A School News Network Feature - For Sawyer DeGraaf, a new middle-college IT program was too good of a deal to pass up. Along with his courses at Kent City High School and in Kent Career Technical Center’s Networking and Cybersecurity program, he and seven other students are now taking an IT class online through GRCC. He is earning his first credits toward a computer support specialist associate degree that he can finish for free while still in high school. “I was drawn in by the way it was advertised as a way for us to get our associate on the fast track; it’s very career-oriented for us, too,” Sawyer said. “I’m glad this focuses on (the Tech Center) too, where we are learning all this stuff that helps us in the career we are going for. I think it’s designed really well that way.” Sawyer is also working on earning three IT certifications — which the Tech Center pays for — meaning he can rack up credentials at no cost to him that will help him get a job in network engineering or another area of IT. “I will have a lot of open prospects when I get into the career field,” he said. The new IT program is part of Kent Intermediate School District’s Launch U program, which also offers opportunities to earn a general associate degree, or an associate degree or certificate in mechanical design. In addition, Launch U is adding a culinary arts program, for which students can earn a GRCC culinary certificate in culinary arts or bakery and pastries. Both are serving to align existing programs to middle-college opportunities, said Cary Stamas, director of Career Readiness at Kent ISD. A Streamlined Approach to Careers Launch U, now in its fifth year, begins in 10th grade for students who attend school in their home districts for part of the day and college courses taught by GRCC instructors at the Tech Center. To finish the program, students complete a fifth year, technically still as high school students, on GRCC’s campus. About 140 students are currently enrolled. The program is one of seven middle-college programs offered by GRCC and area high schools. The first, at Wyoming High School, was started in 2012. The IT and culinary arts programs are a little different than original Launch U programs because they are done in tandem with the Tech Center’s Networking and Cybersecurity or Hospitality and Culinary programs, and students are recruited from those programs. Students complete their high school Tech Center classes while also taking GRCC courses, before transitioning fully into the GRCC programs. For example, IT students will take one online GRCC course in 11th grade and two in 12th grade while enrolled in the Tech Center program. (Students can earn 26 articulated GRCC credits for Tech Center IT classes even without joining Launch U.) In the culinary program, juniors and seniors will take Tech Center classes three days a week and one GRCC course per semester two days a week. They will also spend a fifth year on GRCC’s campus to complete their certificates. Students have the option to take the GRCC course as part of Launch U or as a stand-alone opportunity. “It’s really about meeting the needs of the workforce — student need as well as industry need,” Stamas said. Removing Barriers With their associate degree or certificates, students are often ready to join the workforce or move on to a four-year college or additional training a year ahead of their peers and without accruing student debt. Barriers to earning a degree include cost and accessibility, and Launch U aims to remove those, Stamas said. “It is designed to attract first-generation college students, under-represented populations, but it’s open to everyone,” he said. “It eliminates that debt and gets people quicker into the workforce with a credential that they keep for life. It right away elevates them up with experience and training.” Added Kristen Doneth, Launch U coordinator, “Our students are challenging themselves by starting their college education. They are getting a jump start on their college education. They are jumping into the workforce sooner than if they started after college, and it’s all for free.” Tech Center IT instructor Mike Pepper said he sees huge value for students who can come to him and other Tech Center instructors for help with their GRCC courses. “I really think that first college class is tough for some kids, and it’s nice that they will be in our class and that we will be able to support them,” Pepper said. Launch U IT student Aidan Byrne, a Sparta High School senior, plans to get his associate degree and potentially go onto a four-year college: “It seemed like a good opportunity to get it for free. It seemed pointless not to do it.” This story was reporter and photographed by Erin Albanese of the School News Network . 

Sept. 17, 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 Becca DeKorne. As a success coach in the College Success Center, Becca walks alongside students as they navigate their college journey. She works with them to make sure they have everything they need to accomplish their goals. Sometimes this means helping students understand what resources are available to them. Other times it's helping them develop the skills they need to succeed in college. This could include establishing a time management routine, enhancing their study skills, or communicating with their professors. Many times, Becca is here to help students by being a good listener and a source of encouragement. "College can be a very overwhelming season of life, especially for new students,'' she said. "Sometimes it's hard to know where to go when we need something, or who to ask when we have questions. It's normal to not have all the answers and that’s where success coaches come in." Becca and the other success coaches at GRCC know a little bit about a lot of things. If they can’t support students themselves, they can connect them with the campus resource or department who can. Becca's work at GRCC is something she is very passionate about, making sure that students don’t feel alone, and that they know they have someone on their side who wants them to succeed. Becca holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from North Park University in Chicago, and a master’s degree in Social Work specializing in Interpersonal Practice and Mental Health from University of Michigan. Before coming to GRCC the majority of Becca's professional career has involved working with students. While in Chicago, she served high school students as they planned for life after graduation. She then transitioned into supporting pre-college programming geared towards preparing incoming students for their college experience. Her next position as a clinical social worker conducting therapy with college students brought her to Michigan. Becca has been a success coach with the College Success Center since 2018. She enjoys being part of a student's college experience by watching them set goals, persist through challenges, and celebrate all the big and small successes along the way. One of her favorite things to do with students is to reflect with them on all the ways they’ve grown as a result of being in college. She finds it inspiring to see them learn about themselves and feel proud of the progress they are making, and the ways they’ve chosen to step outside their comfort zone. It encourages her to do the same! You can connect with the College Success Center in its new home on the third floor of the Student Center, or email collegesuccess@grcc.edu , or call (616) 234-2312.  

