These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, February 23 at 5:30 p.m. in Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, Room 106/107. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
NMC is hosting a mobile pantry from 2:45–5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23 in the Maple Lot on the Front Street campus.
The menu includes oranges, grapefruit, honeydew melons, apples, potatoes, kidney beans, poptarts and juice. NMC’s mobile pantry program is designed specifically for NMC students and their families though all members of the community are welcome. Drive-thru and walk-up options are both available. If a student is unable to attend the distribution due to a class conflict, they may send a friend or family member to pick-up on their behalf.
We ask that recipients queue up in the car line in a counter-clockwise circle around the edge of the parking lot. Please do not block the main access roads, be aware of other students using the parking spaces and watch for children being picked up at the Oleson Learning Center adjacent to the Maple Lot.
Campus Safety and Security has completed multiple CPR training sessions at NMC with more to follow.
Kindly watch this important video on providing hands only CPR.
Keep in mind:
February 18, 2026
More area high school students are getting a head start on degrees and careers through record enrollment at NMC this spring.
Combined, 613 high school students were dual enrolled or in Early College at NMC this spring, up from the previous record of 544 set just last fall. High school students now constitute 19.3%, or nearly one in five, of the 3,188 students enrolled.
The increase comes despite the fact that overall spring semester enrollment is lower than fall’s, as is typical. Spring-to-spring overall enrollment is up 1.2% from spring 2025.
“More students continued on, and we were able to get more students interested and enrolled,” said NMC Admissions director Lisa vonReichbauer.
Offering opportunities for high school students is one of the top two priorities of local residents, according to NMC’s latest Community Attitudes & Awareness survey.
Hence NMC put an all-out effort on financial, communication and programming fronts into affording residents those opportunities, including a special tuition rate. Tuition for both dual enrollment and early college is paid by local school districts, but until two years ago, the tuition rate for students outside Grand Traverse County left a difference that families paid out of pocket. In January 2024, NMC trustees approved a rate for out-of-district dual enrolled students that eliminates that out of pocket expense.
Equipped with that new rate, vonReichbauer said NMC has improved outreach to both high schools and families, including home school families.
“We’ve communicated better about the opportunities, so we’re seeing more people taking advantage of that,” she said.
Beyond saving money and a head start, research shows that students who dual-enroll in a college class or Early College students, who earn an associate degree in just one year, are more likely to get to the finish line – graduation.
“It increases college going skills, college success and college completion,” vonReichbauer said.
Most students can dual enroll as early as their sophomore year, take up to 10 classes and choose from more than 100 courses. However, each high school handles dual enrollment differently and NMC defers to each individual high school’s requirements.
Fall enrollment for all students, including dual enrolled, starts March 11. Find out more about opportunities for high school students.
Thanks to the International Affairs Forum, whose winter-spring series of events gets underway this week with “Long Arm or Strong Arm? Executive Power in Foreign Policy and at Home,” Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. in Milliken Auditorium. NMC faculty, staff and students are admitted free. The winter season also includes Academic World Quest, a quiz show style competition for high school students. Find out more at tciaf.com
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 recently. 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 NMC Library.
Forum on democracy and foreign policy hosted by NMC and CMU
9&10 News, Feb. 14
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Students looking for connection, support and practical tools for managing stress are invited to take part in the upcoming mental fitness meetups hosted by NAMI Grand Traverse, part of the broader mission of the National Alliance on Mental Illness to promote mental wellness and reduce stigma.
These welcoming, student-focused gatherings encourage participants to prioritize themselves during stressful times while learning about helpful strategies and local support. Sessions are held bi-weekly at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Fireplace Room at the NMC Library. Snacks are provided and attendees will also have the chance to hang with therapy dogs.
Avoiding Burnout
February 17
Community Resources
March 3
Self-Care and Support
March 17
Stress Management
April 7
Wellness at Work/School
April 21
All students are welcome to attend. For more information, visit namigt.org or call (231)944-8448.
Campus Life is hosting a volleyball tournament at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 27 in the Rajkovich Physical Education Building. This tournament is open to all employees and current students.
Campus Life is exploring the possibility of hosting a Curling Night on March 6 in partnership with the Traverse City Curling Club. To help make it happen, please complete the interest survey by Wednesday, February 18. Your input will directly shape event planning and scheduling.
