LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENTNICK NISSLEY, PRESIDENT CALLING THE HERO IN EACH OF USI ALWAYS wondered what it would be like to be a superhero.

This spring I had a little taste when I dressed up as “Captain Hawk Owl” for our college’s Big Little Hero Race. It’s a fabulous experiential learning event hosted by our business communications students to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters.

In some ways, being the president of Northwestern Michigan College is like being a superhero. I get to help students achieve their goals and see their dreams come true! But more often than not, the real work happens a lot slower than my 5k pace and involves meetings, planning, collaboration and compromise.

We’d like to think solving complex and systemic problems can be done at superhuman speed by some masked marvel, but the reality would make for a pretty dull summer blockbuster on the big screen.

The bright side is that we all have an opportunity to be part of the solution and to be a hero in the story. In fact, it will take all of us working together to solve our community’s challenges.

My job isn’t to carry the weight of the world, but to make sure NMC is at the table and part of the conversation. Especially in a community like ours, we simply cannot wait for a hero to save us. We all have to show up, do the hard work, have patience and persistence and know we are making progress, even if it isn’t done at the speed of sound.

In this issue of Nexus you will read incredible stories of how NMC faculty and staff—our real superheroes—are working to make our college and community a better place, for our students and citizens. I am so proud of our Hawk Owl heroes and am proud to be part of a community that works together to do hard things.
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TRENDING ARTICLES
1

SETTING A COURSE FOR COLLEGE

Fifth graders learn about potential career paths.

2

SOLVING THE WORKFORCE PUZZLE

NMC is working with other regional leaders to solve the workforce puzzle, but it’s proving tricky. Complex, interlocking factors including a skills gap, a lack of child care and attainable housing, transportation issues, broadband internet gaps and an aging population, all exacerbated by COVID-19, have created structural instability that threatens economic growth and quality of life.

3

DEEP WATER EXPLORER

Adult student finds success after second plunge into college

4

MOMENTUM OF THE MOMENT

5

DRAKE'S DISCIPLES

Steve Drake has taught at Northwestern Michigan College for over 50 years, instructing multiple fellow NMC faculty members during his tenure.

6

2021 OUTSTANDING ALUMNI SELECTED

The 2021 selection features alumni who have been chosen for their professional achievements and/or leadership in the local or global community.