Sept. 9, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Anyone interested in competing in a triathlon should talk to Grand Rapids Community College biology adjunct faculty member Mary Fournier – she’s run, swam and pedaled her way through 40 of them.
Fournier has also taken six trips to Africa. After a 2009 trip, while she worked as a chemistry and biology teacher at Cedar Springs High School, she was inspired to take action.
Fournier founded the nonprofit “To Africa: From U.S.,” to benefit infrastructure projects in Southern Uganda. She has raised 80,000 over the last 12 years through community fundraisers and donations for projects like digging a well and expanding a school.
Fournier, who also teaches at Grand Valley State University,is pursuing a second master's degree in Biomedical Science. Teaching while she attends college provides Fournier with a unique perspective of her work – and the benefits of a community college degree.
“At GRCC, I enjoy the rich diversity in every aspect of the college and as I get to know the students I teach,” Fournier said. “The GRCC Biological Sciences department offers so many ways for students to get a solid start in the career pathways they want to pursue.”
Fournier admires students who follow their passion to a career, and who dare to be themselves.
“We can all be inspiring during our lives,” Fournier said. “We are all heroes at one point and we all need rescuing at other points. By being our true-selves we empower others around us to be true to themselves and live out their authentic lives. Be brave. Be kind. Be you.”
Over her 20 years in biology and education, Fournier learned education is an art.
“Each individual teaches differently,” Fournier said. “Some teaching strategies work well for me, when they would work terribly for another teacher. The converse is true as well. Educational research has a limited reach and can only tell us a few hardcore proven truths about education. The rest is art.”
Fournier has earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Aquinas College, and a Master of Secondary Education with Biology concentration from GVSU.
You can join her at GRCC in BI 101 General Biology Lab, BI 118 Environmental Science, BI 121 Human Anatomy and Physiology, and BI 122 Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lecture and Lab.