May 25, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  – Karissa Ferry has a busy schedule, staying on top of her Grand Rapids Community College studies while playing basketball and volleyball and trying to earn money for expenses. But as a student employee in the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse, Ferry is able to take advantage of flexible scheduling around activities and classes. “This is the best job I’ve ever had,” she said as she helped people check into the GRCC Fitness Center. “I’m on campus a lot anyway. This has been a great way to make money between going to class and playing sports -- and the people are really nice.” GRCC has a variety of student employment opportunities during the school year, and about a dozen to be filled during the summer semesters. Students can work in roles including office assistants, lifeguards, and orientation ambassadors, and in offices including Student Services, Student Life, Facilities and the Academic Advising and Outreach Center. A full list of available jobs is available  online . Christopher Allen, associate director of Student Employment Services, said GRCC recently increased student wages to $12.50 an hour, competitive with many off-campus summer jobs. “Student employee positions are a fantastic way for students to develop valuable work skills and experience while taking advantage of convenient and flexible scheduling,” Allen said. “Students can build their resumes while getting to know people and places on campus, all while earning money to cover expenses.” Student Employment Services can help with questions about campus jobs as well as provide tips on resumes and interviewing. The office is located on the second floor of Steven C. Ender Hall, 455 E. Fulton St. Students can contact the office at  ses@grcc.edu  and (616) 234-4170.  

May 25, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Joe Wisneski worked in a variety of factory positions. “I got to a point where I just knew I couldn’t do it for the rest of my life,” he said. That’s when he starting looking into the Job Training Automotive Technician program at GRCC. When that was full, Wisneski’s plan B was the Welding Technician program. GRCC Workforce Training programs provide in-demand skills leading to rewarding careers. We are introducing students who are heading down an educational pathway and changing their lives by earning occupational certificates “At first, I was a little nervous. The last time I was in school, I was 22-23 years old and fresh out of a war zone but everybody is pretty like-minded – no drama.” Once Wisneski started welding, he was hooked. “Almost the first day, first welds, I was like ‘Hey, I’m actually kind of good at this and it’s fun!'" The GRCC Job Training Welding program takes place at the Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC and meets for 18 weeks for 34 hours per week. The program offers small class sizes, hands-on learning and job placement assistance. “I’ve always liked doing stuff that is dangerous,” Wisneski said. “I don’t know why. There is definitely an element of danger in welding. I think you’ve got to be a little bit crazy to get into it.” As a student, you will learn: shielded metal arc welding (arc/stick welding), gas metal arc welding (metal inert gas/wire welding), gas tungsten arc welding (heli-arc/tungsten inert gas welding), oxy-fuel welding (gas welding), cutting, brazing, blueprint reading, mathematics, metallurgy, problem solving, teamwork and communication skills. “When you weld two pieces together, you get that nice bead going, there is this sense of satisfaction that you get out of it,” Wisneski said. “It’s like a huge dopamine dump. It’s, dare I say, an addiction -- but a good addiction.” Wisneski’s Instructor is GRCC’s Nate Haney. Haney holds a Bachelor of Science in Welding Engineering Technology from Ferris State University and is an American Welding Society certified welding inspector and certified welding educator. Wisneski believes that as far as knowledge and experience goes, Nate is unmatched. “Honestly, if Nate wasn’t my instructor, I don’t know that I would have done so well. Now the competitive side of me has come out. I want to get through fast, and better than everyone else.” Wisneski will complete the program this week and is considering welding jobs out-of-state. He is happy with the training he has received. He has experienced a new kind of accomplishment. “Last week I made my wife a jewelry box. I drew it up on a sheet of paper and made it. I’m not used to having the design in my head, making something and having it come out so perfectly.” This program is highly regarded by employers as a top trainer in welding and fabrication. Job Developers are ready to help you with the job search process. When you graduate, you will be ready to begin a career as a welder, cutter or brazer – with the skills to meet the needs of not only local companies but national companies as well. Wisneski’s tuition was paid for through his VA Benefits. Additional support was provided by the One Workforce grant. According to the Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, there will be 34.7% job growth in welding from 2012 to 2022. The next section of Job Training programs begins, Aug. 8, 2022. For more information: grcc.edu/jobtraining or (616) 234-3800.

