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 office of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications (PRMC) won a Gold and Silver Medallion Award from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) for the two newest promotional and brand videos in the NMC Now series. These videos highlight the nursing and crop management programs. The Medallion Award recognizes outstanding achievement and excellence in communications at community and technical colleges. PRMC also won a Gold Medallion Award from NCMPR for designing NMC’s new view book. This is the second NMC view book design in a row to be honored with a Medallion Award. (IE3, IE5)
- Congratulations to Grace Kohler, visual communications student and staff member of the NMC Magazine, for winning first place in the Best Artwork Category-Central Region in the 2017 Literary Magazine Competition. This contest is offered annually by the Community College Humanities Association, which highlights student work from all over the nation. Each magazine is an artistic reflection of the perspectives of each unique student body and locale. Grace’s piece was chosen from NMC’s magazine, DREAMS, page 46. (IE1, IE3)
- The office of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications (PRMC) recently participated in two professional development opportunities to help advance the work of the office and the college. The “Extreme Communications Makeover” hosted by the TC Chamber of Commerce focused on ways to transition your organization’s communications efforts to best meet the needs of stakeholders today and into the future. “Measuring ROI of Digital Marketing” from NCMPR focused on the benefits of digital marketing to community colleges and how to better tie that into enrollment management. Both professional development events offered some good guidance, and also showed how NMC is ahead of the curve in many areas. (IE3, IE5)
- NMC Facilities managed and completed installation of security door access and video surveillance on all NMC campuses. (IE5)
- NMC Dining Services was fortunate to serve nearly 30,000 guests during the month of October. Services provided included the following:
- Catering for a wedding for 135 people off-site on October 7
- Catering for NMC’s Professional Development Day on October 10
- Prime Rib Dinner to residents on October 12
- Catering for the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for 100 people at the Dennos Museum on October 15
- Catering for GirlTECH at Aero Park for 300 students on October 27
- NMC Dining Services also offered a variety of local apples in the Hawk Owl Café such as Ginger Golds, Zestars, Granny Smiths and Honey Crisps. In addition, 13 gallons of local apple cider and 17 gallons of Pumpkin Lattes were served during the month of October. (IE3, IE5)
- Instruction librarian Ann Geht worked with English instructors to teach information literacy skills that help students identify and vet published sources in print and on the web. 100% of ENG 111, 112, and 99/108 classes attended library sessions this fall. (IE1, IE2, IE3)
- GLMA hosted the ninth Women on the Water Conference at the Hagerty Center October 26-28. This was the second time GLMA hosted the conference; they hosted the initial conference in 2007. Thanks to the outstanding efforts of cadets, faculty, staff, and especially Judy Druskovich, the event was a tremendous success. All seven federally-regulated maritime academies sent representatives. Senator Stabenow and Maritime Administrator Buzby provided video greetings. Guest speakers and panelists included senior officials from each of the maritime unions, Military Sealift Command, each of the Great Lakes shipping companies, Conoco-Phillips, Chevron, and K&L Gates. Coast Guard Admiral Linda Fagan served as the guest speaker. Fund raising efforts ensured that all meals for cadets and midshipmen were provided at no cost. Additionally, all costs for a Saturday, October 28, trip to Mackinac Island were covered by donations from the U.S. maritime industry. (IE2)
Activities of Note: Tim
- Trustee Rachel Johnson and I toured campus with Senator Peter’s aid Eric Keller on October 26. We were able to show him the Nursing Simulation Lab, North Hall, Technology at Parsons-Stulen, and the Great Lakes Campus. He was enthused with learning more about what NMC has to offer.
- I provided an NMC update to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy Board of Visitors annual visit on October 26. This group’s objectives include providing a real world perspective from industry and government leaders on required skills sought by the industry and providing feedback on cadets and recent graduates. This relationship has contributed to the success of our GLMA cadets and graduates.
