Important: Accreditation Portfolio Planning (HLC)

Regional accreditation is required for NMC to provide access to federal and state funding for the college and our students. NMC follows the AQIP pathway offered by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) which includes regular monitoring, annual Action Projects, Strategy Forums, Systems Portfolios and Appraisals, and a Comprehensive Quality Review. The next step in our cycle involves the creation of the Systems Portfolio.

What is the Systems Portfolio?

The Systems Portfolio covers six (6) categories and describes our processes, results, and improvements in each system. The six categories are:

  • Category One: Helping students learn
  • Category Two: Meeting Student and Other Key Stakeholder Needs
  • Category Three: Valuing People
  • Category Four: Planning and Leading
  • Category Five: Knowledge Management and Resource Stewardship
  • Category Six: Quality Overview focuses on the Continuous Quality Improvement

Our last Systems Portfolio was submitted in 2013, our next one is due 11/1/17.

Why is it important?

The HLC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an entity that accredits institutions of higher learning. The Systems Portfolio is the primary document that demonstrates that NMC provides quality education to students in meeting the criteria for accreditation. Completing the Systems Portfolio is a time for the College to reflect, clarify, plan, and receive feedback. It is an essential element of our continuous improvement efforts.

How does this involve me?

Work groups for each category are being created who will gather input from faculty and staff across the campus. You may be asked to serve on a work group, or you may be asked to provide information or perspective on one or several of the categories.

What’s next?

We will be launching kick­off meetings for the work groups mid-November.

You will receive regular updates throughout the process and will be invited to submit questions or feedback.

After our Systems Portfolio is received and reviewed by the HLC, a peer review team will visit our campus as part of a comprehensive evaluation which will include the team speaking with various faculty, staff, and student groups.

Questions may be directed to Joy Evans, Executive Director of Research, Planning and Effectiveness (ORPE) at jevans@nmc.edu

Peer Guide Training Wednesday, Nov. 16

Could you be a Peer Guide?

Do you remember life as a new employee? Could you help a new employee adjust to a new position at NMC? If yes, we need you!

We are looking for new Peer Guides who will connect new NMC employees with experienced NMC employees. Guides provide new employees with support during their transition to NMC, befriending them, answering questions and introducing them to colleagues from outside their immediate work area.

The next training to become a Peer Guide is scheduled for Wednesday, November 16, 10-11:30 am.

If serving as a Peer Guide sounds rewarding, please click here. For more information or to sign up for training, contact Lori Hodek in Human Resources at 995-1143 or lhodek@nmc.edu.

International Education Week November 13-17

Study abroad trip participantsInternational Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education and celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

NMC’s commemoration of the 16th annual International Education Week includes food from India, China and Russia; a student speaker from Norway and a former White House Director for the Middle East; and a study abroad fair.

Read the full list of events here »

 

NMC Food For Thought Challenge

The students of Kristy McDonald’s Professional Communications class are hosting the fourth annual Food for Thought non-perishable food and hygiene drive. We want to invite you and team to a little fun and friendly competition. With the increased need of supplies for our local community, NMC’s Food for Thought has partnered with the Northwest Michigan Food Coalition to raise donations to help feed and provide hygiene products to over 4,000 people this holiday season.

The students have created a challenge for the faculty/staff/students to make donating even more exciting!

How the challenge works:

  • A box will be dropped off to each department on November 9 and picked up November 16
  • Fill the box with donations – non-perishable food and hygiene items
  • The department that collects the most items will win a pizza party for up to 60 people

This challenge is a way for the faculty, staff and students to support a NMC student project and give back to our community at the same time. Please like NMC’s Food for Thought’s Facebook page for information and updates on the latest events: facebook.com/ NMCFoodForThought/.

If you are unable to donate during the challenge, there are red donation bins in the Osterlin Library, Parsons-Stulen and Health & Science buildings. You can also make monetary donations through the Facebook page. Thank you for helping collect food to fill the pantries in our local community. Let the games begin!

