Join us for a Study Abroad Lunch and Learn event at noon Wednesday, Sept. 17, in Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center Rm. 106/107. Register for the lunch here!
This event is hosted by International Services & Service Learning and the Experiential Learning Institute.
Questions? Email Marina Call at mcall@nmc.edu.
The full-service Secretary of State mobile office will visit the Front Street Campus Thursday, Sept. 11 to assist students with several different types of transactions including:
The mobile office will be at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Learn more about the services that the Secretary of State provides at michigan.gov/sos.
Enjoy cookies with the Constitution as Dr. Julieanna Frost gives a talk on the 27th Amendment, the newest amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The talk will he held Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 3–4 p.m. in Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center Rm. 106/107.
To Jason Slade, Lisa Cooper and everyone who has helped the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center get to the point of groundbreaking this Friday. The $28.9 million project, a collaborative effort of Discovery Pier, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse Connect, Michigan Technological University and 20Fathoms, will establish Northern Michigan as the epicenter of water innovation and a globally relevant hub for the blue economy.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s University Partners will celebrate their new location in the James Beckett Building on the Front Street Campus, enabling them to more closely serve NMC students, with an open house from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23.
“Partners in Possibility: Opening doors to stronger collaboration, greater access, and a shared future” will celebrate the move to Beckett in August, in conjunction with the start of the fall semester. About half of NMC students transfer to complete a four-year degree.
“We’re evolving from a physical hub to a more integrated partnership model, one that reflects how students learn today,” said President Nick Nissley. “Students increasingly seek flexibility: hybrid options, online support and services across multiple locations, not just in a single building.”
Representatives from each partner – Central Michigan University, Davenport University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University and Michigan State’s Institute of Agricultural Technology – will speak at the event. University Partner programs are concentrated in the areas of business, education and health and human services.
The physical move builds upon programmatic changes the universities and NMC have already made to create more seamless degree pathways. NMC offers Direct Connect programs with Davenport, Ferris and Grand Valley, for instance. These students are admitted to both the university and NMC simultaneously, with comprehensive, collaborative support, and guaranteed credit transfer.
“The building may change, but the opportunity stays right here in Traverse City,” Nissley said. More than 10,000 area students have earned a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree since the University Partners were established in 1995, in response to the community’s desire for advanced degree options in Traverse City.
NMC’s former University Center campus on the west side of Boardman Lake has been renamed the Boardman Lake campus, in alignment with the geography-based identity used for other campuses. It remains the home of NMC’s business and human resources offices, Extended Education & Training, the NMC Foundation and Strategic Initiatives office. Greenspire High School has a lease through 2030 for much of the second floor.
As part of NMC’s campus master plan, trustees will determine longer-term plans for the Boardman Lake campus property.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
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.
International Affairs Forum: China, America and where relations stand
Record-Eagle, Sept. 6 (more…)
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s surveying program has been named the top two-year program in the nation by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.
For the distinction, NMC earned a $25,000 grand prize. The NCEES award jury praised NMC’s program for being industry-driven and providing a variety of professional pathways to students. Jurors considered criteria such as student outcomes and involvement, outreach and recruitment, and the promotion of licensure. The four-year university winner was Penn State University.
NMC began offering an associate degree in surveying in 2019. By collaborating with other college programs, students gain experience in both aerial and underwater surveying as well as traditional land surveying.
“It is a pretty significant award in the industry. We are one of the few schools that actually incorporate the aspects of land, sea and air,” said Ryan Deering, NMC surveying recruiter.
Deering thanked surveying program sponsors including Leica Geosystems, Inc., which has donated state of the art equipment, Atwell, and an anonymous donor who made his position possible.
NCEES is a nonprofit organization made up of engineering and surveying licensing boards from all 50 U.S. states. Founded in 1920, NCEES has been committed to advancing licensure for engineers and surveyors in order to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the U.S. public.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
September 4, 2025
Construction begins next week on the highly anticipated Freshwater Research & Innovation Center, a landmark project establishing northern Michigan as the epicenter of water innovation and a globally relevant hub for the blue economy.
Located on West Bay in Greilickville, on the campus of Discovery Pier, the $28.9 million project breaking ground Sept. 12 is a collaborative effort of Discovery Pier, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse Connect, Michigan Technological University, and 20Fathoms. By co-locating working pier space, advanced laboratories, and business incubation under one roof, the center will serve as the home for water technology and marine mobility, where ideas become solutions, technologies become ventures, and opportunities become careers.
