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Empowering Students IMPACT REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2026 Page 10: Read how your support helped Dakota succeed! Together2 Foundation Board of Directors James C. Schroeder, Ph.D., Chair Dan CasaSanta, Vice Chair Chris Etienne, Past Chair, Trustee Liaison Max Bunker, Treasurer Sharon Schappacher, Secretary Janelle A. Wozniak, Trustee Liaison Dawn Bodnar Dave Boor Walt Byers Ashley DeCarteret David Roland Finley, Ph.D., President, North Central Michigan College Mark Mercer, D.D.S. Chris Morley Monica Peck Chelsea Platte, V.P. for Advancement, Foundation Executive Director Stan Smith, M.D. James C. Schroeder, Ph.D., Foundation Board Chair Chelsea Platte, V.P. for Advancement, Foundation Executive Director With Gratitude Dear Friends of North Central, Thank you, thank you, thank you. Over the past 12 months, your support has shaped the lives of hundreds of North Central students. Every test passed, every class completed, every diploma earned—you were behind it, making dreams possible by making education accessible. In this booklet, we share just a few stories of how your generosity has shaped our campus this past year. But more importantly, we share how those gifts will be felt for years to come. Whether it’s growing CNA and LPN programs, building a dental hygiene program and community clinic, or transforming a gift of pristine lakefront property into student- focused support, the programs and partnerships you’ve made possible don’t serve a single year or a single student—they make our entire community stronger for the long term. Your investment in North Central’s students, faculty, and facilities is changing lives right now and laying the foundation for those who follow. And this report barely scratches the surface of all we’ve accomplished together. Thank you again for your generosity. We can’t wait to see what’s ahead. Gratefully,3 Your Gifts at Work Thanks to your generosity, the Foundation provided scholarships, student support, workforce training, and much more to help students earn diplomas and step into new careers. 451 $ 4.69 $ 500,000 $ 2,041,771 GENEROUS DONORS INVESTED INTO NEW & EXISTING ENDOWMENTS Creating scholarships that will support students for generations. Athletics Endowed Scholarships Fast Track Scholarships Child Care Initiative Academic Programs and Equipment Dental Hygiene Student Emergency Fund EMS Grant Workforce Scholarships Campus Cupboard Career and Technical Education In 2025-2026, the Foundation disbursed a total of GROWING THE FUTURE DISBURSED TO STUDENTS to change lives. MILLION gave over Every gift becomes an opportunity. WHERE YOUR GENEROSITY MADE A DIFFERENCE >> ENDOWMENTS Harris Gardens/ Natural Area Nursing & Health Services Annual Scholarships4 J oseph Puzio loves working with his hands, his local community, and caring for others. Thanks to your support for scholarships, he is also one of Northern Michigan’s newest and youngest machinists. Joe’s story is not an easy one, but it is threaded with resilience and community support. When Joe was 11 years old, he lost much of his eyesight due to craniopharyngioma, a rare non-cancerous brain tumor. While his sight was compromised, he did not lose his vision for the future. Thanks to your scholarship support, in 2023 Joe entered North Central Michigan College as a scholarship recipient, with a plan to work in the trades. Initially he thought he would become a welder, but through his experience in Manufacturing 101 and the encouragement of Workforce Development Specialist Jeff Montgomery, he decided to pursue CNC machining. “I realized that it was intriguing and rewarding to me to see something go from idea to reality,” Joe said. As Joe navigated the NCMC Manufacturing Technology program, Wendy Kresnak, Career Development Specialist, walked with him each step of the way. Joe said Wendy was especially critical in helping him access resources to pursue his dreams in spite of his struggles with eyesight. “Wendy was the main person to help me get accessibility tools such as a magnifying glass with a light that clamped onto my desk so I could see finer details.” Joe also said Wendy encouraged him to pursue doing what he loves. “She was adamant that as long as I was having fun and liked it, that I would be successful wherever I went.” That success is happening. Not long after graduation, Joe began an internship at Central Industrial Manufacturing where his competence and work ethic led to a direct hire. He is the youngest machinist on the team. Jeff Montgomery is not the least bit surprised that Joe is putting his skills to work in local industry. “Joseph represents exactly what employers are looking for: resilience, problem-solving ability, and a willingness to learn,” Jeff said. “His success is a testament to what determination and hard work can accomplish.” Thanks to you, Joe’s dreams are becoming a reality, and our community has one of its brightest and most determined young