Director of Academic and Career Advising Lindsey Dickinson, Dennos Museum Center Executive Director Craig Hadley and Marine Technology Coordinator John Lutchko (below, left to right) all made this year’s list of Traverse City Business News’ 40 Under 40. The list names those in the five-county region whose professional and community efforts during the past year had the most impact on their community, region and economy. Congratulations!
Kyle Korson gets food at the Hawk Owl CaféMasked students, faculty and staff members returned to a campus transformed in response to the coronavirus pandemic, as completely overhauled fall classes began last week in new instruction formats, with safety and learner success top-of-mind.
“We know some parts of the college experience will be different,” NMC President Nick Nissley said in a welcome video message to students. “Our faculty and staff are still here for you, in more new ways than ever before, to help you reach your goals.”
NMC’s fall learning plan is safety first, offering most classes remotely. It’s the reverse of 2019, when 83 percent of courses were offered in traditional face-to-face lecture format. This fall, only 13 percent are. Livestream debuts as a brand-new format. More than a third of classes are offered livestream, with an instructor teaching online at established days and times.
“Our instructors spent the summer learning how to make virtual learning even better,” Nissley said.
Classes are also offered in on-demand online format, hybrid, and in person where required for accreditation, such as nursing.
Nursing student Kendall McNitt had planned to transfer to NMC from Saginaw Valley State University pre-pandemic, but the safety and flexibility NMC is offering students in this unique semester has affirmed she made a good decision. She’s closer to her East Jordan home, in smaller classes and paying more affordable tuition. Her classes are a mix of all the formats.
“So far, everyone’s been very on top of the guidelines,” McNitt said of safety requirements like mandatory masks and social distancing in classrooms. “All of the nursing professors, they’re super willing to help.”
First-year student Kyle Korson, an East Hall resident, is taking all his classes online, but is grateful to be living on campus for the reliable wireless Internet connection. He lives in Leelanau County near Northport and said connectivity from his home is poor, and wouldn’t allow for livestreamed classes.
“It’s good to get away,” added the engineering student.
On-campus housing occupancy is at about 50 percent of capacity, to allow for social distancing. Fellow East Hall resident Lukus Herblet is glad to be living on campus and that some of his audio technology classes are in hybrid format, combining online and face-to-face instruction.
“I feel it’s part of the college experience,” he said.
New to this year’s college experience: Hand sanitizer stations in all building entrances, with complimentary face masks available to help visitors comply.
Also, the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center is now open after almost two years of construction. The first-floor Hawk Owl Cafe and the new second-floor library are open to students, faculty and staff, with occupancy limited to about 50 percent of capacity. Public seating areas have also been marked so that visitors maintain a minimum six feet of separation.
“It’s pretty nice to have everything in one place,” Herblet said.
McNitt, settled into one of the booths by the cafeteria, agreed.
“It’s definitely not a normal experience, but so far, it’s been good,” she said.
Join artist Sally Rogers and Curator of Education Jason Dake for a candid conversation online on Wednesday, September 9th at 10:30 a.m. EST about the artist’s work in the Dennos Museum Center permanent collection, including indoor and outdoor sculptures. In addition, they will talk about current and upcoming projects.
Sally Rogers grew up in the Grand Traverse region and is an alumnus of Northwestern Michigan College. She received her BFA from The Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, followed by her MFA at Kent State University, Ohio. Rogers has completed many large scale commissions and exhibits her work regularly throughout the United States.
Registration tickets are pay what you can, $0 – $15. Tickets must be reserved through the Dennos Museum Store Website. Registration will close at 9:00 a.m. the day of event to allow staff to prepare. After your ticket is reserved, a member of Dennos Staff will email you the details to join us on Zoom. A reminder email will go out the day of the event to all registrants 30 minutes prior to the start time. Registration will close an hour before the event starts.
The Art of :__ is generously supported by Art Bridges.
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NOTE: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s appearance at the planned October 16 event below has been cancelled.