“The Freshwater Research & Innovation Center is not only a Michigan asset, it’s a global platform for blue tech innovation,” said Greg Luyt, chair of the Center’s board. “We invite companies, researchers, and funders from around the world to join us as we move ideas from lab to market, build the workforce of tomorrow, and protect our freshwater resources for future generations through innovation.”
NMC, already the only community college with a Great Lakes harbor, will gain another across West Bay. The Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, which offers a one-of-a-kind bachelor’s degree in marine technology, will occupy the Center, as well as anchor its research vessel, the Northwestern, there. The 38,000-square-foot building will feature advanced laboratories, business incubation space, and working pier access for research vessels. Areas of focus include autonomous and remote systems, AI, acoustic and observation platforms, water quality technologies, and sustainable marine mobility.
On the AI front, just last week NMC was notified it has been named a co-principal investigator on a $873,634 National Science Foundation grant led by Grand Valley State University. The grant will create a six-week training program focused on artificial-intelligence-enabled deployment of autonomous underwater vehicles. Developed in collaboration with GVSU, training will be provided to 72 individuals in four different cohorts. “The experience and credentials provided by our program will propel these students and professionals to the forefront of their field,” according to the grant proposal.
This is the second National Science Foundation grant awarded to the region for water-related work this year. Earlier this summer, Traverse City startup Wave Lumina won a $305,000 grant supporting the research and development into the science underlying their pioneering product — a portable device that field tests for PFAS, or forever chemicals. Now operating out of NMC’s Parsons-Stulen Building, Wave Lumina founder Vernon LaLone thinks the Center could be a natural next location when it outgrows its current space.
The building is set to open in spring 2027.
The center has already secured more than $26 million, including $3 million from NMC, in commitments from federal, state, and private funders, with fundraising ongoing. Once complete, the Center is expected to draw national and international tenants, create high-wage jobs, and generate research with global applications. Visit freshwatercenter.org to find out more.
The NMC Library is hosting a ‘We the People’ Trivia Night! from 6–8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sep. 17 to celebrate Constitution Day. Students are invited to test their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution while enjoying free pizza from Dino’s in the Library Fireplace Room.
Teams will go head-to-head competing for the First Amendment Trophy as well as individual prizes for each member of the first place team. No advance registration required — just show up and play!
On Sep. 2, a fire alarm was activated in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center. After a comprehensive review, it was determined that a faulty sensor was the cause. This event provided a valuable opportunity to revisit best practices for fire alarms on our campus.
As documented in NMC’s Emergency Management Plan on page 23, please remember the following points:
Fire or presence of smoke in a building:
Fire alarm sounds in a building:
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Regional and state leaders will gather Friday, Sept. 12 to break ground on the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center, a landmark project establishing Northern Michigan as the epicenter of water innovation and a globally relevant hub for the blue economy.
The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at 13240 S. West Bay Shore Drive, the future site of the center on Discovery Pier’s campus.
The $28.9 million project is a collaborative effort of Discovery Pier, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse Connect, Michigan Technological University, and 20Fathoms. By co-locating working pier space, advanced laboratories, and business incubation under one roof, the center will serve as the home for water technology and marine mobility, where ideas become solutions, technologies become ventures, and opportunities become careers.
“The Freshwater Research & Innovation Center is not only a Michigan asset, it’s a global platform for blue tech innovation,” said the center’s Board Chair Greg Luyt. “We invite companies, researchers, and funders from around the world to join us as we move ideas from lab to market, build the workforce of tomorrow, and protect our freshwater resources for future generations through innovation.”
The 38,000-square-foot facility will feature advanced laboratories, business incubation space, and working pier access for research vessels. Areas of focus include autonomous and remote systems, AI, acoustic and observation platforms, water quality technologies, and sustainable marine mobility.
“Traverse Connect is proud to help launch a center that will put Michigan on the map for blue tech investment,” said Warren Call, president and CEO of Traverse Connect. “By combining world-class research with entrepreneurial support, the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center will develop and attract companies and capital, creating jobs and driving economic growth across the region.”
The project has already secured more than $26 million in commitments from federal, state, and private funders, with fundraising ongoing. Once complete, the center is expected to draw national and international tenants, create high-wage jobs, and generate research with global applications.
About the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center
The Freshwater Research & Innovation Center is a joint venture of Discovery Pier and Northwestern Michigan College with support from Traverse Connect, Michigan Technological University, and 20Fathoms. Located on Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Mich., the center will serve as the epicenter of water innovation by connecting education, research, industry, and community for sustainable growth in the blue tech sector. Visit freshwatercenter.org to learn more.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
Pre-nursing students are invited to attend one of the upcoming program informational sessions. Representatives from Admissions will discuss the steps to getting accepted into NMC’s Nursing program. Topics include how to apply to the program, how to register for the HESI exam as well as what courses are included in the program.
