President’s Update for April 12, 2017

Apr 13, 2017 | Intercom, President Updates

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.

  • NMC received a scholarship of $1,000 donated by the Richard Schulze Foundation to support students interested in entrepreneurship. This award is in honor of Linda Hall (a former Traverse City high school graduate), who was recently awarded a 2016 Schulze Award for her article “The Harrowing Journey of Finding Investors,” which has been published online on the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Exchange. This award recognizes the quality of the contribution Linda Hall has made to the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Exchange (EIX) and to the study and practice of entrepreneurship. In recognition of her contribution, an academic scholarship was awarded to the college or university of her choice. (Link to article: https://eiexchange.com/content/120-the-harrowing-journey-of-finding-investors) (IE1)
  • CIT Industry Night Out on March 14 was held at RJG, a recognized global leader in training and technology for the injection molding industry. Fifty NMC students attended this event where they learned about the local company from an IT perspective. (IE1, IE2, IE4)
  • Two recent Great Lakes Culinary Institute (GLCI) graduates who served internships on the Training Ship State of Michigan are now completing maritime training at Seafarers’ International Union (SIU), and will soon be SIU members employed as stewards on board a Crowley Maritime Corporation vessel. This opportunity results from the March 14 Crowley recruiting event for both GLMA cadets and GLCI students. Crowley is ensuring that schedules allow students to attend the May 2017 NMC graduation. This summer three GLCI students will serve their internships on board the State of Michigan. The U.S. Coast Guard and three shipping companies will address these graduating GLCI students with U.S. Merchant Marine credentials and shipboard experience. (IE3)
  • Jim Bensley, Director of International Services and Service Learning, now holds the following positions:
  • Member at Large – Senior International Officials Council – Community Colleges for International Development (elected position). CCID is a global network of community, technical, and vocational institutions dedicated to creating globally engaged learning environments. Members engage within the network to improve practices, participate in learning communities, and collaborate to advance global opportunities at the college level.
  • Board Member – Midwest Institute for International/Intercultural Education (appointed position). MIIIE is a self-funded consortium of two-year colleges located in the Midwest region. Its primary objective is to support curriculum and professional development by organizing curriculum workshops, fall and spring conferences, and overseas projects for faculty and students; assisting with grant development; and providing faculty mentoring and professional networking. (IE2, IE5)
  • The office of Finance and Administration reports that the A-133 single audit was completed by Rehmann. The report found NMC to be in compliance with federal regulations and no findings were issued. (IE5)
  • NMC received reimbursement of $2 million for the state’s share of expenses related to the CCSTEP Grant. This process was coordinated by Chris Ruszel and Ed Bailey. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE5)
  • Disability Support Services Specialist Leanne Baumeler has partnered with TCAPS to provide a work experience for a high school senior during the spring 2017 semester. The student is an expert in the technology used by people who are blind and has been analyzing our digital material for accessibility. Various departments have agreed to have their materials reviewed. In particular, Alison Thornton has worked with the student every week in Information Technology Services. Extended Educational Services, Public Relations/ Marketing, and Educational Media Technologies have also taken advantage of this unique opportunity. The work experience continues through May 24, 2017. The student plans to attend NMC in the fall of 2017 and will focus on Computer Information Technology. The feedback the student has provided will allow us to improve our accessibility for students and others who rely on text-to-speech technology. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
  • NMC Student Financial Services held a Financial Aid Fair with help from Admissions, Advising, Records and Registration, staff. Over 30 prospective and returning students and their families attended. Admissions Office checked in students and assisted them with status of their Admissions application. Financial Aid Specialists held six, well-attended, half-hour sessions on Counting the Cost of College – Comparing Schools, Types of Financial Aid, and How to Find and Apply for Scholarships. Student Financial Services staff met with students individually to provide help completing the FAFSA, financial aid requirements, scholarship applications, and student loan counseling.
  • Student Financial Services wrapped up our 2017-2018 FAFSA completion outreach in February. They held the High School Counselor Workshop; 5 Regional Information Sessions; conducted 17 school visits to help with FAFSA, scholarships, and admissions applications; held workshops at College Night; and participated in the Commitment Induction Ceremony. Total attendance for all events was over 900.
  • Student Financial Services began packaging aid the end of February. Over 1800 students have been offered financial aid for the 2017/2018 award year as of 3/30/2017. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4, IE5)
  • NMC Admissions representatives have been in select high schools in our service area conducting Accuplacer testing, which helps save time during orientation for many students.
  • Admissions coordinated with Kingsley and Mancelona high schools to bus students to NMC for orientation on April 7.
  • The NMC Commitment Coordinator has met with area high schools and has met with the majority of our high school Commitment students. He has also held several lunches and conversations with our current NMC Commitment students. 69 of the 100 (2017 Cohort) Commitment students have been admitted for summer and fall.
  • Admissions held the 3rd Annual Jobs for Vets Hiring Fair on March 21 with 62 employers and 12 veteran service providers on hand.
  • Scott Herzberg held a meeting for all NMC Veterans with the purpose of bringing the veteran community together to support and create accountability to one another and to get them connected with all of the resources on campus and in the community. Guest speakers included NMC Counseling staff, Scott Herzberg, Director of GT County Veteran Affairs Office, VA Outpatient personnel, counselors from the Vet Center, representatives from VA Suicide Prevention, Specialists from Saginaw and a representative from the Community Action Agency. Independent Wealth Management is also offering free portfolio and/or debt management for NMC veterans.
  • Scott Herzberg and Kristy McDonald are piloting a program to teach mindfulness and yoga to NMC veterans. Kristy is volunteering her time and Scott is seeking funding through the Foundation to acquire the needed supplies. This weekly class will begin in the month of April and will occur once a week. There are 15 combat veterans signed up for this new program. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4, IE5)
  • Records & Registration, Advising and ITS have worked together to review, test and implement the Banner upgrade to Registration XE. This new, improved system makes searching for classes, registration, and planning ahead more intuitive and user friendly for students as they meet with their advisors, prepare and register for classes each semester. Training sessions have been held for faculty advisors and staff throughout the month of March in preparation for the new registration system. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4, IE5)
  • The NMC Foundation held a student Phone-a-thon during which students called NMC Foundation donors to thank them for their gifts and ask them to renew their support. Student callers earned $10/hour for their student group. During the event, students learned about the NMC Foundation, philanthropy, and fundraising. They also had the opportunity to practice telephone communication and letter-writing skills. The NMC Foundation has deepened partnerships with Student Life, Phi Theta Kappa, and International Club as a result of the event. Students asked donors to renew their support to NMC’s Annual Fund, which supports every student, every day at NMC by supporting essential organizational operations. (IE1, IE2, IE3)

