Faculty, department heads and office managers, it’s time to submit your Textbook and Course Material adoptions for the Fall 2026 semester. Be on the lookout for an email from nmc@verbasoftware.com with a personalized link to submit your course materials adoptions.
To ensure your students have access to the right materials on the first day of class, please submit your adoptions by March 20, 2026.
In today’s digital age, it’s easy to get lost in screen time. The “analog bag” offers a simple way to step back and enjoy offline activities.
Picture a bag filled with hobbies that bring you joy. Whether it’s a sketchbook, novel, knitting supplies, or a puzzle, your analog bag is limited only by your imagination. The goal: provide a tangible alternative to mindless scrolling.
Creating your own analog bag is fun and rewarding. Here’s why every employee should try it:
To start, consider hobbies you’d like to explore. Gather materials and keep your analog bag near where you often use your phone. This way, when tempted to reach for your device, you’ll have an enticing alternative.
Create your own analog bag and enrich your personal and professional life by fostering a more balanced, focused, and creative mindset. Let’s embrace the power of analog and make room for meaningful moments.
Kudos to Megan Bylsma, Ryan Deering, Carl Shangraw, Dan Goodchild, Shelly VanderMeulen, Jeff Fouch, Michael Nachazel, and Georgenia Hromada! This is the “it takes a village” kudos! NMC’s surveying program was honored for winning the NCEES Surveying Education Award grand prize in the two-year program category. The program was recognized last night at the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors conference. In addition to winning this program award, Ryan Deering also won the Ralph Moore Berry recognizing a non-licensed individual giving back to the profession. Couple this with our own graduates earning their professional surveying license and a scholarship recipient and it was a fulfilling event!
But what makes it special? This doesn’t happen without the support of the Foundation finding funding to support program growth, the college leveraging these funds for recruitment, a strong advisory board advocating to the State that this program is needed, strong faculty developing a 2-year program from scratch and industrial professionals continuing to teach these classes. And none of this happens without the support from the division to keep the program running, scheduled and available to students.
Great job!!!
Kudos to Katie Sommer-Ford, Hannah Rodriguez, Maggie Miron, Tait Ricks, and Tali Morrison! Hats off to the Student Success & Retention team who pulled together NMC’s first ever “Fail Forward” week, meant to normalize setbacks, reduce fear of failure, and build resilience. Events and promotion for Fail Forward week helped students to reframe mistakes as learning opportunities through a series of events including an adaptability workshop, offered by Tait Ricks from Student Life, and a session on asking for help offered by Hannah Rodriguez and Maggie Miron, from the coaching and success team. Throughout the week students could contribute to “fail boards” to share times they failed but learned from their experience and moved forward. Faculty and staff shared their own testimonials via the NMC Student Success social media. The week of events culminated in a Success Fair where students could learn about the many help resources available at NMC. Kudos to Katie Sommer-Ford and Tali Morrison for organizing, supporting, and leading the charge.
Kudos to Stephanie Liss! The Ed Tech department is giving Stephanie heartfelt kudos for the work she does to keep all the areas of the TJNIC building sparkling clean. Every morning, we enter the basement to the sound of a vacuum or the wooshing of the tables or whiteboards being cleaned in a learning or study space. We appreciate her dedication to keeping TJNIC a welcoming, clean environment! Thank you, Stephanie, for modeling NMC’s values of stewardship and excellence.
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
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.
Remembering Jack Segal: Diplomat, veteran and champion of students
TV 7 & 4, Feb. 27 (more…)
TRAVERSE CITY — The NMC Commitment Scholarship is vastly expanding the ranks of eligible first generation college students this spring, increasing the impact of a unique college access opportunity that began more than thirty years ago.
Starting with the high school class of 2028 (current high school sophomores), prospective first generation college students in the six-county area can self-nominate for a Commitment Scholarship.
Previously students had to be nominated by their high school counselor as freshmen. Eligibility was limited to 18 regional public high schools, each of which could nominate only three students. Charter, private and homeschooled students are also now eligible.
The scholarship provides $2,000/year for up to three years. First-generation is defined as neither parent having earned an associate degree or higher.
The goal is to expand access and have more students take advantage of the scholarship, which was established by NMC donors in 1993. Students must also participate in two preparatory events prior to starting at NMC and maintain a 2.0 GPA in high school.
Gillian Lovett, a 2023 Bellaire High School graduate, is a Commitment scholar currently enrolled at NMC. She will graduate this May. She said the scholarship helped make college a realistic prospect for her.
