Nov. 1, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The work of artist Tatsuki Hakoyama, a Grand Rapids Community College adjunct instructor, is the subject of an exhibit in the campus’s Paul Collins Art Gallery. Hakoyama is a native of Japan who has taught in GRCC’s Visual Arts Department since January, this semester working with students in the AT 140 Drawing 1 class. The exhibit will run through Nov. 18 in the gallery, located on the fourth floor of newly renovated Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, 143 Bostwick Ave. NE. Admission is free. Although he enjoys working with a broad range of content and media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, papermaking, and digital drawing, he said his passion is creating allegorical paintings influenced by magical realists. Hakoyama said his influences include magical realist painters such as George Tooker, Peter Blume and René Magritte. “These paintings depict magical narratives that invoke a sense of uncanniness to seemingly mundane scenery,” he wrote in an artist statement for the exhibition. “These compositions analyze, criticize, and question the human struggle — both physical and metaphysical — and provide social commentary on relevant topics relating to identity, education, and impact of globalization and technology in our social structure.” Hakoyama earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. His work has appeared in numerous exhibitions throughout Michigan and has received recognition, including a first-place Juror’s Award at 2021 Art Walk Central in Mount Pleasant, the Martin Maddox Prize for Imaginative Realism at 2020 West Michigan Areas Show in Kalamazoo, and a 2D Juror’s Award at 2019 Regional Arts Exhibition in Grand Rapids.  

Nov. 1, 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. Troy Anderson had talent to spare after graduating high school. What he didn’t have was confidence, but Grand Rapids Community College helped change that. “I was a really quiet and shy person when I started at CC,” Anderson said. “I was given opportunities there that I don’t believe I would have gotten anywhere else to step up and be a leader and perform in ways I was too afraid to do in high school.” Leadership is now second nature to Anderson, the director of bands for Kelloggsville Public Schools. He is also a freelance musician with multiple groups, a horn arranger and minister of music for the Shepherd’s Arm Ministries. “GRCC’s Music Department started me on the path to where I am today by giving me the basics I needed in music theory, music education and lessons on performance,” he said. “It was the perfect environment for me because it gave me a chance to learn and not be intimidated.” But Anderson learned more than music skills. “The faculty there really pushed me to get out of my comfort zone in a caring way that showed me I could trust them,” he said. “The successes that I experienced there helped build my confidence.” Anderson, who went on to earn a bachelor’s in education from Western Illinois University, calls GRCC his “true beginning.” One of his favorite memories is of delivering a speech at the 50th anniversary of GRCC’s Musical Moods concert. “It is the story that I tell quite often because it was the biggest turning point in giving me confidence to do any type of public speaking,” he said. Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .  