- As noted above in accomplishments, NMC’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy hosted the 2017 Women on the Water Conference at our Great Lakes Campus. Trustee Rachel Johnson was able to participate in the mock interview exercise with GLMA cadets the afternoon of October 26. Nancy and I, along with trustees Kennard Weaver, Janie McNabb and spouses, attended the conference dinner on Friday, October 27. RADM Linda Fagan provided a keynote address and RADM Mark Buzby, USN, Ret. sent a special video message to the evening’s attendees. It was a great opportunity for our GLMA to host this national event that recognizes female cadets, while benefiting all attending cadets and midshipmen. The agenda focused on industry presentations, mock interviews with industry professionals, and networking opportunities.
- On October 27, I had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Trevor Kubatzke, President of Lake Michigan College (LMC), continuing a conversation on potential collaboration between our schools in the area of fermentation technology. Marguerite Cotto and Dr. Leslie Kellogg, LMC Provost and VP of Academic Affairs, have been seeking areas of internship collaboration that might provide an exchange of experiences between students in their wine region and ours. Our visit included a discussion and a facilities tour with LMC’s Director of Wine and Viticulture Technology, Mike Moyer. We appreciate their hospitality and look forward to this continuing exploration.
- I would like to thank trustees and executive staff who spent half a day on October 30 for the Board study session. The afternoon offered an opportunity for in-depth discussions on enrollment management, revenue sources and trends, and principles of planning and budgeting. Another study session is being planned for January 18.
- A team from NMC traveled to Providence, Rhode Island, for the Business Innovation Factory (BIF) Design Sprint for the early adopter learning approach. The Continuous Quality Improvement Network (CQIN), of which we are members, and BIF are embarking on a partnership to provide CQIN member organizations an opportunity to understand business model innovation based on a Business Model Design Process (BMDP) to establish the importance of changing to the perspective of the student experience. This recent meeting included an overall orientation to the BMDP methodology, and in-depth training on how to make the shift by gaining a deep understanding of the student experience; identifying key actionable insights; and imaging new value propositions and student experiences. The next phase will take place in Chicago in April.
Legislative Issues
State
The Michigan legislature stands adjourned for the deer hunting/Thanksgiving recess and will return to session on Tuesday, November 28. However, before they broke for recess, the Senate passed legislation (SB 584-586) that would allow individuals who obtain a special endorsement with their concealed pistol license to carry a concealed weapon within areas where they are currently prohibited, including community college campuses. The package passed 25-12 with all Northern Michigan senators voting in support. The legislation is now before the House Judiciary Committee. Of this package of bills, SB 586 clarifies that for the purposes of weapons policies, community colleges would qualify as local governments, and therefore could not regulate the use of weapons in their jurisdictions. The MCCA legislative committee opposes SB 586 and is neutral on SB 584 and SB 585.
Also before the legislature left Lansing, the House voted on auto no fault insurance reform legislation (HB 5013) which would have made changes to Michigan’s auto insurance laws. NMC wrote to our Northern Michigan House members in opposition to this legislation because of the negative impact it would have on faculty, staff and students. These impacts included not addressing the use of non-driving factors in the determination of insurance rates, an across the board mandated reduction in personal injury protection coverage and caps on lifetime insurance coverage for auto accident related injuries. The legislation would have also had a significant negative impact on healthcare providers including on Munson Healthcare which would have seen a $9.5 million annual loss. Ultimately the legislation was voted down, with State Representative Larry Inman being the only Northern Michigan representative to oppose the bill. The Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance also opposed the legislation and we appreciate Representative Inman’s and the Alliance’s support on this issue.
Federal
Both the House and Senate are working to advance significant tax reform measures in Washington. Of concern for community colleges are several provisions of the House bill. These include the following:
- 1.4% excise tax on college endowments at private universities valued at $100,000 or more per full-time student
- Eliminates Lifetime Learning Credit
- Eliminates Employer Educational Assistance
- Eliminates Student Loan Interest Deduction
- Eliminates Qualified Tuition Reductions
We will continue to monitor this legislation as it makes its way through the process in the House and Senate and will be in contact with our federal delegation to express our concerns.
Miscellaneous
- Tuesday, December 5—Board Holiday Party
- Friday, December 15—NMC Employee Holiday Party