Monday, September 8
11:30 a.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 104/105, Front Street Campus.
Tuesday, September 9
6 p.m.
Virtual
Email Rorie Kawula at rkawula@nmc.edu for more information
Ready to bring our new NMC brand to life? Ali Thornton is hosting two Quick Bytes sessions for NMC Canva team members that will show you how to create on-brand flyers, presentations, infographics, social posts and more. You’ll learn how to access branded templates, apply approved fonts and colors, and maintain a consistent, professional look in everything you design. Whether you’re promoting an event, sharing a report, or building a slideshow, this session will give you the tools to create polished, brand-aligned materials with ease.
NMC’s Canva team members can register for one of the upcoming session in NEOED Learn by accessing the talent portal on my.nmc.edu. All courses are free and are offered via Zoom. Please ensure your camera is on during our session to support collaboration and connection.
For more information about the registration process, refer to these instructions.
The NMC World Languages Department and NMC Student Life have teamed up to present a film series featuring world cinema. On Thursday, Sept. 11 the lineup kicks off with Frida: Viva la Vida, a 2021 documentary about the life of Frida Kahlo, a pioneering artist and feminist, whose work and life story transcend cultural boundaries.
Admission is free and each film will be preceded by an introduction from a speaker; for Frida it will be NMC Student Success Coach Marina Call, who has a degree in History of Art and Architecture from UC-Santa Barbara.
The NMC Global Cinema Series will feature a lineup of free films, one each month through June, 2026, shown at Dutmers Theatre in Dennos Museum on the main campus of Northwestern Michigan College.
Admission is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the film program will begin at 6 p.m.
Watch this space for details on future films.
Thanks to all the Welcome Week volunteers who contributed their time and energy to create a nurturing, vibrant experience for new and returning students last week. First impressions are key, and our campus shone with your enthusiasm.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Kudos to Chris Hanna! Spent countless hours documenting our acquisition of the 3DCP and has provided some amazing footage. He has been a tremendous supporter and does everything with a great attitude.
Kudos to Benjamin Herman! Ben facilitated the rebranding of our Adjunct faculty office in Scholars Hall with such professionalism and in such an organized way. He had it painted immediately, and then provided ideas that would permit us to utilize our space most efficiently and effectively. He has been amazing to work with, always staying in touch and on top of things. I introduced my colleagues to our new space and they were totally blown away by its redesign and by how quickly and smoothly it all came together. Ben made the challenges look easy. Thanks, Ben! You are amazing!
Kudos (again) to Chris Hanna! Chris Hanna, in collaboration with Garrett Croon, produced exceptional new videos for Campus Safety, Title IX, and ‘See Something, Say Something.’ Chris’ in-house expertise as both a producer and videographer was instrumental in delivering this crucial information through concise and engaging content. His professional skill and talent are a significant asset to NMC.
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!
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.
Restaurant, retail news
Ticker, Sept. 2 (more…)
The safety and security of students, faculty and staff is NMC’s highest priority. We typically test our emergency alert systems the first Monday of each month. Since Sept. 1 was a holiday, this month’s notifications will occur Sept. 8.
With the start of the new semester, we wanted to explain what you will see. Depending on the options you choose when you sign up for emergency alerts, you will receive emails, texts and/or phone messages. In addition, NMC uses a system that displays a full-screen alert message on logged-in NMC computers and campus monitors, and displays the alert until the computer user acknowledges the message or two minutes have passed. This includes classroom computer screens..
Please be sure you have signed up for emergency alerts. Opt in through Self-Service, accessible on your MyNMC page. In addition, store the number to Campus Safety & Security in your phone so it is accessible if you need it: (231) 995-1111.
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold a study session Wednesday, September 3 at 2 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, rooms 106-107. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
August 20, 2025
Northwestern Michigan College this week revealed a refreshed brand designed to reflect the college of today and position it to serve the community for years to come, even as higher education grows more competitive.
The research-based, grant-funded brand strategy includes a new logo that builds on the decades of history of NMC’s iconic green pine tree logo, and an updated and expanded color palette. New, multiple shades of blue illustrate NMC’s leadership in freshwater research and careers, including two unique community college bachelor’s degrees, in marine technology and maritime technology.
“A strong NMC brand – what makes us unique and valuable in a challenging higher ed landscape – is an asset, just like our faculty and staff and our campus buildings,” said President Nick Nissley. “Unifying around the NMC brand will enable us to better serve students and attract new ones. We have always been proud of our work; we now have new ways to show and tell our story.”
