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’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, Alpha Rho Pi learned their Honors in Action project entitled “Raising Awareness About Changes in the Great Lakes” was one of sixteen selected nationally (out of 469 projects) for inclusion in Civic Scholar: Phi Theta Kappa’s Journal of Undergraduate Research. The honors study topic “Transformations: Acknowledging, Assessing and Achieving Change” asks chapters to select one of nine themes, develop a research question, and then design, organize and implement a plan of action based on their research. Their research and action project on invasive species in the Great Lakes was also recognized as one of the top three projects nationally in the Networks of Life theme. (IE1)
- NMC and GVSU signed an agreement on May 21, 2019, that will allow NMC Nursing students enrolled in the ADN program to be eligible to apply for a concurrent admission to the Kirkhof College of Nursing at Grand Valley State University. NMC students should be able to complete their BSN with Kirkhof College of Nursing at GVSU about one year following attainment of their ADN from NMC. The team will be meeting again on Monday, July 1, to begin work on the implementation of this agreement. (IE1, IE2)
- The Technical Division has been actively recruiting for all programs, including Engineering Technology, Marine Technology, Automotive, Construction Trades, and Surveying, by participating in events such as Career Quest and “What’s Next.” NMC was represented very well at the first annual Career Quest hosted by Networks Northwest. Devan DePauw represented Welding with TriMet, Keith Kelly represented Robotics & Automation with RJG, Joe Deater represented Engineering Technology BioMed with Munson, and Dan Goodchild and Jason Slade represented all tech programs at a Technical Division table. High demand careers, along with our supporting educational pathways, were showcased to hundreds of 9th graders from the area. The Technical Division also participated in “What’s Next,” the TBA-ISD Career Tech Center’s post-secondary training and educational opportunities event. This was our chance to show how the technical programs align with the Career Tech Center and continue to promote our articulation agreements. (IE1, IE2)
- The Technical Division and Ferris State University developed a new opportunity for our students interested in a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Technology degree. Using a number of NMC courses from engineering technology, machining, and manufacturing, this transfer guide allows a student to transfer to Ferris at almost a junior level. It is already being promoted on Ferris’ website and provides another educational avenue for NMC students. (IE2)
- During the week of May 13, Mark DeLonge and Ryan Bernstein provided professional development for nine instructors as part of Teaching Solutions, NMC’s Online Teaching Certificate Program. Each instructor will complete a capstone project to showcase their learning outcomes from the week-long training. In addition, Mark and Ryan hosted six instructors during Course Review Week (May 20-24) as an opportunity for them to review and revise a current online course using the NMC Online Course Design Review Guide. The instructors participated in a condensed format of the review process, which is normally a four to five month endeavor. Kudos to Mark, Ryan, and the instructors participating in both professional development opportunities during two weeks of intense, information packed days teaching and learning about online pedagogy and instructional design. (IE3, IE5)
- After the ACEN accreditation visit, the ADN and PN Nursing Programs submitted a self-study to the Michigan Board of Nursing in April for approval. The department was just notified the programs received full approval for the next eight years. (IE1, IE5)
- The Financial Aid Office implemented a mobile-friendly Student Forms system for helping students through the process of financial aid verification. The system uses online forms with skip-logic to enhance student experience, provides a secure environment without use of paper forms, and makes processing more efficient by eliminating document handling. Also, Cost of Attendance (COA) budgets have been updated to more accurately reflect our actual costs by program (including recognizing reduced book costs) in the published COA (net price calculator), as well as more accurately package financial aid, initially based on program enrollment and cost estimates, then adjusted to each student’s enrollment level prior to disbursement. This ensures NMC is providing the maximum, appropriate loan offers based on each student’s cost. (IE1, IE5)
- Jim Bensley, Director of International Services and Service Learning, recently served as one of three panelists on an international webinar hosted by the Aspen Institute – Stevens Initiative. “Virtual Exchange: Providing International Opportunities for Community College Students” highlighted approaches to launching and implementing a virtual exchange program on a community college campus. (IE1, IE2, IE5)
Activities of Note: Tim
- Over Memorial Day weekend I, and several others from NMC, attended the NISOD International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence in Austin, Texas. Along with attending the conference, we celebrated the following Excellence Award winners from NMC: Margaret Fox, Holly Gorton, Kristy McDonald, and Beckie Wooters. Congratulations!
- Dan and Debbie Edson were inducted as NMC Fellows on June 3 at the Hagerty Center. Thank you to all who were able to help honor the Edsons with the Board’s highest honor bestowed upon friends of the college. It was a wonderful evening to celebrate Dan and Debbie along with their family and close friends. Thank you to all who attended.
- Vice President of Finance and Administration Vicki Cook and I led four Budget Update Forums on June 5 & 6. During the forums I presented on the current higher education environment and Vicki provided an overview of FY20 general fund budget. Over 80 people attended these sessions. Thank you to trustees Ross Childs and Kennard Weaver, who also attended.
- On June 8, we celebrated Gene Jenneman’s 30+ years of service to NMC as the Executive Director of the Dennos Museum Center, as well as the opening of a new exhibition at the museum. Gerhardt Knodel’s “Minglings: The Migration” is on display through September 8, 2019.
Legislative Issues
State
- The FY20 budget continues to work its way through the legislative process. At this point, both the House and Senate have passed their own versions of the budget and now they will have to reconcile their differences. With only marginal increases in performance funding and tuition restraint language added on the House side, neither budget is particularly beneficial for community colleges.
- The Senate Committee on Economic and Small Business Development and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Talent and Economic Development have scheduled a meeting on Thursday, June 20, 2019, to receive a presentation on the MI Reconnect and MI Opportunity scholarship proposals. While we are supportive of the Governor’s goal of increasing postsecondary attainment and support both proposals in concept, we have some concerns over the specifics of the proposals. It will be interesting to see what feedback is provided by the Senate Committees during this hearing.
Federal
Earlier this month, Gabe Schneider and I traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with our federal delegation. We met with Congressman Jack Bergman, staff for Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, staff for Senator Gary Peters, and staff for Senator Debbie Stabenow. The topics that we covered included the FY20 Department of Education budget, Higher Education Act Reauthorization, Great Lakes Maritime Academy FY20 funding, Great Lakes Maritime Academy funding authorization language change, and the Coast Guard Center of Expertise. Above is a picture with U.S. Congressman Jack Bergman.
Miscellaneous
- July 24-26—MCCA Summer Institute, Grand Traverse Resort
- August 1—NMC Scholarship Open, Grand Traverse Resort