Internal Promotions
The following NMC employees were recently promoted. Congratulations!
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- Patrick Kawula – Information Security Analyst
- Jackie Bradley – Nursing Coach
- Cindy Raymond – Nursing Recruiter/Advisor
Board of Trustees regular meeting
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, Room 106/107, on NMC’s main campus. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
First employed police recruits graduate Dec. 9
Law enforcement agencies from UP to metro Detroit will gain new officers
EDITORS: Media coverage of the graduation is welcome. It will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Cherryland VFW Post 2780, 3400 Veterans Drive, Traverse City.
TRAVERSE CITY — Students in NMC’s first 16-week condensed Police Academy program will graduate Saturday and head immediately to jobs around the state, exiting an enrollment- to- employment pipeline that will ultimately improve community safety in Michigan.
Nine of the 10 graduates are employed, or sponsored, recruits whose tuition was paid for through the Michigan Public Safety Academy Assistance Program, established a year ago to help address the critical, statewide need for additional police officers. Law enforcement agencies are eligible for up to $20,000 per recruit for tuition and other training costs, plus $4,000 in salary.
Thanks to that and changes to NMC’s structure which condensed the Academy from two semesters to one, eight agencies are now gaining an additional officer: police departments in Traverse City, Manistee and Farmington Hills, sheriff’s offices in Grand Traverse, Manistee, Antrim and Benzie counties, and the Escanaba Department of Public Safety.
“That creates a potential police officer for us in literally half the time,” said Grand Traverse County Sheriff Mike Shea, who will attend graduation to support his recruit, Andrew Bankey. “We will be able to have that officer in a patrol car the week after he graduates. It is going to help immensely.”
Shea expects Bankey to be on the department’s schedule the week of Dec. 15. He also plans to sponsor at least two and possibly three recruits in NMC’s Academy starting in January. The combination of the state assistance program and NMC’s shorter structure means Shea’s hiring picture is much brighter than a year ago.
“I’m cautiously optimistic that we have turned a corner, at least locally,” said Shea, who graduated from NMC in 2005 himself. “Between people in the hiring process and/or being sponsored, I believe we will have all of our current vacancies accounted for.”
When Connor Rischel graduates Saturday, Manistee Police Chief Josh Glass will fill one of his three current vacancies. Rischel is the first sponsored recruit Glass has had in his 20-year career. Like Shea, Glass said the 16-week schedule made it possible.
“It gets the person up and running and impacts the services we provide our community,” he said. “Not as many people are entering our profession.”
Glass praised the Police Academy curriculum under the leadership of Director Gail Kurowski, who has led a shift to scenario-based training, which simulates real-world situations. The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), sets a minimum threshold for such training that NMC far exceeds.
“Whenever possible, we will teach the MCOLES training modules with scenario-based instruction,” said Kurowski, who expects another class of ten, eight of whom are sponsored, to start in January.
“Based on my experience, I certainly would promote or advocate for sending students to NMC’s academy,” Glass said.
NMC is also the only academy in Michigan to offer drone certification to students. NMC can also meet another practical need for recruits.
“One of the big draws for NMC is that they have housing available. That’s a big deal in northern Michigan,” Glass said.
For more information on NMC’s program, visit nmc.edu/police.
Media coverage of the graduation is welcome. It will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Cherryland VFW Post 2780, 3400 Veterans Drive, Traverse City.
Release date: December 7, 2023
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
cnoga@nmc.edu
Day-of graduation contact:
Gail Kurowski
NMC Police Academy Director
gkurowski@nmc.edu
(517) 256-8772 (mobile)
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-discriminationRegistration open for winter and spring NMC community classes
Northwestern Michigan College Extended Education & Training announces the release of its winter-spring catalog, featuring over 220 diverse learning options. The catalog is now accessible online at www.nmc.edu/ees and registration is open for all interested learners.
