Brand countdown: One week til the big reveal!

Aug 12, 2025 | Intercom

If you’ve glimpsed some of the new signage being installed on all our campuses, you’ve gotten a taste. The full reveal at next week’s opening conference, however, will be an unprecedented event for NMC. Never in our nearly 75 years of history have we had a comprehensive brand strategy implemented.

This initial phase of the brand refresh focuses on college-wide needs and high-impact audiences: prospective students, current students, and, of course, you, our employees. Here’s what to expect:

• New gateway and directional signage – pedestrian and driver-oriented.
• A fully redesigned suite of admissions materials
• Environmental branding in some buildings (think accent walls, decals and rugs) with more to come in future phases
• Welcome Week items for current students
• Swag, Canva templates, Google templates (like letterhead and syllabi), and basic office supplies for employees

Thanks to Shipping & Receiving, the Bookstore and Facilities for all the work they’ve done over the summer to help us reach this point. It’s a big lift that will take three years to roll out completely, but next week’s reveal is a huge, exciting milestone that we can’t wait to share!

McDonald named MCCA’s outstanding faculty member

Aug 8, 2025 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — NMC is proud to share that business faculty member Kristy McDonald received the 2025 Outstanding Faculty Award from the Michigan Community College Association for her commitment to experiential learning and transformative student engagement. McDonald also co-directs NMC’s Experiential Learning Institute and is renowned for her classes structured around semester-long experiential learning projects. She was the 2012 recipient of NMC’s Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award.

McDonald was among several award recipients, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, at the MCCA’s summer conference, held last week on Mackinac Island. The official MCCA release includes links to downloadable photos.

Release date: AUGUST 6, 2025

For more information:

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

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Board of Trustees Building & Site committee meeting

Aug 8, 2025 | Intercom

The Building & Site committee of NMC Board of Trustees will meet at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12 in the President’s office conference room of the Tanis Building on NMC’s Front Street campus. More information is available here.

For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.

Board of Trustees Audit committee meeting

Aug 8, 2025 | Intercom

The Building & Site committee of NMC Board of Trustees will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14 in the President’s office conference room of the Tanis Building on NMC’s Front Street campus. More information is available here.

For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.

Brand countdown: Two weeks to go – and why now, anyway?

Aug 4, 2025 | Intercom

As we all know, higher education is changing fast. There are fewer students, more competition, and shifting expectations. A clear, compelling brand helps NMC stand out, connect with students, and stay strong. It helps us speak with one voice, focus on what sets us apart, and attract the students, partners, and resources that will shape our future. It’s not just about being seen, it’s about being understood.

In addition, NMC has grown in powerful ways, through new programs, deeper partnerships, and a commitment to innovation. Our updated brand reflects all that momentum. It honors where we’ve been, but is designed to help us move forward together.

What does all that mean for you? Will it change how you do your job? Yes and no. It probably won’t change your day to day tasks. 

Whether you teach, advise, clean, cook, plan, lead or support, this brand belongs to you. The way we talk about the college, how we welcome people and the stories we tell all shape NMC’s reputation, which is part and parcel of the brand. Rest assured, though, you’ll be supported throughout the rollout with information, training, swag, and tools, all located in a convenient online hub, to make this easy and meaningful.

Strategic Plan 2026-2029

Aug 4, 2025 | Intercom

NMC NEXT came to a close on June 30. An amazing amount of work was accomplished in the last three years! Look for a summary of the plan, including successes and opportunities at an upcoming Board of Trustees meeting. THANK YOU to all who played important roles in its success! 

Since June, the Strategic Initiatives team has been gathering feedback for the development of the next strategic plan that is expected to launch in early 2026. Approximately 80% of the strategies will be carryover strategies as they align with college priorities. Another 20% will be new, emerging topics.

The Strategic Plan Steering Committee helped validate a timeline and provided some initial feedback. Leadership Council hosted a workshop dedicated to preliminary strategy development, providing strong guidance and ideas to revise and improve the strategies. Work will be ongoing with both groups.

In addition, a number of outreach/brainstorming sessions will be scheduled with departments, programs and employee/student groups this fall. Look for those invitations to be forthcoming as we look to launch the next strategic plan! As always, we appreciate your thoughts and comments, and urge you to use this feedback form.

