May 13, 2022 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Union High School juniors learned about opportunities in higher education – and what it takes to succeed there – from Grand Rapids Community College staff, students and alumni during a Raider Takeover Day on Wednesday. The event, first offered in 2019, is aimed at helping students learn about opportunities in higher education, and how they can be successful in preparing for college, and thrive once they start attending. “Raider Takeover is an opportunity to bring the college to the community,” said Marisol Blanco, associate director of GRCC’s College Success Center. “We focused on connecting with students and engaging in meaningful discussions to help them see college as a possibility.” Presentations included a panel of current and former GRCC students sharing their experiences and answering questions. The goal is to give the Union students a glimpse of college life and explore how to make the transition from high school to college. Union students then returned to classrooms to hear presentations from specialists from GRCC’s College Success Center, Academic Advising, Admissions, Financial Aid, Occupational Support Services, Student Employment, Student Success and Retention, and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Students learned about topics including student activities, workforce training programs and other aspects of attending college. Students also learned how Challenge Scholars and the Grand Rapids Promise Zone scholarship work cohesively to remove cost as a barrier to higher education, covering all expenses for eligible students. Presenters shared their own educational journeys, and helped students realize there are support services across GRCC to help them be successful.

May 12, 2022 - ADRIAN, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team is moving ahead in the NJCAA Region XII tournament after two come-from-behind victories against Jackson College in the quarterfinals on Thursday. The team used a big eighth inning in game one to win 6-4, and were victorious in the nightcap 2-1 after scoring the go-ahead run on a double steal in the sixth frame. GRCC has won 16 games in a row since a 3-3 tie against Calvin University on April 19 at LMCU Ballpark. Jackson, seeded fourth in the tournament, scored early with a sacrifice fly in the first game against fifth-seeded GRCC. Jackson tacked on one more run in the fourth inning, and GRCC got on the board after an RBI single by Xander Reisbig in the sixth inning. GRCC scored five runs in the top of the eighth. Jackson closed the gap by scoring two runs, but GRCC held on for a two-run victory. Jared Berkenpas picked up the victory, allowing two earned runs while striking out six. He is now 8-2 on the season. Game two was a pitcher's duel, with Drew Murphy on the mound for Grand Rapids against Noah Stants for Jackson. Down 1-0, Andres Rivera-Calderon lined a single to left to score Zacarias Salinas to tie the game. GRCC’s Ryan Dykstra scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning with runners on the corners with a double steal. Eliott Traver picked up his 10th save of the season by retiring Jackson in order in the final inning. Dykstra led the offense on the day with four hits and Rivera-Calderon added three. The team will continue play in a double elimination four-team tournament starting May 19, with the opponent and game time to be determined.  

May 12, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- When Robin Selmon is not teaching business classes as an adjunct faculty member, she is at her day job as an accountant at the  Bureau of Investments in the State of Michigan Treasury Department.  While in college, and early in her career, working in finance was Robin's career goal. “However, over the years I’ve transitioned from real estate and banking, to investment, finance and accountancy,” she said. Robin earned her Bachelor of Science from Spelman College, and her Masters in Business Administration, Accounting and Project Management from Strayer University. Robin shares this breadth of experience and knowledge from her education and career with GRCC students who take BA 201 Business Communication, BA  241 Project Management and BA 283 Business Management.  She also shares the one thing she wished she had known when she was in college – advising students to intern in the field they are considering before committing to it. Robin finds freedom in teaching, and “having the ability to empower students." She said the strengths of GRCC’s business program are the resources available to students in the business tutorial lab.  Teaching through the pandemic has challenged many GRCC faculty employees to stretch and meet students where they are. Robin has answered this challenge by communicating more than ever with students, checking in on their needs, and giving them the flexibility to overcome barriers. These coaching qualities she learned from her dad, her personal hero. “My dad has been more than a provider, she said. “He has been an example by way of his commitment to life-learning and mentorship. He has evolved, he is a Renaissance man; a man of today. He is my HERO.”  

