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Fiscal Year 2025 Empowering Students. Together. IMPACT REPORTDear Friends of North Central, Thanks to you, hundreds of North Central students achieved their educational goals this year. Your generosity makes our mission possible. Together, we unlock individual potential and turn dreams into reality. Your support fuels scholarships, enhances student success, enriches our community, and helps maintain the state-of-the-art learning environments our students need to thrive. The NCMC Foundation exists because of donors like you—people who believe in the power of education to change lives. This first-ever Impact Report offers just a glimpse of what your gifts made possible in the past fiscal year. Inside, you’ll find inspiring stories and accomplishments that are a direct result of your investment in North Central students. On behalf of the entire Foundation team and Board of Directors, thank you for your continued partnership. We look forward to all we will accomplish together in the year ahead. With gratitude, James C. Schroeder, Ph.D., Chair Chelsea Platte, V.P. for Advancement, Foundation Executive Director A Letter of Thanks 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 John Fought Chris Morley Monica Peck Chelsea Platte, V.P. for Advancement, Foundation Executive Director Stan Smith, M.D. 2 Photo by Alex ChildressYour Gifts at Work Fiscal Year 2025 Snapshot of Impact 71 in scholarships awarded to students How Donors Directed Their Gifts This Year Your Giving Impacted DONORSENDOWMENT FUNDS MILLION GIFTS RECEIVED Unrestricted New Gifts to Endowments Programs Scholarships Educational Facilities Enhancements General Scholarships, Fast Track Scholarships, Student Emergency Fund, Campus Cupboard, Nursing Department, Early Childhood Education and Child Care Initiative, Student Success Initiatives, PTK Honors Society, Real Talk Training, JEWEL Mentorship Program, Study Abroad Scholarships, Library, Natural Area, Professional Development for College Employees and Board Members, New Campus Signage 500 $7.5 $645,099 Because of YOU 3Thanks to your support for scholarships, Grace found the perfect place to begin her college journey—right here in northern Michigan. A Boyne City High School graduate, she chose North Central Michigan College to continue her studies. “I was thinking about Ferris, but I just wasn’t quite ready to go,” Grace said. “North Central was close, and with the scholarships, it was the best opportunity for me.” At North Central, Grace is earning her associate degree in General Studies along with a certificate in Computer-Aided Design (CAD)—skills she’s already used in the real world. With help from faculty member Jeff Montgomery, she landed a job at a local design firm where she creates 3D plans for custom cabinetry and furniture, turning clients’ ideas into detailed digital models. “It’s so exciting to see something I worked on become real,” she said. “I love designing things that will become part of someone’s home.” Grace didn’t always know she wanted to go into design. But during the COVID-19 shutdown, she and her family built a backyard chicken coop together and she loved designing it. That small project sparked a big idea. “It was so cool to see my design come to life. That’s when I realized I wanted to do more of this.” Thanks to one of her scholarships, Grace was also able to purchase a new laptop powerful enough to run CAD software—something her old computer couldn’t handle. Your support made that possible. Grace is still exploring what’s next—possibly studying architecture—but she knows she wants to come back to northern Michigan and use her skills to help solve a local challenge: the housing shortage. “Home has always been important to me,” she said. “It would be really meaningful to help people build their dream homes right here in our community.” Thanks to you, Grace is designing more than cabinetry or floor plans—she’s designing a future that’s grounded in purpose, possibility, and place. Designing Her Future From backyard builds to real homes, your support turned Grace’s curiosity into a career path. “Before this, I didn’t realize how much of a difference donors could make,” she said. “But now that I’ve experienced it firsthand, I know how helpful it really is.” 42025 Commencement Because of you, over 290 graduates crossed the stage in May The Class of 2025 included who earned a degree or certificate. who completed a Fast Track workforce training program. That’s almost taking bold steps toward a brighter future. 292 GRADUATES 191 INDIVIDUALS 500 STUDENTS Thanks to you! 5After nearly two decades of unwavering support, North Central Michigan College received a transformational gift from Pier and Renee Borra. Their latest contribution—among the most significant in the college’s history—will provide scholarships, equipment, and program support for North Central’s Nursing and Health Sciences programs for the next 20 years. Pier and Renee have dedicated their lives to advancing health care, both personally and professionally. Their generosity has already helped countless students launch meaningful careers in nursing and allied health, directly impacting the well-being of our northern Michigan communities. In recognition of their extraordinary legacy, North Central’s Board of Trustees voted to name the college’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences the Borra School of Nursing and Health Sciences. This honor reflects the Borra family’s exceptional philanthropic leadership, as well as their enduring belief in the power of education to change lives. The Borra School of Nursing and Health Sciences stands as a tribute to the values Pier and Renee have championed—compassion, service, and opportunity. Their investment ensures that future generations of health care professionals will receive the education and training they need to care for others, just as the Borras have cared for this college and its students. We are deeply grateful. Borra School of Nursing & Health Sciences Honoring a Legacy of Care “Our goal is to see more students graduating in the health sciences and joining the workforce," said Pier Borra. "We want to see North Central become a leader in the state for nursing and health science education." President David R. Finley, Renee and Pier Borra, and Dean of Nursing, Health Sciences and Public Safety Programs, Brent LaFaive, with the 2025 graduating class of nursing students. 6Building the Construction is now underway on the Martin Jahn Technology Center, a state-of-the-art facility that will increase our capacity to train up to 200 students each year in high-demand career fields. This expansion includes training in Robotics and Automation, Engineering, Mechatronics, CNC Machining, Computer-Aided Drafting and Design, HVAC and Electrical, and Welding—giving students the tools they need to thrive in Michigan’s modern workforce. The center will feature flexible, hands-on lab spaces, innovative classrooms, and dedicated office spaces designed to strengthen collaboration between faculty, students, and workforce partners. Phase II of the CATEE project began with a “snowbreaking” ceremony—in true northern Michigan style—and we celebrated this momentous occasion with community members, local leaders, and elected officials. Now, with your support, we’re building more than a new facility—we’re building expertise, innovation, and a strong pipeline of skilled talent for our region. Thanks to you, this transformation is already underway. Demolition of the 59-year-old Technology Building wrapped up in early spring, and construction crews quickly got to work—clearing the site, grading the land, and beginning to form the foundation walls of what will soon become the Martin Jahn Technology Center. This is possible because of you—and it’s just the beginning. Martin Jahn Technology Center Thanks to your generosity, the future of technical education at North Central is taking shape. 7When Stephanie returned to college after 20 years, she came armed with a thick accounting textbook, determination—and sometimes, two young sons by her side. A single mother, Stephanie is building a more sustainable future. “I wanted to find something that would allow me to bring my energy home,” she said. She chose accounting for its stability and enrolled at North Central. During orientation, she brought one of her sons along—and that moment changed everything. “People saw I had a child with me and told me about the resources available,” she said. “That’s how I got connected with Kristin.” Kristin Jardine, Advisor and Activity Coordinator, supports student parents through North Central’s CCAMPIS Initiative (Child Care Access Means Parents in School). She helps students like Stephanie navigate child care, access financial assistance, and create academic plans that keep them on track. Thanks to that support, Stephanie is thriving and planning to graduate in 2026. And she’s not alone. Some student parents are now graduating one to two years earlier than expected—a life-changing shift driven by this individualized support. North Central’s Family Friendly Campus Initiative is expanding resources, launching a Student Parent Advisory Group, and creating family-friendly spaces—including a new area in the library that allows student parents to study on campus, while keeping their kids engaged. Littles in the Library Creating a campus where families belong “Kristin helped take so much of the unnecessary stress off my plate,” Stephanie said. “She became my personal cheerleader.” “We’re working to establish that this is a place where families are welcome—where kids can be part of the campus experience,” Kristin said. “It’s about creating not just access, but community.” 8 Before CCAMPIS Student Parents IdentifiedApplied to NCMC Today Student Parents Enrolled 200+100+ 8Empowering Women Through Mentorship The Joint Endeavor for Women in Education and Leadership (JEWEL) program uplifts and inspires students by connecting them with female mentors who offer professional guidance and real-world wisdom. Through these meaningful relationships, students gain confidence, direction, and support as they pursue their goals. Scan the QR code to meet two mentor/mentee duos and hear how the JEWEL program is making a difference—one connection at a time. Thank you for Fast Tracking Careers! In March, we reached out with an urgent need. Funding cuts reduced access to our Fast Track career training programs. You saw the need and came through. By June 1, we met our $65,000 fundraising goal! Because of you, our local workforce is stronger than it was yesterday. But the work isn’t done. Funding for these critical scholarships remains uncertain, and we must continue building support to keep opportunities open for those ready to upskill or re-enter the workforce. Child Care on Campus North Central Michigan College’s Early Learning Center (ELC) opened this summer, offering high-quality, full-time child care right on campus. The center will serve local families and students and operate under a true-cost model, delivering quality care while providing fair wages and benefits to its dedicated staff. The remodeled facility also features a brand-new, nature-inspired playground. The ELC is a cornerstone of Phase II of North Central’s Child Care Initiative, a strategic effort to build a sustainable, community-focused child care system in northern Michigan. To learn more, visit ncmich.edu/cci. 177Total Students completed Fast Track programs 2023-2024 12 Fast Track programs offered 2024-2025 68Students enrolled in Fast Track programs as of June 2025 9Next >