people building for the future. Making Ideas Reality In the midst of challenge, your support launched a young and determined local machinist Your support helped Joe Puzio achieve his goal of becoming a CNC Machinist. Thank you for supporting student scholarships and training at NCMC. “Joseph represents exactly what employers are looking for: resilience, problem-solving ability, and a willingness to learn.” –Jeff Montgomery, Workforce Development Specialist5 I think what I loved most about North Central has been the compassion and under- standing provided by the staff. Every single one of my professors showed respect and offered guidance. –2026 Graduate THESE ARE MORE THAN NUMBERS – they are lives changed. Thank you for paving the way for northern Michigan students to write their future success stories. 2909729 % 15794 % graduates earned a degree or certificate. individuals completed corporate training programs. of these graduates were the first in their family to earn a college degree or certificate. students will continue their education to pursue a Bachelor’s or graduate degree. 281 individuals completed a “Fast Track” workforce training program. Because of you, dreams crossed the stage. Your support helped more than 590 students Commencement 2026 of graduates said they met their personal goals. CLASS OF 2026 HIGHLIGHTS:Together for a Stronger Healthcare Community NCMC and Bay Bluffs enter year three of partnership Clinical Educator, Karrie Pater, MSN, RN, GERO-BC, and Director of Nursing Sonja Bosley, RN, CHPCA, LNHA, lead the Certified Nursing Aide education at NCMC in addition to their LPN Clinical Instructor roles. 7 I t takes the whole community working collaboratively to address the current and future healthcare staffing gap in our region,” said Lisa Ashley, MSW, LNHA, Bay Bluffs– Emmet County Medical Care Facility Administrator. “Our community is aging, and at the same time, healthcare professionals are retiring. We need to build a foundation to serve the future.” Thanks to your support of North Central Michigan College healthcare training programs, this fall NCMC and Bay Bluffs will enter the third year of working together to increase the pool of available healthcare professionals in the region. “We’ve seen the nursing shortage coming for years,” Lisa said. “The need was greatly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.” As the trend looked bleak, a partnership was born. NCMC and Bay Bluffs worked together to launch a Fast Track Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program and support further education for students who want to enter the Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse training programs. “Together, we built a program that incorporates scholarships, tuition assistance, flexible work schedules, and a combination of classroom and on-site training.” With an increase in trained staff—including NCMC students and existing Bay Bluffs employees who have taken advantage of career advancement opportunities— Bay Bluffs recently reopened a newly renovated resident wing, called a neighborhood. “Thanks to our partnership with NCMC and the growth of our skilled workforce, we are now able to admit more people from the local community into our facility,” Lisa said. Lisa believes the collaborative effort succeeds because of a shared commitment to the region and common values. Those values include providing high-quality education and care to as many people as possible. “I consistently see NCMC-trained professionals as comfortable, knowledgeable, adaptable, compassionate, and willing to learn and grow,” Lisa said. “These days, not only does a person have to be comfortable with healthcare technology, our staff still need to have all the basic skills at the bedside,” Lisa said. “NCMC-trained professionals have both. Plus, NCMC graduates are from the local area. That’s huge. Oftentimes, they know the people they are taking care of.” Since the program began, more than 81 students have enrolled in the Fast Track CNA program. Many of these professionals are filling vital roles at Bay Bluffs and several other healthcare facilities throughout the region. Adria started as a Resident Assistant, took an NCMC CNA Course, and is now working as a CNA. She also completed the NCMC Medication Aide program. “We are now admitting more people from the local community into our building because we’ve had the opportunity to work with North Central Michigan College.” –Lisa Ashley, Bay Bluffs–Emmet County Medical Care Facility Administrator “Bay Bluffs has stepped up to the plate to help provide the resources NCMC needs for instructors and facilities where our students can learn,” said Brent LaFaive, Dean of Nursing, Health Sciences and Public Safety Programs. “By working together, we are able to provide more local people with the education they need to deliver high-level care to our friends and neighbors.” Speaking of the broader impact of this program, created to serve Bay Bluffs and beyond, Lisa said, “I want to make