Thomas Brown and Victoria Uy are one of 10 teams competing -- selected from 52 schools nationwide -- in the NASA HUNCH Astronaut Culinary Challenge.

May 11, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College’s first summer session kicked off on Monday, with students of all ages saving money while taking classes close to home. Summer classes are ideal for incoming freshmen seeking a head start on their college journey, current students scheduling classes around other responsibilities, and older learners looking to gain new skills as they return to the workforce. Summer sessions also are helpful for students who attend four-year schools and are looking to gain more affordable credits to transfer. GRCC last month opted to make classes more affordable for people facing financial challenges because of the coronavirus crisis, eliminating fees for summer classes. While students are still be responsible for tuition, the college typically applies universal fees to cover technology, record keeping, facilities and student activities, with some classes also requiring additional charges for materials. Waiving these fees could save a student taking six credits more than $200 during GRCC’s two summer sessions. Students who already have registered and paid for summer sessions will have their fees refunded. GRCC’s summer schedule has two seven-week sessions and one 14-week session, with most classes starting on May 11. Classes in the 14-week session and the first seven-week session will be conducted through distance learning as the college works with state and local authorities in response to the global pandemic. The second seven-week session, scheduled to begin June 30, is set to offer classes through both distance learning and face-to-face instruction. GRCC leaders will determine by May 22 if any changes need to be made to the second seven-week schedule. Students can still register for summer courses at grcc.edu/enroll. Support services such as advising and counseling taking place remotely. Staff from the Enrollment Center, the College Success Center, and the Library and Learning Commons also are available to answer questions and assist with registration. The college also has loaned laptops to students needing technology and has boosted wifi access to the parking lot on the DeVos Campus to help students connect with the internet for classes. The college frequently updates a website – grcc.edu/gethelp – listing college and community resources to help address food and housing insecurity and other challenges. Summer sessions are helpful for West Michigan students attending classes in four-year schools, allowing them to take classes at GRCC, then transferring them back to their home colleges. Last year there were 1,458 summer guest students at GRCC – accounting for nearly a quarter of all students enrolled during the sessions. 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 will play an essential role in West Michigan’s recovery from the crisis, helping residents gain new skills in rapidly changing or emerging fields.

“In these difficult times, sticking together and being there for one another is the only way we're going to get through this," Student Alliance President Emma Johnson said.

May 5, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Grand Rapids Community College student won second place in the MWest Challenge student venture competition.  Mark Tamminga pitched his idea for Mythos Dice, a startup to create bespoke dice that can be designed by Dungeons and Dragons players using an interactive webpage. Tamminga won $2,500 for his second-place presentation for a business that would provide high-quality personalized dice for game enthusiasts. Through MWest Challenge, students can develop and grow new ventures based on their own ideas. This year, teams from nine West Michigan colleges and universities competed for $12,000. The competition also includes opportunities for students to network with investors.  “The MWest Challenge, especially the Final Pitch, is a taste of the real world for anyone going into business,” Tamminga said. “Being able to present in front of investors in a way that is clear and persuasive is a core aspect of being successful in the professional world. This challenge is an opportunity to stand out for any student with the drive to step outside of their comfort zone.  “Personally, the MWest Challenge gave me valuable experience applying the lessons from the business courses I’ve taken over the last two years. It’s also proven to me, yet again, that GRCC students are more than capable of competing with any other college or university at the highest level. When I transfer to GVSU next semester, I’ll be able to go in confidently, knowing that I’m well-prepared for making the leap to a four-year university.”  GRCC student Hunter Schumaker also presented in the finalist round of eight with Eco-Blade Razors. Schumaker got involved in the competition through classes with Professor Felix Pereiro, head of the Business Department. Even though Schumaker did not win a prize this year, he still thought it was a valuable experience.  “GRCC helped provide this opportunity,” Schumaker said. “I appreciate Professor Pereiro for all the help I received from him over the many months preparing for this event. It was an incredible experience.”  Three other GRCC students competed this year in the showcase idea pitch round:   Anders Rottschafer, Phat Nguyen and Austin Edger with Center for Homelessness Research, a startup that collects financial data from the major organizations focused on homelessness. Amir Ukubakeder, Elijah Dixon, Elly Delgado and Nathan Coppock, with Sneaker Fit, an app that shows a person what the shoe would look like on their feet Andrew Glaza, with Parent Prep, an app that offers insights and information that new parents need to know and helps them make connections with other parents of children ages newborn to 2 years.  “The judges’ responses were very insightful, prompting fruitful discussions among my team,” Rottschafer said. “MWest informed us in early April that, due to COVID-19, the presentations would take place online and clearly described to us how that would work. We did not have any issues with the virtual meeting place. I am glad we have people like Professor Pereiro at GRCC who go above and beyond for GRCC students.”  Rottschafer encouraged other students to participate “if you have an idea you want to try out, or have already committed to trying out.” “It doesn’t take too much time, and the things you learn throughout the process will alone be worth it,” he said. Pereiro points out that the students' MWest achievements are the culmination of hours of practice and preparation.  “This is a special accomplishment for our students as they work toward their certificate and associate degrees,” he said.  “Mark, Hunter, Anders, Phat, Austin, Amir and Andrew put in the hours necessary to compete against the very best college students in West Michigan – facing juniors, seniors and MBA students from top four-year universities in West Michigan -- and their work and dedication paid off.” Pereiro said the teams were supported by Business Department faculty, especially adjunct Professor Tom Miller and staff, and they also received valuable help from other departments.  "Competitive events, such as MWest Challenge, help our GRCC students improve and polish their skills so they are better able to differentiate themselves in a highly competitive marketplace," Pereiro said. "They learn for themselves what entrepreneurs go through during the early startup stage and the hard work that goes into creating an outstanding executive summary, presentation, and idea pitch." GRCC was scheduled to host this year’s MWest Challenge before the competition moved completely online because of COVID-19.  GRCC's Business Department offers programs in accounting, business administration, management and supervision, and marketing and certificates in entrepreneurship and supply chain operations management.  Grand Rapids Community College has been offering educational opportunities in West Michigan for more than 100 years. Established in 1914, the college offers degree courses, certification and training programs, and workshops and personal enrichment classes. Offerings are held on GRCC’s downtown Grand Rapids campus, and at several locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties, as well as through distance learning.

The annual award recognizes commitments to diversity through best-in-class student and staff recruitment and retention practices, inclusive learning and working environments, and meaningful community service and engagement opportunities.

The Promise Zone Authority in February sent more than 1,000 conditional award letters to eligible students in the Class of 2020. Just over 500 are matriculated and are ready to enroll at GRCC – about 200 more than projected,

April 30, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  -- Grand Rapids Community College is awarding Emeritus Faculty status to a man who has put his musical stamp on countless students as well as the West Michigan arts community. Professor Duane 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. “Professor Davis served as a wonderful instructor on our campus for decades, but he also embraced the role of ambassador for GRCC and community colleges as a whole,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “Every time his students performed across the country, those performances served to showcase the great students and instruction happening on our campus.”   Davis, who also taught at Northeast Middle and Creston High schools in Grand Rapids as well as Western Michigan and Indiana universities, shared his passion for music and teaching with the community. He was music director for the Circle Theater and Actors Theater and served as chorus master for Opera Grand Rapids for 31 years. “Duane held his students to the highest of standards in every aspect of performance,” said Kevin Dobreff, professor and director of the Music Department. “Students enrolled in his classes because of his topic mastery, but primarily for his passion for teaching.” Known nationally as a vocal jazz educator, conductor and arranger, Davis spends his “retirement” teaching through clinics, conducting at Carnegie Hall and other prestigious venues, and directing honors choirs throughout the United States.  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.