Activities of Note: Tim

  • I am sorry to have missed the March Board meeting due to illness. My staff supported my decision not to infect others with my cold/flu symptoms. I will also miss the April 24 meeting while attending and presenting at the national AACC conference, but will still participate via video conferencing.
  • On March 23 Nancy and I attended Grand Rapids Community College’s SCHOLARfest. The event celebrated the college’s philanthropic leaders, faculty, staff, and students while raising money for student scholarships. GRCC’s current president Dr. Steven Ender, and his wife Karen Ender, were also honored at the event as Dr. Ender is retiring this summer.
  • Chris Bott and I attended the MCCA Spring Board of Directors Meeting at Jackson College in March. The speaker Roger Curtis, Director of Michigan Department of Talent & Economic Development, talked about “Talent in Michigan” and there was a panel discussion on “Addressing the Skills Gap.” Attendees also received MCCA and legislative updates and information about the upcoming 2017 MCCA Summer Institute on Mackinac Island, which will focus on “The Closing Gap—The Equity Imperative for Open Access Institutions.”
  • I participated in the Presidents Program at the Higher Learning Commission’s Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois, at the beginning of April. Joy Evans, executive director of research, planning and effectiveness, attended the entire conference and gained a lot of information pertaining to new accreditation requirements coming from HLC.
  • Stephen Siciliano and I, along with Kennard Weaver and Ross Childs, attended the Faculty Council meeting on April 7 featuring a Faculty Showcase. Faculty from all academic areas shared the best of their year, including new programming, art shows, student trips, innovation and best practices in the classroom, publications, awards and student successes.