NMC was awarded a $100,000 grant from Indianapolis-based Lumina Foundation in June 2023 to fund the brand assessment and strategy work. More than 600 college stakeholders contributed input via a survey, including current and prospective students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and community/business partners.
In addition, more than 60 interviews were conducted with the same groups, plus local high school counselors and staff. Since COVID, a significant new enrollment challenge has been fewer high school graduates choosing to attend college at all, especially men. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer highlighted this challenge to Michigan’s talent pool and economy in her 2025 State of the State address.
The first phase of the refreshed brand is timed to the start of the fall semester and includes new signage on all five campuses, completely redesigned admissions materials, and Welcome Week materials for new and current students. New NMC apparel and other logo gear is also available for sale in the NMC Bookstore.
Future phases of the work will extend the brand to academic division and department levels, with priorities shaped by NMC’s new strategic plan, now in development for 2026-29. The new brand also comes in time for NMC to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2026.
“Higher education is evolving rapidly, with more choices, shifting student expectations, and growing competition,” said Diana Fairbanks, associate vice president of strategic communications and change initiatives. “We took a wide-angle view, listening to our community and studying how other colleges position themselves. This brand reflects what makes NMC truly distinctive and equips us to compete more effectively, connect with the next generation of learners, and grow with purpose in the years ahead.”
To find out more, visit nmc.edu/brandnew.
At NMC’s August 19 Opening Conference, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Jason Slade highlighted and celebrated many successes of NMC Next, the strategic plan that came to a close on June 30. It touched all areas of the college; it was focused, results-driven, and values-grounded. It moved the needle and we all did it together!
On August 21, the Strategic Plan Steering Committee (SPSC) met and dug a little deeper into the emerging goals and enabling strategies for the next plan. Future-Focused Education; Enrollment, Student Engagement, and Success; and Vibrancy and Belonging will all be carried over. They are all related to student success and are non-negotiable. Over the course of the next month, the committee will start to refine the language around goals and strategies.
On August 27, Jason and Diana Fairbanks, Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications and Change Initiatives, presented the emerging strategic plan to the NMC Foundation Board. On September 3, they will present to the Board of Trustees the thought process behind the emerging goals and enabling strategies of the next plan, the feedback from Leadership Council and SPSC, and the planning timeline between now and January 2026.
In September and early October, Jason and Diana will host focus group sessions within the college as well as with the local community. Everyone at NMC is welcome to provide feedback during the development process using this feedback form. For your reference, the planning timeline is as follows:
NMC’s Fitness Center is located in North Hall and is open to dorm residents as well as NMC employees and enrolled students with a paid membership.
The fall 2025 operating hours are:
Monday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Wednesday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.– 5 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m.– 5 p.m.
Hours subject to change based on Fitness Center staff availability. There may be times when the Fitness Center is unstaffed; please make sure to sign in and sign out correctly and wipe down any equipment used. NMC’s Fitness Center and its amenities are not available for use when the facility is closed.
For more information contact Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu.
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College will celebrate the completion of its new aviation hangar Sept. 15, marking a significant milestone that illustrates NMC’s commitment to meeting the growing needs of the Grand Traverse region and the aviation industry.
NMC is the only Michigan two-year college to offer an aviation program. Until this fall, it typically enrolled 30 new students each fall, and had up to a two-year waitlist. By expanding the college’s aviation facilities, the hangar increases NMC’s capacity to train pilots significantly. This fall, 50 new students started, a 66% increase.
The hangar was expanded by 16,500 square feet, which enabled NMC to add eight new planes to its fleet of 19 total aircraft, including a sea plane and an aerobatics plane. It is now 33,530 square feet.
Aviation students take to the skies in their first semester and can earn private, instrument, commercial, multi-engine, and flight instructor ratings, preparing them for successful careers.
“There’s never been a better time to launch your aviation career — with rising salaries, signing and retention bonuses, travel perks, and a pilot shortage projected to last another 10 to 15 years,” said Aviation director Alex Bloye.
Total project cost for the hangar is $7 million. NMC matched a $3.75 million state grant. The project also received $550,000 in federal funding. The hangar is also the first project in NMC’s 10-year campus master plan, NMC Thrive.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of our state and federal legislators, donors, and community partners who have made this project possible,” said NMC President Nick Nissley. “This expansion demonstrates NMC’s responsiveness to the needs of our region and our ability to deliver results.”
NMC Aviation has a proven track record of success, with graduates experiencing 100 percent job placement. The college is also a leader in the growing field of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)