Oct. 31, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College runners Coleman Clark and Josh Kipkoech earned the top two places in the MCCAA NJCAA Region XII Championship on Saturday, with both the men’s and women’s cross country teams finishing in second place. The women's team's top two runners, Kaylee Scott and Audrey Meyering, finished in fourth and fifth place, both setting personal records of 19:47 with a virtual tie. 2020 All-American Meyering finished a fraction of a second behind the freshman from Grandville. Clark, a freshman from Carson City, ran 25:56 to lead a field of 76 runners, with Kipkoech, a 2020 All-American from Kenya, just behind him in the competition at Grand Woods Park in Lansing. The win was Clark’s third of the season, earning him MCCAA and Region XII Runner of the Year.  Kipkoech was also named All-MCCAA and All-Region for the second straight year. “The guys ran great today,” coach Garrett Lacy said. “We’re still a little banged up with illness and injury, but those who competed ran very well with many coming away with season-best performances. Coleman and Josh both dominated the race up front leading from start to finish and coming in first and second overall and breaking the 26:00 barrier for the first time this season” Lacy said Jaydon Moleski, Christian Martinez-Ramos, and Lucas Schneider also had strong races to round out the top 5 scoring finishers. “We’re very excited to keep working hard, and hopefully get a little healthier before our national race in two weeks in Richmond, Va.,” he said. Moleski, a freshman from Rockford, finished in 13 th place with a personal best time of 27:32 -- 19 seconds better than his previous best. He also earned All-MCCAA and All-Region honors. Martinez-Ramos, a freshman from Kentwood, cracked the top-20, finishing with 28:02, while Schneider, a freshman from Kentwood, 28:24, and Craig Fuller, from Ludington, 28:26 finished 23rd and 24th respectively. Both GRCC teams are ranked No. 7 in the nation in NJCAA Coaches Polls, with Lacy and Sharon Becker in their first years as head coaches. The women's team finished in second, closely following Lansing Community College. The Raiders' top two runners, Kaylee Scott and Audrey Meyering, finished in fourth and fifth place, both setting personal records of 19:47 with a virtual tie. 2020 All-American Meyering finished a fraction of a second behind the freshman from Grandville.  "What an awesome group of trustworthy hardworking student-athletes," Becker said. "Kaylee and Audrey ran brilliant races, setting personal bests, while Liz (Meyering) and Rose (Meyer) were just seconds away from personal bests themselves. All four finished in the top 15, earning them All-Region and All-MCCAA honors. Allison (Hoop) and Alex (Webster) also gave great efforts, finishing in 23rd and 26th place." GRCC will now prepare for the NJCAA National Championships, planned for Nov. 13 in Richmond, Va.

Oct. 30, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team won its eighth MCCAA Championship by defeating Mott Community College in a hard-fought, four-set match on Saturday, and now sets its focus on the Region XII tournament.  GRCC, ranked sixth in the nation, won its 18th match in a row. The team defeated the Eastern Conference Champion Bears 25-22, 21-25, 30-28 and 25-17 playing at home in the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse. The win improves the Raiders' season record to 21-5 overall while Mott falls to 16-13. GRCC's Chip Will earned Coach of the Year honors. Freshman Audrey Torres of Caledonia had another phenomenal match and even added a Sports Center-worthy "kick kill" to boot. "It was an unreal moment getting the kick kill," Torres said. "I just stuck my foot out hoped for the best, but most the credit goes to our liberos, Audrey (Gower) and Ola (Nowak).  Audrey had a great pancake dig, while Ola just got enough on it to pass it to my foot. The whole team came together today and it felt great to add another championship to our program's history." The Raiders’ first Michigan Community College Athletic Association championship was in 2010, and the team has won five of the past six titles. Torres earned her seventh double-double of her college career with a 13-kill, 13-dig performance. She also had a career-high four blocks, including a big solo block in the second set and had a team-high four aces. Sophomore Kylie Oberlin, of Fruitport, was GRCC's most efficient attacker on the night, with 12 kills and two errors, and had the most blocks with six, including a solo of her own. Statistical Leaders: Kills: Torres, 13; Oberlin, 12; Annie Holesinger, 11; Morgan Fugate, 6. Assists: Shannon Russell, 36; Nowak 12. Digs: Gower, 19; Nowak, 16; Torres, 13; Russell, 11. Blocks: Oberlin, 6; Torres, 5; Holesinger and Eliza Thelen, 2. Aces: Torres, 4; Charlie Baker, 3; Fugate, 2. By winning the conference championship, the Raiders received a bye in next week's regional tournament in Port Huron. GRCC will face the winner of the Muskegon-Lansing match on at 8 p.m. on Nov. 4.  

