Sep 28, 2021 | Intercom, President Updates
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our comprehensive strategic planning process during the last six months. It has produced robust discussions, engagement and opportunities for input. Based on this participation, we’ve added some additional sessions along the way to give the strategic planning steering committee and work team adequate time to co-create these important draft mission, vision, values, and strategy statements.
As a result, we will move the all employee feedback session originally scheduled for October 6 to later in the month. We will share more details soon and look forward to advancing this work together.
If you have any questions, feedback or ideas, please email strategic-planning@nmc.edu. You can also find more information and updates at nmc.edu/strategic-planning.
President’s Office
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI
Phone: (231) 995-1010
Sep 27, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
In conjunction with the Marine Technology Society and others, NMC is sponsoring Lakebed 2030 Sept. 29–Oct. 1. This major international virtual conference brings together scientists and researchers, policy makers and government officials and industry professionals to map the Great Lakes. The event has over 275 registrants from 8 countries. Register for the free event here and view the event schedule here.
NMC President Nick Nissley will provide opening remarks for the conference at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, discussing the Blue Economy and NMC’s role as a leader in Great Lakes innovation.
Sep 27, 2021 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Congratulations to Extended Educational Services for a successful 2021 College for Kids program led by Kristy Jackson. On key benchmarks of enrollment, safety, and of course, fun, the program excelled. Zero COVID-19 exposures were reported and 90 percent of seats were filled.
“NMC’s commitment to the human ‘learning span’ is one of our fundamental and enduring values — most happily illustrated in the energy of our youngest learners,” said Marguerite Cotto, Vice President for Lifelong & Professional Learning. “What a way to start a learning journey!”
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Sep 27, 2021 | Intercom, Media Mentions
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.
NMC set to kick off first esports season
TV 9&10, Sept. 20 (more…)
Sep 27, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Military veterans can now convert active duty sea service into credit toward an engineering officer bachelor’s degree at NMC’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy.
Coast Guard Capt. Bradley Clare signed the approval letter for the Academy’s Military Veterans Program (MVET) on September 23 at the American Merchant Marine Veterans annual convention. MVET will allow student-veterans to transfer sea service and training completed while on active duty into the GLMA engine officer program before GI education benefits expire.
“I am excited to approve this program for the Great Lakes Maritime Academy which greatly supports providing a pathway for military members to integrate into the maritime industry,” Capt. Clare said. “The Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center is very committed to ensuring the success of our transitioning military members.”
More credentialed engineers graduating sooner will also help the merchant marine industry, whose workforce is aging.
Jim Weakley, president of the Lake Carriers’ Association, a trade group representing the U.S.-flag Great Lakes cargo fleet, echoed the importance of the MVET program to the shipping industry.
“As a veteran and the son of a Vietnam veteran, who benefited from the G.I Bill, I can personally attest to the value of the GLMA program and the need to make it as cost effective for our veterans as possible,” Weakley said. “Our commitment to veterans should not end with their service. We need to honor their time in uniform and expedite their transition to good paying jobs. They can continue to serve our nation in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Our national security, homeland security and economic security will continue to benefit from their skills and work ethic.
GLMA Superintendent Jerry Achenbach said the (MVET) program is the result of more than four years of work involving several members of the Academy’s faculty and staff and USCG officials. It is expected to improve recruitment to the Academy’s engineering program.
In addition to allowing cadets to bypass redundant training, the approval will allow student veterans to complete the engineering program within the constraints of GI bill benefits. Due to sea service requirements, the current GLMA program exceeds the 36 months of benefits awarded to veterans by the GI bill.
Approval is good for five years, until 2026.
Release date: SEPTEMBER 27, 2021
For more information:
Jerry Achenbach
GLMA Superintendent
gachenbach@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1200
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-discrimination
Sep 27, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Military veterans can now convert active duty sea service into credit toward an engineering officer bachelor’s degree at NMC’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy.
