Indulge in a Sweet Evening with ‘Chocolat’ 

Chocolat Movie flyer NMC Voices Multicultural ClubJoin NMC Voices and the Multicultural Club for a magical screening of the enchanting 2000 film, Chocolat on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, Room 106/107. Unwrap the layers of this delightful tale that blends romance, humor and a touch of magic in a quaint French village.

Free popcorn and chocolates from Great Lakes Chocolate & Dessert Co. will be served! This event is open to all NMC students and employees. Don’t miss out!

For questions, contact awalsh@nmc.edu or bhanbury@nmc.edu.

Share your input to NMC’s master plan via survey, public meetings

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is seeking community input to its Master Planning process through mid-January via a survey and public meetings.

Regional community members, neighbors, visitors, current and former employees, current and former students, business partners, and any other guests who observe or interact with NMC’s five Traverse City campuses including Front Street, Aero Park, Great Lakes, University Center and Rogers Observatory are encouraged to take the survey to inform the next steps in the process.

The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and responses are requested by Jan. 12, 2024. Responses will help the planning team assess needs and opportunities and refine the short and long-term vision for physical campus spaces. In addition,

NMC is hosting two open public forums to gather input on a new Facilities Master Plan. 

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13, 2023, 6–7:30 P.M.
Location: NMC Great Lakes Campus, 715 E Front St, Traverse City, MI

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 24, 2024, 6–7:30 P.M.
Location: Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center Room 106/107, NMC Front Street Campus, 1701 E Front St, Traverse City, MI

The survey link and more information are also available on the Facilities Master Plan webpage (nmc.edu/facilities-master-plan).

Release date: November 30, 2023

 

For more information:

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

 

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE

Northwestern Michigan College does not discriminate in admission, campus activities, education, employment, housing, public accommodation or public service on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, handicap, height, marital or familial status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, service in the military, veteran’s status, weight, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discrimination

Dodgeball tournament

Dodgeball tournament

Campus Life is hosting a dodgeball tournament on Thursday, December 7 at 7 p.m. in the Rajkovich Physical Education Center (PE Building).

  • Prizes for 1ˢᵗ and 2ⁿᵈ place teams
  • No entry fees
  • Open to all current NMC students and employees
  • Maximum of 5 persons per team 

The deadline to sign up is December 6, 2023

If you have any questions, please contact Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu.

 

Students selected for Jobs for America’s Graduates leadership conference

Aby Kowalske Aby Kowalske
(Download a high-resolution photo)
Gabby Paryani Gabby Paryani
(Download a high-resolution photo)
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC students Aby Kowalske and Gabby Paryani are among seven Michigan students who will travel to Washington, D.C. for the National Student Leadership Academy as a part of Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG).

Accompanied by NMC Employment Readiness Specialist Lisa Baldyga, they will join around hundreds of other students from across the country at the Academy Nov. 30–Dec. 2. They will attend leadership training sessions, engage in experiential learning and advocate for their communities and youth.

Students applied and wrote an essay about why they should be chosen, as well as submitted letters of recommendation. In 2021,  NMC became the first college  in the state of Michigan to offer a Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates program.

NMC students between ages 16–24 are eligible to match with student mentors in their field, get paid work experience or job shadowing opportunities and internships and other beneficial career opportunities Financial assistance with job equipment such as tools or work boots, uniforms, bus passes or gas cards for transportation to work is also available

Release date: November 28, 2023

For more information:

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

 

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE

Northwestern Michigan College does not discriminate in admission, campus activities, education, employment, housing, public accommodation or public service on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, handicap, height, marital or familial status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, service in the military, veteran’s status, weight, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discrimination

Media mentions for November 27, 2023

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.

TCPD promotions: Lt. Simerson and Capt. Gray
Record-Eagle, Nov. 26
(more…)

NMC students to attend national leadership academy

We’d like to thank NMC’s Employment Readiness Specialist, Lisa Baldyga, and the Career Services department for their continued work in the Jobs for Michigan Graduates (JMG) program. JMG has allowed NMC to expand the career services available to students. Because of JMG, participants can connect with fellow student mentors in their field, receive financial assistance with job equipment and transportation, gain paid work experience including job shadowing and internships as well as access other beneficial career opportunities such as the National Leadership Academy. 

Later this week, NMC students Gabby Paryani and Aby Kowalske are set to travel to Washington DC to participate in the National Leadership Academy. They will accompany Lisa Baldyga to the nation’s capital to build leadership skills, engage in experiential learning and advocate for their communities and youth. Seven students throughout the state of Michigan were selected to participate in the National Leadership Academy, and we are incredibly proud that two of those are from NMC.

NMC became the first college in Michigan and only the 5th in the nation to offer students the Jobs for Michigan Graduates program in 2021 in partnership with Northwest Michigan Works! and Networks Northwest.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

Study abroad photo contest exhibit

NMC study abroad photo contestStop by the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center during 12–1 p.m. on Monday, December 4 to see the winning photographs from the 2023 study abroad photo contest. Photos from Morocco, Iceland, Spain, Portugal and Guatemala will be on display.

NMC Pride group bake sale

NMC pride bake saleThe NMC Pride student group is holding a bake sale in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on Wednesday, November 29 from 12–4 p.m. A variety of baked goods, including vegan and gluten free options will be available for purchase. Stop by and show your support! Cash is preferred.

Climate Sisu screening and discussion

Climate SisuJoin us for the “Climate Sisu” documentary and panel discussion on Thursday, November 30 at 7 p.m. in the Dennos Museum Center. In addition to viewing the film, attendees will have an opportunity to hear from environmental activists, climate scientists and educators who will provide insights on local resources and community initiatives, allowing us to explore potential solutions for climate resiliency. 

Find more information and to register, visit gvsu.edu/traverse/climatesisu.

Media mentions for November 20, 2023

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.

Thanks-for-giving a real-world lesson in caring
Record-Eagle, Nov. 18
(more…)

Long Night Against Procrastination

NMC Long Night Against ProcrastinationJoin the Library, Writing Center, Student Success and Student Life teams for our end-of-semester finals studyfest on Thursday, November 30 from 4–11 p.m.! We’ll have the fuel and support you need to tackle your exam prep, final essays and projects, as well as a relaxation room and a knitting corner (available from 7–9 p.m.) for when you need to take a study break. We’ll also be raffling off a range of prizes at the end of the night. Stop by for a bit or stay for the duration and take a serious dent out of your finals work pile!

Pizza will be served at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Upcoming Extended Education classes for employees

Did you know that your tuition waiver benefits extend beyond credit classes? Take a fitness class, learn a new hobby, or even enjoy a date night with your partner. Check out these upcoming classes! Place the class in your shopping cart in order to see the discount.

NMC EES cookie decoratingCookie Decorating with Kids (For Adult & Child Age 8+
Saturday, Dec. 2; 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Price: $54 (originally $119)
Looking for a sweet activity to share with your kids this holiday season? Learn how to decorate beautiful, professional-looking cookies using royal icing. You and your child will have fun creating these holiday-themed edible delights. Discover piping and flooding techniques and designs using tinted royal icing, colored sugars, and other decorative items.

NMC EES winter plantsf15 Plants Your Wish You Grew this Winter
Monday, Dec. 4; 5–7:30 p.m.
Price: $42 (originally $75)
Overcome the winter blues with the fiery red and orange stems of dogwoods, sweet spire, and willows in an interactive lecture with Matthew Ross, Director of the The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park. Class cost includes two new favorite potted plants to enjoy for the holiday season!

 


NMC EES Taste of ItalyPassport to Italy: Risotto and Polenta
Tuesday, Dec. 5; 6–9 p.m.
Price: $59 per couple (originally $175)
Indulge in the flavors of Italy by learning to perfectly cook Arborio rice for creamy risotto. Master lusciously smooth polenta with savory toppings like wild mushrooms, tangy tomato sauce, or aromatic gorgonzola.

 

 

Kudos!

Kudos to Todd Haines! A huge thank you to Todd and Maintenance Services for helping Enrollment Services move furniture/offices around. We know this was a large undertaking and appreciate all of the help! Thank you for adapting to all of our needs throughout the change. You made the whole experience go over very smoothly.

Kudos to Todd Haines, Bob Bugai, Jerry Moeggenberg, Terri Scarlett, Nancy Durecki and Wendy Roberts for spending hours and days completing the office move in Enrollment Services. They were all willing to work quickly and complete the project, without understanding how much it really entailed. Thank you for your patience and hard work to create the spaces we envisioned!


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!

Welcome our newest hires

These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!

    •  Riley LaBarge, Supplemental — Banquet Server
    • Darrin Murff, Supplemental — Food Service (Back of House)

Remembering Pearl Harbor

Remembering Pearl HarborOn Thursday, December 7, Major General Marsiglia (USAR) will cover the strategic importance of the Pacific Theater in the modern world and the history of the Pacific before and since the attacks on Pearl Harbor. The talk begins at 2 p.m. in Scholars Hall, room 109.

This event is open to the public and is free to all. Seating is limited to 100. First come first serve.

Success Story: Students could save half on short-course certificate programs

November 16, 2023

Dental-NMC-2023-2776-600.jpgNew state scholarship dollars could cut tuition in half or more for eight short-course NMC health care programs, all in high hiring demand and some offering signing bonuses at Munson Healthcare.

In January, skills/short term training programs including practical nurse, phlebotomy technician, pharmacy technician, eldercare certificate, medical assistant, hemodialysis technician, medical coding and billing and medical scribe will become eligible for funding from two existing scholarships, Michigan Achievement and Michigan Reconnect.

The Michigan Achievement Skills scholarship offers up to $2,000 per year for two years to 2023 high school graduates. The Michigan Reconnect short-term training program offers $1,500 to students 21 and over who don’t already have a college degree.

Gina Stein, Munson Healthcare manager of talent acquisitions operations, said the region’s largest employer welcomes the new scholarships.

“There’s a lot of competition for the current workforce,” she said. “Anything we can do to provide additional scholarships or tuition reimbursement would be key.” Tuition reimbursement is available for benefited roles at Munson, which start at 20 hours. The Reconnect funds could also help entice former healthcare workers who retired or left during Covid to return in new roles, she said.

Elizabeth Sonnabend, program manager for NMC Extended Education and Training, said enrollments in the programs could increase significantly. State funding has dwindled since 2020–21, when 72 students were enrolled, almost triple current numbers.

“I expect these numbers will go up for 2024 again, now that students can get the majority of the costs covered,” she said. Tuition for most of the eligible programs ranges between $1,800-$,3800.

The newly-eligible programs also align with NMC’s strategic goal of offering more courses and credentials in short formats as well as online, which both employers and students say they need. The medical coding and billing and medical scribe programs are completely online. Except for Practical Nursing and Eldercare, coursework for the other four programs is offered online, prior to an in-person externship. Most programs are self-paced and require 300–600 hours to complete. Tuition covers access for a year.

Also in 2024, eligible students ages 21-24 will begin receiving reimbursement for a portion of this fall’s tuition and fees. Last month, Michigan Reconnect temporarily expanded its age eligibility to 21 and up. Some 70 NMC students have already applied to take advantage of it. An additional 29 potential new students have applied. The 21- to 24-year-old cohort has until November 15, 2024, to apply for Reconnect before it reverts to its original 25 and older age requirement.

“The money is there, waiting to go to you to support students,” said Sarah Szurpicki of Office of Sixty by 30, urging students to apply. That office oversees Michigan Reconnect and Achievement, which both were created to help reach the goal of 60 percent of Michiganders earning a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2030. It now stands at 50.5 percent.

In fall 2023, NMC disbursed $1.7 million in aid programs administered by the State of Michigan and $1.9 million in federal Pell grants. With the expansion of Reconnect to ages 21–24 expansion, it seems likely that state aid could top Pell grants by the end of the year.

Explore Your Major: Social Work

Explore Your Major Social Work Ferris State UniversityUniversity Center partners from Ferris State University will be in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 106/107 on Wednesday, November 29 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the ever-growing career field of Social Work, the NMC to Ferris State University transfer pathway, internship opportunities and earning potential! FREE Food and swag will be provided.

For questions, contact Kevin D’Alessandro at kevindalessandro@ferris.edu or (231) 492-6522

NMC community addresses food insecurity and homelessness

Thanks to those in the NMC community for helping to raise awareness about basic needs in Traverse City. The public is invited to join in the 8th annual Walk for Health & Housing on Wednesday, November 15. The walk departs at 5:30 p.m. from the Great Lakes campus.

On November 20, the 10th annual Thanks-for-Giving project will distribute 135 Thanksgiving meal boxes to area families. 

Both events are examples of experiential learning at NMC.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

Media mentions for November 13, 2023

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.

20Fathoms lands $7.3 million in state and federal grants, plots new chapter
Ticker, Nov. 13
(more…)

GLCI Marketplace at the Hawk Owl Café

Did you know that the Hawk Owl Café is also home to the GLCI Marketplace which features goods made by GLCI students? Be the first to find out when the shelves are stocked by joining the GLCI Marketplace email group! From cookies to fresh bread to ready-made dinners, items are always changing and usually sell out. By opting into the email group, you will be notified whenever these delicious products are available.

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