March 23, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The GRCC baseball team swept a doubleheader against Aquinas College, continuing a string of dominating performances. The softball team showed some power of its own, snapping a four-game losing streak with a win in the first game of its twin bill against Glen Oaks Community College at Belknap Park. The baseball team was shutout in its first game of the season, and has since scored 52 runs while giving up just seven, improving the season record to 4-1. GRCC scored six runs in the third inning on its way to a 9-2 victory over the Aquinas junior varsity squad in the first game. The rally was led by a triple by Caleb Englesman, a single by Matt Williams, a sacrifice fly by Max Varon, and a double by Fernando Calderon. Keegan Spomer earned the win, going two innings and allowing no runs on one hit, striking out three and walking none. Bradley Dunn, Dalton Vander Ark, and Sam Schmitt all put in work in relief out of the bullpen, steering their team towards the victory. Drew Murphy started the game and pitched two innings, allowing one hit and no runs while striking out three and walking none.   GRCC totaled eight hits. Ryan Dykstra and Englesman each had multiple hits. The Raiders tore up the base paths, as two players stole at least two bases. In the second game, GRCC scored nine runs in the fifth inning on its way to a 15-2 victory. The Raiders’ big inning was driven by singles by Jake Ryan, Ryan Dykstra, and Payton Young, walks by Camden Keatley and Fernando Calderon, a triple by Jake Paganelli, and a groundout by Sam Schmitt. Caden Van De Burg was credited with the victory. The righty went two innings, allowing no runs on two hits, striking out two and walking zero. Jerad Berkenpas and Blake Waibel entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief. Englesman started the game for the Raiders, pitching two innings, allowing one hit and no runs while walking none. GRCC racked up 12 hits in the game. Ryan, Aaron West, and Young all managed multiple hits for Grand Rapids Community College. West and Ryan all had three hits each. On the nearby softball diamond, the Raiders shutout Glen Oaks 4-0 to notch the first win of the season. Mariah Redding had a big day, hitting her second home run of the young season, with pitcher Alexa Abrahamson scattering eight hits and striking out three without surrendering a walk to earn the win. Alexis Nguyen had two hits in two at-bats, with two runs batted in and two stolen bases. Brooklynne Siewertsen had a run batted in and made a great catch in the top of the seventh inning. The Raiders settled for a split, dropping the nightcap to the Vikings, 6-4. GRCC was up 4-2 heading into the sixth inning, but Glen Oaks connected to score four runs to climb ahead. Krin Beach had two hits in three at-bats. The team is next in action on Friday, with a doubleheader against Mid Michigan.  

March 23, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College’s Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory has again received recognition as one of the top programs in the nation. The National Association for the Education of Young Children recently renewed the program’s accreditation -- a recognition that less than 10% of all child-care centers, preschools and kindergartens achieve. The process for NAEYC accreditation is rigorous and includes intensive studies and on-site visits. “NAEYC-accredited programs bring our definitions of excellence for early childhood education to life each day,” said Kristen Johnson, the association’s senior director of Early Learning Program Accreditation. The laboratory preschool, which serves children ages 6 weeks to 6 years, is the heart of GRCC’s Child Development and Education Department. It provides GRCC students with opportunities to work with children under the guidance of instructors in a model early childhood program. Located at 210 Lyon St. NE, it was the first in West Michigan to have a State 5-Star Quality Rating. “We are proud to share that, despite a global pandemic, the Early Childhood Learning Laboratory is able to consistently provide a high-quality learning experience for young children,” said Rebecca Brinks, department head. “Our program also allows future teachers to interact with highly qualified mentors while observing and participating in the delivery of effect curriculum for young children.”

March 22, 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. We’re sharing some of those stories, and want to hear yours! Many people told Sara Knoester she was doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. But she was willing to navigate obstacles to achieve her dream: Mixed Staffing and Recruiting, a staffing agency focused on helping women and minorities find employment. Knoester was raised by a single mom and an absent father who died when she was 17. She started helping her father in second grade, balancing his checkbook, printing invoices and doing other tasks to help the business he owned. This fueled her dreams of entrepreneurship, but her ambitions didn’t match her high school achievements: a 2.5 GPA and a record-setting 23 detentions her freshman year. “Needless to say, I wasn’t predicted to succeed,” she said. “But what many people might not have known was that I knew in my heart that I was going to be different. I knew in my heart that God had something bigger planned for me -- even if others couldn’t see it on the outside.” After graduating from Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School in 2006, she started at GRCC.   “All my friends, they were going to universities; they were playing college sports; they were living in the dorms,” she said. “Me -- I lived up the street on Lyon with my mom. I was working full time, paying my own tuition and really struggling mentally and academically.” Knoester couldn’t understand why school seemed so easy for her friends, but so hard for her. She decided to get tested for learning disabilities and was diagnosed with dyslexia and attention-deficit disorder. “I remember feeling pretty discouraged and saying, ‘OK, I can quit or I can learn and I can grow,’” she said. “I decided I needed to figure out how I was going to excel in the classroom.” She learned ways to adapt and was able to raise her GPA from a 2.5 to a 4.0. After receiving her associate degree in 2008, she enrolled at Grand Valley State University. She graduated in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in creative marketing.  Frustrated with her failure to find a job -- even with her degrees -- she decided to move with two friends to Chicago. Knoester and her roommate decided to create a business to help women and minorities find employment. She terminated her Chicago lease, quit her job and prepared to start Mixed Staffing in 2012.  “People are always going to tell you why you can’t do something, and you have to be strong-minded enough to know that you can,” she said. “You have to believe in what you do and why you do it.” Her belief in herself has carried her through failed attempts to “cold call” clients, 12-hour work days, no salary from the business for three years, and seven hospitalizations. “Since starting the business, I’ve had at least one major setback each year,” Knoester said. “And each one has been a pretty significant punch to the gut. You either hunch over and give up, or you keep your head up and get ready to embrace the next challenge.” Mixed Staffing now employs more than 1,500 and has 30 plus clients, generating over $1 million dollars in revenue annually. Knoester has been recognized as one of the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” and one of the “Top 50 Companies to Watch in Michigan.” “Yes, I graduated from a four-year university, but Grand Rapids Community College -- that’s like my heart,” Knoester said. “It’s also a stepping stone for everything I’ve accomplished, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunities given to me there.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply . And tell us your story here: grcc.edu/communications/shareyourgrccstory    

March 20, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – So close. Both Grand Rapids Community College basketball teams suffered heartbreaking losses against Macomb Community College on Saturday, each missing final shots at the buzzer. The softball team also fell short, dropping a pair of games against Jackson College at Belknap Park. The women’s basketball team snapped a seven-game winning stream with a 58-56 loss to Macomb, a tough team that arrived at the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse undefeated. The Monarchs have won 40 straight games, and are ranked No. 6 in the nation. The Raiders fall to 7-2. The Raiders’ Jayla Bibbs is the fourth-most rebounds in the country. The sophomore from Buchanan had another strong game with eight points and 20 boards. Sophomore Shonyah Hawkins of Grand Rapids continues to shine, with 20 points. The men’s team fell behind and caught the Monarchs several times before falling just shy at the end, losing 79-76. Isaac Anderson, a sophomore from Fort Wayne, Ind., continues to lead the team, on Saturday scoring 27 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. Azyah Brown, a freshman from Allentown, Penn., had 14 points and 11 boards. Chandler Collins, a sophomore from Hudsonville, and Darien Banks, a sophomore from Southfield, each scored 10 points. The Macomb men are now 2-8 on the season, and Grand Rapids falls to 4-5. The Raiders next play Alpena Community College on Tuesday at home. The softball team is off to a tough start after dropping back-to-back doubleheaders. The Raiders pulled ahead of Jackson in the second inning of the first game when Marlo Abbey drove in two runs with a double. But the Jets pulled ahead in the third inning and never looked back, winning 15-5. Alexa Abrahamson, a sophomore from Wyoming, took the loss for the Raiders, pitching seven innings and allowing 14 hits and 14 runs while striking out five and walking one. Grand Rapids collected nine hits. Mariah Ridding, Kate Stearns, a sophomore from Sparta; and Abbey, a freshman from Kentwood, all collected multiple hits. The Jets took the nightcap 15-7, with Jackson scoring seven runs in the fourth inning. Ridding, a freshman from Levering, took the loss for the Raiders, allowing 17 hits and 15 runs while striking out three over five innings. The Raiders had 10. Haley VanHuis, a freshman from Grandville, went three-for-four at the plate. Brooklynne Siewertsen also had multiple hits. Grand Rapids hosts Glen Oaks Community College in a Tuesday doubleheader.   

