Oct. 18, 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. The recent ribbon-cuttings for GRCC’s renovated Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall and the new Veterans Center was a source of pride for the TowerPinkster team that worked on it. It was an especially proud moment for team member – and GRCC alumnus – Ryan Archer. “It’s a rare opportunity to work on a project that was so foundational to me becoming an architect,” said Archer, TowerPinkster’s healthcare business line leader. “My general ed requirements, as well as my pre-architecture classes, allowed me to transfer to the University of Michigan’s architecture program,” he said. “I had a solid base of skills that I have relied on my whole career – thanks to my classes here at GRCC.” Archer earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in U of M’s architecture program. He joined TowerPinkster in 2013. He credits hard work, support from his family, and great mentorship from his colleagues for his satisfying career – and GRCC helped, too. “The small scale of classes, the affordability and the great faculty put me in a spot to move forward successfully,” he said. “Most importantly, there are lifelong friendships that started for me at GRCC. It was both a value and valuable.” One of his fondest GRCC memories is having coffee at Art and Bev’s with a fellow student: his mother. “I was always proud of Mom for going back to school after raising us three kids,” Archer said. “Also, she always bought the coffee …” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .

Oct. 16, 2021, NORTON SHORES, Mich. –  Multiple Grand Rapids Community College runners posted personal records at the Muskegon Jayhawk Invitational on Saturday as both the men’s and women's cross country teams finished in the top five. The men’s team, ranked No. 6 in the nation, competed without three of its usual top-five runners. Both others stepped up, raced strong and came away with several best performances. The Raiders were once again led by freshman Coleman Clark, who finished in 9th place overall in a time of 26:24. Finishing in second for the Raiders was redshirt freshman, Jaydon Moleski, in a personal best time of 27:51 in 37th place. Freshmen Lucas Schneider and Craig Fuller both had big breakout races in personal best times of 28:18 and 28:20 to finish in 54th and 57th place. Freshman Christian Martinez-Ramos rounded out the top five for the Raiders in a time of 28:28 to finish in 61st place. "We're still a little banged up as a team dealing with injuries from a few different people as well as some other health concerns that caused us hold out a few of our normal top runners, but that didn't stop the rest of the guys in putting their best foot forward and going out there and competing as hard as they could today," head coach Garrett Lacy said.  "I was very proud of the guys who ran today in stepping up and running the way they ran to come away with personal best times for many of them. We will be all the better for it and even stronger as an overall unit when we race at regionals in a couple of weeks with our full squad back healthy and ready to go come Oct. 30." In a field that consisted of five four-year schools and 11 community colleges, the Raider men finished in fifth place with a score of 163.  Grand Valley State University won the title with a score of 36. Region XII opponents, Lansing Community College and St. Clair County Community College, were second and third. The women's team took on a field of 10 teams and finished fourth overall and second among all two-year schools.  Lansing Community College took home the title with an impressive score of 36 that included the first-place overall runner.  GRCC, which had the second- and third-best community college runners in Kaylee Scott and Audrey Meyering, finished 50 points behind the Stars with a score of 86. Scott and Meyering ran side-by-side for almost the entire race and finished with just a three-second difference; 19:48 for Scott and 19:51 for Meyering, a 2020 All-American. Elizabeth Meyering, 30th overall, was third for the Raiders with a 5k time of 20:36 while freshman Rose Meyer, 38th overall, finished with an impressive time of 21:05. GRCC completed regular season play and will train for the two weeks for the postseason.  Regionals will be in Lansing on Oct. 30 at the Grand Woods Park.     

A School News Network Feature --   As a former soldier in the U.S. Army, Matt Langton is looking forward to spending his final year at Grand Rapids Community College with a space on campus designed for student veterans. “It’s great because this wasn’t something that I had when I started, but now I have it my final year and I can help impact future students’ experiences at GRCC,” Langton said. The new Veterans Center on level G2 of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall is aimed at connecting students who served in the military with resources to be successful and a place to call their own on campus. Langton serves as the lead guide for the new Veteran2Veteran program through Peer Advisors for Veteran Education, providing peer support and resources for student veterans on college campuses and helping them transition through college.  “A lot of new students who are just out of service and back in school have a hard time feeling a part of the school community,” Langton said. “It speaks volumes of GRCC that they want their student veterans to feel welcomed and appreciated for their service.” GRCC students, staff and leaders were joined by U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer, to cut the ribbon on the new center and celebrate with other student veterans. Having previously served in Afghanistan as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, Meijer referred to the center as the “perfect example of how we can stand with (student veterans), and help them build on the skills they’ve already learned in their service to thrive long into the future.” “By showing veterans they are welcome when they come to GRCC to pursue their education, we’re helping them set themselves up for the next stage of their lives,” Meijer said. The U.S. Education Department awarded GRCC a grant in January to create the center, which will serve a single point of contact, connecting veterans with campus resources, including financial aid, advising and disability support. “Our college has always been a place where student veterans are welcomed and supported. This new Veterans Center will allow us to take this service to the next level," GRCC President Bill Pink said. Army veteran Patrick Coleman will serve as the new veterans success coordinator and oversee the center. He hopes the center will “provide a safe haven and some peace” for veterans to come and “be themselves”. “Today’s ribbon cutting is not about the dedication of the center, but it’s about our dedication and service to the student veterans we will serve,” Coleman said. “Most veterans, past or present, come back or come through GRCC with some trauma. My hope is students will know they have a place to call their own.”  He added, “From the time student veterans click “apply” to GRCC, to the time they graduate, we want to walk alongside them and make sure the Veterans Center is there for them.” This story was reported by Alexis Stark of the School News Network.

