Feb. 14. 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – People around the world are celebrating Valentine’s Day with gifts of candy – including popular treats created on machines designed and assembled by Grand Rapids Community College graduates Bob Cisler and Mike Sherd. 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. Cisler and Sherd, along with fellow GRCC grad Tom Jasper, run Egan Food Technologies in Walker. They design and create customized machinery that makes confections, baked goods and snack foods. Clients include Hershey and Atkins, and products created by their equipment includes the Reese’s peanut butter hearts, Atkins protein bars, and the big cookies in Jimmy John’s sandwich shops. Cisler earned an Associate of Science degree from what was then Grand Rapids Junior College in 1972, with Jasper earning an Associate of Arts degree three years later. Sherd earned his Associate of Arts from GRCC in 1995. The company designs and manufactures customized chocolate molding, depositing and extruding equipment that forms products like candy bars, chocolate candies with fillings, and cookie dough. “I graduated from Union High in 1970 and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” Cisler said. “A counselor asked me what I liked, and I was good at math and science. He told me I’d make a good engineer.” Cisler graduated from the University of Michigan two years later. He said the GRJC classes were more affordable, and he appreciated the smaller class sizes. “The one thing I liked about engineering is that you can do so many different things with the degree,” Cisler said. “I thought it was valuable. It was a tough degree to get, but once you have that, you have something they just don’t hand out to everyone. I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do with it, but it was a great start. GRJC provided great value and solid academics.” Sherd, a Kenowa Hills High School graduate, studied at GRCC before finishing at Grand Valley State University. “GRCC gave me a good foundation,” he said. “The cost was a huge factor, and it allowed me to live at home.” Sherd planned to be a math teacher. He determined he could take statics and dynamics engineering and advanced physics at GRCC, fulfilling prerequisite classes and taking advantage of the more affordable tuition. He later switched to engineering and transferred to GVSU. He credits professors Jarrod Johnson and Jeff Stone for being especially helpful on his educational journey. Cisler started at a Grand Rapids company called Werner Lehara that began in 1904 as the Dutch Cookie Machine Co. and in the 1980s created pretzel-making equipment and chocolate molds. He and Sherd formed a partnership with Jasper to form Egan Food Technologies in 2010. From their 60,000-square-foot shop on Walker Court NW, they design and assemble machines for clients large and small nationwide. And, they look at candy a little different than others with a sweet tooth. “I look at how they did it,” Cisler said. “I look at the sheen and to see if the center filling is leaking out the sides.” So, when you give your true love some chocolates today, look at it closely before taking a bite, recognize the craftmanship that went into creating it – and know that GRCC might have played a role. Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .

Feb. 14, 2022 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – For Trimell Hawkins, Grand Rapids Community College’s first Young Alumni Award recipient, GRCC "is more than a school: it's a pathway to the future."  The new award recognizes alumni ages 40 and younger for their community or civic contributions, service in support of GRCC, and exceptional accomplishments in their profession. Since graduating from GRCC’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education in 2015, Hawkins has put his personal stamp on menus throughout West Michigan. He credits the foundation the culinary program gave him for his success and says the “quick fire” challenges were one of his favorite things to do. “My experience at GRCC was one of the most important and vital things to my success in my career,” said Hawkins, who enrolled after leaving the Marines. “It truly prepared me for this industry and gave me tools to be successful. The program gives you insight on what to expect, how to handle it, how to grow, and how to face adversity and overcome.” Hawkins counts culinary professor Kevin Dunn as one of his mentors and friends. “Trimell was working, raising his family, while being an excellent student,” Dunn said. “He can best be described as a sponge – he wants to learn from every chef as much as they have to offer.” Now executive chef at the Portico Restaurant in the Canopy by Hilton Hotel in Grand Rapids, Hawkins has learned and challenged himself at every stop in his career. “I’ve been fortunate to work for some great restaurants that have helped hone and develop my talent,” he said. “Black Heron was my first executive chef position, then Forty Acres, where I was truly able to spread my wings and flourish, and a few restaurants from there to my current position, where I’ve learned a great deal and grew.” For Hawkins, cooking isn’t just about making a living; it’s how he shows he cares. “When I had hip replacement surgery, I stopped by to see him on my way home,” Dunn said. “Trimell had a caravan of to-go food for my family. He fed my family for the entire weekend!” Jenna Vande Kamp, development manager for alumni relations and annual giving, said Hawkins is a great selection to launch GRCC’s new award. “We are so excited to recognize and highlight the early career accomplishments of our young alumni,” she said. “Trimell’s achievements – and his pride in his GRCC education – are representative of so many of our graduates and the impact that they’ve already had on their community.” Photo by Andrew Schmidt.  

Feb. 12, 2022, LANSING, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College women's basketball team qualified for postseason play after a convincing 66-50 win over Lansing Community College on Saturday. The men's basketball team fell to the hot-shooting Stars, falling 105-87. The GRCC women’s team dominated on the glass, finishing with 43 rebounds against just 20 for Lansing. The team also put up its third-best shooting performance at 42.9% (24-56), and best free throw shooting performance, sinking 17 in 20 attempts. Grace Lodes, 8 for 16 from the floor and 6 for 7 from the free throw line, finished with a game-high 22 points and 11 rebounds to go along with 6 assists. Sally Merrill picked up her eighth double-double with a 13-point, 10-rebound performance in 36 minutes of action. "Pleased with the win today," Coach David Glazier said.  "I thought we responded well to a competitive first half, and the adjustments we made at halftime, specifically our defensive intensity and execution, to hold Lansing to 17 combined points in the second and third periods. I also loved that we had 20 assists on 24 made field goals." The women’s team’s win improved its record to 14-8 overall and 10-2 in the conference, and also qualified them for this year's NJCAA Region XII-Great Lakes District A Basketball Championship, which begins on March 1. The men’s team record drops to 9-16 overall, 4-10 in the conference. “We talked before and after the game about the importance of sustaining success,” Coach Joe Fox said. “As a young team, you need to build off of successes and string positive things together. We need to do a better job of building on momentum throughout the game, especially defensively. You need to be fully locked in to get stops, and commit to rebounding. Those are the main things holding this group back from reaching their potential right now.” LCC's men's team shot 56.2% from the field compared to 39.1% for visiting GRCC. Drew Moore carried the team with 27 points on 10-21 from the floor while Ryel Daye contributed with the team's only double-double, with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Point guard Danyel Bibbs had 11 assists for the third time this season and grabbed 5 boards. GRCC's women's team will return to the hardwood on Feb. 14 at Kellogg Community College.  The men's team returns to action on Feb. 16 at Muskegon Community College. 

Feb. 10, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Always remember, at GRCC, you are surrounded by people who want you to be successful and are ready to walk with you on your educational pathway. We are here to help! Meet Juan Cisneros Fonseca. Juan is here to help you with the enrollment process for any of the college's seven job training programs. "I will be the first face students see when walking into the Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC," Juan shared. "As a former student at GRCC, I understand that starting a new program can be a little intimidating and stressful. My job is to ease that stress by helping students enroll. I will assist in filling out the application, and connect them with a career coach to discuss the next steps in the enrollment process and financial aid." Job training programs are hands-on, run for approximately 20 weeks, and students attend class for 34 hours each week. Graduates are in high demand for entry-level positions such as automotive technician, computer support technician, construction electrical, machinist-CNC technician, medical assistant, residential construction, and welding-fabrication technician. "Seeing a student graduate and find employment in their field is a satisfying feeling," Juan said. "These Job Training courses give students a chance to enter the workforce and make good wages." Before stepping into his current position, Juan earned a Computer Support Specialist Associate Degree from GRCC, worked in adult education and then helped to coordinate the GRCC Summer Learning Academy program for rising high school seniors. Now, helping students is Juan's number one priority, and is what motivates him at work. Most Job Training programs enroll new participants every other month, and information sessions are currently being held in person. If you know someone who may be interested, have them sign up for an information session today at grcc.edu/JobTraining, and have them ask for Juan when they get there!