Thursday, Sept 17, 7 p.m. – Constitution Day Panel Discussion:
“The Constitution’s Suffrage Amendments: Giving Voice to Those Who Were Not Silent”
Presenters Mindy Morton and John Zachman will discuss the 15th, 19th, and 24th amendments and the individuals and groups whose political actions saw those amendments become political reality. Ms. Morton will focus on the role of minority women in pushing for women’s rights at different points in American history. Dr. Zachman will analyze how the 15th amendment fell short of its promise in much of the country and how the 24th Amendment finally put the country on a track towards political equality. Ms. Morton and Dr. Zachman will also evaluate how these amendments impact our current political climate and elections.
Hosted by Mindy Morton, NMC Adjunct Instructor of History and John Zachman, NMC Instructor of Political Science and Philosophy
John Zachman has been an instructor at NMC since 2001. He teaches courses in political science and philosophy. He earned his Ph.D. in political theory in 2006 with a dissertation on the political thought of John Stuart Mill.
Mindy Morton has been an instructor at NMC since 2001, teaching courses in U.S. History, Native-American History and American Women’s History. She is a James Madison Memorial Fellow and earned a MS in Constitutional History in 1999.
Zoom Link: https://nmc.zoom.us/j/
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Voter Registration Drive
The League of Women Voters – Grand Traverse Area volunteers will be located in the NMC West Hall Innovation Center to register new voters from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. – “A Discussion on Elections and Voting with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson”
Secretary Benson will be sharing information and her expertise on issues surrounding voter access in Michigan as well as information regarding the upcoming election and the recent actions in the state to reduce partisan gerrymandering. Secretary Benson will speak for approximately 30 minutes and then will participate in a live question and answer discussion. Participants can submit questions via the Zoom Q & A function.
Jocelyn Benson is Michigan’s 43rd Secretary of State. In this role she is focused on ensuring elections are secure and accessible. Benson is the author of State Secretaries of State: Guardians of the Democratic Process, the first major book on the role of the secretary of state in enforcing election and campaign finance laws. She is also the Chair of Michigan’s Task Force on Women in Sports, created by Governor Whitmer in 2019 to advance opportunities for women in Michigan as athletes and sports leaders. A graduate of Harvard Law School and expert on civil rights law, education law and election law, Benson served as dean of Wayne State University Law School in Detroit. When she was appointed dean at age 36, she became the youngest woman in U.S. history to lead a top-100, accredited law school.
Hosted by Rachel Wilczewski, Ph.D. Sociology Instructor at Northwestern Michigan College
Thursday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m. – “A Century of Gender Justice Activism” by Caroline Heldman, Ph.D., Chair of Critical Theory and Social Justice Department, Chair of Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies at Occidental College. Co-Founder of The Matrix Webinar Series
It’s been 100 years since women earned the right to vote. Dr. Heldman will present a timeline of the last century of gender justice activism with a focus on progress and pitfalls. She will analyze the current status of women in the US after a century of pushing for gender justice.
Hosted by Shilo Smith, MS, Psychology Instructor at Northwestern Michigan College.
Zoom Link: https://nmc.zoom.us/j/94968308718
Friday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. – “The Lesson of the Lark” Virtual Choral Concert
The Northwestern Michigan College Music Department, in collaboration with the NMC Audio Tech and Visual Communications programs, is pleased to announce the premiere of “The Lesson of the Lark” – a new concert work celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the ratification of Women’s Voting Rights. This piece, which is meant to uplift and unify us during these challenging times, is a multi-movement work composed for narrator, soprano and mezzo-soprano soloists, chorus, and jazz orchestra. The work takes its inspiration from the language of Jazz, including elements of Swing, Blues, Bossa Nova ,Gospel, Salsa, and improvisation.
“The Lesson of the Lark,” is based on local author Laura Knight Cobb’s recently published book of the same name. The book, written to celebrate this year’s 100th Anniversary of the ratification of Women’s Voting Rights, is a dramatic interpretation of the struggle for women’s voting rights, told through the characters of a Girl, a Lark, and a Gardener, in beautiful prose and stunning artwork. A portion of the proceeds from the book’s sales go to the Equal Means Equal organization whose goal is to complete the ratification of the original Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution.
Hosted by Jeffrey Cobb, Director of Music Programs.
Sign up for free tickets to the virtual event at MyNorthTickets. Those who register for the performance will receive a link to view the premiere and pre-premiere talk shortly before the event.
We want to say a huge thank you to YOU in this week’s NMC Helpers and Heroes post! Our college kicked off the new fall semester last week and we could not have done it without each and every one of our faculty and staff rising to meet the challenges and opportunities presented during this time — from retooling courses and procedures to reminding students to wear face masks and practice social distancing. You continue to demonstrate our NMC values in meeting the needs of our students and college community. Thank you for all you do to help our learners succeed and make NMC such a great place to work!
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
NMC’s Campus Safety & Security office is now located in the West Hall Innovation Center (#9 on the Main Campus Map) and provides a wide range of services, including:
Services are available 24 hours a day. Call (231) 995-1111 for access outside the normal building hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Honoree’s Name: Susan Odgers
Honoree’s Dept./Division: Social Science
Reason for Kudos: Susan presented during the August BOT meeting. She was not only energetic, passionate and professional but so was her student that collaborated with her for a joint Zoom presentation. This was a powerful presentation on sexual health activism and one student’s courageous truth. Susan, thank you for the important work you do and for sharing your excellence with our community!
Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. During our “Stay Home, Stay Safe” directive, please encourage your colleagues by submitting a KUDOS. Let them know you appreciate their hard work and are thinking of them!
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media in the past two weeks. We want to share your media involvement too. Please send information about your NMC-related interview or appearance to publicrelations@nmc.edu. If possible, please include a link to the piece and information about where and when it was used.
Please note access to some stories may be limited by paywalls set up by the media outlet. This includes the Traverse City Record-Eagle, which limits free clicks to five per month. You may also read Record-Eagle articles in the print edition at the Osterlin Library.
Classes start at NMC
Record-Eagle, August 24 (more…)
NMC continues its commitment to making meaningful change in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion at our College and providing you with updates on that work.
This summer the College created a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. The committee is proud to announce the following chairs and advisors of the subcommittees:
These chairs and advisors will be seeking applicants for those students and employees who want to help advance this important work by serving on the subcommittees. Please watch your email for more information on how to apply for these opportunities to serve.
The NMC DEI Committee will continue to update you on progress and action related to efforts of making our College and community a more diverse, inclusive and equitable place to learn, work and live. If you have any questions please email dei@nmc.edu. Thank you for your continued support.
TRAVERSE CITY — Hans Van Sumeren, the Director of the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), has been honored with the 2020 Outstanding Service Award by the Marine Technology Society (MTS).
The award recognizes Van Sumeren’s outstanding accomplishments in fulfilling the objectives and missions of the Society. Highlights include:
MTS will formally present the award to Van Sumeren on October 8 at its Global OCEANS 2020: Singapore – U.S. Gulf Coast conference.
“Marine technology has an impact upon virtually every aspect of our global society,” said MTS President Zdenka Willis. “This year’s awardees represent the ‘best of the best’ in our field and their efforts are helping to advance the goals of the marine technology community while inspiring all of us to meet some of the greatest scientific, educational, and political challenges of our time.”
“Hans has been a true visionary in his work through the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute since its inception, including the creation of the first and only Bachelor’s of Science degree in Marine Technology in the country,” said Dr. Nick Nissley, president of NMC. “We are fortunate to have his leadership at our College, in our region and increasingly throughout the world.”
Van Sumeren will also help lead Great Lakes TechSurge LakeBed 2030’s virtual conference September 30 – October 2, 2020. The event will bring together science and research, policy, government, and industry professionals to focus on Great Lakes marine mapping and observation data, develop a strategy to catalog new and existing lakebed information for shared use and share the latest technology advancements with the Great Lakes community and advance business development in the region.
The Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at Northwestern Michigan College is strategically positioned to engage individuals and organizations, both locally and globally, in advancing skills, knowledge and understanding of the world’s dynamic water resources. Areas of expertise include marine technology and freshwater studies.
The Marine Technology Society promotes awareness, understanding, and the advancement and application of marine technology. Incorporated in 1963, the international society brings together businesses, institutions, professionals, academics, and students who are ocean engineers, technologists, policy makers, and educators.
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director, NMC Public Relations, Marketing & Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
TRAVERSE CITY — Hans Van Sumeren, the Director of the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), has been honored with the 2020 Outstanding Service Award by the Marine Technology Society (MTS).
The award recognizes Van Sumeren’s outstanding accomplishments in fulfilling the objectives and missions of the Society. Highlights include:
MTS will formally present the award to Van Sumeren on October 8 at its Global OCEANS 2020: Singapore – U.S. Gulf Coast conference.
“Marine technology has an impact upon virtually every aspect of our global society,” said MTS President Zdenka Willis. “This year’s awardees represent the ‘best of the best’ in our field and their efforts are helping to advance the goals of the marine technology community while inspiring all of us to meet some of the greatest scientific, educational, and political challenges of our time.”
“Hans has been a true visionary in his work through the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute since its inception, including the creation of the first and only Bachelor’s of Science degree in Marine Technology in the country,” said Dr. Nick Nissley, president of NMC. “We are fortunate to have his leadership at our College, in our region and increasingly throughout the world.”
Van Sumeren will also help lead Great Lakes TechSurge LakeBed 2030’s virtual conference September 30 – October 2, 2020. The event will bring together science and research, policy, government, and industry professionals to focus on Great Lakes marine mapping and observation data, develop a strategy to catalog new and existing lakebed information for shared use and share the latest technology advancements with the Great Lakes community and advance business development in the region.
The Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at Northwestern Michigan College is strategically positioned to engage individuals and organizations, both locally and globally, in advancing skills, knowledge and understanding of the world’s dynamic water resources. Areas of expertise include marine technology and freshwater studies.
The Marine Technology Society promotes awareness, understanding, and the advancement and application of marine technology. Incorporated in 1963, the international society brings together businesses, institutions, professionals, academics, and students who are ocean engineers, technologists, policy makers, and educators.
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director, NMC Public Relations, Marketing & Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
Lobdell’s will open for the fall semester Wednesday, Sept. 16 and will be open through Thursday, Nov. 19. Reservations will be accepted starting Monday, Aug. 31 at (231) 995-3120 and are highly recommended.
Note that social distancing and state safety guidelines are in place at the restaurant. Groups must be limited to 6 or fewer people, face masks must be worn at all times except when at tables, and guests are asked not to arrive more than 5 minutes prior to their reservation to limit crowding in the vestibule. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the dining room, tables are spaced at least 6 feet apart, bar seating is limited and staff have been trained in safety procedures and will wear face masks as well.
TRAVERSE CITY — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected Northwestern Michigan College’s UAS (drone) training program for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Collegiate Training Program, or the UAS-CTI.
To be selected, a college/school had to meet criteria including; having an accredited Associate degree focusing on UAS, FAA certification of UAS pilots, operation of both multi-rotor and airplane style systems, training in functional areas including agriculture, environmental services, infrastructure and utility inspections, petroleum, oil and gas inspections, and public safety.
According to the FAA, the purpose of the UAS-CTI program is to create long-term relationships with institutions of higher education that focus on preparing candidates for careers in all aspects of UAS. The UAS-CTI program’s goal is to collaborate with schools to deliver up-to-date UAS training that matches the requirements of the National Airspace System (NAS) and helps prepare qualified applicants for careers involving UAS. In addition, these new UAS-CTI institutions will support the FAA’s efforts to expand the aviation workforce of the future while providing additional opportunities for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students.
“NMC has been on the forefront of UAS education since we launched the program ten years ago,” said NMC UAS Director Tony Sauerbrey. “This is another great example of how the program continues to innovate and lead for the benefit of our students.”
The FAA UAS-CTI designation allows NMC to participate with the FAA in shaping the future UAS training environment including training methods and standards through workshops, seminars and other programs. The FAA will also be a resource to help students with job placement, internships and other opportunities.
In addition to the CTI program, the FAA is asking two-year institutions like NMC to participate in the Consortium for Small UAS Technology Training. Sauerbrey says the UAS industry and FAA have seen programs like NMC’s offer responsive, agile, hands-on technical training that prepares students to enter the workforce faster and better prepared.
NMC’s UAS program celebrates its 10-year anniversary in September 2020. Since it began, the program has produced graduates who are currently working in all aspects of the industry including launching startup companies and assisting private businesses and public institutions. NMC operates a fleet of unmanned aerial systems that rivals much larger universities. NMC’s small class size allows the program to innovate and remain responsive to the ever changing industry of Unmanned Aerial Systems.
