Employee Anniversaries
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
Dining services info
Happy Thanksgiving!
Join us Wednesday, November 16, for an All Day, All You Can Eat Thanksgiving Feast
- 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Original Cost $8.99
– $1 subsidy sponsored by Student Life - Your cost: $7.99
Good News!
You can now add money to your ID card directly at the registers!
- Save money- there is no sales tax on Meal Plans
- Minimum of $20 required to add money to card
- Remember meal card balances carry over from Fall to Spring semester, but balances expire at the end of Spring Semester
Announcing Bite, a new menu and nutrition app that can link to myfitnesspal.com.
Search for “Bite by Sodexo” on the App Store or Google Play, and use Bite Code G2HP8
President’s Update for November 7, 2016
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. (more…)
Success Story: Service learning thrives
November 9, 2016
In addition to reading, writing and arithmetic, this semester, NMC students are collecting food donations, swinging hammers and X-raying teeth.
Service learning projects, which engage the whole class in a project that also benefits the community, have a long history in many academic areas at NMC. Here’s a look at some underway this semester, and how to help or participate yourself:
Food for Thought food drive – The fourth annual event organized by NMC business students runs through November 19. Regional pantries have come to rely on the event, which seeks to collect enough non-perishable food and hygiene products to stock more than 45 pantries throughout northwest Michigan through the holiday season.
“It’s not just a blessing for some pantries, it is survival,” said Val Stone with the Northwest Food Coalition.
Donations are accepted on campus and at several community collection sites, including at Technology Exploration Day this Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Parsons-Stulen Building.
Dental X-rays – Dental assistant students began their annual free X-ray project this week. Patients referred by their dentist may receive a free set of complete X-rays, valued at up to $200 per set. Instructor Beckie Wooters expects between 80 and 90 patients to take advantage before it wraps up Dec. 8.
“We get a lot of patients that are returned to us when they’re due for these X-rays, because they enjoy the opportunity to meet our students,” Wooters said. The program has been offered since at least 1995.
Students will also be using new digital equipment in all three screening rooms, enabling them to e-mail X-rays directly to patients’ dentists. The digital images mean less radiation exposure for patients, too, Wooters said.
Garden shed – In October, Construction Technology students finished building an 8-by-12-foot storage shed on the property of the non-profit TC Community Garden, located at the Grand Traverse Commons. Previously, the garden had a small, old shed which didn’t offer sufficient space or security, garden president Kimberly Conaghan said.
“We’ll be able to upgrade our tools and have a lot more autonomy to store our own equipment,” she said.
The shed’s green roof and permeable surrounding pavement integrates with an adjacent rain garden, making the whole project a demonstration of the garden’s mission of education and sustainability.
“There’s kind of a cycle that’s happening there with green infrastructure,” said Conaghan, who estimated the value of materials and labor at $25,000.
It’s the second shed students have built; the first went up at the Grand Traverse Conservation District in 2015. NMC alumnus Nate Griswold of green building company Inhabitect assisted with the project, too.
Payment for spring classes is due December 8
It’s time to secure your spring classes!
Online: nmc.edu/self-service, under Student Billing
- No-fee e-payment from checking or savings account
- No-fee debit card payment
- Credit card payment: American Express, MasterCard, VISA, or Discover (including JCB, Diners Pay and China Union Network). A 2.75% convenience fee applies to all credit card payments for charges related to academic credit courses.
- Authorize someone else to make a payment
- Enroll in direct deposit for refunds
- Enroll in a deferred payment plan
- Make a housing or aviation deposit under eDeposit
- Go to Financial Aid menu to check your financial aid
In person:
Payments by cash, check, or money order can be made at Student Financial Services (Tanis Building, main level)
By mail:
Please note your NMC ID on your check.
NMC Student Financial Services
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49686
Explore payment options: nmc.edu/cashier
Questions? (231) 995-1035 or sfs@nmc.edu
Helpful tips:
- Check your NMC email and Self-Service often
- Respond to any requests for information
- Drop before 100% Refund Date (on your schedule) if you don’t plan to attend
- Financial Aid information: nmc.edu/financial-aid
Spring session begins January 13. Register today!
Success Story: Service learning thrives
November 9, 2016
In addition to reading, writing and arithmetic, this semester, NMC students are collecting food donations, swinging hammers and X-raying teeth.
Service learning projects, which engage the whole class in a project that also benefits the community, have a long history in many academic areas at NMC. Here’s a look at some underway this semester, and how to help or participate yourself:
Food for Thought food drive – The fourth annual event organized by NMC business students runs through November 19. Regional pantries have come to rely on the event, which seeks to collect enough non-perishable food and hygiene products to stock more than 45 pantries throughout northwest Michigan through the holiday season.
“It’s not just a blessing for some pantries, it is survival,” said Val Stone with the Northwest Food Coalition.
Donations are accepted on campus and at several community collection sites, including at Technology Exploration Day this Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Parsons-Stulen Building.
Dental X-rays – Dental assistant students began their annual free X-ray project this week. Patients referred by their dentist may receive a free set of complete X-rays, valued at up to $200 per set. Instructor Beckie Wooters expects between 80 and 90 patients to take advantage before it wraps up Dec. 8.
“We get a lot of patients that are returned to us when they’re due for these X-rays, because they enjoy the opportunity to meet our students,” Wooters said. The program has been offered since at least 1995.
Students will also be using new digital equipment in all three screening rooms, enabling them to e-mail X-rays directly to patients’ dentists. The digital images mean less radiation exposure for patients, too, Wooters said.
Garden shed – In October, Construction Technology students finished building an 8-by-12-foot storage shed on the property of the non-profit TC Community Garden, located at the Grand Traverse Commons. Previously, the garden had a small, old shed which didn’t offer sufficient space or security, garden president Kimberly Conaghan said.
“We’ll be able to upgrade our tools and have a lot more autonomy to store our own equipment,” she said.
The shed’s green roof and permeable surrounding pavement integrates with an adjacent rain garden, making the whole project a demonstration of the garden’s mission of education and sustainability.
“There’s kind of a cycle that’s happening there with green infrastructure,” said Conaghan, who estimated the value of materials and labor at $25,000.
It’s the second shed students have built; the first went up at the Grand Traverse Conservation District in 2015. NMC alumnus Nate Griswold of green building company Inhabitect assisted with the project, too.
Important: Accreditation Portfolio Planning (HLC)
Regional accreditation is required for NMC to provide access to federal and state funding for the college and our students. NMC follows the AQIP pathway offered by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) which includes regular monitoring, annual Action Projects, Strategy Forums, Systems Portfolios and Appraisals, and a Comprehensive Quality Review. The next step in our cycle involves the creation of the Systems Portfolio.
What is the Systems Portfolio?
The Systems Portfolio covers six (6) categories and describes our processes, results, and improvements in each system. The six categories are:
- Category One: Helping students learn
- Category Two: Meeting Student and Other Key Stakeholder Needs
- Category Three: Valuing People
- Category Four: Planning and Leading
- Category Five: Knowledge Management and Resource Stewardship
- Category Six: Quality Overview focuses on the Continuous Quality Improvement
Our last Systems Portfolio was submitted in 2013, our next one is due 11/1/17.
Why is it important?
The HLC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an entity that accredits institutions of higher learning. The Systems Portfolio is the primary document that demonstrates that NMC provides quality education to students in meeting the criteria for accreditation. Completing the Systems Portfolio is a time for the College to reflect, clarify, plan, and receive feedback. It is an essential element of our continuous improvement efforts.
How does this involve me?
Work groups for each category are being created who will gather input from faculty and staff across the campus. You may be asked to serve on a work group, or you may be asked to provide information or perspective on one or several of the categories.
What’s next?
We will be launching kickoff meetings for the work groups mid-November.
You will receive regular updates throughout the process and will be invited to submit questions or feedback.
After our Systems Portfolio is received and reviewed by the HLC, a peer review team will visit our campus as part of a comprehensive evaluation which will include the team speaking with various faculty, staff, and student groups.
Questions may be directed to Joy Evans, Executive Director of Research, Planning and Effectiveness (ORPE) at jevans@nmc.edu
Peer Guide Training Wednesday, Nov. 16
Could you be a Peer Guide?
Do you remember life as a new employee? Could you help a new employee adjust to a new position at NMC? If yes, we need you!
We are looking for new Peer Guides who will connect new NMC employees with experienced NMC employees. Guides provide new employees with support during their transition to NMC, befriending them, answering questions and introducing them to colleagues from outside their immediate work area.
The next training to become a Peer Guide is scheduled for Wednesday, November 16, 10-11:30 am.
If serving as a Peer Guide sounds rewarding, please click here. For more information or to sign up for training, contact Lori Hodek in Human Resources at 995-1143 or lhodek@nmc.edu.
International Education Week November 13-17
International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education and celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.
NMC’s commemoration of the 16th annual International Education Week includes food from India, China and Russia; a student speaker from Norway and a former White House Director for the Middle East; and a study abroad fair.
Read the full list of events here »
NMC Food For Thought Challenge
The students of Kristy McDonald’s Professional Communications class are hosting the fourth annual Food for Thought non-perishable food and hygiene drive. We want to invite you and team to a little fun and friendly competition. With the increased need of supplies for our local community, NMC’s Food for Thought has partnered with the Northwest Michigan Food Coalition to raise donations to help feed and provide hygiene products to over 4,000 people this holiday season.
The students have created a challenge for the faculty/staff/students to make donating even more exciting!
