April 3, 2022 - STEVENSVILLE, Mich. – After dropping the opener 14-6, the Grand Rapids Community College baseball team bounced back to shutout Lake Michigan College 4-0, with starting pitcher Jerad Berkenpas tossing six scoreless innings. In game one, GRCC's Dylan Chargo hit a two-out grand slam -- his third home run of the year -- in the top of the third inning to give GRCC an early 4-0 lead. But the Red Hawks scored 14 runs in the next three innings to win convincingly. LMC out-hit the Raiders 14-10, four of which went for extra bases. GRCC's Jacob Gumieny and Xander Reisbig each had two hits, including a double and an RBI. Berkenpas’ dominating performance in the nightcap included six scoreless innings, eight strikeouts and just two walks. The win improved his record to 3-1. Two of GRCC’s runs came off an error and an RBI single by Zacarias Salinas in the fourth inning.  In the top of the seventh, Gumieny hit an RBI triple which he also scored on after an LMC error. GRCC's defense was stellar all game long, committing no errors while LMC totaled four in the game. The split brings GRCC’s season record to 4-16. The team is set to play Cornerstone University's junior varsity squad on April 5 in a double header at home starting at 2 p.m.  The team takes on LMC again at home on April 7.  

March 31, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Amanda Glaza enjoys wearing a few different hats at GRCC. Her primary role is to help student-athletes maintain eligibility. She helps them register for classes that meet NJCAA eligibility requirements, answers their questions about GRCC eligibility, helps them through any course schedules issues, and connects them with other departments on campus that can support them. Amanda also mentors student-athletes and helps them navigate their academics. "I created a mentorship program in which student-athletes are paired up to help each other succeed both academically and athletically," she said. "The mentor program also provides students who are new, or may be struggling academically, with peer support." Amanda can relate to student-athletes in a way not all GRCC employees can because she was a student athlete at GRCC not too long ago. "As a former student athlete at GRCC and GVSU I had to balance a full-time academic load on top of a practice and competition schedule," she said. Amanda cites affordability and quality for the reasons she chose to attend GRCC after high school. "I also received a volleyball scholarship to compete at GRCC and always wanted to play collegiate volleyball," she said. "GRCC gave me the opportunity to work towards earning credits for my bachelor’s degree, while improving my volleyball skills to transfer to GVSU to play on its volleyball team after graduating from GRCC!" Amanda was able to maintain her connection with GRCC while working towards her bachelor's degree. "While at GVSU, I was required to complete an internship for my Sport Management Degree," she said. "I had reached out to the GRCC Athletic Department to see if there was an opportunity for me to complete an internship there." Amanda became an important member of the GRCC Athletic Department as an intern, and was hired as an employee after she earned her bachelor's degree. "I am also currently pursuing my Master's Degree from GVSU in Adult and Higher Education to learn how to better serve our students!" she said. Amanda is proud to know she helps students achieve both their academic and athletic goals while at GRCC. "I enjoy working with each student-athlete who stops into my office knowing I can help support them on their journey," she said. "Every student who comes to GRCC has a story, and I love hearing why they chose GRCC to continue their academic and athletic career. I also love to hear about their goals for what they would like to do after GRCC. If students are unsure about what they would like to do after GRCC, I enjoy having conversations to help steer them in the direction of thinking about their futures as well."