Oct. 29, 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 Kim Lodewyk. Kim is a problem solver in the mathematics department. If you're a student with a question about a math class, start with Kim and she'll get you the information you need, or get you to the right place! As the academic secretary, Kim is also the go-to for math faculty members. She supports them by processing waivers, ordering textbooks and software for faculty and students, keeping the department supplies stocked, and more! Kim is proud to have a reputation for lending a hand. When she attended community college up north, there was little support for students and she felt lost and confused. No one helped her figure out her schedule, let alone her academic pathway.   "I feel so blessed to have the opportunity each day to change that for our Math students," Kim said. "To be that resource for them that they know they can rely on to answer their questions, help them fix or figure out their class schedule, or help them figure out who the correct person is to contact for their situation -- so that they can continue to make progress towards their academic goal." Kim attended community college part time after high school and worked three jobs to pay her tuition and rent.  After five years, and with two classes left to graduate, she decided to enter the military. Kim spent several years in the armed forces: active duty Air Force, Air National Guard, then active duty Army. She later was awarded the credits she needed to earn an Associate of Science Degree for her military service. Then she began working in the mathematics department at GRCC, where she's been for almost 20 years!  And she has decided to become a student again and is working towards a bachelor's degree. Kim knows it isn’t easy to juggle family life, work, and attend college at the same time. "My work helping students is extremely rewarding," she said. "When students start a phone conversation worried and confused, but end it happy and confident in knowing their next steps, that makes me feel like I’ve done my job well."  You can contact the Math Department at (616) 234-4253 and online at grcc.edu/math .

Oct. 28, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team finished conference play with a perfect record for the sixth time in the program’s history after sweeping Lansing Community College at home on Thursday. GRCC, ranked sixth in the nation, won its 17 th match in a row, topping the Stars 25-11 in the first set and then 25-19 and 25-20. The win improves the Raiders’ season record to 20-5 overall and 14-0 in the MCCAA Western Conference.  The Stars finished fifth in the conference and dropped to 7-13 and 7-5 in the conference. Assistant coach Amanda Glaza attributed most of the success due to the team's phenomenal passing and defense. "We stress the importance of serve receive every day in practice,” she said. “The other day at Kalamazoo we struggled, so it was great to see our players step up and make good efficient passes so our offense can get an easy opportunity to score. We preach to them all the time, ‘It all starts with the pass,’ and tonight it showed as we only had three reception errors." Audrey Torres, a freshman from Caledonia, shined in every phase of the game for the Raiders, compiling a match-high 12 kills to go with seven digs, three blocks and an ace.  Annie Holesinger, a sophomore from Rockford, added 11 kills and a match-high five blocks. Audrey Gower, redshirt freshman from Dimondale, played the libero position for the second-straight match, had a team-high 15 digs while adding 6 assists. Statistical Leaders: Kills: Torres, 13; Holesinger, 12; Kara Hecht, 6; Eliza Thelen, 5. Assists: Ola Nowak, 30; Gower, 6. Digs: Gower, 15; Hecht, 12; Nowak and Zari Kruger, 8. Blocks: Holesinger, 5; Torres, 3; Nowak, 2. Aces: Hecht, 3; Charlie Baker and Kruger, 2. Both teams wore pink jerseys for GRCC's annual Pink Night, raising awareness of breast cancer and funds for Gilda's Place of Grand Rapids. GRCC, the Western Conference champions, start postseason play on Saturday, Oct. 30 against the Bears of Mott Community College, the Eastern Conference winners. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. at GRCC’s Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse.