For more information, contact:

Gwendolyn Neumann
NMC Food for Thought Student Logistics Leader
(231) 392-2332
neuman62@mail.nmc.edu

NMC Employee Benefits Day is Nov. 14

Monday, November 14
Oleson Center

**Open Enrollment Meetings- Regular FT & PT Employees**
Benefits Vendor Fair for All Employees

Open Enrollment Meetings

  • 9-10:30 a.m.
  • 1:30-3 p.m.

**These sessions are for the regular benefited employees in preparation for the Open Enrollment period (Nov 14-Nov 28, 2016).  Presentations will cover medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and LTD insurance options.  Appointments have been sent directly to eligible employees for these sessions.  These sessions are for regular employees eligible for NMC’s medical plans.

Benefits Vendor Fair

  • 8:30 a.m.-Noon
  • 1-3 p.m.

PARTICIPANTS

Consolidated Financial
(Supplemental Retirement Plans)
Dave Sawchuck

Valic
(Supplemental Retirement Plans)
Ken Smagacz

Meritain Health
(Flexible Spending Acct)
Jason Erickson

Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI
(Medical and Dental)
Dan Marvin

Cigna Insurance
(Life and Long Term Disability)
(Accident and Critical Illness Insurance)

 

LegalShield
Sue Adams

TBA Credit Union
Christie Dompierre

Harvitt/Meemic Insurance
Adam Harvitt

TIAA
Paul Rogers

 

Stop in anytime during the day and talk to these benefits vendors at their booths. Find out if their offerings are right for you. Several of the vendors are offering prize drawings, so stop by their booths and sign up for a chance to win!

Call for Wellness Committee Members

Would you like to be a part of the NMC Wellness Committee?  We are recharging and reenergizing this committee, and would love to have a few new members on board!  We will have a standing meeting one time per month, and assist with some of the Wellness activities.  Please let Hollie DeWalt in HR know if you have any interest by November 21, 2016.

Kudos!

KUDOS- (praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com

Submit a Kudos here »

Kudos to Dennis Schultz in Educational Media Technologies for all your work on Professional Development Day. Thank you for taking photos and video throughout the day to capture learning, collaboration, and shared moments to document the day.

Kudos to all the following individuals who helped make the Fall Professional Development Day a success: Roy & Sodexo Staff for creating & delivering the many great lunches and coffee to feed everyone.  Facilities staff who delivered and set up all the tables & chairs to create a lunch oasis. Jenny Barnes & Deb Patterson for all their work scheduling Biederman & Health Science and room setups. Jack Conners for your time & expertise running the tech for the opening session & Megan Heator for your assistance with hosting the event.

Kudos to Michelle Schneider, Kay Harris, Kyle Morrison- they  dedicated significant time to creating the opening video for the October PD Day. Michelle latched onto Kay’s original idea and visited multiple departments to collect spontaneous testimonials about student success and Kyle worked his editing magic to create a wonderful video from the multitude of video footage that Michelle collected. Their hard work and dedication to NMC’s PD Day is very much appreciated!

Kudos to Jim White and Kim Gourlay along with everyone involved in set up and planning of the Homeland Security Emergency Management training held last week. The training was very informative and included several agencies of local responders including Fire, police and Emergency Manager for Grand Traverse County. Attendees also included Interlochen emergency management folks and a TC K-12 representative as well as NMC representatives from the Emergency Management team. It is important to get all of these groups in one room to discuss combined approaches. Thank you.

Kudos to Gwen Tafelsky for arranging an NMC tour for TBA/ISD Health Occupations students and instructors. The students toured nursing, surgical technician, and dental assistant programs to acquaint them with the health related academic programs that are offered at NMC. Thanks also to Margaret Fox for acting as the tour guide!