Coast Guard Capt. Bradley Clare signed the approval letter for the Academy’s Military Veterans Program (MVET) on September 23 at the American Merchant Marine Veterans annual convention. MVET will allow student-veterans to transfer sea service and training completed while on active duty into the GLMA engine officer program before GI education benefits expire.
“I am excited to approve this program for the Great Lakes Maritime Academy which greatly supports providing a pathway for military members to integrate into the maritime industry,” Capt. Clare said. “The Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center is very committed to ensuring the success of our transitioning military members.”
More credentialed engineers graduating sooner will also help the merchant marine industry, whose workforce is aging.
Jim Weakley, president of the Lake Carriers’ Association, a trade group representing the U.S.-flag Great Lakes cargo fleet, echoed the importance of the MVET program to the shipping industry.
“As a veteran and the son of a Vietnam veteran, who benefited from the G.I Bill, I can personally attest to the value of the GLMA program and the need to make it as cost effective for our veterans as possible,” Weakley said. “Our commitment to veterans should not end with their service. We need to honor their time in uniform and expedite their transition to good paying jobs. They can continue to serve our nation in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Our national security, homeland security and economic security will continue to benefit from their skills and work ethic.
GLMA Superintendent Jerry Achenbach said the (MVET) program is the result of more than four years of work involving several members of the Academy’s faculty and staff and USCG officials. It is expected to improve recruitment to the Academy’s engineering program.
In addition to allowing cadets to bypass redundant training, the approval will allow student veterans to complete the engineering program within the constraints of GI bill benefits. Due to sea service requirements, the current GLMA program exceeds the 36 months of benefits awarded to veterans by the GI bill.
Approval is good for five years, until 2026.
Release date: SEPTEMBER 27, 2021
For more information:
Jerry Achenbach
GLMA Superintendent
gachenbach@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1200
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-discrimination
Sep 22, 2021 | Student Events
NMC’s Rotaract Club will be holding their first meeting Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 5:30 p.m. in West Hall Room 107 and THERE WILL BE FREE PIZZA!!
Wondering what exactly the Rotaract Club is? Rotary International has some incredible causes that they focus on, such as supporting education and protecting the environment—two very significant interests for NMC and within the Northern Michigan region.
The purpose of Rotaract Clubs is to bring together people ages 18 and older to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service.
We are very excited for this opportunity. It will do a lot of good for our school and community, and we are thrilled to begin this new endeavor! Thank you for being a part of it.
Sep 21, 2021 | Intercom, Student Events
Traverse Health Clinic will hold a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on NMC’s main campus Monday, Sept. 27 from noon to 3 p.m. in the West Hall Innovation Center.
NMC students: Remember to register for NMC’s Win Big drawing after getting your vaccine! Prizes include a semester’s worth of free tuition and fees or free NMC housing, $500 NMC Bookstore gift cards and $100 Amazon gift cards! Enter now through September 30.
Sep 20, 2021 | DEI Insights and Conversations, Intercom
Please read this article and reflect: What are you actively doing (or could you do) to advance these topics in and out of the workplace?
*Please fill out this DEI Intercom Post Feedback Form to be part of our conversation and offer feedback or suggestions on what is being shared.
Sep 20, 2021 | HR Corner, Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
Sep 20, 2021 | HR Corner, Intercom
Kudos to NMC Grounds and Maintenance: What haven’t these folks done?! They have all gone above and beyond to help me out in getting the Art Department ready for the semester. Work order after work order every one of these individuals have made the transformation of our department possible. I can’t say thank you enough.
Kudos and a Shout out to the entire Audio Tech team! Brady, David, Patrick and Jonah are especially generous with the support they provide to Audio Tech students. They not only taught me the skills to be successful as an audio tech, but gave me the confidence to dive in to a significant project this summer, which turned out to be a huge success for everyone involved, and provided an important service to our local community. I am super grateful, and couldn’t have tackled the work without their help. I can’t wait to see what this semester has in store for Audio Tech!