Tony Sauerbrey
Director, Unmanned Aerial Systems
tsauerbrey@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2925
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s Dean’s List recognizes students who have earned a grade point average of 3.5 or above out of a possible 4.0 while taking five or more credits in a semester. A list of students who have achieved Dean’s List honors for the summer 2022 semester is available here.
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
(231) 995-1019
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
TRAVERSE CITY — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected Northwestern Michigan College’s UAS (drone) training program for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Collegiate Training Program, or the UAS-CTI.
To be selected, a college/school had to meet criteria including; having an accredited Associate degree focusing on UAS, FAA certification of UAS pilots, operation of both multi-rotor and airplane style systems, training in functional areas including agriculture, environmental services, infrastructure and utility inspections, petroleum, oil and gas inspections, and public safety.
According to the FAA, the purpose of the UAS-CTI program is to create long-term relationships with institutions of higher education that focus on preparing candidates for careers in all aspects of UAS. The UAS-CTI program’s goal is to collaborate with schools to deliver up-to-date UAS training that matches the requirements of the National Airspace System (NAS) and helps prepare qualified applicants for careers involving UAS. In addition, these new UAS-CTI institutions will support the FAA’s efforts to expand the aviation workforce of the future while providing additional opportunities for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students.
“NMC has been on the forefront of UAS education since we launched the program ten years ago,” said NMC UAS Director Tony Sauerbrey. “This is another great example of how the program continues to innovate and lead for the benefit of our students.”
The FAA UAS-CTI designation allows NMC to participate with the FAA in shaping the future UAS training environment including training methods and standards through workshops, seminars and other programs. The FAA will also be a resource to help students with job placement, internships and other opportunities.
In addition to the CTI program, the FAA is asking two-year institutions like NMC to participate in the Consortium for Small UAS Technology Training. Sauerbrey says the UAS industry and FAA have seen programs like NMC’s offer responsive, agile, hands-on technical training that prepares students to enter the workforce faster and better prepared.
NMC’s UAS program celebrates its 10-year anniversary in September 2020. Since it began, the program has produced graduates who are currently working in all aspects of the industry including launching startup companies and assisting private businesses and public institutions. NMC operates a fleet of unmanned aerial systems that rivals much larger universities. NMC’s small class size allows the program to innovate and remain responsive to the ever changing industry of Unmanned Aerial Systems.
Tony Sauerbrey
Director, Unmanned Aerial Systems
tsauerbrey@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2925
Any NMC student who is experiencing academic difficulties in an NMC class can request tutoring, and it’s available in many courses. Please call (231) 995-1138 or email us at tutoring@nmc.edu to schedule an appointment or with any questions.
The Tutoring Office is located in the Osterlin Building (#3 on the Main Campus Map), in room O134. It is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment only. Call or email our office (contact information below) to schedule an appointment.
The Math and Science Center is located in the basement of the Tanis Building (#5 on the Main Campus Map), in room T53.
Hours: August 25–December 9:
Zoom Drop in Hours: August 25–December 9:
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College has announced the winners of its Faculty, Staff and Team Excellence awards, which are given to NMC employees who have demonstrated a commitment to making a difference in the lives of the college’s learners.
The awards were announced during the college’s virtual Opening Conference August 17. They are typically handed out during NMC’s Commencement and Retirement & Recognition ceremonies, which were canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Scott Powell (high-resolution version)Great Lakes Maritime Academy instructor Scott Powell was named the Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award winner. Adjunct Aviation/Assistant Chief Flight instructor Frank Jabour is the winner of the Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award.
The winners are chosen by a student selection committee, and the criteria for both awards include teaching excellence, rapport with students, innovation in the classroom and a sense of dedication.
Capt. Scott Powell has been an instructor for over 18 years. Students had this to say about him:
Read more about Scott Powell here.
Frank Jabour (high-resolution version)Of Jabour, who has been an instructor for over 21 years, students said:
The Faculty Excellence award was initiated by a contribution from longtime NMC benefactors Harold and Imogene Wise in 1970 and first awarded to a full-time faculty member in 1971. The Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award was created in 1999 as a companion.