May 12, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Doug Wabeke, who led the Grand Rapids Community College baseball team to four national championships over 17 years, was named to the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Wabeke was one of four people named to the National Junior College Athletic Association hall. He’s joined by Rob Fournier, from Wabash Valley College in Illinois; Jeff Johnson, from Chipola College in Florida; and Andrea Gordon, president of Diamond Sport, which produces baseballs for NJCAA. “The GRCC baseball program has a proud history, and the team was dominating when Coach Wabeke was at the helm,” GRCC Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. “It is wonderful to see him honored by the NJCAA, reflecting respect for his career, and the GRCC Athletics program.” Wabeke played shortstop for what was then Grand Rapids Junior College and was a two-time All-American. He then played at Central Michigan University, earning All-MAC Conference honors and signing with the San Francisco Giants in 1980. Wabeke enjoyed stints in the minor leagues with the Giants, St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates, climbing as high as Class AA before returning to West Michigan in 1984. He began his 17- year head coaching stint at Grand Rapids during the 1987-88 school year. Wabake, nicknamed “The General” by his players, reached 500 wins in 1998, his 11th season. The team won four total national championships, with back-to-back titles in 1996 and 1997, then in 2003, 2004. GRCC Athletics this year celebrated the anniversary of the 1996 and 1997 titles by welcoming the Wabeke and former players and coaches at an April game at LMCU Ballpark. Wabeke completed his coaching career for the Raiders in 2004. He also has served as head coach at Grand Valley State University, an assistant coach at Miami University in Ohio, head coach of the USA junior national team at the Pan American Games in 2003 and was part of the USA senior national team’s coaching staff on several occasions between 1994 and 2005 and was hitting coach at Davenport University.

May 11, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College’s middle college programs have been recognized by a national accreditation organization, becoming one of the first community colleges using their own faculty in the programs to earn the distinction.  The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships Accreditation Commission granted accreditation to 25 concurrent enrollment programs at colleges and universities nationwide, bringing the total number of NACEP-accredited programs across the country to 134. GRCC was one of three to be recognized using a new standard. “Middle college programs are one way that GRCC is providing access to higher education while removing cost as a barrier as a result of school district partnerships,” said Dan Clark, dean of Academic Outreach and the GRCC Lakeshore Campus. “We’re proud to earn recognition for the program, but even prouder to support our students and communities and see the difference middle college can make in a person’s life.” As the nation’s only accrediting body for such educational partnerships, NACEP’s standards serve as the model criteria for ensuring parity in faculty, course content, student outcomes and support. Receiving NACEP accreditation means an institution has met the nation’s most rigorous standard in concurrent enrollment program development, management, and evaluation across multiple, multifaceted program areas. In 2019, NACEP membership added a new set of standards for a College Provided Faculty endorsement, a model defined as college courses taught to high school students by faculty provided by the college, regardless of location or delivery method. “NACEP is excited to award accreditation under the CPF endorsement to three institutions: Grand Rapids Community College, Snow College, and Idaho State University,” said Diana Johnson, NACEP Accreditation Commission vice chair. GRCC has partnerships for programs at high schools in the Wyoming, Cedar Springs, Kentwood and Kenowa Hills, at Grand Rapids Public Schools’ Ottawa Hills High School, and at the Kent Intermediate School District through the Launch U program. Students in the programs take tuition-free GRCC classes while at high school, attend for a 13th year and graduate with a diploma and up to 60 transferable credits for an associate degree or technical certificate. “On behalf of the Accreditation Commission, I want to congratulate all of the newly accredited and re-accredited programs,” Accreditation Commission Chair Michael Beam said. “These programs have successfully demonstrated they meet the NACEP standards for high-quality programming for concurrent enrollment, and college-provided faculty models.”      