“I was definitely pretty surprised. College wasn’t on my radar yet. I felt pretty lucky to be nominated, and I felt grateful that I did have an opportunity ahead of me to go to school and not worry about the money,” Lovett said.
2024 Mancelona High School graduate Kai Collins also received the Commitment scholarship. By combining it with dual enrollment, he earned a UAS certificate from NMC. Now he’s a sophomore at Michigan Technological University majoring in mechanical engineering, and has landed an internship at Milwaukee Tool this summer. In addition to the financial benefit, Collins said the scholarship gave him a big confidence boost.
“Being a Commitment scholar felt like I was being treated as an adult. I had to learn management skills,” Collins said. “It’s made me a lot more confident in my college journey. I know I can use opportunities I’m given to their fullest.”
Apply online at nmc.edu/commitment.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
Class of 2026—have you applied to graduate?
If this is your last semester of classes, now is the time to apply to graduate if you haven’t already! All students are required to submit this application to receive their credential. The graduation application is available in NMC Self-Service. Select “Apply to Graduate” under the “Student Records” tab to submit your application. Submit your application before April 15 to ensure your name will be listed in the Commencement program.
Those who have already applied to graduate should check their NMC student email to RSVP for Commencement. The deadline to RSVP for Commencement is April 20. Don’t forget to purchase your cap and gown from the Campus Bookstore!
If you have any questions, email records@nmc.edu or call (231) 995-1049.
Thanks to the Advising Center, which has filled the employer slots for the Career & Majors Fair April 10. It is the region’s largest career fair and offers a valuable service to both students and community members.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
The NMC Board of Trustees Policy Committee will meet Tuesday, February 24 at 1:30 p.m. in Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, Room 14. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
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.
From a coal dock to a Blue Tech hub
Northern Express, Feb. 21
(more…)
NMC is hosting a Curling Night at the Traverse City Curling Center, 1712 S Garfield Ave., from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 6.
This event is open to the first 50 NMC participants that register. Participants can expect to be on the ice for 2 hours of instruction and play. Children under the age of 8 will not be able to participate in this activity. For those that bring a child between the age of 9 to 13, the child will be required to wear a helmet when on the ice.
To join the fun, fill out the registration form.
For questions, please contact Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu.
Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur Lab (MVE-Lab) is a free entrepreneurial accelerator program tailored for military-connected individuals in Michigan. This program is developed and led by the Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) at Grand Valley State University (GVSU).
Participants will cover relevant topics each week and will leave with actionable takeaways. Topic examples include:
The MVE-Lab cohort 17 will run in Traverse City from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesdays from April 7 through June 9 at GVSU’s Traverse City Regional Center located in the James Beckett Buildng on NMC’s Front Street Campus. Participants can join in-person of via Zoom. Dinner is provided. The program will conclude with a Final Pitch and Showcase event on Monday, June 15 to celebrate the end of the cohort with an opportunity to pitch for $15,000 in cash prizes.
To apply, visit gvsu.edu/mve. Applications will close on April 7 at 11:59 p.m.
Northwestern Michigan College’s STEM community is coming together for an inspiring and informative evening designed to connect students with accomplished women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Women in STEM Community and Career Night will feature six presenters sharing their career journey as well as time for general mingling and networking, giving students the opportunity to ask questions, explore career paths and build connections with professionals in their fields of interest.
This event will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10 in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 106/107. Snacks will be provided.
Questions? Email zalews6@mail.nmc.edu or zburks@nmc.edu
Want a place to work on homework from your STEM classes with peers? Join STEM Study Nights! STEM Study Nights are open to all students who want to work on STEM homework and collaborate with others. Meetings are held weekly from 7-9 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 14. Snacks will be provided!
Questions? Email zalews6@mail.nmc.edu
Take the first step toward your medical career by joining Grand Valley State University at the Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Preview Day at their Traverse City Campus in the James Beckett Building from 1–3 p.m. on Friday, March 20.
This event offers a unique opportunity to connect directly with the Assistant Program Director, Traverse City PA faculty, and Grand Valley advisors who can help navigate your path to enrollment. You’ll gain firsthand insights from current PA students and receive a guided tour of our new facilities. Whether you have specific questions about the admissions process or simply want to learn more, this session is designed to provide the overview and clarify you need. This event is open to all prospective students and community members.
Please RSVP for this event at gvsu.edu/traverse/pa.
Bring your team and join us in February for these Food For The Soul events as we continue to Embrace the Dream and celebrate Black History Month.
Thursday, February 26, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6 p.m.
Hawk Owl Café
$6.00/NMC staff & students; $12.00/community members
For full details, to add events to your Google Calendar, or to watch for new opportunities, visit the NMC Embrace the Dream calendar.
If you have an event or activities to add, please contact lhodek@nmc.edu. Thank you for supporting inclusion and community at NMC!
Kudos to Lynne Moritz and Terri Gustafson! Kudos to Lynne and Terri for co-organizing the Curling Watch Party! What a fun way to celebrate the Olympics and to learn more about curling.
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, February 23 at 5:30 p.m. in Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, Room 106/107. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
NMC is hosting a mobile pantry from 2:45–5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23 in the Maple Lot on the Front Street campus.
The menu includes oranges, grapefruit, honeydew melons, apples, potatoes, kidney beans, poptarts and juice. NMC’s mobile pantry program is designed specifically for NMC students and their families though all members of the community are welcome. Drive-thru and walk-up options are both available. If a student is unable to attend the distribution due to a class conflict, they may send a friend or family member to pick-up on their behalf.
We ask that recipients queue up in the car line in a counter-clockwise circle around the edge of the parking lot. Please do not block the main access roads, be aware of other students using the parking spaces and watch for children being picked up at the Oleson Learning Center adjacent to the Maple Lot.
Campus Safety and Security has completed multiple CPR training sessions at NMC with more to follow.
Kindly watch this important video on providing hands only CPR.
Keep in mind:
February 18, 2026
More area high school students are getting a head start on degrees and careers through record enrollment at NMC this spring.
Combined, 613 high school students were dual enrolled or in Early College at NMC this spring, up from the previous record of 544 set just last fall. High school students now constitute 19.3%, or nearly one in five, of the 3,188 students enrolled.
The increase comes despite the fact that overall spring semester enrollment is lower than fall’s, as is typical. Spring-to-spring overall enrollment is up 1.2% from spring 2025.
“More students continued on, and we were able to get more students interested and enrolled,” said NMC Admissions director Lisa vonReichbauer.
Offering opportunities for high school students is one of the top two priorities of local residents, according to NMC’s latest Community Attitudes & Awareness survey.
Hence NMC put an all-out effort on financial, communication and programming fronts into affording residents those opportunities, including a special tuition rate. Tuition for both dual enrollment and early college is paid by local school districts, but until two years ago, the tuition rate for students outside Grand Traverse County left a difference that families paid out of pocket. In January 2024, NMC trustees approved a rate for out-of-district dual enrolled students that eliminates that out of pocket expense.
Equipped with that new rate, vonReichbauer said NMC has improved outreach to both high schools and families, including home school families.
“We’ve communicated better about the opportunities, so we’re seeing more people taking advantage of that,” she said.
Beyond saving money and a head start, research shows that students who dual-enroll in a college class or Early College students, who earn an associate degree in just one year, are more likely to get to the finish line – graduation.
“It increases college going skills, college success and college completion,” vonReichbauer said.
Most students can dual enroll as early as their sophomore year, take up to 10 classes and choose from more than 100 courses. However, each high school handles dual enrollment differently and NMC defers to each individual high school’s requirements.
Fall enrollment for all students, including dual enrolled, starts March 11. Find out more about opportunities for high school students.
Thanks to the International Affairs Forum, whose winter-spring series of events gets underway this week with “Long Arm or Strong Arm? Executive Power in Foreign Policy and at Home,” Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. in Milliken Auditorium. NMC faculty, staff and students are admitted free. The winter season also includes Academic World Quest, a quiz show style competition for high school students. Find out more at tciaf.com
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
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.
Forum on democracy and foreign policy hosted by NMC and CMU
9&10 News, Feb. 14
(more…)
Students looking for connection, support and practical tools for managing stress are invited to take part in the upcoming mental fitness meetups hosted by NAMI Grand Traverse, part of the broader mission of the National Alliance on Mental Illness to promote mental wellness and reduce stigma.
These welcoming, student-focused gatherings encourage participants to prioritize themselves during stressful times while learning about helpful strategies and local support. Sessions are held bi-weekly at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Fireplace Room at the NMC Library. Snacks are provided and attendees will also have the chance to hang with therapy dogs.
Avoiding Burnout
February 17
Community Resources
March 3
Self-Care and Support
March 17
Stress Management
April 7
Wellness at Work/School
April 21
All students are welcome to attend. For more information, visit namigt.org or call (231)944-8448.