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. It all started at Grand Rapids Junior College, which Harabruda started attending while still a Creston High School student.  “I came to ‘JC’ because it allowed an opportunity for me as a high school student to take classes before I graduated,” he said, joking that he enjoyed “blowing things up, doing weird things with chemicals.”  Haraburda tutored classmates in science and math, and enlisted in the Army Reserves to pay for classes, earning his associate degree in 1981.  He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Central Michigan University, where he today is a member of the CMU ROTC Hall of Fame. He then earned a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College -- teaching chemistry classes while there -- and master's and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering from Michigan State University. He served in the Army from 1981 through 2010, including a 2007 deployment to Kuwait to correct logistics problems in the war zone. He was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal.  Haraburda is an inventor, making key contributions to the development of heat exchangers and spacecraft propulsion. He holds two U.S. patents and has seven patent requests pending. In 2013, the National Society of Professional Engineers named Haraburda a Fellow, and he served as president of the Indiana Society of Professional Engineers from 2014-15. He’s also a black belt, winning the Indiana Men's Master Middleweight Judo Championship title in 1998. “I can attest that Grand Rapids Community College gave me a strong foundation of knowledge, which helped me through everything I’d done,” he said after being named GRCC Distinguished Alumni in 2017. “The teachers here instilled a sense of community pride. I saw that from the teachers and the staff when I was a student here and I took that to heart.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply. And tell us your story here: https://www.grcc.edu/communications/shareyourgrccstory

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. Smith most recently was an analyst for NBA TV and a writer for NBA.com, penning the “MVP Weekly” column and hosting the popular “Hang Time” podcast. “Sekou Smith shined brightly and it’s heartbreaking to lose someone so young and talented,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “Rather than focus on the pain of his loss, we can celebrate an amazing life and career of someone who made a difference to basketball fans around the country and around the world.  Sekou is an inspiration to GRCC students today and always. The GRCC family sends its deepest condolences to Sekou’s family and friends.” After leaving GRCC, Smith attended Jackson State University in Mississippi, where he became interested in journalism. He started at The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, then moved up to covering the Indianapolis Pacers for the Indianapolis Star, then the Atlanta Hawks for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He connected with the NBA’s media teams starting in 2009. ESPN reporter Tim Bontemps wrote that Smith “was universally beloved within the basketball world, both for the work he produced in his nearly two decades covering the sport and, more importantly, for being a kind and decent person, one with an ever-present smile and a wonderful laugh.” NBA stars past and present posted tributes on social media, including Chris Paul and Dwayne Wade, and coaches Steve Kerr and Stan Van Gundy. “The NBA mourns the passing of Sekou Smith, a beloved member of the NBA family,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver posted on the league’s website. “Sekou was one of the most affable and dedicated reporters in the NBA and a terrific friend to so many across the league. He covered the game for more than two decades, including the past 11 years with Turner Sports, where he showed his full range of skills as an engaging television analyst, podcast host and writer. Sekou’s love of basketball was clear to everyone who knew him and it always shined through in his work.  Our heartfelt condolences go to his wife, Heather, and their children, Gabriel, Rielly and Cameron.” Photo by Tareia Williams, courtesy Turner Sports.        

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. Futures for Frontliners provides a pathway to an associate degree or a technical certificate for those who worked in essential industries during the COVID-19 shutdown last spring. Students living within the boundaries of the Kent Intermediate School District can attend tuition free, while others pay the difference between the resident and non-resident rate tuition – a substantial savings. Feb. 1 is the deadline for people who filed applications to the state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to submit required information, including employment verification. GRCC specialists can assist with last-minute questions through email at futures4frontliners@grcc.edu, the telephone hotline at (616) 234-3344, through text at (616) 404-4519, and through the webpage, grcc.edu/futuresforfrontliners . “This is a fantastic opportunity for students of all ages to advance in their careers with a GRCC education, tuition-free,” said Tina Hoxie, GRCC’s associate provost and dean of Student Affairs. “This is available for new students, and also for those who want to pick up where they left off and finish a degree or certificate. We don’t want anyone to miss the final deadline. Our specialists also can assist with the financial aid forms and answer questions about enrolling at GRCC.” More than 120,000 people statewide applied for the scholarships, which are part of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s goal of having 60% of working-age Michiganders earning a college degree or certificate by 2030. Of the nearly 2,900 accepted by the state to attend GRCC through the program, about 1,600 are enrolled in winter semester classes. The state is reviewing applications from several thousand more students, awaiting employment verification and other information. The Futures for Frontliners program is aimed at those who worked at least half-time in frontline jobs for 11 of the 13 weeks between April 1 and June 30 and who do not have a college degree. Eligible frontline industry examples include – but are not limited to -- food and agriculture; healthcare and public health; critical manufacturing; communications and information technology, including news media; law enforcement, public safety, and first responders; public works; and transportation and logistics. Students can use the scholarship to enroll in late-starting winter semester classes as well as summer and fall 2021 classes. 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.  

