August 17, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is partnering with Plainsong Farm in Rockford to provide fresh produce to students struggling with food insecurity during the coronavirus crisis. GRCC’s Office of Student Life since March has offered curbside food distribution, so far providing more than 1,100 bags of non-perishable food 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. Plainsong Farm is the program’s most recent partner, joining GRCC Student Alliance, Heart of West Michigan United Way, Feeding America West Michigan and GRCC employees. “As a non-profit educational farm, it made so much sense for us to partner with GRCC,” said Nurya Parish, the farm’s founding executive director. “We're here to serve our community with good food and learning opportunities. We're excited to be making a difference together.” The non-profit organization has so far been able to provide about 400 pounds of produce; including tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, and other items grown on Plainsong’s 12 Mile Road fields. “West Michigan is a caring community, and we are delighted to have a partner like Plainsong Farms step up and make a difference for our students,” said Lina Blair, director of GRCC’s Office of Student Life and Conduct. “Students and their families are struggling. Many have been excited to choose from a wide variety of healthy, farm-fresh produce to bring home.” 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. The next distribution is planned for 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, outside GRCC’s Student Community Center at 122 Lyon St. NE. The college also frequently updates a website – grcc.edu/gethelp – with campus and community resources for housing, food and other challenges. 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 program is a partnership between the legendary heavy metal band’s All Within My Hands Foundation and the American Association of Community Colleges. The effort provides workforce training for community college students and reinvests in cities where the musicians have performed.

Community colleges are a strong option for students, especially freshmen and sophomores, looking to save money in a safe environment while continuing to earn transfer credits and stay on track for graduation. 

Aug. 1, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College celebrated its 103 rd Commencement unlike any of the ceremonies that preceded it, noting how students overcame tremendous challenges in the face of a global pandemic and will emerge stronger for it. The college recognized the graduation of about 1,500 students through a virtual ceremony, with President Bill Pink and other campus leaders conferring degrees through an event streamed live online. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, GRCC determined a virtual ceremony was the best way to honor and celebrate students and their success while allowing as many people as possible to safely participate. Pink spoke from a stage in Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse before about 400 empty chairs to represent students.   “It matters how we react when we are in adverse, challenging conditions,” he said. “What we have been going through these last four or five months has definitely been adversity. Sometimes adversity can truly paralyze you. You’re not sure what to do so you don’t do anything at all. Or, you can choose to innovate. To be creative. To figure out what do I do with this and how can I innovate and not only survive but truly thrive. How do I get past this? How do I still get it done? Survival means you made it. Thriving means you continue to go.” Like colleges across the nation, GRCC transitioned to remote learning in March because of the pandemic. The college plans to offer classes in four formats during the upcoming fall semester. “You showed resilience to adapt to the new learning procedures, from classroom instruction to online learning,” trustee Cynthia Bristol said. “You showed stamina to stay with your classes and finish all of your requirements. Both attributes are assets that brought you to this point and will continue to guide your success.” Professor Duane Davis, recognized for putting his musical stamp on students and the West Michigan Arts community, was awarded Emeritus Faculty status . Davis served as a faculty member in the Music Department for 26 years, working with students in the classroom and serving as GRCC’s director of choral and vocal activities. Under his tenure, the Shades of Blue vocal ensemble received national and international recognition, and the College Choir performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. Dr. Nkechy Ezeh was named 2020 Distinguished Alumnus . She GRCC “opened the door” for her to embark on a career of advocating for children and training educators around the world, especially those working to help families overcome the effects of poverty. Ezeh assists schools and nonprofit agencies as an education consultant, providing curriculum and evaluation expertise. She conducts professional development and parent education workshops all over the world. Both were saluted with video tributes during the ceremony. The ceremony is able to be viewed on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/grandrapidscc/posts/10157793948199261 and on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/UD-BqFCJjys . A downloadable version of the Commencement program is available at grcc.edu/commencement . 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.

July 29, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College’s first virtual Commencement will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube, with students asked to participate by posting photos of their home celebrations. The event is planned for 3 p.m. Saturday. GRCC determined a virtual ceremony is the best way to honor and celebrate students and their success while allowing as many people as possible to safely participate. The event will be on Facebook here:  https://www.facebook.com/grandrapidscc/posts/10157793948199261 The YouTube live stream will be here: https://youtu.be/UD-BqFCJjys Students can show how they’re celebrating and who they’re celebrating with by using the #GRCCGrad2020 hashtag on social media. This could include photos of students in regalia -- cap, tassel, stole, honor cords -- or even photos with people who are celebrating with them. Students who registered for Commencement in the past few days will receive their cap, tassel and stole in the mail. More information about Commencement can be found at www.grcc.edu/commencement . 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.

July 31, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Recent graduates from Grand Rapids Community College’s Nursing program again achieved perfection -- some under extremely challenging conditions. According to a National Council of Licensure Exams summary covering the first six months of 2020, all 50 GRCC students taking the licensing tests for registered and practical nurses for the first time passed. GRCC also had a 100% pass rate for registered and practical nurses in 2019. Of the 50 recent test takers, 23 graduated in May and overcame many pandemic-related challenges. “Things were changing daily and hourly for our students, and we were challenged to continue our programs and still align with state and national accreditation requirements,” said Michelle Richter, director of GRCC’s Nursing program. After completing a face-to-face class that abruptly shifted to online instruction, these students had only one course left -- but it had to be completed in a clinical setting. Initially, they were told that wouldn’t be possible because hospitals and clinics were grappling with COVID-19. “After much work and amazing support from some of our clinical partners -- Spectrum Health, Pine Rest, Forest View and Rest Haven -- we were able to place these students in the healthcare setting, which enabled them to complete their program,” Richter said. In 2019, all nursing students passed licensing exams — 104 associate degree nurses and 42 LPN students. It was also the largest number of students taking the exams ever in one year. College leaders say a new curriculum that increases interactive experiences is one reason for the success. Students take part in simulation sessions with manikins that respond and talk – and even deliver a baby. GRCC is celebrating seven decades of training nurses this year, with its Practical Nursing certificate program turning 70 and the associate degree program turning 50. The anniversaries coincide with the World Health Organization’s designation of 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, in honor of the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. 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.    

Students can use their RaiderCard to swipe into a lot and pay $3.50, then have unlimited access to parking lots on the Main Campus and DeVos Campus for the remainder of the day. Previously, students were charged $3.50 each time they entered a lot.

The current class – the third overall as the program starts its second year – has 15 students. GRCC was one of 10 colleges selected nationwide for the initial Metallica Scholars grant in 2018, and was awarded additional funding in 2019.

Fifteen GRCC student-athletes were among 9,555 honored nationally by the NJCAA for achieving GPAs of 3.6 and higher.