A School news Network feature -- Grand Rapids Community College professor Amy Bowling began her Monday morning class at Kenowa Hills High School by requesting help from her students. “I need you guys to teach me how to set goals,” she said. Sophomore Clayton Gilbert sounded surprised: “You don’t know how to set goals? You’re the teacher.” “The best way to learn is to teach somebody else,” the college professor responded. Although they’re still sophomores in high school, Bowling’s 24 students are dual-enrolled in high school and college. It’s called the middle college program, a new partnership between Kenowa Hills and Grand Rapids Community College. The Kenowa Hills middle college program is the latest for GRCC. The college also partners with Wyoming, Cedar Springs, East Kentwood, Ottawa Hills High Schools with an associate of Arts degree program; Kent Intermediate School District with an associate of applied arts and sciences - mechanical design program; and the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District and local business partners with a certificate of industrial maintenance or tooling and manufacturing. To help their professor with her request, the Gilbert used the DAPPS process (dated, achievable, personal, positive, specific) to offer suggestions for goal-setting.   Chloe Dykhouse advised Bowling to break her project into parts and set aside time to work on it each day. “Plan a date to have it done, because having it done on the day it’s due is not very convenient,” Melody Dibble suggested. “Having something to motivate you helps you look forward to achieving your goals,” Ray McGaran added. As they worked, Bowling reminded her students that setting and prioritizing goals is a balancing act. In life, “you’re going to have simultaneous dreams and goals,” she told them. “We’re in college now; that’s the level we’re at.” Making College Accessible Students enrolled in the middle college program have the opportunity to earn a free associate degree in business, technology, or health, in addition to their high school diploma. The high school previously partnered with Davenport University to establish its middle college program in 2013. “Students who participate in this program go further with their education because they didn’t have to pay for the first two years,” principal Nate Robrahn said. “It gives kids the ability to know they can go to college and do well, and the belief that they can succeed.” Any student with a minimum 2.5 GPA in their second semester of their freshman year is eligible to apply for the middle college program, regardless of income status or citizenship. All classes are taught by GRCC instructors and completed at the high school until the student’s 13th year, when they will be held at GRCC. “We cover the costs of the materials and books and work with universities to transfer their credits to schools other than GRCC,” said Kenowa Hills High School Transitions Coordinator Katrina Young. “This program teaches them how to be college students.” Young also works with GRCC counselors and advisers to connect Kenowa Hills students with tutoring services, library resources and other support services. Middle college students do not leave high school early, but participate in their high school and college courses simultaneously, Robrahn said. “They can still go to prom and walk at graduation after their 12th year, but they receive their associate degree after their 13th year,” he said. The program allows students the time to explore their interests and career goals on “Kenowa Hills’ dime,” Young said. Program leaders say their main goals are increasing the number of students enrolling in and completing college, reducing the financial burden on families and providing an opportunity for students to engage in an early college experience in a supportive setting. “Kids are engaged, show up to class and ask more questions because they want to be prepared; it’s a win-win,” Robrahn said. “There’s a reason we talk about opportunities for free education. This stuff works, and it’s the best thing for our students.” This story was reported by Alexis Stark of the School News Network.  

Oct. 27, 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. Rowan Richards was an appliance technician for a local appliance repair company. After five years of learning all she could from the other technicians, Richard was ready to take her skills to the next level.   “I am very puzzle oriented,” she said. “In my work fixing appliances, I have always enjoyed working on the electrical components inside of the machines. Figuring out the circuits and how they work intrigues me.” Richard 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." Michigan Reconnect is a state financial aid program for Michiganders 25 or older without a college degree. This program provides eligible students with tuition-free access to pursue an associate degree or occupational certificate at their local community college. “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. Students participate in job site, lab area, field trip and classroom settings. Learning is hands-on in all areas of electrical installation including employability skills, construction and electrical safety, hand and power tool safety, electrical math, electrical history, electrical theory, the National Electrical Code, electrical material identification, blueprint reading, underground installations and residential/commercial wiring. Once graduates of this program are hired,they may register as an Apprentice Electrician, and request to have their Certificate applied to their first year of the state required four years of training. Richard will complete the program just before Thanksgiving. She has been working with GRCC Job Developer Pam Harris to find the right career opportunity. “There are so many companies hiring right now. I want to make sure that the company I work for is a good fit for me,” she said. “I have specific interests so I want to make sure those line up with the type of work I will be doing.” Rowan is interested in becoming a journeyman electrician. She is open to all business sectors but is particularly interested in the industrial field. According to the Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, there will be 16% job growth annually in this field from 2012 to 2022. Average wage per hour is $23.78. 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.