Sept. 10, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Applications are now available to attend Grand Rapids Community College through the state’s Futures for Frontliners program, which provides tuition-free education to those who worked in essential industries during Michigan’s COVID-19 shutdown. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today revealed details of the program, which will use federal funds to provide a tuition-free education at a Michigan public community college to earn an associate degree or certificate. The application is available here. “Futures for Frontliners will remove cost as a barrier to an education to people who served our community in a variety of ways during very difficult times,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “A college degree or credential will help many of our residents in these roles gain new skills to advance in their careers. GRCC is in the best position to help them, and other residents, with accessible, affordable classes.” The program is for people who worked in frontline jobs for at least 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 -- healthcare and public health; critical manufacturing; communications and information technology, including news media; food and agriculture; law enforcement, public safety, and first responders; public works; and transportation and logistics. Students would be eligible to begin attending during the winter semester starting in January 2021, and must apply prior to Dec. 31. As a last-dollar program, students would be required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . Contact GRCC through email at futures4frontliners@grcc.edu, calling enrollment and financial aid experts at (616) 234-4059, and on the web at grcc.edu/futuresforfrontliners . 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.

GRCC’s  Phi Theta Kappa  students are working to connect classmates with campus resources to help them be successful, especially in a remote learning environment. PTK members are recording sessions through a series of video discussions on Zoom and posting them online through YouTube. GRCC has many resources, services and programs to help overcome academic and other challenges, but students often are unaware of them or don’t know how to access them, especially in a virtual environment. Scheduled topics include the Library and Learning Resource Center, IT support, Applied Technology Center labs, tutorial labs, Brother 2 Brother, Counseling and Career Development, ALAS, NIA, and Student Life. Here are the scheduled sessions: Library and Learning Resource Center,  now available . IT Support, Sept. 10 at 11: 15 a.m. ATC labs , Sept. 11 at 11:15 a.m. Tutorial labs , Sept. 11 at 12: 45 p.m. Brother 2 Brother , Sept. 11 at 1:45 p.m. Counseling and career development , Sept. 11 at 2:45 p.m., Student Life , Sept. 14 at 10:45 a.m. NIA and ALAS , Sept. 14 at 2:15 p.m. Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The organization is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.

Sept. 9, 2020, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College continues to help students struggling with food insecurity with support from a $48,796 grant from Kent County and the Heart of West Michigan United Way. GRCC’s Office of Student Life has offered curbside food distribution since March, providing more than 1,200 bags of nonperishable food – such as canned fruit, noodles, cereal and rice -- along with frozen meats, fruit, and eggs. The college also has provided household cleaning and hygiene supplies, baby food, formula, diapers and wipes, and pet food. The additional funds will help the college continue providing food and other materials through the fall, with the distribution moving indoors to the food pantry in the Student Community Center. The next session is planned for 3-6 p.m. on Sept. 16. The Kent County Board of Commissioners is partnering with the Heart of West Michigan United Way to use federal CARES Act funding to support nonprofit organizations providing relief services. “Prior to the pandemic, many families and individuals struggled to meet their basic needs. Covid-19 has worsened the strain on those who were already struggling and caused others to experience difficulties for the first time in their lives,” said Michelle Van Dyke, Heart of West Michigan United Way President and CEO. “These dollars provide critical relief to organizations like GRCC that are working tirelessly to serve the growing needs of so many in our community.”   The next session is planned for 3-6 p.m. on Sept. 16. Students can fill out an online form to confirm they are enrolled in at least one GRCC course. They then visit RaiderConnect to RSVP for each food distribution they would like to attend. More than 70% of GRCC students attend part time, scheduling classes around work and home responsibilities. With many area employers limiting hours or closing their doors in response to the crisis, more students face food and housing insecurity. “Many students struggle with food insecurity, and the need for assistance increased dramatically during the coronavirus crisis,” said Lina Blair, director of GRCC’s Office of Student Life. “We deeply appreciate the support from Kent County and the Heart of West Michigan United Way. This will help students continue their education and gain the skills they need to be successful.” Additional distribution dates are posted on the college’s Get Help website: grcc.edu/gethelp. Dr. Kathryn Mullins, vice president of College Advancement and executive director of the GRCC Foundation, said the grant will help students continue their education by assisting them with basic needs.  “This is another example of our community supporting GRCC and its students,” Mullins said. “Students of all ages are looking for a quality education and additional skills as our region recovers. We are working to remove food insecurity as an obstacle to their success.” Leaders in Student Alliance, a group representing students at GRCC, voted to support the food distribution during the summer through a $30,000 donation. Earlier, Student Alliance donated $8,000 to support the food pantry and the Student Emergency Assistance Fund, which helps students who face challenges such as losing their job, a place to live or having their utilities shut off. The Student Emergency Assistance Fund has provided more than $100,000 in grants and loans since 2014. The number of students needing assistance has increased since the start of the Winter 2020 semester, spiking dramatically since the start of the coronavirus crisis. Community members can donate through the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation’s online donation page, grcc.edu/donate.  Select "Student Food Pantry" or "Student Emergency Fund" from the drop-down menu under "Designation.” 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.

The event is planned for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 29, with 40 GRCC staff members ready to help with any question students or assistance students might need prior to Monday’s start of the fall semester.

A frightening experience helped Tara Ronning find her true calling in nursing. Ronning has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Michigan State University, but she left the workforce when she and her husband decided to start a family. She gave birth prematurely to triplets, who were rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit. One of the babies passed away at the age of 4 months. “During this journey, I saw the hearts and tears of nurses and caregivers -- who I now call friends -- poured into their patients and families,” she said. “It was not ‘just a job’ to them, but rather a passion and a gift they could give the families of these young babies. It was their calling in life to give hope and love.” Ronning had just registered for fall classes at GRCC when her husband was struck by a truck while sitting on a park bench. Surrounded by the chaos of the hospital emergency department, she noticed that she felt unexpectedly at ease.  “I can look back now and think that very moment was when I knew without a doubt that nursing was my calling,” she said. A few years later, with her husband recovered from the accident, Ronning started on her new career pathway by taking GRCC classes. “What an opportunity and blessing that I got to study here, close to home and work,” she said. “I am able to manage classes and four busy kids with all the responsibilities of being a wife and mother.”  She plans to transfer to Ferris State University and hopes to have her bachelor’s degree in nursing in spring 2022. The coronavirus pandemic has Ronning especially busy in her job as an emergency room technician while giving her a preview of how she hopes to contribute in a new role as nurse.  “I absolutely love it!” she said. “Having been both patient and now provider, I have seen that this is truly what I am to do with my gifts and talent from God.” What's your GRCC story?  Our community is inspiring. Whether you're a student, employee, alumni or community member, we're eager to learn and celebrate how GRCC or GRJC impacted your life. Click here to share your story!