July 16, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College student-athletes Taylor Cross, Audrey Gower, Erin Kruithoff, Dalton Vander Ark, and Alena Visnovsky earned NJCAA All-Academic First Team honors for posting perfect 4.0 GPAs. They were among 18 GRCC student athletes saluted for academic success by the National Junior College Athletic Association. “Our student-athletes know we expect them to work hard in the classroom as well as in competition,” Interim Athletic Director David Selmon said. “Our coaches and staff make academics a priority, and we’re proud of the Raiders earning these honors.” Student-athletes are eligible to earn academic honors by completing two terms while attending full time and having accumulated at least 24 semester hours with an overall GPA of 3.60 or higher for the 2020-21 academic year. Cross, from Caledonia, is a catcher on the softball team. Gower, from Dimondale and Visnovsky, a from Sparta, played for the volleyball team. Kruithoff, from Allendale, played on the women’s basketball team and Vander Ark, from Byron Center, pitched for the baseball team. Seven Raiders earned All-Academic Second Team honors for GPAs between 3.80 and 3.99. Baseball players Caleb Engelsman from Rockford, Jeremy Marble from Sparta, and Matt Williams from Lake Orion earned the honor. They were joined by cross country runners Allison Hoop from Jackson, Mariah Vos from Byron Center, Alexzandria Webster from Grandville, and golfer Arie Jackman from Caledonia. Six students earned All-Academic Third team honors for GPAs between 3.60 and 3.79. Baseball players Collin Bradley from Brooklyn, Mich. And Aaron West from Grand Ledge were saluted, along with volleyball players Kailey Carmean from Fruitport and Zari Kruger from Lake Odessa, softball player Mikayla Loew from Kent City, and cross country runner Jack Kehoe from Grandville.

July 16, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Many Grand Rapids Community College students lost their jobs and faced food insecurity and other challenges as the COVID-19 crisis struck, and Lina Blair sprang into action. Blair, GRCC’s director of Student Life and Conduct, led efforts to expand the campus food pantry, working with community partners and others to provide thousands of meals and other items so students could continue their education and help their families. Blair’s efforts were recognized this week by Northern Michigan University Alumni Association, which honored her with an Alumni Service Award. Recipients, who are nominated and selected by fellow alumni, are honored for significant achievements in their fields, substantial contributions to society, and demonstrated exceptional leadership and civic qualities. Blair was one of four alumni saluted; awards will be presented during Homecoming festivities this fall. “It’s an honor to be recognized by Northern Michigan for doing a job I love,” Blair said. “I’m part of a great team at GRCC that is passionate about helping students overcome obstacles. We’re fortunate to have community partners who recognized the challenges our students were facing, and stepped up to help us time and again. Working together, we were able to make a difference.” The alumni association noted Blair “has implemented and maintained numerous service projects and efforts to address barriers to success. She advocates for student support in mental health, COVID-19 relief, and housing and food insecurity. In 2020, she led her team to establish a wider-reaching campus food pantry, with a new location and enough food to supply students in need.” “The committee members were struck by Lina's long-term commitment to community service that was already strong when she was a student at Northern Michigan University,” said Diane Husic, chair of the alumni award committee of the NMU Alumni Association’s board of directors. “We were impressed by her ability to leverage grant funding and collaborations with the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, Feeding America West Michigan, Support the Girls and Plainsong Farm to address food insecurity -- which is incredibly important work, especially during a global pandemic.” The Student Life team also created a grcc.edu/gethelp website to connect students with campus and community resources for a variety of needs, an effort that will continue after the pandemic. Blair has been with GRCC since 2016, and previously worked more than 10 years at NMU, which is based in Marquette. As the assistant dean of students, she advised student government, created a new program for NMU's first-generation college students and provided leadership for the student conduct program. Blair also served as an adjunct instructor for six years, teaching a first-year experience class. Blair, a native of Quincy, Ill., earned a Master of Science degree from NMU in 2008, specializing in psychology, training and development. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the college in 2005, specializing in psychology and management.  

