April 23, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College journalism students earned top honors from the Michigan Community College Press Association for writing, illustration and photography skills. The organization recognizes Michigan student journalists, with entries judged by media professionals. Awards were presented virtually recently by the MCCPA conference host, Central Michigan University’s Department of Journalism. The Collegiate earned 19 awards, including Best Website for the fourth year in a row. “These awards show the hard work of every reporter and editor on the Collegiate for the past year,” Editor Kaia Zimmerman said. “We are excited to get recognition for our hard work. This is our fourth year in a row winning best website and we couldn’t have done it without our advisor, Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood, and the hard work she gives to this publication.” The students last month earned the top award in Division III in the College Better Newspaper Contest, and placed second in the Open Class – Online Newspaper category, finishing behind the University of Michigan’s Michigan Daily. The Collegiate’s MCCPA awards include: Anthony Clark Jr. earned first place in the First Amendment Reporting category for “Courageous Conversation: GRPD and GRCCPD leaders discuss community policing,” with an honorable mention to Sean Chase, for “GRCC Board freezes tuition, gives President Pink a raise with approval of $115.4 million budget.” Clark also earned second place in the Best Column, Serious category for “Being a non-traditional student doesn’t prevent a life of success,” with Angelina Jahn earning third place for “A letter to my Mom” Alena Visnovsky earned second place in the Best Column, Humor category for “Do Your Research,” and Joseph Poulos earned third place in the Critical Review category fo “Dad’s night out at The French Dispatch” Clark earned first place in the Sports News Story category for “GRCC Volleyball ends after upsetting loss in NJCAA Great Lakes Finals,” with Zimmerman earning second place for “GRCC announces new softball coach after Brian Skudre resigns” Zimmerman also earned third place in the Sports Column category for “The world is putting too much pressure on athletes,” and Matt Denhartigh earned an honorable mention for “Grand Rapids Griffins offer strong support system for the Detroit Red Wings” Visnovsky earned first place for her editorial “Inherent classism continues to impinge community colleges and their students who choose to invest in these low-cost educational options.” Abby Haywood earned first place for her editorial cartoon “Community College Surprise” and first place in the Original Comic: Entertainment category for “Fact-checking with Aaron Rodgers,” and second place for Best Informational Graphic for “You could win $2 million for getting vaccinated in Michigan.” Kristen Schetag earned second place for her photo“Vikings even season series as Raiders’ defense struggle” in the Sports News Photo category, with Kennedy Rappleye earned third place for “GRCC Volleyball continues perfect conference record with win over Kellogg CC” Chase earned third place for Best Multimedia Reporting for “FLOTUS visits GRCC pop up vaccine clinic,” and Aspen Strauss earned first place in the Best Video Production or Online Audio Slide Show Production category for “GRCC students get real about their second pandemic semester.” "These are some challenging times to be a journalist - especially a student journalist. Many Collegiate reporters are juggling multiple jobs and challenging course loads in addition to their time spent reporting for The Collegiate,” said Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood, The Collegiate adviser. "They work hard and make personal sacrifices to publish regular news content for the GRCC community. Many come to GRCC with limited or no prior journalism experience, and it’s a real privilege to help students develop their skills with the support of everyone on campus who agrees to an interview.”  

April 22, 2022, JACKSON, Mich. – Matthew Denhartigh shot a 70 at the Jackson College Invitational, leading the Grand Rapids Community College golf team to a second-place tie on Friday. It was Denhartigh's second straight tournament shooting under-par, after shooting a career best 68 at the Glen Oaks Invitational. Mott Community College won the conference meet, while Oakland Community College tied GRCC. Conner Oman, 74, Brad VandenHout, +74, Arie Jackman, 78, and Sam Foss, 82, rounded out the Raider golfers. The GRCC team on April 15 finished first at the Glen Oaks event, which was the first MCCAA match of the season. The team defeated the field of six opponents with a score of 302, 14 strokes better than second-place Muskegon Community College. GRCC is set to host a tournament at Egypt Valley Golf Course on April 25. 

April 22, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- When Grand Rapids Community College holds commencement on April 29, it will be the end of three stressful years for Fabiola Carrillo Esparza. It will also be the culmination of a long-held dream, one that started in 2007. Back then, Esparza couldn’t join in when her fellow high school seniors talked about their plans.  “For me, it was different,” she said. “The circumstances didn’t allow me to continue school back then. I came with my parents and my brother at the age of 11 years old to the U.S. as tourist visitors. My parents did not come with a plan to stay, but God had different plans for us. Soon after, our visas expired, and we became illegal immigrants.” Her parents’ hard work kept the family fed and clothed, but they didn’t have the means to send her to college. And her status as an illegal immigrant disqualified her from accessing help by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA. So after graduation, she got a job making bouquets, which paid enough to meet her personal needs but not enough for college tuition. She married in 2010 and gave birth to a son. Raising him helped her realize that her dream of attending college was still there – and now there were resources that could help. “Thankfully, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program) started in 2012, and I was able to obtain a work permit,” Esparza said. “I started working at Interpreter Network as an interpreter and office scheduler. In the meantime, we came across Justice for Our Neighbors, an organization that helps low-income families in West Michigan with legal services. I was blessed to obtain my permanent residency, a process that took close to a year.” After the birth of her daughter, Esparza began working at the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, a coalition of community organizations that educates young children in vulnerable areas of West Michigan. She discovered her passion: teaching. She applied for a T.E.A.C.H scholarship from the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children and started at GRCC in 2019. While Esparza was excited and thankful to finally pursue her college dream, the past three years have been difficult. “Being a wife, mother of two young children, and working a part-time job was very difficult,” she said. “It meant going to sleep past midnight to spend some time with my children after work, and then do homework. “I was exhausted all the time, stressed, and, at times, I felt like giving up.” But Esparza was surrounded by support: her husband, her parents and GRCC Foundation scholarship donors. She received foundation scholarships that allowed her to be a full-time student this final year. Esparza shared her story on Friday at the foundation's Creating Connections gathering, where scholarship recipients meet supporters. “I want to thank the donors of the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation, who have faith in us and support our education,” she said. “I want you to know that it was a big blessing for me, and I am sure it has been – and will continue to be – for many others.” Esparza doesn’t regret the “challenging” path she took to college and is excited for commencement. “This means so much to me and my family,” she said. “I will be doing my internship this summer, God willing, then I hope that in the fall, I can start doing what I love to do: working with children.” Photo by Andrew Schmidt.  

April 21, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Students enjoy being in Nancy Forrest’s math classes because she breaks down hard concepts and problems in a way they can understand. Her students know that she truly wants them to succeed. “GRCC students are a joy to work with,” said Nancy. Come to GRCC and learn from the best. Forrest helps students relate to math and overcome their challenges in the subject by celebrating with them that mathematics is the foundation of everything. She also focuses her teaching around the knowledge that math can bring with it more challenges than simply solving an equation. “If students don’t like math it’s often because they felt embarrassed about incorrect answers in the past,” Forrest said. Her goal is to help them understand that it's okay to make mistakes during the learning process. Forrest earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Grand Valley State University and a master’s degree in environmental studies from University of Rochester. Teaching math to college students was not how Forrest started her career. “I started out in the field of biology and switched to mathematics,” she said. “At the high school level, I taught biology, physical science, earth science, chemistry, and physics. I love all the sciences.” Looking back to teaching during the pandemic, Forrest enjoyed the opportunity for roommates, family members and pets to join the virtual classroom and even faculty meetings. “My cats got to put in their two cents during my Zoom meetings,” she said. Looking for opportunities in any challenge is one of many characteristics Forrest shares with her hero, President Abraham Lincoln. “Lincoln is my hero because of his integrity, compassion, intelligence, wit, sense of humor, and service to others,” she said. You can experience Forrest’s enthusiasm for all things math when you watch a video she created for her online students called “The Number Tau,” or her GRCC Mathematics Seminar “PI, My Favorite Number.” Or, take one of her classes and you may get to learn about Mole Day, or how the Chinese abacus has been used to calculate and record numbers for over nine hundred years. You will find Forrest teaching MA 107 Intermediate Algebra, MA 108 Trigonometry, MA 110 College Algebra, MA 131 Precalculus, MA 133 Calculus with Analytic Geometry l, MA 134 Calculus with Analytic Geometry ll.

April 21, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- When Iliana Argueta heads to Grand Valley State University this fall to pursue a degree in social work, she’ll take a permanent reminder of her two years at Grand Rapids Community College and her associate degree in Human Services, Education and Social Science. That’s because when Argueta and a friend passed their GRCC algebra class, they immediately went out and got tattoos to celebrate the accomplishment! “Algebra in high school was my only grade lower than a B,” she said. “But at GRCC, professor Mark (O’Donnell) was so great. His lectures were amazing, and he gave us so many tips. I got a B in the class, and I aced the final. My best friend and I both aced the exam, and we got tattoos to celebrate.” Celebration has been a consistent theme for Argueta during her two years at GRCC. She admitted, though, that her hometown community college was not originally on her radar as a student at West Catholic High School. She worked hard in school, got good grades and, after being accepted at Michigan State University, she felt like her efforts had paid off. And then, a week before classes, she looked at her first bill and was overwhelmed. “I thought ‘wow that’s a lot of money,’ and I just started crying,” she recalled. She stayed one semester at MSU and then transferred to GRCC. It’s a choice she has never regretted, in part because she attends GRCC for free on a Grand Rapids Promise Zone scholarship. “I wish I would have started here right away,” she said, a week before graduation. “I felt like GRCC was second-best. But that’s not the case at all. It’s academically rigorous; the professors are amazing, and with the Promise Zone, I don’t pay a single cent.” Argueta is one of 15 students set to graduate this spring or summer as part of the Grand Rapids Promise Zone program – the first large group of graduates. Started in 2020, the Grand Rapids promise Zone is a “last-dollar” scholarship that covers up to 60 credit hours (30 credit hours for those 50% eligible), including the costs of tuition, books, required course materials and any required fees associated with attending GRCC. So far, 20 students are graduating through the program. The Grand Rapids Promise Zone scholarship is available for students who live in Grand Rapids and graduate from one of the 25 public, public charter, or private high schools located within the city limits. Additional information is available at grcc.edu/promisezone , by email at promisezone@grcc.edu and by phone at (616) 234-4321.   Argueta’s experience -- not including the tattoo -- is not unusual. Ben Gillion, a graduate of West Michigan Aviation Academy, planned to join a branch of the military before finding out about the Promise Zone program from a school counselor. His first thought was it sounded too good to be true. But as he explored it further, he realized the advantages he’d gain attending GRCC for free, and he became a student in the Criminal Justice program. He’s set to graduate from the Police Academy and is applying for jobs locally with a variety of agencies. “I thought to myself, ‘Why not get a college degree for free?’” he said. “I don’t know where I would be without the Promise Zone program.” New Grand Rapids Promise Zone director Ashlee Mishler loves hearing that kind of feedback from the almost 400 students attending GRCC for free thanks to the program. “It’s an exciting time, and we’re definitely growing,” she said. “This is really the first large group of Promise Zone graduates. It’s so amazing to see these students, who have been able to utilize this promise from their community and make GRCC a great place to either start a career or move on to further education.” This is Mishler’s third stint at GRCC, and she said what continues to pull her back is the resilient nature of the students she serves. “We know many GRCC students face challenges, and we are determined to get them the support they need to be successful,” she said. “We want students to know that we are in this together: So many people are focused on helping them get the education they need to reach their goals.” Raising awareness about the Promise Zone program continues to be a priority. “People, when they find out -- when we tell them what this program is all about -- they think it’s too good to be true,” she said. “It’s great to be able to bring good news to people.” Count Gillion among the GRCC graduates who plan to do great things in the future. As he looks back on the past two years, he says his first year was tough because of COVID and online classes, but year two has been everything he hoped for. “Whether interacting online or in person everyone has been so helpful,” he said. “They make the effort to help students with anything. They want to see you succeed.” He points to Professor Omar Dieppa and two classes – Intro to Traffic and Patrol Procedures – as examples of what made GRCC such a great fit. “He just makes class so fun,” Ben said. “He has a big personality, and he cracks a whole lot of jokes, but that makes the class fun, and when I have fun in class, I learn and retain the information so much better.” Argueta is doing her part. She works part time at Tropical Smoothie and has become a Promise Zone ambassador with her co-workers or anyone else looking into college options. “I tell them that if they live in Grand Rapids, they have to look into the Promise Zone,” she said. “I’m a big cheerleader for the Promise Zone and for GRCC.” And she has the tattoo to prove it. This story was reported by Phil de Haan for GRCC.

April 19, 2022, COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – On a day when the Grand Rapids Community College baseball team celebrated past champions, the current squad showed it can provide thrills of its own. GRCC shutdown Calvin University 8-0 in the second game of a doubleheader, and fought for a 3-3 tie in the opener when Max Varon launched a pinch-hit, three-run homer in games played at LMCU Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps.   A three-run second inning by Calvin University in the opener put the Knights on board, and the lead looked to stand headed into the final inning. Varon’s fourth homer of the season with two men aboard sent the game into extra innings. GRCC loaded the bases twice in extra innings, but were unable to score. Neither could Calvin, and the game was called after nine innings tied at 3-3. In the nightcap, GRCC spread out 12 hits among 10 different batters, including season firsts from Brady Owen, Alex Liakos and Melvin Rodriguez. On the day, Ryan Dykstra led GRCC with four hits in seven at-bats and two walks. Caleb Engelsman, Dylan Chargo, Xander Reisbig, Payton Young and Varon all contributed with two hits each. Ten different Raiders took the mound, with Kellan Smith picking up the win in game two. The afternoon was a celebration of GRCC athletics past and present. Nearly 20 players and coaches from the NJCAA National Champion teams from 1996 and 1997 recognized between games. Coached by Hall-of-Famer Doug Wabeke, the teams were the first GRCC teams from any sport to win a national championship. The alumni threw out the ceremonial first pitch to current Raiders. The game also featured volleyball player Alena Visnovsky performing the national anthem, softball pitcher Izabella Renger, throwing to battery mate Taylor Cross, and recognition for members of GRCC cross country, basketball, and golf teams.  The baseball team is now 15-20-1 on the season with a four-game series against conference opponent Glen Oaks Community College on April 22-23.  

April 19, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Classes are now open for Grand Rapids Community College’s two summer sessions, providing opportunities for students of all ages to continue their education – or get a head start on the fall semester. GRCC’s summer schedule has two seven-week sessions and one 14-week session, with most classes starting on May 9. A second, seven-week session starts on June 28. Students can register for summer courses at grcc.edu/enroll . “Summer classes are ideal for incoming freshmen seeking a head start on their college journey, current students scheduling classes around other responsibilities, and older learners looking to gain new skills,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “These sessions keep a quality education within reach. Michigan Reconnect can eliminate cost as a barrier for students age 25 and older, and the online options can be convenient for students to keep moving forward on their classes wherever they will be during the summer months.” Seats are available in more than 500 summer sections, with more than 200 offered online, 10 offered in a virtual real-time format and nine in the hybrid format – a mix of online and in-person settings. Of the more than 300 in-person classes, about 250 are at the main campus in Grand Rapids, 21 are at the GRCC Lakeshore Campus at Lakeshore, 45 offered in locations off campus, including several area high schools. A growing number of West Michigan students attending classes in four-year schools are taking summer classes at GRCC as guest students, then transferring them back to their home colleges. Guest students are students who are enrolled at another college, but are taking classes at GRCC to gain quality credits at affordable rates. Universities and colleges across the state accept GRCC credits through the Michigan Transfer Credits. Students interested in attending GRCC as a guest student should first check with their home institution’s course equivalency guide to ensure GRCC courses will transfer back.

April 18, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Nils Michaelis’ career has taken him to several countries and to well-known companies such as Google and LEGO. He credits GRCC with giving him the best start. 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. Michaelis started at GRCC in 2003, the same year he arrived in the United States from his native Germany. “GRCC helped me jump-start my career in various ways: Immersing myself into American culture and engaging with both U.S. and other international students widened my horizon as a human being, but also in academics and the possibilities that are out there,” he said. “Attending GRCC, I also discovered something I didn’t think I had in me before: drive and ambition. That naturally came in handy during the remainder of my academic, as well as my professional, career for the years to come.” He was active in Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year colleges; Delta Pi Alpha and the International Students Organization. After earning his associate degree in 2005, he transferred to Grand Valley State University, where he received a bachelor’s in advertising and public relations. Michaelis had planned to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Michigan but instead went to work for Google in Dublin. “I believe that having a healthy ambition and drive within you should take you where you want to go,” said Michaelis, who eventually received his master’s in global consumer marketing from the University of Liverpool in 2011. “If that means getting a degree in a field that interests you, that is a good start in the right direction. But one should never be afraid to change direction along the way.” After five years in product marketing at Google, he joined Trustpilot, a startup consumer review platform in Copenhagen, Denmark. “Over the past 10 years, I worked both in startup and larger enterprise environments in either marketing or product roles, learning what it takes to build successful digital markets,” he said. Last year, he joined the LEGO Group, which is expanding beyond the well-loved toy bricks to become a digital consumer brand.  He's a product management coach. Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .

April 18, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The transformation of a shuttered JCPenney department store into the vibrant learning hub that is the GRCC Lakeshore Campus and the renovation of historic Steven C. Ender Hall into a new student space has earned national recognition for the architectural and engineering firms leading the projects. Both facilities earned Outstanding Project in the Community College Renovation/Adaptive Reuse/Restoration category by Learning by Design magazine. GMB Architects and Engineering were honored for the work on the GRCC Lakeshore Campus, and Progressive AE was saluted for Ender Hall. Learning by Design showcases the best in the education design and construction market, recognizing innovative pre-K to 12 schools and cutting-edge colleges and universities. “This well-earned recognition reflects the innovation and expertise of the architecture and engineering firms here in West Michigan,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “These are very different projects, but both will help our college better serve our students and community. We’re proud of these facilities, and also the partnerships with the people who can put our dreams into blueprints and support our students long into the future.” The 52,000-square-foot GRCC Lakeshore Campus opened in August 2021 in the Shops at Westshore Mall, 12335 James St. in Holland. The facility has nine classrooms, four computer labs and five unique labs for biology, chemistry, electronics, automation, welding and machine tooling, housing programs for students working toward an associate degree or a career-focused certificate. “GMB is honored to be a part of this transformational project for the Lakeshore community,” said David Wilkins, GMB’s higher education practice leader. “This renovated building has created a whole new student experience on a single campus that connects this community with amazing assets and infrastructure. This building and program is 100% focused on education, not only for traditional learners but excels at fostering lifelong learning.” The building also has spaces for advising and counseling and other student support services and a satellite library, as well as areas for use by community groups. GMB Architecture + Engineering designed the project, and construction was directed by The Christman Co. The Learning by Design salute is the second for Progressive AE and the Ender Hall project. It was honored by American School & University magazine in December. “It’s so exciting to work on a project that brings new life to a historic building!” Progressive AE Practice Leader Tod Stevens said. “The contrast of materials creates a rich dialogue between the old and new, and advances the sustainability ambitions of both Grand Rapids Community College and Progressive AE!” The building at 455 E. Fulton St. was previously known as the Mabel Engle House. It was constructed early in the 20th Century by a lumber baron for his family. GRCC purchased it from Davenport University for use as offices. The 3,850-square-foot Steven C. Ender Hall is now used for student-focused departments, including the Experiential Learning and the Honors programs, and Student Employment Services. It also provides space for Student Life clubs and organizations to meet. Pioneer Construction carried out the renovations. Honors are determined by a jury of architects and educational facility planners recommended by the American Institute of Architects Committee on Architecture for Education and Association for Learning Environments. Both projects are striving for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, part of GRCC’s sustainability goals. ###