled their first app, a scrolling platform game. The game features four levels, including a boss level, all with custom graphics and sound effects created by the club. The unveiling was attended by students and staff, all whom enjoyed playing the game over pizza and pop. (IE1, IE4, IE5)
- Jason Dake, Curator of Education at the Dennos Museum Center, will participate in Museums Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., on February 28, 2017. Organized by the American Alliance of Museums, this event includes a day of training and a day of meeting with Congress to discuss the importance of museums in our communities. Jason will join over 300 museum professionals across the country to advocate for federal funding for museums via the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and their state counterparts including the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and Michigan Humanities Council, among others.
As a board member for the Michigan Museums Association, Jason worked with a group of professionals around the state to coordinate Michigan’s delegation for Museums Advocacy Day. He will represent the Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College, as well as Michigan’s 1st Congressional District and northern Michigan in general, with most participants being from the Grand Rapids or Detroit metropolitan areas. Jason is scheduled to meet with Senators Stabenow and Peters, as well as Representative Jack Bergman and others throughout Michigan. (IE2, IE3, IE5)
Activities of Note: Tim
- Serving on Governor Snyder’s 21st Century Economy Commission has taken me to Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Saginaw, and Marquette within the past month, with continued sessions through the end of May. We are learning about people’s vision for Michigan’s future economy; challenges that face specific regions, as well as the state overall; opportunities seen for specific regions, and state; and how the state can attract and retain talent. As I have mentioned previously, a commission report is expected to be completed by the end of May. Many of the panel discussions pertain directly and indirectly to higher education, as well.
- I was able to meet the incoming House Appropriations Chair Representative Laura Cox at an event hosted by the Kelley Cawthorne firm on February 1 in Lansing. It was beneficial to make an early connection with this important legislative position.
- I attended the MCCA Presidents Meeting on February 9 and 10 in Lansing, where we received MCCA updates and had discussions pertaining to the initiatives and future of the MCCA Center for Global Initiatives and recruiting outside the college district, among others.
- Thank you to Board Chair Kennard Weaver for joining Vice President Stephen Siciliano and me, along with our spouses, at the GLMA Alumni Mariners’ Ball this past Saturday. We enjoyed an evening with GLMA alumni catching up and reminiscing.
Legislative Issues
- Governor Snyder presented his budget recommendation for the 2017-18 fiscal year, which included several provisions of interest to Northwestern Michigan College:
- Under the community college budget, the Governor proposed continued operations funding at FY17 levels, $315.9 million dollars from the School Aid Fund.
- The Governor’s budget continued to cap the amount of unfunded accrued liability contributions by community colleges to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) and allocates $76.2 million for community college retirement obligations
- A one-time investment of $1 million general funds to support the Michigan Transfer Network website.
- $2 million dollars in funding for a pilot of the Independent Part Time Student Grants program, which targets part-time adult students at community colleges who have completed at least 15 credit hours of postsecondary coursework and are near completion of a degree or other credential.
- All community colleges except Gogebic, Montcalm and West Shore will receive a portion of $15.7 million in FY17 payments through the Local Community Stabilization Authority that are above and beyond the amounts needed for full reimbursement of revenue losses resulting from Personal Property Tax reform.
- Under the higher education budget, the Governor recommended a $5.3 million increase to the Tuition Incentive Program and $11 million for the Michigan Competitive Scholarship and Michigan Tuition Grant, which will help community college students as well.
- Under the Department of Talent and Economic Development budget, the Governor recommended an additional $10 million one-time, general fund allocation for the Going Pro program.
While overall this budget proposal was disappointing for community colleges, the investment in the Michigan Transfer Network website was one of the Michigan Community College Association’s 2017 Legislative priorities. The next step in the process will be Appropriations Committee hearings on the budget.
- Earlier this month, Joe McGuiness attended meetings in Washington, DC, with legislators to highlight the issues important to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy. This included a meeting with Congressman Jack Bergman who was very supportive of the GLMA issues raised.
Miscellaneous
- The 4th Annual NMC Veterans’ Chili Cook Off is from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 22, 2017, in the Health Science Building atrium. Donate $1 for 3 samples and vote for your favorite chili.
- The Great Lakes Culinary Institute’s Taste of Success, which benefits student scholarships, is Friday, February 24, 6:30 p.m., at NMC’s Hagerty Center. Tickets are still available online.
- See other events on the campus events listing on the Board Portal.