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. All home volleyball and basketball home games will be streamed through the organization’s website, michigansportsradio.com , including postseason games. Games will be archived on the GRCC Athletics YouTube channe l. “The safety and wellness of our student athletes is our top priority,” Interim Athletic Director Dave Selmon said. “While we’re disappointed fans can’t cheer on the Raiders in person, we’re glad we can show the games online. This partnership will allow people to enjoy the games, whether they are here in Grand Rapids or around the world.” The Raiders volleyball team, ranked fourth in the nation in the first poll National Junior College Athletic Association poll, is scheduled to take on Glen Oaks Community College at home on Feb. 12. The team is scheduled to play four more home matches, on March 12 against Lake Michigan College, March 16 against Kellogg Community College, March 19 against Ancilla College, and March 26 against Muskegon Community College.  The volleyball finished fifth in the nation at the NJCAA Division II tournament, the second-highest finish in program history. The team has qualified for the national tournament 10 times since Coach Chip Will took the helm in 2007. The volleyball season typically runs from August through November. The decision to run a shortened, 10-game regular season and play without fans per the MCCAA guidelines. NJCAA Region 12 is working on a plan for the upcoming men's and women's basketball seasons. The GRCC Athletic Department will announce the starting dates for those sports as soon as they are available.

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. “We are proud to be part of an area-wide effort to help our region recover from the pandemic, and provide residents with new skills that can get them started in a growing field that is especially important in West Michigan,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “We are grateful that the Department of Labor is supporting this work.” GRCC will work with a coalition of Michigan community colleges, workforce development organizations and healthcare employers to address skills needs and different modes of instructional delivery. West Michigan Works! and GRCC will lead this work in partnership with the Michigan Community College Association, and Alpena, Lansing, Oakland, and Muskegon community colleges. “Our strong partnerships with West Michigan employers and our community college partners will allow for expansion of apprenticeships in healthcare and allow us to innovate how we deliver healthcare education,” said Julie Parks, GRCC’s executive director for Workforce Training. “Employer partners and meeting the diverse needs of our population will guide our work.”  “The Strengthening Community Colleges Training grants will play an important role in helping workers to reskill as quickly as possible with industry-recognized credentials and accelerated pathways to degrees,” John Pallasch, assistant secretary for Employment and Training. said in a press release announcing the awards. “These grants are among the range of actions the department is taking to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic.” 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.

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. “My passion for education began here in the fall of 1954,” Maggini said. “GRCC has been a fortress in the face of adversity throughout its history, a haven for quality learning for me and countless students for generations.” She received her associate degree in 1956, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Michigan State University. Her teaching earned her honors as the 1990 Junior High School Teacher of the Year, and she was named one of 10 Outstanding Women of Wyoming. Maggini retired in 1997 as assistant principal at Jackson Park Middle School. She was named a GRCC Distinguished Alumna in 2011 and received a Salute to Women Award in 2005. Throughout her education career, Maggini remained committed to GRCC. She was a founding member of the board of trustees, serving from 1991 to 2011, and was named board chair in 2003. She also served on the GRCC Foundation board of directors from 2011 to 2018. She was a trustee-director to the Michigan Community College Association and was elected chair of its executive council in 2003. Maggini understands the struggles faced by many GRCC students, so she and her family help through the Grandma O Scholarship. Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply. And tell us your story here: https://www.grcc.edu/communications/shareyourgrccstory

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. “Our college is proud of our West Michigan veterans, and while we have a history of being a veteran-friendly campus, we want to raise the bar," GRCC President Bill Pink said. “Like many of our students, veterans often attend college part time while juggling home and work responsibilities. We’re focused on making sure these students have academic support and relevant assistance in tapping into the benefits they are entitled to. This grant will help us improve upon the strong program we presently have in place.” More than 400 GRCC students take advantage of existing veterans services, and the college hopes to grow that number to more than 500 in three years. The college plans to create a new space for veterans in a renovated Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, with a coordinator to oversee the program and three peer mentors. The center will serve as a single point of contact, connecting veterans with campus resources including financial aid, advising and disability support. The project also will help GRCC expand its partnerships with state and local veterans’ agencies, helping students access benefits and support in the community. The Veterans Success Center will host workshops and speakers, and provide opportunities for networking and social events for the students. “GRCC has a history of honoring veterans, from our annual Veterans Day commemoration to events to build fellowship and community,” GRCC Registrar Valerie Butterfield said. “This grant will allow us to take that work to the next level, providing a dedicated space for veterans of all ages. They will be able to get support from the college, but also from each other.”   The center also will help with outreach efforts, making veterans in the community aware of opportunities at GRCC to earn credits for degrees or transfer and in-demand career skills. Students can take advantage of existing services and benefits at grcc.edu/veterans 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.