March 19, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team earned two wins against Ancilla College on Friday, winning both ends of the twin bill in straight sets. The GRCC softball team struggled in its first games of the season, losing both games of a doubleheader against Lansing Community College at Belknap Park. Playing at home in the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse, the volleyball team won the first match 25-14, 25-12, and 25-12, with sophomore Kylie Oberlin, from Fruitport, leading with 10 kills and 21 assists. Freshman Kara Hecht from Zeeland had nine kills and 22 assists. The team continued to roll in the second match, winning 25-23, 25-8, and 25-17. Sophomore Gabi Kitley from Grand Ledge had 16 kills and 22 assists, sophomore Annie Holesinger from Rockford had eight kills and 15 assists and Hecht had 5 kills and 22 assists. Sophomore Kailey Carmean from Fruitport recorded her 600th career assist and 200th career dig.  The volleyball team has won four games in a row and is now 7-3 on the season. The Raiders head to Muskegon Community College on Tuesday.  The softball team squared off against a tough opponent for its first games. Lansing already played seven games, and had won six of them. The Raiders were unable to get their offense started, losing the first game 7-0, and the second game 8-0 in five innings. The team will look to rebound quickly, with a Saturday doubleheader against Jackson College. The Jets are 4-3 on the season.

March 19, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Community College students account for nearly half of Michigan’s 2021 semifinalists for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s highly competitive undergraduate transfer scholarship. The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship provides recipients up to $40,000 annually for up to three years, comprehensive educational advising, and the chance to connect with their fellow Cooke Scholars. It is among the largest private awards in the nation for students transferring from a community college. The foundation announced 406 semifinalists late last month, selected from more than 1,500 applications that represent 398 community colleges.  Michigan had 15 students reach the semifinalist level, including six from GRCC: Cayden Beardslee. Destiny Carrera. Nicholas Cetlinski. Gideon Kortenhoven. Deidre Mitchell. Paulo Zepeda. “I am extremely proud to not just see GRCC students named semifinalists, but to see so many achieve this honor during a very challenging time for them and for our community,” GRCC President Bill Pink. “This is also a reflection of the faculty and staff who were determined to help students be successful, overcoming the obstacles all of us faced.”  Beardslee was recently accepted to the University of Michigan and plans to study business law. He credits GRCC with helping him develop confidence and leadership skills. “I always envisioned myself just going to a big university after high school,” he said. “I never expected I would ultimately choose a community college first. Unequivocally, this was the best decision I have ever made.” Carrera has applied to both Grand Valley State and Michigan State universities with plans to become a physician’s assistant. “GRCC has helped me better prepare myself for new challenges,” she said, adding that she found the tutors and academic advisors especially helpful. The foundation will announce the recipients in April. GRCC student Daniel Gebrezgiabhier received the scholarship in 2015. He is now pursuing a doctorate in biomedical engineering at the University of California-Berkley. “The research is clear: Our community colleges are full of talented students with a diversity of experiences that contribute to their educational journey,” said Seppy Basili, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “We see this in our applicant pool every year and are excited to recognize this group of semifinalists for their academic achievements.  “We are especially impressed with the incredible perseverance and drive these students have exhibited during such an unprecedented year.” Grand Rapids Community College offers learners of all ages opportunities to gain credits for degrees or transfer and in-demand career skills leading to rewarding careers. GRCC was established in 1914 – Michigan’s first community college -- and offers affordable classes on weekdays, evenings, Saturdays and online at locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties.  

March 19, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The GRCC Communications Team was honored by a national college communications and marketing organization for a campaign encouraging students considering taking a gap year due to the pandemic to instead take classes at GRCC. The “Fill the Gap” campaign earned first place in the Paragon Awards from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations in the Successful Recruitment or Marketing Program category. The awards were presented during a virtual ceremony on Wednesday. The campaign included a series of 20 social media posts running in May and June, supported by information on the GRCC website.  “Your objectives are spot-on,” judges wrote. “Great idea to try to combat the gap year and communicate the affordability factor. Awesome diversity representation.” The campaign featured portraits of GRCC students, considered reasons why a student would contemplate a gap year, and countered every one with an example of why a community college would be a better option for them. It shared the educational and financial benefits of gaining transferrable credits at GRCC rather than taking a year off. The Paragons are a national award. GRCC in October earned eight regional awards from NCMPR’s District 3, which includes community, technical and junior colleges in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and the Canadian province of Ontario. The district awards included a Gold Medallion for the GRCC Foundation’s 2018-2019 Annual Report, which focused on telling the stories of GRCC’s best ambassadors – its students, alumni and community members – and sharing how scholarships can lower financial obstacles and help many students gain a life-changing education. Grand Rapids Community College offers learners of all ages opportunities to gain credits for degrees or transfer and in-demand career skills leading to rewarding careers. GRCC was established in 1914 – Michigan’s first community college -- and offers affordable classes on weekdays, evenings, Saturdays and online at locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties.  

March 17, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College baseball team soundly beat Davenport University JV 11-2 on Wednesday. The Raiders got things started in the first inning when Aaron West lofted a pop fly that and reached on an error, plating Jake Ryan for the first run – and never looked back. The team tacked on four more in the first, three in the second inning and one in the fourth before Davenport scored its first run. GRCC added a run in the seventh and the ninth. The Raiders banged out 14 hits in the game. Fernando Calderon and Sam Schmitt each collected three hits, while Payton Young, Ryan Dykstra, and Caleb Englesman all had two.   Collin Bradley earned the win for the Raiders, surrendering one run on zero hits over four innings, striking out four.  Garrett Cheslek and Drew Murphy entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game. Issac Van Dyke took the loss for Davenport, lasting one inning, allowing five hits and five runs while striking out one and walking one. Logan Hylek went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead Davenport in hits. The Raiders have scored 28 runs in two games after getting blanked in the first game against Aquinas JV. The team faces Aquinas again in a double-header at Belknap Park on Tuesday. Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.

March 16, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- GRCC Workforce Training offers programs providing 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. Ian Pope was used to being on the move, with multiple career paths, including military service. When he was ready to settle down, he chose to focus on a career in the growing field of construction. As a student in GRCC’s Residential Construction Job Training program, Pope finds special satisfaction in working with other students on a house for nonprofit Habitat for Humanity of Kent County. “The professor has created a curriculum built around real-world experience,” he said. “It is both a classroom and a real worksite. By choosing to do this, I know I will learn how to excel while loving the work that you do.” GRCC has a long history of providing the highest quality construction education programs in West Michigan. Workforce Training offers a variety of learning opportunities from kids camps to skills training to apprenticeships. GRCC offers three 18-week Job training certificate programs: Introduction to Construction, Residential Construction , and Construction Electrical . Other industry certification programs include Carpentry Certification 1 , Commercial Construction , Lead Abatement Training , and the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program . 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 blue print reading, site layout, concrete, carpentry, door/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. Students will learn to identify key building materials; complete a site layout using blueprints and elevations; operate hand and power tools; observe installing of concrete foundation and complete flat work; construct floor, wall, ceiling and roof framing; demonstrate roofing applications; apply windows, exterior doors and finishes; identify thermal and moisture protection systems; measure, cut-out and install stairway; and install interior finishes including doors, windows, floor, ceiling and cabinets. 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 .

March 16, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College women’s basketball team extended its winning streak to seven games with a 69-62 victory over St. Clair County Community College on Tuesday. The men’s team fell short, losing 79-66. The volleyball team won at home, beating Glen Oaks three games to two. The woman’s basketball team was led by Jayla Bibbs, scoring 19 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Danielle Lamancusa had eight points and 10 rebounds, and Olivia Koetje posted 10 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Annaliese Lamontagne was stellar for the Skippers, with 17 points and 12 rebounds. The Raiders have now won every game since dropping the opener, boasting a 7-1 record. The team will be tested against a tough Macomb Community College team, ranked No. 6 in the nation, on Saturday. St. Clair’s men team is ranked No. 10, and staked out a lead with 48 points in the first half. Isaac Anderson was again solid for the Raiders, with 27 points and 14 rebounds. Chandler Collins had 15 points and nine rebounds, and Azyah Brown 11 points and eight rebounds. The team is now 4-4 on the season. The volleyball team prevailed in five games over a tough Glen Oaks team at home. The team dropped the first game 25-23, won the second 25-33, lost an epic third game 36-34, then won the final two, 25-20 and 15-10. Annie Holesinger led the team with 16 kills, followed by Gabi Kitley with 11 and Kylie Oberlin, with 10. Savannah Stoepker had four aces, followed by Kitley with two. Holesinger and Haley Dobry each had four blocks. Kailey Carmean had 27 assists, followed by Zari Kruge with 21 and Audrey Gower with 2. The Raiders improved to 5-3 on the season, and are gearing up for a doubleheader against Ancilla College on Friday.