Keep an eye out for updates — and get ready to sweep your way into a memorable winter experience!
The NMC Board of Trustees Executive Committee will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 in the President’s Office confernence room in the Tanis Building on NMC’s Front Street campus. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
The NMC Board of Trustees Executive Committee will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 14. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Gather your colleagues and get ready to toss your way to victory!
Compete in the cornhole tournament at 11 a.m. on March 18 in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 106/107 for a chance to win the trophy and a free one-year membership to the NMC Fitness Center.
Questions? Email bhanbury@nmc.edu
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
TRAVERSE CITY — The International Affairs Forum (IAF) at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) is proud to launch a new partnership with the Central Michigan University Hart-Milliken Speaker Series to bring a nationally recognized voice on democracy, the civil-military relationship, and executive power to northern Michigan. The collaboration highlights IAF’s 32nd season of programs addressing global issues and fostering vital public dialogue in the region.
“This partnership builds upon a strong relationship between NMC & CMU,” said Alexander Tank, Director of the International Affairs Forum at NMC. “We share a commitment to open dialogue based on rigorous research, practice, and expertise. We will engage in an important civic exercise with this discussion, a continuing investment in public discourse on the difficult issues we face as Americans and global citizens.”
About the event & speaker
February 19 | Long Arm or Strong Arm: Executive Power in Foreign Policy & At Home with Kori Schake, Ph.D., Senior Fellow & Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute. Schake is author of The State and the Soldier: A History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States (Polity Press 2025). She is also the author of Safe Passage: The Transition from British to American Hegemony, and a contributing writer at the Atlantic, War on the Rocks, and Bloomberg. Event presented in partnership with Central Michigan University Hart-Milliken Speaker Series. Book sales provided by Bay Books.
Before joining AEI, Dr. Kori Schake was the deputy director-general of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. She has had a distinguished career in government, working at the US State Department, the US Department of Defense, and the National Security Council at the White House. She was also a senior policy advisor on the 2008 McCain campaign. She has taught at Stanford, West Point, Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, and the University of Maryland, and is currently the Henry A. Kissinger Chair in Foreign Policy and International Relations at the Library of Congress.
Dr. Schake is the author of five books: “The State and the Soldier: a History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States” (Polity Books, 2025); “America vs the West: Can the Liberal World Order Be Preserved?” (Penguin Random House Australia, Lowy Institute, 2018); “Safe Passage: The Transition from British to American Hegemony” (Harvard University Press, 2017); “State of Disrepair: Fixing the Culture and Practices of the State Department” (Hoover Institution Press, 2012); and “Managing American Hegemony: Essays on Power in a Time of Dominance” (Hoover Institution Press, 2009).
Event Details
IAF hybrid events, including February 19, are ticketed and open to the public. Students, educators, and active-duty military members attend at no cost thanks to community support. Most programs start at 7 p.m. Eastern at the Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City with a welcome reception at 6 p.m. Secure tickets at tciaf.com.
Events are presented in hybrid format; in-person events are available to livestream online. Programming continues throughout the academic year through June 2026. All IAF events on campus at NMC are free for students and educators, including all NMC employees and employees of all local schools. Find more information at tciaf.com.
IAF’s educational programming at NMC is free for students and educators, and open to the public thanks to its supporting members, regional partners, business sponsors, and Northwestern Michigan College. Learn more about membership, event sponsorship, and opportunities to support here: tciaf.com/support
About the International Affairs Forum at Northwestern Michigan College
The mission of the International Affairs Forum is to advance the understanding of critical global issues through education and public dialogue. IAF is a community-supported program of Northwestern Michigan College and an affiliate of the World Affairs Councils of America.
All regular season events are open to the public. Tickets are required. Presentations begin at 7 p.m. & receptions begin at 6 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Visit tciaf.com for advance in-person tickets and online livestream access: $15 per person purchased in advance, $20 per person at the door, or $10 for online livestream access. For in-person tickets on event days, purchase at the door while seats remain. Current students, educators, and active-duty military members receive free admission with required check in. For in-person tickets, online livestream tickets, and all event details, visit tciaf.com.
