Aug. 19, 2021, HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College and Ottawa County leaders are celebrating the opening of the new Lakeshore Campus and the transformation of a shuttered department store into a vibrant learning hub for students of all ages. Starting with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting on Thursday, GRCC plans three days of events intended to introduce the community to the opportunities created by the new campus, located in the former JCPenney in The Shops at Westshore mall. “The GRCC Lakeshore Campus reflects a vision of a community college education being accessible to everyone,” President Bill Pink said. “As we walk through this magnificent facility, you will be surprised that it was once a department store. But you will be amazed at how this revitalized space will help people change their lives and make this entire community stronger. We are taking higher education on the Lakeshore to a new level.” GRCC has offered classes on the Lakeshore, spread out in four locations, for more than 20 years. The new Lakeshore Campus consolidates resources and programs in the heart of Holland Township with access to public transportation, employers and services. The 52,000-square-foot facility has nine classrooms, four computer labs and five unique labs for biology, chemistry, electronics, automation, welding and machine tooling, housing programs for students working toward an associate degree or a career-focused certificate. The $12 million project also has spaces for advising and counseling and other student support services and a satellite library, as well as areas for use by community groups. GMB Architecture + Engineering designed the project, and construction was directed by The Christman Co. The building will be LEED certified, part of GRCC’s sustainability goals.  Donors to the project include the Brooks family, the Community Foundation for the Holland/Zeeland Area, Gentex Corp., GMB Architecture + Engineering, Haworth, Herman Miller, Hudsonville Ice Cream and the Patrick A. Thompson and Family. “The generous support for this project reflects Lakeshore residents recognizing the value of a community college and GRCC’s ability to help students of all ages fulfill their dreams,” said Dr. Kathryn K. Mullins, GRCC’s vice president of Advancement and executive director of the GRCC Foundation. “We embrace this community partnership, and know it will grow even stronger in the years to come.” Current class offerings can lead to an Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies, and Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences-Industrial Maintenance Technology, as well as certificates in Industrial Maintenance, Industrial Technology, Tooling and Manufacturing, and Welding. Workforce Training programs include Welding Bootcamp, Certified Production Technician, Pharmacy Technician and other offerings. Continuing education and professional development will be available for a variety of sectors, as well as customized training and assessments.  The expanded space will increase GRCC’s partnerships with area employers, and plans call for additional programs, possibly in health care, early childhood education, and teaching. A community open house is planned for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21, with opportunities for residents to come as visitors and leave as students, with experts from the Enrollment, Financial Aid, the Academic Advising, Student Records, Veterans Benefits, Student Life, Honors, TRiO, and the College Success Center all on site to help. Specialists at the open house also can help with admissions and registration, and help potential students learn if they are eligible for the Michigan Reconnect program or federal Pell grants, which could substantially reduce costs.

Sept. 1, 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. Jose Villanueva wasn’t sure what Computer Numeric Control Machine Tooling was when he first saw it was offered by GRCC’s Job Training Program. “I had no clue what it was! I follow a YouTuber from Australia who is an engineer. As I was watching him, I realized that he was working with CNC. Then I saw what he was doing and I said, that’s it, that is what I want to do!” A machinist or CNC technician shapes metal and various materials to precise dimensions for parts by using machine tools. MT/CNC technicians plan and set up the sequence of machine operations in accordance with blueprints, layouts or other instructions to write both manual and computer-generated machine programs. “It doesn’t feel like school at all. It feels like I am coming to work,” said Villanueva, a 2016 Grandville High School graduate. The GRCC Job Training CNC Machine Tool program meets for 18 weeks for 34 hours per week. The program offers small class sizes, hands-on learning and job placement assistance. The Machine Tool/CNC program has recently been updated to better meet the industry needs. Skills taught in the program include blueprint reading, basic shop math, read measurement tools and communicate effectively with others using today's Machine Tool/CNC terminology. Villanueva is new to the program, but really likes it and appreciates instructor Andy Beach. “Andy does a really great job of explaining things,” he said. “He breaks everything down in completely different ways. I’ve been learning so much already. I never thought I would be doing something like this. If anyone is interested I would tell them to try it out! It’s worth the shot!” Villanueva qualified for federal financial aid, but also was eligible for the GRCC M-TEC Champions program. He’s also one of the first recipient of a new program, One Workforce. He has no out of pocket cost.  “I was pretty happy when I heard the news! I just didn’t believe it! I feel pretty lucky!” Villanueva likes working with his hands and plans to continue building his skills. “Once I receive my certificate I’d like to take the welding program as well so that I have a really well-rounded skillset.” The next section of Job Training programs begins October 18, 2021. 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.

Aug. 31, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich . – Ola Nowak has been named MCCAA Western Conference Player of the Week, the second week in a row a Grand Rapids Community College volleyball player earned the honor. Nowak, a freshman setter/libero from Grandville, was selected after superb performances at the Owens Express Invitational Tournament in Perrysburg, Ohio on Aug. 27 and 28. Nowak totaled a team-high 94 assists and 52 digs, while chipping in five kills and four aces. Nowak racked up a career-high 19 digs and three blocks while helping her team to victory in the opening match. "The Raiders faced some of the best teams in the nation during the first tournaments of the season," GRCC Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. "Back-to-back Western Conference players of the week awards reflect the hard work from our student-athletes and coaches and outstanding performances against top competition. This is going to be an exciting season."    The Raiders defeated No. 12 Catawba Valley Community College and Waubonsee Community College on the first day of the tournament. The team lost to No. 2 Parkland College and concluded tournament play with a four-set loss to Terra State Community College, which placed ninth at the NJCAA D2 National Tournament last year. Nowak follows Annie Holesinger in earning Player of the Week honors. Holesinger, a sophomore from Rockford, was saluted for her performance in the season-opening tournament where she totaled 45 kills, averaged 3.46 kills per set, and had five blocks across the four matches on Aug. 20 and 21. Holesinger tied her career high of 17 kills against No. 3 Iowa Central Community College while hitting .500. After two tournaments on the road, the Raiders return to GRCC for the team’s first home match of the year at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2 at the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse. The team is facing Glen Oaks Community College. General admission is $3 per person, and season passes for all games will be available for $50 at the admissions table.  Students and staff are admitted free with their RaiderCard.

Aug. 30, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. --  While standing inside the newly renovated Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, Grand Rapids Community College student Angelique Nyarwaka said it’s nice to have a new one-stop enrollment experience on campus. “I think it’s very helpful for new students,” the second-year student said about several student services now being housed under one roof. “I have a sister coming from New York and she is going to be coming here. It will be very nice for her to have all of the services in one space.” Financial aid, enrollment, admissions and student records have new offices on the first floor of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, 143 Bostwick Ave. NE.GRCC recently completed extensive renovations to the 210,000 square-foot building, formerly called the Main Building. Rather than heading to a variety of offices to seek services, students now are greeted at one reception desk, and specialists from the various offices are brought to them – a student-centered, one-door approach. As well as serving as a hub for student services, the space now features modernized and reconfigured lab space, gathering areas, dining spots and welcoming entrances. The iconic, nearly 100-year-old building was renamed in 2019 in honor of businessman Raleigh J. Finkelstein, a lead donor for the project. Finkelstein and his brothers operated MC Sports, which developed from their parents’ company, Michigan Clothiers. Improved access to student services Kristi Welling, associate director of Enrollment Center services, said the project has been years in the making. “We have developed a one-stop shop,” she said. “It used to be that students would go to different places on campus to get these services. Now it’s all in one place. We’ve really invested in students.” It’s a way of removing barriers along with meeting students’ needs, she said. “When I was younger I was the first in my family to get a degree, and I didn’t know where to go on campus and what to do. We find a lot of the students much like myself who are first in their family to go to college and aren’t really sure of the services available – what they need to do, how they need to do it to get to the part where they are actually getting their degree.” GRCC and community leaders, including Finkelstein, gathered at Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall last week for one of four ribbon-cutting ceremonies on the same day. Other completed projects include A two-story, 18,416 square-foot expansion with a machine tool lab and data center, renovated computer lab and student gathering and study spaces at Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, 151 Fountain St. NE A historic renovation, preserving wood interior features while creating modern spaces for students, staff and faculty at Steven C. Ender Hall, 455 E. Fulton St. Historic renovations including a kitchen, meeting space and areas for receptions and other gatherings at Custer Alumni House, 473 E. Fulton St. “We are preserving what made these buildings special, but making sure they are able to meet the needs of the students of today and tomorrow,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. This story was reported by Erin Albanese of the School News Network.

Aug. 30, 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. Kristina Wieghmink, a health communication project manager with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has vivid memories of working on a group project in her GRCC Interpersonal Communication course. Group members collaborated on a video sharing how each of them had the ability to change the world for the better. Wieghmink has taken the skills she learned at GRCC to do just that at the local, state and now federal level. She received her associate degree in pre-multimedia journalism in 2007. She earned a bachelor’s in anthropology and a master’s in education, both from Grand Valley State University. She said her time at GRCC fostered her love for learning. “My GRCC degree in multimedia communications has aided me in all of my professional roles since graduation,” she said. “It provided me with many technical and creative skills.” Wieghmink has served as the Holland Museum’s marketing and communications manager and the public information officer with the Ottawa County Department of Public Health. In July, she accepted the role with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “A communications degree is something you can apply in most industries and professions,” she said. “I had the career opportunity to get involved in public health at the local level. The knowledge and skills I gained provided a platform to advance my career at the federal level.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .

Aug. 28, 2021, PERRYSBURG, Ohio – The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team dropped its final two matches in the Owens Express Invitational, splitting the four matches played this weekend. The No. 11 ranked Raiders opened the second day of the event against Parkland College of Champaign, Ill., ranked No. 2 in the nation. GRCC jumped on the Cobras early in the opening set, leading by as many as five points twice. But despite four set points for GRCC, Parkland responded with a 6-0 run to win the set 26-24. The Cobras proved too tough for the Raiders in sets two and three, winning 25-10 and 25-19. Annie Holesinger, with eight kills and four blocks, and Morgan Fugate, with six kills and two blocks, provided nearly half the Raiders’ offense in the match. Defensively, Audrey Torres had a season-high 17 digs while Audrey Gower added 11 digs of her own. The final game of the tournament was a rematch of the ninth-place match of the 2021 NJCAA National Tournament, with GRCC facing Terra State Community College of Fremont, Ohio. The Titans again got the best of the Raiders, three sets to one, winning 25-16, 21-25, 25-19, and 25-22. Torres was the offensive spark against Terra State, finishing with a career-high 17 kills while adding 11 digs. It was her second double-double of the tournament after a 10-kill, 12-dig performance against No. 12 Catawba Valley on Friday.  Freshman setter Ola Nowak led the defense with 17 digs and also the team with 32 assists.  She and Torres each had two of the Raiders five total service aces. Statistical Leaders for the tournament: Kills: Holesinger, 48; Torres, 39; Morgan Fugate, 32; Karissa Ferry, 11; and Kylie Oberlin, 10. Assists: Nowak, 94; Shannon Russell, 36; and Gower, 11. Digs: Nowak, 52; Gower, 51; Torres, 42; Fugate, 28; and Kara Hecht, 14. Blocks: Holesinger, 12; Ferry, 10; Oberlin, 6; and Eliza Thelen, 6. Aces: Torres and Fugate, 5; and Nowak and Gower, 4. Conference play begins for the Raiders Thursday, Sept. 2.  The team will battle Glen Oaks Community College in Hunsberger Arena at 6:30 p.m. Admission will be $5, with season passes will also be available. Admission is free for GRCC students with their RaiderCard.   

Aug. 27, 2021, PERRYSBURG, Ohio -- The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team defeated both of its opponents Friday on the first day of the Owens Express Invitational Tournament to improve to 3-3 on the season. After beating No. 12 Catawba Valley Community College three sets to one, the Raiders concluded the day by sweeping Waubonsee Community College. GRCC jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the opening set of its first match and never looked back. The team led by as many as seven points and downed the Red Hawks 25-21. Annie Holesinger of Rockford tallied five of her match-high 18 kills in the set. Catawba Valley tied up the match at a set apiece after a 25-17 second set victory, but the Raiders would rebound to win 25-21 in each of the final two sets to take the match.  Holesinger -- named MCCAA Western Conference Player of the Week last week -- would lead all point-scorers with 21 points on 18 kills and three blocks. Freshmen Audrey Torres of Caledonia and Morgan Fugate of Wayland had 10 kills apiece and combined for 19 kills.  Audrey Gower of Dimondale and setter Ola Nowak from Grandville led the defense with 19 digs each. GRCC took on Waubonsee Community College of Sugar Grove, Ill. in the second match. After a season-best .636 hitting percentage, the Raiders downed the Chiefs in the first set, 25-16. Holesinger and Fugate each had five kills in the set. The Raiders would lead wire to wire in the next two sets and win 25-18 and 25-15 to complete the sweep.  Holesinger hit .750 for the match and tied a match high of nine kills. Fugate also had nine kills to go along with her team high four aces and nine digs. Gower led the defense again with 11 digs while Alena Visnovsky of Sparta, Mich. and Karissa Ferry of Chesaning finished with three blocks a piece. The Raiders will conclude tournament play Saturday against the No. 2 ranked Cobras of Parkland College and Terra State Community College of Ohio, which finished ninth in the nation last year. Game play is scheduled to begin at 11:45 a.m.

Aug. 27, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College honored three employees for their efforts in helping students stay on track in reaching their goals during the uncertainty of COVID-19. Lori Cook, Michael Michewicz and Michelle Richter received GRCC’s 2021 Excellence in Education Awards during opening day activities Thursday. The awards, established in 1989, honor employees for their contributions to GRCC, higher education and the community. Cook, director of Admissions and Enrollment, was recognized with the staff award. She was praised for initiatives, such as mandatory orientation, “Service Saturdays” and open houses, that provide students with the best possible start to their college career -- and then for successfully reworking them during the pandemic.  “Lori is an exemplary employee because she is able to take the broader mission and vision of our college and translate that into processes and procedures that truly support student success as they onboard and as they continue as GRCC students,” President Dr. Bill Pink said. Michewicz, an instructor in the Music Department, received the adjunct award. He usually teaches applied saxophone lessons, but the 2020-21 academic year presented him with two new challenges: COVID-19 and an assignment as GRCC’s interim director of bands. “This past year was particularly challenging for all music faculty, but even more so for Mike,” said Kevin Dobreff, program director and head of the department. “He met every challenge -- including staying ahead of all CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and local health department updates that impacted the ability of ensembles to rehearse together.” Michelle Richter, director of the Nursing program, received the faculty award. Her colleagues noted that while her responsibilities mostly lie outside the classroom, she still makes connections with students, through the ADN 240 leadership course she created and teaches, visits to the Health Sciences and Resources Tutorial Lab, and her open-door policy.  “Under Shelly’s leadership, the program has had a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX licensing exam for both Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing students,” Pink said. “Graduates have achieved a nearly consistent 100% job placement rate after graduation in recent years.” The awards were presented on Thursday during opening day activities for faculty and staff. GRCC’s fall semester starts Aug. 30.