NMC’s Office of Possibilities has partnered with academic areas and CIE to provide release time / mini sabbaticals to faculty interested in working on innovation in their areas.  We all know that entrepreneurial thinking and development takes time and resources and OOPs is here to help.  

The process is pretty straightforward: 

1. Develop an idea / prototype / program improvement. 
2. Meet with OOPs mentors for coaching and development
3. Find like-minded staff, departments, faculty and students that can support your project
4. Pitch for funding and support

If your project is funded, then you will have the opportunity to continue developing and prototyping your idea.  

 Pitch dates are set, so mark your calendars:

• Wednesday, Nov. 6, Noon–1:30 p.m., Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center 106/107
• Wednesday, March 12, Noon–1:30 p.m., Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center 106/107
• Wednesday, May 21, Noon–1:30 p.m., Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center 106/107

Pitches are open to NMC students, faculty, and staff.  Fill out this application to connect with an OOPs team member who will assist in planning your pitch. If you have any questions about the application or the process, please email oops@nmc.edu.  Meeting with an OOPs team member is required before entering a pitch so please plan accordingly.

The mini sabbatical form outlines the requirements, but in short:

• Faculty completes the OOPs mini-sabbatical release time signature form
• Chair approves release time to ensure adequate coverage and planning.
• OOPs works with CIE on approval. 

Timing and conversations with your chair are critical for release time in order to give academic areas time to prepare.  Current timing:

• Fall Timing – Request to OOPs / Chairs by late-March for Fall planning and scheduling 
  • Fall 2025 due by the March 12, 2025 pitch event  
• Spring Timing – Request to OOPs / Chairs by September for Spring planning and scheduling
  • Spring 2026 aligns with the May 21,2025 pitch event.  Potential for additional opportunities – tbd

If you are not interested in release time, OOPs pitches can include overload time to give you the resources necessary to develop your idea.   We hope you will pitch an idea!

The Office of Possibilities is grateful for the generous annual funding from the NMC Foundation that supports innovative projects across campus!