Kudos!
Kudos to the following people and departments!
Employee anniversaries
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
Community Cinema: The Homestretch – March 12, 2015
At times, Anthony sought out places of isolation so that no one would discover he was homeless.
The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College and WCMU present Community Cinema on March 12, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., FREE of charge. The program features a documentary film followed by discussion with community leaders and scholars. This month’s panelists include Abby Jordan from the Student in Transition Empowerment Program (STEP – http://www.tcaps.net/programs/step/), and Courtney Russell and Elizabeth Black with Third Level Crisis Intervention Center (http://www.thirdlevel.org/). Visit http://www.dennosmuseum.org/events/community-cinema.html for the full schedule. This film is screened as part of local Embrace the Dream programming. embracethedream.org (more…)
NMC to host nautical archaeology field school in July
TRAVERSE CITY — Underwater archaeology enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to train with instructors and students from around the world July 12-26, when NMC hosts the Nautical Archaeology Society’s 2015 International Field School.
Nautical archaeology is the specialized study of maritime technology (e.g., ships, boats and other craft). Based at NMC’s Great Lakes Campus on West Grand Traverse Bay, the NAS Field School will consist of taught courses and the supervised archaeological survey of a historic shipwreck in Northport, Grand Traverse Bay and an earlyArchaic site on the shore of an inland lake.
This is the fifth consecutive year NMC has been selected to host the field school. Based in the United Kingdom, the Nautical Archaeology Society is a non-government organization formed to further interest in underwater cultural heritage. The field school is open to anyone interested and no previous experience is necessary. Although scuba experience is not required, certified divers may dive as part of their field research.
The program is structured as follows:
Week One: Introduction to foreshore and underwater archaeology and the supervised survey of either a dry-land or underwater archaeological site
Week Two: A series of day-long specialty courses covering topics such as: archaeological surveying, artifact typology, ship and boat construction, flint knapping, Native American settlement in northwest Michigan, documentary research, underwater archaeological surveying and archaeological illustration.
For more details, visit www.nasnmc.com. A variety of tuition packages are available, and on-campus housing is available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mark W. Holley, Ph.D
(989) 307-9651
mholley@nmc.edu
GLMA Captain’s Dinner tickets on sale now!
The second Great Lakes Maritime Academy Captain’s Dinner will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Lobdell’s. Two seatings will take place at 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. Join us for an exceptional dinner and tour of the training ship State of Michigan and brand new ship handling training simulator while supporting a great cause! Tickets are $50.00 and are on sale now, visit www.glmacaptainsdinner.com to purchase. Space is limited and it is anticipated that this event will sell out, so please mark your calendar and purchase tickets early. Questions may be directed to Great Lakes Maritime Academy at 231-995-1209.
The dinner benefits the cadet organizations at the Academy: Women on the Water, Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, and The GLMA Sailing Team. (more…)
Wellness- March desk stretches for relief
We all have everyday aches and pains caused by sitting and/or typing for long periods of time but we can find relief. Take a few minutes out of your day to try out the stretches below which can be done at your desk. (more…)
February Sleep Challenge numbers due March 5
If you kept track of the number of days you slept 7-8 hours each night please submit your total to mtalicska@nmc.edu by March 5. The first person with the highest number will win a prize. All others will be entered in a random drawing. Thanks for participating and good luck! (more…)
March Wellness Works- National Nutrition Month
The temperatures may be frigid but the sun is peaking through the clouds and the days are getting longer, reminding us that spring is around the corner. Start preparing for those busy summer days by embracing National Nutrition Month. After all, if you eat better you will feel better and have more energy. Taking small steps like eating more fruits and vegetables will fuel your body and trim your waistline. (more…)
Welcome to NMC!
Please join us in welcoming these new additions to our NMC staff! (more…)
NMC Magazine call for submissions- Deadline extended!
The deadline for submissions to the NMC Magazine has been extended to March 6! They are looking for stories that are stupendous, far-fetched, outlandish and tall. Submit your true, mostly true, or totally fictional story – the one you tell around the fire, the one you pass down to your children’s children. Tell them your written narrative through essay, short story, poetry, or interview. Send them your visual tale through photography, video, fine art, or graphic design. Their favorite art submissions will be immortalized as stickers.
Submit in person or by email. Bring hard copies to the Communications office, Scholars Hall, Attn: Alissia Lingaur OR Humanities Office, Fine Arts Building, Attn: Caroline Schaefer-Hills. Email submissions to nmcmag@icloud.com. Be sure to attach the Submission Form found at www.nmc.edu/nmcmagazine. (more…)
Nominate today, the Faculty Excellence Award deadline is March 11
Has an NMC instructor made a difference in your life? Could dedicated, innovative and excellent be used to describe them? If you are looking for a way to recognize the impact an NMC teacher has had on your learning journey, please consider nominating them for the Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award.
This is the highest teaching honor awarded at NMC and nominations can only come from students. Nominations are due by March 11 and can be submitted here. (more…)
Writing workshops for veterans and formerly or currently homeless
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC faculty will continue to host on-campus writing workshops aimed at both veterans and those who have experience with homelessness through the spring semester. Participation is open to the general public as well as NMC students.
Veterans writing workshop
Monthly meetings held from 10 a.m. to noon the third Friday of the month in Scholars Hall room 101. Future meetings will be held March 20 and April 17.
In addition, open office hours will be offered to veterans weekly, from 3 to 4 p.m. every Wednesday in Scholars Hall room 102. Veterans can get writing support for academic writing assignments or other writing projects.
For more information contact Teresa Scollon (231) 383-2958 or tscollon@nmc.edu
Homelessness writing workshop
Tuesday evenings from 7 – 9 p.m. in Scholars Hall 209. Writers will hold a public reading on April 19 from 2-4 p.m. at the InsideOut Gallery.
For more information contact Susan Odgers at (231) 392-6843, cell/text or sodgers@nmc.edu.
Release date: february 26, 2015
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-discriminationPhysician Assistant Information Session at GVSU in Traverse City
Learn more about how to earn a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree at Grand Valley State University in Traverse City at an information session on Saturday, April 11. The info session will take place at the NMC University Center in room 204, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please RSVP by calling 231-995-1785 or by visiting www.gvsu.edu/traverse or nminfo@gvsu.edu. (more…)
Reminder: Town Hall meeting March 3
This is a friendly reminder that the next Town Hall meeting is March 3 at 4:00 p.m. in Milliken Auditorium.
If you can’t make it in person to the Town Hall meeting, you can still take part by watching the live stream at https://employees.nmc.edu/video/. If you have any questions please email nmcpresident@nmc.edu. (more…)
Fall registration opens March 11
Fall 2015 registration opens Wednesday, . All students have been assigned a registration start time on March 11, 12, or 13 based on earned credit hours. For more information about registration visit: nmc.edu/fall (more…)
Success Story: UAS Alumni Lead Industry Forward
February 25, 2015
Back in 2012, as one of NMC’s pioneer students in Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Brad Kent found himself with a job offer before he’d even finished his training, and headed overseas for six-figure work as a civilian contractor. Now, as approvals for domestic use of UAS rise by the week, Kent and fellow former NMC students are poised to help guide the industry’s development into its second, commercial phase.
NMC was on the forefront of unmanned aircraft training, offering its first classes in the fall of 2010. Students like Kent (front row, second from right) and Darrell Trueblood (back row, far right) found getting in on the ground floor paid off, literally
“Before I even finished my degree I had placement in industry,” said Kent, 24, of Traverse City. He and Trueblood, 35, are among four NMC pilots now deployed in Afghanistan as civilian contractors with an Arizona-based manufacturer of UAS.
They provide force protection services to military, a job both see as worthy and important. Lengthy deployments and life on a military installation create a trade-off, however. “Balancing the benefits of income vs. the moments you miss with your friends and family becomes the tough part,” said Trueblood, who is married and a father to three. His wife and three children live in Tennessee.
“It puts a strain on relationships, it puts a strain on a social life,” said Kent, who still says it’s an “amazing experience” to work overseas.
UAS industry gets go-ahead to expand
Now, however, the strains and trade-offs are easing as the UAS industry gets the go-ahead to expand domestically.
Until 2014, the FAA strictly limited use of UAS vehicles in U.S. airspace. The first commercial exemption was granted in June 2014, allowing surveillance of oil fields in Alaska. Since December 2014, the FAA has approved more than 20 other exemptions for uses ranging from photography to agriculture.
Kent anticipates returning stateside later this year, to corporate headquarters in Tucson, Ariz. He’ll work on UAS research and development and train other pilots to fill the vast number of openings the industry expects as commercial permissions expand. “With pending FAA regulations for Unmanned Aerial Systems on the very near horizon, growth in this industry will be immense. Activities like movie production, agriculture monitoring, and infrastructure inspection will become an everyday occurrence, requiring trained professionals,” said Tony Sauerbrey, UAS program manager.
“This career field will grow exponentially in the coming years, both with pilots and support staff,” Trueblood agreed. His advice to prospective students is to be open to change.
“What you know today may be different from what you learn tomorrow. Be willing to continuously learn and continue your education,” he said.
It was that kind of attitude that led Kent to enroll in the first UAS classes.
“At the time it was a couple classes that you could add on if you were going through the manned aviation program,” Kent said. “NMC was very cool in the fact that they were willing to offer classes like that, new technologies.”
Sauerbrey said NMC will continue to grow with the industry and plans to offer full UAS pilot certification once the FAA finalizes regulations. NMC will also continue to work with leading UAS companies to provide a conduit for students seeking to enter the industry.
Board of Trustees meeting recap- Feb. 23, 2015
Here is an informal account of the Northwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees meeting, Monday, February 23, 2015.
Details on the actions items and reports are contained in the Board Packet available online. (more…)
Student Success: From Dropout to Dean’s List
February 24, 2015
How do you transform a two-time college dropout into a Dean’s List student?
Give her a bridge and a foundation. Walk her over and shore it up.
In 1998 Lindsey Grice enrolled at NMC, fresh out of Traverse City Central High School and mother to a newborn daughter. It didn’t go well.
“I just failed miserably. It wasn’t something I knew about. I had a full course load and a little baby and it was too much,” Grice said.
She tried again a decade later. By 2008 she was a mother to three, including a son with intensive mental health needs. Grice had to take six credits and earn a 2.0 in order to keep her financial aid. Her attendance was spotty due to her son’s care giving demands, and she did well in one class but not the other. She lost her financial aid and dropped out a second time.
Fast-forward to 2014. A friend told Grice, now 34, about NMC’s Bridge program. Created for nontraditional students attending college for the first time or returning after past attempts, Bridge endeavors to lay a foundation for student success. Just last year, the program was redesigned so that what were formerly preparatory classes are now for-credit. Significantly, that makes Bridge students eligible for financial aid.
Coordinating Student Success
NMC Student Success Coordinator Ashley Darga walked Grice through the process of petitioning to reinstate her financial aid. Regulations have changed to favor students like Grice, Darga said.
“I was able to get my Pell grant to be able to take classes this fall,” Grice said. Her foundation steadied.
Almost simultaneously her son Brandon, now 15, entered a residential school, further firming her foundation.
“I’ve taken care of him completely. Now he’s receiving help out of the home (and) he’s doing really well,” Grice said. “I’m able to focus on my studies instead of spending every waking moment worrying about him.”
Finally, her daughter Ashley—the newborn during Grice’s first college stint—now 16 and a high school junior, threw down the gauntlet.
“She kind of challenged me,” Grice said. “My oldest daughter is getting ready to graduate, and she had mentioned to me that I should go back and get back my classes before she does.”
That challenge completed the foundation underpinning Grice’s turnaround. Bridge students take nine credits (five classes) their first semester. Grice earned a 4.0 and made the dean’s list.
“I think I was really determined this time,” she said, citing one class, Academic Study Methods, as a key.
“I’ve learned what things I can utilize through the school. I know there’s tutoring, I know there’s all that stuff, but actually using it I feel more confident.”
Transforming students to active participants
Instructor Shannon Owen said transforming students from passive to active participants in their education is another crucial piece of college success.
“They have to advocate for their own needs. We don’t know they’re struggling or that they don’t understand concepts,” Owen said.
Grice started out strong and only improved over the semester, turning in assignments early, Owen said.
“She’s got such motivation and heart. It’s great to see students succeed and watch that happen throughout the semester.”
Grice’s long-term aim is a business management degree. More immediately, she’s focused on next semester’s classes, especially English 111. It will be the fourth time she’s attempted the class. This time she’ll have a study partner: daughter Ashley, registered in the same course as a dual-enrolled student.
“It’s hard for me (but) I am ready for it,” Grice said.
NMC Technology Help Desk- Tech tips: How to keep your browser healthy
Ever notice how sometimes web browsers and/or programs that you use everyday suddenly stop working? Sometimes its the applications themselves, but their is one little trick, called Cache Clearing, that often fixes the problem right then and there. (more…)
Fill out Sodexo’s customer satisfaction survey and get a coupon!
Sodexo needs your feedback! Now through March 4 please fill out a customer satisfaction survey! This is a great way to let Sodexo know how they can better serve you. Because they value your input so much you will receive a 30% off coupon for completing the survey! Please click here to participate. (more…)
Win weekly prizes for Financial Literacy!
Weekly prizes will be given out on Fridays during the Spring 2015 semester! Just complete a CashCourse or Life Skills lesson each week and be placed in a drawing for a prize every Friday.
For more information on Financial Literacy events and to link to CashCourse and LifeSkills please visit nmc.edu/financial-literacy. (more…)
Dodge ball teams forming now!
Are you interested in playing Dodge Ball? Six Player teams are being formed. The season begins March 9.
For more information, please contact Jim Szur, Sports and Recreation Supervisor, at 995-1199, or e-mail him at jszur@nmc.edu (more…)
Benefits Corner- New Total Compensation Page on the employee site
If you are looking for benefit, pay, career opportunities, recognition, or work/life balance information please visit the updated Total Compensation Page: https://employees.nmc.edu/depts/human-resources/total-compensation/index.html. (more…)
Student jobs
Student jobs can be found on the Student MyNMC page under “Jobs On Campus.”
Resident Assistant
Security (more…)
Position vacancies
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
Counselor (more…)