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.
- Another CIT Industry Night Out was held on April 8 at Midwestern Broadcasting here in Traverse City. The company hosted a “happy hour” themed event for area youth and young adults enrolled in computer-networking/engineering classes at NMC and Traverse City High School Vocational programs. The event was a success. Students got introduced to and educated about the mechanical intricacies of a radio operation. Midwestern Broadcasting actually hired an NMC student due to this event. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
- NMC CIT faculty hosted a Hackathon for the AP Computer Science Principles students regionally. The day provided the students extended time to work on their Performance Task for the AP Exam, along with an opportunity to learn more about NMC’s Engineering Tech programs and experience a Virtual Reality demonstration. Elk Rapids, Grand Traverse Academy, and St. Francis school districts participated on Friday, April 20. Teachers and students expressed their appreciation for the opportunity and the CIT department is looking to expand the event next year to include more districts. (IE1, IE2, IE4, IE5)
- The 2018 graduating glass of the Michigan State University’s Institute of Agricultural Technology selected Brian Matchett (NMC/MSU Program Coordinator) as the recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award. The MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology’s 2018 graduating class consisted of 175 students, 10 of which were enrolled in one of our partnership programs offered at NMC. (IE1)
- An international team comprised of both NMC employees and industry professionals successfully delivered Marine Technology courses to students at Yellow River Conservancy Technical Institute in Kaifeng, China. This fulfills NMC degree requirements for students in the Surveying and Mapping major at YRCTI and represents the first international delivery of NMC credentials at a foreign institution. (IE1, IE2, IE3)
- An interdisciplinary team comprised of students from the Marine Technology bachelor’s program, Engineering Technology – Unmanned Aerial Systems, and Freshwater Studies are conducting a comprehensive research investigation of the coral reef system surrounding Bunaken National Park in Manado, Indonesia. This team of 16 persons, led by Ed Bailey, Technical Division Director, will conduct subsurface sonar and ROV investigations, aerial video camera and multispectral imaging, and water quality measurement and monitoring at multiple locations around the island and local community. The area, located in the center of the “Coral Triangle” is home to over 390 different species of coral facing ecosystem challenges from both climate change as well as being a very popular tourist destination. Ed Bailey had previously visited the country and developed the relationship with the Politeknik Negeri in Manado. As part of this experience, students in the BSMT are completing a required capstone course for their NMC bachelor’s degree and the UAS and FWS students are completing a required Water Studies Internship course. (IE1, IE2, IE3)
- Jack Jameison, NMC Marine Technology bachelor’s student, was awarded two scholarships totaling $3500 from The Hydrographic Society of America (THSOA). The first scholarship was one of two awarded from the Midwest Chapter of THSOA which serves as the focal point for hydrographic activities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota & Wisconsin. The second scholarship was awarded from the national office and represented one of four that were awarded nationally. NMC has been a THSOA member organization since 2009 and many of our students have been the recipients of these scholarships. Marine Technology students, interns and graduates are well received by employers in this industry sector.
- NMC Marine Technology bachelor’s students are 100% employed in the marine field within approximately two months of graduation. Many companies hire directly from internships and employers are requesting more talent. This success is a direct result of all the faculty and staff who prepare these graduates on a day to day basis. The Marine Technology program is the only of its kind in the United States and serves an ever increasing workforce need. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
- Lisa Blackford took her PSY250 to the Nursing Lab with Prof. Betsy Boris for a cross discipline Experiential Learning class of Hearing Voices Simulation. Following that success, she partnered with Cheryl Bloomquist to bring her PSY101 class to the Child Care Center for some interaction with the kids as they covered their developmental unit. (IE2)
- NMC IT Academy Olympics, were held Friday, May 4, at the James Beckett Building. The event, now in its third year, gives students from the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District (TBAISD) Career-Tech Center the chance to put their skills to practical use. This year, for the first time, NMC also invited students from the Wexford-Missaukee Career Technical Center in Cadillac. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4, IE5)
- Educational Media Technologies facilitated an online learning orientation prototype program during the fall and spring semesters. Fifteen courses participated during fall and 23 courses participated in the spring. Courses that made the orientation mandatory had a 99% completion rate. Eight courses will participate during summer 2018. (IE1, IE5)
Activities of Note: Tim
- At the end of April, I traveled to Dallas, Texas, for the AACC Conference, where I presented on “Effective Legislative Advocacy to Support Student Success” and attended the Phi Theta Kappa President’s Breakfast to celebrate NMC student Alex Briggs, Michigan’s 2018 New Century Scholar.
- Honors Convocation and Commencement took place the first weekend of May. Over 200 students participated in the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 5, at Traverse City Central High School. Ed Reynolds, Dr. Robert Tanis, and Trevor Tkach were honored as Outstanding Alumni this year, while Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Awards went to math instructor Steve Drake and science adjunct instructor Julia Sherrin. Thank you to trustees who participated in Commencement and other graduation weekend events. All seven of the Trustees were present at Saturday afternoon’s commencement and the GLMA Graduation Dinner later that evening. Congratulations NMC Class of 2018!
- The Higher Learning Commission’s Dr. Linnea Stinson visited NMC on Monday, May 7, in preparation for our March 2019 peer review visit. There was excellent participation in all sessions held with Dr. Stinson and she was very complimentary of the work NMC had done to complete an impressive Systems Portfolio and in the work NMC has done toward student success. We can now look forward toward our accreditation review site visit in March 2019.
- I participated in the MCCA President’s Meeting, held May 10-11 in Lansing. As chair of the MCCA Legislative Committee, I provided the legislative update on the following issues affecting community colleges that were then discussed:
- MPSERS and Part-time Students
- Sexual Assault and Misconduct
- Michigan New Jobs Training Program
- Medicaid Work Requirement
- FY 2018-19 Appropriations Process
- Personal Property Tax Reimbursements
- Thank you Ross Childs for representing the Board with your attendance at the May 19 Commitment Induction Ceremony where 42 deserving 9th grade area high school students were inducted at the Dennos Museum. The program offers full tuition to NMC for students who meet program requirements when they enter college in 2021.
- We had a beautiful spring day for the 63rd NMC BBQ on May 20. While meals served were slightly lower than last year at 5,432, attendees enjoyed a picnic lunch, live music, kids’ games, program and classroom displays, and much more. Thank you to all of you who volunteered to provide this historical community event on NMC’s campus. Mark your calendars for next year’s BBQ on May 19, 2019.
Legislative Issues
State
- Both the State House and Senate have passed their respective FY19 budgets, including the budgets for Michigan’s 28 community colleges. Both chambers include a 1% increase for community colleges, but the House and Senate differ as to whether to disburse that increase through the performance funding formula or through a method similar to what was done during the current fiscal year. For NMC, the Senate version would increase our funding by 1.9% ($185,200) while the House version would provide a .9% increase, or $85,300. Following the May Revenue Estimating Conference this week, the House and Senate conference committee negotiations are expected to take place in the next few weeks with a final budget passed in early June.
We also continue to track the House Law and Justice Committee and their continued hearings on sexual assault legislation, as well as the House Financial Liability Committee and their work on part time student retirement legislation.
Federal
- At the federal level, we continue to track the Higher Education Act (HEA) and if Congress will move to re-authorize this important piece of legislation for community colleges. Given ongoing differences between the two chambers (House and Senate) it is unlikely that both chambers will pass a HEA reauthorization bill this year. However, House Republicans have passed a reauthorization bill (HR 4508) out of committee that was not supported by community colleges.
Miscellaneous
- June 26 – Fellows Dinner, Dennos Museum Center