Oct. 7, 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 Matt Langton. As a Veteran2Veteran lead guide, Matt provides peer advising and support for GRCC's Veteran Services department. Veteran Services provides support for military connected students as they transition from military to civilian student life. Matt is focused on connecting with student veterans, educating them about the services of the Veteran Center, and providing them ongoing support. This support could include helping student veterans adjust to college life, helping them address challenges they may face as a student or a veteran, and referring them to appropriate resources on and off campus. "Veterans2Veterans is a new program we are implementing on campus this semester," Matt said. "I get excited talking to other student veterans and discussing what we have available to them. I want all student veterans to be aware of our facility and resources so they can connect with us on campus." Veteran2Veteran 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. Matt is also a finance major at GRCC. He was initially planning on attending the college for one year. But because of the great experiences he has had so far, he is now planning to transfer to Davenport University through a 3-1 transfer program where he will attend GRCC for three years, and then graduate from Davenport with a bachelor's degree after attending there for one year. Matt attended an out-of-state university after his military service. He remembers that university not being very military friendly, so he's thankful for the support and commitment GRCC has for their student veterans. Matt understands what it's like for a military connected student to consider attending college, go through the admissions and enrollment process, and then study and attend classes on campus and online, and navigate student services on campus. "I want student veterans to feel comfortable reaching out to our department so I can assist them however I can," says Matt. "From providing a comfortable space for studying or socializing, to sharing knowledge and resources to help them meet their goals." GRCC has a history of being a veteran-friendly campus, and just held a Grand Opening of the new Veteran Center, located on the G2 level of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall on the college's main campus in Grand Rapids. The center will provide one-on-one advising, Veterans Administration work-study positions, tutoring and academic support, and assistance in completing the VA education benefits process. Staff will also connect veterans with other 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. Students can connect with the Veterans Center by phone at (616) 234-2578, and by email at veterans@grcc.edu. Additional information is at grcc.edu/veterans .

Oct. 7, 2021, CENTREVILLE, Mich. – Matt Denhartigh earned medalist honors and set a collegiate personal best as the Grand Rapids Community College golf team defeated Glen Oaks Community College by 19 strokes at the Glen Oaks Last Chance Invitational on Thursday. Denhartigh, of Grandville, shot 71 strokes in the event, played at the Island Hills Golf Course. Logan Templeton, of Portage, and Davis Courtright, of Zeeland, each shot a 74 and joined Denhartigh in being named to the All-Tournament Team. Arie Jackman finished with a 78, Conner Oman, an 81, and Alex Taylor rounded out the Raider golfers with an 87. GRCC is next scheduled to compete in the Taylor University Invitational on Oct. 11 and 12.  Competition will take place at Egypt Valley Golf Course in Ada and will start at 10 a.m.  

Oct. 7, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Four West Michigan chefs -- three with Grand Rapids Community College ties -- will compete in a live cooking competition to fund humanitarian relief and scholarships for Haiti. The third annual Chopped Grand Rapids kicks off at 6 p.m. tonight at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. The competition, based on the Food Network show “Chopped!,” features three rounds in which chefs create dishes from a mystery basket of ingredients. Tickets can be purchased at choppedgr.com . Facing off in the competition are: Jenn Fillenworth, a GRCC alumna and a Secchia Institute for Culinary Education instructor, and executive chef at Root Functional Medicine.  Trimell Hawkins, executive chef at Portico restaurant and an alumnus of GRCC’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. Oscar Moreno, executive chef at MeXo and the 2019 Chopped Grand Rapids winner. Luke VerHulst, executive chef at Reserve Wine and Food and an alumnus of GRCC’s Welding Technology program. Filllenworth has had success in competitions . She was the winner in Food Network’s “Supermarket Stakeout” television show in January. The game show requires chefs to stake out a grocery store parking lot and convince shoppers to sell them their purchases. The chefs then must create dishes based on different themes. Matt Sova and WOOD TV 8’s Rachel Ruiz will serve as emcees, and Martha’s Vineyard will provide a roaming dinner. The fundraiser also includes live and silent auctions. Proceeds will benefit victims of the August earthquake in Haiti and the nonprofit Power of Education, which provides education, nutrition and access to medical care to students in grades K-9 in Port-au-Prince.    

Oct. 6, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College volleyball player Annie Holesinger continues to gain recognition for her dominating performances on the court, earning MCCAA Western Conference Player of the Week honors for the third time this season. Holesinger, a sophomore middle blocker from Rockford, was saluted for her performances against Lansing Community College at the Raider Challenge, a tournament hosted by GRCC. Holesinger has earned the award in back-to-back weeks, after first being recognized in August.   GRCC has won 11 consecutive matches, and won four times in the last week -- including defeating No. 2 Owens Community College and No. 5 Terra State Community College. Holesinger totaled 59 kills, averaging 4.53 kills per set, and eight blocks across the four matches this past week. She currently ranks in the top-20 in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II rankings in kills and kills per set. The Raiders will look to stay in first place as they host Muskegon Community College on Oct. 7.  

Oct. 6, 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. As a 2019 graduate from Hamilton High School, Nash Diekevers was still figuring out what he wanted to do. “Before I enrolled at GRCC, I was working at a Sherwin Williams in their shipping and receiving area. I am one of three triplets and my mom is always looking for ideas and opportunities for us. She is how I found out about GRCC’s Job Training Computer Support Technician program. She saw my interest in computers even before I did. Growing up, I played video games and even built a computer myself. She connected the dots!” The program prepares students to achieve two certifications: the CompTIA A+ Certification and the Network+ Certification. Both of these IT certifications are globally recognized and represent in-demand skills sought by a wide array of employers. “At first, I was nervous about the cost, but then I started to research jobs and career potential and I knew it was going to be totally worth it! I started the program in February of this year,” he said. The Computer Support Technician Job Training Program is now offered in an entirely online format; however, there is still a personal element in the program. Instructor Moss Ingram stresses that should not deter anyone from taking the program. “We have structured the program in a way that provides flexibility but keeps the personal interaction necessary to be successful in the program and in the industry,” Ingram said. Diekevers credits Ingram for truly preparing him for his new job. “Moss Ingram is honestly the best teacher I have ever had!” he said. “The combination of his teaching style and my interest in the topic made this experience the best. It was awesome! At first, I thought I would rather be taught in person but the methods that are used really prepare you for how IT work is being done. Remote seems like the new standard.” Unlike many training programs that meet the needs of a specific market, any and all employers who use computer technology require computer support. Whether provided by a full-time employee or by a contracted managed services company, every company needs IT support. This program is designed to address Computer Support from four perspectives: technical, professionalism and employability, business innovation, and design. Students regularly meet local IT technicians, engineers, business owners, and recruiters via Zoom to learn from their experiences and current market expectations. Nash recently started a position through TEKsystems and is now on contract at Peckham. “I work remotely as a help desk person for them. I’m in training right now, learning their systems but the knowledge I gained from the CST program has been invaluable!” The topic of design is integrated throughout the program in order to best prepare students to satisfy the increasing and ever-changing demands and expectations of today’s IT users. “I have received my Comp TIA+ Certification and plan to gain more work experience and move toward adding more certifications and move up.”  “I had a real desire to make a difference in my life. I have a girlfriend, and a young son, and now a promising future!” GRCC has an unmatched reputation among employers for supplying West Michigan with work-ready technicians. Our graduates specialize in providing empathy for the people they support while solving complex problems using troubleshooting and design thinking methodologies. Students are also taught to focus on human-centered solutions and technology-based innovations for both colleagues and customers. The next Computer Support Technician Program sessions begins Oct. 18, 2021. Go to Grcc.edu/jobtraining for additional information.

Oct. 6, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College students who served in the military have a new support center aimed at connecting them with resources to be successful and be a part of a special campus community. U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer joined GRCC leaders Wednesday to cut the ribbon on the Veterans Center in the newly renovated G2 floor of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall. GRCC President Bill Pink said the college has a history of being a veteran-friendly campus, and the new Veterans Center will increase the ways students connect with support services. “Our college has always been a place where student veterans are welcomed and supported,” Pink said. “This new Veterans Center will allow us to take this service to the next level. They’ll be able to connect with academic support, but also have a dedicated space to connect with people with shared experiences who are ready to help them with anything they need.” The U.S. Education Department awarded GRCC a grant in January to create the center, which will serve as a hub for planning and delivering services to students who have served in the armed services. Meijer, elected in 2020, was deployed to Iraq as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves and worked in Afghanistan for a nongovernmental organization delivering emergency assistance. “We are so proud of the veterans who have served their country, and the families who have supported them,” Meijer said. “We need to help them get the education they need as well as the support services to help with the transition from the military to college. GRCC’s new Veterans Center is the perfect example of how we can stand with them, and help them build on the skills they’ve already learned in their service to thrive long into the future.” 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. Other services will include: One-on-one advising. Veterans Administration work-study positions. Tutoring and academic support. Assistance in completing the VA education benefits process. More than 400 GRCC students take advantage of existing veterans services, and the college hopes to grow that number to more than 500 in three years. Patrick Coleman, an Army veteran with a career in education and support services, is serving as the new veteran’s success coordinator and will oversee the center. Coleman worked in several roles with Michigan Works!, an agency that helps people gain in-demand skills and connect them with employers. He then became a business community liaison with the Gerald R. Ford Jobs Corps Center, and became executive director of 70x7 Life Recovery. He came to GRCC as an educational training specialist in 2020 after a post in state government. He’s also worked in the classroom, serving as an adjunct instructor at GRCC, Muskegon Community College, Davenport University, and ITT Technical Institute. Coleman will work with a Veterans Success Team that includes Janice Holton, GRCC’s benefits certifying official, who has long helped GRCC students best access their veteran’s benefits, and other staffers with military experience. Students can connect with the Veterans Center by phone at (616) 234-2578, and by email at veterans@grcc.edu. Additional information is at grcc.edu/veterans .