Janis wins statewide community college alumnus award

Jul 28, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Susie Janis, NMC alumnus, supporter and longtime Traverse City area community leader, received the 2023 Outstanding Alumnus award from the Michigan Community College Association Thursday.

High-resolution image of Susie Janis

A Traverse City native, Janis attended NMC from 1965–1967. Since then, as the Grand Traverse region has evolved and grown, she has become a key player in many different facets of the community affecting quality of life. Development of the arts and culture, education, child development, and health care have all been central issues Janis has nurtured and supported over the decades as a consummate volunteer, mentor and philanthropist.

A tireless advocate for the opportunities provided by community colleges and a spokesperson for the benefit that the community college experience had on her own life, most recently Janis served as co-chair of NMC’s Be What’s Possible comprehensive campaign, one of the largest campaigns undertaken by an independent community college. It raised $40.3 million over a goal of $35 million during the five-year campaign (2016–2021).

“NMC is so fortunate to have someone like Susie behind us. Her high-powered combination of enthusiasm and dedication to the mission of community colleges is virtually unmatched,” said NMC President Nick Nissley.

Janis also served as a leader on several other major fundraising projects for the college, including the capital campaign in the 1980s to build the Dennos Museum Center, a cultural centerpiece and landmark for the college. She is a past member and former president of the NMC Foundation board.

At NMC, she earned both the Outstanding Alumnus award, in 2010, and the NMC Fellow award, the college’s highest honor, in 1992. The NMC Foundation has instituted an award in her honor, the Susanne M. Janis Award, to be given for volunteer service and leadership. She was also honored by the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce with a Distinguished Service award.

Statewide, Janis served as a governor’s appointee to the Michigan Community Economic Excellence Board from 1988–1991. She served as a commissioner on Michigan’s Bureau of History from 1993–1999 and on the Michigan Humanities Council from 2005–2009.

The MCCA Outstanding Alumnus Award was first presented in 1985. The award is presented to a Michigan community college alumnus based upon achievement in their professional career, service to humanity, honors received and a strong commitment to the purpose and philosophy of the community college mission.

Release date: July 28, 2023

For more information:

Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu(231) 392-1800 (call or text)

Legislation grants 25+ Maritime cadets eligibility for incentive payments

Jul 13, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Great Lakes Maritime Academy cadets older than 25 who agree to enlist in the U.S. Navy Reserve upon graduation are now eligible for incentives of up to $32,000 over four years, due to bipartisan legislation signed by President Joe Biden last week.

Cadet Rick Ramos, 37, will be among the first to benefit. He comes from a military family and had already committed to the Navy Reserve after his expected 2024 graduation. The new legislation will help him pay tuition and other expenses and allow him to go from two to one job.

“I have been working since I started the program,” said Ramos, who is in GLMA’s engine program. “I can finally breathe and focus on my classes, especially now that I’m getting into the license prep semester.”

Previously, the incentive payments to attend the six state maritime academies in the U.S., including GLMA, were limited to cadets under age 25. The Changing Age-Determined Eligibility to Student Incentive Payments (CADETS) Act removes that age cap. The legislation was introduced by two members of Michigan’s congressional delegation in their respective chambers, Sen. Gary Peters and U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman.

The incentive payments can be spent on tuition, uniforms, books, and living costs. In return, cadets commit to eight years in the U.S. Navy Reserve, which can be fulfilled while working in the commercial shipping industry. Peters originally introduced the CADETS Act in 2021. It passed the Senate in 2022. He reintroduced it in March and it passed both chambers of Congress this spring.

“It’s a great relief to hear it has actually gone through,” Ramos said.

The change is anticipated to help student veterans in particular.

“The CADETS Act is greatly appreciated, and will benefit veterans and non-traditional students not only in Michigan, but across the nation,” said GLMA superintendent Admiral Jerry P. Achenbach. “Additionally, it addresses the current shortage of licensed officers in the U.S. Merchant Marine.”

Upon earning their licenses, graduates must sail commercially for three years.

“Those men and women who delayed college to serve their country should not be denied opportunities given to younger, more recent high school graduates,” said Jim Weakley, President, Lake Carriers’ Association, which represents companies that ship on the Great Lakes.

“The bill will incentivize more cadets to continue serving their country after graduation, while helping them receive a high-quality, affordable education,” Peters said.

“This common sense bipartisan solution will expand opportunities for veterans and older students who wish to become mariners — a crucial national security need — and will greatly benefit Michigan’s maritime industry,” said Bergman, who was the guest speaker at the 2023 GLMA graduation in May.

Release date: July 13, 2023

For more information:

Rear Adm. Jerry Achenbach
GLMA Superintendent
(231) 995-1200
gachenbach@nmc.edu

Davenport University BSN informational sessions

Jul 10, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

NMC recently partnered with Davenport University to offer a seamless transfer for those interested in earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Applications are currently open for fall 2023.

Join one of the upcoming informational sessions to learn how to transfer to Davenport University and earn a BSN in 10 courses.

• • In-person, July 18, 2023, 5:30 p.m., Beckett Building, room 149, NMC main campus. Register
  • Virtual: July 19, 2023, 12 p.m. Register

Benefits of completing your BSN at Davenport University include:

• • Local Traverse City campus with student support and faculty
  • Earn an exclusive partnership tuition discount
  • Flexible course offerings
  • Concurrent option to start on BSN courses even before you finish your Associate’s
  • Completion option to transition after finishing your Associate in Nursing

If you have questions, please contact Zach Whitaker, Campus Director and Nursing Advisor, at zwhitaker@davenport.edu or (616)732-1180.

James Webb space telescope results shown

Jul 7, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Community members are invited to a presentation of the first science results from the James Webb space telescope, to be held from 6–8 p.m. Monday, July 10, at the State Theater, 235 E. Front St., Traverse City.

The event is sponsored by NMC’s Astronomy Department, the University of Michigan Astronomy Department and the International Astronomical Union, which is holding its annual symposium in Traverse City July 10-14.

Speakers are astrophysicists Jonathan Gardner, deputy senior project scientist for the James Webb space telescope at NASA and Ewine van Dishoeck, professor of molecular astrophysics at Leiden University, the Netherlands. A past IAU president, her work unites the world of chemistry with that of physics and astronomy, and she has been heavily involved in planning major new telescopes.

The James Webb space telescope was launched on Christmas Day 2021 after 25 years of planning, design, development, integration, and testing. Its first science results have engaged the public and surprised the scientists. Webb has already found the most distant galaxies ever seen. Its goals address the origins and history of the universe: the first stars and galaxies that formed after the Big Bang; the morphological and dynamical buildup of galaxies; the formation of stars and planetary systems; and exoplanets, the solar system and the conditions for life.

Gardner will review Webb’s construction, launch and deployments, He will describe what scientists have learned in the first year of science results from the telescope on the deep universe. van Dishoeck will focus on the new insights that Webb has provided on the formation of new stars and planets and the habitability of other worlds. She will highlight the chemical richness of the Webb data, with water and other molecules seen throughout the universe.

A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

Release date: July 7, 2023

For more information:

Jerry Dobek
jdobek@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1271

Other questions:
Cari Noga
Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (call or text)

NMC joins coalition in applauding $15M in state funding for Freshwater Research & Innovation Center

Jun 29, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — The Traverse City Freshwater Research & Innovation Center on West Grand Traverse Bay is set to receive $15 million as part of Michigan’s fiscal year 2024 budget passed by the Legislature on June 28. The budget now heads to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for a likely signature.

Once complete, the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center will establish the Grand Traverse region as a global hub for applied freshwater innovation, offering research, education, commercialization, new business incubation, and startup accelerator programs. Housing the Research and Innovation Center on the geographic epicenter of the Great Lakes will further solidify Michigan’s leadership in the freshwater blue economy, which for NMC traces back to 2004, when the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute opened at NMC’s Great Lakes campus on West Grand Traverse Bay, southeast of the planned Innovation Center location.

The project is a collaborative effort of 20Fathoms, Discovery Center & Pier, Michigan Technological University, Northwestern Michigan College, and Traverse Connect. Last month, NMC named a three-person team to explore a joint venture structure with the Discovery Center for the project as it moves forward.

The Discovery Center and Pier owns the land, and is the fiduciary of already-secured private, public, and federal funding, as well as the $15 million. NMC and Discovery Center & Pier plan to be the fiduciary of future federal and other public monies. Other entities could potentially buy into the joint venture, which would:

• Own the Dockside Learning Center building and new Freshwater Center building(s), which will be used by NMC for its Marine Technology bachelor’s degree program as well as professional development training
• Develop business plans for Dockside Learning Center and Freshwater Center
• Continue to pursue funding for the Freshwater Center Phase 2 of the property

“This is an exciting opportunity to build upon the expertise and proud history of NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute. By taking a regional and collaborative approach, we are able to leverage all of our strengths for the benefit of the community and make a difference on a global scale,” said Jason Slade, NMC vice president for strategic initiatives and a member of the joint venture team. It also includes Vice President for Finance & Administration Troy Kierczynski and Board of Trustees Vice Chair Rachel Johnson.

Matt McDonough, CEO of Discovery Center & Pier, said, “This level of support from our local legislators and the Governor is really remarkable. The State’s investment gets us significantly to our goal for the Center’s first and main facility which will get us up and running.”

The $15 million secured this week will be used to launch the first phase of the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center facility housing research, lab, and business incubation space, as well as the completion of Discovery Pier, which will provide dockage for research and education vessels and a four-season marine technology classroom and laboratory. The research and development of freshwater technology, combined with private sector investment, incubation, and acceleration of startup companies will generate significant return on investment from regional and state economic growth, the formation of new advanced technology businesses and the creation of high-paying scientific, technical, and professional jobs for Michigan.

“By co-locating research, education and commercialization partners, this new facility will generate tremendous opportunity for job creation, business development, and economic growth,” said Warren Call, president and CEO of Traverse Connect.

“In recent years, 20Fathoms and our partners have proven that Traverse City can incubate successful, growing startups,” said Eric Roberts, Executive Director of 20Fathoms. “The Freshwater Research and Innovation Center will generate significant research, leading to additional startup and small business opportunities that will allow our community to build a robust startup ecosystem and accelerate the growth of new businesses.”

“Michigan Tech is pleased to collaborate with the team in Traverse City in the creation of the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center,” said Rick Koubek, President of Michigan Technological University. “This new center represents another step forward in our growing relationship with the Traverse City region in support of our Great Lakes.”

Release Date: June 29, 2023

For more information:

Jason Slade
Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
jslade@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1995

Board approves budget, tuition rates for FY 24

Jun 27, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — A balanced budget and tuition rates and fees for the 2023-24 academic year were approved unanimously by the Northwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees Monday.

In-district tuition rates will increase by 3 percent, to $122 per contact hour for in-district students (Grand Traverse County residents.) Tuition rates for out-of-district and out of state students will rise 6 percent. The general fee will rise by $1 per contact hour, from $32 to $33.

For the average in-district student taking 24 contact hours in a two-semester academic year, that means an increase of $120 ($96 in tuition, $24 in fees.) A table of tuition rates for all residencies and programs is available here (p. 41). NMC tuition is about one-quarter the cost of in-state tuition at a four-year public university.

“NMC is committed to offering a strong educational value,” said NMC President Nick Nissley. “This year that includes keeping our tuition increase below the rate of inflation.”

This year’s increase is below last year’s 5 percent increase. In 2021, a tuition increase was mostly offset by a fee decrease. The college held tuition flat in 2020. Tuition amounts to 45 percent of NMC’s budget and is the only revenue source the college controls. Property taxes (26 percent) and state aid (28 percent) are the two other primary revenue sources.