About the Central Michigan University Hart-Milliken Speaker Series
Central Michigan University established the Philip A. Hart and William G. Milliken Endowed Speaker Series for Integrity in Politics to encourage a civil approach to politics, by hosting individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to encouraging positive change in American politics and policy-making.
This endowed speaker series is named in memory of former U.S. Senator Philip A. Hart and former Michigan Governor William G. Milliken. A legendary trait of the careers of Senator Hart, a Democrat, and Governor Milliken, a Republican, was their ability to work together with members of opposing political parties.
This speaker series challenges interested parties — students in particular — to approach politics in a way that embraces America’s diversity of ideas and perspectives and to strive to replace negativity and partisanship with creativity and innovation in shaping public policy.
“For over two decades, the Hart-Milliken series has shown our students and our community members how our common beliefs about complex policy challenges are stronger than our political differences, “ said Thomas Greitens, Chairperson of the CMU School of Politics, Society, Justice, and Public Service. “By showcasing the power of bipartisanship, the series helps maintain the foundations of our country’s political ideals.
Sponsors & Supporters
International Affairs Forum programming at Northwestern Michigan College is supported by gifts from community members and sponsors. IAF thanks the following for their support of its 32nd season:
Central Michigan University | IAF Gold Sponsor
Grand Traverse Pie Company | IAF Gold Sponsor
Thompson Retractor | IAF Gold Sponsor
IAF Members | Across northern Michigan & across the country
Learn more about event sponsorship and opportunities to support here: tciaf.com/support
Alexander Tank
Director
International Affairs Forum at Northwestern Michigan College
(231) 995-1844 | atank@nmc.edu
Sarah Buckley
Communications Coordinator & Web Developer
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Anspach 114A | Central Michigan University
989-774-1788 | Sarah.J.Buckley@cmich.edu
Let’s be real: college is better when the pizza is free.
Help us improve your experience at NMC by completing the 2026 Learner Engagement Survey. It only takes a few minutes, and you’ll be automatically entered to win a $50 pizza gift card.
Do you have an innovative idea that would be beneficial to NMC and aligns with the NMC Strategic Plan?
For instance, this could include:
If so, please submit a proposal to the Office of Possibilities (OOPs) for Education by March 20, 2026. The top scoring proposals will move forward to a pitch competition on April 23, 2026. Awarded projects typically receive between $500-$10,000 from the NMC Foundation. Review the RFP and complete the application.
Please note: We welcome all ideas that align with the NMC strategic plan! You do not need to be interested in starting a business or commercializing a product to be eligible.
Questions? Email oops@nmc.edu.
It’s that time of the semester again! Instructors—please mention the student feedback surveys in class or via a course announcement. Doing so can significantly boost participation rates!
Here are some dates to keep in mind regarding the student feedback surveys:
For a detailed breakdown of specific dates for all sessions, please refer to the Student Feedback Schedule. It’s the best way to ensure you’re aligned with the timeline for your specific roster.
We need your help! Click to view the list of photos needed of past NMC retirees for our 75th celebration. If you have photos of any of these retired employees, please scan or send links to Lori Hodek at lhodek@nmc.edu.
Photos will be added to the Awards & Recognition page on NMC’s website under the NMC Retiree Recognition section.
Thanks to Extended Education & Training, which opened registration for College for Kids last week, including a new option of full-day programming for first through sixth graders. In a community where child care demand outpaces supply, this offers families an important additional quality option for the summer months.
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 recently. 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 NMC Library.
Remembrance: A community pays tribute to Jack Segal
Record-Eagle, Feb. 7
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To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
Submissions are open for the Spring 2026 issue of NMC Magazine which focuses on the evolution of an idea, highlighting the creative process and celebrating not just finished work, but the sketches, prototypes, mishaps and breakthroughs that shaped them. NMC students, employees and alumni can enter their submissions thru Saturday, February 21.
Visit nmc.edu/nmcmagazine for more information. Please complete a submission form for each entry.
In partnership with the NMC Foundation, an NMC Student Managed Investment Fund has been created to permit students to invest a portion of Foundation assets through their own efforts. This has been done to promote good financial stewardship and learning opportunities among the student population. The goals of the group are as follows:
If you know a student who might be interested in joining this group, please have them contact Steve Rice at srice@nmc.edu for more information.
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!