Oct. 15, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – More than 40 college and universities are coming to meet Grand Rapids Community College students and answer questions about continuing education at a Monday Transfer Fair. GRCC’s Academic and Transfer Center team is celebrating National Transfer Student Week with an event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 18 on the first floor of the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center. Students will be able to learn about transfer requirements and connect with resources as they meet with representatives from schools in Michigan, but also from Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. More than 2,475 GRCC students transferred credits to four-year colleges and universities after the 2019-2020 school year. Grand Valley State University is the top four-year destination for GRCC students, followed by Ferris State University, Davenport University, Western Michigan University, Michigan State University, University of Michigan and Baker College. Colleges and universities schedule to be on campus include: Albion College Alma College Andrews University Aquinas College Baker College Bellevue University Calvin University Central Michigan University Cleary University College for Creative Studies Compass College of Cinematic Arts Concordia University Ann Arbor Cornerstone University Davenport University Douglas Aveda Institute Eastern Michigan University Ferris State University - Grand Rapids Ferris State University - Big Rapids Finlandia University Grand Canyon University Grand Valley State University Hope College Indiana Wesleyan University Kalamazoo College Kendall College of Art & Design Kuyper College Lawrence Technological University Madonna University Michigan Army National Guard Michigan State University Michigan Student Aid Michigan Technological University Northern Michigan University Northwood University Oakland University Olivet College Saginaw Valley State University Siena Heights Spring Arbor University Trine University University of Michigan University of Michigan/Flint Valparaiso University Wayne State University Western Michigan University Colleges and universities that will available virtually Columbia College Chicago University of Detroit Mercy  

Oct. 14, 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 Sarah Rose. Sarah is here to help you learn about in-demand, high-skill and high-wage jobs that you can qualify for with a certificate or associate degree. Those occupations include electronics, heating and cooling, culinary arts, automotive, supply chain management, computer programming and more. As program director and academic adviser of the Occupational Support Program, Sarah advises GRCC students to help them identify and reach their goals. "Many students don't realize the income potential that they have with one or two years of training, or how badly local employers need skilled graduates," she said.   "I partner with students to explore their interests and values, and help them match those to GRCC programs. Then we create academic plans and I teach them more about that career. I also connect students to financial and community support to keep them moving forward! Bottom line, the occupational support team is developing and graduating students into the future employees they want to be!" As a long time GRCC adviser, Sarah's favorite part of her work is getting to know her students’ stories and dreams, and finding ways to get them to their goals. Sarah grew up close by in Wyoming. There, she watched her family, friends and neighbors struggle with making financial ends meet all without having a clear path of how to improve their living wage. She has seen how fitting college into busy lives can feel impossible. So, at GRCC she helps students make a long-term plan to make career progress while in college, not just once they graduate.  "College can be a time for building the stepping stones of our careers so we are ready to launch successfully," she said.    "I'm proud that with every Occupational Support Program student we work with we discuss academics, financial needs, gaps in work history, and more. We tackle real-life concerns like managing sick kids, trying out a first job, criminal backgrounds, bravely expanding our networks, and talking directly about stress. We make it a team effort to look for additional support on campus and in the community so our students keep going!  Success is often about who you know and who knows what you need! "I love being able to share with students the potential that I see in them. My goal is that students will begin to notice their own power and strengths clearly over time. But hearing others acknowledge your super powers can be powerful in the beginning of a career journey. Our students are honestly real-life superstars who are determined to change their lives, even while juggling work, parenting, finances, child care, housing insecurity, transportation challenges, learning English, medical or learning challenges, and other complex situations!" Sarah attended Central Michigan University after high school with plans to earn a bachelor's degree in biology to go into genetic counseling. But when she took her first genetics course her junior year she wondered if it was a good fit, and she also noticed that there were themes in the courses she enjoyed most - psychology, human development, family systems, world religions, and Native American culture. She loved those courses that were all about understanding and connecting with people. Sarah graduated from CMU with a bachelor's degree in biology. Then she followed her passion for human diversity, the power of relationships, and the beauty of human potential, and earned a master's degree in Counseling Education from Western Michigan University.  After graduation, Sarah worked at various Michigan Works! offices in different roles, then started at GRCC as a counseling and advising intern. Since then she hasn't stopped learning from students here at GRCC.

Oct. 14, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team clinched its 10th conference title with a 3-0 sweep over visiting Ancilla College on Thursday.  The Chargers jumped off to a 7-0 lead, but the Raiders – ranked sixth in the nation -- would pull ahead at 14-13 and not trail for the remainder of the match. GRCC, now winners of 14 in a row, cruised to the victory, 25-19, 25-13, 25-14. "Feels great to be conference champions again," head coach Chip Will said. "Last year was tough, not knowing if we would even have a season during the COVID pandemic. I'm so proud of this group of ladies and I believe they have what it takes to go a long way this year. It's going to be fun with the postseason right around the corner." Nine of the 10 GRCC conference championships have come with Will at the helm, with the other in 1999. Will's Raiders have now won five of the past six conference titles. The win was career victory 402 for Will, who celebrated the milestone a week ago with family and alumni cheering on. GRCC on Thursday used all of its available players, including three in the libero position. Ola Nowak, Audrey Gower and Charlie Baker all saw action in the opposite color jersey while Nowak moved around the court, playing in the middle and on the outside. The trio of freshmen led the way. Audrey Torres and Eliza Thelen combined for 15 kills and each hit over .400. Karissa Ferry added seven kills and two blocks. Nowak had a career high four kills playing the outside position for the first time.   The win improves GRCC’s record to 17-5, and 11-0 in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association's Western Conference. By earning the title, the Raiders will host the MCCAA Championship this year on Oct. 30 against the Eastern Conference champion. Statistical Leaders: Kills: Torres, 9; Ferry, 7; Thelen, 6. Assists: Shannon Russell, 28; Nowak, 2. Digs: Audrey Gower and Russell, 9; Charlie Baker and Torres, 5. Blocks: Alena Visnovsky, 3; Rylee VanPattern and Ferry, 2. Aces: Russell and Baker, 3. GRCC hits the road on Oct. 19 to take on Kellogg Community College. In their first meeting this season, the Raiders won in four sets. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. 

Oct. 15, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  Public Thread, a Grand Rapids-based company,  creates unique products by “upcycling” used materials, but the skills needed to create them are in great demand from a variety of local industries. Grand Rapids Community College is teaming up with Public Thread, to create an industrial sewing certificate program to help students gain in-demand skills. The pilot program, which starts on Oct. 26, trains people to operate the commercial sewing machines used in a variety of West Michigan industries, including automotive and furniture manufacturers. Average starting wages are between $17 and $23 per hour with full-time benefits. “The new industrial sewing program is an example of how the community college partners with local employers to identify needs, then trains people to have skills leading to rewarding careers right here in West Michigan,” said Julie Parks, interim dean of GRCC’s School of Workforce Development. “Building a talented workforce creates opportunities for residents and strengthens our economy.” Public Thread designs and creates products from surplus and scrap textiles obtained through partnerships with local manufacturers and suppliers, such as the furniture and billboard industries. Products include duffle bags, face coverings, clothing and even pet supplies. The company, located at 1405 Buchanan Ave. SW, has a newly equipped sewing lab that will be used for the classes. Students will learn the basics with an introduction to the sewing process, safety and ergonomics, sewing math as well as sewing equipment and operation. The cost for Grand Rapids residents is $100 and $500 for those living outside the city. A portion of the cost of this program is being paid for by the One Workforce for West Michigan Manufacturing grant. Lisa Knight, Public Thread’s COO, said the company is focused on creating opportunities for local residents as well as helping combat climate change. “There are many textile and materials out there in our community already,” she said. “We were thinking about sustainability and zero waste, and looked at the problem with a creative mindset.” Knight said she collects textiles that are considered scrap material from large manufacturers and finds new uses for them. The company created more than 70,000 face coverings in addition to laptop sleeves, tote bags and other products, which are sold online. People interested in the class can contact GRCC Workforce Training via email at workforcetraining@grcc.edu, and by phone at (616) 234-3800.      

