Nov. 2, 2020, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.   – Several key Grand Rapids Community College buildings are undergoing a transformation this year and next, with renovations and additions creating state-of-the-art spaces for teaching and learning. Projects are underway or completed at both downtown campuses, while a new, consolidated Lakeshore Campus is taking shape in Holland Township. Funding for the work comes from the college, the state government and generous support from donors through the GRCC Foundation. “When we emerge from this pandemic, our students and community will see significant upgrades aimed at providing an even better GRCC experience,” President Bill Pink said. “These investments in our buildings look wonderful. But more importantly, they will help this college be flexible, ready to adapt to the changing needs of our community so we will always be able to provide a quality education, whether students are seeking degrees or career skills.” The Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center The Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center is gaining a two-story, 18,416-square-foot expansion in addition to extensive renovations. The work will allow GRCC to leverage existing labs and spaces and expand programs.  The project is expected to be completed in December and be ready for winter 2021 classes. The $12.7 million project is designed to provide a teaching and learning environment supporting learning and experiential problem-solving while providing greater visibility for workforce training and information technology programs. The ATC project includes: Improving the flexibility and use of existing classrooms and labs. Creating an open and inviting front entry. Adding a Data Center Lab suite. Expanding and updating the Machine Tool Lab. Increasing student study and meeting spaces. Providing small project rooms where students can work together. Adding interaction areas where faculty, students, and researchers can gather informally. Renovating the open computer lab. Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall  GRCC’s historic Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall is being renovated over two years, transforming the nearly 100-year-old building into a 21 st -century learning center. The $15 million project includes major upgrades to all five floors. The fifth-floor work was completed this summer and includes classrooms, a large student collaboration area, minor upgrades to the board room – and spectacular views of downtown. Other work includes: Fourth-floor renovations to update studio and lab space for Visual Arts classes, improved classrooms and administrative offices, and a large student collaboration area.   Third-floor work, planned for the winter 2021 semester, to add a faculty hub, offices, and classrooms. The Center for Teaching Excellence and offices for Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies, deans, and The Collegiate will also be renovated. Second-floor work, planned for summer 2021, to update classrooms. First-floor work, also during summer 2021, to reimagine the student experience, including orientation, admissions, the Enrollment Center, the Student Financial Services office (formerly Cashier's) and financial aid space. The project is proceeding under budget, and the reach of the work may extend to include level G2 improvements, a new canopy over the stair tower between Finkelstein and Cook halls, and work to the fourth-floor skywalk to the Bostwick parking ramp. GRCC Lakeshore Campus The Lakeshore Campus, on the former JCPenney site in The Shops at Westshore in Holland Township, will consolidate GRCC Lakeshore offerings in one place for the first time. GRCC and the GRCC Foundation are working with Lakeshore donors to support the project, which is expected to be completed in time for the fall 2021 semester. The 50,000-square-foot building is being renovated to include classrooms and labs for the schools of Workforce Development and Arts and Sciences. It also will include student services such as testing, counseling, placement, and a satellite library. Steven C. Ender Hall and Custer Alumni House The college completed renovations to two buildings on the DeVos Campus this summer. Steven C. Ender Hall, formerly the Mable Engle House, will be used for student-focused groups, including Experiential Learning and the Honors Program, Student Employment Services and space for Student Life clubs and organizations. The college previously used the building for temporary office space.  Renovations cost $3.4 million. The Custer Alumni House is the new name for the Lettinga House, reflecting its role as the home of the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation and alumni activities. The $1.8 million in renovations includes a kitchen, meeting space and areas for receptions and other gatherings – a welcoming place for former students and community members. The building was previously used as temporary office space and housed the Institutional Research Department and General Counsel. “We are incredibly fortunate to be part of a community that invests in GRCC,” said Dr. Kathryn K. Mullins, vice president of College Advancement and executive director of the GRCC Foundation. “Many of the people donating to support these projects are alumni who know firsthand how a GRCC education can change lives. Others see the impact a strong community college has had on West Michigan. We deeply appreciate their investment in our students, and know these improvements will help them for years to come.” 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.

Victoria Uy  came to Grand Rapids to work but soon learned that she could afford to make a Grand Rapids Community College degree part of her plans. “When I found out how low the tuition rates are for residents -- especially compared to where I previously lived, I decided to enroll at GRCC,” she said. “I wanted to accomplish a college degree, and, with the guidance of the faculty at GRCC, it was a smooth transition into enrollment. I began my enrollment a few weeks before the semester started!” The smooth transition continued as Uy’s classes got under way at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. “All of the faculty show that they care about the students and that they genuinely enjoy their job,” she said. “I have always noticed the passion all of my instructors have for the content they are teaching, and it keeps me enthusiastic about learning.” Uy has been making the most of her time at GRCC. She worked as a server and a culinary assistant at the Nations Cup competition in October 2019 and became a culinary assistant in Spectrum Health’s Culinary Medicine program. She and fellow student Thomas Brown competed in the NASA HUNCH Astronaut Culinary Challenge  this past spring. Students from 52 culinary schools across the nation competed to create a new dish for astronauts on the International Space Station. The GRCC team came in second place. Uy also taught a class on fine dining at Baxter Community Center as a service learning project. “I have been able to accomplish many things as a student of GRCC because I have formed a great network through the program I am enrolled in,” she said.  Uy plans to graduate in spring 2021 with an Associate of Arts in Pre-Hospitality Management. “Ideally, I would take on any part of the hospitality industry, but I do love planning events to bring others together,” she said of her possible future plans.

Oct. 31, 2020, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  Grand Rapids Community College’s cross country teams are headed to the national championships after both teams won state and regional titles Saturday in Lansing. The Raiders earned Michigan Community College Athletic Association and National Junior College Athletic Association DII, Region XII titles, the first since the rebirth of the program in 2014. GRCC student-athletes earned individual honors as well, with Josh Kipkoech winning his fourth race of the season and Audrey Meyering winning her second. The women’s team stepped to the line first. After finishing with top honors among MCCAA competition during the regular season, the ladies looked to hold off NJCAA DII top-10 ranked Jackson College (ninth) and St. Clair Community College (fifth). As the starting gun smoke cleared, it was obvious the Raiders came to race. Six GRCC runners were positioned in the top 22 at the mile mark. Meyering led the race, running side-by-side with Jackson’s top runner. A few seconds back, Kiah Becker positioned herself in the chase pack, with Carolanne Merlington close behind. The three-headed monster of Kate De Leeuw, Liz Merlington and Allison Hoop were about five seconds back. At the halfway point, Meyering made her move, putting a 10-second gap on the second runner in just over a half mile. Becker was uncharacteristically struggling to breathe, but still held onto a top-five spot. Liz Merlington and De Leeuw Kate also made a strong push into the top-12, catching Carolanne Merlington as all three girls strained toward the finish. Meyering pulled away for a dominating Conference and Regional championship performance in 20:21, a 22-second gap over the runner-up from Jackson. Becker held on for a sixth-place finish, Liz Merlington kicked home to finish ninth, with Carolanne Merlington 11th and De Leeuw 12th. Hoop faded just a little, bit still held on for 21st and 17th among DII schools. The women's team score of 39 outpaced runner-up St. Clair by 23 points, earning the MCCAA and Region XII titles The men got off the line a little conservatively, but settled into a nice rhythm by the mile mark. As he has all season, Kipkoech got off to a strong start, co-leading the race alongside St. Clair’s top runner. Twenty seconds back, Lance Jourdan and Gabe Sanchez ran within a second in the mid-teens.. Jack Kehoe, then Noah Peterson and Ashton Brennan followed behind in about 20-25th place. The team race was neck-and-neck as the Jackson team got out very quick and the Raiders may have been slightly behind. At the 5k mark, Kipkoech surged ahead on his own, gapping the St. Clair runner. Kehoe looked a little out of it, struggling with breathing issues while falling out of the top 20. The other Raiders must have sensed their teammate’s struggles and picked up the