Legislative Issues

State
Prior to spring break, both the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Community Colleges and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Community Colleges reported out their respective budgets for FY18. Of the two budgets, the MCCA and NMC are supporting the Senate reported budget; which, in addition to a slight increase in traditional formula funding for all community colleges, also supports Governor Snyder’s recommendation to fund critical upgrades to the Michigan Transfer Network. The budget passed by the Senate subcommittee would also reinstate funding for the Independent Part Time Student Grant. Specifically, as it relates to NMC, the subcommittee’s reported bill would increase state funding for NMC by 2% or $190,000.
While the Senate budget is a modest increase, it also shows a statewide recognition of the strong return on investment presented by the community college business model. For NMC, the increased funding means additional investments in faculty, staff, equipment and facilities; all of which directly benefit our learners. NMC is urging our Northern Michigan delegation to support the Senate Subcommittee’s bill and has written a letter to our legislators outlining this support.

Federal
The U.S. House and Senate are on recess until April 25. Prior to this break the Trump Administration released two budget proposals that would have an impact on community colleges and NMC. The first was the so-called “skinny budget” for FY18 which outlined President Trump’s proposals for all federal agencies and programs. A few key points from this budget include the following:

  • The budget proposes to eliminate funding for The Corporation for National and Community Service, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Northern Border Regional Commission, and The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, in additional to several other agencies.
  • Proposed 13% decrease for the Department of Education
    • Deep cuts to federal student aid programs
    • Eliminates the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
    • 10% cut to TRIO Programs
    • Cut 1/3 of the funding for GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs)
    • Cut $3.9 billion out of the Pell Grant programs $10B surplus
    • Reduces Federal Work Study significantly
    • There was no mention of funding cuts for the maritime academy system.

The President also proposed a FY17 Supplemental Budget, which included cuts to various programs in order to pay for proposed increases in defense and homeland security funding. Included in this FY17 supplemental budget request was a cut of $1.3 billion dollars from the Pell Grant surplus. Given the impact to NMC learners, we have sent a letter to our federal delegation outlining our concerns with this proposed cut. In the last academic year, 1,740 NMC students received Pell Grant support totaling over $5 million dollars. The proposed cut to the surplus would impact future reinvestments in the Pell Grant program and could impact long- term budgetary projections, including the feasibility of reinstating the Year Round Pell Grant Program.

Upon their return from this recess period Congress will be faced with the expiration of the federal budget on April 28 and would need to either extend funding at current year levels or pass a FY17 budget for all federal agencies. We will continue to monitor this process for potential impacts to NMC and our learners.

Miscellaneous

  • NMC Foundation’s annual Scholarship Luncheon will be on Friday, April 21, 12:00-1:30 p.m., at the Hagerty Center. The luncheon is a unique opportunity for donors to meet the students their donations support. Invitations were sent to trustees’ homes at the end of March.
  • The Retirement & Recognition Ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, April 27, at 4:30 p.m. at the Hagerty Center. Invitations were sent to trustees’ homes in mid-March.
  • Spring Legislative Roundtable is in Lansing on Wednesday, May 3, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Trustees are asked to please let the President’s Office know if you would like to attend and we will coordinate transportation.
  • NMC Commencement is on Saturday, May 6, and Holly will provide more detailed information in a separate email.
  • NMC BBQ is on Sunday, May 21, and Holly will send a separate email with greeter sign-up times.