Jan. 17, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Alison Bieber found her voice – and her path – at GRCC. Now she works to help others find their voices. 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. After graduating from high school, Bieber needed time to figure out her future so she enrolled at GRCC. “At a young age, people are pushing you to figure out what you want to be when you grow up, and you receive a lot of backlash if you are going into the performing arts,” she said. “I was able to ‘try out’ the career option that everyone was telling me to avoid, and – guess what – it worked out!” “Worked out” might be an understatement. After earning her associate degree in vocal performance, Bieber received a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from the Boston Conservatory and a master’s degree in linguistics from the University of Massachusetts. Early in her career, she provided music lessons for adults with developmental disabilities. She has since founded the Modulation Institute, which provides transgender and nonbinary people with vocal training and music lessons. “I teach because of the people who have taught me,” Bieber said. “My purpose in life became driven by sharing my knowledge with others, as my teachers shared with me.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .

Jan. 15, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Sally Merrill led the Grand Rapids Community College women's basketball team to a dominating win against Lansing Community College Saturday, while the men’s team fell in overtime. After an even first quarter of play, the GRCC women’s team scored 23 points in the second quarter and 20 in the third, cruising to its sixth win of the season, 66-35. Sally Merrill, a freshman from Allegan, led the GRCC for the second straight game, scoring 23 points on 9 of 22 from the field.  The guard also tallied eight rebounds and four blocks. Karissa Ferry, of Chesaning, returned to the starting lineup and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds while scoring seven points in 20 minutes of action. The Raiders doubled up the Stars in rebounds, 56-28 and also had 14 assists to just six for the Stars. Tanyla Billips, of Grand Rapids, ended up with a career-high eight rebounds for GRCC. GRCC bounced back from a tough game against Jackson College earlier in the week. “I’m happy with the way our entire roster played today, as each one of our student-athletes contributed to a team victory,” coach David Glazier said. “I felt they all responded from what was an out-of-character performance on Wednesday night.” The men's team trailed nearly the entire game, but battled back to force overtime after two free throws by Andrew Moore and a defensive stop at the end of regulation. The Stars, led by Eastern Michigan University transfer Drew Lowder, outscored the Raiders 15-5 in the extra period, to pick up their 10th win of the season. GRCC dropped to 5-8 overall with the 108-98 loss. Lowder scored a game-high 35 points and added eight assists, but wasn't the only one to score more than 30. Teammate Sean Cobb scored 31 points and grabbed a game-high 22 rebounds.  LCC connected on 34 of 41 from the free throw line, compared to just 19 of 28 for GRCC. Andrew Moore, of Grand Rapids, was one point shy of his career-high with 31 points while adding seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. Teammate Diego Ledemsa of Wyoming nearly had his first career double-double with 25 points and nine rebounds. Danyel Bibbs of Grand Rapids Union added 18 points and a team best six assists. “I’m crushed for the guys tonight,” coach Joe Fox said. “They have played with great passion and effort the last two games, both overtime losses. But little things make the difference in tight games. We have shown we can compete, now it's time to do that little extra bit every day to help us get over the top. I'm looking forward to getting back on the court Monday night at Glen Oaks.” The men's team is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 17 and the women are to play Jan. 19 at home against Muskegon Community College. 

Jan. 14, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is planning a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for students, employees, and community members for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19 in the Raider Grill in the Student Center, 122 Lyon St. NE. No appointment is needed for the clinic, the latest in a series conducted at the college. About 300 people have so far been assisted in campus vaccination clinics. The clinic will offer COVID-19 vaccinations as well as booster shots. Vaccines have been determined to be the most effective tool in preventing serious illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19. People wishing to obtain the vaccines or booster shots can save time and create an account and fill out the required vaccine form in advance: https://www.visit.covidsecureapp.com/michigan . The clinics are part of a series of wellness protocols intended to help GRCC students, employees and community members. The campus is requiring face-coverings indoors, and has posted face-covering dispensers near entrances in many buildings. On-campus class sizes are limited to 75% capacity, and the college has replaced two-person desks with single-person desks in most classrooms. The college also has installed new furniture for common areas that is intended to help with distancing. Hundreds of hand sanitizing stations were added since the start of the pandemic, and changes were made to campus cooling and ventilation to increase air flow. College leaders are monitoring developments with COVID-19 and its variants, and are communicating with state and federal health authorities for guidance as conditions change. GRCC’s mission is to serve its community, and the campus has played a role in fighting the pandemic. GRCC Nursing students in 2021 administered shots into the arms of students, campus employees, and others in the spring as part of the Shot of Love campaign, a partnership with Urban Church Leadership Center and Spectrum Health. In May, the college hosted a campus vaccination pop-up clinic, which was visited by first lady Jill Biden.  