As of fall 2022 semester, NMC’s in-district tuition was the ninth lowest among Michigan’s 28 community colleges. Thanks to community donors the college also awards more than $1 million in institutional scholarships annually. Adults over 25 who don’t already have a degree are eligible for a state scholarship, Michigan Reconnect, which pays 100 percent of in-district tuition. The high school class of 2023 is also eligible for up to $2,750 per year through the Michigan Achievement scholarship. 

Release date: JUNE 27, 2023

For more information:

Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)

NMC Water Studies Institute earns two national firsts

Jun 19, 2023 | Intercom, Student News

Students’ bathymetric research published, Aquahacking challenge launching

TRAVERSE CITY — As northern Michigan works to become the hub of the blue economy, Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute has earned two national firsts in water research and water entrepreneurism.

NMC’s two firsts contribute to the body of knowledge about freshwater in general and the Great Lakes specifically, which is the foundation of the blue economy. As a blue economy hub, Traverse City would become like a Silicon Valley for freshwater knowledge. That knowledge will lead to innovation, jobs and solutions for water challenges from contamination to climate change.

• Last week, a team of six NMC Marine Technology students became the first undergraduates to publish underwater, or bathymetric, survey data to an online database run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The data was collected from around the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula the week of May 15 as part of the students’ capstone course, taught by John Lutchko. Water depths, hazard locations and seafloor contours and elevations were among the data collected. Currently, only 15 percent of the Great Lakes have been mapped with high resolution technology. Only half of that amount is on the U.S. side of the lakes.

“The fact we know so little about it is a problem,” said Ed Bailey, director of NMC’s Marine Center and Project Management course instructor. “You cannot solve a lot of other problems around habitat, invasive species, and resilient communities without bathymetry. It’s all connected.”

“Huge congratulations on being the first multibeam dataset in the Great Lakes!”Jessica Nation, bathymetry data manager for NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information told the students via email.

• In September, NMC will be the first binational partner for an Aquahacking challenge. Created in 2015 by AquaAction, a Canadian nonprofit, Aquahacking is a tech innovation program focused on developing solutions to pressing freshwater issues, including growing demand, life-threatening contaminants and climate change. AquaAction’s programs have spawned 50 start-ups across Canada since it was founded in 2015, creating 100 water jobs.

Participants in the nine-month Great Lakes challenge must be 18-35. The top three solutions will receive prizes of at least $35,000, $15,000 and $10,000. The challenge’s semifinal, where Aquahacking competitors pitch their ideas to a panel of judges, will be held in Traverse City in March 2024.

“By hosting this challenge here and the innovation that goes along with it, the hope is they’ll want to stay and spin those businesses up in Traverse City,” Bailey said. “This becomes the pipeline for the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center. It’s bringing blue tech, high tech jobs to Traverse City.”

Evidence of the demand for the knowledge lies in the fact that all four graduating Marine Technology students on the team working with NOAA had multiple job offers before they graduated, Bailey said.

NMC offers the only bachelor’s degree in Marine Technology in the United States. In addition, NMC will begin offering a Water Quality & Environmental Technology (WET Tech) associate degree this fall. The first in the state, the WET Tech program will train the skilled workforce needed to respond to this growing demand for monitoring and cleanup of waters within the Great Lakes watershed. NMC also offers three other water-related programs:

• An associate degree in Freshwater Studies, the first in the nation when it was created in 2009.
• The Marine Center — professional development and training in marine systems, geospatial technologies and land surveying.
• Great Lakes Maritime Academy — Trains deck and engineering officers for the commercial shipping industry. Bachelor’s degree first granted in 2014; program founded in 1969.

Release date: June 19, 2023

For more information:

Hans Van Sumeren
Director, NMC Great Lakes Water Studies Institute
hvansumeren@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1793