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Muskegon Community College snaps GRCC volleyball team's 18-match win streak in postseason loss

Nov. 4, 2021, PORT HURON, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team will have to fight its way through the consolation bracket if it wants to return to NJCAA DII National Tournament after losing 3-1 to Muskegon Community College in the opening round at the NJCAA Region XII Great Lakes B Tournament. Muskegon, which lost to GRCC in both regular season matchups, defeated the MCCAA conference champions 25-16, 19-25, 25-22, 25-13 to advance to the winner's bracket final against Terra State Community College on Friday at 8 p.m. Head coach Chip Will said he was disappointed with the outcome, but believes the team has plenty of fight left in it. "We've been in this position before," Will reminded his players. "We've come out of the consolation bracket before, and I believe this team has what it takes to do it again." GRCC is set to take on Glen Oaks Community College Friday at 2 p.m. If the team wins, it will face either Kalamazoo Valley or Lansing Community College in a 6 p.m. match-up. To get back to the national tournament, GRCC – ranked sixth in the nation -- will have to win two matches on Friday and then three matches on Saturday. Statistical Leaders: Kills: Audrey Torres, 10; Kara Hecht, 9; Annie Holesinger, 8. Assists: Shannon Russell, 29; Ola Nowak, 16. Digs: Torres, 15; Audrey Gower, 12. Blocks: Eliza Thelen and Kylie Oberlin, 3. Aces: Torre and Russell, 2; Nowak, 1. 

Here to Help: Ashley Fox helps students make connections, stay motivated

Nov. 4, 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 Ashley Fox. Ashley is here to help in the Student Life and Conduct office. As the assistant director her goal is to connect students with student organizations, or to help create new student organizations, all of which will enrich their time here at GRCC. "Getting involved can easily expand your circle of friends, and is a great way to stay motivated about your personal or academic interests, even if you’re still deciding," she said. "I co-advise Student Alliance and the Garden Club, and it is life giving! If you're curious about how to get involved, stop in and we’ll talk!" Working in the office of Student Life allows Ashley to get to know students for who they are who they aspire to be. She knows building community with staff and faculty on campus is important for a student's academic and personal development. Ashley attended GRCC right out of high school and was the first in her family to go to college. Everything was new and unfamiliar to her. "I remember feeling pressure to perform well in school while balancing work and family commitments, among other life circumstances," she said. "At the time, I didn’t know what college was supposed to be, or feel like, but I knew I loved learning and enjoyed being in downtown, Grand Rapids."  At first Ashley did not know what career she wanted to aim for, but she knew what to study, and kept taking classes -- moving towards what gave her energy, while ruling out what was not a good fit. "It didn’t always feel like I was making progress," she said "But I knew to keep trying." Fortunately, there were staff and faculty who encouraged Ashley to broaden her horizons and try new things on- and off-campus. She is glad she was challenged to step out of her comfort zone. Outside of her self-perceived limits, she experienced job shadowing, working as an intern, volunteering in the community, traveling, researching, and meeting new people via student orgs. Those new experiences helped her consider and discard many career options, and moved her forward on her educational journey. Those experiences also helped her build her community, and gave her a sense of belonging that helped her stay committed to her education. "Fast forward to today, it’s no surprise that my work here on campus is fueled by my own college experiences and the culture of care that is so valued at GRCC," she said. After graduating from GRCC, Ashley attended GVSU to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in social and cultural perspectives on education. She continued at GVSU to earn a Master of Education with an emphasis in college student affairs leadership. Ashley wants students to know that she understands how hard it can be hard to walk into unfamiliar spaces on campus, even when the stakes are low. But she encourages everyone to take the leap, and wants them to know that you have a place in Student Life. "Come in and find a comfortable spot to take a break between classes and to be yourself," she said. You can connect with Ashley and the Student Life team on the first floor of GRCC’s Student Center, or by emailing studentlife@grcc.edu or calling (616) 234-4160.

Workforce Wednesday: John Doane reflects on 33 years on inspiring students to explore careers in skilled trades

Nov. 3, 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. Today we are putting the spotlight on one of our own. John Doane has only 20 days left with GRCC Job Training students as he is retiring in December after 33 years of inspiring others. “When I started at what was then GRJC in January of 1989, I was an instructor for the Furniture Finishing Program for GRJC Occupational Training. It was located in a small building over on the corner of Leonard and Ball,” he said. Doane has seen a lot of changes at both GRCC and in the field of construction trades training over the last three decades. “The requirements for our faculty now include both industry experience but also credentials in teaching. This really elevated our level of teaching. Another major shift was when our programs became eligible for financial aid. Most of our students qualify for some financial help, if not all of their program getting paid. “The big changes in the construction industry have really focused on safety. We never used to teach anything on safety, if you can believe that! Now we teach OSHA 10 and safety protocols on a daily basis. The other change has been in the area of sustainability, energy efficiency and green building practices. Both of these have been winning improvements for the students.” Doane started the Intro to Construction Job Training program in 2002, when Job Training moved into the Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC. It was the first program GRCC offered in the construction trades. Now Job Training offers Residential and Electrical as well. “I really found my calling when I switched from manufacturing to teaching. The best part of this job is working with students. I love interacting with students! Helping them, seeing them flourish and seeing them get opportunities that they otherwise wouldn’t have gotten had it not been for our programs. I love teaching!” Doane will be retiring but will still have his hand on a hammer. His daughter is an interior designer and has an Airbnb business, and he’ll be helping her expand her business. Doane and his wife, who also recently retired, love to travel, and will be doing some of that too. “I’ve been very fortunate. The faculty, staff and supervisors I have worked with have been a joy!” 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.  

GRCC runner Coleman Clark named NJCAA DII National Athlete of the Week after impressive performance in championship race

Nov. 2, 2021 - GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College runner Coleman Clark was named NJCAA DII National Athlete of the Week after winning the MCCAA-NJCAA Region XII cross country championships on Saturday. Clark also was named MCCAA Conference Runner of the Week, joined by Kaylee Scott of the GRCC women’s team. Clark, a freshman, earned national honors from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association after winning the MCCAA-Region XII Championships on Saturday in a time of 25:56.5 for the 8,000 meter course. “I’m really happy to have been selected as the NJCAA D2 National Runner of the Week<” Clark said. “I think the season has gone really well so far and I’m really looking forward to Nationals. I attribute my success this season to supportive friends and family and an awesome team that really pushes me to be the best that I can be.” Clark is from Carson City, a community east of Greenville that also is the hometown of men’s team coach Garrett Lacy – and he even broke Lacy’s school record in the 3200-meter race during his senior year. “I’m very happy for Coleman to have received this honor,” Lacy said. “He’s worked so hard all season long, and has led us as our No. 1 runner in every single competition thus far. He’s been as much a leader in practice as he has been in competition as well. Breaking the 26:00 barrier for 8k last meet for the first time at the MCCAA/NJCAA Region 12 championships is no small feat, and he is just scratching the surface at what he is capable of.” Clark was named to the earned All-MCCAA, All-Region, freshman of the year and MCCAA Runner of the Year honors while helping the Raiders finish second. He is the first GRCC student-athlete awarded National Athlete of the Week honors for NJCAA Division II schools. Josh Kipkoech, from Kenya, was named All-Region and All-MCCAA for the second consecutive year after running a 25:58.9. The 2020 NJCAA All-American finished in second place at Saturday's championship races. Freshman Jaydon Moleski, of Cedar Springs, was named All-MCCAA after running a personal best 27:32.1. Scott, a freshman from Grandville, finished fourth in the MCCAA/Region XII Women's Cross Country Championships to help the Raiders to a second place finish. She finished the 5,000-meter course in a time of 19:47.1 to earn both All-MCCAA and All-Region XII honors. 2020 NJCAA All-American, Audrey Meyering earned back-to-back All-MCCAA and All-Region XII honors after running a 19:47.8 while her twin sister Elizabeth and freshman Rose Meyer earned All-MCCAA honors.  Scott and Meyer both were named to the six-runner All-Freshman Team. GRCC will compete in the National Championships in Richmond, Va. on Saturday, Nov. 13. 

GRCC planning second COVID-19 vaccination clinic with boosters after providing shots to 76 students, employees and community members last month

