April 1, 2025
Monika Martinez is the first to admit she had a rocky start at Grand Rapids Community College. But she’s never given up.
“I was a bit too confident my first year at college and took four classes including biology, which also had a lab,” said Martinez, 24. “I focused on biology because it was harder and then my grades went down in my other classes; I ended up having to retake some of them. It was tough, but I learned a lot from it — like I should only take two classes at a time.”
Now Martinez is on track to graduate from GRCC this spring with an associate degree in Nursing. One day she hopes to work in a neonatal intensive care unit.
The Holland native worked hard to get to this point and had some great support along the way.
No. 1 is the convenience of attending nearly all her classes at GRCC’s Lakeshore Campus in Holland.
The 52,000-square-foot satellite campus opened in 2021 providing programs and student services in one convenient, state-of-the-art location. It has nine classrooms, four computer labs and five unique labs for biology, chemistry, electronics, automation, welding and machine tooling, housing programs for students working toward an associate degree or a career-focused certificate.
Many West Michigan students have found the Holland satellite a time-saving alternative to attending classes at GRCC’s main campus in downtown Grand Rapids.
“Transportation has sometimes been an issue for me, so I’m so glad I live just five minutes away from the Lakeshore Campus,” Martinez said.
Her academic journey had its share of twists and turns. After a rough freshman year, Martinez was placed on academic probation. She took a year off school to regroup before returning to the Lakeshore Campus with a smaller class load and a new determination to complete her degree.
Martinez is the first person in her family to attend college in the United States. While her parents are always supportive, they were unable to help her navigate the world of academia. She found the allies she needed among GRCC’s academic advising and support staff.
“My academic advisor knows how badly I felt like a failure after my first year. She was my No. 1 supporter, though, pushing me and guiding me to get back on track,” Martinez said.
Martinez also worked with a success coach in the College Success Center. Coaches walk alongside students as they navigate their college journey. For some, this includes helping students establish a time management routine, enhance their study skills, or communicate with their professors. Other times it’s being a good listener and a source of encouragement.
“My success coach helped me weave through the obstacles I had in my life. But she was never judgmental and always knew I was in a safe space to talk with her,” she said.
With each new term, Martinez worries she’ll again struggle with classes.
Nevertheless, she persists.
“New classes are still a little bit scary for me,” she said. “But every semester, I feel more accomplished and just keep pushing through.”
This story was reported by Beth McKenna.