Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Faculty and Staff Activities of Note:
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible.
• You have all received notice of our HLC accreditation approval to offer a Bachelor of Science in Maritime Technology making NMC the first Michigan community college to be able to offer a bachelor’s degree. This is a huge accomplishment resulting from the perseverance of many from NMC, regional partners, MCCA, legislators, and industries.
Most importantly, this provides great value to our learners. Thank you to all! We are establishing meeting times for our cadets to discuss their individual options and their academic plans. (SD1,SD3,SD5)
• The Anti-Bullying Task Force of Northwestern Michigan had its 2nd annual conference on Friday, October 25 from 8:30am – 3:45pm at NMC’s Hagerty Center. Over 355 attendees participated in this conference. NMC was the host of this event and also the fiduciary agency for receiving donations and processing invoices. Many regional partners are working together to create a kinder and gentler community in both Traverse City and throughout northern Michigan. (SD3)
• NMC Associate Dean of Student Life Lisa Thomas participated in the Fostering Success webinar on October 29. Fostering Success Michigan is a state wide program that works to support and network educational partners who are providing access and services to foster youth who are seeking a college experience and degree. Since the fall of 2012, our Student Life office has been in a partnership with our local DHS office in Grand Traverse County to support local foster youth who wish to attend NMC. We have worked particularly close with their Education Planner-Northwest Region, Susie Greenfelder, on collaborating to reduce barriers for our foster youth who are seeking an education at NMC. This partnership began with discussions and meetings particularly with Student Life, Admissions and Financial Aid to address and reduce barriers to foster youth applying to the college, and providing supportive services once they begin the college experience here. Our partnership with DHS came to the attention of the director of Outreach and Training from Fostering Success this past spring, who ultimately asked NMC to participate in their webinar to highlight our program due to its initial success, and because this is the first community college setting in which the fostering success model has been initiated. It was a very successful webinar, and we have received a great deal of positive feedback about our approach and partnership to serving our foster youth in this area. We are also in the process of being the first community college listed in the Fostering Success Resource Guide (in their January edition). Other key partners on our campus include Pam Palermo in Financial Aid, Marcus Bennett in Residence Life, and Cathryn Claerhout and Elizabeth Stevens in Admissions who have been great supporters to this initiative. (SD1,SD3)
• The Aero Park Professional Testing Center (APPTC) is now an approved partner with Castle Worldwide, Inc., a global venue for certification and licensure tests. Testing programs offered by Castle include:
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS)
- Civil Engineering Certification (CEC)
- International Association of Forensic Nurses
- North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)
The APPTC is associated with an array of testing platforms to deliver high-stake exams for students and community members. Castle joins the expanding list of testing partners:
- Pearson VUE
- Pearson VUE GED
- Prometric IT
- Prometric ASE
- Certiport, Inc.
- College for Financial Planning
(SD1,SD3,SD5)
• This past Saturday, all of our programs involved in robotics related endeavors hosted an open house to show the public what we are providing and to support our student led “Food for Thought” class project. There was a steady stream of visitors throughout the day. Thanks to Trustees who attended and to all who participated. (SD1, SD2)
• The GirlTech program yesterday was a huge success. Over 200 young women were able to hear about jobs and careers where there is a historically low percentage of women participation. This is an annual event that NMC and the TBAISD jointly convene. Thanks to all involved. (SD1, SD2)
Activities of Note:
• On October 28 Chris Webber and I met with the Chinese Exchange Advisory Committee, whose membership includes representatives from the Council of Governments, TCAPS, Munson Healthcare, the Chamber, Record-Eagle, and Rotary. This is the community group that listens, reacts and provides insight as the TCAPS China project unfolds. Both Chris and I are members of this group.
• I continue to meet with the TNT Group, a group of retired Dow executives who live in our region. This group was first invited to meet with me by Bruce Byl, NMC Foundation Trustee, after I asked for opportunities to meet with affinity groups in town. They picked the name TNT (Tim Nelson’s Team).
