Employee Anniversaries – February
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
Kudos!
Kudos to Doug Sieffert. Doug took time away from his primary responsibilities to work with Media Services on a time-sensitive project. The right place at the right time, Thank you Doug!
Kudos to Katie Sommer-Ford. Kudos on Katie’s planning and pre-work on the Career Fair coming up in March. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to offer the opportunity for our students and local employers to meet. Great job, Katie!
Kudos to Elizabeth Sonnabend, Lisa Molmen, Ben Post and Ali Thornton. Extended Education & Training supports academic departments by filling nearly 300 seats with community member enrollments each year. This is no easy feat! One of the biggest challenges threads across four departments and involves Moodle. The heroes behind this are Elizabeth Sonnabend, Lisa Moleman, Ben Post, Ali Thornton and certainly a few others who step in as needed. This past term has gone the smoothest; this team is improving the Moodle integration each time! Thank you, “Team Joint Offering Moodle Magic!”
Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. Please encourage your colleagues by submitting a KUDOS. Let them know you appreciate their hard work and are thinking of them!
Welcome our newest hires
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Hayden Talbot, supplemental – Law Enforcement Coach
- Elizabeth Kozlowski, supplemental – Kitchen & Dining Room Help at Lobdells
- Emily Parrotte, student employee – Residence Hall Front Desk
- Holly Rose – Adjunct Clinical Nursing Instructor
- Ashley Nuno, supplemental – Tutor
- Liam Filson, student employee – Residence Hall Front Desk
- Nathan Sonnabend – Custodian
- Eleanor Young, student employee – Residence Hall Front Desk
- Dylan Grant, supplemental – Law Enforcement Coach
Volunteers needed for MATHCOUNTS competition on Feb. 9
NMC’s Engineering department, in conjunction with the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, will be hosting the Northern Michigan Chapter of the annual MATHCOUNTS competition on Friday, February 9, 2024. The event will begin at noon on the main floor of the Beckett building and the first round of competition begins at 1 p.m. The event is expected to wrap up around 5 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up, scoring, and/or clean-up. Anyone interested in helping with setup and/or scoring can contact Jay Smith at jsmith@nmc.edu.
About MATHCOUNTS: MATHCOUNTS offers fun and engaging programs that get middle school students excited about math. These programs include the MATHCOUNTS Competition Series. The Competition Series has 4 levels of competition—school, chapter, state and national. Each level of competition is comprised of 4 rounds—Sprint, Target, Team and Countdown Round. Altogether, the rounds are designed to take about 3 hours to complete. (OUR STORY | MATHCOUNTS Foundation)
Requisitions for summer and fall course materials
It’s that time of year again! The bookstore will be taking requisitions for summer and fall course materials.
Course material adoption deadlines are early because:
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- Getting adoptions in early allows us to provide students with greater access to low-cost course materials
- Students will receive a better return at buyback
- The bookstore can implement more cost-saving solutions
- Fewer backorders at the beginning of the term
- The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 requires us to have course material information available publicly by the time registration begins
Requisition Dates
Summer requisitions
Open Monday, February 5 and will be due by Friday, February 23
Fall requisitions
Open Monday, February 26 and will be due by Friday, March 15
Faculty, department heads, and office managers should be on the lookout for requisition emails coming from NMC@verbasoftware.com starting on Monday, February 5.
Spring 2024 open gym hours
The Rajkovich Physical Education Building is open to all NMC students, staff and faculty members on Mondays and Thursdays from 7-10 p.m.
The gym has equipment for a variety of activities such as :
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- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Soccer
- Dodgeball
- Badminton
- Pickleball
- Corn hole
- Ping pong
Bring your fellow friends and colleagues!
For questions, please contact Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu, C.J. Schneider at cschneider@nmc.edu or Isaac Dedenbach at idedebanch@nmc.edu.
Board of Trustees study session
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold a study session at 1 p.m. Feb. 1 in room C of the Hagerty Center on NMC’s Great Lakes campus. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Valentine’s exchange
Share the love by exchanging valentines! All are welcome to participate though a valentine must be provided for everyone else who is participating.
Sign up by Feb. 1. Valentines must be ready to drop off by 5 p.m. on Feb 12.
Media mentions for February 5, 2024
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.
Great Lakes research hub linking startups with academia moves forward near Traverse City
Crain’s Grand Rapids/Detroit Business, Feb. 5
(more…)
Upcoming Extended Education classes for employees
Did you know that your tuition waiver benefits extend beyond credit classes? Take a fitness class, learn a new hobby, or even enjoy a date night with your partner. Check out these upcoming classes! Place the class in your shopping cart in order to see the discount. Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.
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Meal Prep Like a Pro |
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Learn & Play Tabletop Games |
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Learn & Play Dungeons & Dragons |
Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.
China: Emerging Trends
Northwestern Michigan College’s International Affairs Forum continues its 30th season on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Dennos Museum Center with a program by Lucy Hornby, Senior Associate at the Center for International and Strategic Studies. The program is presented in partnership with the Economic Club of Traverse City. The event is free for students and educators.
In 2023, Hornby was a visiting scholar at Harvard’s Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, where her research focused on the revival of the Chinese state and the rise of Xi Jinping during the reform era. She lived in China for almost 20 years, working as a journalist for Reuters and the Financial Times, before returning to the United States as a 2020 fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard. She first moved to China in 1995, teaching English in Wuhan thanks to Princeton in Asia, a program that builds bridges between the United States and Asia. She has also reported on Asian energy markets and investment for Dow Jones Newswires and on Latin American energy investment for Energy Intelligence.
A fluent Mandarin speaker, Hornby has reported from every Chinese province and region, on topics ranging from elite politics to the trade war and environmental pollution. Her coverage was honored with the 2018 Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) award for excellence in business reporting, among other awards, for investigations into the ownership and financing of some of China’s largest and most opaque conglomerates.
The Feb. 15 in-person event at the Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium is open to the public and available to livestream online. Admission is $15 per person. Admission is free for all students and educators. Doors open at 6 p.m.; the program begins promptly at 7 p.m.
For in-person tickets, online tickets, and all event details, visit TCIAF.com.
On the menu: Daily specials at the Hawk Owl Café
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Monday, Jan. 29
Entrée: fettuccine with chicken and pesto cream sauce or fettuccine with roasted vegetable and pesto cream sauce
Sides: broccoli and crostini
Tuesday, Jan. 30
Entrée: chicken enchilada with peppers and onions or roasted vegetable enchilada with peppers and onions
Sides: spanish rice and beans
Wednesday, Jan. 31
Entrée: sweet & sour pork stir fry w/ jasmine rice
Sides: egg roll
Thursday, Feb. 1
Entrée: potato gnocchi with Italian sausage and alfredo sauce or potato gnocchi with alfredo sauce
Sides: roasted vegetables and garlic bread
Friday, Feb. 2
Entrée: BBQ pulled pork on brioche or BBQ pulled jackfruit on brioche
Sides: baked beans and cole slaw
Hawk Owl holiday recipes
The Holiday Party Committee is excited to share the treasured holiday recipes employees submitted for the digital holiday cookbook! Check out these delicious recipes!
Kudos!
Kudos to Mark West. Thank you, Mark, for always going the extra step! Mark created an email list for a specific set of employees and saved it so I could easily access it! Although that might sound easy, it lifted a barrier for me to carry out communication effectively. I appreciate your attention to detail and always following through. NMC is lucky to have you, Mark!
Kudos to Beckie Wooters. Congratulations to Beckie Wooters and her staff for the wonderful work they are doing in the Dental Assistant Program and for all of her students passing both the clinical and written portions of the Michigan’s Registered Dental Assistant examination. That is awesome!
Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. Please encourage your colleagues by submitting a KUDOS. Let them know you appreciate their hard work and are thinking of them!
Welcome our newest hires
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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- Matthew Kroll, supplemental – Food Service, Back of House
- David Peck, supplemental – Academic WorldQuest Coordinator
- Tyler Sheldon – Adjunct Flight Instructor
- Benjamin Astor, supplemental – Food Service, Back of House
- Kyrsten Nitzh, supplemental – Writing Center
- Matthew Gignilliat, supplemental – Welding Assistant
Winter Festival
Join Student Life and Student Government Association for the annual Winterfest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on February 6–7 in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center.
Grab some delicious hot chocolate while gaining some information about different student groups, their activities, and how you can get involved in making a difference on campus. Don’t miss out on giveaways and door prizes!
ALL STUDENTS WELCOME!
