Rise Up & Achieve is designed to organize and support collaborative, unified efforts to improve the recruitment, retention, satisfaction and completion rates for historically underserved and underrepresented student populations at Grand Rapids Community College. With the support of our campus and community partners, Rise Up & Achieve is committed to designing programs to support the social and academic success of students who participate in our student engagement affinity groups: ALAS, Brother 2 Brother and NIA.
The initiative aims to create a successful environment in which to live, learn, and lead. The development of these programs is based on best practice research, institutional data, and needs expressed by GRCC students and key stakeholders.
Participate in Rise Up & Achieve (students)
Mentor interest forms for faculty and staff: ALAS | Brother 2 Brother | NIA
Mission
Rise Up & Achieve is dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment that enhances the recruitment, retention, satisfaction and graduation rates of historically underserved and underrepresented student populations at GRCC.
Through strategic partnerships with our campus and community stakeholders, we strive to develop and implement programs that encourage the social and academic success of our students.
We are committed to empowering members of our student engagement affinity groups: ALAS, Brother 2 Brother and NIA, ensuring they thrive and achieve their fullest potential.
Objectives
- Increase retention, recruitment and graduation rates of underserved and underrepresented students.
- Foster a sense of belonging for underserved and underrepresented student populations.
- Identify barriers to academic, professional and personal success.
- Help students acclimate to GRCC culture and learn the programs and services of the Woodrick Center.
- Meet and develop fellow GRCC students, staff and faculty.
- Learn about GRCC offices, and the services and resources they offer.
Rise Up & Achieve helps students
- Bridge equitable gaps for students during their college journey.
- Offer personal and academic growth opportunities.
- Build a stronger sense for one’s own identity, culture and heritage, while learning more about others.
- Demonstrate techniques and use tools to interrupt micro-aggressions and bias behaviors that adversely affect underrepresented communities.
Student involvement opportunities
- Events and workshops
- Community engagement
- Mental health and wellness
- Academic support
- Support resources
- Service learning
- Heritage and history months
- Outcome-based mentorship
- GRCC staff and faculty mentorship
- Safe spaces
- Professional development
Areas of focus
- Sense of belonging, community and support
- Wellbeing and counseling
- Leadership development
- Tutorial services
- Special programs of social and/or educational benefit
- Financial literacy and management
- Advocating for concerns and complaints from students
Benefits
- Establishes a sense of belonging on campus
- Provides consistent support through mentorship
- Enhances academic success through one-on-ones
- Offers opportunities to attend leadership conferences
- Gets you on the invitation list for special events
- Allows you access to basic needs financial support
- Provides opportunities to participate in recognition ceremonies
ALAS — Assisting Latin@s to Achieve and Succeed
Alas in the Spanish language means wings. The ALAS Program at Grand Rapids Community College is designed to help Latin@ students soar to new heights of academic excellence. Participants will be equipped for success through academic skills development, access to resources, community building and self-discovery.
ALAS goals:
- Provide academic support
- Enhance emotional intelligence and personal growth
- Explore careers and professional development
- Build community through social and recreational activities
Students who participate in our Rise Up & Achieve student initiatives will be invited to engage in various skill and knowledge building opportunities throughout the academic year.
Brother 2 Brother Network
The Brother 2 Brother Network centers equity at the core of its foundation. Participants are led through evidence-based pillars of success that redress historical and systemic inequities male of color and male-identified students encounter in academic environments. The goal of the program is to tap into and enhance the student's cultural capital, strengthen their academic acumen, foster leadership development and support personal growth through mentorship.
Membership: The Brother 2 Brother Network leadership initiative is open to all male-identifying students. In B2B Network, participants will learn strategies that align with academic excellence, professional development opportunities, guidance and support through mentorship.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop leadership skills
- Increase involvement and engagement during college journey
- Increase community engagement
- Cultivate relationships with peers, staff, and faculty
NIA
NIA is a community of sisters committed to centering the voices of GRCC students who may encounter non-academic challenges that impact their college experience. A core focus of NIA is to support the academic goals of students through evidence-based initiatives that foster degree completion, career preparedness and holistic growth and development. The goal of this program is to cultivate a holistic student experience by celebrating culture, encouraging community engagement, academic completion, leadership and personal development which will increase completion rates among participants.