Dec. 4, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Cholonni Madison had just returned to West Michigan after living for a while in California.
“I was feeling like I’m getting older and I need a career with real opportunity,” he said. “My coach at West Michigan Works! told me about the Public Works Academy.”
GRCC launched the seven-week Public Works Academy in 2018 with grant funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Its curriculum was developed with help from public works departments for Grand Rapids and Grand Haven, in addition to the road commissions from Kent, Muskegon and Van Buren counties, the Michigan Department of Transportation, Prein&Newhof and Rowe Professional Services.
“The training was awesome,” Madison said. “I never really thought about working for the city, but it’s amazing all the different services they provide.”
He stepped right into his “career with real opportunity” after graduating from the academy.
“I was hired right away at the city of Grand Rapids,” he said. “They have a program where employees rotate through different positions every month. I like it. Every day is different, and I am building so many relationships.
“I have a real pride in what I do: serving the people in my city.”
Madison shared his story with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer when she visited GRCC after delivering her first State of the State address in 2019.
The next Public Works Academy sessions are planned for Jan. 19 - Mar. 18, 2021, with classes running Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Additional information is available in the GRCC catalog here.
Grand Rapids Community College offers learners of all ages opportunities to gain credits for degrees or transfer and in-demand career skills leading to rewarding careers. GRCC was established in 1914 – Michigan’s first community college -- and offers affordable classes on weekdays, evenings, Saturdays and online at locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties.