Dear Colleagues:
We look forward to seeing you Monday at our annual August Opening Conference — virtually this year! A calendar appointment was sent to you previously, and recently updated with the appropriate Zoom link. Below is the agenda for the morning, which will include a short break midway through the conference. (more…)
The NMC graduation application has moved online! If you know a student ready to complete the last of their degree requirements, let them know to apply to graduate on NMC Self-Service. They can get to this new application by logging into MyNMC and selecting “Self-Service Menu” (or going directly to NMC Self-Service) and then selecting “Apply to Graduate” under the “Student Records” tab.
If you or the student has any questions about this process, email us at records@nmc.edu or call (231) 995-1049.
Are you ready to finish your program of study? After you register for your last semester of classes, apply to graduate! Our graduation application is now available in NMC Self-Service. Simply select “Apply to Graduate” under the “Student Records” tab.
If you have any questions about this process, email us at records@nmc.edu or call (231) 995-1049. Please note that it may take up to two weeks to receive your degree audit after applying.
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media in the past two weeks. 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 Osterlin Library.
Cheers: To Art Bridges and the Dennos Museum Center
Record-Eagle, August 8 (more…)
Thank you to the Academic & Career Advising Center, including Deb Maison, Taylor Nash, Kim Schultz and Lindsey Dickinson, who have conducted more than 950 appointments with new and continuing NMC students since the end of April, and to the faculty advisors who have met with more than 300 students during the same period. The Advising Center lets students schedule virtual assistance appointments through NMC’s MySuccess service and chat live via nmc.edu/advising.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Join artist Bill Allen and curator of education Jason Dake online as they discuss Allen’s work in the Dennos galleries. They will also highlight the artist’s more recent work, up to and including recent shelter-in-place developments. There will also be a chance for attendees to ask questions about Allen’s process, materials, and themes.
Bill Allen is a sculptor and painter living in Northern Michigan. In addition to the Dennos Museum Center, Allen’s works are included in the collections of the Detroit Zoo, the Field Museum, and the Brookfield Zoo, among others.
Registration tickets are pay what you can, $0–$15. After your ticket is reserved, a member of Dennos Staff will email you the details to join us on Zoom. A reminder email will go out the day of the event to all registrants 30 minutes prior to the start time. Register at shop.dennosmuseum.org/
Learn more about Bill Allen on his website: http://billallenart.com/.
The Art of:__ is generously supported by Art Bridges.
NMC’s Office of Research, Planning, & Effectiveness conducted a Return to Work survey in June to better understand faculty and staff concerns, as well as understand what would make them feel more comfortable about returning to campus when it’s safe do so. Over 75% of faculty and staff provided insight into what they are feeling in the survey.
Here’s what we learned from our survey that can be used to encourage further exploration.
We asked what concerns faculty and staff had about returning to campus. The majority (71%) reported concern with “getting exposed to the coronavirus at the office”.
We also asked for one word to describe how they feel about returning to campus. “Cautious” and “apprehensive” topped the list although several responses also included “optimistic” and “ready”.
What can we do to alleviate these concerns? We asked what would make them feel more comfortable about returning to campus and here’s what they shared:
Welcome Hawk Owls! We look forward to the start of the fall semester with you and remain committed to your safety and limiting the disruption to learning. Faculty and staff at Northwestern Michigan College have developed comprehensive safety plans to maintain the health of the campus community. The modified schedule released in June provided course options to help maintain the safety of the campus community while allowing access to the courses students need to continue their programs of study.
These are unprecedented times and it will take all faculty, staff and students working together to keep each other safe, and allow us to return to campus with fewer restrictions, sooner. It is important that we all do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This commitment to each other’s safety extends to our actions on campus, in campus housing, student activities (on and off campus) and our interactions with others off campus as well. Please review the Exposure Control Awareness flyer for further guidance.
Requirements:
Self-Screening
Complete self-screening each day before coming to campus. View the self-screening steps within the COVID-19 Exposure Control Awareness pamphlet attached to this email or at nmc.edu/keepsafe.
Follow Public Health Guidance and Cooperate with Public Health Authorities
Follow all applicable state and public health guidance, and cooperate with public health authorities, including, but not limited to, contact tracing. You will also need to follow the guidance from the college. Please heed the guidance of signs on campus and check your email frequently for updated information.
Stay Informed
NMC has developed a comprehensive safety plan and flexible learning options that are designed to help you stay safe and continue working to achieve your goals. We know the situation will likely continue to evolve as the pandemic continues. We promise to keep communicating with you about any potential changes. You can also stay up to date and share your thoughts anytime at nmc.edu/covid19.
Thank you for your commitment and good luck on your semester!
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
Honoree’s Name: The Student Success Team!
Honoree’s Dept./Division: Student Success
Reason for Kudos: The Student Success team did a great job designing and carrying out the drive-thru graduation celebration last Thursday and Friday! Thanks for supporting our new graduates and for giving us all the opportunity to help celebrate their achievements!
Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. During our “Stay Home, Stay Safe” directive, please encourage your colleagues by submitting a KUDOS. Let them know you appreciate their hard work and are thinking of them!
If you have had a substantial change in your out of pocket costs for daycare providers due to the pandemic shut down, you may be eligible to make a mid-year change to your deduction.
Please contact Hollie DeWalt at hdewalt@nmc.edu to discuss further.
Medication Therapy Management – If you have more than 4 prescriptions for a chronic illness they will provide a free prescription review with your pharmacist.
Virtual Visits – All virtual visits are covered at no out of pocket cost to you through December 31, 2020.
Please access the NMC Wellness page here.
For the past three years, the CIE and PDI sponsored NMC October Conference has been a wonderful day of collaboration and engagement for all faculty and staff. However, due to the pandemic we are not able to collaborate in the same way… Rather than virtualize the day through many Zoom sessions, we will refocus professional development on a different type of collaboration and growth. This new day empowers employees to co-create development to share ideas and engage collaboratively, igniting passion and energizing employees as we work toward accomplishing something to make an impact on the College, our learners and/or our community that cannot be achieved during the regular workday. Read More.
Additional FedEx Day Resources:
TRAVERSE CITY — Supporters of Northwestern Michigan College raised more than $100,000 for student scholarships on Thursday, August 6 at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa during the 39th annual Scholarship Open. This year’s event was in memory of long-time college volunteer and community leader Jim Beckett.
More than 234 golfers and volunteers participated, and more than 120 sponsors made donations ranging from $250 to $10,000.
“The funds raised at this event are critical for NMC students,” said Rebecca Teahen, Executive Director, NMC Foundation. “Especially now, scholarships make it possible for students to stay in school.”
The NMC Scholarship Open, one of northern Michigan’s premier golf outings, provides access to higher education through Honors, Presidential, Academic Area, and other scholarships. This tournament has raised more than $2 million since its inception in 1982.
This year’s event was modified to meet the health and safety guidelines established by the College and the Resort to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Individuals and organizations can support students any time of year, with gifts of any size, at nmc.edu/give. Gifts to the Scholarship Open are part of the NMC Foundation’s Be What’s Possible campaign, which aims to raise $35 million to support NMC students.
Paris Morse
NMC Foundation
pmorse@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2822
TRAVERSE CITY — Supporters of Northwestern Michigan College raised more than $100,000 for student scholarships on Thursday, August 6 at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa during the 39th annual Scholarship Open. This year’s event was in memory of long-time college volunteer and community leader Jim Beckett.
More than 234 golfers and volunteers participated, and more than 120 sponsors made donations ranging from $250 to $10,000.
“The funds raised at this event are critical for NMC students,” said Rebecca Teahen, Executive Director, NMC Foundation. “Especially now, scholarships make it possible for students to stay in school.”
The NMC Scholarship Open, one of northern Michigan’s premier golf outings, provides access to higher education through Honors, Presidential, Academic Area, and other scholarships. This tournament has raised more than $2 million since its inception in 1982.
This year’s event was modified to meet the health and safety guidelines established by the College and the Resort to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Individuals and organizations can support students any time of year, with gifts of any size, at nmc.edu/give. Gifts to the Scholarship Open are part of the NMC Foundation’s Be What’s Possible campaign, which aims to raise $35 million to support NMC students.
Paris Morse
NMC Foundation
pmorse@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2822
Entrance (download a high-resolution version here)TRAVERSE CITY — The Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on Northwestern Michigan College’s main campus is substantially complete and ready for the Fall 2020 semester. The building is now open to NMC employees and students after receiving its letter of occupancy from the state fire marshal.
The building’s Hawk Owl Café food court is expected to open by Thursday, August 20 for the college’s Welcome Weekend for new and returning students, following a July 29 county health department inspection.
The building will be limited to about 50 percent of its maximum capacity for now, along with other NMC facilities, as the college reopens. NMC is in Stage 2 of its 4-Stage Reopening Plan, which allows employees and students on campus Monday through Thursday and others on campus by appointment.
Due to stay-at-home orders caused by the coronavirus pandemic, work on the building was paused for a month beginning March 24. As restrictions eased, outdoor landscaping work began April 24. Construction on the building itself resumed May 7. The NMC Library was the first department to occupy the 54,000-square-foot facility, moving into its second-floor space June 9. Radio station WNMC will follow later this summer.
Atrium (download a high-resolution version here)Work on the $14.4 million project began in the late summer of 2018. The project combines state investments of more than $7 million for important renovations and modernizations of the 50-year-old West Hall building with NMC-funded investments of more than $7 million to create a multi-story facility with innovative and transformative learning environments and multiple academic and simulation spaces. An additional $6 million was involved in moving the library from its location in the Osterlin Building to the building and constructing that part of the building, where it will offer expanded services and hours.
The project has received extensive campus, community and legislative support. NMC is planning a virtual ribbon cutting ceremony and tour during the fall semester.
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communication
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
Entrance (download a high-resolution version here)TRAVERSE CITY — The Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on Northwestern Michigan College’s main campus is substantially complete and ready for the Fall 2020 semester. The building is now open to NMC employees and students after receiving its letter of occupancy from the state fire marshal.