Check the Intercom space for timely updates on the development of the forthcoming strategic plan. If you would like additional information or have suggestions on what critical updates we can provide to keep you informed, please contact Jason Slade at jslade@nmc.edu. 

Volunteers sought for Welcome Week 2025

Jul 28, 2025 | Intercom

Welcome Week 2025 is Aug. 21–26. The Welcome Week planning committee is currently organizing a series of engaging events for our students and is seeking additional support for a select number of events. You can help make Welcome Week a success by signing up to volunteer. Volunteers for the East Hall move-in on Friday, Aug. 22 are especially needed. 

For questions, please contact Katy Knight at cknight@nmc.edu.

Brand countdown is on: Three weeks to go

Jul 28, 2025 | Intercom

We can’t wait to share NMC’s new brand with you, which officially launches on August 19.

You’ll start to see updated visuals, signage and messaging. Our brand is more than a logo. It’s a shared tool that shapes how we show up, what we highlight, and how people experience NMC. It influences everything from first impressions to long-term partnerships and helps us compete in a fast-changing higher ed landscape.

This work didn’t come from the outside in. It was shaped by more than 600 voices across the NMC community, including students, employees, alumni, donors and partners. A respected higher ed branding firm helped us listen, make sense of the input, and turn it into a clear, compelling brand strategy.

The strategy work was funded by a $100,000 Lumina Foundation grant. Implementation is being phased in over three years to manage cost and support adoption across the college.

This isn’t just about marketing. It’s a long-term investment in NMC’s future and in the region we serve as the only locally based institution of higher learning. We’re proud of where we’re going and we’re glad you’re part of it.

Board of Trustees approves 3-year faculty contract

Jul 22, 2025 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a new three-year contract with the NMC Faculty Association and the NMC Faculty Chairs Association, continuing the college’s focus on student success while aligning compensation with fiscal responsibility.

The FY26–FY28 contract was ratified by faculty on July 18 and approved by the Board on July 21. It covers 77 faculty members and one librarian, and takes effect August 1.

Key provisions of the agreement include:

• Compensation: Faculty will receive wage scale increases of 4% in 2026, 3% in 2027, and 2.5% in 2028. Those on steps 1–14 will also continue to receive annual step increases of 3.7%.
• Advising Model: The contract introduces an innovative new student advising initiative. Beginning in academic year 2027, every NMC student will be required to meet with an advisor until they have a My Academic Plan (“MAP”) in place. Faculty will play an active role in this process, receiving training in AY26 and advising a minimum of 12 students annually starting in AY27.
• Generative A.I. use: The contract includes a new article outlining expectations and philosophy regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence in teaching and learning.
• Streamlined Compensation Structure: A provision known as the “prep bonus,” which previously incentivized faculty to teach across multiple course formats, has been concluded in favor of refocusing resources on direct student impact through the updated advising model.

“We appreciate the collaborative process that led to this agreement,” said NMC Board Chair Laura Oblinger. “This contract reflects NMC’s ongoing commitment to student success and sound stewardship of public resources. It supports faculty while continuing to evolve our practices to meet the needs of students and the region.”

​​“This agreement helps us build on what makes NMC special,” said NMC President Nick Nissley. “We believe deeply in our students, foster a culture of innovation and are proud of a faculty committed to excellence. It’s a forward-looking step that positions us to grow with purpose and serve our community even more effectively.”

“The NMC Faculty Association and its chairs are proud to have decisively ratified a contract to serve our students over the next three years,” said social sciences instructor and NMC Faculty Association President Brandon Everest.

“Both sides worked diligently and in a collegial way to develop a fair contract that serves our students’ needs with what will be the most robust faculty advising program in the state for community college students. The contract also preserves our salary plan and best represents faculty in shared governance as we build the college’s future and support our students.

“It’s not only what teachers do in the classroom but also what we do alongside it that serves our students in achieving their learning and life goals. We are pleased to continue to provide what is the finest in community college education to our students and region.”

NMC anticipates five new faculty hires in fall 2025 to maintain instructional strength.

The NMC Faculty Association, affiliated with the Michigan Education Association, was formed in 2016 and entered into its first contract with the college that same year.

Release date: JULY 22, 2025

For more information:

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

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE