Dec. 13, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Start at GRCC and go anywhere. Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC gave them the education and opportunity to be successful.
Courtney Gabridge has had many roles in her life: mom, phlebotomist, emergency medical technician, investigator, Realtor.
She has never feared change; she embraces it.
After graduating from Catholic Central High School in 1996, she enrolled at the University of Dayton.
“I quickly realized in a few months’ time that that specific college was not for me and transferred that December of my freshman year to GRCC,” she said.
Making that change was life-changing.
“What I noticed right off the bat was that the teachers at this college truly care about their students and their future,” Gabridge said. “I noticed how they have a passion for education and believe in what they do. I ended up transferring again to Aquinas College but never forgot my GRCC experience.”
She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology at Aquinas and later her EMT certification.
“College, in general, taught me to want more for myself out of life, to become educated in all different areas, to succeed, to fail, to be uncomfortable, to have hopes and dreams, to push myself, to never settle, to work hard,” Gabridge said.
She credits her GRCC experiences with encouraging her love of learning.
“Every experience in life has led me to the current path I am on,” said Gabridge, who works at Greenridge Realty in East Grand Rapids. “I love real estate; I love working for others and helping them.”
Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply.