Feb. 17, 2025 Andrew Balcer loved to learn. But school…? No way. “I have dyslexia, so school wasn’t easy for me,” said Balcer, 28. “I was undiagnosed in my early years, so I couldn’t read until fourth grade when my parents got me some specialized tutoring.” After graduating from West Ottawa High School in his hometown of Holland, his dislike of formalized schooling persisted. Rather than college, Balcer worked and later traveled to Africa on a years-long mission trip. He returned home in 2020 right before the COVID-19 pandemic began and held a few odd jobs over the years.  But he felt lost. “One day, I just realized I wanted to do something more,” he said. “I walked into (Grand Rapids Community College’s) Lakeshore Campus to get some information and enrolled the very same day.” Now in his final term at GRCC, Balcer embraces his college coursework. Always passionate about history, anthropology, philosophy and the humanities, he’ll graduate in May with a  Humanities, English, Language, and Communication Studies Concentration Pathway degree. “Originally, I was going to study business because I needed to make money; a mindset very prevalent in the West and all over the world today,” he said. “But the more I thought about business, I realized I just couldn’t do it. So, I’ve settled on the humanities and I’m glad I did.” After graduating from GRCC, Balcer plans to continue studying history or philosophy at a four-year university.  “There's a real need for people to pass down knowledge about the past and that's why I lean toward history, which can teach us so much,” he said. “I’m not sure yet whether that means being a professor myself or perhaps working in a museum as a curator or something along those lines.” Thanks to lower tuition rates at GRCC and Pell grants, Balcer is happy to be graduating debt-free this spring. He’s appreciated the convenience of attending most of his classes at GRCC’s Lakeshore Campus in Holland, rather than the Main Campus in downtown Grand Rapids. Most importantly, Balcer said he’s grateful to the GRCC professors who changed his outlook on formal schooling. “I looked at school as something that I couldn’t do until my professors helped me walk on my journey and showed me I can do this,” he said. “The vast majority of my professors went beyond my desires and needs, especially at the Lakeshore campus.” Balcer encourages other older students to give GRCC a try. “It’s never too late to go back,” he said. “GRCC is the right place for many people - including me.” This story was reported by Beth McKenna.

Feb. 13, 2025 Ah…food. The tantalizing smells, textures, colors and tastes of cuisine are a joy shared around the world. Career opportunities abound for people with culinary skills. You can gain an exceptional education in this high-growth field through the  Culinary Arts program at Grand Rapids Community College. “The culinary arts encompass many different career paths,” said Dr. Werner Absenger, program director of GRCC’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. “You could pursue a passion for cooking as a chef or indulge your love for sweets as a pastry chef. But there are also many other career opportunities. ‘Front of house’ positions, such as hotel manager or food and beverage manager, also require a degree with hands-on experience.”  GRCC’s Culinary Arts program has thrived since the 80s. In fact, the program has been  accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation since almost its inception. More than that, it is accredited with exemplary status, meaning that it is a model for how other institutions should aspire to educate their students. “Our faculty is highly regarded,” Absenger said. “They all know their stuff. Most of them have advanced degrees and personal experience. They know the industry and engage in continuous learning as well.”  For example, Chef Holly possesses a master’s degree and also is a certified sommelier. Chef Bob, who oversees  Heritage Restaurant , GRCC’s onsite fine dining restaurant, travels the world making connections to global experts and bringing new recipes to West Michigan. Chef Will ran pastry operations in a Las Vegas casino and Chef Kate was a pastry apprentice at a resort. “If you are interested in front of house operations, hands-on experience plus a bachelor’s degree will get you to a higher position faster,” Absenger said. “The same used to be true for culinary operations, but the workforce shortage is changing that. If you aspire to be a sous chef and eventually a chef, there are many opportunities open to you with an associate degree in culinary arts from GRCC.” A third significant benefit of the GRCC culinary program, in addition to its excellent reputation and short time commitment, is the potential to earn your qualifications for free. “High school students can come to our culinary program right out of high school,” Absenger said. “If they attend full-time, they can earn an associate degree without student loans through the  Michigan Community College Guarantee . For an adult thinking about a career change, GRCC can also be a game-changer through  Michigan Reconnect . Adult learners who have not yet earned a degree can earn an associate degree for free. This option is perfect for people who also need to work while going to school, because the credit requirement during an academic year is much lower.”  For all learners, there’s a hidden benefit in the associate degree.  “GRCC offers  certificates , similar to minors, in many programs,” Absenger said. “We’ve designed the culinary arts associate degree to incorporate certificate options that show a concentration in a particular area. So, for example, a student could earn an associate degree in culinary arts with a  Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate , or with a  Personal Chef Certificate . GRCC’s programs allow any learner to get a quick start in a wage-earning skill. It will take a bit of experience to start earning higher wages, but there are plenty of opportunities for people with a certificate or an associate degree.” Regardless of how you choose to go about it, the culinary arts program at GRCC is a long-game strategy that pays high dividends. “No one will ever be able to take these skills away from you,” Absenger noted. “You will be marketable anywhere in the world. You’ll be able to make money using your own two hands. And after a few years of experience, you will be a viable contender for the best-paying positions in the industry.”  Learn more about the  Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Brewing Academic Pathway at GRCC. This story was reported by Julie Hordyk.