A School News Network feature: Grand Rapids Community College students have opportunities to earn money with flexible hours built around their classes – and many campus jobs are going unfilled. It takes many hands to make a campus run smoothly, and Student Employment Services representatives are looking to add more students to GRCC’s workforce. There are currently about 110 students employed, which is down significantly compared to before the pandemic, said Christopher Allen, associate director of Student Employment Services. “We are at roughly a third of what we were at in 2019,” he said. While fewer student jobs are offered by the campus and its partners now than pre-pandemic, there are more openings than in the past. “We are maybe double what we usually have (of open jobs) available,” Allen said. ( See on-campus job openings.) The drop-off in student workers started when the campus went virtual in March 2020. It’s rebounded some since then, Allen said, but it’s not back to where it was. “If you were going to compare it to 2020, we have picked up,” he said. “We are starting to get more applications.” To attract students, GRCC recently increased pay rates from $10.25 to $11 per hour, and $11.50 for lifeguard). Allen noted that GRCC student employees are not required to pay FICA taxes, which means a worker earning $11 per hour earns take-home pay comparable to approximately $11.84 elsewhere. GRCC also helps students find jobs off campus at many locations, which allows students to work more hours than the 28-hour on-campus maximum. There are also work study and non-work study jobs. For work study jobs, a student’s financial aid pays them as a way to pay off loans. For non-work study, the GRCC department the student works for pays the wage. Flexibility and Work Skills Nathan Holt has worked as an office assistant at Student Services in Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall since the beginning of the school year. A GRCC student graduating this spring with an associate degree in business, Holt helps fellow students with financial aid forms, enrollment and testing. “I was having trouble applying anywhere else because I needed experience in fields I want to go into, so I felt like this is a good one,” said Holt, who currently is enrolled in four classes. “I thought this would be a good start-up.” He said he’s developed customer service and personal interaction skills– which he sees as helpful for his career. “Speaking skills, when it comes to business, are really important,” he said. Another benefit of working for GRCC, he said, is that he can prioritize homework and class. He currently works about 18 hours a week. “Flexible hours, that’s a huge help,” he said. “There are a lot of advantages to being a student employee.” Wen Batzer liked working as a student employee so much that she went on to work for GRCC after graduation. While a student from 2018 to 2021, she worked at the front desk at Student Employment Services and at Student Records. She is now the student employment coordinator, helping students with resumes and mock interviews. She also connects with outside employers looking to hire students. Working for the college allowed her to focus on school and learn even more about college than she would have otherwise, she said. She plans to continue while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communications at Grand Valley State University. “Everyone was really nice and allowed a lot of flexibility with jobs and the work,” she said. “It was really interesting and informative to learn how the school works behind the scenes, because it made being a student a lot easier.” Now, with other students, she can relate to their needs and goals. “We really like to put the emphasis on that they are students first,” she said. This story was written and photographed by Erin Albanese of the School News Network. 

Feb. 9, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College women's basketball team's eight game win streak was snapped Wednesday by the first place Jackson College, 60-55, while the men's team also suffered a five-point loss, 79-74. Both teams struggled from the field with the women shooting 29.4% from the floor, including 3 of 22 from behind the arc, while the men shot 38.8% overall from the field. Sally Merrill led the Raiders with 12 points and 6 rebounds.  Grace Lodes knocked in 10 points and grabbed 8 boards while Karissa Ferry added 9 points and 8 rebounds. "Even without the outcome we wanted, I was proud of the way the kids battled, the way they fought, the way they never accepted a deficit as being too much," women’s team coach David Glazier said. "Moving forward for Saturday and beyond, the players and coaches have to find ways to be more consistent." GRCC is now 13-8 overall and 9-2 in the conference. Jackson now has a two-game lead in the MCCAA Western Conference, improving to 15-4 and 12-1 in the conference. GRCC's men's team was ahead once all night and trailed by 22 with 9:29 left in the game. The defense picked up and forced many Jackson turnovers down the stretch, managing to make it just a five-point game with 42 seconds left. But the team wasn’t able to connect on its final four shots. "I was happy that our guys fought back and made it competitive at the end, but I was disappointed that it took 30 minutes of game action to bring the energy and attitude we needed," Coach Joe Fox said.  "We need to come back Saturday with 40 minutes of good basketball." Drew Moore and Danyel Bibbs each scored 19 points while shooting 50% or better from the field. Ryel Daye had the Raiders only double-double, with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The loss dropped the Raiders to 9-15 overall and 4-9 in the conference.  Jackson improved to 15-8 and 8-5 in the conference. Both teams will play on the road on Feb. 12 against Lansing Community College. The women start at 1 p.m., with the men’s game following at 3 p.m.

Feb. 8, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- LaTosha Brown, an award-winning civil rights and voting rights activist, will offer the keynote address for this year’s Black History Month program hosted by Grand Rapids Community College’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The virtual event, free and open to the public, will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. Registration is available via Eventbrite at: tinyurl.com/GRCCequity A 2019 fellow with the Institute of Politics at Harvard University, Brown is an organizer, philanthropic consultant, and political strategist with over 20 years of experience working in the non-profit and philanthropy sectors on a wide variety of issues related to political empowerment, social justice, economic development, leadership development, wealth creation, and civil rights. Brown, a native of Selma, Ala., is also the co-founder of Black Voters Matter. This power-building southern-based civic engagement organization was instrumental in the 2017 Alabama U.S. Senate race and the 2020 U.S. presidential election. “Ms. Brown’s work mirrors the activism of historical titans such as Fannie Lou Hamer, Ida B. Wells, and Dorothy Height,” said Dr. B. Afeni McNeely Cobham, GRCC’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer. “Latosha’s commitment to expansive voter access has placed her at the epicenter of what some have defined as restrictive election reforms. The keynote address will explore the importance and impact of staying engaged in the democratic process of voting at every level.” As a catalyst for change, thought leader and social strategist, Brown’s national and global efforts have been known to organize, inspire and catapult people into action. In 2021, Glamour magazine recognized Brown in the ‘Women of the Year’ issue for her contribution to protect democracy. In previous years, she has received the White House Champion of Change Award, Spirit of Democracy Award, and the Louis Burnham Award for Human Rights.

