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.
- Devan DePauw hosted Women Who Weld, a nonprofit focused on bringing women into the trades and providing training for unemployed or underemployed women. The TC Women Who Weld workshop had 19 participants learning about MIG welding techniques. This has turned into a very valuable outreach event supporting a cause that is important to the Technical Division. (IE2)
- Amy Burns Bailey organized the “Going Pro” press conference on June 17. From the Record Eagle, “two state legislators joined local business and education leaders Monday to announce the northern Michigan launch of the Going PRO public-private partnership, aimed at building awareness of skilled trades jobs.” This exposure is great for us and ties in with the work Amy is doing to align businesses with our courses and training (credit, non-credit, and apprentice) and provide economic growth in the area. (IE2)
- During a span of 7 days in May, Educational Media Technology’s classroom and media production team, led by Kyle Morrison, served as key production members for TEDx Traverse City, recorded and published the Leadership Council meeting, International Affairs Forum, Board of Trustees meeting, supported a major Munson Medical event at the Hagerty Center and Campus Day at the University Center. In addition, they set up computers, projection systems, and PA systems the new student orientation and finally, they supported the NMC BBQ with all things media, including PA systems on top of buildings, video recording events, and many other things needed for media support, all while dodging angry seagulls on top of the Osterlin Library. Not only is this an accomplishment, it is a big kudos to Kyle and his team (Dennis Schultz, Chris Hanna, Colin Kreh, and Albert Buchanan) for a professional job well done. (IE3, IE5)
- Congratulations to Adjunct Music Professor (Applied Voice) Diane Clark who was featured in an edition of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) journal. The wonderful article highlighted Diane’s 50+ years as an educator, voice coach, performer, composer, arranger, and author. Congrats, Diane! (IE)
- The NMC Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the IAF Leadership Fund. Inspired by the leadership of Karen Puschel Segal and Jack Segal, this endowed IAF Leadership Fund creates a legacy of appreciation for the talents and passion that Karen and Jack, and all past International Affairs Forum leaders and supporters, have brought to the college. IAF patron members, Steve and Ann Fisher created the IAF Leadership Fund, with the hope that many others will contribute to it over time. Already, an IAF founding member was inspired to match the Fisher’s gift to bring the fund’s endowment to $50,000. This is the first and only endowed fund for the IAF program. (IE2, IE3, IE4)
- Lindsey Lipke, Assistant Controller in the Business Office earned her CPA in July. Congratulations, Lindsey! (IE4, IE5)
- Brittany Locke, a student in the surgical technology program, received a $1,000 scholarship from the Foundation for Surgical Technology and The Michigan Assembly of the Association of Surgical Technologists. Brittany is one of only 34 scholarships awarded nationwide this year. Brittany is an outstanding student that has excelled in the classroom and in the operating room. To view Brittany’s profile, go to http://ffst.org/Recipients.aspx. The surgical technology students become eligible for these scholarships once they enter into their surgical coursework. The NMC surgical technology program became eligible for these scholarships as of 2018 and they have had a recipient both years. (IE1)
- George Comden, alumnus of NMC’s first class, has created a new endowed scholarship to support veterans studying at NMC. It is called the Class of 1953 Veterans Memorial Scholarship. (IE1, IE3)
- On, July 12, 2019, colleagues from the disciplines of Student Conduct and Residence Life in the state of Michigan gathered at Northwestern Michigan College to discuss topics involving proposed changes to Clery and its implications on student conduct, disruptive behaviors and professional medical diagnoses. Attendees received insight from the membership on best practices, and addressed other relevant topics associated with conducting student conduct hearings. (IE2, IE3, IE4, IE5)
- At its meeting on July 29-30, 2019, HLC’s Institutional Actions Council (IAC) reviewed our College’s case. The IAC took two actions. The first is to continue the accreditation of NMC with the next Reaffirmation of Accreditation in 2028-29. The second is to allow NMC to select either the Standard or the Open Pathway for reaffirmation of accreditation. Both actions are significant for our College in that we not only met all criteria of accreditation but that we are not on any form of Interim Monitoring, a rare finding for Michigan Community Colleges over the past several years. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4, IE5)
- NMC successfully completed their US Department of Labor provisional review for apprenticeships. Amy Burns, Experiential Learning Coordinator (Technical Division), leads NMC’s efforts to educate companies and industry partners on the importance of registered apprenticeships in the technical fields. NMC holds the standards for a number of apprentices and Amy maintains records of work hours, technical instruction (courses), and other required documentation. The DOL audited and approved NMC’s process. Apprenticeships are an important component of training and education as industry retools their workforce. (IE1, IE2)
- The 38th annual NMC Scholarship Open on August 2 was a wonderful success raising more than $130,000 for NMC merit scholarships. Community partners, alumni, staff, retirees, and committee members all came together to create a meaningful and fun day to support student scholarships. (IE1, IE2)
- PRMC and ITS are proud to launch the refreshed design of the student website. This collaborative effort aims to help students navigate resources more effectively to assist with persistence and completion. The project took several months and included focus group research with students and other key stakeholders. Initial feedback has been very positive. We will continue to examine web analytics for opportunities for improvement. (IE3)
- Megan Heator, Operations Manager at the Dennos Museum, was selected to participate in the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs Rising Leaders program. This is a leadership retreat throughout the year that takes in new and rising arts leaders. (IE4, IE5)
- Since January, the museum has received 76 works for the permanent art collection, including 53 Inuit works of art. Recent gifts also included one piece by Abraham Reuben. (IE1, IE3)
Activities of Note: Tim
- As you are aware, the Board of Trustees has completed the process of selecting the next President of NMC. Five finalist candidates were invited at the end of August for in-person interviews and a full-day visit to our campuses. I had the opportunity to meet and provide a tour to each candidate. I offer my congratulations to Dr. Nissley as the incoming president of NMC. Thank you to all of the campus and community members who participated in the search process. It was open, transparent and effective. Our Board of Trustees should be commended.
The next four months will race by and there will be much to accomplish during the transition to new leadership. I am confident that we will all work to provide support that will assure Dr. Nissley’s successful entry to NMC and our college’s continued success into the future. Holly Gorton, Chief of Staff to the President and Board, is the point of contact for Dr. Nissley as we coordinate the transition process with the Board, campus, and community.
I look forward to welcoming Dr. Nissley and his family to Traverse City and am certain he will be a great asset to the college and community. - The Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) held their annual Summer Conference in July at the Grand Traverse Resort. Thank you to our trustees and staff who were able to attend the conference and congratulations to Troy Kierczynski, NMC Controller, whose completion of the MCCA Leadership Academy was celebrated during the conference.
- A 6-member team from NMC traveled to Plano, Texas in August to participate in the AFIT Summer Institute. Vice President for Lifelong & Professional Learning Marguerite Cotto and I gave a presentation on “Working Toward Prototype: Stories from the Balance.”
- On August 11 we welcomed the 50th class of cadets to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy. I have included as an attachment to this update a letter of congratulations we have received from the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration commemorating the 50th anniversary of the GLMA. Please mark your calendars and visit nmc.edu/glma50 to participate in a celebration of those 50 years on December 7, 2019.
- Thank you to all those who attended our August Opening Conference. In addition to our college updates and introduction of new employees and positions, we welcomed Dr. Maureen Drysdale to speak on the topic of reflection.
- Last month I was honored to participate in a panel with other community college presidents as part of the Ferris State University’s Doctorate in Community College Leadership Program.
Legislative Issues
State
- The Michigan Legislature returned to Lansing after their summer in-district work period. Front and center on their list of items to tackle will be road funding proposals and the FY20 budget. The timing on the passage of the budget will hinge on if the legislature and governor reach agreement on a road funding deal. At this point, both sides are expressing optimism on a deal, but agreement has not yet been reached.
- Regarding the FY20 Community College budget, NMC will be sending a letter to our Northern Michigan legislators highlighting the need to remove tuition restraint language that is currently included in the House passed community college budget. This ask is based on the fact that Michigan’s community colleges already have the lowest tuition among Midwestern states, rates are set by locally-elected boards of trustees who are sensitive and responsive to local voter concerns, and tuition makes up around half of our annual operating revenue. Further, the currently proposed language, which bases tuition restraint on an annual cost of attendance, is not relevant to the majority of students since nearly 70% of community college students attend part-time. In addition, limiting tuition to a percentage increase penalizes colleges who already have low tuition. For example, a 3% increase on $400/credit is much different than a 3% increase on $100/credit. We are hopeful that this language will ultimately be removed in the final FY20 Community College budget.
Federal
- When Congress reconvenes after their August in-district work period, attention will turn to passage of the FY20 federal appropriations bills. These include Department of Education funding as well as Department of Transportation Maritime Administration funding for the Great Lakes Maritime Academy. Issues of significant interest to NMC include our support of the House passed Labor, Health and Human Services and Education funding bill, which includes an $11.7 billion increase over FY19 levels for programs such as Pell Grants, Perkins Career and Technical Education grants, Federal Work Study, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act grants.
- We are also supportive of the House FY20 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development bill, which includes $1 million in funding for direct grants for the Great Lakes Maritime Academy. We are hopeful that the House and Senate are able to both support these important programs in their final bills, which may pass before October 1.
Miscellaneous
- September 12—Lobdell Culinary Scholarship Dinner, Lobdell’s A Teaching Restaurant
- September 23—Regular Board Meeting, NMC Hagerty Center
- October 8—NMC October Conference
- October 9—Board of Trustees & Foundation Board Special Meeting, Osterlin Library 203
- October 16-19—ACCT Leadership Congress, San Francisco