Jan. 20, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Chad Sytsma has been educating students for more than 15 years at Grand Rapids Community College, and is still excited to engage with students every day.
“My experiences with the students in my classes have always been so positive. They are there for a purpose and are working hard to get their degrees. I am always impressed with how seriously they take their education,” Sytsma said.
Sytsma is the faculty liaison for the Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies Department, teaches in the Business Department at GRCC, and teaches at Hudsonville Public Schools. In his free time he can be found coaching young athletes on the football, baseball, and softball fields.
Sytsma recalled “so many” things to like about teaching at GRCC. He appreciates the ability to teach classes in person, virtually, and in online formats. He emphasizes the importance of meeting students where they are, and providing resources to empower them to be successful.
Sytsma said community is at the core of GRCC. His work with the DLIT department allows him to support faculty and staff in their use of instructional technology. He feels supported by faculty and administration, making it a great place to work.
“At first we tend to think it is only about the content of our class, but relationships and relevance can be really helpful to getting our students to understand the content even deeper”, Sytsma said.
Programs at GRCC offer real world, relevant skills and information that help students achieve success. Faculty and staff are trained professionals in their field, who are able to teach from personal experiences.
Sytsma got his Bachelors of business Administration from Davenport University, and his Masters of Education from Aquinas College. His experience teaching for over twenty years provides him with a wealth of knowledge that he enthusiastically shares with his students.
More information about the Business Department courses can be found here. More information about the Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies department can be found here.