FALL NEWSLETTER 2026
WATCH THE RIBBONCUTTING
A Grand Opening for Future Careers Thank you to the Martin and Patricia Jahn Foundation and to every donor and community partner who helped turn this vision into a place where students can learn, create, and build their futures.
Cutting the Ribbon
VIEW FROM THE TOP: The 11,750-square-foot Martin Jahn Technology Center is part of North Central’s $22 million Career and Technical Education Enhancement initiative—an investment in students, our workforce and the future of Northern Michigan.
Donors, students, faculty, staff and community members gathered August 31 to celebrate the official opening of the Martin Jahn Technology Center.
INSIDE THE CENTER: The new Technology Center gives students access to hands-on learning and cutting-edge equipment while preparing them for high-demand careers right here in Northern Michigan.
Student Scholars Say
Your Legacy Can Shape Tomorrow
“Thank You!”
October is National Estate Planning Awareness Month—a good time to consider what matters most to you and the legacy you want to leave.
Thanks to your generosity, students like Kai and Isabelle are reaching their goals!
An estate plan helps provide for the people you love while also offering an opportunity to support the causes that have been meaningful in your life.
In the 2025-26 school year, you funded 388 awards for credit scholarships and 13 awards for Fast Track programs, for a total of $1,275,969!
By including the NCMC Foundation in your will or estate plan, you can help future generations of students pursue an education, build meaningful careers, and strengthen Northern Michigan.
Every recipient says “Thank you!” for helping make their dreams come true. Kai Arnold fell in love with special education in an intro to teaching class in high school, and he realized he could make an impact. Now he’s in his first semester of his Associate of Arts in Teacher Education at NCMC, and plans to transfer to Central Michigan in 2028 to pursue his four-year degree and focus on special education.
Legacy gifts can include a gift through your will or trust, retirement account, life insurance policy, or other assets—and some options may provide tax benefits. Already have an estate plan? October is a great time to review it and make sure it still reflects your wishes and the impact you hope to make. Contact your financial advisor to learn more.
Isabelle Boehmer’s dream is to be an elementary school teacher–a passion she’s had for many years. She’s fulfilling her dream in the Associate of Arts Teacher Education program at NCMC, and plans to transfer to the University of Michigan Dearborn in a few months.
North Central MIchigan College Foundation | 1515 Howard St., Petoskey, MI 49770 | 231-348-6621
Please Remember to Vote! On the November 2026 ballot, North Central Michigan College is asking Emmet County voters to approve a millage renewal and restoration of property tax revenue to maintain current college operations. This support accounts for approximately 20% of NCMC’s operating revenue, helping fund college programs, facilities, and access to education in our region. Your dollar stays local and supports students, employers, and the regional economy. Learn more at www.ncmich.edu/millage.
More Hygienists = Healthier Communities
CAMPUS CUPBOARD 2025 IMPACT
230
n New dental hygiene program
FILLED ORDERS
to expand regional workforce, patient access
6,900
Imagine waiting a year — or even two — for a routine dental cleaning. That’s happening right here in Northern Michigan. There simply aren’t enough dental hygienists to meet the need. And when access to preventative care is limited and patients have to wait longer for cleanings, screenings, and early treatment, small oral health issues can develop into painful and costly conditions. Untreated oral disease is also closely connected to broader health concerns such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and infections.
POUNDS OF FOOD DISTRIBUTED
747
STUDENTS & FAMILIES SERVED
Thankfully, you and other generous members of our community are helping change that.
Campus Cupboard Offers More Than Food
With your support, North Central is working to launch Northern Michigan’s first Dental Hygiene degree program. Each year, 15 students will train close to home for an indemand healthcare career. And those students will care for our community while they learn at a new dental clinic.
n Your generosity helps students stay on course
F
or some North Central students, the biggest obstacle to completing college isn’t the coursework. It’s having enough food at home.
The proposed clinic is expected to serve approximately 4,200 patients every year — helping more of our neighbors receive affordable preventative dental care while preparing the next generation of local hygienists. There’s even more good news. The overall cost of the project is estimated at $10 million, but you and other community supporters are already helping make this vision a reality. The Herrick Foundation has provided a $2 million matching challenge grant to inspire additional community investment in this important initiative. By encouraging others to join in support of the project, the challenge helps build the partnerships and resources needed to expand access to oral healthcare and strengthen the region’s future healthcare workforce.
WATCH THE 2-MINUTE VIDEO See why this project matters
Many local dental offices have had hygienist job openings for more than a year.
Patients often wait 12 months+ for preventative dental services.
As of early this month, donors have helped achieve 61% of the matching challenge goal. Together, this growing investment reflects a shared commitment to creating lasting community benefit and improving health outcomes throughout Northern Michigan.That generosity tells us
Without care, untreated oral health issues increase long-term risks, especially for low-income and uninsured families.
something important: Northern Michigan believes in this project. Thank you for helping build a healthier Northern Michigan. To make a gift, visit www.ncmich.edu/ give-dental.
GIVE TODAY Your gift goes twice as far
Since 2019, North Central’s Campus Cupboard has quietly helped students facing food insecurity access groceries and essential household items at no cost—and with dignity. For Tirah Hauswirth, having access to free food has been a welcome support for her and her great-grandmother. Tirah, a freshman from Charlevoix studying business management, knew that when she moved in with her great-grandmother, she would need to contribute to help cover the additional food costs. She decided to try the Campus Cupboard to offset the expense, and is glad she did. “The Campus Cupboard helped me save a lot of money and time. As a student, it means having the opportunity to not have to worry about spending as much on groceries as I would otherwise,” Tirah said. Tirah is one of hundreds of students and family members benefiting from the Campus Cupboard. In 2025 alone, the
“The Campus Cupboard has helped me worry less about how I’m going to afford food ... but it’s also shown me how much people here truly care about students. I want donors to know that what they give matters.” — TIRAH HAUSWIRTH, STUDENT cupboard filled 230 orders, distributed more than 6,900 pounds of food, and provided support benefiting 747 students and family members. And this fall brought another striking sign of the need: 39 students used the Cupboard in just one week, compared with the previous academic year’s highest monthly usage of 21 students. “What began as a small effort to address food insecurity has grown into a vital support system for our students,” said Corey Lansing, dean of Student Success. Thanks to state grant funding and your community support, the Campus Cupboard has expanded into a larger, more accessible space in the Borra Learning Center. Additional refrigeration and freezer space allow for more fresh foods, while expanded hours, grab-and-
go weekend bags, and emergency meal assistance offer additional options for students. Nearby, the new Family Resource Room provides another layer of support, particularly for students raising children while attending college. “Parenting students carry so many roles at once,” said Kristin Jardine, CCAMPIS Advisor & Activity Coordinator. “They are students, parents, employees, caregivers, and community members.” For these students, a bag of groceries, a quiet place to study or access to basic household supplies can provide something even bigger: the stability to keep going. That is what your support makes possible. Thank you.