Congratulations to Dr. Nissley

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 information and 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 will coordinate the transition process working with the Board, the campus, members of the community and me.

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.

Tim

Timothy J. Nelson, President
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI
Phone: (231) 995-1010

Dining Service Hours for Fall 2019

NMC Dining Services include the Hawk Owl Café and Northwest Grind / Starbucks in Osterlin Library and the Hawks Nest in East Hall. Hours may vary around holidays and dining services are closed during semester breaks and over the summer.

Hawk Owl Café

  • Monday–Thursday: 10:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
  • Friday: 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
  • Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED

Northwest Grind / Starbucks

  • Monday–Thursday: 7:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m.
  • Friday: 7:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED

The Hawks Nest

  • Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
  • Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

Meals on the Move will be in East Hall every Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. and  every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m.

Media Mentions for September 3, 2019

The following college events and stories have appeared in the media in the past week. 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.

Final candidate wants to move NMC into the future
Record-Eagle, August 30 (more…)

NMC Board of Trustees identifies Nick Nissley as first choice in presidential search

Dr. Nick NissleyTRAVERSE CITY — The Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) Board of Trustees voted 4-3 to advance Dr. Nick Nissley as the first choice of five finalists to become the next president of NMC at a special board meeting Tuesday, September 3. The Board then unanimously voted to support Dr. Nissley in his role as president, if he accepts the position.

The Board will now extend an offer and begin discussions on a contract with Dr. Nissley. The contract will be submitted to and voted on by the Board. A formal announcement on the new president is expected within the month, with an expected start date of January 1, 2020.

NMC Board Chair Chris Bott said, “The Board is pleased to move forward with Dr. Nissley. He brings strong communication skills and proven experience in leadership and innovation. This process to identify the next leader of NMC has been competitive, thorough and transparent as the board’s most important job. We appreciate the dedication of the presidential search committee, employees and community members who participated in this process to identify the next leader of our community’s college.”

Nick Nissley, Ed. D. is an education executive with more than 25 years of experience including K-12, community college and university settings. He is currently Executive Director at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, OH. Dr. Nissley has leadership experience in fundraising, professional development, human resources, teaching and the arts. His areas of focus include helping build individual and organization capabilities that support organizational effectiveness and innovation cultures in support of educational excellence. Dr. Nissley describes himself as a collaborative servant leader and “possibilitarian.”

A total of 67 people applied for the position. Presidential search firm The Pauly Group reviewed the applicants to ensure all met the minimum criteria for the job. The Pauly group recommended 20 candidates to the presidential search committee. That committee narrowed the list to eight candidates for video interviews. The committee recommended five finalists for in-person interviews which included campus and community forums open to the public.

This is the culmination of work since Nov. 1, 2018, when president Timothy J. Nelson announced his intention to retire on Dec. 31, 2019.

“The board, this college and this community will be forever grateful for the service of Tim Nelson during his nearly 19 year tenure. We were not seeking to, nor could we replicate president Nelson who did incredible work to build this college into what it is today,“ said Chairman Bott. “We are now looking for the person who would be the right fit to lead this institution into the future. Each candidate has their own unique strengths. Ultimately the decision came down to who was the best fit at this time.”

Release Date: September 3, 2019

For More Information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu(231) 995-1019

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE

Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination

NMC accreditation renewed, commended for continuous quality improvement

TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s accreditation process—a key benchmark of the college’s overall quality—has been reaffirmed for the next 10 years by the Higher Learning Commission.

The reaffirmation process is the culmination of a comprehensive, eight-year cycle following a March 2019 site visit by HLC peer reviewers. Accreditation validates the quality of an institution as a whole and evaluates multiple aspects of an institution, including its academic offerings, governance and administration, mission, finances, and resources.

In its report, the peer review committee cited NMC’s “strong, clear, and well-presented evidence” on all five criteria for accreditation. It also praised NMC for its ongoing dedication to continuous quality improvement.

“Continuous quality improvement appears to be embedded within the culture of the college,” the report concludes.

NMC Executive Director of Research, Planning and Effectiveness Joy Evans said the clear-cut reaffirmation is “significant” for NMC and places it at the forefront among other Michigan community colleges.

“We not only met all criteria of accreditation but we are not on any form of interim monitoring, a rare finding for Michigan community colleges over the past several years,” Evans said.

Northwestern Michigan College has been accredited by HLC since 1961. The HLC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a gatekeeper agency within the accreditation process. The next reaffirmation of accreditation is scheduled for 2028-29.

In addition to college-wide accreditation, many NMC programs maintain individual accreditations. Nursing programs in June received re-accreditation for the next eight years. In October, the Marine Technology program will host a site visit as part of its accreditation process. Learn more here.

Release date: Sept. 3, 2019

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE

Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination

Fall 2019 Transfer Fair is Wednesday, Oct. 9!

Over 25 university representatives will be on NMC’s campus on Wednesday, October 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to talk with students, staff and faculty about their programs and the transfer process. The university representatives will be located in the Health & Science Building Lobby on the Main Level.

This is your opportunity to discuss transfer requirements and get information on degrees available at a variety of schools without having to travel to each university. Bring your questions and explore your options!

A List of Colleges attending and Questions to Ask at a Transfer Fair is available on the College Visits page.

See you there!
Advising Staff

Fall 2019 Transfer Fair is Wednesday, October 9th!

Over 25 university representatives will be on NMC’s campus on Wednesday, October 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to talk with students, staff and faculty about their programs and the transfer process. The university representatives will be located in the Health & Science Building Lobby on the Main Level.

Please let your students know about this opportunity to discuss transfer requirements and get information on degrees available at a variety of schools without having to travel to each university. Faculty and staff are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to dialogue with the university representatives as well!

A List of Colleges attending and Questions to Ask at a Transfer Fair is available on the College Visits page.

See you there!
Advising Staff

Who Are You?

SEPTEMBER 3, 2019

Noon-1 p.m. – Scholars Hall Rm. 105
OR
6-7 p.m. – East Hall Basement

Join NMC’s Student Life team and Resident Assistants for a discussion on how to keep yourself and your friends safe on campus.

Each event will have free pizza, information on bystander intervention & a chance to voice your thoughts.

Intramural Flag Football

Five-Player Teams sign up now

Don’t have enough for a team… Individuals are welcomed as well.

 * All players must buy and wear their own mouth guards *

All players must be current NMC students.

Season Starts Monday, September 16th for 5 weeks followed by a playoff week.

Two games will be played per week Monday–Thursday at 3:10, 4:10, 5:10 or 6:10 p.m.

Mandatory Captains’ meeting and Sign-up Deadline

Thursday, September 12th at 3 p.m. held in the PE Lobby.

For more information or questions please call Steven Dixon at (231) 995-1379.

View the flier and signup form here »

Kudos!

KUDOS- (praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com

Submit a Kudos here. (more…)

Free Access to the NMC Fitness Center in September for all NMC Employees!

Have you been wanting to check out the new fitness center in North Hall?

This is your chance! Just show up, sign in and get working!  If you find that you love it and would like to sign up for a membership, you can do so through Extended Education Services by calling (231) 995-1700.

  • Annual Employee with 100% Tuition Waiver – $60
  • Four-Month with 100% Tuition Waiver – $30
  • *All other prorated tuition waivers will be applied appropriately

Hours:

  • Monday–Thursday – 6 a.m.–8 p.m.
  • Friday – 6 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
  • Saturday–Sunday – 8 a.m.–2 p.m.

Librarian Office Hours in Scholars Hall

New this semester – your NMC librarians are holding office hours in Scholars Hall!

Stuck on a research assignment, or want to enlist the help of a personal research collaborator? Curious to pick up some tips on how to avoid misinformation online? Or just looking for a homework break and someone to talk to? Stop by Scholars Hall 213 on Wednesdays between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.!

GVSU RISE program for student scholarships

If you are interested in a non-medical or engineering degree, Tamara Coleman would love to work with you! She’s the NMC coordinator for the Grand Valley State University RISE program that assists students with college skills and the application process. Students who participate in this program are eligible to earn scholarships toward a degree, while gaining valuable college and application skills.

Tamara can be reached at (231) 995-2324 or tcoleman@nmc.edu. More information about the program can be found at www.gvsu.edu/rise/.

Parking enforcement starts Sept. 9

The Traverse City Parking Patrol will begin issuing citations for parking violations at NMC on Monday, September 9. All NMC students and employees must have their 2019-2020 permits displayed by that date.

The Traverse City Police Department has provided the following information on how to avoid parking tickets on campus by properly displaying your parking permit:

  • Place your permit in the bottom left-hand corner of your windshield.
  • Place your permit right side up. An upside-down permit will be considered invalid.
  • Hang tags must be on the rear view mirror. 
  • Be sure that the expiration date on your permit can be seen from the outside of your vehicle. (Some vehicles have a tint on the edges of their windshield, so be sure your permit is not behind a tint, as it will make it difficult to see from the outside.) When it doubt, get out of your vehicle and be sure you can see the entire permit from the outside.

If you do get a ticket, payment can be made at the red drop-off payment box at the east end of the Cedar lot in front of the Health & Science Building on main campus. You can also mail the fine in to the city, or pay at the parking services office in the public parking garage at 303 E. State St. Payment information is also on each ticket.

If you have any questions about parking enforcement on campus, please call Campus Safety & Security at (231) 995-1111.

Success story: Hawk Owl heads to Harvard

August 28, 2019

Alex WalshAdd up an NMC associate degree, a thin credit history, a stint in the Navy and a love of travel and you get Harvard University sophomore Alex Walsh (NMC 2012), who will start classes in Cambridge, Mass. next week.

He’s one of just a dozen transfer students admitted among 1,600 applicants to the most venerable of the Ivy League institutions. But long odds didn’t daunt Walsh, preternaturally disposed to optimism.

“Shoot for the stars, see what happens. The worst they could say is no,” said Walsh, 27, who was also admitted to the University of Michigan and Michigan State. “Being able to find ways to push myself at NMC, challenge myself, helped put me on this path.”

Pine Palooza 2019 Poster“This path” started with participating in a wide range of activities and clubs at NMC, including NMC magazine, the White Pine Press, Anime Club, International Club and the NMC Policy Council. (NMC yesterday hosted Pine Palooza, an annual fair that introduces students to dozens of campus groups and organizations.) Walsh was also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international community college honor society. He credits PTK adviser Kari Kahler and instructors Jim Bensley, Amjad Khan and John Zachman as among his NMC mentors.

Yet when he graduated, Walsh didn’t have enough credit history to get the student loans he needed to continue his education. So he joined the military, both for the GI benefits down the road and the opportunity to travel in the short term, a love kindled in the NMC International Club. He chose the Navy specifically because it offered more opportunity to travel than other branches, and lived in Spain for more than three years and visited 25 different countries.

In 2017 he took the SAT and scored higher than he expected. Though Ivy League schools are notoriously picky about transfer students, he decided to add Harvard, Princeton and Yale to his list when his Navy contract was up. A veteran transition program, Service to School, also matched him with a mentor whom Walsh said was vital in the decision process.

He’ll enter Harvard as a sophomore and plans to major in economics and minor in government, likely international relations. An MBA or law school could follow. Walsh hopes to work in a capacity that grows the global economy, staying in touch with his love of international relations.

“I would like to be on some kind of a career path where I can provide opportunities to those who would not otherwise have opportunities,” he said. Options he wants to explore through internships include working with infrastructure and business development in central America or Asia, working with refugees of war or conflict, and serving in the Foreign Service as an economic or political adviser.

Between the GI Bill®, Harvard scholarships and grants, Walsh said his entire tuition bill will be covered.

“That’s pretty exciting too,” he said.


GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Student Getting Started Guide

Welcome to another new semester at Northwestern Michigan College! NMC offers many systems and features for students to use to assist with their academic success. The following technology tips are designed to inform you on the intended use and latest features available, as well as provide you with the basic tools you’ll need to get off to the right start here at NMC!

Read more here »

Mike McIntosh Memorial Car & Truck Show

TRAVERSE CITY — See cool cars and trucks and support students at NMC’s 14th annual Mike McIntosh Memorial Car and Truck Show Saturday, September 7.

Car enthusiasts will display their classic cars, 4X4s, dragsters, sports cars, modified late models, motorcycles and more from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at NMC’s Automotive Services Building, 2510 Aero Park Drive.

Admission is free for spectators. There is a $10 entry fee per vehicle for contestants. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Trophies are awarded for best of show in each class. Enjoy food, music, prizes and a silent auction. Student projects and vehicles will also be on display. Proceeds benefit NMC’s Automotive Program and scholarships.

The show is named for the late NMC Automotive instructor Mike McIntosh, who retired in 2004 after 34 years of service. McIntosh organized the first car show for the Automotive Program in 2004. Learn more here »

Release date: Aug. 27, 2019

For more information:

Wayne Moody
NMC Automotive Chair
(231) 995-1316
wmoody@nmc.edu

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE

Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination

Kudos!

KUDOS(praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com

Submit a Kudos here. (more…)