Grace Bruursema serves as the Navigator at TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC). Her role is primarily dedicated to assisting non-traditional adults willing to make the push to further their education to better support themselves and their families - whether that means completing a GED, obtaining a trade certificate, or enrolling in college. She walks prospective and existing students through the steps of admissions, enrollment, financial aid, and more. She can also connect students with any resources they may need throughout this process, through GRCC or our many community partners.
Grace has always had a passion for advocating for others - first manifesting in her early teens when Black Lives Matter and, later, the Me Too movement took off. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s of Arts with Honors from Grand Valley State University with a double major in Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies and French in 2021.
Immediately following her graduation, she was accepted to TAPIF (Teaching Assistant Program in France) where she was hired by a secondary school just outside of Paris, France to teach students American English. Along with helping her master the language, this year abroad allowed her to authentically appreciate and enjoy cultural diversity. “Picking up and moving to a foreign country that does not accommodate my native language was a humbling experience,” she says. “I truly understand people who come here and have difficulty navigating the systems we have in place. I am always happy to meet anyone where they are and provide any knowledge and assistance I can for them.”
Grace has two cats she adopted in college as emotional support animals. She has volunteered at multiple cat sanctuaries and has a devotion to animal welfare. In her free time she enjoys practicing nail art & manicuring, reading, and playing video games like Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, and Red Dead Redemption. She hopes to soon begin pursuing her Master’s in Higher Education to be able to continue meeting students’ needs by influencing administrative policy as well as meeting with students one-on-one.
