Just a friendly reminder from your Catering Team
Summer term is upon us. Due to limited staffing and hours, please give Roy in the Catering Department as much notice as you can when ordering a catered event.
2017 Commencement
TRAVERSE CITY — Commencement ceremonies for Northwestern Michigan College’s Class of 2017 will be held Saturday, May 6, at 2 p.m. at the Traverse City Central High School gymnasium. First-time highlights of this year’s event include three student veteran graduates walking with their service dogs, and the awarding of NMC’s first bachelor’s degree in marine technology.
Ceremonies will be streamed live starting at 2 p.m. online at nmc.edu/video and NMC’s YouTube channel.
About 260 graduates are expected to participate in the ceremony. More than 700 students earned degrees this academic year including the Associate in Nursing, Associate in Science and Arts, Associate in Applied Science, Associate in General Studies, Certificate of Practical Nursing, Certificate of Achievement and the Bachelor of Science in Maritime Technology. NMC will also award a Bachelor of Science in Marine Technology and eight associate degrees in surgical technology, the two newest degrees, for the first time.
Also for the first time, three service dogs will walk in the ceremony.
- Associate of Science and Arts graduate and U.S. Army retiree Andrew Banks, 37, of Traverse City, and his dog Mouse
- ASA graduate and Army veteran Lucas Clark, 27, of Rapid City, and his dog, Bailee Mae
- Associate of Applied Science (visual communications – creative management) graduate and U.S. Air Force veteran Nichole Hartley, 29, of Traverse City, and her dog, Zaia
All three students and dogs’ names will be read aloud, and all three dogs will receive special certificates in addition to the students’ diplomas.
This year’s student speaker is Connor Bebb, president of the NMC Student Government Association. Jim Bensley, adjunct humanities instructor and director of the office of International Services and Service Learning, will give the Commencement address as the 2016 Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award recipient.
The 2017 Outstanding Alumni award recipients will be named during the ceremony, as will the 2017 winners of the Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award and Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award.
NMC University Center partner Ferris State University will award degrees to about 30 students as well.
A reception will follow the ceremony in the small gym.
Release Date: May 1, 2017
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
FOR VETERANS/SERVICE DOGS:
Scott Herzberg
POC, Military & Veteran Services/Advisor
sherzberg@nmc.edu
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-discriminationNMC Training Services May 2017
Read about what our Training Services team is up to including upcoming classes that you may be able to take for free using the tuition reimbursement benefit: mailchi.mp/nmc/nmc-training-services-may-2017-newsletter
Wellness Update
Check out the Wellness Newsletter for May!
Those that have selected the Blue Cross medical plan are eligible to receive a $50 gift card for completing the Blue Cross Health & Wellness online Health Assessment and submitting their physician health screening form before Wednesday, May 31.
If you have misplaced your health screening form you can print a new one through your Health and Wellness page!
To get started, log on or register your Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Michigan account at bcbsm.com. You can also use the Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Michigan mobile app. From there, select Health & Wellness.
Don’t have Blue Cross medical through NMC? You still have access to all the great features within the Blue Cross® Health & Wellness website, powered by WebMD®.
Contact Chris Barr or Hollie DeWalt for assistance.
- May Wellness Challenge– Log in to your Blue Cross Health & Wellness website and take a screen shot of an exercise video. You can submit one screen shot per week and earn up to 4 entries for a Fitbit Allta. All NMC employees are eligible to participate, even those who declined the medical insurance through NMC. For more information about how to participate, contact Hollie DeWalt or Chris Barr.
Compliance Training Reminder
Annual compliance training courses have been sent to you for the following courses:
- Computer & Data Security Training
- *FERPA
- *Title IX
- Overtime training (For hourly employees and time approvers/proxys only)
- Bloodborne Pathogens (Nursing and specifically identified positions)
If you have not yet completed your compliance training, please complete these before the end of the semester. *Remember to use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. For questions or technical assistance, please contact the NMC Technology Help Desk at helpdesk@nmc.edu or (231) 995-3020 or HR at hr@nmc.edu.
Spring Annual Reviews launched for Adjunct Faculty
If you taught as an adjunct faculty member for spring semester, you should have received an email this week with instructions on how to login and begin your annual review through the online Performance system.