Nov. 2, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is planning a second walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic for students, employees, and community members that includes booster shots for all three vaccines after a larger-than-expected turnout at last month’s clinic. The event is planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11 at Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center auditorium, 151 Fountain St. NE.  A parking pass will be provided for individuals getting the vaccine. Walk-ins are welcome. GRCC’s Oct. 27 clinic saw 76 people getting the shots through Visit Cares, the organization partnering with GRCC and the state of Michigan to administer vaccines. The clinics are part of an effort to help students, employees and community members have access to an effective COVID-fighting tool. All three COVID-19 vaccine options will be available, as well as booster shots for those who are eligible. Information about booster shots and eligibility is available here . Vaccines will not be available for children ages 5-11 at this time. It is recommended that people bring their vaccine card if they are getting a second vaccine dose or a booster vaccine. Additional vaccination location information is available at vaccinatewestmi.com . The clinics are one of the steps GRCC is taking or extending as part of a campus safety and wellness plan. On-campus class sizes will be limited to 75% capacity, and the college is replacing two-person desks with single-person desks in most classrooms. Hundreds of hand sanitizing stations were added last year, and changes were made to campus cooling and ventilation to increase air flow. College leaders are monitoring developments with COVID-19 and the delta variant, and are communicating with state and federal health authorities for guidance as conditions change. GRCC Nursing students administered shots into the arms of students, campus employees, and others in the spring as part of the Shot of Love campaign, a partnership with Urban Church Leadership Center and Spectrum Health. In May, the college hosted a campus vaccination pop-up clinic, which was visited by first lady Jill Biden.

Heartbreaker: GRCC men's basketball loses opener in double overtime

Nov. 1, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Andrew Moore's 32 points were not enough for the Grand Rapids Community College men’s basketball team, which opened the 2021-22 season with a 91-89 double-overtime loss to Schoolcraft College.   Moore, a sophomore from Forest Hills Northern High School, connected on two free throws with over 13 minutes remaining in regulation, giving the Raiders their biggest lead of the night, 52-40. But the Ocelots came back, whittling the lead down to two points four minutes later. A lay-up by Ashton Nance (16 points-16 rebounds) gave the visitors their first lead of the second half with 4:20 on the clock. Keionte Cornelius, son of former GRCC great Kendrick Cornelius, put Schoolcraft up by three with 57 seconds to go. Moore would respond with a three-pointer to tie the game at 66.  With Schoolcraft up two, Moore missed a three, but Rico Wade was there for the rebound and knocked down a huge fade away jumper to force the first overtime of the night. In the first overtime, Cornelius had a shot blocked by Matthew Richards (17 points-16 rebounds-four blocks) and to a second overtime they went with the score tied at 75. In the final period, Richards tied the score at 86 with 30 seconds remaining. The Ocelots’ Ross Stofflet hit a three and Avery Ismail made two free throws on their next two possessions to claim the victory. "It was a tough loss," assistant coach Jordan VanDyk said. "We saw a lot of good things and a lot of details we need to work on and improve. We played hard and our guys were together. We look forward to the next one and can't wait to get back in the gym tomorrow." Cornelius led all scorers with 34 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists.  For GRCC, Justus Clark, of Farmington Hills, was just one rebound shy of a triple-double, finishing with 14 points, 10 assists and nine boards. Wade, from Atlanta, Ga., tallied 18 points and seven rebounds while Brockton Kohler, of Greenville, scored six points and grabbed 10 rebounds. GRCC will be back at home on Nov. 6 and they will take on St. Clair County Community College.  Tip-off will be 20 minutes after the Raiders women's basketball game that begins at 1 p.m. 

State workforce, economic leaders at GRCC to discuss how to invest federal dollars to boost economy