May 24, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Nominations are open for the 39th Annual GIANT Awards, scheduled to be presented Oct. 1, 2022. The GRCC Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is accepting nominations for several awards and scholarships, including the distinguished GIANT among GIANTs honor. The deadline is Wednesday, June 22. Grand Rapids Community College since 1983 has hosted the annual awards recognizing African-American people and organizations for their exceptional contributions in shaping the history and quality of life in Grand Rapids. Each award is named after a community pillar that has demonstrated excellence and is a perpetual memorial to those notable contributions. Honorees are scheduled to be announced in July. Ticket sales and sponsorships open on Aug. 12. For additional questions, contact Erin Mieskowski at ODEI@grcc.edu .

May 24, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  Ryan Dykstra earned four postseason honors after being a key player on a Grand Rapids Community College baseball team on a season that included a 17-game winning streak. GRCC finished the 2022 campaign second in the Western Conference and in third place in the region. Dykstra, a second-year outfielder from Byron Center, was named All-Region, All-MCCAA and First Team All-Conference. The South Christian High School graduate also was named to the All-Tournament team at the regionals after batting .588 in five games. Dykstra was the only Raider to play and start in 53 games. He is ranked 35th in the nation with a .422 batting average and led GRCC in many other statistical categories including hits, 73; home runs, seven; runs batted in, 45; and slugging percentage, .671. He is committed to play for Oakland University next year. "This team had a very successful season," Dkystra said. "We started the season a little slowly. But with a couple of back-to-back wins, everything started to click and we went undefeated to finish the conference and took that momentum into the playoffs and made an unforgettable run, finishing third. This is one of my favorite teams to be a part of. We all got along on and off the field. I made a lot of memories and life-long friends." Jared Berkenpas, another South Christian graduate, was also named All-Region, All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference, and to the All-Tournament team at regionals after tallying two wins. The 6-foot, 5-inch righty was GRCC's top pitcher in their rotation and led the team with a 9-2 record, 1.41 ERA, 71 strikeouts, .223 opponents’ batting average, and had four complete games. Four GRCC players were named Second Team All-Conference: shortstop and pitcher Caleb Engelsman; catcher and first baseman Dylan Chargo; pitcher Eliott Traver; and pitcher Drew Murphy. Engelsman batted .309 and had 15 extra base hits and pitched 58 innings, the second-most among GRCC players, while picking up five wins. Chargo batted .337 in the cleanup spot, totaling 56 hits, four home runs and 43 RBI. He was third on the team in slugging percentage, .482, and on base percentage, .429.  He was also named to the six-player Western Conference All-Freshman team. Traver was the GRCC closer and picked up 11 saves while hoping opponents to just a .234 batting average in 26 appearances. He was second on the team with a 2.54 ERA and averaged 1.3 strikeouts per inning. Murphy closed the season as the number two pitcher in GRCC's rotation. He went 4-2 with a 2.65 ERA in 42.1 innings. Jacob Gumieny and Xander Reisbig were named All-Conference honorable mention. Gumieny, the Raiders everyday leadoff hitter, was fourth on the team, batting .316, totaling 56 hits and 20 RBI.  He led the team in triples with six and stolen bases with 11. Reisbig was second on the team, batting .347, totaling 51 hits, 18 for extra bases, and 29 RBI.  He also had 11 stolen bases on the season and was second on the team with a .524 slugging percentage. He was the steadiest defender, with just one error.  

May 24, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – At 48, Ron Moore has a good life: A loving wife, a supportive family and a thriving photography studio in Holland. But something always gnawed at him. “I never finished up my associate degree,” said Moore, who studied photography 20 years ago at Grand Rapids Community College. “They added some new requirements to the degree program. At that time, I was already working full time as a photographer and I was getting married. The degree just got back-burnered.” He began married life with his wife, Jennifer, and her son, Sam. Moore worked as a photographer’s assistant for several more years before opening his own business, Photo Op Studio, in 2005. Still, it gnawed at him. Fast-forward two decades to March. On a whim, Moore stopped by the new GRCC Lakeshore Campus in Holland to see just how many credits he still needed to earn his degree. Academic Advisor Kristie Kozub, who happened to be Moore’s classmate at West Ottawa High School, delivered the happy news on the spot. “Apparently, I had been sitting on 62 credits for almost 20 years,” Moore said. “Kristie explained I already had enough credits to graduate and could have done it a long time ago. It was crazy.” On April 29, Moore donned his blue cap and gown, walked across the stage at GRCC’s commencement and happily accepted his long-awaited diploma. “My mom is alive and healthy, and I wanted her to see me walk. But I also wanted to do it for myself because it’s important to finish what you start,” he said. “It took a lot of discipline back then going to college and working my butt off full-time. But that discipline helped sculpt me into the person I am today – and I’m proud of that.” This story was reported by Beth McKenna. Photo by Steve Jessmore.

