Nov. 11, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Teera Wilkins has helped students prepare for college success for years. As the new project director of Grand Rapids Community College’s first TRIO Educational Opportunities Center, she’ll use her skills to help adult learners from across the region access higher education. GRCC was awarded a five-year, $1.16 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to create the center, where unemployed or low-wage workers, prospective first-generation college students, and other adult learners can work with campus specialists to explore higher education options and connect with on- and off-campus resources and programs to support their educational goals. The Educational Opportunities Center will connect people with programs and services that help with high school diploma or GED certificate completion, academic advising and personal counseling, tutoring and mentoring, career workshops, student financial assistance and help with completing college admission processes. The work will cover a region of 13 counties. “I want to make sure everyone has access to a college education that can change their lives,” Wilkins said. “There are many resources in our greater community that can help students of all ages be successful. Many people might not be aware of the support that is available to them. Our new center will make those connections and help them start -- and complete -- a postsecondary credential that can lead to rewarding careers.” The center supports a range of adult learners, including those with limited proficiency in English, those with disabilities; those facing housing insecurity; people aging out of the foster care system; military service persons, veterans, and their dependents; and members of other groups traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education. The TRIO program also supports students who are low-income or are potential first-generation college students. Educational Opportunities Centers, launched in 1972, are part of a set of federal programs known as TRIO, which is authorized by the Higher Education Act to help low-income, first-generation students and those with disabilities succeed in higher education. During the 2020-2021 fiscal year, 139 Educational Opportunity Centers served more than 192,000 adult learners. Wilkins has used her experiences and expertise to assist students in a variety of roles.   She graduated from Grand Rapids Public Schools and participated in the GRCC Upward Bound program as a high school student. She worked as a summer residential staff member for GRCC and Upward Bound after graduating. She continued her education at Tennessee State University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in biology. Her interest in science and the medical field led her to work at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for 10 years until she discovered her passion for working with underserved students and helping them reach their educational potential. As a GRCC college navigator, Wilkins worked with Grand Rapids Public Schools students from elementary school to high school, sharing information about GRCC and helping those interested in attending find the support and resources to enroll and be successful. She mentored GRCC students along their educational journey to assist them in reaching their academic goals -- whether they plan to step into a career, or transfer to a four-year college or university. Wilkins also has headed a peer-to-peer program -- Raider Guide – to connect experienced GRCC students with newly enrolled classmates to encourage and help them adjust to the college experience. She also was a member of the Promise Zone team, providing city students interested in GRCC with information and resources to help them pay for college. Those resources include the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship, GRCC Foundation scholarships, and grants and low-interest loans from Federal Financial Aid. Wilkins and the center can be reached by email at eoc@grcc.edu , by text at (616) 236-5017 and by phone at (616) 234-3399. Photo by Andrew Schmidt.

Nov. 10, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The GRCC Players look at love and at the sudden and gradual ways life can change in their production of Diane Son’s “Stop Kiss.” The play will be performed at 8 p.m. Nov. 11 to 13 at Grand Rapids Community College’s Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. Tickets – $5 for GRCC students, $8 for faculty and staff, and $12 for the public – can be purchased online at grcctheater.ludus.com or by calling (616) 234-3946. The college is following strict pandemic wellness protocols, with performers wearing clear face shields and audience members required to wear face coverings. Caryn McNulty, an instructor in GRCC’s Theater Department, directs the play, which features students Iriana Cotto, Jaclyn Verhulst, Ryk Sacha, Camriss Brown and Isazic Cortez as well as Jonathan Wheeler. “I hope the audience will get at least two things from the play,” McNulty said, “the first being that love is love and should be celebrated no matter what the gender of the humans. The second takeaway: the wonderful hard work and commitment these talented students put into telling this important story.” The performance comes less than a month after Theater Department’s last production. “Tigers Be Still,” performed Oct. 14-16, was delayed more than a year because of the pandemic.   “Stop Kiss” is Son’s first full-length play, and was performed Off-Broadway in 1998. She has worked in television since 2000, on programs including “The West Wing,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “Southland,” and “Blue Bloods.”