Faculty and staff pickup basketball
Employees are welcome to come to the Rajkovich Physical Education Building (#16 on the campus map) every Tuesday from 4–5 p.m. to play pickup basketball.
For more details please contact CJ Schneider at cschneider@nmc.edu or Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu.
Lunch & Learn: Ken Scott Transformation Coaching
In this engaging interactive presentation, Kennith Scott, HeartMath Certified NeuroChangeSolutions Consultant, will guide you to an understanding of how your brain can be memorized into a vision of the future. Advances in technology allow us to observe the brain in action and one of the biggest outcomes of this technology is a greater understanding of how the brain works, but this understanding is not a discovery, successful individuals have been using this capability of the brain without the scientific understanding for hundreds or thousands of years. The evidence of the brain’s power to create is all around us and in this presentation, you will start to build a model you can use to leverage the greatest technology the world has ever known, your human brain!
Pizza and beverages will be provided by the Experiential Learning Institute. The Lunch & Learn will take place on Thursday, February 22 from 1–2 p.m. in room 226 of the Parsons-Stulen Building at NMC’s Aero Park Campus.
Applications for trustee vacancy due
TRAVERSE CITY — The Board of Trustees of Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) is beginning the process of replacing Vice-Chair Rachel Johnson after she resigned from her position this week.
Johnson announced Monday she is stepping down from the board, citing personal reasons, but added she remains dedicated to the college.
In a letter to Board Chair Laura Oblinger, Johnson said, “I am hopeful that one day I will serve the college community again in some capacity. But in the meantime, I will forever remain in awe of NMC, its inspiring students, devoted faculty, committed staff and administration, fellow board members and donors alike- each of whom dedicate so much time, treasure and talent to the betterment of our community.”
Johnson had been a trustee since November 2016. During her tenure she served as Chair and Vice Chair, as well as a member of the Presidential Search Committee, Presidential Performance & Compensation Committee, Executive Committee, Strategic Planning Steering Committee and Foundation Board.
Trustee Oblinger said, “NMC benefited greatly from Rachel’s leadership during her time as a trustee. Her strategic thinking and collaborative approach helped guide the college to continued success during an important period of transition. Our college and community are stronger thanks to her. We wish her all the best.”
Michigan law gives the college 30 days to fill this position. Registered voters of Grand Traverse County are eligible to apply for the vacancy. Commitments for the non-compensated trustee position include but are not limited to the following:
- Regular board meeting, typically the fourth Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m.
- Board study sessions and committee meetings scheduled as required
- Annual Board retreat—sometimes overnight
- Participation in other college functions including commencement, receptions, ceremonies, events
- Travel periodically for purposes of professional development and representing the college at various state and national association meetings. Trustee travel is paid by NMC
Applicants should submit a letter of interest and materials explaining their qualifications for the position. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. February 6, 2024. They may be submitted online, emailed to lmoritz@nmc.edu or sent or delivered to:
Trustee Search
Office of the President
Northwestern Michigan College
1701 East Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49686
Application materials are subject to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. Interviews will be conducted in special public meetings according to the Michigan Open Meetings Act.
Trustees will hold a special meeting on Monday, February 19, 2024, at 3 p.m. to fill the vacancy until the next NMC Board of Trustees election, set for November 2024. At that time, voters will choose a candidate to serve the remainder of the term held by Johnson, which expires December 31, 2026.
Additional materials are available upon request and questions may be directed to the President’s Office at Northwestern Michigan College at (231) 995-1010.
Release date: January 23, 2024
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
Media on deadline, call or text (231) 392-6082
Non-deadline inquiries: (231) 995-1020
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College does not discriminate in admission, campus activities, education, employment, housing, public accommodation or public service on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, handicap, height, marital or familial status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, service in the military, veteran’s status, weight, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discriminationTrustee resignation, board to appoint successor
Dear NMC community,
Trustee Rachel Johnson shared with the Board of Trustees last night she is resigning from her position for personal reasons.
Trustee Johnson first joined the board in November 2016. During her tenure she served as Chair and Vice Chair, as well as a member of the Presidential Search Committee, Presidential Performance & Compensation Committee, Executive Committee, Strategic Planning Steering Committee and Foundation Board. During this time she has exemplified our NMC values, especially those of integrity, respect and stewardship. Please join me in thanking her for her service to our college community.
Michigan law requires the Board to appoint a replacement trustee within 30 days, who will fill the term until the next regular community college election. That election is in November 2024. Registered voters of Grand Traverse County are eligible to apply for the vacancy.
Commitments for the non-compensated trustee position include but are not limited to the following:
- Regular board meeting, typically the fourth Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m.
- Board study sessions and committee meetings scheduled as required
- Annual Board retreat—sometimes overnight
- Participation in other college functions including commencement, receptions, ceremonies, events
- Travel periodically for purposes of professional development and representing the college at various state and national association meetings. Trustee travel is paid by NMC
Applicants should submit a letter of interest and materials explaining their qualifications for the position. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. February 6, 2024. They may be submitted online, emailed to lmoritz@nmc.edu or sent or delivered to:
Trustee Search
Office of the President
Northwestern Michigan College
1701 East Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49686
Application materials are subject to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. Interviews will be conducted in special public meetings according to the Michigan Open Meetings Act. Final appointment will be made by the full NMC Board of Trustees at a special meeting on Monday, February 19, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
Additional materials are available upon request and questions may be directed to the President’s Office at Northwestern Michigan College at (231) 995-1010.
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Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College | 231.995.1010
President’s Office
1701 E. Front Street
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI
Phone: (231) 995-1010
Phone: (231) 995-1010
Media mentions for January 22, 2024
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.
Dick Grout, American WWII Hero, To Receive France’s Highest Honor
Ticker, Jan. 21
(more…)
On the menu: Daily specials at the Hawk Owl Café
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Monday, Jan. 22
Entrée: lasagna or vegetable lasagna
Sides: broccoli and garlic crostini
Tuesday, Jan. 23
Entrée: beef or tofu tacos with lettuce, tomato, cheese and chipotle ranch
Sides: Spanish rice and refried beans
Wednesday, Jan. 24
Entrée: Chicken or tofu coconut curry
Sides: Jasmine rice and naan bread
Thursday, Jan. 25
Entrée: Spaghetti and meatballs with parmesan and marinara
Sides: green beans and garlic bread
Friday, Jan. 26
Entrée: GLCI smashburger with cheese, bacon and onion straws on a brioche bun
Sides: sweet potato fries and asparagus
Employers invited to register for March 7 Career Fair
Free and open to students, alumni, community
TRAVERSE CITY — Employers are invited to register for Northwestern Michigan College’s 18th annual Career Fair, to be held Thursday, March 7 at the Hagerty Center on the Great Lakes Campus.
Held in partnership with Northwest Michigan Works and Networks Northwest, the Career Fair runs from 3–6 p.m. (Veterans and active military families are invited to arrive at 2 p.m.) Employers will have the opportunity to recruit job-seekers for career-track, seasonal and entry-level positions as well as internships and service learning.
The event is open to students, NMC alumni and community members. Employer registration is $25 (waived for non-profits) and available online. Two levels of sponsorship are also available.
Green level — $300
- Registration fee
- Logo on printed and digital event materials
- First choice table location
- Open positions email to current students
White level — $150
- Registration fee
- Logo on printed and digital event materials
- Priority table location choice
To sponsor or register or for more information, visit nmc.edu/career-fair.
Release date: January 22, 2024
For more information:
Katie Sommer-Ford
NMC Advising Center
ksommer@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1040
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-discriminationMoodle replacement vendor demonstrations
Educational Technology is hosting demonstrations from vendors to explore replacing Moodle as the Learning Management System. There will be an in-person demonstration and a virtual demonstration via Zoom for each vendor.
Instructure Canvas In-Person Demonstration
Wednesday, January 31, 10–11:30 a.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 106/107
D2L Brightspace In-Person Demonstration
Wednesday, January 31, 1:30–3 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 106/107
D2L Brightspace Virtual Demonstration
Friday, February 2, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Instructure Canvas Virtual Demonstration
Thursday, February 8, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting
Student input and attendance is encouraged. All attendees will have a chance to fill out an evaluation rubric.
Upcoming Extended Education classes for employees
Did you know that your tuition waiver benefits extend beyond credit classes? Take a fitness class, learn a new hobby, or even enjoy a date night with your partner. Check out these upcoming classes! Place the class in your shopping cart in order to see the discount. Need help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.
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Meal Prep Like a Pro |
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Learn & Play Tabletop Games |
Coffee ChatsNeed help setting up your profile? Look for “EES” in the Help Desk drop down menu.