May 23, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – David A. Veneklase has been a leader in education and in the community, and credits professors at Grand Rapids Community College for inspiring him in the classroom and beyond. 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. Veneklase is executive vice president for Finance and Organizational Development and CFO for Davenport University. During his 22-year career at Davenport, he’s held every executive vice president leadership role. “We work tirelessly to transform students to achieve the highest levels of academic performance, leading them to excel and advance in their chosen fields,” he said. Prior to Davenport, he served Grand Valley State University for more than 15 years in several roles in finance and human resources. He also is chair of the Board for Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, chair emeritus for West Catholic High School and treasurer for Hello West Michigan. He was a member of GRCC’s Business Advisory Committee from 1983 through 1995 and chaired the committee from 1989 to 1995. He taught at GRCC as an adjunct for two years as well. “GRCC provided an outstanding foundation for the remainder of my college education and my career,” Veneklase said. “In addition to the excellent education I received in the classroom, the faculty and staff provided support and encouragement to challenge and inspire me to greatness.” He said James Skidmore was the college professor who most influenced him. “He was my mentor and advisor,” he said. “He encouraged me to pursue accounting and finance and instilled confidence I was lacking. He encouraged me to tutor to help others. I am forever grateful to Mr. Skidmore. Ron Weidenfeller, Velvie Greene and Art Hyde were also influential mentors.”  After GRCC, Veneklase earned a Bachelor of Business in Accounting, as well as Masters of Business Administration in Finance from GVSU. He completed the Dale Carnegie program and received a Certificate in Strategic Collection Bargaining at the University of Michigan. “I have been blessed with many mentors in my career that encouraged me and provided opportunities to learn and lead,” he said. “My parents instilled strong values founded in my faith. They also taught me to be humble and recognize others as any success is not possible alone. One of the greatest lessons learned from Mr. Skidmore is to not be afraid to fail. He would say “if you never fail, you aren’t reaching high enough.” Most importantly, I followed my passions for education, community, service and my faith.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply.

May 21, 2022, JOPLIN, Mo. – Difficult weather conditions at the NJCAA National Championship tournament cut the Grand Rapids Community College golf team's postseason run short after three rounds of golf this week at the Twin Hills Golf and Country Club. Every team at the tournament was scheduled to play four rounds of golf. But due to the weather conditions the NJCAA committee opted to only send the top 12 teams to the final round of play. GRCC was among the teams not eligible to advance. “The team was dedicated to making it to the finals and played with a purpose,” coach John Forton said. “It was all about us proving we belonged there, and it happened. Great effort by all involved.” South Mountain Community College dominated the competition and finished 19 strokes ahead of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College to win the national title. At the end of three rounds, Arie Jackman (78-75-83) was leading GRCC with a score of 236 strokes. After two rounds, Jackman was tied for 35th place overall. After the third round, he was tied for 60th. Matt Denhartigh had a strong finish to his GRCC career, shooting 76 in his final round to finish with 241. Conner Oman shot 249 while fellow freshmen Brad VandenHout and Sam Foss shot a respectable 251 and 259. The team tied for the conference championship this year, marking their 13th straight title. It also finished runner-up in the MCCAA and the region. Jackman was named MCCAA and Region XII medalist to receive All-MCCAA and All-Region honors. Denhartigh also earned All-MCCAA and All-Region honors after finishing in fourth place last weekend at the MCCAA/Region XII Tournament. Oman finished his freshman campaign also as a member of the All-MCCAA team.

