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April 30, 2010

NMC to evaluate president

Last year Nelson received 3.6 points on 4-point scale

BY SHERI McWHIRTER smcwhirter@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Tim Nelson received high marks last year for his work at Northwestern Michigan College, and college trustees are gearing up to grade him again.

Nelson, 57, will receive his annual performance review in June and an evaluation committee will begin work within the next couple of weeks. Nelson led Traverse City's community college through a busy year marked by decreasing state funds and skyrocketing enrollment, along with major changes like the transition to a smoke-free campus by August and spending $1.1 million to buy an old factory and expand the Aero Park Campus.

Then there's lobbying Lansing to allow NMC to issue bachelor's degrees in nursing and maritime technology, as well as boisterous public discussion about state legislation that would allow concealed firearms on campus.

"The first big achievement was we were able to accommodate record enrollment and meet the learning needs of the people in our region," Nelson said. "We continue to serve more people with fewer resources, maintain quality and invest in programs and infrastructure that will be vitally important to the college and the region."

The college hired Nelson as president in 2001 at a $102,000 annual salary. He currently earns $164,035 annually after requesting a pay freeze last year.

Doug Bishop, NMC trustee, will chair Nelson's performance and evaluation committee. Nelson will be reviewed on core competencies and key responsibilities by all college trustees and their responses will be set to a numerical scale and averaged.

Last year, Nelson received an overall 3.6 points on a 4-point scale.

"I personally think that he's done a very good job in the parameters we've set for him," Bishop said. "I hope he sticks around forever. I think he's a tremendous college president."

Nelson said he plans to stay as long as he's adding value and doing meaningful work.

College Trustee Walter Hooper said he also wants Nelson's tenure at NMC to continue because he's "done a lot of great things for the school," particularly keeping the college budget in line. Hooper also will serve on the evaluation committee, along with Trustee Bill Myers.

It's complicated to run a college during poor economic times when lawmakers slash funding, all while enrollment swells with demand for more workforce training, Bishop said.

"I think we're more prepared than many," he said.

Nelson's completed evaluation is expected to go before trustees at their June 28 meeting, scheduled for the Oleson Center on main campus, 1701 E. Front St.

Next year will mark a full decade with Nelson at NMC's helm.

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