Nov. 1, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- State economic and workforce officials met today with Grand Rapids Community College leaders and local business, workforce development and community representatives at GRCC to discuss Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s plans to invest federal stimulus dollars to support the economy. The event is part of a statewide tour designed to gather stakeholders to discuss a comprehensive strategy to use American Rescue Plan funds to support small businesses, grow the middle class and invest in communities. “We have a strong commitment to carrying out the governor’s economic vision that tackles structural challenges in an effort to grow Michigan's economy, create good-paying jobs and build industries of the future,” said Susan Corbin, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. “It is critical that we work together and hear from a diverse set of voices throughout the state, so that we can continue our economic recovery and build Michigan back better.” The goal of these events is to share the governor’s vision with key stakeholders and thought leaders and highlight local projects that demonstrate how the MI New Economy plan can move the state’s economy forward. The Grand Rapids stop of the tour included presentations from LEO and an open discussion with other local leaders to highlight their initiatives – current and on the horizon – that align with Whitmer’s MI New Economy plan. Whitmer’s plan includes continued support for state programs Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect, which provide free in-district community college tuition to eligible residents. The programs are part of Whitmer’s plan to have 60% of state residents earn a college credential by 2030. GRCC President Bill Pink said he appreciated the state’s support for the students, and suggested community colleges could have state support for success coaches and wraparound services to help students starting or restarting their education through the programs. “At this institution, this semester we have about 3,000 students on campus taking advantage of those dollars,” Pink said. “What’s helpful is to have those dollars come with the systems that we need to give those students some support. It’s great to be able to bring someone 30 years old back to school who didn’t think they’d be able to navigate college. It’s awesome to get them in the door. We have to make sure we have the boots on the ground to help them be successful. We want them to have access, and success.” Whitmer in August came to GRCC to talk about increased funding for the two scholarship programs and Going PRO, which provides in-demand career skills. Last month Whitmer detailed her economic agenda, including the unveiling of the three pillars of her $2.1 billion MI New Economy plan with goals that will help state leaders track progress on efforts to build a stronger and more resilient Michigan. The pillars are focused on economic development, workforce and community investment. “Workforce development, small business growth and affordable housing investments are all connected and necessary to advance Michigan’s economy,” said Jeremy DeRoo, CEO of Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids. “Growing these in a coordinated effort that aligns with the work local partners are already doing will allow Michigan to emerge stronger than before the crisis.” In addition to the college attainment goals, the governor’s plan also calls for: Lifting 100,000 families out of working poverty during the next five years.    Providing access to low- or no-cost childcare for 150,000 more families by 2024.  Becoming a top 10 state for small business job growth and revenue growth from 2022 to 2026.  Becoming a top 10 state for household income growth during the next five years.    Becoming a top 10 state for growth in venture capital funding over the next five years. Creating 100% access to high-speed internet and 95% adoption by households during the next five years, while continually investing in higher quality access. Creating 75,000 new or rehabilitated housing units in five years. Additional information about the MI New Economy plan is available at www.michigan.gov/MINewEconomy .

The work of artist, instructor Tatsuki Hakoyama featured in GRCC’s Paul Collins Art Gallery

Nov. 1, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The work of artist Tatsuki Hakoyama, a Grand Rapids Community College adjunct instructor, is the subject of an exhibit in the campus’s Paul Collins Art Gallery. Hakoyama is a native of Japan who has taught in GRCC’s Visual Arts Department since January, this semester working with students in the AT 140 Drawing 1 class. The exhibit will run through Nov. 18 in the gallery, located on the fourth floor of newly renovated Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, 143 Bostwick Ave. NE. Admission is free. Although he enjoys working with a broad range of content and media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, papermaking, and digital drawing, he said his passion is creating allegorical paintings influenced by magical realists. Hakoyama said his influences include magical realist painters such as George Tooker, Peter Blume and René Magritte. “These paintings depict magical narratives that invoke a sense of uncanniness to seemingly mundane scenery,” he wrote in an artist statement for the exhibition. “These compositions analyze, criticize, and question the human struggle — both physical and metaphysical — and provide social commentary on relevant topics relating to identity, education, and impact of globalization and technology in our social structure.” Hakoyama earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. His work has appeared in numerous exhibitions throughout Michigan and has received recognition, including a first-place Juror’s Award at 2021 Art Walk Central in Mount Pleasant, the Martin Maddox Prize for Imaginative Realism at 2020 West Michigan Areas Show in Kalamazoo, and a 2D Juror’s Award at 2019 Regional Arts Exhibition in Grand Rapids.  

My Story Started at GRCC: Musician, educator Troy Anderson says GRCC gave him confidence

Nov. 1, 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. Troy Anderson had talent to spare after graduating high school. What he didn’t have was confidence, but Grand Rapids Community College helped change that. “I was a really quiet and shy person when I started at CC,” Anderson said. “I was given opportunities there that I don’t believe I would have gotten anywhere else to step up and be a leader and perform in ways I was too afraid to do in high school.” Leadership is now second nature to Anderson, the director of bands for Kelloggsville Public Schools. He is also a freelance musician with multiple groups, a horn arranger and minister of music for the Shepherd’s Arm Ministries. “GRCC’s Music Department started me on the path to where I am today by giving me the basics I needed in music theory, music education and lessons on performance,” he said. “It was the perfect environment for me because it gave me a chance to learn and not be intimidated.” But Anderson learned more than music skills. “The faculty there really pushed me to get out of my comfort zone in a caring way that showed me I could trust them,” he said. “The successes that I experienced there helped build my confidence.” Anderson, who went on to earn a bachelor’s in education from Western Illinois University, calls GRCC his “true beginning.” One of his favorite memories is of delivering a speech at the 50th anniversary of GRCC’s Musical Moods concert. “It is the story that I tell quite often because it was the biggest turning point in giving me confidence to do any type of public speaking,” he said. Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .  
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