This season, NMC Extended Education & Training presents a dynamic collection of in-person, livestream and online classes in both life enrichment and career related topics. Led by local experts, the life enrichment short courses span an array of captivating topics, including cooking, quilting, fitness, global issues, music, writing, technology and more. Exciting new additions to the curriculum include a Food & Wine Pairing series, Kickstart Your Veggie Garden, Thrive as an Empath and Beginning Counted Cross Stitch. Additionally, the popular series, Coffee Chats, will return in-person with lunchtime sessions.
Beyond the enriching life enrichment classes, this winter introduces expanded career training certificates and micro-credentials. These fast-track programs, Accelerated Solutions, provide needed credentials in a timely fashion to aspiring professionals seeking to launch, advance, or transition their careers. Training is available in specialized areas such as Innovation, Business, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Construction/Skilled Trades and more. By providing practical and cutting-edge training, NMC Extended Education & Training empowers individuals to achieve their career goals effectively. To explore these career-enhancing opportunities, visit nmc.edu/pd.
NMC Extended Education & Training also extends its offerings to businesses. Custom training programs and corporate retreats are available, tailored to meet the specific needs and objectives of organizations. For more information, reach out to ees@nmc.edu.
To view the full range of classes and secure a spot, visit www.nmc.edu/ees. To request a printed catalog, email ees@nmc.edu.
Gala to Give 2024 survey
Gala to Give 2023 was a success! The roaring 20s never looked so good! Thank you to everyone who attended and supported us last year. This year we have hopes to make another Gala to Give happen!
If you weren’t able to attend last year, let us fill you in—Gala to Give was created to celebrate students, faculty/staff, alumni, and even community members with music, fundraising and networking! The weather was cold, but it was warm inside the Hagerty Center as over 300 people showed and had a great night!
This year we are aiming to celebrate everyone with a fun night to dress up, converse with new people, and celebrate all of the accomplishments throughout the past year. In order to make this happen again we need your help. We are requesting your input to help us decide if we should put on another Gala to Give. We would love to host this special event, but need your help in order to do so! Please take one moment to let us know your thoughts.
Thank you, and happy holidays!
– The Gala to Give committee
Generous gifts to NMC
NMC is grateful for those who showed their support on Giving Tuesday (Nov. 28). Generous donors raised $14,653 to help students in danger of dropping out of school, including a $10,000 gift from an anonymous donor.
Additionally, donors to the Dennos raised $22,580, including the $10,000 matching gift from Ward and Mary Bevans Gillett, to preserve sculptures and to support all the work of the museum.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Media mentions for December 4, 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.
Community college students struggle with affordable housing
Spartan Newsroom, Dec. 1
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IAF Global Hotspot | Israel-Palestine: Conflict in Context
Northwestern Michigan College’s International Affairs Forum comes together on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Milliken Auditorium at the Dennos Museum Center for a Global Hotspot event—Israel-Palestine: Conflict in Context. The program will include an examination of historical foundations of the current conflict and welcome back two past leaders of IAF to share their informed insights.
Leila Hilal is a human rights attorney and former IAF executive director. Hilal served as Senior Policy Adviser to the Commissioner-General of the Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) and as a legal adviser to Palestinian negotiators from 2002-2008. Now a director at the Detroit Workforce Funder Collaborative, Hilal recently returned from a visit to Jordan.
Jack Segal is a former IAF Board co-chair and a retired senior U.S. diplomat who served in the U.S. Embassy in Israel as counselor for political/military affairs during the first Intifada and the Gulf War. Jack also served at the NSC as Director for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, and later, Director for Non-Proliferation, and at NATO as Senior Political Adviser to NATO’s operational commander in Afghanistan.
Hilal and Segal will provide vital context on this complex issue and answer audience questions, in person via question cards and online via livestream.
The Dec. 14 in-person event at the Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium is open to the public and available to livestream online. Admission is $15 per person. Admission is free for all students and educators. Doors open at 6 p.m.; the program begins promptly at 7 p.m.
The International Affairs Forum is member-supported program of Northwestern Michigan College and a member affiliate of the World Affairs Councils of America. For in-person tickets, online tickets, and all event details, visit TCIAF.com.
Visual Communications pro-bono project submissions due
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s Visual Communications department invites area non-profit groups to submit graphic design, art direction and new media projects for consideration as pro bono class projects during the spring 2024 semester.
Part of the Visual Communications curriculum, the class project is free to the non-profits selected. The goal is a real-world assignment that allows students to interact with clients and exposes them to the commercial printing and production worlds, including film and new media production, creative advertising, graphic design and packaging. Projects will be completed by the end of the spring semester in April 2024.
Potential projects could include logos, brochures, ad campaigns, packaging, graphic design, branding, posters, infographics, announcements, invitations, film, motion graphics, animations, exhibition design, TV commercials or anything relating to visual communications, commercial art, illustration and film or web design. The department is especially interested in conceptually-driven projects that will offer the students substantial opportunity for interaction with the client and process.
Please include the following in your submission:
- Description, tone and purpose of the design work requested, as well as the targeted audience you identify being associated with this work / your organization.
- List out EACH piece (logo / brochure / short film, etc.) that make up the ideal whole of your project. Other pieces may be identified by your student team or elements may be excluded based on their contracted plan or suggested in place of ones on this list.
- Ideal completion date between February 28 and April 25. All projects will be completed by April 30. Feel free to stagger dates individual elements might be due.
- Ideal time for mid-way progress check meeting in March.
- Budget: While there is no fee for the services students will provide, organizations must provide funds for printing / production expenses. NMC is happy to coordinate printing / production and get quotes under all budgets, and the students should be included in this step as it gains them experience in obtaining production quotes.
Please submit project consideration requests to instructor Caroline Schaefer-Hills at cschaefer@nmc.edu by January 5.
Release date: December 4, 2023
For more information:
Caroline Schaefer-Hills
Visual Communications chair
(231) 995-1334
cschaefer@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 Beautification Consortium “How Might We 5000”
The NMC Beautification Consortium’s How Might We 5000 (HM-5000) has already been making its rounds through NMC’s campuses asking the question, “How might we beautify/renew NMC’s campuses, grounds and buildings (inside and out) to create a sense of belonging and community?” If you see the whiteboard that is making its way around the Front Street Campus, please provide your input. Input is open to all students, employees, alumni and community members.
There have been many innovative, interesting and unexpected suggestions since the HM-5000 made it’s debut in North Hall two weeks ago. Traveling through East Hall and the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center has upped the ante with even more intriguing input from the NMC community. The HM-5000 is continuing it’s journey through campus to the Health Science Building, followed by the Les Biederman Building and then the Osterlin Building. The HM-5000 will only be able to spend a couple days in each building before relocating on so that way we can visit all the buildings on NMC’s campuses before the semester ends.
Your efforts are welcome and appreciated.
Thank you from the NMC Beautification Consortium!
For more information, contact Todd Haines at thaines@nmc.edu.
Google to sunset Jamboard in 2024
Google announced that Jamboard, their online whiteboarding system, will be discontinued in 2024. They recommend using FigJam or Zoom Whiteboard as a replacement. These online whiteboard tools are super helpful for online classes. If you have any questions about the new options, please reach out to Ali Thornton at athornton@nmc.edu.
Advocates for Benzie County: listening sessions
Advocates for Benzie County is sponsoring several listening sessions to hear residents’ needs and concerns regarding higher education access in Benzie County. As the group has been promoting the sessions, NMC wanted to ensure that our students and employees have also heard about the sessions. The dates, times, and locations are listed below.
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- Monday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m., Frankfort (City Hall)
- Tuesday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m., Benzonia (Mills Community House)
- Thursday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m., Honor (The Gathering Place)
- Saturday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m., Lake Ann (United Methodist Community Center)
- Wednesday, Dec. 13, 12 p.m., Frankfort Rotary (Hotel Frankfort) (NMC President Nissley Presenting)
- Thursday, Jan. 11, 2 p.m., Eagles Club of Interlochen
- Thursday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m., United Methodist Church in Elberta
- Tuesday, Jan. 23 7:30 a.m., Benzie Sunrise Rotary (Lucky Dog Bar) (NMC President Nissley Nick Presenting)
Please do not hesitate to reach out to the NMC Presidents Office at nmcpresident@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1010 with any questions or concerns.
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.
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The Science of Stress (75 SCECH)
Elev8
On the menu: Daily specials at the Hawk Owl Café
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Monday, Dec. 4
Entrée: fettuccine with chicken and pesto cream sauce or fettuccine with roasted vegetable and pesto cream sauce
Sides: broccoli and crostini
Tuesday, Dec. 5
Entrée: chicken enchilada with peppers and onions or roasted vegetable enchilada with peppers and onions
Sides: spanish rice and beans
Wednesday, Dec. 6
Entrée: sesame chicken stirfry or sesame tofu stirfry
Sides: basmati rice & egg roll
Thursday, Dec. 7
Entrée: potato gnocchi with Italian sausage and alfredo sauce or potato gnocchi with alfredo sauce
Sides: roasted vegetables and garlic bread
Friday, Dec. 8
Entrée: BBQ pulled pork on brioche or BBQ pulled jackfruit on brioche
Sides: baked beans & green beans
Call for 2024 Fellows nominations
The NMC Board of Trustees Fellows Selection Committee is seeking nominations for the 2024 Northwestern Michigan College “Fellow” award. The Fellow is NMC’s highest honor and the following criteria are taken into consideration during the selection process.
- Demonstrated influential networking on behalf of the College – Exercising helpful influence among their resource networks in public life, academe or business and industry with those who can positively affect the mission of the College.
- Financial contribution – Demonstration of pattern of outstanding contributions over time to NMC.
- Time devoted in the interest of NMC – Exemplifying dedicated and loyal volunteer service over a period of years.
- Retirees – In addition to service deemed extraordinary during their active careers as members of the faculty and staff, retirees who continue to contribute to their academic or professional fields and provide exemplary service back to NMC as volunteers, mentors or advisors shall be considered.
Exceptional contributions in one or more of these areas may justify nomination. No staff, faculty, or trustee shall be named a Fellow while still employed or in office. A list of previously selected Fellows is here for your reference.
Please complete the nomination form to nominate a worthy candidate. Nominations may be submitted to the President’s Office and via e-mail to nmcpresident@nmc.edu by Thursday, December 21, 2023.
President’s Office
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI
Phone: (231) 995-1010
Yoga and Mindfulness
As finals approach, take a moment to breathe and center yourself. Join NMC Voices on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Osterlin Building for an evening of relaxation and mindfulness through yoga. This event is a perfect opportunity to stretch out the stress and find your inner peace. Open to all levels—whether you’re a yoga guru or a complete beginner.
Jazz concert Dec. 9
The NMC Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Big Band will be performing their final concert this semester on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Milliken Auditorium. We’re playing lots of great charts by Battle, Dorham, White, Mercer, Ellington, Corea, Moten, Sabina, Davis, Jones, Arlen, Baker, Sorenson, Mingus, and Kanno. Warm up your December with some hot music by some of the coolest players around!
Doors open at 7:00pm and the show starts at 7:30pm with a brief intermission between groups!
Tickets at the door are $15 for Adults, $10 for Seniors and free for NMC students with their student ID. Tickets can be purchased at simpletix.com..
NMC Esports Varsity team member wins National Championship
On Nov. 29, Damon Livingston of the NMC Esports Varsity team won the NJCAA-E Madden ’24 National Playoff Championship. He defeated Harrisburg Area Community College 3-0 in the best of 5 series. This is the first league or playoff championship for the NMC Esports Varsity program.
Watch a recording of the competition here.
New books at the NMC library
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
Indulge in a Sweet Evening with ‘Chocolat’
Join 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-discriminationDodgeball 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
Students selected for Jobs for America’s Graduates leadership conference
Aby Kowalske
(Download a high-resolution photo) 
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-discriminationFall textbook rental return and spring rental availability
Spring textbooks will be available on Dec. 1. Stop by the NMC Campus Bookstore or check them out online at bookstore.nmc.edu. Looking to use financial aid for your books? Spring financial aid will be available Dec. 11–Feb. 1.
Fall textbook rentals are due back by Tuesday, December 19.
Books that have been purchased can be sold back during December 11-15.
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
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