Jan 10, 2017 | Intercom
January 11, 2017
Is the glass half full or half empty?
Seeking to best serve students, NMC faculty in two different departments brought half-full attitudes to problems that threatened student learning – and in the process, filled the metaphorical glasses to the brim.
Beginning this semester, nursing students and Great Lakes Maritime Academy cadets will both receive important training more conveniently than in the past. Nursing students will receive training in electronic health records on campus instead of at Munson Medical Center. GLMA cadets will receive firefighting training required for licensure in Traverse City instead of Toledo, Ohio.
Nursing instructor Gwen Tafelsky (above photo, center) worked with Munson to bring their staff to campus after discovering limited computer classrooms at the hospital made it difficult to continue to offer PowerChart electronic health records training there.
“We needed to look elsewhere to meet the needs for NMC,” said Deb Gray, RN, (above photo, at right) one of two Munson clinical EHR educators who will now come to campus to teach first-semester nursing students enrolled in the Informatics Essentials course.
Maritime cadets, meanwhile, were faced with traveling as far as Florida or New York for firefighting training after the U.S. Maritime Administration announced last year that it planned to close its Fire Training Academy in Toledo, Ohio. Instructor and Captain John Biolchini (at right in gray cap, with maritime cadets) worked with Tim Wrede, training coordinator at Traverse City’s Northwest Regional Fire Training Center, to create a local course that would fulfill U.S. Coast Guard requirements.
“The two of them worked closely together and submitted a curriculum,” to the tune of 249 pages, said Jerry Achenbach, GLMA superintendent. The Coast Guard approved the curriculum with no edits or changes effective Jan. 1. Achenbach expects the 40-hour course to be offered for the first time in March and three times annually, saving cadets travel and hotel costs.
Stephen Siciliano, vice president for academic affairs, praised both outcomes as exemplifying the dedication NMC faculty and staff show toward students.
“Together they found solutions that not only solved the immediate problems facing our students but creatively established solutions that provide a much better future for our learners,” he said.
Both solutions offer benefits beyond convenience. The EHR instruction strengthens existing NMC connections to the region’s largest health care employer. Nursing students near the end of their education already do clinicals at Munson.
“It’s great when we have that collaboration right from the beginning,” said Tafelsky, herself a former staff nurse at Munson.
Similarly, Kristi Noble, RN, another Munson educator who will teach on campus with Gray, is a former NMC adjunct instructor. She said the collaboration is an opportunity for students to make immediate positive impressions on their potential future employer.
“View this next two years as a giant job interview,” said Noble (top photo, left).
In the Maritime case, the firefighting training is expected to attract other sailors, meaning more tuition revenue coming into Traverse City.
“We’re hoping to sell this to the maritime industry,” said Wrede. “The service that we can provide and our customer base, we’re perfectly located.”
He added the Coast Guard has recently begun requiring that firefighting training certification be renewed every five years, which could present additional opportunities to the Training Center.
Furthermore, MARAD plans to donate some of the Toledo facility’s equipment to the regional center.
Jan 9, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — A 2011 Northwestern Michigan College aviation alumnus has been named the youngest chief pilot in company history by Envoy Air and now leads the airline’s operations at a major air traffic hub.
In late December Ryan Ferris, 26, was named chief pilot of Envoy’s New York base at LaGuardia Airport, the nation’s twentieth busiest airport. He will supervise the 150 Envoy captains and first officers based at LaGuardia as well as coordinate with multiple other departments, including ground handling, passenger service, Transportation Security Administration and air traffic control to ensure a safe and reliable operation for the passengers.
Alex Bloye, director of NMC’s Aviation division, said Ferris’ accomplishment at his age is significant. In addition to becoming Envoy’s youngest chief pilot, he is one of the few to ascend to that role without first being a captain.
“Usually chief pilot positions with airlines are reserved for folks with decades of experience. They are the base leader, and are ultimately responsible for the safety and regulatory compliance of thousands of passenger flights, and hundreds of pilots and crew members,” Bloye said.
Prior to his new role, Ferris spent three years flying as a first officer for Envoy Air, a subsidiary of American Airlines. He was also a flight instructor at NMC for two and a half years.
“Northwestern Michigan College did an outstanding job preparing me for the responsibilities of this position,” said Ferris, originally from Portage, Mich. “The flight school provided me with the knowledge and skills to handle the stresses of being an airline pilot, while NMC’s critical-thinking based curriculum helped me develop into a well-rounded manager.”
Envoy Air Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group and operates nearly 180 aircraft on about 900 daily flights to more than 150 destinations. Headquartered in Texas, Envoy was formerly known as American Eagle.
As American Eagle, NMC in 2014 signed a pipeline agreement with the company that gives aviation students early access to interviews, employment and a signing bonus.
Release date: january 9, 2017
For more information:
Ryan Ferris
Envoy Air
ryan.ferris@aa.com
(269) 598-4615
Alex Bloye
NMC Aviation
abloye@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2929
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
Jan 6, 2017 | Intercom, President Updates
To: Campus Community
From: Timothy J. Nelson, President
Date: January 5, 2017
Subject: 21st Century Learning Space
Good morning and welcome to the New Year! I’m excited to share with you the progress and preliminary process by which we together will design and build 21st century learning spaces in the renovation and remodeling of West Hall. I invite all of you to share in this once in a lifetime opportunity for NMC, our learners and community. (more…)
Jan 6, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
The Traverse City Parking Patrol will begin enforcing parking at NMC on Monday, January 23. All faculty, staff and students must have their 2016-2017 permits displayed by that date.
The Traverse City Police Department has provided the following information on how to avoid parking tickets on campus by properly displaying your parking permit:
- Place your permit in the bottom left-hand corner of your windshield.
- Place your permit right side up. An upside-down permit will be considered invalid.
- Be sure that the expiration date on your permit can be seen from the outside of your vehicle. (Some vehicles have a tint on the edges of their windshield, so be sure your permit is not behind a tint, as it will make it difficult to see from the outside.) When it doubt, get out of your vehicle and be sure you can see the entire permit from the outside.
If you do get a ticket, payment can be made at the red dropoff payment box at the east end of the Cedar lot in front of the Health & Science building. You can also mail the fine in to the city, or pay at the parking services office in the public parking garage at 303 E. State St. Payment information is also on each ticket.
If you have any questions about parking enforcement on campus, please call (231) 995-1111.
Jan 5, 2017 | Intercom
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 Kari Kahler – Kari has done so much for our Phi Theta Kappa chapter this year! We started working on our Honors in Action plan over the summer, and Kari was very helpful with getting the ball rolling. We were able to accomplish a very amazing event for the Discussion of Pipeline 5 and a showing of the movie Great Lakes, Bad Lines. There was a good turnout, and all of Kari’s help and hard work over the semester truly helped our event shine! Thank you Kari for being so helpful; you’re an amazing advisor for our group!
Jan 5, 2017 | Intercom
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find them here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
- Digital Media Systems Technician;
- Culinary Arts Nutrition Adjunct Instructor;
- Great Lakes Maritime Engineering Adjunct Instructor;
- GLMA Great Lakes Adjunct Instructor;
- Clinical Nursing Adjunct Faculty
Jan 5, 2017 | Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
(more…)
Jan 5, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — The Northwestern Michigan College Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2017 Outstanding Alumni award through Feb. 20.
Created in 1988, the Outstanding Alumni award recognizes alumni for significant professional achievements and/or exemplary leadership in the local or global community. The award(s) will be presented at NMC’s annual Commencement ceremony May 6.
The nomination form is available online. Nominations may also be e-mailed to Director of Alumni Relations Betsy Coffia at alumni@nmc.edu or mailed to the NMC Foundation, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City, MI 49686.
The 2016 Outstanding Alumni recipients were Korvyn Hansen, Therese Renis, Michelle Witkop and Capt. Dean Hobbs, posthumously. See all recipients here »
Release date: january 5, 2017
For more information:
Betsy Coffia
Director of Alumni Relations
bcoffia@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2825
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
Jan 4, 2017 | Intercom
Dear NMC colleagues,
Last night Kari Kahler and her family suffered a chimney fire and lost their entire home. Kari and her family (Chad and Casey) are safe and are staying at a neighbor’s home for the time being. In the coming days, weeks and months, Kari, who has been such a caring support for many NMC staff, faculty, and students, will now need our support and encouragement.
Many of you have already asked what you can do to help. If you would like to offer your words of support and encouragement in the form of a card or note, please feel free to drop these off in the Advising Center for delivery to the Kahler family. The Advising Center and Student Life Office will also be collecting funds to purchase gift cards to Meijer, Target, local restaurants, etc. for Kari and her family to utilize.
If you would like to drop off either money or gift cards to support Kari and her family, please put them to the attention of either Lindsey Dickinson – Advising Center or Lisa Thomas – Student Life Office. We will be collecting donations for at least the next 2-3 weeks.
Please feel free to pass this information on to any NMC staff that you know would want to be aware of this situation. The family can certainly use our thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement at this time.
Thank you,
Lisa Thomas
Jan 3, 2017 | Student News
Classes start January 13 and you still need help with your Spring semester schedule?! We can help!
Stop by the Advising Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. January 10, 12, 13, and 16 through 20th for Walk In Advising. Sessions are on a first-come-first-served basis. Call (231) 995-1040 with questions.
Jan 3, 2017 | Intercom
There are more than 1,000 students who were registered at NMC in Fall semester who are not yet registered for Spring! The Advising Center is here to help!
Walk In Advising sessions will be available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. January 10, 12, 13, and 16 through 20th. These walk-in sessions are offered on a first-come-first-served basis in the Advising Center (Osterlin). Call (231) 995-1040 or advising@nmc.edu with questions.
Jan 3, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
A representative from Grand Valley State University located at NMC’s University Center will be present in the Health & Science building Monday, January 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Learn how you can finish your Bachelor’s or Master’s at GVSU’s Traverse City location or get answers to your questions if you are considering transferring to GVSU’s main campus.
Jan 3, 2017 | Intercom
Congratulations to the NMC Aviation Department, which won the 2016 Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest and the coveted contest trophy with a minute-and-a-half-long “Mannequin Challenge” video to the tune of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
The winner was announced at the NMC Holiday Party December 16. Thanks to all the groups that took part and the other finalists — Student Life and the NMC Foundation. Start shopping for your ugly sweaters now; we’re looking forward to next year’s contest!
Dec 29, 2016 | Student News
Extended Ed Fitness Classes begin the 2nd week of January. Find Total Barre, Yoga, Interval Training, Aerial Fit, Meditation, Fitness Center Memberships and more at nmc.edu/fitness. Call EES at 995-1700 to enroll.
Dec 29, 2016 | Intercom
Extended Ed Fitness Classes begin the 2nd week of January. Find Total Barre, Yoga, Interval Training, Aerial Fit, Meditation, Fitness Center Memberships and more at nmc.edu/fitness. Employee tuition waivers apply. Call EES at 995-1700 to enroll.
Dec 29, 2016 | Intercom
- If you have a balance in your Flexible Spending Account, you must spend that down to $0 before the IRS allows you to contribute to a Health Savings Account. Please notify Hollie in HR immediately if you will have a balance in your Flexible Spending Account and are moving to the High Deductible Plan for 2017.
- If you are actively enrolled in any parts of Medicare, you are not eligible to contribute to a Health Savings Account. If you are enrolled in Medicare, and the High Deductible NMC plan please contact Hollie in HR immediately.
- Cigna will contact you directly to complete a medical questionnaire if you did not do so during open enrollment. This may be needed for additional life insurance, long-term disability buy-up, or critical illness insurance.
- Expect a new Blue Cross card for 2017 if you elected dental. We will have separate cards for medical and dental this year. If you have medical only and made no changes to who is covered, you will not receive a new card.
- Your current Eye Med card will be the same for 2017. If you added vision for 2017, please watch for a new card to come in the mail.
Dec 29, 2016 | Intercom
In a continued effort to offer interested employees an opportunity to learn and experience all the new and exciting things happening around campus we are opening the Spring 2017 bus tour to current employees.
The day will consist of a bus tour of each of NMC’s campuses, where you’ll hear from program directors and department heads about the latest things happening at NMC. We’ll end the day with a reception, and you’ll be able to share feedback and suggestions for improvement. Benefits of participating include the opportunity to accomplish a learning plan goal connected to NMC culture, and to network with your peers. This tour will be combined with new employees too, so you will have a chance to meet the newest members of our community!
Here are the details:
- Thursday, January 5, 2017, 10 am to 5 pm
- Hagerty Center, Great Lakes Campus (Please meet inside the main entrance)
- Lunch and an afternoon snack will be provided
Please wear comfortable shoes! You’ll do a lot of walking.
There is limited space on the bus, so we’ll accept the first 20 employees who respond to this invitation. Click here to RSVP.
Come and learn everything you didn’t know about NMC!
Dec 29, 2016 | Intercom
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find them here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
- Digital Media Systems Technician
- Visual Communications – Web Design Adjunct Instructor
- Culinary Arts Nutrition Adjunct Instructor
- Great Lakes Maritime Engineering Adjunct Instructor
Dec 29, 2016 | Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
(more…)
Dec 28, 2016 | Intercom
The IRS mileage rate for business use of vehicle changed from 54 cents to 53.5 cents per mile beginning January 1, 2017. Read more about the change here »
Dec 28, 2016 | Intercom, President Updates
T’was the week before Christmas and across NMC
You can hear students shout, “No more classes for me!
They are loading their cars and returning their books
Dreaming of presents that will fill up a few empty nooks.
The faculty have graded final papers with speed
For those giving essays an impressive deed.
A night of support in the library found
You really can work in a building with sound.
We all find ourselves here on the shores of the Bay
Eating and drinking the evening away
Our colleagues and friends a team one and all
Worked tirelessly to find student success this past fall. (more…)
Dec 28, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
Robert F. Rudd of Traverse City, MI passed away on December 17, 2016 at the age of 83.
A graduate of Michigan State University and the University of South Dakota, Bob taught chemistry at NMC for 35 years. He was a constant presence in his volunteer work for the college, including the NMC Barbecue, and many other community organizations, including the Dennos Museum. During his time at NMC, Bob received the Imogene Wise Award and the NMC Fellows Award.
Many knew Bob for his creation of handmade Shaker boxes. Bob also built many of the benches along the North Country Trail and was a longtime trail steward. He was a regular volunteer on Isle Royale, first visiting the island along with a group of three friends when he was 17.
Bob met his wife of 62 years, Grace Ann Wood, in high school trigonometry class. Together they had three children, Cheryl Phelps of Holland, MI, Michele Rudd (Roger Putman) of Traverse City, and Rob Rudd of Philadelphia, PA, and four grandchildren, Christine, Patrick, Tyler, and Elliot.
A memorial service will be held April 1, 2017 at NMC in Traverse City, MI. Memorial contributions can be made to the Dennos Museum, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, or to the charity of your choice.
Bob lived his life in tune with Loren Eiseley’s philosophy that “we love the earth but cannot stay.”
Dec 21, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
December 21, 2016
After a couple years as a ski bum out west, Jackson Pierce felt the tug of home.
The former NMC automotive technology student’s timing was perfect for his skills. Pierce traded ski groomers for cars, and has spent the last two years working at Bill Marsh Automotive, one of several regional repair shops to which Automotive Technology program director Wayne Moody has built an employment pipeline.
“Everyone needs their car fixed,” said Pierce, of Northport, who attended NMC’s automotive program in 2007-08.
But not everyone can fix them. Moody said an aging auto repair workforce combined with increasingly complex, computerized cars has created an opportunity gap that he has worked to fill with NMC students like Pierce.
“The last three years (demand) has gone north by leaps and bounds,” Moody said, who fields calls daily from shops locally, downstate as well as in the U.P. “They are vying for the technicians. I could put two jobs on every student if they want them.”
The Grand Traverse area’s population growth also fuels the local hiring demand. At least six former NMC students work at Bill Marsh’s Garfield Road locations. Fox Grand Traverse employs another eight, including its first female technician since 1992, KT Rafferty. As it has traditionally, the job attracts students who like hands-on work. But it’s more than turning a wrench nowadays.
“It’s not rudimentary. There’s an immense amount of problem-solving,” Pierce said.
That variety attracts students, too. “Anything can happen here,” said Rachel Smith of Elk Rapids, who started NMC’s program in 2013 and has worked at Bill Marsh for about a year and a half. “I like learning new things.”
With cars loaded with dozens of on-board computers, electronics is another important skill set.
“What’s the Ohm’s law? I can’t tell you what it is, but our very best electronics technicians do and it helps them in their job every day,” said Rich King, fixed operations director at Bill Marsh. “They’re learning it in Wayne’s program.”
Pierce added that he appreciated the real-world instruction he got at NMC. “I liked that all the teachers actually owned shops.”
Technicians are financially rewarded for that greater knowledge and as they gain experience. While an entry-level technician might make $12-$14 per hour, Moody said a graduate of the two-year program could be earning between $50,000 and $70,000 after five years. Six-figure salaries are not out of the question for the most experienced technicians.
King said it’s also rewarding at the end of the day. “There’s a huge sense of accomplishment when you fix that car that’s a tough one.”
Registration for spring semester programs, including automotive, is going on now. Find out more about the program here.
Above: From left, former NMC automotive students working at Bill Marsh’s GM store are Mike Bouchey, technician; Tom Garrity, parts; Rachel Smith, Dave Panek, Jackson Pierce and Zach Schaub, technicians.
Dec 21, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
December 21, 2016
After a couple years as a ski bum out west, Jackson Pierce felt the tug of home.
The former NMC automotive technology student’s timing was perfect for his skills. Pierce traded ski groomers for cars, and has spent the last two years working at Bill Marsh Automotive, one of several regional repair shops to which Automotive Technology program director Wayne Moody has built an employment pipeline.
“Everyone needs their car fixed,” said Pierce, of Northport, who attended NMC’s automotive program in 2007-08.
But not everyone can fix them. Moody said an aging auto repair workforce combined with increasingly complex, computerized cars has created an opportunity gap that he has worked to fill with NMC students like Pierce.
“The last three years (demand) has gone north by leaps and bounds,” Moody said, who fields calls daily from shops locally, downstate as well as in the U.P. “They are vying for the technicians. I could put two jobs on every student if they want them.”
The Grand Traverse area’s population growth also fuels the local hiring demand. At least six former NMC students work at Bill Marsh’s Garfield Road locations. Fox Grand Traverse employs another eight, including its first female technician since 1992, KT Rafferty. As it has traditionally, the job attracts students who like hands-on work. But it’s more than turning a wrench nowadays.
“It’s not rudimentary. There’s an immense amount of problem-solving,” Pierce said.
That variety attracts students, too. “Anything can happen here,” said Rachel Smith of Elk Rapids, who started NMC’s program in 2013 and has worked at Bill Marsh for about a year and a half. “I like learning new things.”
With cars loaded with dozens of on-board computers, electronics is another important skill set.
“What’s the Ohm’s law? I can’t tell you what it is, but our very best electronics technicians do and it helps them in their job every day,” said Rich King, fixed operations director at Bill Marsh. “They’re learning it in Wayne’s program.”
Pierce added that he appreciated the real-world instruction he got at NMC. “I liked that all the teachers actually owned shops.”
Technicians are financially rewarded for that greater knowledge and as they gain experience. While an entry-level technician might make $12-$14 per hour, Moody said a graduate of the two-year program could be earning between $50,000 and $70,000 after five years. Six-figure salaries are not out of the question for the most experienced technicians.
King said it’s also rewarding at the end of the day. “There’s a huge sense of accomplishment when you fix that car that’s a tough one.”
Registration for spring semester programs, including automotive, is going on now. Find out more about the program here.
Above: From left, former NMC automotive students working at Bill Marsh’s GM store are Mike Bouchey, technician; Tom Garrity, parts; Rachel Smith, Dave Panek, Jackson Pierce and Zach Schaub, technicians.
Dec 19, 2016 | Intercom, President Updates
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Notable Accomplishments provided by Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Directions (SD) and Institutional Effectiveness Criteria (IE) are provided where possible. (more…)