Kudos to John Biolchini: Outstanding lecture in MDK 431 (ECDIS)
Kudos to Kerry McPherson: Kerry took the time to call us after her shift (we’re closed during her normal working hours) to let us know about a package that was left in the old library space in the Osterlin building. This type of care is typical of what we saw from Kerry when we were under her custodial care at Osterlin – always so thoughtful and considerate!
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!
Sep 20, 2021 | HR Corner, Intercom
Instructional Technology Specialist Justin Guillard has been promoted to Client Systems Administrator.
Sep 20, 2021 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Congrats to Social Sciences office manager Cindy Duby who finished tenth in her age group at the Half-Ironman World Championships Saturday in Utah. Duby finished the 1.2 mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run in a total time of 5 hours, 49 minutes, 43 seconds. Department chair Sean Ruane says Duby’s IM performance is only equaled by her performance on campus. The 20-plus year NMC employee is adept at shifting priorities, staying positive and focused on problem-solving, even when working remotely.
“As Cindy states in her own words, ‘I believe staying healthy makes me a better employee, and is essential for the mind & body to better handle the demands of a busy work environment,’” Ruane said.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Sep 20, 2021 | Intercom, Media Mentions
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.
NMC students to receive fourth round of federal COVID funds
TV 9 & 10 News, September 15 (more…)
Sep 19, 2021 | Intercom
Sep 17, 2021 | Student Events
Need a Study Break? Let’s have some Cretivi-tea!
Come join the NMC ambassadors Wednesday Sept. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. to rejuvenate your mind and body!
We’ll have improv, healthy snack and lots of tea!
Sep 16, 2021 | Student News
The NMC Esports Varsity program is still recruiting full-time students to participate as a member of the Varsity Overwatch team. If you are a new NMC student in good standing or a returning student with a minimum 2.0 GPA, you are eligible to participate. The team practices once a week and has matches every Friday at 6 p.m. Interested students should contact Terri Gustafson at tgustafson@nmc.edu, (231) 995-1076, or send a DM in Discord to DirectorTerriGus#3031.
In addition, the NMC Esports Club is open to all NMC students to participate in either casual or competitive game play. Students who join the club are encouraged to form teams to compete online, play casually against other students, or even do an on-campus tournament in the Esports lab in the West Hall Innovation Center. All club communication is done through Discord. Please use this invite link to join and get involved!
Sep 16, 2021 | Intercom, Student Events
Join us at the Hagerty Center on NMC’s Great Lakes Campus Thursday, Oct. 28 from 7:30–9:30 a.m. for a free community discussion on healthy aging in northern Michigan. Panelists from across the community will share information on local resources, why healthy aging is important for our community and how to start planning.
This is great for students interested in healthcare, individuals who have aging family members or those wanting to be prepared for the future.
Sep 16, 2021 | Intercom
Keep up with what’s happening at NMC by signing up for NMC Now, an email newsletter highlighting NMC success stories, upcoming events, and news articles about the college! New issues are sent out every other week during the fall and spring semesters, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Recent issues have included the story of Afghan alumnus Edris Fana, whose parents were unable to attend his wedding following the Taliban’s takeover of his home country, and NMC’s search for its first-ever vice president of strategic initiatives.
Sep 15, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC students received $3 million in American Rescue Plan funds this month, bringing the total amount of federal COVID-19 relief funds the college has distributed to students to $5.2 million since April 2020.
NMC has prioritized rapid disbursement of four rounds of COVID funds intended for students, as well as supplemented them with dollars raised by the NMC Foundation. In 2020, NMC distributed more than $1 million in federal funds to 705 students, who received an average award of $1,500 each.
In February of this year, students received another $1 million earmarked by Congress for direct student aid. More than 900 students received an average of $964 each. Awards were based on demonstrated financial need and enrollment status.
In June, another $550,000 went to 1,000 students registered for summer semester. Average awards from the September disbursement were more than $1,000 each to 3,060 students, who received notification Sept. 10. Funds go out this week.