January 14, 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 Brianna Greenough. You'll find Brianna supporting GRCC Ford Fieldhouse operations, the Athletic Department, and the Exercise Science department -- and willing to help. "I field a lot of phone calls, and if I am unable to answer a question I find the person who can," she said. "I really enjoy helping our student athletes register for classes and learn how to navigate GRCC programs and our campus." Brianna takes pride in finding solutions for students. "I want them to succeed. And if I can point them to the right resources I'm happy to do so," she said. "I was a community college student myself so I may have a few tricks up my sleeve to help students navigate their college career." Brianna's work includes managing Fitness Center memberships, supporting events in the fieldhouse such as athletics and commencement, and assisting in building the exercise sciences course schedule. But it's the student connection that gets her passionate about her work. "I get excited knowing that I can help students feel more comfortable as they explore all that GRCC has to offer them," she said. "It warms my heart even giving a student a simple direction, because you have a chance to strike up a conversation with them and find out a little bit about their story. I love hearing their goals and what brought them to GRCC." During high school Brianna dual enrolled at Gogebic Community College to get a head start on her college education. "Having the opportunity to take college credits in high school was so great, I had the chance to experience how college courses are structured and how they differ from a typical high school class," she said. After high school Brianna chose to study Hospitality and Tourism Management with an emphasis in event planning at Grand Valley State University. Brianna was very involved at GVSU -- working on campus in new student orientation, and spending time in clubs and other extracurricular programs. Upon graduation she was chosen to work as an intern at Walt Disney World, but after nine months there she realized how much she missed the Grand Rapids community. When she returned to G.R. she found her current position at GRCC. "Once I started working at GRCC I knew higher education was something I wanted to learn more about and pursue a career in," she said. Brianna could see that there was something about the people who work at GRCC and other community colleges that make students feel truly supported, and she wanted to be a part of it. "During the pandemic I decided to go back to college and begin my master’s degree in Higher Education. I'm 15 credits in and so excited to continue learning all I can to serve students here at GRCC. Taking classes while working full time can be really tough, but I feel more able to help our students out as we may share some of the same struggles." You can learn more about the fieldhouse and fitness center through email at fieldhouse@grcc.edu and by phone at (616) 234-3990.  

Jan. 13, 2021, SUMMIT TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College men’s basketball team battled Jackson College through three overtime periods, but fell short, losing 124-119 on Thursday. The women’s team also was defeated by a strong Jackson team, losing 70-50. The men’s team played into overtime for the fourth time this season. GRCC started strong, building a 20-point lead. But the Jets soared back to make it a six-point game at the half. Dayton Cole's three-point play with 3:56 remaining in regulation gave Jackson its first lead of the game. With just under a minute to go, Cole would hit another basket, tying the game at 86. GRCC had a chance to win it, but Ryel Daye's three-point shot was short and Diego Ledsema's tip-in attempt missed as the buzzer sounded. In the beginning of the first overtime, Jackson’s Alex Daniels took advantage of a double-technical foul called on GRCC, hitting all six of his free throw attempts to put his team up 92-86. But it didn't take the Raiders long tie score at 93. Three more free throws by Daniel seemed to put the Jets up for good, 103-95 with under a minute to go. But GRCC forced another overtime after a three-point basket by Daye, a sophomore from Kentwood, with less than five seconds to go. In double overtime, GRCC was the Raiders up two, but Jackson’s Gabe Damey would hit a game-tying shot just before the buzzer. Damey had a triple-double on the night, with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists. Down three in triple-overtime, Daye had a look at forcing another extra session, but was unable to sink the basket and the Jets held on to win. Six different Raiders scored in double-digits, while Daye, with 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Danyel Bibbs, with 11 points and 11 assists, each had a double-double.   Moore, of Grand Rapids, shot 50% from the floor and picked up 6 rebounds and four steals. Ledsema, of Wyoming, playing his first game for the Raiders, sparked his squad with 16 points, seven rebounds and five steals. The women's team, now 5-7 on the season, stayed close to Jackson through the first quarter, but the Jets would outscore the short-handed Raiders in each of the final three quarters.  Jackson has seven wins and three losses.   GRCC, playing without two starters and a key role player, managed to keep within 10 points for most of the game. But Jackson pulled away late in the fourth quarter to win. Sally Merrill, a freshman from Allegan, added seven boards, playing in all 40 minutes. Freshman Alysia Wesley of Grand Rapids connected on for of seven throws from the field to score 10 points off the bench. Marlene Bussler, a freshman from Battle Creek, nearly had a double-double with eight points and team-high nine rebounds. Both teams will return home on Jan. 15 to take on Lansing Community College, with the women's game tipping off first at 1:30 p.m. Fans who bring in three or more canned goods to support GRCC's food pantry will be admitted free.  General admission is $3 per person. 

Jan. 13, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College Athletics is teaming up with Student Life to support students challenged by food insecurity, offering reduced price or free admission to two upcoming basketball games in exchange for food donations. Spectators who bring three canned food items to the Saturday, Jan. 15 games against Lansing Community College or the Wednesday, Jan. 19 game against Muskegon Community College will be admitted free. Those bringing two canned items will be admitted for $1, and fans bringing one canned good will be admitted for $2. On Saturday, the women’s basketball game starts at 1 p.m. with the men taking the court at 3 p.m. On Jan. 19, the women start at 5:30 p.m. with the men tipping off at 7:30 p.m. All of the canned goods will be donated to the GRCC Food Pantry, which has served thousands of students since the start of the pandemic. “The Athletics Department is part of our campus community, and it’s important for our student-athletes to be leaders on and off the court,” Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. “This is an opportunity to support our campus food pantry, but also raise awareness of the problem of food insecurity and how it affects our students.” GRCC’s Food Pantry and snack pantries are designed to meet the immediate food needs of its students on campus by providing a variety of non-perishable food items and basic necessities to students and their families. GRCC’s Food Pantry is located in the Student Center, and is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Students can visit the pantry weekly. Students can register in the Student Life Office. There are 10 snack pantries located across campus, providing grab-and-go options including granola bars and microwavable soups. They are maintained in partnership by Student Life, the English department, Psi Beta, Counseling and Career Development, Library and Learning Commons and the Tassell M-TEC. The Snack Pantries do not require registration and food is provided when available. Information is available at grcc.edu/foodpantry . “We’re so appreciative of GRCC Athletics, and all of the student and community groups that have supported the Food Pantry,” said Lina Blair, GRCC’s director of Student Life and Conduct. “Many of our students struggle with food insecurity, and the problem intensified during the pandemic. We’re fortunate to have a supportive community to help students overcome this obstacle.”  Students can connect with additional campus and community resources at grcc.edu/gethelp . The food drive is part of a conference-wide effort organized by the Michigan Community College Athletic Association.

Jan. 12, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Senad Ajdarevic drops by the Seymour Branch of the Grand Rapids Public Library a few times a week to take advantage of tutoring services from Nathan Reinke. On a recent Thursday afternoon, Ajdarevic was working on a cover letter for an English 101 assignment. “I’m getting ahead in my work,” said the first-semester GRCC student. A member of the Bosnian community and a 2021 East Kentwood High School graduate, Ajdaravic is the first in his family to attend college. He is pursuing a criminal justice degree and hopes to become a police officer. He explained, “My goal is to get a bachelor’s. That’s my number one goal.” Reinke is helping Ajdarevic and other GRCC students meet their goals. Thanks to a grant from the AT&T Foundation and a partnership with the Grand Rapids Public Library, the GRCC Seymour Learning Hub started in September, offering a quiet place to study, snacks and English tutoring from Reinke, 24 hours a week, at 2350 Eastern Ave. SE. He works with as many as 30 students per week. A lot of his time is also spent helping students navigate GRCC’s online platform, Blackboard. He also helps them set up for Accuplacer testing and complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms. Drop in hours are 3 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The program was recently extended to continue on the same schedule next semester. Serving Southeast Side Students “You get the one-on-one help, and what’s best about this program is it’s not limited,” Ajdarevic said, referring to the fact that he can come five days a week in addition to attending in-person classes. “Time flies by … it’s amazing. I’m here a lot.” Reinke said the learning hub was created to offer the community in the 49507 ZIP code a neighborhood go-to place for GRCC tutoring. The area is home to many students who are minorities and English-language learners. “We are also specifically trying to target non-traditional students – students who are going to college after five or more years of being out of school,” he said. Many students are taking online courses, so it’s a benefit to have someone like Reinke to check in with if they have questions. Reinke, a 2021 graduate of Grand Valley State University, has a bachelor’s degree in professional and classical language. “I recommend Nathan. He’s a very big help,” Ajdarevic said. “He’s very nice, and what is good about Nathan is he has experience with college students. You basically have a peer right by your side to help you out.” This story was written and photographed by Erin Albanese of the School News Network .

Jan. 11, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich . – Singer and songwriter Nik Thomasma tried college in his mid-20s but never really found his groove. Now 41, the lifelong musician is back at Grand Rapids Community College studying business and marketing – and pulling straight As. “I realized I knew how to be a musician. But now I’m focusing on the business of being a musician and taking some ownership in it all,” he said. Although Thomasma always wanted a college degree, he never imagined it possible until Michigan Reconnect . Launched nearly one year ago, the state scholarship program removes cost as a barrier by providing free in-district tuition for those 25 and older who don’t already have a college degree. “The day the state announced the Michigan Reconnect program I thought, ‘I am going to do that!’ I was just thrilled,” he said. The scholarships are changing lives of people like Thomasma across the state. At GRCC, 1,443 students enrolled through Michigan Reconnect for the Winter 2022 semester. "Many of our students and others in our community are experiencing financial difficulties during the pandemic. Reconnect has removed tuition as an obstacle to getting a quality GRCC education," President Bill Pink said last year when the program was announced.  Thomasma worked much of his adult life singing solo or with his band, Nicholas James and The Bandwagon, at music festivals and breweries in West Michigan and across the state. But the pandemic put a screeching halt to public performances. “I generally would play three to five nights a week. But there just aren’t a lot of gigs available right now,” he said. “So this was really the perfect time for me to go back to college. My goal is to complete my associate degree in two years.” And how are classes going? “I’ve always been a good test-taker, but I would struggle at homework and sitting still and paying attention in class,” said Thomasma, a 1998 Kenowa Hills High School graduate. “But I don’t struggle anymore. It’s a lot easier to pay attention, sit still and focus now as an adult.” The biggest challenge, he said, was adjusting to 21 st  Century classroom technology. “Blackboard and all these online tools and portals you have to navigate now didn’t exist when I was in college before,” he said. “It took a while to get used to them, but I’ve got the hang of it now.” Rather than feel embarrassed about college at his age, Thomasma is proud to often be one of the oldest students in classes. “Because of my age, I have a certain level of confidence in myself. I'm happy about where I am and what I'm doing,” he said. Additional information about the Michigan Reconnect program is available at  grcc.edu/reconnect,  by emailing  reconnect@grcc.edu  or by calling (616) 234-3366. This story was reported by Beth McKenna for GRCC.