Nov. 10, 2021 - GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College volleyball player Annie Holesinger was named Western Conference Player of the Year by the Michigan Community College Athletic Association on Wednesday. Holesinger, and Audrey Torres were named to the MCCAA’s All-Region team while six other GRCC student athletes were named to the All-Conference Team. The team this season enjoyed an 18-match winning streak spanning 66 days, a 10th conference title, finishing 14-0 in Western Conference play, and an MCCAA Championship -- the team’s fifth in the last six years. The team was ranked No. 6 in the nation at the end of the season. “GRCC volleyball has a winning tradition, and we’re proud of the effort our student-athletes put in on the court and in the classroom,” Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. “Our team was one of the best in the nation. The individual awards are special, but reflect the success of the entire team and the hard work of the coaches.” Holesinger, a sophomore from Rockford, was named All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference and was a member of the All-Tournament team at last weekend’s NJCAA Region XII Great Lakes B Tournament. She was first on the team in kills with 346, blocks with 73 and hitting percentage, .322. Torres, a freshman from Caledonia, finished third in Player of the Year voting. She was named All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference, and a member of the All-Tournament team and the Western Conference All-Freshman team.  Torres was the only Raider to start in all 31 matches while compiling up a team-high 50 aces.  She was also second on the team in points with 373, second with 302 kills and third with 297 digs. Ola Nowak, a freshman from Grandville, was named First Team All-Conference and also a member of the six-player All-Freshman team.  She played in all 31 matches and all 111 sets. She led the team with 396 digs averaging 3.57 per set.  She was also 2nd in assists with 412 and 3rd with 38 service aces. Kylie Oberlin and Shannon Russell were both named Second Team All-Conference.  Oberlin, a sophomore middle blocker from Fruitport, was third on the team with 160 kills, 67 blocks and 197.5 points. Russell, a freshman setter from Grand Rapids, led the team in assists with 740, was second in service aces with 44 and fifth on the team in digs with 174. Earning All-Conference honorable mention was Kara Hecht of Zeeland, Karissa Ferry, of Chesaning, and Eliza Thelen, of Grand Rapids. Hecht totaled 125 kills, 175 digs and 27 aces. Ferry played in all 31 matches and totaled 136 kills and 70 blocks. Thelen hit .250 and finished with 82 kills and 34 blocks. Head coach Chip Will was named Conference Coach of the Year for the eighth time and MCCAA Coach of the Year for the seventh time in his 15 years at the helm.  Will picked up his 400th career victory in October.

Nov. 10, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- GRCC Workforce Training programs provide in-demand skills leading to rewarding careers. Each Wednesday we’ll meet students who are heading down an educational pathway and changing their lives by earning occupational certificates. Stephany Borjas believes welding has always been her future – where she is meant to be. “I am currently in the service industry, but every time I start to think about what I want to do with my life - it always seems to come back to welding.” Borjas moved to Michigan four years ago from Houston, Texas. She took two years of welding classes in high school.   “I really feel like I need a little bit of a refresher in order to feel confident going into the field.” The GRCC Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp offers the opportunity to gain skills for entry level welding positions.  It is a short-term program to get welders work in West Michigan, with the goal of helping them grow into apprenticeships or other learning opportunities within the welding field.  Metallica Scholars is partnership with the legendary band, it's All Within My Hands Foundation, American Association of Community Colleges, Wolverine Boots & Apparel and GRCC. Borjas didn’t know much about GRCC. “I actually fell upon GRCC because of my interest in the Motorcycle Safety program. As I looked through the offerings, I saw the info about the Metallica Scholars program and signed up to receive emails about it.” The program goal is to build an accessible pathway into the field of welding with a focus on producing ready-to-work welders for West Michigan companies. This program works to attract, retain, and graduate individuals of different genders and racial/ethnic backgrounds to welding careers. “When I received the notice that a new section was being offered I had to sign up! This opportunity doesn’t come up often. I am learning new skills and remembering how to do it. I like to be hands-on, build things and put things together. I feel like this will help me find a career. “I like the program. My favorite part is the hands-on part. I like our teacher too. He is very informative. As he pointed out, everything is welded – there isn’t much out there that isn’t welded at some point.” Borjas also likes the small class size. “I like that it’s a small group so that it is one-on-one, if I need it to be. I am looking forward to my new career in welding!” To qualify for the program, participants must be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma/GED, and be able to work in the United States. For more information go to grcc.edu/metallica. Anyone interested in gaining career skills through GRCC Workforce Training can connect via email at workforcetraining@grcc.edu, and by phone at (616) 234-3800.  

