TRAVERSE CITY — The Northwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on Dec. 15, 2025, where members approved the strategies for the college’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan.
President Nick Nissley provided updates about the development of the NMC’s strategic plan, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder feedback and upcoming implementation phases.
He noted that enrollment contact hours have increased by 9.3% compared to the previous year, reflecting a positive trend in student engagement.
During the meeting, Vice President Jason Slade for Strategic Initiatives, detailed the three primary strategies that will guide the college’s focus over the next four years: Future-Focused Education, Enrollment and Student Success and a Vibrant College Community. These strategies are supported by four strategic drivers: living NMC’s brand, community partnerships, stewardship and sustainability and putting people first.
Upcoming milestones for the Board include scheduled updates on each strategy, with meetings planned for February, March, April and May of 2026. These sessions will provide further details on performance indicators and measurable outcomes relevant to the strategic objectives.
In addition to strategic planning updates, the Board discussed the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center’s progress, which includes ongoing fundraising efforts and the construction monitoring via webcam. The project requires an additional $1.703 million to reach its complete buildout, focused on lab and public interface spaces.
The meeting also covered the establishment of the East Bay Beach District Corridor Improvement Authority, which will be addressed in a presentation at the Jan. 26, 2026, Board meeting. This legal authority is reviewing a Tax Increment Financing plan to support regional development projects.
The Advancement Division informed the Board of the successful fundraising momentum, with nearly 62% of the cash goal achieved as of Dec. 4, 2025. This included substantial contributions toward scholarships and program support, highlighting the ongoing engagement of community donors.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2026, at the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center.
This meeting is expected to further outline the strategic plan and discuss ongoing projects, including the East Bay Beach District Corridor Improvement Authority’s Tax Increment Financing plan.