Oct. 13, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The show – specifically, “Tigers Be Still” – will go on for Grand Rapids Community College’s Theater Department, just a little later than planned! The GRCC Players were scheduled to perform Kim Rosenstock’s comedy in March 2020, but COVID-19 canceled that plan. Hard work by the original cast of students and director Tom Kaechele will be on display when audiences finally see “Tigers Be Still” at 8 p.m. Oct. 14 through 16 at GRCC’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.  Cast members say waiting to find out when they were going to perform was difficult, but restarting rehearsals after the pandemic was a comfortable process. “For the longest time, it was a waiting game – to see if we could bring it back,” said Eliana Hilliker, who plays Sherry Wickman. “But once we got the ‘go’ to return to ‘Tigers Be Still,’ our entire cast and crew were so excited! Our first couple of rehearsals were just getting comfortable with the script and the characters all over again. But the nice thing was it started coming back naturally for us – a happy reunion with each other and our characters!” “When Tom, the director, reached out to the cast, we all jumped to start the show,” said Sky Rodriguez, who plays Zach. “It was an easy comeback.” Trent Woodman, who plays the role of Joseph, believes the unexpected hiatus has made the performances better. “We’ve all grown as actors and people, and, honestly, some of our best or funniest moments have come after being away for so long,” said Woodman, who plans to major in communications. “Tigers Be Still” centers on Sherry Wickman, who has recently earned a master’s degree in art therapy but has had to move back home because she still hasn’t found a job. This dysfunctional comedy follows her personal and professional challenges – which do include an escaped tiger! This play contains adult language and content. In addition to Hilliker, Rodriguez and Woodman, the cast features Yesenia Cotto as Grace." Rodriguez, who plans to transfer to Kendall College of Art and Design’s medical illustration program, hopes the play inspires audience members to consider ways they can work better with their families and friends. “Because when you watch these characters all interact with one another, you can tell that there are definitely different ways things could have been handled,” Rodriguez said. “Learning and listening to those you love and care about will help a lot. And never forget that you yourself also need to be taken care of! Mental health is still new in media and being properly addressed, so this is something that can really open a lot of people’s eyes.” Hilliker likes the play’s theme of perseverance: “That’s something I love about Sherry – even when nothing makes sense and it seems impossible to keep her head up, she always finds a way to keep believing in those around her as well as herself.” Photos by Dave Kagan of Sensitography.

Oct. 13, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Registration is now open for Winter 2022 classes at Grand Rapids Community College, with opportunities to schedule around home and work responsibilities and connect with support services to help along the way. About 50% of GRCC’s nearly 2,000 available courses are being offered in person, in Grand Rapids and with availability at new GRCC Lakeshore Campus in Holland Township. Fall 2021 semester enrollment in credit-seeking classes was up by 4.4%, so students are encouraged to enroll now for the best class selection. “We understand the impact a college degree or certificate can have as people return to work or look to advance in their careers,” said Tina Hoxie, GRCC’s associate provost and dean of Student Affairs. “There are now a variety of programs that will be able to help people start -- or restart -- their educational journey. Students can take as few as two classes a semester to access state financial aid programs and keep moving forward, working around their busy schedules. It might seem overwhelming to someone who has been away from college for a while, or who is just starting out. We have specialists who want to help you every step of the way.” GRCC offers courses in other formats that have proven popular, especially with students looking to start or restart their education through Michigan Reconnect, a state program that covers the cost of in-district tuition. Hybrid classes are conducted partly on campus and partly online. Virtual classes meet online at set times with opportunities to engage with faculty and classmates. Traditional online classes allow students to log in and get started at any time of the day. GRCC’s enrollment and admissions specialists are able to assist with the process and answer questions. The team can be contacted at admissions@grcc.edu and by phone at (616) 234-3300, with additional information at grcc.edu/enroll . The Michigan Reconnect program is open to residents 25 and older. Additional information is available at grcc.edu/reconnect, by emailing reconnect@grcc.edu or by calling (616) 234-3366. The Grand Rapids Promise Zone also removes cost as a barrier to enrolling. Students are eligible if they have lived in the city of Grand Rapids since grade 11, attended one of the 24 high schools in the city limits and graduated. Additional details are at grcc.edu/promisezone , emailing promisezone@grcc.edu or calling (616)234-4321. Federal programs, such as Pell Grants, also can cover or reduce costs. Students can connect with GRCC financial aid specialists at financialaid@grcc.edu and (616) 234-4030 to learn more, or to receive assistance with the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA. Open houses are scheduled for students who want to know more about GRCC’s classes and support services, as well as completing placement testing. An event is planned for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 23 at the GRCC Lakeshore Campus, 12355 James St. in Holland Township. Another open house will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Main Campus’s Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse, 111 Lyon St. SE in Grand Rapids. Fall 2021 semester enrollment in credit-seeking classes was up by 4.4%. Students can also enroll in career-focused certificate classes, which operate on different schedules. Additional information on those programs can be found at grcc.edu/workforcetraining, or by emailing workforcetraining@grcc.edu and calling (616) 234-3800.