How the challenge works:
- A box will be dropped off to each department on November 9 and picked up November 16
- Fill the box with donations – non-perishable food and hygiene items
- The department that collects the most items will win a pizza party for up to 60 people
This challenge is a way for the faculty, staff and students to support a NMC student project and give back to our community at the same time. Please like NMC’s Food for Thought’s Facebook page for information and updates on the latest events: facebook.com/
If you are unable to donate during the challenge, there are red donation bins in the Osterlin Library, Parsons-Stulen and Health & Science buildings. You can also make monetary donations through the Facebook page. Thank you for helping collect food to fill the pantries in our local community. Let the games begin!
For more information, contact:
Gwendolyn Neumann
NMC Food for Thought Student Logistics Leader
(231) 392-2332
neuman62@mail.nmc.edu
What’s Up World?! Political Freedom: Does it Really Exist?
Wednesday, November 9 @ 8:30 p.m.
West Hall Conference Room
Student led discussion in a comfortable setting. An informal chance to get together each month, share opinions, and open a window on the world!
FREE FOOD and enlightened conversation
NMC Employee Benefits Day is Nov. 14
Monday, November 14
Oleson Center
**Open Enrollment Meetings- Regular FT & PT Employees**
Benefits Vendor Fair for All Employees
Open Enrollment Meetings
- 9-10:30 a.m.
- 1:30-3 p.m.
**These sessions are for the regular benefited employees in preparation for the Open Enrollment period (Nov 14-Nov 28, 2016). Presentations will cover medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and LTD insurance options. Appointments have been sent directly to eligible employees for these sessions. These sessions are for regular employees eligible for NMC’s medical plans.
Benefits Vendor Fair
- 8:30 a.m.-Noon
- 1-3 p.m.
PARTICIPANTS
|
Consolidated Financial |
Valic |
|
Meritain Health |
Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI |
|
Cigna Insurance
|
LegalShield |
|
TBA Credit Union |
Harvitt/Meemic Insurance |
|
TIAA |
|
Stop in anytime during the day and talk to these benefits vendors at their booths. Find out if their offerings are right for you. Several of the vendors are offering prize drawings, so stop by their booths and sign up for a chance to win!
Call for Wellness Committee Members
Would you like to be a part of the NMC Wellness Committee? We are recharging and reenergizing this committee, and would love to have a few new members on board! We will have a standing meeting one time per month, and assist with some of the Wellness activities. Please let Hollie DeWalt in HR know if you have any interest by November 21, 2016.
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 »
Kudos to Dennis Schultz in Educational Media Technologies for all your work on Professional Development Day. Thank you for taking photos and video throughout the day to capture learning, collaboration, and shared moments to document the day.
Kudos to all the following individuals who helped make the Fall Professional Development Day a success: Roy & Sodexo Staff for creating & delivering the many great lunches and coffee to feed everyone. Facilities staff who delivered and set up all the tables & chairs to create a lunch oasis. Jenny Barnes & Deb Patterson for all their work scheduling Biederman & Health Science and room setups. Jack Conners for your time & expertise running the tech for the opening session & Megan Heator for your assistance with hosting the event.
Kudos to Michelle Schneider, Kay Harris, Kyle Morrison- they dedicated significant time to creating the opening video for the October PD Day. Michelle latched onto Kay’s original idea and visited multiple departments to collect spontaneous testimonials about student success and Kyle worked his editing magic to create a wonderful video from the multitude of video footage that Michelle collected. Their hard work and dedication to NMC’s PD Day is very much appreciated!
Kudos to Jim White and Kim Gourlay along with everyone involved in set up and planning of the Homeland Security Emergency Management training held last week. The training was very informative and included several agencies of local responders including Fire, police and Emergency Manager for Grand Traverse County. Attendees also included Interlochen emergency management folks and a TC K-12 representative as well as NMC representatives from the Emergency Management team. It is important to get all of these groups in one room to discuss combined approaches. Thank you.
Kudos to Gwen Tafelsky for arranging an NMC tour for TBA/ISD Health Occupations students and instructors. The students toured nursing, surgical technician, and dental assistant programs to acquaint them with the health related academic programs that are offered at NMC. Thanks also to Margaret Fox for acting as the tour guide!
Position Vacancies
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
- TCAPS Early College/Commitment Scholarship Coordinator
- Hagerty Center – Server, Bartender and Dishwasher
- Visual Communications – Web Design Adjunct Instructor
- Construction/Carpentry Adjunct Instructor
NMC Talent Portal coming soon!
NMC is pleased to announce the Talent Portal for all SilkRoad systems coming this month! This sample homepage shows how the following systems will have one point of access to tasks for:
- Recruiting
- Onboarding
- Onboarding Administration
- Performance
- Learning
Watch for more information coming soon!
Employee Anniversaries
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
NMC Bookstore: Shop online for Christmas and save!
Stock up for Christmas at the NMC Bookstore and save! Get $10 off your purchase of $50 or more with promo code TAKE10 or $20 off $100 or more with promo code TAKE20. Applies to all regular priced logo apparel and gifts. Save even more by picking up in store for free!
The promo codes are valid November 21-30, 2016.
The NMC Bookstore is online here »
WMU-Traverse City Open House
Please join us Thursday, November 10 at 5:30 p.m., at the NMC University Center to learn about our counseling master’s degrees offered at WMU-Traverse City. Classes meet evenings or weekends to help accommodate the needs of working professionals. Both degrees are CACREP accredited.
RSVP: (231) 995-1788 or Kim.Stevens@wmich.edu
Faculty Excellence Award nominations due by December 16
Have NMC instructors made a difference in your life? Could dedicated, innovative and excellent be used to describe them? If you are looking for a way to recognize the impact an NMC teacher that has had on your learning journey, please consider nominating them for the Imogene Wise awards. Faculty are truly honored to be nominated and to receive these annual awards.
This is the highest teaching honor awarded at NMC and nominations can only come from students.
Nominations are due by December 16 and can be submitted here: surveymonkey.com/r/R2VG6QG
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, recipients are chosen by a student selection committee, and award criteria includes teaching excellence, rapport with students, innovation in the classroom and a sense of dedication.
Master of Public Health Degree Web Information Session
Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m.
Public health professionals promote good health and prevent disease within communities. The Master of Public Health degree provides graduate and community-based education and research grounded in social justice to help meet these goals. Learn more at out interactive web seminar. Visit www.gvsu.edu/traverse to register.
Registrants will receive an email link approximately 1-2 days prior to the online session.
2017 NMC Barbecue Funding Proposals
NMC faculty and staff are invited to request funding support from the 2017 NMC Barbecue for an NMC special project. Funding proposals are due by noon on Friday, Jan, 27, 2017.
A subcommittee of the Barbecue Board will review proposals and make recommendations to the full Barbecue Board for final selection based on the guidelines listed in the proposal form. Funds for awarded projects will be available following the May 21, 2017 NMC Barbecue.
Download the proposal form here »
Veterans Day tribute
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College will again pay tribute to enrolled and employed veterans with several events on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
- 8:30 a.m. – Veterans’ breakfast. Free breakfast for all veterans and active duty military in the Hawk Owl Cafe in West Hall.
- 9-9:10 a.m. – Walk of Honor. The campus community is invited to line up along the sidewalks from West Hall to the flagpoles west of the Tanis Building. Led by the Traverse City Central High School drum line, veterans will walk from West Hall to the flagpoles.
- 9:30 a.m. – Flag raising ceremony conducted by the VFW with the Traverse City Central High School band.
- 10 a.m.-noon – Coffee and cake served in West Hall for the entire campus community in honor of veterans.
About 5 percent of NMC students are veterans, and serving those who have served is a year-round priority at NMC, which established an office of Military and Veterans Services in 2012. It works with the larger college community to foster an environment that leads to veteran success. Results thus far:
- For the second consecutive year NMC has been certified as a Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly School by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
- Named the fifth-best “Best for Vets” community college nationwide by Military Times in 2016.
- NMC provides no-interest loans to veterans waiting for processing of their benefit checks, so they may enroll immediately.
- NMC makes up the difference between military pay and NMC pay for reservist employees who are called to active duty. Family enrollment in all benefits also continues.
- Since 2008, NMC has participated in a DOD agreement providing in-state (out of district) tuition rates for active duty military and their dependents, regardless of their legal residence
Release date: November 3, 2016
For more information:
Scott Herzberg
POC, Military and Veterans Services
sherzberg@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2526
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-discriminationUpcoming NMC Jazz Band Performances
NMC Jazz Big Band performance at West Bay Beach Holiday Inn, Thursday November 10th, 7:30 p.m. Free!
NMC Jazz Lab Band performance at West Bay Beach Holiday Inn, Thursday November 17th, 7:30 p.m. Free!
NMC Jazz Big Band, NMC Jazz Lab Band, and NMC Vocal Jazz Ensemble performances at Milliken Auditorium, Saturday, December 3rd, 7:30 p.m.
Innovation Grants are due Dec. 1
The deadline for the fall semester’s round of Innovation Grant applications is December 1, 2016. Applications must be submitted to your area Vice President by this date.
It is strongly recommended that you discuss your proposal idea with your Vice President before developing the full proposal. VPs do have the authority to reject an application, but can also provide valuable feedback to help develop great proposals that are more likely to be successful!
Find more information about innovation grants here. Or check out the Innovation Grants quick link on the NMC Foundation’s home page at nmc.edu/foundation.
Please note that ALL applicants are required to do a 5 minute presentation for the committee plus plan 5 minutes for Q&A.