Nov. 10, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A man who entered higher education after serving in the Army will share his experiences and expertise as the new leader of Grand Rapids Community College’s Veterans Services and Veterans Center.
Philip Blanchard was recently named associate director of GRCC’s Veterans Services Department. He worked in construction during his nearly four years in the Army, and continued in the trade after he left the service in 2013. He earned an associate degree in heavy equipment maintenance technology from Ferris State University in 2015, followed by a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in social work, both from FSU.
He served as a military outreach and recruitment specialist for Western Michigan University before taking up his new position at GRCC this week.
“As a Grand Rapids native, I am excited to join GRCC as the associate director of Veterans Services, which will afford me the opportunity to serve the military-affiliated student population on campus and help them succeed in their education goals,” he said.
The Veterans Center, located in GRCC’s Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, provides a single point of contact for students who served in the military. It hosts workshops and events focused on academic support, and provides opportunities for networking and social action.