pace. Sanchez led Jourdan, as both moved up into 12th position, while Peterson made a strong move, surging into the top 20. The Jackson runners were slightly fading, vaulting the Raiders into a narrow lead. Kipkoech pulled away to win convincingly in a strong time of 26:10, a full minute ahead of the runner up from St. Clair. Jourdan bravely shifted gears with a little over a quarter mile left, passing Jackson’s number two runner in process and finishing in eighth place. Sanchez sprinted across the line 12 seconds later in 13th place. Peterson was closing on Jackson’s number four runner, but ran out of race course to finish in 18th. Despite the breathing issues, Kehoe held onto the all-important 5th runner position to finish 30th. The Raiders team score of 67 was 6 points better than an inspired Jackson squad to take home the titles. Both squads look ahead to two more weeks of training and look to peak for the NJCAA DII National Championships on Nov. 14 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The race is hosted by Iowa Central Community

Oct. 29, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  Josh Kipkoech and Kiah Becker are among the best cross country runners in the nation. But they say their success as teammates is more important than individual accomplishments. The two members of Grand Rapids Community College’s nationally ranked cross country teams talked about their motivation and the support they receive from coaches, family and teammates on the  “My GRCC Story” podcast . The teams are competing Saturday in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association Region XII Championship at Grand Woods Park in Lansing, starting at noon. A strong showing could propel them to the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championships in Iowa on Nov. 14. The GRCC women’s team was ranked fourth in the nation in the latest coaches’ poll, while the men’s team is ranked eighth. Both have been ranked in the national top 10 all season. Kipkoech and Becker took different paths to GRCC, but both said they have found success in the classroom as well as the race course. Becker was attending a four-year school, but it wasn’t working out as she had hoped. “I came home and started working for a bit when I realized I actually still wanted to run,” she said. “The community college was a really good way for me to do that while also taking classes that I enjoyed. I ended up fitting in a lot better with the team, and things worked out well with classes.” Kipkoech is a native of Kenya and moved to Grand Rapids when he was 17. He started running when he was young. “We grew up where so many professional athletes live,” he said. “Usually, they would run past where we would live. I would follow them until I got tired and went back home. One day my mother told me, ‘Why don’t you just run like these guys and buy me this piece of land?’ And I was like, ‘OK.’” He enrolled in Automotive Technology classes at GRCC’s Tassell M-TEC this year, gaining in-demand skills. But he also decided to start running again when he learned about the cross country team. “GRCC is where I can start my career and maybe transfer,” he said. The student-athletes praised coaches Matt Sicilia, Sharon Becker and Garrett Lacey for their leadership and direction, and setting in place protocols that keep the team safe during the pandemic. Students wear face coverings when not competing or training. They also follow social distancing guidelines and take a health screening, including a temperature check, every day. “It does take up a little more time, but it’s not really difficult, especially in the perspective of what’s going on,” Becker said. “It’s what we can do to keep each other safe.” Becker and Kipkoech have each won three races this year, and noted that other team members are having strong seasons. Both GRCC teams won three meets, and posted the highest scores among community colleges in a meet featuring runners from both two- and four-year programs. "Success as a group actually makes the accomplishments more enjoyable," Becker said. “Running is such a difficult sport that it’s almost harder to do by yourself. You need the motivation from everyone else on the team. It really helps, and it’s how we get there.” Added Kipkoech:  "If you want to go fast, run by yourself. But if you want to go far, go as a team. Being with this young team, we have something in common. We have different people from different backgrounds and different ideas, so we can come together and have one common thing. That’s not just running. We have something else in common – dedication.” The "My GRCC Story" podcast is available on iTunes, Spotify and  other podcast-sharing platforms .  