The annual review supports of both NMC’s values and the Higher Learning Commission guidelines for accreditation, and:
- Recognizes and celebrates accomplishments
- Provides feedback on performance
- Captures and shares learning that has occurred
The annual review consists of four steps:
- Complete your Self-Review (Remember to review your Student Course Evaluations for this step.)
- Academic Chair/Designee completes review
- Both meet to discuss feedback (ideally in person, but can be done by phone.)
- Sign off on meeting and form electronically
Resources and instructions may be found here: employees.nmc.edu/depts/human-resources/employee-resources/adjunct-review/
The timeline for completion is:
- May 12 – Adjunct Faculty Member completes Self-Evaluation
- June 30 – Academic Chair/Designee (Reviewer) completes
- June 30 – Adjunct Faculty Member and Reviewer – Meet and sign off (electronically) that the review is complete
Please watch your NMC email for additional notifications from SilkRoad Performance. You will receive email reminders as the due date nears. All steps must be completed by June 30, 2017.
If you have any questions or would like additional training, please call Lori Hodek at (231) 995-1143 or contact your Academic Chair or Office Manager.
Employee of the Semester Nominations Request
Please take a few minutes to show appreciation and to honor an NMC employee who has gone above and beyond this semester.
Nominate your colleague for Employee of the Semester-Spring Semester by Monday, May 7, through this Google Doc Nomination Form ~ Thanks!
Employee Anniversaries
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
Student Health Services Closing Soon
Student Health Services closes Friday, May 5 for the summer, and reopens Monday, August 14.
If you need refills or an appointment, please call 995-1255 as soon as possible to schedule.
Sign up to volunteer at the BBQ!
The 62nd annual NMC Barbecue will be upon us soon! This year’s BBQ will be held Sunday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the NMC Barbecue board invites you to take part in putting on our annual community picnic. Here’s how to sign up in four easy steps:
- Go to this link to go to our invitation page at signup.com/go/5hvVg1
- Review the activities listed and choose the one(s) you like.
- Sign up! It’s easy — you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.
- Be sure to click the green SAVE button after selecting your shift(s). This can be found at either the top or the bottom of the list of activities on the sign up page.
Thank You from the Lautner Family
Friends and Family at NMC,
Thank you so much for the flowers for our Mom at her funeral.
Many blessings,
The Mary Lautner Family
Book rental returns due by May 5
Spring rentals are due at the bookstore by Friday, May 5, 2017.
Don’t know if your book was rented from the bookstore? Email bookstore@nmc.edu to confirm.
Success story: Studying abroad yields broader perspectives
April 26, 2017
Before Paige Harrigan experienced her first study abroad trip in 2015, she had traveled fairly extensively, to Hawaii, Mexico and Caribbean islands.
But that Costa Rica experience, including a home stay with two non-English speaking families and visit to a banana plantation, opened her eyes to a whole different world than the tourist-oriented resorts she’d visited before.
“I absolutely loved the whole experience,” Harrigan said. “I got hooked, for sure.”
Ranked 12th among community colleges nationwide for short-term study abroad, NMC hooks lots of students like Harrigan — 45 will depart for four destinations next month. NMC also helps make study abroad more affordable with the Global Opportunities scholarship, which awards up to $1,000 per student. Nearly all participants (42) received it this year.
Harrigan is bound for her second study abroad destination May 8: Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Biology instructor Greg LaCross, who led a group to South Africa last year, will lead Harrigan’s group to do service work at a school in the capital city of Quito, and then field work in the islands.
“I’ve always wanted to go to the Galapagos. It’s always been a bucket list thing,” Harrigan, 22, said of the place where Charles Darwin refined his theory of evolution. Students will stay at Darwin’s research station, working with Ecuadorian national park personnel to perform ecological research, monitor sea turtles and catalog migratory patterns of indigenous species.
“I’m really excited about the animals, all the different species,” said Harrigan, who graduates this spring from the collaborative NMC-Western Michigan program in Freshwater Science and Sustainability. This fall, she plans to — wait for it — travel, and look for a job on the West Coast.
