March 13, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Erin Van Egmond, who has spent her career helping students overcome financial obstacles to life-changing higher education, has been named executive director of the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation.
“The GRCC Foundation plays a vital role in the overall success of our students and the college,” GRCC President Charles W. Lepper said. “My goal is to continue building upon the success of the foundation and expand its reach within our community. Erin has proven herself to be an outstanding professional and has made tremendous contributions to the success of our students, the college and the foundation.”
Van Egmond has served as the foundation’s associate director since 2015 and has worked at GRCC since 1998. She started as a student worker in the Financial Aid Department and became part of the foundation team in 2005. She previously served as the foundation’s donor relations coordinator and director of alumni relations.
“The GRCC Foundation is an important connection between our greater community and the college,” Van Egmond said. “So many people and organizations in West Michigan support our students because they know an investment in a student is an investment in our community. It is so moving to talk with students who are able to attend college and follow their dreams because a GRCC scholarship helped remove financial barriers.”
The Grand Rapids Community College Foundation awarded $1.3 million in scholarships to 1,642 students during the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
The foundation also works with donors on capital campaigns, raising funds to renovate or build facilities to expand opportunities for students. Recent projects include renovations of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center and the Custer Alumni House, as well as construction of the Secchia Piazza.
Van Egmond is a Grand Rapids native who earned an associate degree at GRCC, then a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master’s of Higher Education and Adult Learners from Grand Valley State University.