Sept. 16, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Annie Holesinger was nearly unstoppable with a career-best 19 kills and .536 hitting percentage to propel the Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team to a 3-1 victory over Kellogg Community College on Thursday. The No. 14-ranked Raiders, winners of four in a row, defeated the visiting Bruins by a score of 25-10, 22-25, 25-17, 25-14. The win brought GRCC's season record to 6-5, and 4-0 against MCCAA Western Conference opponents. Kellogg Community College drops to 2-10 for the season, and 1-3 against conference teams. After a dominating first set in which the Raiders hit a match-high .457 with 18 kills against just two errors, the Bruins fought back to win set two, holding GRCC to a match-low .114 hitting percentage. Sets three and four were never in doubt for the Raiders, who would defeat Kellogg for the 27th straight time, dating back to 2007. "I think the team played really well," said Holesinger, a freshman from Rockford. "We had some downs but in the end we showed people what Raider volleyball is all about. It felt really good to get back into the swing of things offensively and the entire team stepped up after losing the second set." Holesinger wouldn't be the only Raider setting career highs. Three freshmen put up impressive numbers. Setter Shannon Russell, from Grand Rapids, posted a double-double with a career-high 45 assists and 10 digs, running the 5-1 offense all four sets. She also had a career-high 5 kills and had a team-best four aces. Ola Nowak, playing libero in all four sets for the first time posted a career high 20 digs. The Grandville resident also had seven assists and was a perfect 19-for-19 in serve receive. Charlotte's High School volleyball team came out to watch their former player Rylee VanPatten rack up a season-best 13 digs and she was also 19-for-19 in serve receive. Statistical Leaders: Kills: Holesinger, 19; Karissa Ferry and Audrey Torres 9; VanPatten, 6. Assists: Russell, 45; Ola Nowak, 7. Digs: Nowak, 20; VanPatten, 13; Torres, Russell and Audrey Gower, 10. Blocks: Holesinger and Ferry, 4; VanPatten, Russell and Alena Visnovsky, 2. Aces: Russell, 4; Gower, 3. Conference play continues for the Raiders on Sept. 20, as the team travels to Muskegon Community College in a makeup match. The match will be live streamed for fans who can't be in attendance on Muskegon CC TV.  

Sept. 16, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A national effort to tackle food and housing insecurity among college students has selected Grand Rapids Community College as one of its first partners. GRCC is one of 27 colleges picked after an intense competition for the inaugural cohort of Hope4College, an initiative by the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice. The effort is funded, in part, by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the ECMC Foundation. The member schools will work individually and together to build and strengthen support systems that meet students’ basic needs. Nearly three in five students experience housing or food insecurity -- and the problem is more common among those attending two-year colleges, according to the center. “Without these basic needs met, students struggle to learn, achieve and graduate,” Sara Goldrick-Rab, the center’s founder and CEO, told a U.S. House of Representatives committee on Sept. 8. “They fall deeply into debt, often leaving college without degrees needed to repay it.” Addressing students’ basic needs is part of GRCC’s strategic plan, and the school already has many measures in place, including a student food pantry, a Student Emergency Assistance Fund and a “Get Help” webpage that connects students with campus and community resources. The pantry, run by the Student Life and Conduct office, saw 186 visits from fall 2018 to summer 2019. Lina Blair, director of Student Life, saw an immediate increase in requests for help when the pandemic hit. “Many college students were struggling prior to the coronavirus crisis, especially those balancing school with work and families,” Blair said. “We care deeply about our students and wanted to make sure we could help.” Blair’s office began organizing weekly food pickups by car in March 2020 and worked with community partners such as the Heart of West Michigan United Way, Feeding America West Michigan, Meijer, Plainsong Farm, and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority’s Theta Chi Omega chapter to put more food, plus hygiene and child-care supplies, on pantry shelves. The support allowed the pantry to provide more than 2,000 packages to students since the pandemic struck. The Student Emergency Assistance Fund, created in 2009 largely with employee donations, also saw an increase in need during COVID-19. The fund, which helps students facing emergencies such as losing their job, homelessness or having their utilities shut off, distributed $6,556.98 in 2018-19. After the pandemic hit, almost $36,000 was given out. The “Get Help” webpage lists community resources that can help students address not only food and housing insecurity, but mental health and domestic violence issues. Colleges participating in the effort will be able to share research and ideas, sharing best practices and offering support. Mott Community College and the University of Michigan – Dearborn are the only other Michigan colleges included in the program.

Sept. 15, 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. Derek Winbush Jr. was in charge of food inventory/warehouse in a cold storage facility for many years prior to COVID-19. During the pandemic, he had a lot of time to think about what he wants for his future. “I saw the Future for Frontliners program and looked into the opportunity,” he said. “I talked to a counselor about the construction programs and felt like the Residential Construction program would be a good fit.” GRCC offers two 18-week Job Training Certificate programs in the fields of Construction; Residential Construction , and Construction Electrical . The Residential Construction program takes place at a construction site, where students build a new home. Students get hands-on learning and application about the entire process of residential building including blueprint reading, site layout, concrete, carpentry, door and window installation, roofing, siding, and interior finishing. Graduates are qualified for employment in the residential construction industry. The program focuses on constructing homes that achieve a 5-Star Energy rating, are Michigan Green Built, and LEED Certified. “Right when I started this class, the instructor Kyle Lackscheide, asked me what do I really want to get out of this program?” Winbush said. “I told him that I have a knack for running heavy equipment. I helped out at my old job running heavy equipment but I needed to learn construction basics if I want to really get into that area of construction. He is helping me make the connections I need to get into the career I want.” Winbush said Lackscheide “is like my big brother. He tells it to me straight and that is how I need it. I love watching this house take form.” “Another bonus is that I live within walking distance from this house we are building! I just walk over. My son, who is six years old, just started kindergarten – I drive him past the jobsite and show him what I’m doing. I just love being a dad! I’m exciting to teach him all that I am learning here.” GRCC offers other industry certifications including; Carpentry Certification 1 , Commercial Construction , Lead Abatement Training , and the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program. 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.

Sept. 14, 2021, PLYMOUTH, Ind. – Audrey Torres had a match-high 10 kills and .421 hitting percentage to lead the Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team to a 3-0 sweep over Ancilla College on Tuesday.  The No. 14-ranked Raiders, who trailed just once all match, defeated the Chargers by a score of 25-18, 25-16, 25-17. The win brought GRCC's season record to 6-5, and 3-0 against MCCAA Western Conference opponents.  Ancilla drops to 0-3 for the season, and 0-3 against conference teams.  "It was a great team victory tonight," head coach Chip Will said. "Everyone on the team contributed in one way or another and when their name was called, they came in and delivered. It helps that so many players can play multiple positions." That versatility showed as the Raiders used three liberos on the night, including Ola Nowak's first appearance in the position during the third set. Kylie Oberlin, of Fruitport, knocked in five of her six kills in the third set where the Raiders hit a match-high .444.  Oberlin hit .400 for the match and added three blocks. Serving played a big part of the Raiders win, as they had a season-high 13 aces, led by freshman Shannon Russell, who had five. Six different Raiders tallied at least one ace, while 10 different players had at least one dig. Statistical Leaders: Kills: Torres, 10; Oberlin, 6; Karissa Ferry, 5. Assists: Russell, 14; Ola Nowak, 12. Digs: Nowak, 8; Russell, 5; Torres and Morgan Fugate, 4. Blocks: Oberlin, 3; Ferry, Eliza Thelen and Alena Visnovsky, 2. Aces: Russell, 5; Annie Holesinger, 4. Conference play continues for the Raiders on Sept. 16 as the team hosts Kellogg Community College. The match will be live streamed for fans that can't be in attendance on GRCC Athletics YouTube channel. 

Sept. 14, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College will be a part of ArtPrize as the event returns this week, hosting three outdoor entries on the Dr. Juan R. Olivarez Student Plaza. ArtPrize is the international art competition celebrating artists who work in all mediums. Starting Thursday, the entries will be on display for 18 days. The three entries at GRCC are located on the south end of Olivarez Plaza.  Liz Albert and Shane VanOosterhout, working under the name Liz and Shane Studio, installed “Instant Classic,” a project based around discarded Polaroid photographs. The artists, friends since childhood, add poignant and humorous phrases to the outsized prints of the photos. “In today’s digital universe, we remain transfixed by the Polaroid camera’s clever design and the vibrant memory-object it leaves behind,” they wrote for their artists’ statement. Albert is a Grand Rapids native now living in Boston. VanOosterhout is an adjunct digital media professor at Kendall College of Art and Design and is a coordinator with the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation. Niarus Walker’s “Good Breeding Stock” consists of two sculptures made from recycled coax cable debris salvaged from Hurricane Maria. The sculptures are a male and female, with the lower half of the male becoming a bull and the lower half of the female a cow. Each is breaking a chain. “The image represents the very tangible reality of how enslaved Africans were bred as cattle from the fittest of the population in order to harvest a stronger breed that could survive the hardships of slavery in much the same way as the Senepol was bred to be less susceptible to diseases and withstand the harsh Caribbean climate,” the artist wrote. “The sculpture is built out of the trauma and also represents resilience, determination and strength of the people of the African Diaspora.” Walker was born in Dominica, West Indies, and lives in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She is an artist and educator and works in various media, but considers herself primarily a painter. Jerry Bahls of Fridley, Minn., is a retired chemist who loves the look and feel of common buckthorn wood. His sculpture, “Mantis on Mushroom,” is a large depiction of the insect on the plant. “I work exclusively with common buckthorn and glossy buckthorn, two common invasive trees that are all too abundant in Minnesota,” he wrote. Olivarez Plaza also is home to three permanent pieces of artwork: A statue of Helen Claytor, a civil rights activist who became the first African-American president of the national YWCA, was installed in 2014 as part of the Grand Rapids Community Legends series. Jay Hall Carpenter is the artist. Joseph Kinnebrew’s “Aspiration of Inspiration” was erected in 1999. The college’s iconic lion fountain, dedicated to former Grand Rapids Junior College President Arthur Andrews, was erected in 1954. GRCC’s Paul Collins Art Gallery is highlighting the work of world-renowned artist and alumnus Peter Fink. The public can view the photos -- which have been exhibited in more than 60 institutions in the United States, Israel, Cuba, France and England – in the gallery, located on the fourth floor of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall at 143

Sept. 13, 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. “Consistency, patience and hard work.” Trey Conner attributes his success to those three characteristics -- and GRCC got him off to a good start, too. Conner graduated from GRCC with an Associate of Science in 2007 and then earned a bachelor’s degree in health, physical education and fitness from Western Michigan University in 2011. After a few years as a P.E. teacher, he was presented with a unique opportunity: helping to start a minor league basketball team for the Detroit Pistons. The team has a new affiliation for the upcoming season – affiliating with the Denver Nuggets – and Conner has a new role, serving as vice president. The Grand Rapids Gold start its NBA G League season in November at the DeltaPlex. While it might seem like a career change, Conner has always considered his work with the team to be an extension of his commitment to community outreach. The team works closely with area schools, visiting classrooms, organizing basketball camps, and coordinating a reading club that rewards students with tickets, gear and other prizes. When team organizers were seeking a new affiliate, they were adamant that they wanted to remain a part of the West Michigan community. Conner says the same abilities he tapped as a teacher serve him well in running a sports team, as do the skills he built as a GRCC student. “My time taking classes at GRCC helped set my foundational values with communicating, working with others, and goal setting,” he said. “GRCC is a great foundational starting point to your successful journey.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .  

Sept. 12, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College cross country teams are among the very best in the nation, with both the men’s and women’s teams ranked in the top five in the first U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll of the season. The men’s team tied for No. 3 in the nation for National Junior College Athletic Association Division II, and the women’s team was ranked No. 4, following the first meet of the season, where the Raiders competed against four-year colleges at the Calvin Knight Invitational on Sept. 4. The rankings follow GRCC’s Coleman Clark being named Michigan Community College Athletic Association Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week, and Kaylee Scott earning Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week honors. The men’s team tied with Hawkeye Community College of Iowa in the rankings. Heartland Community College in Illinois was in the top spot. “The RedTails recently finished fourth as a team at the Corridor XC Clash hosted by Mount Mercy and put four runners in the top-25. The Raiders recently took part in the Calvin Knight Invited hosted by Calvin University and saw a young team gain valuable race experience at the collegiate level,” the association posted on its website. Clark, a freshman, was out in front of GRCC runners from start to finish in the Calvin race, with an impressive time of 26:48 for the 8K distance. He was followed closely by Brian Frazee in a time of 27:14, finishing in 77th place overall; Andrew Periard, at 27:47 and 94th place; Joshua Kipkoech at 28:14 and 112th place; and Christian Martinez-Ramos at 28:16 and 113th place. Kipkoech returns to the team after being named an NJCAA DII All-American last season. All-American Audrey Meyering is returning to the women’s team. Scott finished a solid 40th place among runners from NCAA DII, GLIAC & NAIA schools in the Calvin event, with a final 6K time of 24:32, a 6:35-per-mile pace. Meyering followed her teammate and finished in 60th place with an average pace of 6:49 per mile. The Raiders, who finished fourth in NJCAA national tournament last season, follow Hawkeye Community College, Wallace State Community College of Alabama, and Heartland Community College in the rankings.