July 15, 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 Kaelee Steffens. Kaelee is an academic adviser and a first-generation college student. She always knew going to college or learning a professional trade was incredibly important. She chose GRCC because it was affordable, and a family member was already attending. That family member and her GRCC adviser showed her the steps to get started, and how to begin planning for her transfer to Grand Valley State University after graduation. Back at GRCC, Kaelee helps today's students make plans to transfer or pursue a career after graduating. During her time at GRCC Kaelee worked as a student employee and graduated with an associate degree. At GVSU she worked as a student employee and then as an intern in various departments. Through that on-the-job career exploration, she realized that her passion was working with adults -- specifically adults at GRCC. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology, and then Master of Education in Higher Education, College Student Affairs Leadership from GVSU. Since then, Kaelee has worked in admissions and enrollment, TRIO, academic departments, and academic advising between two- and four-year schools. Through her work in higher education Kaelee has seen first-hand that a certificate or degree can change someone's life in so many ways. It starts with an academic plan. It's her goal that the students who enter her office leave knowing their next steps, and that they can always follow up if the plan changes. “There is just something so special about working with the many different types of students who attend GRCC,” she said. “My first appointment for the day could be a mother with three kids and a full-time job, who decided now is her time. And my last appointment of the day might be a student who just graduated high school who is still exploring all of the degree options and training programs that GRCC has to offer. Every day is new and full of learning!" You can connect with Kaelee and other members of the Academic Advising and Transfer team by emailing advising@grcc.edu, calling (616) 234-3900, and texting (616) 404-0044.  

July 14, 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. Tarisa Rademacher loves working with hot molten metal. “I love watching metal melt and having the skills to mold manipulate it!” Rademacher worked in the medical field for about two years as a certified nurse assistant and patient care assistant in memory care, but she just got burned out. She also was working part time in a small electronics repair company. “I saw another guy weld and thought I like the way that looks,” Rademacher said. “I started to look into careers and education around welding. I was looking at going through a four-year program but then learned about Job Training. I knew this program would get me into welding much quicker which is what I want to do. The pay isn’t bad and I like the atmosphere in most shops.” The GRCC Job Training Welding program meets for 18-weeks for 34 hours per week. The program offers small class sizes, hands-on learning and job placement assistance. This program is highly regarded by employers as a top trainer in welding and fabrication. Job developers are ready to help you with the job search process. When you graduate, you will be ready to begin a career as a welder, cutter or brazer – with the skills to meet the needs of local companies. instructor Nate Haney holds a Bachelor of Science in Welding Engineering Technology from Ferris State University and is an American Welding Society certified welding inspector and certified welding educator. “Mr. Haney is the best teacher I have ever had in my whole life! This is just the perfect place!” Rademacher said. Students learn shielded metal arc welding (arc/stick welding), gas metal arc welding (metal inert gas/wire welding), gas tungsten arc welding (heli-arc/tungsten inert gas welding), oxy-fuel welding (gas welding), cutting, brazing, blueprint reading, mathematics, metallurgy, problem solving, teamwork and communication skills. According to the Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, there will be 34.7% job growth in the field from 2012 to 2022. “My plan is to get a job at an employer that will cover some of the expense to further my education,” Rademacher said. “Then, go back school for the degree program. This way I can start earning and gaining experience on the way.” 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. Additional information is at grcc.edu/programs/job-workforce-training .

July 12, 2021, Grand Rapids, Mich. – Summer enrollment at Grand Rapids Community College is up 7.1% from a year ago and up 5.9% from pre-pandemic levels, with many students taking advantage of state programs covering the cost of in-district tuition. GRCC’s second summer semester kicked off June 29, and fall semester classes start Aug. 30. The majority of classes are on campus, with online options also available for many classes to accommodate home and work responsibilities, and learning preferences. “As our region recovers from the pandemic, many people are looking to gain new skills to advance in their careers,” said Tina Hoxie, GRCC associate provost. “GRCC is affordable and accessible, especially with the opportunities created by state and local programs. We’re excited many people are taking their first steps back during our summer semester, and can stay on track by enrolling in fall classes.” GRCC froze tuition rates for the 2021-2022 academic year and is waiving online course fees through the fall semester. The college also is changing its parking fee structure, allowing students to pay once a day, making it easier for students to attend classes and access services at the downtown campus. Summer enrollment slipped about 1.1% during the pandemic year, but has rebounded, with 6,600 students taking classes – up 7.1% from 2020 and 5.9% from 2019. Almost 1,500 students are attending summer classes through two state programs – Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect -- which remove finances as an obstacle by covering in-district tuition costs. The window is closing for students who hope to take advantage of Futures for Frontliners, which is for people who worked during the state’s COVID-19 shutdown. People accepted by the state for the program must start classes by the fall 2021 semester to use the benefit. Additional information is available at grcc.edu/futuresforfrontliners. The Michigan Reconnect program is for students ages 25 and older who don’t already have a college degree. Additional details are available at grcc.edu/reconnect. Eligible students can also use Grand Rapids Promise Zone scholarships, which cover tuition and other expenses, to attend GRCC as guest students. Additional information is at grcc.edu/promisezone. Potential students can start the enrollment process at grcc.edu/apply. They can also contact the Enrollment Center by phone at (616) 234-3300 and by email at enroll@grcc.edu to be connected to their personal enrollment specialist.  

July 12, 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. Dave Custer spent almost 40 years building a successful workplace interiors business that now employs 114 people with sales of $58 million. But in the 1960s, Custer was a first-generation student at Grand Rapids Junior College. His father’s grocery store had been forced to close, and he was happy he could afford GRJC tuition. In 1967, he transferred his GRJC credits to Western Michigan University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. “Grand Rapids Junior College had lower tuition and allowed me to stay at home and helped me get a start on a college degree,” he said. “And having that degree allowed for better opportunities of employment, which then molded my career.” The CEO and founder of Custer Inc. shares his story with almost everyone he encounters, saying, “If it wasn’t for GRJC, my life would be very different from what it is today.” The American Association of Community Colleges named him one of just four 2020 Outstanding Alumni Award recipients from among 600 nominations. Then this past spring, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education named him the recipient of the 2020 Ernest T. Steward Award for Alumni Volunteer Involvement. The award, named for the first executive director of the American Alumni Council, recognizes an individual for service to his or her alma mater and is the highest honor CASE presents to an alumni volunteer. Dave Custer became a member of the GRCC Foundation’s board of directors in 1989 and immediately joined efforts that led Kent County voters to redistrict GRJC into the independent, standalone Grand Rapids Community College. In 2008, he was named board chair -- the first time this leadership position was held by someone other than the college president. He has served as chair of the fundraising committee for 30 years, and his tenure includes a historic milestone: In 2017, more than $1 million in scholarships were awarded. He and his wife, Karen, most recently served as honorary chairs of GRCC’s A Broader Vision capital campaign. The Custers’ latest project realizes a long-held dream of the GRCC Foundation: a permanent home for fundraising and alumni activities. Their leadership and insight was recognized by the GRCC board of trustees, which voted unanimously to rename the refurbished Lettinga House the Custer Alumni House. Dave Custer, GRCC’s 2010 Distinguished Alumnus, says he is always happy to help an institution that helps so many. “I want to help give others the same chance and opportunity I had,” he said. “I don’t know what our community would do without GRCC.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .  

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 Lynnae Selburg. As an academic advisor, Lynnae works with students to help them navigate higher education. They work together to identify and clarify a student's academic goals, and then possible career exploration. Once a student knows if they plan to start a career or transfer after graduation, or skill up for their current career, Lynnae helps them identify the best course to take. This includes graduation planning, (making sure they have all the requirements met), transfer planning (making sure they are connected with the transfer institution and have everything done for a successful transfer), and academic success strategies. 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 Lynnae Selburg. As an academic advisor, Lynnae works with students to help them navigate higher education. They work together to identify and clarify a student's academic goals, and then possible career exploration. Once a student knows if they plan to start a career or transfer after graduation, or skill up for their current career, Lynnae helps them identify the best course to take. This includes graduation planning, (making sure they have all the requirements met), transfer planning (making sure they are connected with the transfer institution and have everything done for a successful transfer), and academic success strategies. "Sometimes the plans don't work out and we have to change course, but it is like a giant puzzle with each student and I help them find the best pieces and put it all together,” she said. “You couldn't have a better job than this!" Lynnae works with all GRCC students, but a majority of her work is with GRCC Early/Middle College students. This growing population is taking advantage of an incredible opportunity – earning a high school diploma and associate degree in just 5 years! She loves meeting with all the different students who come to GRCC, and watching them achieve success when often they didn't think that was possible.  Lynnae's favorite day of the year is commencement when she gets to watch students walk across the stage, knowing how much work they put into getting there! Lynnae knows that often life can get difficult, and that barriers can impact a student's ability to be successful. And she is here to help students identify resources and develop a plan to help them get back on a path to success. Lynnae has worked in a variety of counseling roles for the past 30 years in many educational and health care settings. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from GVSU and earned a master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from MSU. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Michigan and is a nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.  She has worked in many different student services & academic affairs departments, at various institutions, which has provided her a wide range of experiences to draw upon when working with students at GRCC. You can connect with Lynnae and other members of the Academic Advising and Transfer team by emailing advising@grcc.edu , calling (616) 234-3900, and texting (616) 404-0044. . “You couldn't have a better job than this!" Lynnae works with all GRCC students, but a majority of her work is with GRCC Early/Middle College students. This growing population is taking advantage of an incredible opportunity – earning a high school diploma and associate degree in just 5 years! She loves meeting with all the different students who come to GRCC, and watching them achieve success when often they didn't think that was possible.  Lynnae's favorite day of the year is commencement when she gets to watch students walk across the stage, knowing how much work they put into getting there! Lynnae knows that often life can get difficult, and that barriers can impact a student's ability to be successful. And she is here to help students identify resources and develop a plan to help them get back on a path to success. Lynnae has worked in a variety of counseling roles for the past 30 years in many educational and health care settings. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from GVSU and earned a master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from MSU. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Michigan and is a nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.  She has worked in many different student services & academic affairs departments, at various institutions, which has provided her a wide range of experiences to draw upon when working with students at GRCC. You can connect with Lynnae and other members of the Academic Advising and Transfer team by emailing advising@grcc.edu , calling (616) 234-3900, and texting (616) 404-0044.