Position Vacancies

Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:

  • TCAPS Early College/Commitment Scholarship Coordinator
  • Hagerty Center – Server, Bartender and Dishwasher
  • Visual Communications – Web Design Adjunct Instructor
  • Construction/Carpentry Adjunct Instructor

NMC Talent Portal coming soon!

nmc-talent-portalNMC is pleased to announce the Talent Portal for all SilkRoad systems coming this month! This sample homepage shows how the following systems will have one point of access to tasks for:

  • Recruiting
  • Onboarding
  • Onboarding Administration
  • Performance
  • Learning

Watch for more information coming soon!

WMU-Traverse City Open House

wmuPlease join us Thursday, November 10 at 5:30 p.m., at the NMC University Center to learn about our counseling master’s degrees offered at WMU-Traverse City. Classes meet evenings or weekends to help accommodate the needs of working professionals. Both degrees are CACREP accredited.

RSVP: (231) 995-1788 or Kim.Stevens@wmich.edu

Faculty Excellence Award nominations due by December 16

teacher-and-studentHave NMC instructors made a difference in your life? Could dedicated, innovative and excellent be used to describe them? If you are looking for a way to recognize the impact an NMC teacher that has had on your learning journey, please consider nominating them for the Imogene Wise awards. Faculty are truly honored to be nominated and to receive these annual awards.

This is the highest teaching honor awarded at NMC and nominations can only come from students.

Nominations are due by December 16 and can be submitted here: surveymonkey.com/r/R2VG6QG

Initiated by a contribution from longtime NMC benefactors Harold and Imogene Wise in 1970 and first awarded to a full-time faculty member in 1971, recipients are chosen by a student selection committee, and award criteria includes teaching excellence, rapport with students, innovation in the classroom and a sense of dedication.

Master of Public Health Degree Web Information Session

gvsu-tc-logoTuesday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m.

Public health professionals promote good health and prevent disease within communities. The Master of Public Health degree provides graduate and community-based education and research grounded in social justice to help meet these goals. Learn more at out interactive web seminar. Visit www.gvsu.edu/traverse to register.

Registrants will receive an email link approximately 1-2 days prior to the online session.

2017 NMC Barbecue Funding Proposals

NMC faculty and staff are invited to request funding support from the 2017 NMC Barbecue for an NMC special project. Funding proposals are due by noon on Friday, Jan, 27, 2017.

A subcommittee of the Barbecue Board will review proposals and make recommendations to the full Barbecue Board for final selection based on the guidelines listed in the proposal form. Funds for awarded projects will be available following the May 21, 2017 NMC Barbecue.

Download the proposal form here »

Veterans Day tribute

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College will again pay tribute to enrolled and employed veterans with several events on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

  • 8:30 a.m. – Veterans’ breakfast. Free breakfast for all veterans and active duty military in the Hawk Owl Cafe in West Hall.
  • 9-9:10 a.m. – Walk of Honor. The campus community is invited to line up along the sidewalks from West Hall to the flagpoles west of the Tanis Building. Led by the Traverse City Central High School drum line, veterans will walk from West Hall to the flagpoles.
  • 9:30 a.m. – Flag raising ceremony conducted by the VFW with the Traverse City Central High School band.
  • 10 a.m.-noon – Coffee and cake served in West Hall for the entire campus community in honor of veterans.

About 5 percent of NMC students are veterans, and serving those who have served is a year-round priority at NMC, which established an office of Military and Veterans Services in 2012. It works with the larger college community to foster an environment that leads to veteran success. Results thus far:

  • For the second consecutive year NMC has been certified as a Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly School by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
  • Named the fifth-best “Best for Vets” community college nationwide by Military Times in 2016.
  • NMC provides no-interest loans to veterans waiting for processing of their benefit checks, so they may enroll immediately.
  • NMC makes up the difference between military pay and NMC pay for reservist employees who are called to active duty. Family enrollment in all benefits also continues.
  • Since 2008, NMC has participated in a DOD agreement providing in-state (out of district) tuition rates for active duty military and their dependents, regardless of their legal residence

Release date: November 3, 2016

For more information:

Scott Herzberg
POC, Military and Veterans Services
sherzberg@nmc.edu
(
231) 995-2526

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

Upcoming NMC Jazz Band Performances

jazz bandNMC Jazz Big Band performance at West Bay Beach Holiday Inn, Thursday November 10th, 7:30 p.m. Free!

NMC Jazz Lab Band performance at West Bay Beach Holiday Inn, Thursday November 17th, 7:30 p.m. Free!

NMC Jazz Big Band, NMC Jazz Lab Band, and NMC Vocal Jazz Ensemble performances at Milliken Auditorium, Saturday, December 3rd, 7:30 p.m.

Innovation Grants are due Dec. 1

foundation logo

The deadline for the fall semester’s round of Innovation Grant applications is December 1, 2016. Applications must be submitted to your area Vice President by this date.

It is strongly recommended that you discuss your proposal idea with your Vice President before developing the full proposal. VPs do have the authority to reject an application, but can also provide valuable feedback to help develop great proposals that are more likely to be successful!

Find more information about innovation grants here. Or check out the Innovation Grants quick link on the NMC Foundation’s home page at nmc.edu/foundation.

Please note that ALL applicants are required to do a 5 minute presentation for the committee plus plan 5 minutes for Q&A.

The Long Night Against Procrastination Cometh

nmclibraryowl-nightcapMark your calendars and clean out your coffee mug. LNAP is returning to the Osterlin Library on Thursday, December 1!

The Long Night Against Procrastination is a chance to nail that paper, crush that project, ace that test, and otherwise triumph over your studies for the semester. The library will be open until 2 a.m. Librarians, the Writing and Reading Center, and tutors will be available to help you.

Free pizza, coffee, and snacks all night! More info coming soon!

Kudos!

KUDOS- (praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com

SUBMIT A KUDOS HERE 

Kudos to all of the Professional Development Day Session Leaders for sharing of their time, energy, and talent with our colleagues. You did a fantastic job leading our groups! Chris Barr, BCBS Wellness Coordinator, Marcus Bennett, Jim Bensley, Linda Berlin,Ryan Bernstein, Cathryn Claerhout, Jason Dake, Ashley Darga, Mark DeLonge, Lindsey Dickinson, Joy Evans, Ann Geht, Dan Gentry, Dan Goodchild, Rachel Gordon, Tom Gordon, Justin Guillard, Terri Gustafson, Joelle Hannert, Kay Harris, Scott Herzberg, Heather Hess, Michele Howard, Mark Howell, Pearl Kinney, Paul Kolak, Lisa Krupp-Wilmeth, Sarah Mavis, Kristy McDonald, Taylor Nash, Deb Pharo, Michelle Poertner, Linda Racine, Steve Rice, Sheila Rupp, Kristen Salathiel, Caroline Schaefer-Hills, Laura Schmidt, Michelle Schneider, Kim Schultz, Jason Slade, Alex Smith, Marjory Smith, Jeff Straw, Lisa Thomas, Cortnie Thompson, Alison Thornton, Mike Torre, Sherry Trier, Tina Ulrich, John Velis, Sarah Wangler, Rachel Johansen-Wilczewski, Ryan Wilson, John Zachman, Leanne Baumeler & thank you also for bringing additional industry experts:  Dr. Terry Dickson, and Peter Berg, Great Lakes ADA Center.

Kudos to Georgenia Hromada for being amazing at her job as a Financial Aid Specialist! Georgenia is always approachable and willing to help. She has never made me feel like I am bothering her or wasting her time when I ask for help. I truly appreciate how helpful and considerate she is. She is always going above and beyond to ensure that her co-workers and her customers have all of the information needed, and she does it with a positive attitude. She is a great asset to the Student Financial Services Office and to NMC. 

NMC Grand Traverse Chorale and Chamber Singers

TRAVERSE CITY —

Release date:

For more information:

(contact Info)

 

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