Jan. 3, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Parents often get more free time as the kids get older. For Bertha Plancarte Fanfar, this was her opportunity to finally pursue a long-held goal: a college degree. “I am the mother of three beautiful children, so I had to pause my dream of finishing a degree many times to be with my kids,” she said. “I don’t regret it because seeing them grow has been amazing!” Plancarte Fanfar emigrated from Mexico 14 years ago. Thanks to her hard work in ESL classes, she’s now fluent in two languages.  “While growing up in Mexico, my mother, sisters and I were the cooks of our household, and we had to cook for 11 people every day,” she said. “My parents also owned a small bakery, and that’s where I found my love for everything and anything related to the culinary industry.” Plancarte Fanfar received a GRCC associate degree in Culinary Arts, but she’s not done yet. She is now in the Personal Chef program and plans to complete the Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate by fall 2022. She calls enrolling in GRCC’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education “the best decision I could ever make,” and plans to work in the food industry for a few years before opening her own restaurant and bakery. Plancarte Fanfar has been helped by the Edith Bishop and Ester Arlene Ranke Hospitality Education Scholarship and recently had a unique opportunity to show her appreciation. David and Michelle Bottrall established the scholarship in honor of Michelle’s grandmothers. She assisted Chef Werner Absenger, program director for the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, with a cooking demonstration for a meeting of the Tassell-Wisner-Bottrall Foundation board at GRCC’s Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center. “Since the first time I started studying here, I felt welcome,” she said. “The college has a friendly and inclusive environment. My professors are beyond my expectations; they are always supportive, professional, and their knowledge amazes me all the time!” The GRCC Foundation is accepting applications for scholarships now. Filling out one application connects you with hundreds of scholarship opportunities. To learn more -- and apply -- follow this link: https://buff.ly/37nGMOn

Jan. 3, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- 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. Alyssa Veneklase helps mothers give their babies the best start at life. She got her professional start at GRCC. Veneklase started at GRCC her senior year of high school, taking Advanced Placement classes. After graduating, she went to Grand Valley State University but was uncertain what she wanted to do. “I then transferred to GRCC to earn my associate degree,” she said. “I found that it prepared me well for real life. I started my first business as a photographer when I was 18 and still taking classes at GRCC.” After earning a bachelor’s degree in management from Cornerstone University, Veneklase worked in offices and retail settings. Her career path shifted after she gave birth to her daughter in 2013. “Having a child really opened my eyes to a need in the community to support mothers, and I decided I could help fill that gap,” she said. She is now the co-owner of Gold Coast Doulas LLC, which offers birth doulas, day and overnight postpartum doulas, lactation support, and sleep consultations. The company also has a podcast, “Ask the Doulas.” “We are 100% women-owned; all of our subcontractors are women, and we support women and their families throughout delivery and postpartum,” she said. As rewarding as her career is, Veneklase sometimes wishes she could be a fulltime student and take classes at GRCC for the rest of her life. “It’s a great starting point for students,” she said. “It’s small enough that it’s not overwhelming for a young adult. It’s easy to find your way around and feel at home. I think my education at GRCC was amazing!” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .

Jan. 1, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Looking back at 2021, the Michigan Reconnect and Futures for Frontliners state scholarship programs removed cost as an obstacle for students of all ages, helping them access life-changing Grand Rapids Community College programs. The two programs have been wildly popular for West Michigan adult learners. Some students started an education they never thought was available for them. Others picked up where they left off years or even decades ago. At GRCC, 24% of students during the Fall 2021 semester -- 3,017 out of 12,685 – were enrolled in the scholarship programs, which covers the cost of in-district tuition. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the programs are part of her “60 by 30” goal of having 60% of Michiganders obtaining a degree or career-focused credential by 2030. “People are eager to get the skills, but the barrier has been the cost,” Whitmer said at GRCC’s Tassell M-TEC in August . “When we make this investment, we improve on that ability for so many people in our state.” Michigan Reconnect provides free in-district tuition for students ages 25 and older who don’t already have a college degree. Futures for Frontliners provided the benefit to Michiganders who worked frontline jobs in essential industries during the state's COVID-19 shutdown. While the application period for Frontliners as closed, residents can still apply to attend GRCC through Reconnect. The Winter 2022 semester starts on Jan. 10, and there is still time to enroll. Additional information is available at grcc.edu/reconnect , by emailing reconnect@grcc.edu or by calling (616) 234-3366. Here are some of the students we introduced you to during the year who are using the programs to transform their lives. Jodi Holland “It never occurred to me to go to college,” said Jodi Holland, now 59. “I’m the youngest of eight children and while our parents never discouraged college, they never really encouraged it either. “Then earlier this year a friend posted something on Facebook about the Michigan Reconnect program and I knew this was a golden opportunity for me to do something I should have done a long time ago: get a college degree.” Holland is working toward an associate degree in culinary arts with a baking and pastry arts certificate. “I’m so lucky not to be racking up a bunch of student loans at my age. I’ve paid for a few books, but that’s it. Reconnect has taken care of everything else,” said Holland, who’s worked her entire life, often just earning enough money to get by and raise her three children. But she’s not pursuing a college degree just for herself. She also hopes to inspire her 15-year-old grandson, Gavin Lietz. “I think it’s one thing to talk to somebody and say, ‘You should do this.’ But if I can say, ‘I’ve done it. Let me walk along beside you and help you,’ that’s a lot different,” she said. Holland is grateful for the support in navigating the world of college, which can be very intimidating. Her husband, Fred, cheers her on, her oldest daughter taught her how to use Microsoft Word and her grandson taught her PowerPoint. Because she’d never been on GRCC’s campus, a young friend who’s a student showed her around, where to park, and how to find the culinary building. Last spring, Holland started getting her feet wet in the culinary arts by working full-time with her husband at an adult living facility in Spring Lake. She does all the baking and her husband, a retired chef, does all the cooking. “We do everything from scratch, and I just love it. It’s the most wonderful job I’ve ever had,” she said. Morgan Brink School was never Morgan Brink’s thing. “Honestly, I barely graduated from high school,” said Brink, now 32. “But today, I’m taking Honors classes at Grand Rapids Community College -- and I’m actually on the Dean’s List!” So, why the turnaround? Brink credits her new love of learning to three things: maturity, a strict homework schedule and Michigan Reconnect. “After my husband and I lost our screen-printing business during the pandemic, I knew I had to reinvent myself,” said Brink, who lives in Wyoming with her husband, Brandon, and their two children, 5-year-old Thea and 2-year-old Beau. “As a mom, you really don’t want to take away resources from your kids. But thanks to Reconnect, I can get my degree for free, and it won’t be a financial burden on my family.” Brink is on track to graduate from GRCC in 2023 with an associate degree in marketing and plans to eventually earn a bachelor’s degree. One day, she hopes to start her own property management company. Most of her classes are online right now, which works well for a busy mom. She hits the books at night and Mondays and Wednesdays, when the kids are at kindergarten and day care. “I really try to do my homework when they’re not home so it doesn’t take away from my family time,” she said. “I’m definitely taking school a lot more seriously now that I’m older and I care about my family’s future.” Along with Honors classes, making the Dean’s List and earning a scholarship to cover the cost of her books, Brink also joined Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year colleges. “It’s actually kind of crazy how well I’m doing in school,” she said. “I feel like Reconnect gave me the launchpad to prove to myself that I really am capable of getting a college degree.” Penelope Jones When Penelope Jones saw the chance for a tuition-free degree, she knew she had to take it. Never mind she’s 70 years old. “My whole life, I always wanted to go to college. So, when I heard about Futures for Frontliners, I knew if I didn’t walk through that door, it might never be open again,” said Jones, a Kentwood grandmother of five. Jones qualified for the free tuition because she worked at a local FedEx office facility throughout the pandemic. She’s certainly no stranger to hard work. Her resume includes time with Grand Rapids-area nonprofits, businesses, a municipality and a hospital, among others. Her husband, Eric D. Jones Sr., was pastor of the former Agape Christian Ministries International, where she also worked. Together, they raised three sons. After her husband died in 2017, Jones moved in with her son David and his family. She retired from FedEx in June after nearly 15 years as a store consultant. But Jones isn’t one to sit idle. “I believe in staying busy and staying current,” she said. “So much I’ve seen has changed with the world going global and digital, and I said, ‘I need to know how to make it in that kind of world.’ A GRCC degree is my opportunity to dust the cobwebs off, to be current and see where it leads me.” So, what’s ahead? Jones said she’s hopeful her business coursework will give her the expertise to serve on local boards as a well-informed – and active – participant. “I don’t know exactly what I’ll be doing -- but I will not be sitting on my hands,” she said. Jennifer Lotterman After 30 years working as a pet groomer, Jennifer Lotterman needed a beer. Well … sort of. “Grooming dogs is hands-on and quite demanding on your body,” said Lotterman, 47. “Michigan Reconnect was a godsend because it gave me the freedom to leave my business behind, earn my craft brewing certification at GRCC and, hopefully, fulfill my dream to open a small brewery with my husband.” “I’ve owned and operated a couple of pet grooming salons over the last 30 years and it’s been a good life. But I always wished I’d gotten a college degree,” said Lotterman, who lives in Tallmadge Township with her husband, Geoff. For years, the couple has brewed beer in their garage as a hobby. When Lotterman heard last spring about the Reconnect scholarship, she decided to combine her love of beer-making with her longing for an associate degree. Lotterman wrapped up her first semester in GRCC Craft Brewing program and earned straight As. “It’s a great program filled with a variety of people all at different stages of their lives,” she said. “We all went out for a beer after class recently and got talking about how we ended up in the program. “I guess it’s not what any of us really imagined we’d be doing back when we graduated high school. But we all agreed we’re so glad we’re here.” If all goes according to plan, Lotterman hopes to complete her certification in six months and, perhaps, earn an associate degree. For now, she’s happy taking brewing classes, learning more about the industry by bartending part-time at Trail Point Brewing Company in Allendale, and making beer in the garage with her husband. “For so many years, I did the same job and never saw a way to do something different with my life,” she said. “Without Reconnect, I never could have taken this leap.” Rowan Richard Rowan Richard was an appliance technician for a local appliance repair company. After five years of learning all she could from the other technicians, she was ready to take her skills to the next level.  She took her time and researched area electrical programs. She looked at both online and in-person options and found that the GRCC Job Training Electrical Construction program truly stood out. “I had been looking at doing this for a few years and at GRCC specifically for a few months. But what really made it happen was when I found out about Michigan Reconnect." “This program is beyond the best one that I found. The fact that it is in-person and not online was a part of my decision. But the hands-on portion makes a huge difference in your confidence when entering this field. It got even more attractive when I got the Michigan Reconnect and it was fully covered.” The GRCC Construction Electrical Job Training program provides the basic knowledge and skills required to become an electrician and be placed in an Electrical Apprenticeship program in just 18 weeks of training. Richard is interested in becoming a journeyman electrician. She is open to all business sectors but is particularly interested in the industrial field. Joshua Middleton Joshua Middleton worked in restaurants for 15 years before the COVID-19 pandemic hit that industry hard. “Like so many others, I started doing construction projects at my house and really liked doing it,” he said. “I had been thinking about a career change for a while when I heard about the Michigan Reconnect program, so I contacted GRCC. I just started looking through all the programs offered to see what interested me and landed on the Residential Construction Job Training Program.” GRCC offers two 18-week Job Training Certificate programs in the field of Construction; Residential Construction, and Construction Electrical. The Residential Construction program takes place at a construction site, where students build a new home. Students get hands-on learning and application about the entire process of residential building including blue print reading, site layout, concrete, carpentry, door/window installation, roofing, siding, and interior finishing. Graduates are qualified for employment in the residential construction industry. The program focuses on constructing homes that achieve a 5-Star Energy rating, are Michigan Green Built, and LEED Certified. “I didn’t know anything about construction prior to this program,” he said. “I just had the tools that I use at home for my home projects. It’s really valuable to do the learning with your own hands. I think it really speeds up the learning process. The fun part was learning all of the processes behind everything we do.” Middleton completed the program planned on getting his builders license right away. Then he’ll get to work adding to his skills and will see where he'll go from there. “A bonus is that I often worked second shift before so I missed a lot of time with my two boys but now it is so nice to be home in the evenings!” he said. “You can’t replace that.” Brian Stauffer Brian Stauffer spent the last 18 years working for a restaurant, supervising five locations and had planned to purchase his own franchise. Then COVID-19 changed everything. “It become clear that the pandemic along with corporate politics were going to keep me from moving forward with my plan,” he said. “So instead of retiring in 15 years, I am starting over at 40. When I saw the Future for Frontliners opportunity I made sure to apply before I even knew what I was going to do. I needed to have as many options as possible.” “I’m familiar with GRCC, and its trade programs have a great reputation. Welding seems like a strong foundation for my future. This certificate will definitely help me get my foot in the door.” This program is highly regarded by employers as a top trainer in welding and fabrication. Job developers are ready to help students with the job search process. After graduating, students will be ready to begin a career as a welder, cutter or brazer – with the skills to meet the needs of local employers. “This program is definitely teaching more than just welding skills here. The way it is set up, it’s like prepping for students to go to work.” Stauffer is not sure about what his future holds but feels grateful to be moving forward. “Mentally, emotionally, this program has really saved me.” Stauffer thanked Gov. Gretchen Whitmer personally for the Future for Frontliners program when she spoke at the M-TEC in August. “This program means a lot to me and my family.” Steven Jetton Steven Jetton had been working as a patient registration specialist for Spectrum Health for two years. During this time, he got to know many medical assistants and learned what that job entails. That is when he looked into the training to become an MA. “I had been hesitating to start the school and then COVID-19 happened. I just put it on the back burner until I found out about Futures for Frontliners. That really left me no excuse. With my husband’s support and Spectrum Health willing to flex my work schedule, I had to do it!” The goal of the GRCC’s Medical Assistant program is to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains. “It is not easy, especially working and going to school," he said. “The first two weeks are crazy but somehow you get through it! I love the group I am going through this with. We are all from different backgrounds, ages, lifestyles but we have really bonded.” Following a four-week practicum experience, students are prepared to take the Registered Medical Assistant national certification exam through American Medical Technologists. The exam fee is included in the tuition. “I am currently doing my practicum at Metro Health in the ER. I am the first MA Metro has hosted. I love it! They are incredibility helpful and I can ask as many questions as I need to. I really love what I’m doing and the people I work with,” he said. Shelley Anderson and Nicole Freeman Both Shelley Anderson and Nicole Freeman took advantage of the Futures for Frontliners program to enroll in GRCC’s Medical Assistant Job Training Program. Anderson was a phlebotomist at Spectrum Health. Her future changed, not because of COVID-19, but because of a car accident. “I am very lucky to be OK now and looking back, it was kind of a blessing.,” she said. “Recuperating gave me the chance to think about what I want to do going forward. I love the healthcare industry and when I was contacted about the Frontliners program, I jumped at the chance to get certified as a medical assistant.” The stars aligned for Nicole Freeman, who was a nurse tech as Spectrum Health. “Last year, I started the GRCC Nursing Program but quickly realized it was too much and I was overwhelmed,” she said. “I thought it was the end of the world. Then, one of my instructors told me to look into the MA program. It’s still challenging but with the small class size, hands-on learning and supportive instructor, I am now confident this is where I am supposed to be.” “This program is extremely thorough. We are learning so much! I researched other MA programs offered from other schools and this is by far the best,” Anderson said. “And on top of it, all we’ve had to pay for is the parking!” The GRCC Medical Assistant Job Training program prepares students to perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep health practitioner offices and clinics running smoothly. On successful completion of the program, students are prepared to take the Registered Medical Assistant national certification exam through American Medical Technologists.

Dec. 30, 2021, 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! Isabel Vargas is here to help you save time and save money by awarding you GRCC credits for your prior learning. Isabel works in the Student Records Office as the credit evaluator. She awards transfer credits to students who have completed coursework from other colleges and universities, and from recognized tests outside of GRCC. Isabel knows this is an important step for students to take who are going to start, or complete, their education with a certificate or degree from GRCC. "When I was in high school I took AP classes and sent my AP scores to GRCC," Isabel said. "I got college credit for several classes, even before officially starting college! It was a relief to know that I didn’t have to take those classes! I encourage all perspectives and current students to transfer credits because it's one step closer to meeting graduation requirements!" Isabel enjoys lending a hand to students who have been looking for a career change. "What gets me excited about my work is seeing the huge excitement in the student's eyes and voice when I tell them the credits that they were awarded," she said.   Isabel is a proud community college student. She graduated from GRCC in 2017 and transferred to Grand Valley State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2020. "It is truly an honor to serve as a resource for students and impact their life, the way mine was impacted when I was a student here," she said.

Dec. 29, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A Grand Rapids Community College student is sharing what she learned during a prestigious summer fellowship through an exhibit in the Paul Collins Art Gallery. Through the Gordon Art Fellowship, Kristina Katerberg spent two months studying various aspects of nature at the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, a nature and environmental education center and biological field station in Hastings. The fellowship is intended to bring together a love of nature and art through funding a student-mentor team’s work in creating a two-dimensional visual arts project. “The fellowship is open to all the schools around the state,” said GRCC professor Filippo Tagliati, who served as the project’s mentor. “This speaks loudly about Kristina’s achievement since she was competing against well-established art programs from four-year institutions.” Katerberg was inspired to study the changes in nature during the COVID-19 shutdown. “In the absence of people, I found that I could experience the world in a way that I had not before,” she said in a report to the institute. Katerberg worked with still photography, video and sound. The results can be seen in the exhibit. “I typically work in more controlled environments, so the notion of letting that go was concerning, but I kept coming back to the idea that nature has learned how to adapt to all kinds of upheaval, loss and uncertainty,” she said in her report. “After more than a year of navigating the tensions and unknowns of pandemic life, I was ready for a different kind of teacher.” The Paul Collins Art Gallery is located on the fourth floor of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, 143 Bostwick Ave. NE. The gallery reopens on Jan. 10 and Katerberg’s exhibit runs through Jan. 21. The gallery’s hours are 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. 

Dec. 28, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich . — After 30 years working as a pet groomer, Jennifer Lotterman needed a beer. Well … sort of. “Grooming dogs is hands-on and quite demanding on your body,” said Lotterman, 47. “ Michigan Reconnect was a godsend because it gave me the freedom to leave my business behind, earn my craft brewing certification at GRCC and, hopefully, fulfill my dream to open a small brewery with my husband.” Michigan Reconnect is a state scholarship program that provides free in-district tuition for those 25 and older who don’t already have a college degree. This fall, 998 students enrolled at GRCC through Reconnect. The scholarships are changing the lives of people like Lotterman all over the state. “I’ve owned and operated a couple of pet grooming salons over the last 30 years and it’s been a good life. But I always wished I’d gotten a college degree,” said Lotterman, who lives in Tallmadge Township with her husband, Geoff. For years, the couple has brewed beer in their garage as a hobby. When Lotterman heard last spring about the Reconnect scholarship, she decided to combine her love of beer-making with her longing for an associate degree. West Michigan has more breweries per square foot than almost anywhere in America. So GRCC in 2016 debuted its Craft Brewing, Packaging and Service Operations certificate program — and became the first U.S. college to be licensed to own a campus brewery and pub. The popular Secchia Institute for Culinary Education program has successfully trained students ever since to understand brewing, business and service essentials. Lotterman just wrapped up her first semester in the program – and earned straight As. “It’s a great program filled with a variety of people all at different stages of their lives,” she said. “We all went out for a beer after class recently and got talking about how we ended up in the program. “I guess it’s not what any of us really imagined we’d be doing back when we graduated high school. But we all agreed we’re so glad we’re here.” If all goes according to plan, Lotterman hopes to complete her certification in six months and, perhaps, earn an associate degree at GRCC one day. For now, she’s happy taking brewing classes, learning more about the industry by bartending part-time at Trail Point Brewing Company in Allendale, and making beer in the garage with her husband. “For so many years, I did the same job and never saw a way to do something different with my life,” she said. “Without Reconnect, I never could have taken this leap.” 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.

Dec. 27, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- 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. Jessica Meldrum believes in sharing her experience. As an adjunct instructor at Grand Valley State University, she shared what she’s learned as a public relations specialist and former local news associate producer. Now as marketing director for the Grand Rapids Ballet, she shares the passion and enthusiasm that fueled a 17-year career with dance companies across the United States. Meldrum also shares her time, volunteering with the Humane Society of West Michigan, and serving on the board of the West Michigan Public Relations Society of America, where last year she oversaw the organization’s PRoof Awards. She received an associate degree in journalism in 2011 and then earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications from GVSU. Her career has included working as an associate producer with FOX 17, a public relations associate with Lambert Edwards & Associates, and National Heritage Academies, where she helped with communications for 45 charter schools across nine states. Her newest job is a dream combination. She leads all marketing and public relations for the organization, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in the 2021-22 Season. The ballet this week concludes its annual performances of "The Nutcracker," a Grand Rapids holiday season tradition for many families. It’s also a bit of a homecoming. Meldrum studied classical ballet for 17 years, beginning at the Grand Rapids Ballet and then learning with Lakeshore Ballet Arts, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Anaheim Ballet, Orlando Ballet and Ballet Austin. “I am honored to join a passionate group of talented dancers and dedicated professionals at Grand Rapids Ballet, combining my lifelong love of ballet with my professional career,” she told the Grand Rapids Business Journal last spring. Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .

Dec. 23, 2021, 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 Dr. Eric Mullen. Eric is GRCC’s dean of Student Success and Retention, leading efforts to inspire and empower students to be lifelong learners and provide transformative opportunities for all learners to attain their personal, academic and career goals. "We are here for their success," he said. "Our unit is solely focused on how to help students develop and cultivate skills that will bring them success in the classroom and in their professional goals." A self-proclaimed “tech nerd,” Eric looks for innovative ways to leverage technology to connect with students, keep them informed and help them navigate their college experience. "We help students figure out where they want to go, and who they have the potential to be, and surround them with the support to get there," he said. Eric's career at GRCC demonstrates his love for helping others and his deep commitment to the transformational power of education. "At GRCC we have the privilege and opportunity to transform lives, break cycles of inequity, and add to the vitality and health of West Michigan,” he said. Eric has worked in higher education for more than 20 years in roles aimed at helping students thrive. At GRCC, he has worked in Student Life, Auxiliary Services, Admissions, Enrollment Management, and Financial Aid. He also served as Student Life director at Aquinas College. Eric earned his doctorate in higher education leadership at Western Michigan University. He holds a master's degree from Grand Valley State University and a bachelor's degree from Aquinas. He is recognized as a leader in the community, serving numerous roles in the American College Personnel Association’s Michigan Chapter, including as president. He also serves as a member of the College Board’s Community College Advisory Board, and was recognized by the Grand Rapids Business Journal as a “40 Under 40” Business Leader in 2013.

Dec. 22, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Cheryl Brown Henderson will talk about the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case and its impact as the keynote speaker for the 36th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration. Henderson is one of the three daughters of the late Rev. Oliver L. Brown, who, in 1950 along with 12 other parents and attorneys for the NAACP, filed suit on behalf of their children against the local Board of Education. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was the 1954 Supreme Court case in which the justices ruled unanimously that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. Brown v. Board of Education was one of the cornerstones of the civil rights movement. Grand Rapids Community College, Davenport University, and Grand Valley State University collaborate annually on events for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Commemoration Day. The 2022 keynote is planned for 6 p.m. Jan. 17 at Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain Street NE in Grand Rapids. The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5 p.m. Attendees can register at davenport.edu/DEI/MLK. “Our annual celebration amplifies Dr. King’s historical reflections and philosophies of attaining a fair and just society,” said Latoya Booker, Davenport’s executive director of diversity, equity and inclusion. “Cheryl’s presentation – ‘Brown v. The Board of Education: The Legacy Continues,’ will inspire attendees to take on persistent barriers to advancing educational equity. We are proud to bring Cheryl to Grand Rapids to share her message with our greater community.” Henderson is the founding president of The Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research, and owner of Brown & Associates, an educational consulting firm. Henderson founded the Brown Foundation in 1988. It has provided scholarships to more than 100 students of color; presented awards to local, state and national leaders; established libraries for children in low-income communities; developed curriculum on Brown for educators across the country; and sponsored programs on diversity and educational issue.   The Foundation in 1990 successfully worked with Congress to establish the Brown v. Board of Education National Park in Topeka, Kan., which opened in May 2004. The Foundation in 2001 successfully worked with Congress to establish the Brown v. Board of Education 50th Anniversary Presidential Commission, which served to provide a federal presence in the 2004 anniversary of the Brown decision. Henderson has an extensive background in education, business and civic leadership, having served on and chaired local, state and national boards. She also has two decades of experience in political advocacy, public policy and federal legislative affairs. Henderson has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan., a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Emporia State University in Kansas. She has an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Washburn University and an honorary doctorate of Education from the University of South Florida. To request accommodations to attend this event, please contact the Davenport Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at diversityis@davenport.edu. This event will be held in accordance with local, state and/or federal COVID-19 guidelines. For more information or to RSVP for the event visit davenport.edu/DEI/MLK.

Dec. 21, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- School was never Morgan Brink’s thing. “Honestly, I barely graduated from high school,” said Brink, now 32. “But today, I’m taking Honors classes at Grand Rapids Community College -- and I’m actually on the Dean’s List!” So, why the turnaround? Brink credits her new love of learning to three things: maturity, a strict homework schedule and Michigan Reconnect . Michigan Reconnect is a state scholarship program that provides free in-district tuition for those 25 and older who don’t already have a college degree. This fall, 998 students enrolled at GRCC through Reconnect. The scholarships are changing the lives of people all over the state. “After my husband and I lost our screen-printing business during the pandemic, I knew I had to reinvent myself,” said Brink, who lives in Wyoming with her husband, Brandon, and their two children, 5-year-old Thea and 2-year-old Beau. “As a mom, you really don’t want to take away resources from your kids. But thanks to Reconnect, I can get my degree for free, and it won’t be a financial burden on my family.” Brink is on track to graduate from GRCC in 2023 with an associate degree in marketing and plans to eventually earn a bachelor’s degree. One day, she hopes to start her own property management company. Most of her classes are online right now, which works well for a busy mom. She hits the books at night and Mondays and Wednesdays, when the kids are at kindergarten and day care. “I really try to do my homework when they’re not home so it doesn’t take away from my family time,” she said. “I’m definitely taking school a lot more seriously now that I’m older and I care about my family’s future.” Along with Honors classes, making the Dean’s List and earning a Grand Rapids Community Foundation merit scholarship to cover the cost of her books, Brink also joined  Phi Theta Kappa , an international honor society for two-year colleges. “It’s actually kind of crazy how well I’m doing in school,” she said. “I feel like Reconnect gave me the launchpad to prove to myself that I really am capable of getting a college degree.” 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 written by Beth McKenna.