March 31, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Jonah Walters is a Grand Rapids Community College Music student and plans to continue his studies – and possibly even teach the subject someday. Walters is among the GRCC Music students who are demonstrating their talent and skill during three Sophomore Recitals next month. Walters and fellow pianist Madilyne Barbrick will share pieces at 7 p.m. Friday, April 1 at the Linn Maxwell Recital Hall in GRCC’s Albert P. Smith Music Center, 142 Ransom Ave. NE. It’s the first of three recitals featuring five students. Baritone Matthew Hillen’s recital is planned for 7 p.m. on April 8. He studied with professor Scott Bosscher and will be supported by collaborative pianist Emily Grabinski Conklin. Brandon Klein, who plays the bassoon, and Matthew Orsillo, who plays the tuba, will be performing at 7 p.m. on April 9. Grabinski Conklin also will be performing in support. Klein studied with professor Anthony Walker, and Orsillo with professor Kathleen Gomez. All performances are open to the public, and admission is free. Music Department Program Director Kevin Dobreff said the recitals are an opportunity for students to show what they’ve learned during their time at GRCC, and highlight the department and its faculty. “The students and instructors work so hard to get to this point,” he said. “We’re celebrating their musical journey, and also showing our greater community the quality of our programs and our people.” Walters, from Dorr, will continue his education at Grand Valley State University. He plans to study music education with a goal of teaching middle or high school band or choir. He studied at GRCC with Dr. Debora DeWitt. “I’ve really enjoyed the warm learning environment that GRCC has and the friendliness that radiates from the music building, especially,” Walters said. “The piano faculty especially are amazing people and pillars of leadership. They have made it easy to practice the piano and put in the many hours a week that practice requires.” Barbick, from Byron Center, said music has been her passion since childhood. “I've played piano for 13 years now, and my dream is to be a music educator myself one day,” she said. Her plans after graduating from GRCC are to transfer to a four-year university to complete my bachelor's degree in Music Education. "We’ve been planning on a sophomore recital for them for the past year. I’m thrilled with their progress. Both are playing difficult repertoire and both are playing with great musicality," DeWitt said.  "Not every student is able to do a sophomore recital. Preparing for a recital takes a great deal of dedicated practice, and mental and physical stamina. I couldn’t be prouder of what Madilyne and Jonah have achieved." 

March 30, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Up until very recently, Andre Broussard II was working as a truck driver -- seeing the country and making good money. But like many GRCC Job Training students, his authentic path and passion has a way of showing up and making it known.  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. Broussard’s passion for computers started many years ago, when his family got their first HP desktop computer at home. He was fascinated. “They used to have this bin of free AOL disks at Walmart so that you could try the internet. I think I grabbed one every time we when there. That is what originally peaked my interest in computers.” As a teen, Broussard started tinkering with computer hardware and eventually built his own computer at the age of 10. “Once I did that, I realized that it wasn’t hard for me and that is when I felt like maybe this was my calling. “In 2006, I graduated from Cassopolis High School. That summer, I took Computer Technology 101 at GRCC. Then, I became a dad and had to set aside my goals. Later, in 2008, I had gotten into working on cars. I took the Automotive Technician program through GRCC’s Job Training. That experience helped me see that it was not the right path for me but it did expose me to GRCC’s Job Training programs.” It took some time for Broussard to find his way back to his true calling. “Fast forward to this past year, my son, who is 10 ironically, is really into video/computer gaming. So, I built him a gaming system for Christmas and then built one for myself. Both my son and fiancé said ‘Why don’t you try to do this for a career?’ “Right at that time, the Governor offered Michigan Reconnect and everything just fell into place. I was like, ‘This is my opportunity to go for the one thing that I always wanted to do.’ I took a chance on myself and enrolled in the Computer Support Technician Job Training program.” When Broussard looked into returning to school, he looked into GRCC’s credit programs and then remembered the Job training programs. “I figured it would be best for me and my family to do the 18-week Job Training program because that would get me into the workforce quickly.” The Job Training Computer Support Technician program prepares students to achieve two certifications: the CompTIA A+ Certification and the Network+ Certification. Both of these IT certifications are globally recognized and represent in-demand skills sought by a wide array of employers. This program is designed to address Computer Support from four perspectives: technical, professionalism and employability, business innovation, and design. Students regularly meet local IT technicians, engineers, business owners, and recruiters via Zoom to learn from their experiences and current market expectations. Committing to the program was not easy. Broussard is taking the Computer Support Technician Job Training Program entirely online, which for him means balancing between being a dad and a student while trying to participate in class over Zoom. But his commitment and hard work is truly paying off! Andre was recently awarded the first ever MTEC Leadership Award. This award recognizes a student who has gone above and beyond expectation and Broussard has certainly done that! Here’s an excerpt from his nomination: “Andre is intensely active in acquiring new knowledge, skills, and abilities. However, there is something so much more about Andre - and it is that he expresses great joy while he is learning, and he is eager to fold others into his joy and positivity.” And there’s more! “With all the learning and support from my instructor, Moss Ingram, I felt confident enough to pursue a position with Magic Steel, even though the position required 3 years of work experience.” Andre secured an interview and now has been hired as an intern until he finishes his Job Training program. Broussard is on his way and excited about his future. “It’s been awesome to see how my accomplishments have impacted my son and family. My mom is proud of me for reaching my goals. I was taught growing up to strive for more and never settle for less. I’m 33 years old now and I didn’t lose sight of my goals. That is how I will continue. Now that I have reached this goal, I will set new ones to achieve. I’m not stopping now.” GRCC has an unmatched reputation among employers for supplying West Michigan with work-ready technicians. Our graduates specialize in providing empathy for the people they support while solving complex problems using troubleshooting and design thinking methodologies. Students are also taught to focus on human-centered solutions and technology-based innovations for both colleagues and customers. Next Computer Support Technician program begins May 2, 2022. Grcc.edu/jobtraining Contact the Workforce Training team for additional information through email at workforcetraining@grcc.edu and by phone at (616) 234-3800.      

March 29, 2022 - GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team opened up the double-header against Mid Michigan College with a 7-2 victory, but dropped the nightcap in extra innings, 4-3. All nine GRCC starters had at least one hit in the opening game, with Zacarias Salinas leading the way, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Mid Michigan scored the first run of the game in the third, but GRCC scored seven in a row before the Lakers scored their last run in the final frame. Drew Murphy gave up one run in three innings of work on the mound, but Caden Van Deburg would get the win in relief, pitching the final 2.2 innings. In the second game, Mid Michigan College scored two runs on three hits in the first inning. GRCC cut the deficit in half in the second inning, scoring on a wild pitch and two innings later tied the game up on an RBI single by Salinas. With two outs in the top of the seventh inning, Mid Michigan broke the tie with an RBI single by Jacob Stempky, who went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI in the game. Down to their final out, GRCC lead-off hitter Jacob Gumieny singled through the left side to score Brady Owen to tie the game at three. The game would go to extra innings and Mid Michigan would score the go-ahead run on an error and prevail 4-3. The Lakers won the series three games to one to improve to 12-4.  The Raiders dropped to 5-13. GRCC is scheduled to take on Lake Michigan College, April 1, in Benton Harbor, and April 2 in Grand Rapids.

A SCHOOL NEWS NETWORK FEATURE — With a toothbrush and teeth model, Grand Rapids Community College student Chyna Schut showed patient Mary Tucker how to properly brush her teeth and gums. “Brushing the gums, as well as the teeth, helps stimulate blood flow and prevent gum disease,” said Schut, who is a second-year student in the Dental Hygiene Program. Tucker expressed her gratitude for the cleaning and said the opportunity to receive free dental care from GRCC students was “amazing.” Like the 20 other patients served at Senior Dental Day, Tucker is a Kent County resident, at least 60 years old, who hasn’t seen a dentist in the past year. Using support from the Area Agency on Aging of West Michigan, students in GRCC’s Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs worked alongside area dentists to provide free cleanings, X-rays, exams and referrals for seniors at GRCC’s Dental Clinic. The agency also assisted eligible patients with registration paperwork and transportation assistance for their appointment. “We moved through the day like a well-oiled machine,” Schut said. “It was nice having people from the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan here with us today.” As she prepares to graduate this spring, Schut said Senior Dental Day gave her “senior-focused clinical experience.” “We’re really lucky to be able to do this,” she said. Community Experience GRCC Dental Assistant and Dental Hygiene program professor Christine Dobberstein was “glad to resurrect this event” after not hosting it in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This event introduces students to a volunteer opportunity and public health collaboration. They benefit by getting outside their comfort zones with a variety of patient experiences,” she said. In her community dental health course, Dobberstein offers students volunteer opportunities with underrepresented populations. Students do not receive any payment or course credit for their services, only practice hours towards the completion of their program. “Seniors have different dental needs and this program provides experience for management of patients, like if patients need a pillow in their chair or have dentures,” she said. “It’s really cool to see them interacting with students.” Outside of friends, family and classmates, Dobberstein said Dental Assistant students have not had the chance to work on real patients at this point in their training. For those who had previously worked hours in the clinic, treating senior patients “may be a new experience for some students.” While observing her students, Colette Smiley, GRCC Dental Program instructor and dental director for Health Network of West Michigan, explained barriers seniors experience when seeking dental care, such as lack of transportation. “We know seniors don’t have enough dental access,” Smiley said. “They receive little to no coverage when they apply to Medicare and our seniors reach a point where they don’t have the access they need.”  With dental tools in her mouth, Tucker gave a thumbs up in agreement with Smiley’s statement. Smiley, who recognizes how well her name fits her profession, also chairs the Kent County Oral Health Coalition, a “convener of organizations and agencies to serve members of the West Michigan community.” “After patients receive their cleaning, the coalition can refer them to next step services for dental care,” she said. These services include future cleanings, preliminary dental hygiene exams, X-rays, fluoride treatments and more. Outside of Senior Dental Day, GRCC’s Dental Clinic offers services throughout the year, including a review of medical and dental history, blood pressure screening, cleanings, preliminary dental hygiene exams, X-rays, fluoride treatments and dental health instruction. This story was reported and photographed by Alexis Stark of the School News Network.

March 28, 2022 - GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team dropped two close decisions to open up MCCAA conference play against Mid Michigan College on Monday; 6-4 in game one and 2-1 in the nightcap. GRCC battled back from a 5-0 deficit in the series opener, including a stretch of three home runs in the fifth and the sixth innings, to narrow the score to 5-4. Trailing 6-4, GRCC had chances to score in the top of the final inning, but left two men stranded. Max Varon, Ryan Dykstra and Dylan Chargo's home runs contributed to three of the Raiders five total hits.  Mid Michigan had 12 hits. Caleb Engelsman took the loss, giving up five unearned runs while striking out three. GRCC's starter Jerad Berkenpas pitched superbly in the second game, allowing just one hit through six innings. With his team up 1-0, Berkenpas got the first Mid Michigan batter of the bottom of the seventh to foul out. But he yielded to the bullpen after allowing a walk and hitting a batter. Reliever Eliott Traver retired the first batter he faced, but Mid Michigan's next two batters singled to score two and celebrate a walk-off victory. Dykstra hit his third home run of the season. Engelsman and Camden Keatley had the other two Raider hits. The sweep leaves GRCC’s record at 4-12. The teams will be back in action March 29 and 2 p.m. at Belknap Park to finish the season series.  

March 28, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Adam Jacobs brings what he’s learned at various nonprofits and in pursuit of his bachelor’s degree in sociology to his position with the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia. He also relies on his experiences as an English tutor while in GRCC’s Honors Program. 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. “Working as a tutor helped me grow as both a person and as a writer because I met people from many different backgrounds and abilities,” said Jacobs, who graduated from GRCC in 2012. “I learned to meet people where they were at with their assignments and skill levels in order to best help them succeed. Seeing a writing assignment through the eyes of other students helped me learn how to interact with many different types of people and write to a broader audience. “Those experiences helped me grow as a teacher, communicator, writer and advocate – which are all incredibly important skills for someone working in the nonprofit industry.” Jacobs began working with nonprofit organizations while a student at the University of Michigan, where he majored in sociology and minored in community action and social change. He joined the Inter-Cooperative Council, a student-led housing cooperative, and served on its board of directors. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he helped start a housing cooperative in Detroit. He joined the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia in 2016 and became project coordinator of its housing unit in 2020. “As project coordinator, I help manage Legal Aid’s housing related projects, including our eviction defense grant and the Housing Right to Counsel project,” Jacobs said. “My job is to facilitate coordination and collaboration among partner organizations and pro bono participants in an effort to increase tenants’ access to counsel, prevent unnecessary evictions, and preserve affordable housing.” Jacobs credits GRCC’s Honors Program and two of its professors, Joan Gearns and Laurie Foster, with launching him on his career pathway. “They pushed and supported me both academically and personally,” he said. “Through their guidance, I was able to transfer to the University of Michigan and succeed in my life beyond school. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. Starting at GRCC was especially important to Jacobs because he had a three-year gap between graduating from high school and starting college. “My time at GRCC allowed me to explore my interests in a smaller classroom environment without a heavy financial burden, and by the time I got to Michigan, I was prepared to hit the ground running at a larger academic institution,” he said. Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .