Nov. 10, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A man who entered higher education after serving in the Army will share his experiences and expertise as the new leader of Grand Rapids Community College’s Veterans Services and Veterans Center. Philip Blanchard was recently named associate director of GRCC’s Veterans Services Department. He worked in construction during his nearly four years in the Army, and continued in the trade after he left the service in 2013. He earned an associate degree in heavy equipment maintenance technology from Ferris State University in 2015, followed by a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in social work, both from FSU. He served as a military outreach and recruitment specialist for Western Michigan University before taking up his new position at GRCC this week. “As a Grand Rapids native, I am excited to join GRCC as the associate director of Veterans Services, which will afford me the opportunity to serve the military-affiliated student population on campus and help them succeed in their education goals,” he said. The Veterans Center, located in GRCC’s Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, provides a single point of contact for students who served in the military. It hosts workshops and events focused on academic support, and provides opportunities for networking and social action.

If you love the eating part of Thanksgiving more than the preparing part, GRCC alumna Brittany Essenmacher has the key to a stress-free holiday. Essenmacher, who graduated from the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education this year, operates Provisions Chef Services. She’s teaming up with fellow alumna Lauren Greer, of Joyful Forks, and Ashley Morgan, of Ashley Morgan Kitchen, to offer “Everything But the Turkey.” Holiday hosts who want to concentrate on just the bird can select from an array of side dishes, designed to be heated in the oven and ready to serve. The menu includes vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free items; most serve four to six people. Order at the Joyful Forks website by Nov. 17 and pick up your Thanksgiving meal from 4-7 p.m. Nov. 22 at Mayflower Congregational Church, 2345 Robinson Road SE. Essenmacher started Provisions Chef Services in 2022 while attending GRCC. She had always enjoyed cooking and decided to follow that passion after more than 10 years in administrative roles. Essenmacher, who earned a bachelor’s degree in community relations from Michigan State University, said scholarship support from the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation made her career change possible. “I would not be where I am now without the help of generous donors who support GRCC students or my professors who invested in my culinary education,” she said. “I am so thankful for each of my professors who imparted the core principles of how I cook and run my business. For instance, chef Audrey Heckwolf was foundational in understanding entrepreneurship; chef Wilfredo Barajas was excellent at efficiency and technique, and chef (Bob) Schultz gave me my appreciation for incorporating international flavors into my menus.”

Nov. 7, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The founder of a national organization serving former military members will deliver the keynote address at Grand Rapids Community College’s Veterans Day observance. Amy Batchelder, a GRCC alumna, founded Veterans Rising, which focuses on creating a community of support and social engagement, in 2022. She will speak during the ceremony, which begins at 11 a.m. Nov. 13 on the Dr. Juan R. Olivarez Student Plaza, off Fountain and Lyon streets. Later in the day, Batchelder will lead veterans in a panel discussion for students and faculty. Batchelder earned her associate degree in Fine and Studio Arts in 2004 before getting a bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University in 2007. She also studied art therapy at George Washington University. She has eight years of service as a noncommissioned officer in the Army National Guard and has extensive experience in health and wellness, suicide prevention, and individual and group counseling.

Nov. 6, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A doctor and two medical students will share insights about caring for people without housing during a free lecture co-sponsored by Grand Rapids Community College, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and Grand Valley State University. Dr. Beth Makowski, medical director for MSU Grand Rapids Street Medicine, and MSU medical students Victoria Moaddel and Christa Schafer will present “Street Medicine: Caring for the Unsheltered” at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 in room 102 of GVSU’s DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health, 333 Michigan St. NE. The discussion, part of the MSU College of Medicine’s “Your Health” lecture series, will be accessible in person or virtually. You can register online for both options. “Community members experiencing homelessness can have more need for access to health care yet can face greater barriers to getting that care,” Makowski said. “The work done by Grand Rapids Street Medicine and other outreach organizations helps bridge that gap by bringing care directly to where those patients spend their time.” Brandon Moskun, an academic advisor in GVSU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who works with premedical students, said this is an important opportunity for aspiring physicians as well as the entire community to better understand individuals who are unsheltered.  “Medicine is a service profession, and we are always encouraging our students to get involved in their communities,” Moskun said. “This lecture topic is a great way for students and community members to see the intersection of medicine and service and how it can impact all of us.” Tim Periard, assistant professor in GRCC’s Biology Department, believes the topic is timely. “Our students pursuing careers in health care will be interested in Dr. Makowski’s insights,” he said. “But I think students in our Criminal Justice, Social Work and Psychology programs – and anyone who feels strongly about social justice – will learn a lot from this presentation as well.” The entire “Your Health” schedule is available online .