• I traveled to Lansing the evening of October 31 for the MCCA President’s Committee meeting the following morning. We had a lengthy discussion about the Voluntary Framework of Accountability and how it might be used by all of our community colleges in Michigan to better tell the story of our efforts. I believe most if not all colleges will choose to participate.
• I meet with the various departmental units of the college each semester and met with the Administrative Services management team on November 5, the Science and Math academic are on November 7, the Facilities 2nd and 3rd shift on November 12. I appreciate the opportunity to have conversations in these smaller settings.
• As a result of hosting the 40 Under 40 group for a conversation session, I have several follow-up meetings scheduled. One of those was a meeting with Sam Porter, CEO of Spectacular Structures, Microbrew & Music Festival and Porterhouse Productions. There is a significant collection of young entrepreneurs that work on the 2nd floors of many of our downtown buildings. We are reaching out to them to better understand their needs, their thoughts about the future of our community and their opinions about where NMC is headed with our strategic plan.
• I had the second of five employee conversations scheduled this semester on November 6. These sessions are open to all employees to provide an opportunity for informal dialog about any issues the group desire to talk about. I typically start the ball rolling with an update and then let the interests of the group lead the discussions.
• As part of the US Brazil Connect program, we had 4 visiting students from Brazil and 2 advisors on campus last week that I had the pleasure of meeting. First as part of a group sharing session with our NMC students who visited Brazil this past summer and later in my office with just the Brazilian group of students and advisors. This is a program on a relatively fast growth path. Our NMC student fellows all shared their experiences from last summer and strongly encouraged NMC to continue our participation.
• I attended the Munson Healthcare Annual Corporate meeting last Thursday at our Dennos Museum Center. As you know, health care is going through significant transformation and my belief is that we can learn much from their experience. That is why I am so pleased to be able to serve on the Munson Medical Center Board and the Munson Health Care Finance Committee.
• The weather cooperated better that many years for the Mariner’s Memorial service at our Great Lakes Campus conducted by NMC’s GLMA. Most all trustees, and many faculty and staff members, joined me there last Friday for this annual occasion to remember those mariners lost on the Edmund Fitzgerald, among others, in the great storms of the Great Lakes.
• Many of you also joined me in honoring our Veterans at both the Zonta Festival of Trees Veterans reception last Friday evening, and our own NMC Veterans Day Recognition that began with a breakfast for Veterans, a Walk of Honor and flag raising ceremony presented by the US Coast Guard, and a cake and refreshments reception later in West Hall. Thank you Board Chair Doug Bishop for speaking at the flag ceremony.
• I was joined by several trustees and faculty and staff members at the annual Chamber Economic Outlook Breakfast. It is always very interesting to hear the perspective of economic experts and they included the importance of community colleges within the economic recovery plan. Our Training team also hosted an NMC booth at the Expo following the breakfast.
• I was invited to present at the ThinkTC meeting Tuesday evening, also as a result of the 40 Under 40 conversations. Their web site is thinktc.org if you are interested in seeing what they do. We discussed the future of NMC and I learned a lot about these creative young entrepreneurs.
• I have been invited to attend the History Center “Your Place in History” Community Building Breakfast on Wednesday, November 20, 2013, to learn about the History Center’s vision to preserve, present and promote the Grand Traverse Region’s rich heritage. Any trustee members who would like to attend are invited to do so. The breakfast is in the Lower Lakes Room at the Park Place and is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Please call our office by Monday mid-day if you plan to attend. Thank you.
• As part of our communications plan, I and others will be writing short “thought and commentary” pieces. I’ve attached two of those that I wrote earlier this summer. They are also being published outside the institution.
Legislative Issues
• No major changes have occurred since our last update.
Miscellaneous
• I will be joining a few hundred thousand people in the woods of Michigan this weekend. I’ll let you know the outcome.