Feb. 7, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College women's basketball team’s win streak is at eight games after Sally Merrill dropped in 26 points against Glen Oaks Community College on Monday. The men's team struggled against the Vikings, losing 91-70. Ten different members of the women’s team scored at least two points and every player grabbed at least one rebound in the 72-58 victory.  "Hard fought win tonight against a talented and improving Glen Oaks team," Coach David Glazier said.  "I felt we again had to fight through a slow start. But credit to our entire roster for stepping up and contributing when we needed it." Merrill led GRCC in scoring for the 12th time this season, shooting 10 of 19 from the floor and 5 of 6 from the free throw line. The Raiders’ bench outscored their opposition 25-1, led by Allison Kellogg, who poured in eight points. The win keeps GRCC all alone in second place in the MCCAA Western Conference with a 13-7 record, 9-1 in the conference. GRCC's men's team shot 34% from the field compared to 52% for Glen Oaks. The team also was outscored by 30 points in the paint.  Ten players scored in double digits during the game, including six from the Vikings, who were led by Qualen Pettus with 19 points off the bench. The Raiders, who are 9-14 overall and 4-8 in the conference, were led by forward Nyuon Nhial, who scored a career-high 17 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Ryel Daye had his seventh double-double of the season, scoring 13 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. "In this league, you have to go into every game wanting to win, not expecting to win," Coach Joe Fox said.  "I thought the guys from Glen Oaks executed and were focused, and I thought we were a bit on our heels. Thankfully it’s a quick turnaround to a big rematch game for us, and we get to take on a very good Jackson College team on Wednesday. Our guys will be ready." Both teams will be back on the Hunsberger Arena court to take on Jackson College on Feb. 9. 

Feb. 7, 2022 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Versiti, which supplies life-saving blood for medical procedures in Michigan and four other Midwestern states, is funding Grand Rapids Community College scholarships to train the people who collect those donations. The blood supplier plans to award four  Versity Phlebotomy Skills Scholarships nnually to cover tuition for GRCC’s Phlebotomy Skills program. The first two scholarships are going to students in the latest session of the program, which started today. Hannah Tuuri, Versiti Inc.’s talent acquisition specialist, said the organization hopes the scholarships encourage people in underrepresented populations to consider this rewarding career. “Versiti is committed to building ethnic diversity within the donor population,” she said. “The scholarship is designed to help us develop diversity within our industry and teams to ensure that we reflect the population in which we serve.” Linda Witte, program developer for GRCC’s health certificate programs, said demand for phlebotomists is projected to grow by 21% each year with 400 job openings annually. GRCC’s 10-week Phlebotomy Skills program is presented in a hybrid format, with lectures online and smaller groups of students meeting in person on the downtown campus for labs and demonstrations. “This is a skill-building course,” Witte said. “About half of the people who come into this class are already working in health care, and the other half are looking for that entry-level job.” Those who are interested in the Phlebotomy Skills program can find more information online. Dr. Kathryn Mullins, vice president of College Advancement and executive director of the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation, said the Versiti Phlebotomy Skills Scholarships will encourage people to train for an important job, benefiting all of West Michigan. “Community partners like Versiti are critical to GRCC’s role of providing people with opportunities for higher education and skills training,” she said.

Feb. 7, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Tristan Walczewski believes in taking “intelligent risks.” Start at Grand Rapids Community College and go anywhere. Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC gave them the education and opportunity to be successful. When an unconventional opportunity came along, Walczewski grabbed it, confident in all he’d learned at GRCC. “My first year spent studying at GRCC was actually Music Education,” he said. “After revisiting my study, I chose to transition to business.” Walczewski went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management, with a minor in international finance, from Davenport University. Shortly after graduating, he decided to pursue a new goal: sommelier certifications. He earned an Advanced Sommelier Certification last year and hopes to gain a Master Sommelier Diploma in 2023.  “I knew I wanted to do something unconventional, that was dynamic and fast-paced,” he said. “As I was completing my undergrad, an opportunity arose that I never considered as a career path and I was fortunate to be granted the opportunity to try it.” He’s now general manager of Bistro Bella Vita in downtown Grand Rapids and beverage director for the dining establishment’s parent company, Essence Restaurant Group. In these two roles, he draws equally on what he’s learned in his sommelier studies and in business classes as GRCC. “I thoroughly enjoyed my speech and communication course along with the very helpful Microsoft classes,” he said. “Professional communication and an understanding of finance are vital in any position. “The GRCC professors were educated in their fields, and many were working actively in their field in addition to teaching, which I found to be helpful in understanding the real world application of the curriculum.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at  grcc.edu/apply .