Bobbi Garner (high-resolution version)NMC’s Staff and Team Excellence award winners are nominated by their supervisors and colleagues for doing work which inspires others and exhibiting commitment “above and beyond” to the NMC mission, vision, and values.
Bobbi Garner, Office Manager of the Science & Math Academic Area, won this year’s Staff Excellence Award. During the spring semester, she worked late into the night and over a weekend to get 70 students rescheduled in classes after an instructor had to cancel classes due to an emergency. Her work helped 23 of those students graduate on time in the spring.
Educational Technologies team (high-resolution version)NMC’s Educational Technologies team, who were integral in the transition to virtual learning this past spring, won this year’s Team Excellence Award.
The team —Director Terri Gustafson, Ryan Bernstein, Mark DeLonge, Justin Guillard, Chris Hanna, Kyle Morrison, Ben Post, Dennis Schultz and Sherry Trier — held daily Zoom office hours and fielded five times as many help desk tickets this past March as the previous March due to the transition. This summer, they provided a virtual boot camp program for teaching online and hybrid courses to over 90 NMC instructors.
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director, NMC Public Relations, Marketing & Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
Join artist Jean Larson and curator of education Jason Dake on an international call between Traverse City and Iceland, to discuss the artist’s work in the Dennos Museum Center collection. They will also talk about Larson’s current artistic endeavors in her studio in Iceland.
A native of Northern Michigan, Jean Larson was born in Ishpeming, a small mining town in the Upper Peninsula. She grew up in Traverse City on the shores of Lake Michigan where she established a small studio and worked until 1984 when she moved to Boston in order to broaden her exposure to the art world. In 1992, Larson left the United States to settle in a small village in Southern France where once again, the natural environment provided further inspiration for her art. This was followed in 2010 by extensive periods spent in Iceland. She now expects to spend her time between Iceland, France, and Northern Michigan.
Registration tickets are pay what you can, $0-$15. After your ticket is reserved, a member of Dennos Staff will email you the details to join us on Zoom. A reminder email will go out the day of the event to all registrants 30 minutes prior to the start time. Register here.
Learn more about Jean Larson on her website.
The Art of :__ is generously supported by Art Bridges.
,
Dear Colleagues:
The college is seeking nominations for the following open seats on NMC’s Governance Councils:
Policy Council (Responsibilities)
Planning & Budget Council (Responsibilities)
The term of office is three years, with a limit of two consecutive terms. Terms end August 31 of the third year in office. Further criteria for service and responsibilities for each council are attached.
Your active participation in our shared governance system is greatly encouraged. You may also nominate a colleague other than yourself for council membership, but must have the nominee’s permission before submitting their name.
Please send your interest and/or nominations to the President’s Office by responding to nmcpresident@nmc.edu by Tuesday, September 8.
Thank you,
President’s Office
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI
Phone: (231) 995-1010
Thank you to the dozens of NMC volunteers who helped move over 200 students into North and East halls over the past weekend and who continue helping with NMC Welcome Week events and handing out maps and masks!
They include: Marcus Bennett, Linda Berlin, Kishion Bragg, Kevin D’Alessandro, Cindy Deemer, Lisa Eiden, Cheri Garvin, David Gates, Dan Gentry, Amy Gordon, Brittany Hanbury, Roger Heeres, Lydia Henion, Scott Herzberg, Patrick Hill, Jackson Hollocker, Jennifer Hricick, Jessica Johnson, Camille Johnson, Jackie Jorgensen, Kari Kahler, Keith Kasper, Rita Kucera, Rachel LaLonde, Amy Loeb, Amari McGee, Sean McKay, Kyle Morrison, Todd Neibauer, Nick Nissley, Michelle Poertner, Alexis Reid, Shayenna Rossell, CJ Schneider, Shannon Schultz, Sally Smarsty, Jen Strauss, Alison Thornton, Amanda Van Oordt, Alex Walsh, and Meg Young.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media in the past two weeks. We want to share your media involvement too. Please send information about your NMC-related interview or appearance to publicrelations@nmc.edu. If possible, please include a link to the piece and information about where and when it was used.
Please note access to some stories may be limited by paywalls set up by the media outlet. This includes the Traverse City Record-Eagle, which limits free clicks to five per month. You may also read Record-Eagle articles in the print edition at the Osterlin Library.
Northwestern Michigan College Aviation students prepare to head back into the cockpit
UpNorthLive, August 21 (more…)
Join a quick overview meeting on September 10, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. to get all your questions answered!
Meet the challenge and you will be entered into a prize drawing for 1 of 6 $50 Visa Gift Cards.
Priority Health members will use the online portal and all other employees can sign up to report their time on a google sheet.
Please access the NMC Wellness page here.
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College has announced the winners of its Faculty, Staff and Team Excellence awards, which are given to NMC employees who have demonstrated a commitment to making a difference in the lives of the college’s learners.
The awards were announced during the college’s virtual Opening Conference August 17. They are typically handed out during NMC’s Commencement and Retirement & Recognition ceremonies, which were canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Scott Powell (high-resolution version)Great Lakes Maritime Academy instructor Scott Powell was named the Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award winner. Adjunct Aviation/Assistant Chief Flight instructor Frank Jabour is the winner of the Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award.
The winners are chosen by a student selection committee, and the criteria for both awards include teaching excellence, rapport with students, innovation in the classroom and a sense of dedication.
Capt. Scott Powell has been an instructor for over 18 years. Students had this to say about him:
Read more about Scott Powell here.
Frank Jabour (high-resolution version)Of Jabour, who has been an instructor for over 21 years, students said:
The Faculty Excellence award was initiated by a contribution from longtime NMC benefactors Harold and Imogene Wise in 1970 and first awarded to a full-time faculty member in 1971. The Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award was created in 1999 as a companion.
Bobbi Garner (high-resolution version)NMC’s Staff and Team Excellence award winners are nominated by their supervisors and colleagues for doing work which inspires others and exhibiting commitment “above and beyond” to the NMC mission, vision, and values.
Bobbi Garner, Office Manager of the Science & Math Academic Area, won this year’s Staff Excellence Award. During the spring semester, she worked late into the night and over a weekend to get 70 students rescheduled in classes after an instructor had to cancel classes due to an emergency. Her work helped 23 of those students graduate on time in the spring.
Educational Technologies team (high-resolution version)NMC’s Educational Technologies team, who were integral in the transition to virtual learning this past spring, won this year’s Team Excellence Award.
The team —Director Terri Gustafson, Ryan Bernstein, Mark DeLonge, Justin Guillard, Chris Hanna, Kyle Morrison, Ben Post, Dennis Schultz and Sherry Trier — held daily Zoom office hours and fielded five times as many help desk tickets this past March as the previous March due to the transition. This summer, they provided a virtual boot camp program for teaching online and hybrid courses to over 90 NMC instructors.
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director, NMC Public Relations, Marketing & Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
Good morning NMC community,
As we begin the fall semester it is important for you to know we are committed to your safety. In addition to the safety measures highlighted at nmc.edu/keepsafe, we will be monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic closely and its potential impact at NMC. Despite our safety efforts, we may see cases on campus this semester. If we do, we will report them to you via email and on the COVID-19 cases webpage to keep you aware of possible campus exposures. We are also developing a dashboard for that same webpage to monitor the impact of the virus on our campuses. In addition to that, we want you to know what information we are monitoring that may influence the College’s reopening stage. You can read that information below.
For the latest updates and additional resources, please visit nmc.edu/coronavirus. It will take all of us working together to limit the spread of the virus on our campuses and have fewer restrictions sooner. If you have questions or feedback, we want to hear from you. Please use the Coronavirus Information Feedback Form.
Thank you
To support the goal of student, employee and community safety, the NMC Reopening Committee has developed guidelines for monitoring the coronavirus pandemic and its potential impact. These guidelines cover most situations and will be revised as our understanding of COVID-19 changes. This is an evolving situation and NMC has many unique programs and departments. This document is designed to set out a broad, campus-wide view and may require adjustments to meet the needs of specific areas, in collaboration with the Reopening Committee. These guidelines are intended to decrease the risk of disease spread, but cannot eliminate all risk. We encourage NMC partners and affiliated organizations to consider these as well.
Good morning NMC community,
Thank you to the 225 people who attended our virtual opening conference Monday as we prepare to kick off the new fall semester together. While the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us in many ways during the last several months, you have done significant work to meet the needs of our learners while keeping each other safe. Our Reopening and Reimagining Fall Learning Committees have addressed these issues and have developed important resources to help this academic year. We’ve highlighted some of the most important items and updates below. Please visit nmc.edu/coronavirus for the latest information and additional resources. It will take all of us working together to reach our goals. If you have questions or feedback, we want to hear from you. Please use the Coronavirus Information Feedback Form or email publicrelations@nmc.edu.
Every employee received an NMC face mask and an Exposure Control Awareness pamphlet through interoffice mail. Masks are required for everyone while on NMC’s campuses, unless alone in your office. Please also practice social distancing and other safety guidelines highlighted at nmc.edu/keepsafe. Please note that plastic face shields do not replace face masks. Employees who have medical concerns should speak with Hollie DeWalt in Human Resources. Accommodations will be made, where possible, but wearing a face covering is required.
Please remember to complete the health screening questions every time you come to campus. Attached to this email you will find the Exposure Control Awareness pamphlet with those screening questions and additional safety information for NMC employees.
Please be sure to complete the exposure control training in the SilkRoad learning portal before you come to campus. It’s short, informative and required. If you have any questions about how to access it, please contact Human Resources.
Student Life will be greeting students at many building entrances during the first two days of class. They will offer a mask if a student does not have one and share the requirement to wear it inside all buildings.
Attached to this email you will find a flowchart on steps to take if a student tells you they have tested positive for COVID-19.
Keeping our campuses clean during this time is critically important and will require a collaborative effort. Custodial crews will clean all public spaces daily following CDC recommendations for disinfecting spaces and high-touch surfaces. This includes countertops, toilet rooms, drinking fountains, waiting rooms, seating, door handles, push/pull devices and light switches.
Disinfectant spray, towels, wipes and gloves will be in all classrooms, labs and offices. Users should wipe down workspace surface areas before and after use. Also, maintain proper hygiene and health practices, including washing hands frequently with soap and water or, if soap is unavailable, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer stations have been placed throughout our campuses, including classrooms. You can order additional hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies through central stories or through facilities at (231) 995-1144.
Anyone exhibiting signs of COVID-19 must seek immediate medical attention. If feeling ill, students can contact NMC Health Services at (231) 995-1255 or their health care provider. Faculty and staff should contact their primary care physician. If you are ill, you should self-isolate, avoid close contact with others and notify NMC human resources of your absence.
NMC currently has no plans for widespread COVID-19 testing on campus, but limited testing is available through Health Services. Individuals can be tested at no cost at community sites in Michigan like Northwest Michigan Health Services. Most insurance companies will also pay for testing.
NMC has had one reported case of COVID-19 that we quickly reported to you in July. Despite our safety efforts, we may see additional cases on campus this semester. If we do, we will continue to report them to you via email and on the COVID-19 cases webpage to keep you aware of possible campus exposures. We are also developing a dashboard for that same webpage to monitor the impact of the virus on our campus. Later this week we will share the information we are monitoring that may influence the College’s reopening stage.
NMC remains in stage 2 of its re-opening plan. This week some adjustments were made to the plan to allow for food service, to keep buildings unlocked during classes and to allow campus activity on Fridays when necessary. Work that can be completed remotely should continue. Please consider posting your contact information on your office door while you are working remotely. Offices should stagger shifts and limit the number of employees in an office.
Our top priority has been, and will continue to be, the safety of NMC students, employees and our community. We are carefully monitoring COVID-19 in Michigan and across the United States, as well as information from public health leaders. The next few weeks will be critical as we move into a new semester on our campuses. We have all done considerable work to prepare for this semester to develop a comprehensive safety plan and flexible learning options, but will also be ready to adapt our plans, if needed, as the health situation changes so we can continue to meet the needs of our learners. We promise to keep communicating with you about any potential changes.
If you have additional questions related to COVID-19, please check out the Employee FAQs and other resources on the NMC COVID-19 web hub. If you still have questions, please submit them through the Coronavirus Information Feedback Form or email publicrelations@nmc.edu.
Thank you for your work, and your continued flexibility and support.