The building’s Hawk Owl Café food court is expected to open by Thursday, August 20 for the college’s Welcome Weekend for new and returning students, following a July 29 county health department inspection.
The building will be limited to about 50 percent of its maximum capacity for now, along with other NMC facilities, as the college reopens. NMC is in Stage 2 of its 4-Stage Reopening Plan, which allows employees and students on campus Monday through Thursday and others on campus by appointment.
Due to stay-at-home orders caused by the coronavirus pandemic, work on the building was paused for a month beginning March 24. As restrictions eased, outdoor landscaping work began April 24. Construction on the building itself resumed May 7. The NMC Library was the first department to occupy the 54,000-square-foot facility, moving into its second-floor space June 9. Radio station WNMC will follow later this summer.
Atrium (download a high-resolution version here)Work on the $14.4 million project began in the late summer of 2018. The project combines state investments of more than $7 million for important renovations and modernizations of the 50-year-old West Hall building with NMC-funded investments of more than $7 million to create a multi-story facility with innovative and transformative learning environments and multiple academic and simulation spaces. An additional $6 million was involved in moving the library from its location in the Osterlin Building to the building and constructing that part of the building, where it will offer expanded services and hours.
The project has received extensive campus, community and legislative support. NMC is planning a virtual ribbon cutting ceremony and tour during the fall semester.
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communication
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College student Alexandra Swainston is one of 207 Phi Theta Kappa members named a 2020 Coca-Cola Military Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
The honorees are selected based on outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated leadership potential by a panel of independent judges from nearly 700 applicants, nationwide.
The Leaders of Promise Scholarship, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, awards 200 scholarships annually – 25 of which are earmarked for Society members who are active personnel or veterans of the U.S. Military. The program helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential.
“Alex has impressed me on so many levels including academic performance, leadership, service and her amazing resilience and grit. Most of all, I appreciate her positive spirit and ‘all in’ engagement with our college and community,” said Dr. Nick Nissley, president of NMC. “This is a wonderful, and well deserved recognition of her academic achievement and leadership.”
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides $200,000 in funding for the scholarships, with $25,000 set aside for members who are veterans or active members of the United States military. The remaining amount is supported by donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and provides seven Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships, earmarked for international students.
“Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers,” said Dr. Monica Marlowe, Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “The Leaders of Promise Scholarships recognize students for what they have achieved already and assure that financial need isn’t an obstacle to achieving their academic goals.”
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communication
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College student Alexandra Swainston is one of 207 Phi Theta Kappa members named a 2020 Coca-Cola Military Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
The honorees are selected based on outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated leadership potential by a panel of independent judges from nearly 700 applicants, nationwide.
The Leaders of Promise Scholarship, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, awards 200 scholarships annually – 25 of which are earmarked for Society members who are active personnel or veterans of the U.S. Military. The program helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential.
“Alex has impressed me on so many levels including academic performance, leadership, service and her amazing resilience and grit. Most of all, I appreciate her positive spirit and ‘all in’ engagement with our college and community,” said Dr. Nick Nissley, president of NMC. “This is a wonderful, and well deserved recognition of her academic achievement and leadership.”
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides $200,000 in funding for the scholarships, with $25,000 set aside for members who are veterans or active members of the United States military. The remaining amount is supported by donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and provides seven Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships, earmarked for international students.
“Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers,” said Dr. Monica Marlowe, Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “The Leaders of Promise Scholarships recognize students for what they have achieved already and assure that financial need isn’t an obstacle to achieving their academic goals.”
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communication
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
Thank you to all who joined us in recognizing and celebrating the achievements of our 2020 graduates at last week’s Drive-Thru Celebration!
And a big thank you to our Student Success Center, Student Life Office, NMC Bookstore, Records and Registration Office, and NMC Foundation for organizing the festivities.
Thank you to donors and volunteers for stepping up to support NMC students and our entire campus. Donors made more than 1,300 gifts this spring to support students and programs in need — the second highest donor number ever recorded at the NMC Foundation. This support allowed the Foundation Board to pledge an additional $1 million to the college during this challenging year.
Thank you, also, to the volunteers of the Scholarship Open Committee, who reworked the event to accommodate current health guidelines. The 2020 Scholarship Open, in memory of Jim Beckett, will be held this Thursday, Aug. 6 with more than 200 participants and is one of the college’s most important fundraising events, raising over $100,000. You can still register to golf or support the Scholarship Open today at nmc.edu/golf.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
The NMC Advising Center is offering virtual “drop-in” advising to help with Fall registration.
Drop in to our open Zoom advising sessions:
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media in the past two weeks. 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 Osterlin Library.
A 65-year tradition ends for NMC
Record-Eagle, July 31
Record-Eagle, July 30
The Ticker, July 30
9&10 News, July 30 (more…)
At a July meeting of the Michigan Community College Association’s Board of Trustees, NMC Board of Trustees Chair Chris M. Bott was elected as Chair of the Trustees Committee for the statewide organization, further highlighting NMC’s leadership in the community and throughout Michigan.
Congratulations and thank you, Chris!