May 20, 2022 - ADRIAN, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team's season ended on Friday, with the team losing both games in the NJCAA Region 12 tournament. GRCC fell 10-2 against Lansing Community College – one of the top teams in the nation -- then 8-4 to Kellogg Community College, which finished ahead of GRCC in first place in the MCCAA Western Conference. Lansing, ranked No. 8 in the final NJCAA poll, scored seven runs in the second inning, creating a deep hole for GRCC’s offense. The Raiders responded with two runs in the top of the third inning, but were unable to score during the rest of the game. The loss snapped GRCC’s 17-game win streak, and sent the team to the elimination round. GRCC was held to four hits in the opening game. Catcher Dylan Chargo, had two of them, with Ryan Dykstra and Andres Rivera-Calderon collecting one each. Drew Murphy took the loss, lasting one and two-thirds innings, allowing six hits and seven runs. In the final game, fifth-ranked Kellogg avenged Thursday’s loss to GRCC by staying in front for the entire game and advancing to the tournament championship game. Kellogg out-hit GRCC nine to seven, and was perfect on defense. Six players had hits for Western Conference runner-up GRCC, led by first baseman Zacarias Salinas, who went two-for-four with four RBI. Caleb Engelsman took the loss, allowing five hits and four runs while walking one in four innings. GRCC finished the season 31-22-1 despite losing their first ten games down on their spring trip against NJCAA Division 1 competition. Post season awards are scheduled to be announced Tuesday at 10 a.m.

May 20, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Pack your laptop and notebook with your flip-flops and sunscreen so you can take Grand Rapids Community College with you on summer vacation this year to save money and get ahead on your education.  About 1,600 seats are available in classes during GRCC’s second summer semester, providing opportunities for students to start earning credits for a new credential or to stay on track for graduation. The second seven-week summer semester starts on June 28, with many classes available in person on the Main Campus in Grand Rapids and at the GRCC Lakeshore Campus. And about half of the classes are offered in an online format, making it convenient to take classes with you this summer whether you are headed Up North, to the lake or staying around town. It’s also easy to schedule around home and work responsibilities. “The second summer semester provides many opportunities for students to get a head start on their education, especially those just graduating from high school,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “These classes also are ideal for summer guest students looking to save money while earning credits.” Classes are available in a wide variety of subjects, including math, English, social sciences, biology, chemistry, computer information systems and others. Summer classes are popular with students who attend four-year colleges and universities because they can transfer credits from GRCC’s more affordable courses back to their home school. Additional information is at grcc.edu/guest, and students should always check with their home institution’s course equivalency guide. Eligible students are able to use Grand Rapids Promise Zone scholarships to attend GRCC, including enrolling as guest students. The Promise Zone covers tuition and expenses. Additional information is at grcc.edu/promisezone. Residents 25 and older with a college degree can attend through the Michigan Reconnect program, which covers the cost of in-district tuition. Additional information is available at grcc.edu/reconnect. Potential students can start the enrollment process at grcc.edu/apply and can contact the Enrollment Center by phone at (616) 234-3300 and by email at enroll@grcc.edu and be connected to their personal enrollment specialist.

May 12, 2022 - ADRIAN, Mich. – Jerad Berkenpas pitched a complete game and Ryan Dykstra went four-for-four to lead the Grand Rapids Community College baseball team to victory over Kellogg Community College and advance in the NJCAA Region 12 tournament. GRCC, which has won 17 games in a row, defeated Kellogg, which finished in first place in the conference, 8-2. GRCC now plays Lansing Community College, the top team in the state and one of the best in the nation, on Friday. After going just 1-for-10 to start the game, the GRCC bats came alive in the top of the fourth inning, scoring three runs on four hits to pull in front 3-2. Cam Keatley hit the go-ahead single and Berkenpas didn’t allow a run for the remainder of the game. Keatley finished the day 3-for-5 while Berkenpas threw his fourth complete game of the season - and first career nine-inning complete game - improving his record to 9-2.  The right-hander from South Christian High School also leads the team with a 1.41 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 74.1 innings. Berkenpas praised his catcher, Dylan Chargo after the win. "It was a great team win, and I couldn't be more thankful for my catcher after such an excellent performance today," he said. MCCAA Western Conference Player of the Week Ryan Dykstra increased his batting average to .425 after going a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate with a sacrifice fly. GRCC totaled 16 hits in all, and every one of them were singles. The Bruins scattered 7 hits, but just one after the third inning.  Berkenpas retired 14 consecutive batters. GRCC also was the first team this year to hand Kellogg ace Ashton Potts a loss.  Last week's Western Conference Pitcher of the Week is now 8-1 this season. GRCC, 31-20-1 on the season, will now face eighth-ranked Lansing Community College on May 20 at 1 p.m. in the winners bracket final.  If defeated, the team will play Kellogg again at 5 p.m. If GRCC wins, it advances to the championship game on Saturday at 1 p.m.