July 7, 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. After graduating from high school, Shelly Parks did a variety of service industry work; mainly dishwashing and housekeeping. She heard about the GRCC Computer Support Technician Job Training Program from her friends. “I really liked the way this program worked with my schedule and I liked the idea of being done in just 18 weeks.” After completing the program, Parks was an intern at GRCC. The Computer Support Technician Job Training Program prepares students to achieve two certifications: the Google IT Support Professional Certificate and the CompTIA A+ Certification. Both of these IT certifications are globally recognized and represent in-demand skills sought after by a wide array of employers. Moving forward, this program just recently moved to an online hybrid format. This program is designed to address computer support from four perspectives: technical, professionalism and employability, business innovation, and design. From a technical perspective, this program focuses on the four fundamentals of IT: hardware, software, networking, and security. Additionally, students gain experience with both the Windows operating system, as well as Linux, along with setting up and accessing virtual machines and cloud computing services. Many troubleshooting strategies are taught to prepare students for the myriad problems they will encounter and how to provide the most efficient and effective solutions. This program also prepares students with the employability skills and the professionalism required to work in IT. Students regularly meet local IT technicians, engineers, business owners, and recruiters via Zoom to learn from their experiences and current market expectations. 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. 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. “I am really excited for the future,” Parks said. “This program really opened my eyes. I see now that I can do just about anything with this knowledge of technology. My instructor totally gave me a new perspective of how technology can benefit human beings and that is what I want to do.” 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. Additional information is at grcc.edu/programs/job-workforce-training.

July 5, 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. Tyler Frank’s career -- which has taken him across the country and around the world -- has its roots at GRCC. While he was a student at GRCC, Frank’s Spanish professor recommended he become a tutor at the Academic Support Center. That eventually led him to a tutoring position with the Adult Basic Education program. “I loved working in that program with students studying to earn their GED,” he said. “The students were hard-working, down-to-earth people who I loved and respected.” After graduating from GRCC with an Associate in Arts in 2007, Frank completed a bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Michigan and a master’s in language, reading and culture from the University of Arizona. Franks worked as a professional tutor at GRCC and UM and also taught in the Adult Basic Education program at Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz. He added to his teaching experience when he served with the Peace Corps in a youth development program in the Andes mountains of Peru.  “I have been privileged to have lots of amazing opportunities throughout my life,” he said. “These many opportunities, such as studying abroad and serving in the U.S. Peace Corps, have helped me to learn, grow and continue setting new goals for myself.” For the past few years, he’s been a professor in career and academic preparation at Clark College in Vancouver, Wash., helping students earn adult high school diplomas and prepare for future coursework at the college. “My inspiration for my career was born out of my experience at GRCC,” said Frank, who recently received tenure. “I still value my experience as a student at GRCC, especially since I now teach at a community college. Having had the student experience at a community college helps inform my own work.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .