| Grand Rapids Community College

Meghan VanderMale

My Story Started at GRCC: Retired Col. Scott Haraburda is a decorated Army veteran, engineer, inventor - and more

Start at GRCC and go anywhere! Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC – or Grand Rapids Junior College – gave them the education and opportunity to be successful. We’re sharing some of those stories, and want to hear yours! Retired Col. Scott Haraburda is a decorated Army veteran, engineer, munitions expert, and inventor. Plus, he’s an author, judo champion, chemistry professor -- and even a Herpolsheimer's department store Santa.

Alumnus Sekou Smith remembered as an outstanding journalist, even better person

Sekou Smith was known as an outstanding journalist, covering the NBA for 20 years. But tributes pouring in from across the sporting world noted he was an even better person. Smith, who passed away this week at age 48 due to complications of COVID-19, was a Grand Rapids native and attended Grand Rapids Junior College and Grand Rapids Community College between 1990 and 1992.

Nearly 2,900 who worked during COVID shutdown accepted by state to attend GRCC through Futures for Frontliners program

Nearly 2,900 people have been accepted to attend Grand Rapids Community College through Futures for Frontliners so far – but the deadline is approaching for others interested in the state scholarship program to take the final steps.

GRCC volleyball to start season without spectators due to pandemic, but will live stream home games through new partnership

Grand Rapids Community College’s nationally ranked volleyball team will start its season next month -- but without fans in the stands, following Michigan Community College Athletic Association health and wellness guidelines during the pandemic. Raiders fans will still be able to follow the action online through a new partnership with the Michigan Sports Radio.

Katie Sundberg

Academic AdvisingVisit my Virtual Advising Office for more resources!Specialty Student PopulationStudent athletesChoosing classesRequest an academic plan by submitting this Google Form.Schedule an appointment to meet with me virtually or in person.If you have already think you know what you should enroll, please do so! Then feel free to email your plan if you want me to review it. Please be sure to include your academic goals as well so I can make sure you plan aligns.General questionsFrom your GRCC email, send me a detailed email to: katherinesundberg1@grcc.edu. Include the following information:Your GRCC student IDYour Question, issue, or concernSpecifics about your GRCC goal and/or the courses involvedAbout meKatie loves helping her students figure out the next best step for them and setting her students up for success. She wants all her students to leave their appointments feeling better than when the appointment started. Katie didn't always know what she wanted to do for her career but she always knew she wanted to work with/help people. This led Katie to earn her BS in Human Development and Family Studies from Michigan State University. After graduating, she spent a few years in sunny L.A. where she loved to hike and go to the beach. During this time she realized that she wanted to become an academic advisor so she moved back to Michigan to pursue her Masters in Education with an emphasis on student affairs and leadership from Grand Valley State University. There Katie advised students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and had a practicum working with Grand Valley's Parent and Supporter Orientation. In 2020 Katie joined the GRCC advising team (Go Raiders!) and has loved serving her community and forming relationships with her students.When Katie isn't working, she enjoys spending her time in the kitchen baking and cooking where she loves to try new recipes. She loves taking walks around the neighborhood, cuddling with her two cats, traveling, visiting national parks, and trying new restaurants with her husband.Katie's summer advising scheduleTuesday: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (Virtual & In-person)Wednesday: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Virtual & In-person)Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (Virtual & In-person)Friday: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. (Virtual)*Schedule is subject to change due to life events

GRCC earns $5 million U.S. Labor Department grant to partner with other community colleges, provide skills to grow regional healthcare workforce

Jan. 26, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College was awarded a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to build capacity at GRCC and four other Michigan community colleges to meet regional healthcare employers' demands for a skilled workforce. GRCC is one of only 11 community colleges nationwide to receive the grant -- and was one of only four schools receiving the top award of $5 million -- through the department’s Strengthening Community College Training program.

My Story Started at GRCC: Educator Jan Maggini says GRCC ‘a fortress in the face of adversity’

Jan. 25, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Start at GRCC and go anywhere! Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC – or Grand Rapids Junior College – gave them the education and opportunity to be successful. We’re sharing some of those stories, and want to hear yours! Before she taught in the Wyoming Public Schools, Janice Maggini was a student in Grand Rapids Junior College classrooms.

GRCC awarded federal grant to create Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success

Jan. 22, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College will be able to enhance and expand the services it provides to veterans, using a new federal grant to create a Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success to connect students with resources they need to advance their education. The U.S. Department of Education awarded GRCC a $450,000 grant for the project, with the success center serving as a hub for planning and delivering services to students who have served in the military.

Brandy Lovelady Mitchell

Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell was elected to the GRCC board of trustees on Nov. 4, 2020 for a term that runs from Jan. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2026.  Trustee Lovelady Mitchell deputy superintendent of Preschool-12 Learning and Leadership for the Grand Rapids Public Schools. She is a lifelong student advocate who is passionate about education and is invested in positioning students and educational staff in conditions that maximize their potential. Trustee Lovelady Mitchell earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University and holds graduate degrees from Michigan State University and Aquinas College.She began her career at what is now Kent County’s Network 180, connecting children and families to mental health and substance abuse services. From there she took her love of children to the most logical place – our public schools, as a school counselor, guidance classroom teacher, consultant and principal.Her doctoral studies focused on high-achieving Black males at the secondary level. Trustee Lovelady-Mitchell says her intention is to help educators and key stakeholders shift the narrative from pathologies to the success stories of staff and children of color.Her professional work and doctoral studies prompted Eastern Michigan University to describe her as an “upcoming educator to watch,” and the university honored her in 2015 as a Scholar of Excellence. She was invited to the White House to take part in Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher initiative.Trustee Lovelady Mitchell has facilitated and presented nationally on topics such as project-based learning, adaptive schools, diversifying the educational workforce, equitable and inclusive practices and environments, and social-emotional wellness. She has worked to improve school attendance and student engagement, and bolster focused and multitiered support for students.She has increased opportunities and attainment for high schoolers to enroll and earn early college credit, find scholarships, and earn industry credentials.Trustee Lovelady Mitchell has coached and empowered educational executives, school board members, educators, and other stakeholders pertaining to equitable and culturally responsive practices.

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