NMC : Northwestern Michigan College. Northwestern Michigan College is a publicly funded community college that serves more than 50,000 learners annually throughout the Grand Traverse region and beyond. NMC offers associate degrees and professional certificates, and bachelor''s degrees through the Great Lakes Maritime Academy and Great Lakes Freshwater Studies Institute. Eight partner universities grant baccalaureate, graduate and doctoral degrees through the NMC University Center. NMC''s Extended Education program offers a wide array of non-credit classes to more than 10,000 local residents annually.. college, community college, academic programs, associate degrees, associate’s degrees, bachelor''s degrees, professional certificates, Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Great Lakes Freshwater Studies Institute, Great Lakes Culinary Institute, University Center, hawk owls