Oct. 26, 2020, GRAND RAPIDS, MI —  Families of students interested in attending Grand Rapids Community College without cost through a Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship can attend one of four information sessions and prepare for classes during the upcoming winter 2021 semester. GRCC already has welcomed 251 students through the Promise Zone Scholarship this fall, and is creating personalized support services to help them succeed. The scholarship, a partnership overseen by the independent Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority, covers eligible students’ costs of attending GRCC for up to 60 credit hours. The Promise Zone Scholarship ensures all eligible students who live within the city of Grand Rapids and graduate from one of the 24 public, public charter, or private high schools located within the city limits will have free access to GRCC’s associate degree programs or to the job training and certification programs.  “GRCC is ready to help families learn more about the Promise Zone Scholarships, and how a quality GRCC education can change lives,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “The scholarship removes cost as an obstacle. GRCC is providing support, including success coaches, to remove other obstacles. Together, we will help families take advantage of this remarkable opportunity.” Virtual information sessions are planned for Oct. 29, Nov. 12, Dec. 3 and Dec. 17, with all sessions planned for 6-7 p.m. Registration is available at the  Promise Zone web page  or by emailing  promisezone@grcc.edu  or calling (616) 234-4321. GRCC created student care teams for all students who enrolled through the Promise Zone, and partnered with the Michigan College Action Network to bring two college completion coaches to support them. Each Promise Zone student will be assigned an academic advisor and a student success coach. Advisors will make sure the student has an academic and post-GRCC plan, whether that includes transferring to their next institution or entering a career. Career exploration opportunities can be provided for students deciding on a major. The success coach will make sure students have an individualized plan, and will also work with them to develop time management and test-taking skills. The success coaches also will help students to explore and identify their strengths. Eligible students have five years to access these funds from the time they graduate high school. Once enrolled, they must take at least six credits a semester. Students who opt to attend a different college or university can still use the Promise Zone scholarship as a GRCC guest student during the summer semesters. GRCC has more than 150 degrees divided into 10 Academic Pathways. Students can explore pre-major degrees that will transfer seamlessly to a four-year university, or train for a career in the skilled trades. Students eligible for the Promise Zone Scholarship meet the following criteria: Live in the City of Grand Rapids. Enrolled at an eligible Grand Rapids high school. Graduated, or planning to graduate, from an eligible Grand Rapids high school. 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.

A School News Network feature  -- In November 2017, then-Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law an  increase in Promise Zones  that brought Grand Rapids into the mix. Now, less than three years later, approximately 250 students from eligible high schools located in the City of Grand Rapids are attending Grand Rapids Community College for free thanks to the program, a “last dollar” scholarship that covers any remaining costs for a student after their federal or state need-based aid. Jennifer Sosa Garnica is one of the 250, and one of approximately 160 graduates of Grand Rapids Public Schools. A 2020 graduate of City High, she still recalls when she first heard about  the Promise Zone scholarships  and the hope it gave her. “I remember sitting in my government class,” she said, “when my teacher, Mr. (Wes) Tweedale started talking about GRCC trying to get funding for this scholarship for the many students attending GRPS. I felt like a weight came off my chest because I was worrying whether I had enough money for my first year of school, and if I could attend, but the first two years of school being free, it was a blessing.” In addition to covering whatever costs a student has after their need-based aid, the program also includes a bookstore allocation based on level of enrollment. If they enroll in 12 or more credits, they receive a $500 per semester allowance; if fewer than 12, they get $250. In mid-October, that meant roughly $150,000 in tuition dollars for Promise Zone recipients and about another $50,000 in bookstore allocation dollars. “It’s honestly the best,” Garnica said. “It has helped so much. When I was purchasing my books, the cost was so much money, and with COVID happening and losing my jobs for a bit, it came in clutch. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and encourage everyone to take advantage of it.” A Resilience Forged by COVID In addition to being part of the first cohort of Promise Zone scholarship recipients, she also was part of a nationwide graduating class that had its senior year disrupted by COVID-19. “Senior year started with college applications, essays, personal statements, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), but nothing prepared me to finish senior year online,” she said. “Honestly, it was rough being away from people. I was really missing human interaction. Saying goodbye on video and seeing our graduation ceremony on YouTube wasn’t fun at all either.” But that experience, she added, made her even more resilient.  “My attitude was pretty much the same before and during COVID,” said the always-determined freshman. “I promised myself I would try my best every day, and I stay motivated by organizing my life consistently and thinking about the goals and dreams I want to achieve.” That attitude has carried over to her fall semester at GRCC. “COVID forced me to take initiative, seek out help on how to fill out forms, sign up for classes and take the correct steps to be enrolled correctly. Beside the fact that I can’t fully meet my professors, join certain clubs, and meet people, in those aspects it’s been hard, but I have made things work.” Inspired by Parents Jennifer credits her father and mother, Marciano Sosa and Silvia Garnica, for her can-do attitude. “I originally wasn’t accepted into City, but my mother fought for me to go to that school,” she recalled, “and when I got in, I decided I was going to try my best to make the most out of it. Every time I had a stressful day my mother made it better by motivating me with her stories. My mother didn’t have the greatest opportunities as a child, and she inspires me to follow my dreams.” The oldest of five children, Garnica said that both her mother and father have provided inspiration over the years as to what it means to work hard and persevere. Her father works at a local restaurant, managing the kitchen and “making great food for others to eat,” she said. She added: “What I have learned from them is hard work pays off and isn’t easy at all. Everything needs time and dedication if you really want the best results.” Garnica also credited her experiences at City for who she is now as a GRCC student. She plans to study business and then transfer to a four-year institution, with her sights set on the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business. “My experience at City High was one to remember,” she said. “Inside the classroom, it was stressful, but I honestly believe it has set me up in all the right ways to be a college-ready student. I think City really taught me to ponder and think about the future, what I can make out of it, how to achieve it.” Private Funding Now, SET Down the Road The primary funding mechanism for the Promise Zone scholarships is tax increment financing. The Michigan Promise Zone Authority Act authorizes the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority to capture half of the incremental growth of the State Education Tax within the City of Grand Rapids. The SET is a six-mill tax levied on all property in the state that has not been exempted for some other purpose.  The Michigan Promise Zone Authority Act also requires the GRPZA to fund the first two years of the scholarship through other means, and in Grand Rapids those other means are philanthropy. Thus, the Promise Zone scholarships are currently being funded from a pool of privately raised money that stands at $2.75 million raised with a goal of $3 million.  Promise Zone officials are projecting that the SET capture will cover the entire cost of the scholarship by year five. This story was reported by Phil de Haan of the School News Network. 

Oct. 23, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  The Grand Rapids Community College Foundation’s 2018-2019 Annual Report earned a Gold Medallion Award from a national college communications and marketing organization, saluted for efforts to tell the stories of how education changes lives. The award was one of eight Medallions earned by GRCC and presented by the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations District 3, which includes community, technical and junior colleges in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and the Canadian province of Ontario. Awards were presented during a digital ceremony on Thursday. The 2018-2019 Annual Report 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. “Beautiful design and well-written,” judges said. “Nice prioritization of information and clear communication through images and text. Great layout.” The Annual Report was created by GRCC’s College Advancement team. GRCC also earned: A Silver Medallion for a video by the GRCC Media Technologies Department in which President Bill Pink  addressed the challenges brought by the pandemic  and recognized the role the college will play in West Michigan’s recovery. A Silver Medallion for a digital advertising campaign helping students take advantage of employer tuition reimbursement programs. A Silver Medallion for a series of bulletin board headers celebrating student success stories and raising awareness of campus resources. A Silver Medallion for a postcard promoting a community college communications conference hosted by GRCC. A Bronze Medallion in the novelty advertising category for chocolate medallions, a collaboration between the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, the GRCC Foundation, and the Advanced Manufacturing program. A Bronze Medallion for a series of radio ads in which Pink discussed opportunities for an affordable, quality education at GRCC. A Bronze Medallion for the college’s  Instagram account . 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.

Oct. 21, 2020, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  Businessman, ambassador and philanthropist Peter Secchia was a staunch supporter of higher education, and was well-known for his love of great cooking. At Grand Rapids Community College, he found a place to combine both passions. Mr. Secchia, who passed away Wednesday at the age of 83, generously supported GRCC’s culinary programs through the years. The Secchia Institute for Culinary Education is known internationally for attracting top faculty members and preparing students for rewarding careers in the hospitality industry. “Peter Secchia understood the importance of supporting his community, and how a community college education can transform a person’s life – and, in turn, make that community stronger,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “With his support, our culinary students have become among the best in the field, working around the globe and right here in West Michigan.” GRCC’s culinary program was renamed after Mr. Secchia and his wife, Joan, in 2007. The state-of-the-art Pietro and Regina Amphitheater, named after his grandparents, was added in 2012. The 54-seat facility is used for teaching, cooking demonstrations and special events. "My grandparents were just wonderful people," Mr. Secchia said at the unveiling of the amphitheater. "I am very proud of all of these students and really honored to be celebrating that Pietro and Regina are still alive and their spirit is in this room." Peter’s Pub, named for Mr. Secchia, was launched in 2016 as part of GRCC’s Fountain Hill Brewery, tapping into the demand created by Grand Rapids’ growing craft beer industry. Secchia Institute for Culinary Education programs are housed in the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center at 151 Fountain St. NE, and also include the Heritage Restaurant and Art & Bev’s restaurant. “This is a tremendous loss for West Michigan.,” said Chef Werner Absenger, Secchia Institute director. “In large part, the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education is a world-class culinary school because of Mr. Secchia's generosity and contagious drive for excellence. Mr. Secchia always wanted to make sure our students had the tools necessary to become successful hospitality industry leaders. His spirit and drive for excellence will be sorely missed. Our most heartfelt sympathy goes to Mr. Secchia's family and friends." Mr. Secchia’s family also supported the installation of a statue of Helen Claytor on GRCC’s Juan Olivarez Student Plaza in 2014 as part of the Grand Rapids Community Legends project. Claytor was a civil rights activist and the first African-American president of the national YWCA. “Peter Secchia touched so many lives throughout West Michigan,” said Dr. Kathryn K. Mullins, vice president for College Advancement and executive director of the GRCC Foundation. “He believed our students capable of great things and worked to make sure they had the support they needed to achieve them.” 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.

Oct. 21, 2020, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  Grand Rapids Community College Workforce Training leaders are celebrating  National Medical Assistants Day  by commemorating the 10 th  anniversary of its groundbreaking program. GRCC’s program in 2016 became the first Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs-accredited Medical Assistant program in the nation to be taught in a Registered Apprenticeship format. GRCC has had nearly 450 students successfully complete the program, including 71 registered apprentices with 18 more on track to graduate in January 2021. GRCC continues to look to connect with area employers and provide students with additional opportunities in the years ahead.   "This program changed me both professionally and personally,” program manager Linda Witte said. “It has been a privilege to work with the talented staff and inspiring students for the past 10 years. This program has had a positive impact on so many people and families. I can't think of a better way to serve our healthcare community."    The GRCC program started as a pilot 10 years ago. The college made adjustments over the years to make the program stronger, with input from students and employers. Instructors place a strong emphasis on a core of knowledge that is foundational to student success and the safety of those in their care.  The program prepares students to perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep health practitioner offices and clinics running smoothly. The course combines classroom lecture, group activity, simulation learning, and competency-based experiences. Students will be prepared to take the Registered Medical Assistant national certification exam through American Medical Technologists. GRCC, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship, West Michigan Works!, Mercy Health, Cherry Health, Spectrum Health, Montcalm Community College and Muskegon Community College worked together to launch the registered apprenticeship program in 2016. Then-U.S. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta and then-Gov. Rick Snyder toured the Medical Assistant program and other healthcare career opportunities on campus in 2017. Elizabeth Jose Pena was one of the students who benefitted from the program. “GRCC’s Medical Assistant Apprenticeship program caught my attention because I was able to work, support my family and continue my education,” she said. “I felt as though the faculty understood that there would be barriers, but they were always willing to help.” 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.