Sept. 6, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  - The investiture of Dr. Charles Lepper as the 11th president of Grand Rapids Community College will take place at 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 14, at Fountain Street Church. This ceremony marks the official transfer of power to the new president, who began in January 2023, and is an important event for any college or university. It is among the oldest traditions in academia. Investiture comes from the Latin and means “dress in robe.” Fittingly, the upcoming investiture of Lepper will see a processional of robed academics from both GRCC and numerous other colleges and universities, all wearing the often-colorful regalia of academia, including cap, gown and hood. President Lepper will march in regalia but without the medallion of office, which will be presented during the ceremony.  The GRCC presidential medallion , made by faculty members,  is a recreation of the college seal and represents the scholarship and authority of the office. It includes three flames representing the highest and purest purpose of education replacing the darkness of ignorance and fear with the vision of truth, understanding and beauty. The GRCC mace will also be part of the event  (its presence is a tradition at inaugurations, commencements and academic convocations). It was made by faculty and students and includes a rope of gold encircling the wooden handle that spirals upward emphasizing the strength of the institution. The hardwood column implies strength as it supports and elevates the silver globe which contains the college seal and encompasses a global awareness and diversity of the college’s mission. Lepper has more than 25 years of experience at universities and community colleges , and prior to his role at Grand Rapids Community College, he served as a vice president at Salt Lake Community College. Prior to his time at SLCC, he served as a vice president for Student Affairs  at Tidewater Community College in southern Virginia. He has also been active with the National Academic Advising Association, serving as a consultant to two-year institutions around the country, and serves on the board of directors for the Michigan Community College Association, The Right Place and West Michigan Works!. Lepper earned a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources and Personnel Management from Ball State University; a Master of Education in Secondary, Higher and Adult Education from Grand Valley State University; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership, Administration and Foundations from Indiana State University. He also completed Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management in 2017 and earned a professional development certificate in trauma and resilience from Florida State University in 2021.

Sept. 1, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich . – ArtPrize visitors who venture onto Grand Rapids Community College’s Main Campus will find a visual – and literal – feast for the senses.  GRCC’s Collins Art Gallery, on the fourth floor of Finkelstein Hall at 143 Bostwick Ave. NE, hosts entries by Visual Arts Department head Nikolaos Antonakis and assistant professor Matthew Schenk as well as pieces by Elizabeth Mesa-Gaido, Gary Mesa-Gaido, Miles Vankeersbilck and Dave Flach. Through ArtPrize, which runs Sept. 14 to Oct. 1, the gallery will be open 1-8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Students in GRCC’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education are also taking part in ArtPrize, with special menu items at the Heritage Restaurant and Foodology. The Heritage , a fine dining restaurant staffed by students, will be open for lunch and dinner from Sept. 6 to 30. Lunch runs 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and dinner is 6-7 p.m. Reservations can be made through OpenTable or by calling (616) 234-3700. The restaurant is located inside the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, 151 Fountain St. NE. Hungry art enthusiasts can find grab-and-go, made-to-order, baked goods and gourmet coffees at the student-operated  Foodology , also inside the ATC. It will be open 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays from Sept. 6 to 30. Learn more about GRCC’s ArtPrize activities. More information on ArtPrize can be found  online

September 1,  2023 Grand Rapids, Mich. —   Grand Rapids Community College has been awarded a fifth grant from Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, to help more nontraditional students gain in-demand welding skills. The Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) was launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands  in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges. MSI added 11 new schools and now directly supports 42 community colleges across 33 states. GRCC was one of the first ten colleges to be supported by the legendary band when it started the Metallica Scholars program, and is currently the only one in Michigan. “The investment that All Within My Hands has made has resulted in over 89 individuals from West Michigan achieving welding and machining skills that probably would not have if not for the band Metallica promoting skilled trades,” said GRCC President Charles Lepper.  “We are honored that AWMH has chosen us to be a recipient for the year five cohort.” The AWMH foundation has provided GRCC with $240,000 over five years. The grant helps continue the Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp program aimed at attracting women and other underserved community members; giving them career skills as well as hands-on welding experience. “The Metallica Scholars Initiative is so important to us because we are seeing results,” said Lars Ulrich, drummer and co-founder of Metallica. “Five years in, with the help of schools like GRCC, we are helping people fill these essential jobs which require skills and training. We are so proud and grateful that we can facilitate this program.” Mother-daughter duo Tanya Contreras and Cheyenne Belonga went through the GRCC program together.  “Not only has it provided us with valuable skills for entry-level welding positions,” Belonga said. “But it has also opened our eyes to a world of possibilities.” To qualify for the program, participants must be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma/GED, and be able to work in the United States. It is a short-term program to get welders to work in West Michigan, with the goal of helping them grow into apprenticeships or other learning opportunities within the welding field. “The Metallica Scholars Initiative is a strong and cooperative assemblage of the nation’s best community colleges, creating a supportive climate for participants to communicate directly and share best practices,” said Peter Delgrosso, AWMH executive director. “As a result, our Metallica Scholars leave the program well-trained and confident. Ultimately, the impact is felt locally and nationally as Metallica Scholars enter the workforce and fill in-demand technical positions.” Partners like Metallica help highlight the importance of  community colleges. “We are happy to continue to partner with Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation to support the vital career and technical education work of the nation’s community colleges,” said Walter G. Bumphus, AACC’s president and CEO. “Colleges across the country provide pathways to well-paying jobs through programs, services and training that lead to in-demand skills, certificates and degrees for students.  These programs are responsive to the needs of local businesses and provide a pipeline of qualified workers to local industry. Partners like Metallica that continue to provide support for community colleges help us to showcase the importance of investing in the transformative power of community college education.” Additional information about the program is available at  grcc.edu/metallica

Aug. 29, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Students who aspire to become American Sign Language interpreters can complete their first year at Grand Rapids Community College before finishing their training at Lansing Community College. Under an agreement recently signed by the two colleges, students will take GRCC’s American Sign Language classes, which are currently offered as electives, and then transfer to LCC’s specialized Interpreter Training Program, where they can earn an associate degree or certificate.  “We are thrilled about the new transfer agreement between GRCC and LCC,” said Justine Bryant, affiliate assistant professor of sign language at GRCC. “This opportunity allows students living on the west side of the state some flexibility when it comes to earning their degree, and we’re hoping to further grow and diversify the field of interpreting through this partnership.” Dawn Cousino, LCC’s director of Communication, Media & Arts programs, said she’s excited about the collaboration. “LCC’s program offers students program-specific advising, an opportunity to earn 240-plus practicum hours, participate in a mentorship program and the Sign Language Club,” she said. “Upon completion, students will be well-prepared to take the state certification exams.” Demand for sign language interpreters is high in Michigan, which has especially stringent requirements for certification. According to the state Department of Civil Rights, about 7.4% of Michiganders identify as deaf, deaf-blind or hard of hearing. About 8% of West Michigan residents identify as members of that community. Nationwide, the demand for ASL interpreters is expected to grow 19% annually through 2028. You can learn more about GRCC’s ASL program online .