“As the pandemic persists, so do our students’ challenges,” NMC President Nick Nissley said. “We’re pleased to be able to efficiently steward these taxpayer dollars and distribute them to students who have persevered toward their goals through 18 months.”
While the COVID relief dollars are extraordinary, NMC champions affordability as a key element of college access. Among the ways the college regularly strives to help students pay for their education:
- Participation in federal student aid financial aid programs, the keystone for all student aid. In August NMC was approved for a six-year recertification. This enables the college to receive dollars like the COVID-19 funds, as well as participate in the statewide Michigan Reconnect program, which offers free in-district tuition to Michigan residents over age 25 who do not already have a college degree.
“This is one of those, ‘it takes a village’ things. Everyone at NMC contributes to the institutional eligibility,” said Linda Berlin, director of financial aid.
- Awarding more than $1 million in student scholarships annually through the NMC Foundation. This year alone five new scholarships have been created in academic areas ranging from nursing to accounting. A scholarship dinner to benefit construction trade programs will be held Oct. 7. New scholarships with residential criteria are also available to residents of Grand Traverse County, Leelanau County, and Mancelona.
- Innovations such as an open educational resources filter for the course schedule, which allows students to search for courses that only require free or low-cost textbooks. (There are 188 for spring 2022 semester.)
- Services such as the NMC Food Pantry. Usage of the free service for the 2020-21 academic year was the highest ever, with 1,232 people served. The average of 102.6 people per month served was up 17 percent from the 2019-20 academic year.
Release date: September 15, 2021
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
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-discrimination
Sep 15, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
September 15, 2021
Edris Fana speaks at the 2016 NMC CommencementLast month, 2016 NMC graduate Edris Fana expected to see his parents for the first time in eight years, when they were to travel from Kabul, Afghanistan to Traverse City for his wedding to fellow alumna Emma Smith.
Instead, their wedding date, Aug. 15, became the day that Fana’s home country officially fell back to the Taliban, the Islamic military regime that resumed control of Afghanistan amid the final withdrawal of U.S./NATO troops after a 20-year presence.
“Everything just went downhill,” Fana said, adding that his parents have visas to travel to the United States, but cannot get a flight. (Very limited air travel resumed last week.) “To see it fall like this, it’s crazy to think about it.”
As the first international student to lead NMC’s Student Government Association, Fana, now 27, once aspired to apply that experience back home, and work in the government of the fledgling democratic republic.
“That was my all-time goal,” said Fana, who studied aviation. As the SGA president, he spoke at both the 2015 and 2016 commencement ceremonies.
“Coming from a place that I didn’t have the opportunity to practice leadership, or to have any experience of what I was capable of, it was NMC that presented me with opportunities to grow,” Fana told the audience in 2016.
Fana reciprocated those opportunities, contributing significantly to international understanding on campus, said Jim Bensley, NMC’s director of International Services and Service Learning.
“His interactions with fellow students helped many students gain a more intimate understanding of Afghan culture,” said Bensley, who invited Fana to speak to his World Cultures classes as well as wider campus audiences.
Fana’s 2013 departure to attend NMC was his second exodus from Afghanistan. In 1994 he was 11 days old when his parents fled with him and his brother to Pakistan as the Taliban began its first takeover of the country. The family returned to Afghanistan in 2003, when Fana was 10.
By then, the American invasion had ousted the Taliban from power and Afghanistan was heading into its first democratic elections. Despite attending an American school in Kabul and having parents who were educated and professional — his father runs a non-governmental organization called Partners in Aviation and Technology — Fana found his options for higher education limited. He wanted to study aviation.
As a young, Afghan man in a post-9/11 world, it wasn’t easy getting the acceptances and documents he needed to study in the United States. But Fana finally succeeded, following his brother, a pre-med student, to Michigan.
“NMC provided a path to me, not just out of Afghanistan, but to study more, to study what I really love, and get involved in the community,” said Fana. In addition to the SGA, at NMC he joined the International Club, also serving as its president, was a resident assistant and worked in the library. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Ferris State University through NMC’s University Center in December 2020.
NMC Dean of Students Lisa Thomas is the adviser to the SGA and knew Fana well.
“His own life experiences and journey from across the world to NMC gave him a deep sense of appreciation for the education and opportunities at NMC,” Thomas said.
Currently working as a hotel manager, with a return to Afghanistan off the table, Fana is accruing flight hours in order to earn his flight instructor license.
Daily life in Kabul is “somewhat regular” now, as the Taliban seeks international recognition of its regime, and his parents are safe, Fana said, but they are still seeking a way to leave. It’s stunning to think the country is back where it was when he was an infant.
“I don’t think anybody expected an overnight takeover. Within two weeks, the whole country just fell in.”
Sep 15, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC students received $3 million in American Rescue Plan funds this month, bringing the total amount of federal COVID-19 relief funds the college has distributed to students to $5.2 million since April 2020.
NMC has prioritized rapid disbursement of four rounds of COVID funds intended for students, as well as supplemented them with dollars raised by the NMC Foundation. In 2020, NMC distributed more than $1 million in federal funds to 705 students, who received an average award of $1,500 each.
In February of this year, students received another $1 million earmarked by Congress for direct student aid. More than 900 students received an average of $964 each. Awards were based on demonstrated financial need and enrollment status.
In June, another $550,000 went to 1,000 students registered for summer semester. Average awards from the September disbursement were more than $1,000 each to 3,060 students, who received notification Sept. 10. Funds go out this week.
“As the pandemic persists, so do our students’ challenges,” NMC President Nick Nissley said. “We’re pleased to be able to efficiently steward these taxpayer dollars and distribute them to students who have persevered toward their goals through 18 months.”
While the COVID relief dollars are extraordinary, NMC champions affordability as a key element of college access. Among the ways the college regularly strives to help students pay for their education:
- Participation in federal student aid financial aid programs, the keystone for all student aid. In August NMC was approved for a six-year recertification. This enables the college to receive dollars like the COVID-19 funds, as well as participate in the statewide Michigan Reconnect program, which offers free in-district tuition to Michigan residents over age 25 who do not already have a college degree.
“This is one of those, ‘it takes a village’ things. Everyone at NMC contributes to the institutional eligibility,” said Linda Berlin, director of financial aid.
- Awarding more than $1 million in student scholarships annually through the NMC Foundation. This year alone five new scholarships have been created in academic areas ranging from nursing to accounting. A scholarship dinner to benefit construction trade programs will be held Oct. 7. New scholarships with residential criteria are also available to residents of Grand Traverse County, Leelanau County, and Mancelona.
- Innovations such as an open educational resources filter for the course schedule, which allows students to search for courses that only require free or low-cost textbooks. (There are 188 for spring 2022 semester.)
- Services such as the NMC Food Pantry. Usage of the free service for the 2020-21 academic year was the highest ever, with 1,232 people served. The average of 102.6 people per month served was up 17 percent from the 2019-20 academic year.
Release date: September 15, 2021
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
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-discrimination
Sep 13, 2021 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Thank you to the Academic & Career Advising team, which doubled the number of students assisted through virtual advising in the month prior to fall semester. Some 400 students were assisted with creating academic plans, registering for fall classes, changing courses, transfer questions and career advice, and more.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Sep 13, 2021 | Intercom, Media Mentions
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.
As Munson Moves To Level Orange, Hospital, Other Employers React To Biden Order
The Ticker, September 11 (more…)
Sep 10, 2021 | Student Events
Over 25 university representatives will be on NMC’s campus on Thursday, Oct. 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to talk with students, staff and faculty about their programs and the transfer process. The university representatives will be located in the West Hall Innovation Center.
This is your opportunity to discuss transfer requirements and get information on degrees available at a variety of schools without having to travel to each university. Bring your questions and explore your options!
A List of Colleges attending, Links to their Websites and Questions to Ask at a Transfer Fair is available on the Academic and Career Advising College Visits page.
See you there!
Advising Staff