Nov. 9, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Jovante Jones scored 21 points off the bench for the Grand Rapids Community College men's basketball team, but it wasn't enough, as the Raiders fell to Delta College 81-77 on Tuesday.   Jones, a freshman from Saginaw, made his presence felt early, stealing balls on back-to-back possessions within the first minute of entering the game. The 6-foot, 2-inch guard ended up with six steals, six assists and five rebounds while shooting eight of 17 from the floor and two of five three-pointers. The Raiders had their chances late, tying the game up at 77 with 2:50 left, but couldn't score the remainder of the game, missing their final six shots.  The Pioneers scored their final four points from the charity stripe. Freshman Justus Clark of Farmington Hills had his second double-double of the season with 20 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Sophomore Andrew Moore, a Forest Hills Northern High School graduate, contributed with 18 points while freshman Matthew Richards of Byron Center added 12 points and six rebounds. Delta's Shannon Woods led all scorers with 22 on 9 of 21 from the floor. GRCC 1-2 on the season, will look to get back in the win column when it travels to Great Lakes Christian on Nov. 12. 

Nov. 9, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- When Sue DelRaso closes her eyes, she still hears them. “For the rest of my days, the sound of that 21-gun salute and the trumpeter playing taps at Arlington National Cemetery will never leave me,” DelRaso said. “It was the ultimate honor paid to my father, who bravely served our nation for 22 years in the Navy.” DelRaso shared the story of her father’s military service in honor of Veterans Day, observed annually on Nov. 11 as a tribute to military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. DelRaso started at GRCC in 2004 as a student tutor and is now the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center Tutorial and Open Computer Lab coordinator. Her father, Robert DelRaso, came from a large Italian family in Grand Rapids. He joined the Navy after graduating from Catholic Central High School in 1958 and later married his long-distance sweetheart, Gladys McCarthy. Throughout his 22 years as a Navy electronics technician, his wife and three children accompanied him wherever his military service sent him. “We spent a lot of time all over the East Coast, but also lived nearly four years in Morocco when I was a child,” Sue DelRaso said. “What an amazing experience. I’m told I could speak fluent French-Arabic when I was 3 years old.” DelRaso said she loved her childhood and the way her entire family supported her father in his service. “I’ve had people ask me if I hated moving around my whole life. For me, it was an adventure – and my family was closer because of it,” she said. “My dad gave a lot for his country, he taught others what he knew, and he was proud of what he did. “He instilled that pride and love of country in all of us.” Her father served aboard the USS Intrepid during the Vietnam War and aboard the USS Barton during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He received many medals and awards during his time in the Navy. After retiring from the Navy in September 1981 as a senior chief, he taught electronics for a few years and then worked for the city of Grand Rapids in the traffic safety department until his 2002 retirement. In 2019, he died from Parkinson’s disease. The burial of both her parents at Arlington National Cemetery was delayed until Sept. 2, 2021, because of COVID-19 restrictions. This Veterans Day, DelRaso hopes more Americans think about the sacrifices made by our armed forces – and the families who love them. “If you even take just five minutes, I’d like you to think about all the men and women who fight for each and every one of us,” she said. GRCC will hold a Veterans Day observance at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial on the Dr. Juan R. Olivarez Student Plaza. An open house will follow at the new Veterans Center, on the floor G2 of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, 143 Bostwick Ave. NE. The center will serve as a single point of contact, connecting veterans with campus resources, including financial aid, advising and disability support. The project also will expand GRCC's partnerships with state and local veteran's agencies, helping students access benefits and support in the community. The center will help with outreach efforts, making veterans in the community aware of opportunities at GRCC to earn credits for degrees or transfer and in-demand career skills. It will host workshops and speakers, and provide opportunities for networking and social events for the students. The center will include peer advising through a new Veteran2Veteran program, which provides peer support, outreach, and resources for student veterans through Peer Advisors for Veteran Education, including veterans supporting each other through the transition to college. Photograph courtesy of the DelRaso family. This story was reported and written by Beth McKenna for GRCC.    

Nov. 9, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., -- A print shop, a jewelry store, and the zoo aren’t typical places a classical guitarist might be found. But Grand Rapids Community College music instructor Jonathan Marshall says the pandemic brought dramatic changes to the arts – including how and where people can perform. Musicians opted for virtual performances during COVID-19. For his upcoming “Familiar Places” virtual concert, Marshall decided to bring his guitar to many places people go to for work or pleasure – but not necessarily to enjoy a concert. “The idea for this event came to me in a dream, but I believe that the virtual performance world is in its infancy,” he said. “COVID and its restrictions have spurred concertizers and musicians to come up with innovative ideas for the virtual platform. There are many untapped performance and marketing ideas that have yet to be discovered.” Among his destinations: Robinette's Orchard, Swift Printing, Paul Medawar Jewelers, Bosgraaf Homes, Ludus Ticketing Co. in Holland, John Ball Zoo Park, St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Sawyers Brewing Co. in Montague, RIT Music store, Indian Mounds Road, and on campus at the Linn Maxwell Keller Recital Hall. The performance will debut online at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, and will be available afterward. Viewing is free, although people are welcome to donate to support GRCC’s International Guitar Series. Access is through a link here. Marshall is the Guitar Series director, and he already has offered a number of virtual classical guitar performances in more traditional settings. Innovative virtual performances could allow more people to experience the concerts. No longer limited to people in attendance, the performances could be attended virtually by anyone, anywhere. “The purpose of the International Guitar Series was to bring excellent guitar performances to our community,” he said. “But we now not only have a local following, but a national and international one as well, due to the virtual option. The series plans to move to live performances in the winter of 2022, but the virtual option will remain available to our external following.” Marshall said he selected locations for “Familiar Places” based on connections or just because he thought they might be interesting. The program will showcase composers of the Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical, and 20th-century eras, and includes three pieces he composed. Marshall has taught at GRCC for 12 years, and also owns Jonathan Marshall Guitars, a classical guitar dealership. He performs solo and with fellow GRCC instructor Brian Morris.

Nov. 8, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — When the rubble and dust settle after a disaster, area chefs will be ready to step up to help through special training hosted by Grand Rapids Community College’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education and the City of Grand Rapids. Chefs from area hotels, restaurants and hospitals will join GRCC instructors for Chef Relief Training on Nov. 22 and 23. Famed chef José Andrés, founder of the nonprofit World Central Kitchen, launched the intensive training course this year to prepare chefs to safely and effectively provide meals for their communities after a disaster.  Werner Absenger, program director for the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, notes that the course is based on World Central Kitchen’s real-world experience in the aftermath of countless manmade and natural disasters. “The WCK training will help us prepare for events that hopefully will never happen,” Absenger said. “But should it, we will have a solid plan in place to provide food to aid first responders and the community in dealing with the aftermath of disaster and minimizing its deleterious effects.” Allison Farole, Grand Rapids’ emergency management administrator, said the training, which GRCC is providing for free, gives the city an important resource. “I am excited to see this partnership established to help build resilience in our community and ensure we are setting up local chefs and our hospitality industry up for success to recover from any disaster,” she said.  The chefs participating in the training will practice what they learn, sharing the results with GRCC’s Student Food Pantry.  “We at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education are super geeked to collaborate with the city of Grand Rapids,” Absenger said. “Thank you to Doug Matthews and Allison Farole for helping to bring leaders from the city, local chefs and GRCC faculty and staff together for this important training.” The chefs participating in the training will practice what they learn, sharing the results with GRCC’s Student Food Pantry. 

Nov. 8, 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. A notable achievement in Loyd Winer’s career was designing the original runways and taxiways for Gerald R. Ford International Airport. He now devotes much of his time and resources giving back to the school that helped him take off and soar. Winer’s father had a sixth-grade education; his mother earned her GED diploma – at the age of 71. His dad paid for Winer’s sister to attend Michigan State University, but when Winer graduated from high school, he was told to get a job at Michigan Bell as he wasn’t college material. Michigan Bell told Winer that he needed at least a two-year degree to be hired, so he enrolled at what was then Grand Rapids Junior College. He paid his own way by working while attending and graduated in 1950. Winer – now definitely college material – went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from MSU. After serving in the Navy, Winer worked on engineering projects around the world, started his own company, and served as an expert witness in building failure and liability cases. For Winer, success is meant to be shared: “God is first; others are second, and I’m third.” He has established the Loyd and Suzanne Winer Scholarship through the GRCC Foundation. The fund targets students enrolled in STEM programs – science, technology, engineering and math – at GRCC. These subjects were just as much a passion for Suzanne Winer and for her husband. Suzanne Winer, who passed away in 2018, graduated with honors from MSU with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Their children and many of their grandchildren have found careers in the STEM fields. Winer is grateful to the college that set him on his career path and is happy he can help current and future students achieve their dreams. “It’s an excellent community college, and there are so many students who need support,” he said. To contribute to the Loyd and Suzanne Winer Scholarship – or any other scholarships offered through the GRCC Foundation, follow this link: grcc.edu/donate . Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .

Nov. 6, 2021 - GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Grand Rapids Community College's women’s and men’s basketball teams hosted the St. Clair County Community College on Saturday with the women losing a tough one in overtime 68-59, while the men came back to win 89-84. Grace Lodes, a freshman from Comstock Park, began her college career with a stellar performance. But GRCC couldn't hold on to an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter. Lodes scored 20 points and 15 rebounds, adding five assists and five blocks in 43 minutes of action. Sally Merrill, a freshman from Allegan, gave the Raiders the lead 52-41 with 6:16 left in the fourth quarter. But the Skippers went on a 16-4 run to take a one-point lead with just two seconds remaining. Merrill, who scored 16 points and had eight rebounds, was fouled on the next possession and made one basket from the line to force the extra period. St. Clair County then scored 11 of the 13 points in overtime to take the win. It wasn’t the outcome head coach David Glazier said the team has worked for, but he's excited to watch this squad grow and is looking forward to seeing it compete next weekend in Illinois. "I thought the second quarter was by far the best basketball this group has played in its short time here," Glazier said, noting the team shot 53% and put up a game-high 19 points. "The players understand putting four quarters of consistent team basketball is how we find success." The men's basketball game featured 10 lead changes and 11 ties. A 13-4 Skippers run gave the visitors their biggest lead of the night in the second half, but the back-to-back field goals and two free throws by sophomore Andrew Moore made it an 80-78 lead with 2:44 remaining and his Raiders would hold on for the victory, the first for head coach Joe Fox. Moore, a Forest Hills Northern High School grad, led the Raiders with 24 points, including 13 of them from the charity stripe. Moore, who played in all 40 minutes against St. Clair County, was coming off a 32-point performance in Monday's season opener. Justus Clark, a redshirt freshman from Farmington Hills, added 18 points and a game-high eight assists while freshmen Rico Wade, of Atlanta, Ga., and Myron Brewer, a freshman from Grand Rapids, scored 17 and 15 points, respectively. The men will be back at home Nov. 9 to take on Delta College.  The women travel to Illinois Central College Nov. 12 for a two-day tournament against the fourth- and sixth-ranked teams in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association Division II poll.