sure that there are enough caregivers who are properly trained to provide care to as many members of our community as we can. That has been made possible because North Central is in our backyard and is eager to work with us to address this vital need.” “NCMC donors have already made a huge impact in our community,” Lisa said. “We have a great place to live up here, and I am so thankful for everyone who invests in this community’s future.” “Martin Jahn Technology Center Opens this Fall Empowering individuals with tools to create a better future T he new state-of-the-art, 12,000-square-foot Martin Jahn Technology Center is scheduled to open on NCMC’s campus this fall. The facility, made possible through a transformative lead gift from the Martin and Patricia Jahn Foundation and the generous giving of many partners, is part of the $22 million CATEE initiative, which will prepare students for high-demand careers in technology and trades. CATEE stands for Career and Technical Education Enhancement. This project is poised to redefine workforce education in Northern Michigan by expanding and enhancing NCMC’s healthcare, technology, and trades education programs. The Martin Jahn Technology Center will be used for training in robotics and automation, CNC machining, HVAC, electrical systems, fluid power, and welding. There are no similar training facilities located within 60 miles of Petoskey. Michigan’s economy thrives on technology and the skilled trades—with more than 520,000 jobs in this sector and 45,500 annual openings projected by 2030. North Central is ready to meet the demand. Speaking of the heart behind their support, Patricia Jahn said, “True philanthropy is about empowering individuals with the tools and opportunities to create a better future. My goal is to find and facilitate ways for people to achieve a better life through their own efforts.” This project enables NCMC to be the higher education provider for area tradespeople as well as the resource for their continuing education. Left to right: Joellen Emmerick, Eric Emmerick, and Patricia Jahn, with NCMC President Dr. David Roland Finley, outside the new technology center mid-way through construction 8F or more than 30 years, Crooked Lake was where Pat and Larry Kaine’s family gathered—swimming, sailing, walking the woods, identifying trees, and watching swans glide along the shore. Larry’s roots ran even deeper; his grandparents had summered there since the turn of the century. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, when a total of 13 undeveloped acres nearby came up for sale, Larry couldn’t let them go. The family acquired the parcels, named the spot “Beaver Property,” and even tried their hand at beekeeping. Preserving that land forever became a shared family dream. After Larry passed away, Pat and her children decided to donate nearly 13 acres and 1,700 feet of shoreline along Crooked Lake. Their gift sparked a remarkable partnership between North Central Michigan College, the Little Traverse Conservancy, the State of Michigan, and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians—ensuring the land stays protected for generations. Working as partners, the Conservancy purchased the land from NCMC and held it until the state of Michigan could finalize its funding. The proceeds from the sale of the land will transform the NCMC campus. Half the proceeds will help launch North Central’s new dental hygiene program, easing a regional workforce shortage. The other half established the Kaine Family Student Success Fund, an endowment that will fuel scholarships and emergency support for years to come. Pat shared, “Our family is thrilled by how transformational this gift has become…we are grateful.” W hen Vanessa Chavez Urbina was at a loss for how to get back into school, the Women’s Resource Center connected her to NCMC’s JEWEL scholarship program. Through the program, she connected with mentor Dibby Smith, who became her steady advocate. “The best thing is that you have someone who is holding you accountable, yes, but also rooting for you,” Vanessa said. This spring, Dibby stood beside her at her nurse pinning ceremony, a joyful accomplishment made possible by donors who believe in mentorship. JEWEL, the Joint Endeavor for Women in Education and Leadership, is a partnership developed by Julie and John Holder, North Central Michigan College, and the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan. It pairs A Gift Rooted in Place A family’s connection to the land becomes a legacy for students Investing in JEWEL Mentors who show up, every step of the way Vanessa with her mentor and personal cheerleader Dibby students with community mentors and scholarship support, and three years of data show mentored students graduate at higher rates than their peers. Stories like Dibby and Vanessa’s are why NCMC is building an endowment for JEWEL, ensuring these mentorships continue for generations of students to come. Pat and Larry Kaine with their children 9Next >