Other 2017 study abroad destinations include:
Sicily – Culinary students will participate in traditional Sicilian cooking classes, shop in local outdoor food markets, visit a cheese research center, make Sicilian chocolate, visit Mt. Etna, and participate in a local culinary competition. First-time destination
Morocco – Humanities students will enhance their understanding of world cultures via home stays with Moroccan families, interaction with Moroccan college students, development of a more in-depth understanding of Islam and visiting historic sites. They’ll also venture into the Sahara Desert via camel to learn more about traditional Berber customs. First-time destination
Ecuador (Yunguilla) – Business, culinary and education students will visit an eco-tourism cooperative, lending their skill sets to village families hoping to improve the economic welfare of the region by marketing and producing local products for visitors to the cloud forest. Home stay included
Find out more at nmc.edu/study-abroad
Success story: Studying abroad yields broader perspectives
April 26, 2017
Before Paige Harrigan experienced her first study abroad trip in 2015, she had traveled fairly extensively, to Hawaii, Mexico and Caribbean islands.
But that Costa Rica experience, including a home stay with two non-English speaking families and visit to a banana plantation, opened her eyes to a whole different world than the tourist-oriented resorts she’d visited before.
“I absolutely loved the whole experience,” Harrigan said. “I got hooked, for sure.”
Ranked 12th among community colleges nationwide for short-term study abroad, NMC hooks lots of students like Harrigan — 45 will depart for four destinations next month. NMC also helps make study abroad more affordable with the Global Opportunities scholarship, which awards up to $1,000 per student. Nearly all participants (42) received it this year.
Harrigan is bound for her second study abroad destination May 8: Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Biology instructor Greg LaCross, who led a group to South Africa last year, will lead Harrigan’s group to do service work at a school in the capital city of Quito, and then field work in the islands.
“I’ve always wanted to go to the Galapagos. It’s always been a bucket list thing,” Harrigan, 22, said of the place where Charles Darwin refined his theory of evolution. Students will stay at Darwin’s research station, working with Ecuadorian national park personnel to perform ecological research, monitor sea turtles and catalog migratory patterns of indigenous species.
“I’m really excited about the animals, all the different species,” said Harrigan, who graduates this spring from the collaborative NMC-Western Michigan program in Freshwater Science and Sustainability. This fall, she plans to — wait for it — travel, and look for a job on the West Coast.
Other 2017 study abroad destinations include:
Sicily – Culinary students will participate in traditional Sicilian cooking classes, shop in local outdoor food markets, visit a cheese research center, make Sicilian chocolate, visit Mt. Etna, and participate in a local culinary competition. First-time destination
Morocco – Humanities students will enhance their understanding of world cultures via home stays with Moroccan families, interaction with Moroccan college students, development of a more in-depth understanding of Islam and visiting historic sites. They’ll also venture into the Sahara Desert via camel to learn more about traditional Berber customs. First-time destination
Ecuador (Yunguilla) – Business, culinary and education students will visit an eco-tourism cooperative, lending their skill sets to village families hoping to improve the economic welfare of the region by marketing and producing local products for visitors to the cloud forest. Home stay included
Find out more at nmc.edu/study-abroad
Student Appreciation Week!
- Tuesday, April 25: Ice Cream Bar
- Wednesday, April 26: Pizza
- Thursday, April 27: Cupcake Bar (Decorate your own!)
All events FREE from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Cafeteria in West Hall
Hawk Owl Cafe Weekly Curve Menu
April 24-28
Monday:
Lunch: Roasted Portobello Cobb Salad
Dinner: Hot Pastrami sandwich with potato salad
Tuesday: Mac and Cheese Bar
Wednesday : Oodles
Thursday: Local Dish
Friday: Spicy Shrimp Vegetable Stir fry
Good luck on finals!
The Advising Center wishes you great success on your final exams in the coming weeks!
Remember that we are open all summer to help with career and academic planning.
Make sure you have are registered for Fall semester before this semester is over!
Mark your calendars for Honors Convocation and Commencement
Save the dates!
Be sure to mark your calendars to attend these two important events recognizing our outstanding students and graduates!
Honors Convocation will take place Friday, May 5 with the reception starting at the Dennos Museum’s Sculpture Court at 4:45 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at the Milliken Auditorium at 5:30 p.m.
Commencement will be held Saturday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m. in the gymnasium at Traverse City Central High School. The public is invited to attend, or can watch the ceremony streamed online here.
If you have any need for a new cap/robe/hood, please contact Lisa Krupp-Wilmeth at 5-1048.
Hope to see you there!
Policy And Procedure Updates
Effective 4/13/17, the Short-Term Disability Policy (formerly known as Wage Continuation Policy) and the Short-Term Disability Procedure (formerly known as Wage Continuation Procedure) have been revised and are now posted on the website.
Please be sure to review the revised policy and procedure; here are the links to each of them.
D-721.00 – Short-Term Disability Policy:
https://www.nmc.edu/about/policies/board-staff/D-721.00.html
D-721.01 – Short-Term Disability Procedure:
https://www.nmc.edu/about/policies/board-staff/D-721.01.html
Kudos!
KUDOS- (praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com
Submit a Kudos here.
Kudos to Judy Arnold- Judy handled a complicated tax and financial aid situation with a student with great professionalism. Judy remained calm and helpful through the exchange and helped me to assist the student with her financial aid. Judy went above and beyond to meet with myself and the student to set everything in order. Her professionalism and ability to work through a difficult situation make her a great asset to NMC.
Wellness Update
April is Stress Awareness Month. Stress is an important part of our lives — without it, we couldn’t survive. Stress is a natural response to stimuli.
Having support or accountability can greatly increase your likelihood of meeting your goals. The Conquer Stress DHA program is a great way to get that extra level of support while working on your goals. You can access the DHA programs on the Blue Cross Health & Wellness website on bcbsm.com and through the Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Michigan mobile app. Just click on or tap My Health Assistant under the Healthy Living tab.
Goal for one week:
- Set a goal in the Conquer Stress Digital Health Assistant program on the Blue Cross® Health & Wellness website, powered by WebMD®, and set up text message reminders.
Need help setting up your account or finding the DHA Conquer Stress program? Contact our wellness coordinator, Chris Barr, for assistance. He can be reached at cbarr@nmc.com.
What type of exercise is best for managing stress?
Cardiovascular exercise is the best exercise for stress management. Those who do aerobic exercise report fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression, and lower levels of stress and anger. Exercise appears to affect particular neurotransmitter systems in the brain like an antidepressant would. Cardiovascular exercise may also reduce one’s fear of bodily sensations, such as a racing heart and rapid breathing. Both of these, perhaps once associated with losing control or high anxiety, may now become an indication of health-enhancement and physical success. The American College of Sports Medicine suggests that we engage in 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity.
Goal for one week:
- Set a realistic goal for cardiovascular exercise each week. Don’t force a goal of five days per week if three days is all your schedule allows. If you’re bored with your exercise routine, try something new for a week or two. There are great exercise videos on the Blue Cross® Health & Wellness website, powered by WebMD®.
Be Well!
April Wellness Challenge
Attend any of the mindfulness sessions led by Kristy McDonald in the month of April, sign the attendance sheet, and receive an entry into a drawing for every time you attend to win a Fitbit Alta! Tuesdays- 12:30 p.m. Health Science 101/ Wednesdays- 9 a.m. University Center 214.
Position Vacancies & Supplemental Employment
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find them here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
Position Vacancies
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Clinical Nursing Adjunct Faculty
- Manufacturing/Engineering Adjunct Faculty
Supplemental Employment
- Enrollment Services Assistant
- Banquet Server – Hagerty Center
Employee Anniversaries
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
NMC to offer underwater ROV pilot training for ADCI
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is now the exclusive provider of underwater ROV pilot training credentialed by the Association of Diving Contractors International, a Houston-based association of more than 600 diving companies.
The 10-week program results in an ADCI Pilot Technician Certificate that students obtain as a stand-alone credential. Classes, expected to begin this fall, will be limited to 10-12 students, ensuring highly focused instruction and training scenarios.
Hans VanSumeren, director of NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, said training was built to industry needs. Students will get hands-on training in multiple underwater scenarios including open water, deep water, under ice and around structures. Hydraulics, electronics, pumping systems, troubleshooting, deployment scenarios and other fundamentals are also covered.
“ROV training at NMC has evolved to support all marine sectors and applications. Our people, facilities, and location allow us to train for numerous scenarios and environments,” VanSumeren said. “The curriculum is based directly on feedback from employers and by reviewing other training programs.”
ADCI once certified ROV pilots itself, but lacked a way to vet or assess applicants’ training and experience, according to executive director Phil Newsum, who stopped the practice in 2006. That created a problem.
“Now more than at any time in the underwater industry have we seen such a reliance on ROV operations, especially in tandem with commercial diving,” Newsum said. “(Thus) we have a huge void in the underwater industry, especially here in the United States, where we do not have formal training programs for ROV pilots.”
Last year, however, an industry contact tipped Newsum off to the marine technology programs at NMC. He visited the campus in September, and realized that NMC’s curriculum could fill that void.
“I get to see different training programs globally. By far, this is one of the most impressive,” said Newsum.
When fully deployed, 24-36 people are expected to enroll annually. The first class is anticipated to be offered in fall of 2017.
VanSumeren added the program is structured to be dynamic, evolving with industry.
“The entire training program must be agile for responding to the changes in competencies required by industry whether that is next year, in five years or beyond. “
Release date: April 19, 2017
For more information:
Hans VanSumeren
NMC Great Lakes Water Studies Institute
hvansumeren@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1793
Phil Newsum
Association of Diving Contractors International
pnewsum@adc-int.org
(281) 893-8388
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-discriminationWindow on the World Week: April 18-21, 2017
Tuesday, April 18:
Global Flavor Day
- Taste international cuisine from Turkey brought to you by Sodexo.
- 11 a.m.–1 p.m, Hawk Owl Café, West Hall
International Club
- International Dinner featuring fine cuisine from many regions and cultures as well as international talents and entertainment. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available through MyNorthTickets.com
- 6–8 p.m., Hagerty Center
Wednesday, April 19:
Global Flavor Day
- Taste international cuisine from Thailand brought to you by Sodexo.
- 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Hawk Owl Café, West Hall
Study Abroad/Global Endorsement Fair
- Interested in understanding the world? Have dreams of exploring further than the U.S. but not quite sure how? International Services and Service Learning will have information on how to make this possible. Students will also be available to answer questions and share their experiences with the Global Endorsement and NMC study abroad.
- 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Hawk Owl Café, West Hall
“Africa Beyond”
- Features the music of the African diaspora with special emphasis on West and Central Africa and the West Indies.
- 7–9 p.m., WNMC 90.7
Thursday, April 20:
Passport Lecture Series Brown Bag Lunch—Ukriane
- Explore other cultures through the experiences of NMC students. Bring your lunch and hear international student Olga Narolska speak about Ukraine.
- 12:15–1 p.m., Founders Hall, Room 110
International Affairs Forum, “Turkey at the Crossroads”
- Turkey is a key member of NATO and America’s most important Muslim ally. It plays a crucial role both in the fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq, and in Europe’s struggle to deal with the flood of refugees and migrants. Lawrence Mandel, fresh from service as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey brings an authoritative view of recent events and how they might impact the foreign policy of the new administration in Washington.
- 6–7 p.m., Milliken Auditorium
Friday, April 21:
Sounds From Afar Live
- WNMC brings you Sounds from Afar Live, a program of popular music from around the world. The featured countries include Cuba, Senegal, Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, India, Japan, Sweden and more.
- 11 a.m.–2 p.m., WNMC 90.7, West Hall, Student Lounge, lower level
Global Literature Reading Group, “My Son’s Story”
- A group discussion for students, faculty and staff of Nadine Gordimer’s My Son’s Story. This novel s set in apartheid-era South Africa in the 1980s and tells the story of a black activist and his family. Gordimer won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991 and was active in the anti-apartheid movement.
- Noon-1:30 p.m., Scholars Hall Room 104
Sponsored by the NMC Office of International Services & Service Learning, International Club, the International Affairs Forum, WNMC and Sodexo.