Nov. 29, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich . – After some factory jobs and time in the Army, Kwame Presley was ready for a career. But he didn’t have four years, or even two, to pursue a degree. “I just wanted something nice, quick and easy so I can start my career while my daughter is still young,” he said. Presley found what he was looking for in Grand Rapids Community College’s three-month, online Computer Support Technician program. He recently shared his experiences on the national podcast “All In: Student Pathways Forward,” joining GRCC President Charles Lepper and Melissa Goldberg, director of competencies and credentials at Corporation for a Skilled Workforce, as guests this month.   The accelerated Computer Support Technician program offered the flexibility and support that Presley needed as he juggled his education with his family responsibilities. “Sometimes my daughter, she would lay on me while I did my schoolwork, and there were some days I would have to go to doctor’s appointments and stuff like that,” he told podcast host Marc Goldberg, adding: “I had class in the morning and then I could do my studying when my daughter was asleep.” Help offered by his instructor, professor Moss Ingram, went beyond class hours. “I emailed him to let him know I was going to start courses soon; he was most helpful,” Presley said. “He gave me a few YouTubes and some websites to look up before courses so I could study ahead of time. His team is amazing. They offered to help find me employment. The career I’m in now – I ended up getting this offer a month before I graduated.” For Lepper, Presley’s story was familiar. “His story is very similar to many of the students we serve throughout the college – an older adult, returning,” Lepper told Marc Goldberg. “He took advantage of a program that had stackable credits that allowed him to apply that to an associate degree. He also earned some certifications along the way.” Goldberg noted that GRCC was unique in allowing the program’s 16 credits to count toward an associate degree. “The noncredit workforce training side of the house says it’s great training leading to job opportunities, but it hasn’t always stacked into an associate degree or even a transfer degree,” he said. “So that was outstanding to hear, that that’s the way it was designed: strategically and thoughtfully and understanding students’ short-term and long-term goals.” Lepper shared information about support available to GRCC students: through its food pantry, community partnerships, scholarships and the “Get Help” webpage’s list of resources. “We’re here to transform lives, so our mission is pretty basic, and a big part of that is working closely with our community and our employers,” he said. Melissa Goldberg, whose organization works to increase economic mobility, particularly for people of color and others historically excluded from success, noted that GRCC is a national leader in workforce training. “Their workforce training program is actively involved in integrating equity-based practices in their programs to promote employment and equity by enhancing engagement and best practices,” she said. “And they have a plan and are working toward developing tools and strategies to identify and address equity gaps and impact labor market access and outcomes.” For Presley, his GRCC credential was a “stepping stone” into his career. A self-described “puzzle guy,” he loves working as an IT specialist at Twisthink, which partners with companies to develop digital strategies and solutions. He’s eager for Ingram, who helped him with his resume, to visit Twisthink’s new headquarters and plans to add to his skills by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity from Ferris State University this spring.  Listen to the full podcast.

Nov. 28, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is mourning the death of alumnus Doug Wabeke, who coached the baseball team to NJCAA Division II World Series championships in 1996, 1997, 2003 and 2004.  Wabeke died Saturday at the age of 65. He played shortstop and was a two-time All American as a student at what was then Grand Rapids Junior College and earned all-academic honors while pursuing his bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University. He also earned a master’s degree from Miami University in Ohio.   Wabeke played in the minor leagues with the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1980 to 1984, climbing as high as Class AA.  He began his 17-year GRCC coaching career in 1987 and served as co-athletic director in 1997. He reached 500 wins in 1998, his 11th season.  Wabeke also served as head coach at Grand Valley State University, an assistant coach at Miami University, head coach of the USA junior national team at the 2003 Pan American Games, coaching staff member of the USA senior national team, and hitting coach at Davenport University.  He was named to the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2022. He and players on the 1996 and 1997 teams were honored during a GRCC baseball game at LMCU Ballpark in 2002. “Right now a lot of former players and coaches are hurting,” said current GRCC baseball coach Mike Eddington, who served as Wabeke’s assistant coach during the 2004 championship. “No one was more passionate about winning than Doug when he played baseball and also as a coach.”

Nov. 27, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - More than 1,130 students from the class of 2024 are eligible to have all their Grand Rapids Community College expenses covered through the Grand Rapids Promise Zone. The “last dollar” scholarship program, started in 2020, covers eligible students’ costs of attending GRCC for up to 60 credit hours. All students who live in the Grand Rapids Public Schools service area and graduate from one of the 25 public, public charter, or private high schools within the city limits have free access to the college’s associate degree or job training and certification programs. Students must have attended an eligible Grand Rapids high school from the 10th grade through graduation to have all costs covered; those who started in 11th grade may have 50% of their expenses covered. But the Promise Zone’s support goes beyond expenses. “While the Grand Rapids Promise Zone provides students with a tuition-free path to pursue post-secondary education, we also are able to provide direct support to students through our success coordinators,” said Ashlee Mishler, the program’s director. “They walk alongside students to assist them in pursuing whatever goal they have after high school.” She said 676 students are attending GRCC this semester through the Promise Zone. Eligible Grand Rapids high school seniors are notified by mail. They then must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA, and apply to GRCC. Undocumented or DACA students do not need to complete the FAFSA. Students may be eligible for a Promise Zone scholarship even if they took time off after graduating high school or are attending another higher education institution and are looking to earn more affordable credits as a GRCC guest student. For more information on the program, go to grpromisezone.com , email promisezone@grcc.edu or call (616) 234-4321.

Nov. 21, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – It’s the house that Abby built. “From time to time, I find myself driving by that first house up in the Black Hills and remembering how amazing it felt knowing that we weren’t just building a house … we were impacting lives,” said Abby Langenberg of Habitat for Humanity of Kent County.  The Black Hills house construction was part of the hands-on training Langenberg received through Grand Rapids Community College’s Residential Construction Program in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.  Langenberg enrolled in the 18-week program in 2016 after deciding to take home renovation from an investment side-project to a hands-on occupation. “I looked around at what education was available that wasn’t going to take me years to complete, or that was so basic it was like going back to square one with what I’d already learned about construction,” she said. “I tell people all the time that the GRCC program was the best return on investment I’ve ever had in terms of time and money. “And it’s also where I fell in love with construction.” The job-training program takes place at construction sites and teaches GRCC students the entire process of residential building including blueprint reading, site layout, concrete, carpentry, door/window installation, roofing, siding and interior finishing. “It was a strong foundation of construction skills that really paved the way for me and my career,” said the Grand Rapids native. She especially appreciated the mentorship and confidence that program instructor Kyle Lackschiede provided. “I laugh thinking about myself back then because I was pretty timid when it came to my skills,” she said. “Probably the most common phrase I heard from Kyle was ‘There’s nothing you can screw up that we can’t fix.’” After completing the Residential Construction Program in 2017, Langenberg worked for a small residential builder for a year which gave her a good overview of different project types. She then worked for Rockford Construction for several years, first as a carpenter and eventually helping to coordinate work crews. “I really loved that space because you had some client relations, you’re working out problems, you’re coordinating people, but you’re still doing hands-on work, and getting that satisfaction, too,” she said. In June 2021, Langenberg made the move to Habitat for Humanity where she serves as construction and warehouse director overseeing a team of 10 people. The nonprofit agency this year celebrates 40 years of working alongside 500 families to help them build and buy their homes. Langenberg not only helps coordinate Habitat’s new builds and renovations, she also fosters partnerships with volunteers — including students enrolled in GRCC’s Residential Construction Program. “It’s really come full circle for me, getting to work with and occasionally hire GRCC students from the program,” she said. “The job has a lot of variety and I wear a lot of different hats. But that’s one of the things I love about it; every day is different.” And meaningful. “The chance to impact lives is so incredible,” said Langenberg, who sometimes drives her three children past that first house she helped build in the Black Hills Neighborhood. “It’s still a great looking house and I have a lot of really fun memories from there,” she said. “It’s definitely still a great source of pride.” New sessions of GRCC Job Training programs begin throughout the year. The next session begins January 15, 2024. For more information, visit grcc.edu/jobtraining . This story was reported by Beth McKenna

Nov. 15, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The state Legislature recently approved a supplemental budget bill that includes funding to help Grand Rapids Community College renovate and expand its Learning Resource Center. The $16.8 million capital outlay request was part of a $615.6 million spending bill approved by lawmakers Nov. 2. The bill now awaits Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s signature. The 61,268-square-foot Learning Resource Center, 140 Ransom Ave. NE, was constructed in 1972 and houses GRCC’s library, tutoring and academic support services, media services, and the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The $33.6 million renovation project calls for: Updating electrical, plumbing, mechanical and HVAC systems. Replacing and waterproofing the building envelope. Addressing accessibility issues. Reconfiguring interior spaces. Improving energy efficiency. Adding 16,100 square feet to house additional student services, such as counseling, disability support, collaboration space and a testing center. “We are grateful that state lawmakers recognize the importance of this project,” said GRCC President Charles Lepper. “The renovations will create a sense of belonging for our students and make it easier for them to access the resources they need to support their learning.”

Nov. 14, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Growing up in Grand Rapids, the world sometimes seemed pretty small to Francisco Arvizu-Mancilla. Sure, there were times during his four years at Kenowa Hills High School where the idea of someday traveling outside of West Michigan, and even outside the U.S., sounded pretty good. But realistically, he said, it was hard to picture. “It just seemed like a fantasy,” he recalled recently. “Maybe something I would be able to achieve in my late 20s or maybe my 30s.” But, thanks to the Grand Rapids Community College TRIO program,  Arvizu-Mancilla’s dreams came true this summer as he spent three weeks in the Netherlands as part of an international study abroad program through the Council for Opportunity in Education and the Keith Sherin Global Leaders Program.   Now, months after the experience, he’s still in wonder and grateful to GRCC for making the path possible for him. “It all came so fast, but it was a truly amazing experience,” he said with a smile. He first heard about the Keith Sherin Global Leaders program through his TRIO advisor. TRIO is a set of federally-funded college opportunity programs that provide academic advising, mentoring, financial guidance, counseling and other support to empower students that are traditionally underserved in higher education. The Keith Sherin Global Leaders Program selects TRIO students from around the country for three weeks of study in the Netherlands each summer. The first week is a deep dive into the host country, and the next two weeks see students at The Hague Summer School, participating in courses that focus on addressing global challenges. It all sounded pretty good to Arvizu-Mancilla, and with his interest suitably piqued, he applied, but, he added, without expecting too much. When he found out he had been accepted, it didn’t immediately seem real, Arvizu-Mancilla said. But when it finally sunk in, he started to look forward to the trip and to prepare himself mentally. What he found in the Netherlands was better than he dared imagine. “I experienced so much personal and professional growth,” he said. “I got to meet and become networked with individuals from numerous countries, explored cool historical places and got to do some dining of cuisines not found here. Since this was my first time abroad, everything was different. The food, water, even the way the air smelled. It definitely opened up my perspective of the world.” He also found that he fit in with the best and brightest from around the country. “I think from a personal perspective it allowed me to prove to myself I am capable of applying to such programs in the future, and it allowed me to understand myself better,” he said. The experience also solidified for Arvizu-Mancilla his plan to finish GRCC strong and then transfer to the University of Michigan to complete a bachelor’s degree, something that had been on his radar since he first decided to attend GRCC after high school. Drawn to GRCC by “the low cost of tuition and the ability to avoid unnecessary debt for as long as I could,” he is now in his third and final year at the college and on his way to an associate degree in social and behavioral sciences. As he looks ahead to graduation, with his summer experience still fresh in his mind, he has words of advice for his fellow college students, both in Grand Rapids and elsewhere. “I would strongly encourage not just GRCC students but anyone to go and travel abroad,” he said. “It really does open one’s mind as to how the world functions and really opens up doors to many more opportunities.” This story was reported by Phil de Haan