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.
- Public Relations, Marketing and Communications is proud to report that both 2019 issues of Nexus received Medallion awards from the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations. The winter issue featuring our students work in Indonesia won the bronze and the summer issue featuring the College’s “small steps and giant leaps” earned the gold. (IE2, IE3, IE4)
- Members of the Emergency Management Team and Leadership Council participated in an Emergency Management Training Drill on Friday, November 1. The focus was on training for an active shooter incident. This is important training and the group actively participated and had thoughtful questions for TCPD trainers. (IE2, IE3, IE4, IE5)
- Engineering Technology and Welding hosted their first retention event focused on those students currently enrolled in the programs. Held at Parsons-Stulen and Aero Park Labs, this walk-in event allowed students to interact with faculty and staff as they planned out their Spring 2020 schedules. The division is refocusing its efforts on retaining current students and navigating the degree requirements easier. (IE1)
- The Technical Division is also working more closely with apprentices and their sponsoring companies to make the registration process easier. Amy Burns Bailey, who leads apprenticeships, visited Lear and other companies, registering apprentices for classes on the spot. This allowed apprentices and company representatives to better understand our enrollment process, the requirements of the apprenticeships, and work/school scheduling. This was so well received, Tech will do it each semester. (IE1)
- Cy Baker, Ben Vanderwal, John Ballew, and Wayne Moody represented the Automotive Program at the TC Cares event on Oct 12. Over 307 people attended the event. The automotive program helped individuals by providing expert opinions on various automotive repair topics. This event was a great way to give back to the community by the Auto Tech program. (IE1)
- Surgical technology student, Brittany Locke, has been accepted into the National Honor Society for the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST). This is an honor set aside for students with a GPA above 3.75 and an attendance percentage above 98% that exhibits exceptional professionalism, academic achievement, and skill in the operating room. Brittany is the first NMC surgical technology student to earn this honor. AST also provides each honor society member a special cord to wear at graduation. Congratulations, Brittany! (IE1)
- Jaquane Johnson and Marcus Bennett attended the MI-ASCA Conference hosted in Livonia, MI on October 18, 2019. The conference focused on self-care and restorative justice practices that can be implemented in the residence halls. (IE1, IE2, IE3)
Activities of Note: Tim
- On November 1, Nancy and I attended the Great Lakes Great Chefs dinner. Thank you to trustee Michael Estes and his wife Rhonda for joining the evening.
- The Board Study Session on November 4 was productive and engaging as Kristy McDonald and Brandon Everest presented on the Experiential Learning Institute and Strategic Goals were discussed. Trustees also discussed the presidential transition process as my retirement date nears.
- The Mariners Memorial was held at our Great Lakes Campus on Friday, November 8. Thank you to trustees Doug Bishop, Janie McNabb, and Kennard Weaver for joining in this tribute of those who have lost their lives at sea.
- Thank you to faculty, staff, students, trustees, and community members for participating in the Veterans Day Activities on November 11. The morning included a breakfast for veterans at the Dennos Museum Center, Walk of Honor, flag-raising ceremony, and remarks from trustee Doug Bishop. I am proud of all that we do year-round to recognize our military veterans and thank them for their service and sacrifice.
- I attended my last MCCA Presidents Meeting in Lansing on November 14 and 15.
- Several trustees, many executive staff, and Business students and faculty attended the Chamber Economic Outlook Expo at the Grand Traverse Resort on November 19. This year’s event changed from a breakfast to a luncheon.
- Last week I traveled to North Carolina for the AFIT Executive Committee Meeting. The AFIT Summer Institute will be held in late July 2020 in Denver, and executive Staff is currently planning which NMC employees will attend.
- Nancy and I had a wonderful time visiting with everyone at the Retirement Open House at Dennos Museum Center on November 19. Thank you to all who attended, especially after rescheduling due to early winter weather on the original date!
Legislative Issues
State
The FY20 state budget impasse continues to dominate the conversation in Lansing over the last month. As you may recall, on September 30, the eve of the new fiscal year, Governor Whitmer finalized a state budget that eliminated 147 line items totaling almost one billion dollars and utilized administrative authorities to transfer monies within budgets to align with her priorities. The aim was to force Republican legislative leaders to return to the negotiation table and discuss the Governor’s gas tax plan to fund Michigan’s roads. While none of these cuts occurred in the community college budget, given the scope and breadth of these cuts (including programs such as rural healthcare, the Pure Michigan program and police road patrol funding) there was significant pushback from interest groups who began asking the legislature to reinstate these line-item vetoes and restore funding to these important programs. As a result, the legislature considered passing a second budget that restored these funding cuts. However, they also sought to tie this budget to curtailing the administrative powers the governor used to transfer monies within state agency budgets. The legislature will return to Lansing on December 3 where we expect budget negotiations and discussions to continue to dominate the agenda.
While the community college budget was not impacted by Governor Whitmer’s vetoes, some community colleges were impacted by the veto of Going Pro talent funds and the governor’s proposed funding for the Michigan Reconnect Program is on hold pending the budget deliberations.
We also continue to track the movement of the New Jobs Training Cap legislation which would increase the current $50 million statewide cap to $75 million (something that NMC support). To date, this legislation has been held up by budget deliberations. However, we expect the legislation to move once the budget impasse is cleared.
Federal
We continue to monitor efforts in Congress to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. To date, there has been some movement in the U.S. House where a markup of the bill was held and the House Education and Labor Committee passed its version of the bill on October 31. There are several provisions that NMC supports in the committee-passed legislation including the increase in the Pell Grant maximum award and the extension of Pell Grants for short term programs. However, it is unclear if or when the full House will consider this legislation and the Senate is not looking to use the House version as a model; so complete passage of a reauthorization act is not likely in the near future.
In addition to the HEA Reauthorization efforts, NMC continues to monitor federal funding for the FY20 budget year (which began October 1). The Federal government is currently operating on a continuing resolution that funds the federal government through December 20. House and Senate agreement on funding for the entire fiscal year is important for the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, which is set to see $1 million in direct federal assistance as a result of the Senate passed budget.
Miscellaneous
- December 3—Retirement Event for Board and Executive Staff
- December 7—GLMA 50th Celebration, Hagerty Center
- December 13—NMC Holiday Party, Hagerty Center
- December 16—Board Meeting, Hagerty Center
- December 20—West Hall Dedication Event