May 11, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- When Sophia Lonnee graduated from Grand Haven High School in 2021, she had a plan. She was enrolled at two different universities and was due to begin that fall. “About halfway through summer, I decided not to go,” she said. “Part of me was just overwhelmed. I was a decent student but I really hated high school and I didn’t know what I wanted to do so I decided to work a lot and think about it. I started asking myself, what could I do, that I enjoy, that could make me some decent money? I have always enjoyed working on my own car so I started looking into training programs.” Lonnee found the GRCC Automotive Tech Job Training Program and feels like she made the right move. “I like the hands-on experience and all the of tools! I love having access to all the tools and the shop to do the work. It’s been fun to work on my car, and my family’s cars. I’ve done a lot of brakes and saved them a lot of money. I like that a lot!” To become an automotive technician, people are required to be certified and licensed in the state of Michigan. Licensed technicians use precision diagnostic equipment, service manuals and hands-on power tools to diagnose and repair customer vehicles. GRCC Job Training programs offer many scholarships, grants and financial aid. “I am getting my program completely paid for, so really all it’s costing me is my time,” she said. The Automotive Technician program is scheduled like a job. Class meets Monday to Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lonnee also works in the evening as well. “It’s kind of exhausting but it’s 100% worth it. Just to have this experience. It does take commitment but once you get all these certifications you have them forever.” The Automotive Technician program is taught by instructor Gayl Beals, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the industry. Beals holds an Education Specialist degree, holds MOPAR level one certification and is accredited by Snap-on Tools. “Mr. B is a very smart guy,” Lonnee said. “I like how he pushes us to figure things out on our own.  He’s a really good instructor. This doesn’t seem like school at all.”  Students learn braking systems, suspension, electrical, heating and cooling, and computer operations. GRCC holds a partnership with both Ford and Chrysler Fiat to provide additional certifications giving students the opportunity to acquire value credentials leading to more than 37 certifications. When Lonnee finishes the program in July, she knows that she will have many opportunities. “Even if I don’t stay in automotive forever, I will always have these skills. With the connections that Mr. B has plus the demand, I’m sure I’ll land somewhere.” The next section of Job Training programs begins, Aug. 8, 2022. For more information: grcc.edu/jobtraining or (616) 234-3800 .

May 10, 2022, ST. CLAIR, Mich. – Arie Jackman bested all competitors and Sam Foss sank his first collegiate hole-in-one to drive the Grand Rapids Community College golf team to the national championship tournament for the fifth season in a row. GRCC finished in second place at the MCCAA/Region XII Championship on Tuesday, and is now headed to the NJCAA DII National Championships in Joplin, Mo. starting on May 17. “The Raiders once again proved that hard work pays off,” coach John Forton said. “The team is on its way to its fifth straight appearance in the NJCAA National Championship. I can’t be more proud of the team’s effort this year.” Jackman led the field of 40 golfers after shooting a plus-two over the first two rounds on Monday and finished eight strokes over par, seven shots better than the runner-up from Oakland Community College. GRCC saved its best round for last, shooting a 316 on Tuesday, which moved the team up from third place on day one to second place overall, five strokes ahead of Muskegon Community College. Oakland won both championships, finishing 13 strokes better than the GRCC. Matthew Denhartigh finished in fourth place overall and shot a 234 while teammate Conner Oman came in at 10th overall with a score of 243. Foss, a freshman who had his first collegiate hole-in-one on Monday, finished in 20th place, shooting a 260. Brad VandenHout was 25th with a score of 269. GRCC totaled 18 birdies in the tournament, led by Jackman with seven. Denhartigh had five, Oman three, Foss two and VandenHout had one.  

May 10, 2022 GRAND RAPID, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is partnering with DeWys Manufacturing to create the company’s first accredited on-the-job training program. The partnership helps DeWys Manufacturing team members continue or even start their education journey while receiving the financial and health benefits of being employed. “Partnerships create opportunities to build skills and change lives,” said Julie Parks, interim dean of the GRCC School of Workforce Development. “The DeWys training starts a pathway to GRCC, where employees can continue their education, grow their skills in advanced manufacturing while earning a credential that can take them to the next level." DeWys University was developed in 2012 to sustain business through on the job training, creating the talent required to keep up with the company’s growth. The program is now an accredited manufacturing trade school. During the 12-week course, team members will learn both theory and practice while receiving three to six credits towards their degree at GRCC. The DeWys University welding program is the first accredited course offered, and the goal is to have all training programs added in the future including press brake, powder coating, machining, cutting, and assembly. DeWys offers 100% tuition reimbursement as one of the many benefits to their employees, so this collaboration between school and employer offers the companies team members financial freedom from tuition payments with possible student loans and debt. “Some could view this as a transition program that will allow mom and dad to recognize going from high school to work as a viable option because their child can get the best of both worlds; earn credits with Grand Rapids Community College while getting their hands-on experience,” said Dr. Laura Preuss, DeWys’ workforce development manager. DeWys is committed to the success and safety of all stakeholders. With DeWys University now being an accredited training program, the company will continue to offer continuous improvement opportunities for all team members while staying optimistic for future growth of the DeWys team.

May 9, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – As an alumnus of GRCC’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, Jon Liddell is an expert in preparing food for people. His career, however, is built on also being able to cook in front of people. 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. Liddell headed for a restaurant job on the island of St. Thomas after graduating from GRCC in 2004. He then built a catering business that went on to operate three restaurants.  “We did it all – yachts, airplanes, cruise ships, regattas, breakfast, lunch and dinner!” he said. After meeting the woman who would become his wife on the island, Liddell relocated to her native Chicago, becoming the sous chef for Sub-Zero and Wolf Appliances. The appliance industry became his new focus and after three years, he became executive chef for Monogram Appliances. “I have spent the last eight years entertaining, creating, training and building my culinary skills in some of the most beautiful kitchens imaginable,” Liddell said.  He credits GRCC with giving him the confidence to pursue opportunities in a competitive industry. “The depth of education, hands-on training and connections I made could not be replaced,” he said. If Liddell needs a reminder of his GRCC days, he has a tangible one close at hand. “One of my favorite memories from GRCC was learning how to bake bread and pastries,” he said. “Baking and pastries still require the utmost of unbroken concentration for me – it does not come naturally! “On the first day, our instructor asked us to write down what culinary arts means to us. My word was ‘determination.’ She had this printed for each of us on a metal keychain at the end of the class. I still have it today, and every time I bake bread, I think about that moment and the fact that even more than ever, determination is the necessary component in my business.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .

May 7, 2022 - DONALDSON, Ind. - The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team used two come-from-behind-victories to finish a four-game series sweep against Ancilla College on Saturday, winning 14 in a row. The team won the first game 9-3, and the nightcap 4-3 to finish alone in second place in the MCCAA Western Conference. A two-out, two-run single by Ancilla in the bottom of the second inning put Ancilla on the board first in game one. GRCC wasted no time to tie the game up, sending eight batters to the plate in the next inning plating two runs of their own on back-to-back base on balls. Zacarias Salinas broke the tie with a two-run double in the fifth inning and the team never looked back. A four-run seventh inning for GRCC kept starter Caleb Engelsman on the mound and he finished off his second straight complete game with his sixth strikeout. Seven different Raiders had at least one hit, with cleanup hitter Dylan Chargo going two-for-three with an RBI. Just as the first game, Ancilla got on board first with a two-out, two-run single. GRCC responded to tie it up in the next inning after a double by Max Varon and a Peyton Young single. Down 3-2, Ancilla used a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game up again. Engelsman drove home the go-ahead run in the sixth and GRCC hung on despite Ancilla stranding a man on third after putting the first two batters on. Eliott Traver earned his ninth save by getting the final six outs of the ball game. GRCC totaled 12 hits including two each from five different players. GRCC has won 14 games in a row since a 3-3 tie against Calvin University on April 19 at LMCU Ballpark. The team finished second in the conference and will prepare for the regional tournament on Thursday, May 12.