July 3, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- By all accounts, Matthew Wilkinson had a pretty normal life growing up and even into high school. After graduating from Rockford High School in 1992, he headed north to Big Rapids to enroll in Ferris State University’s Professional Golf Management program with an eye toward a career as a club pro. But three decades after graduating from high school, Matthew Wilkinson was not working at a country club, giving golf lessons, supervising greenskeepers and deciding what merchandise to stock in the pro shop. Instead, he was a divorced alcoholic who spent eight months just prior to the pandemic living in his car. That period, from August 2019 through March 2020 was rock bottom, he said. But escaping rock bottom is a tale in and of itself, one he willingly shares -- not for his own sake but rather in the hope that his story might inspire hope in others. “There are certainly multitudes of people who have faced daunting challenges and risen above them, and I myself have such a long way to go and much to learn,” he said. “When I share during an AA meeting, I focus on lessons I have learned and solutions that have worked for me. So perhaps my story can inspire someone else in some small way.” Wilkinson said his journey to alcoholism began innocently enough. “My senior year of high school, I started out as pretty strait-laced and a good student,” he recalled. “An all-As student who excelled in golf and music, had a part-time job. But one day I gave a kid a ride home from school, and he introduced me to marijuana. I absolutely loved it and was off to the races.” By spring break of his senior year, he’d been arrested at school for possession of marijuana, was suspended for 10 days and almost didn't graduate (his "performance" at the senior party later in the year also played a role, he admitted). Still, he rode off to Big Rapids hopeful about his education and a future as a PGA pro. “My first two semesters went well,” he said. A summer internship was also a good thing. But toward the end of that internship, he was introduced to “some fun-loving, middle-aged guys who loved to drink and golf on Fridays, and I was off to the races again.” When he returned to Ferris State in the fall, his priorities were scrambled. “I wanted to work full time and party when I wanted to,” he said. “I was going to make money and climb the ladder of success while my poor peers were stuck in school writing papers and studying for exams. Ironically, they are probably successful now, and I haven't been so much.” On one level though, his plan succeeded. He was able to party at will. But with that freewill came plenty of problems. There was a DUI in his early 20s. Then a marriage, a brief period of sobriety, a return to drinking and a divorce. By this time, he was physically dependent on alcohol. An alcoholic. Still, he was able to hold a job for almost 20 years, he said. But the bottom fell out in early 2019. He’d been living with a girlfriend but, in his words, “wasn’t pulling my weight at home.” He moved in with some friends on the condition that he didn’t drink, but he lied to them, was caught and was asked to move out. He was arrested yet again for another DUI, continued to drink, worked odd jobs here and there and began living in his car. By November 2019, he said, he had no job, no career, no friends or family, no money, nowhere to live and no direction. “I was scared, alone and clueless,” he said. He decided, not for the first time, to stop drinking, the first step on what he knows is a lifelong journey of sobriety. He got an overnight job at Meijer stocking groceries. Another step. And when he looked for direction for his life, GRCC helped him find it. “During intensive outpatient therapy and after a couple months of sobriety, the therapist running the classes planted a seed in my head related to making a career in the field of substance use disorder,” Wilkinson said. “That seed turned into me enrolling in the Addiction Studies program at GRCC.” The Futures for Frontliners program -- a state scholarship program for Michiganders without college degrees who worked in essential industries during the state COVID-19 shutdown in spring 2020 -- made it possible for him to afford college, and being back in school in his late 40s was surreal but satisfying. “Walking into the Student Center to get my books and ID card was very exciting and gave me a sense of finally once again being where I belong,” he said. “Being back in school gave me a sense of direction and purpose in life. Along with that came dignity and accountability as I had goals to achieve, which meant that I had to stay sober and continue to work hard.” His favorite classes were the addiction studies classes, followed by psychology classes. “The curriculum addressed almost every aspect of the field one will encounter, from counseling to recovery coaching, documentation and ethics, and so much more,” he said. In addition to the certificate in Addiction Studies, Wilkinson also earned an associate degree in pre-psychology and now is considering a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology through Cornerstone University’s program for working adults. And he now works as a recovery coach for a mental health clinic, approaching his one-year anniversary in the position this summer. He's also getting back in touch with the music that was such a big part of his life as a high school student. A talented saxophonist, he is part of a group that plays at Westminster Presbyterian Church called the "Westminster Winds.” “We have a lot of talent in the group, including a lot of GVSU music students,” he said with a smile. “It's open to anyone who wants to be a part of it and is a lot of fun.”  And though he recently suffered a bit of a setback when he had to have open heart surgery, he said he’s not about to let this recent medical issue slow him down. “I sobered up at age 46 and finished my degree at age 49,” he said. “I had set a four-year plan for myself when I sobered up, with the goal of figuring out a new direction in life and building the foundation for it by age 50. “By the grace of God, it happened with time to spare, both the education and the job. I'll be sober four years in November and continue to live a life of recovery in both AA and my new career.” This story was reported by Phil de Haan.

June 30, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Jaqueline Araiza disliked high school so much that she dropped out. Now she helps students navigate their own education journeys at Grand Rapids Community College Araiza is a first-generation college student. She dropped out of high school, but ultimately went back to get her diploma when her mother insisted she needed to if she wanted to live at home. After graduating from West Ottawa in 2016, Araiza knew that college wasn’t for her. She began working long hours to make ends meet.  During the summer, Araiza met with a success coach who insisted she should give college a try. She began taking classes and proved to her mom and herself that she could do it. She left her job and became a student employee at GRCC’s Lakeshore Campus.  Araiza graduated with her associate degree in 2019, and then continued her education at Grand Valley State University where she completed a bachelor’s degree in social work. She is currently working towards a master’s degree in social work at the University of Michigan.  While she is taking classes at other universities, Araiza still calls GRCC home. She has moved from a part-time student ambassador, to an Administrative Professional Support Staff, and is now the Admissions and Enrollment Coordinator and the Lakeshore Campus lead.  “I never imagined I would have stayed in higher education,” Araiza said, “I only learned about higher education opportunities once I started as a student employee at GRCC. I am so happy to have found GRCC, as it has opened endless opportunities for me.”  Araiza spends the majority of her time helping students navigate admissions steps, and working with students is her favorite part of her job. The admissions department focuses on provisioning accessible support to students to make their college experience as easy as possible to navigate.  “Navigating college and choosing a career is an exciting but challenging journey,” Araiza said, “I recommend students seek as much guidance as possible. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your academic advisor, GRCC staff, and professionals in the field. Everyone is here to help you.”  Apply today at GRCC at grcc.edu/apply .  

June 29, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- It’s an hour before Book.ish, a book fair for adults at the Center for Community Transformation in Grand Rapids, and Phalesha Kyes is on the phone. “We’re having to make a little pivot,” she says. “But, yeah, it’s going well. We are getting it done.” Those last five words could be on the business card for her eponymous company, By Phalesha Events. No matter the event she’s planning, she brings a getting-it-done attitude to the job. Those words are also a bit of a life motto for Kyes, who has overcome more than many in the journey to becoming a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), female entrepreneur in Grand Rapids. In 2019, just prior to the pandemic and prior to starting her own business, she was working for a local foster care agency, and she had a chance to write a letter as part of an outreach campaign to state politicians. In it, she wrote movingly about her lived experience in the Kent County foster care system, including the trauma of being separated from her parents. “When my three sisters and I were removed, we were placed in a shelter and then eventually separated,” she wrote. “We never had an advocate or someone working consistently with us through the process. We had multiple caseworkers, counselors and placements. Our journey left a deep scar on who we are today.” Still, she persevered. She found some healing and stability as a student at Lowell High School, where she moved as a ninth grader, and she found more stability at Grand Rapids Community College, where she began in 2009 after graduating high school. “I was the first one in my family to attend college,” she recalled recently. “I didn’t know anything about student aid or scholarships, but because I was a ‘Ward of the State,’ I was able to attend GRCC for free. And so, I did. It was one of the best choices I ever made.” Kyes earned her associate degree in arts, but, she said, she dabbled in English, psychology and communications to get a taste for what she liked. “Given that my credits were paid for, I had that freedom to do so,” she said with a smile. During the time she attended GRCC, she was also working full-time and was considered a full-time student due to the number of credits she was taking. As a result, she said she didn’t get involved too much at GRCC outside the classroom. “However, the friends I met in my classes, I’m still friends with today,” she added. “And the teachers were friendly, the guidance counselors were extremely helpful when discussing what classes to take and how to transfer when the time came. I’ve always struggled in school, so having the ability to get help through tutors or the open lab was a tremendous help as well.” After graduation she worked in insurance and then foster care and then started By Phalesha Events in September 2021. “I pulled my favorite things from all of my prior jobs, including customer services, event planning and public relations, and formed my own,” she said. Now, almost two years into running her own business, Kyes can’t imagine anything better. She does nonprofit, corporate, community engagement and even personal party planning. And while her business card says “We do the planning. You enjoy the event.”, she readily admits that in her line of work, the enjoyment her clients experience often comes as a result of her ability to adjust on the fly. Book.ish was an example of that. Though there were some last-minute wrinkles she had to deal with, when the event began it went off without a hitch. And Book.ish had an extra bit of pressure, Kyes said, as she was both planning it and also was one of the co-hosts, with Nye Aririguzo. We Are Lit GR, a multicultural bookstore, provided all of the books for sale and all of the vendors and performers were reflective of the BIPOC community. The event also was a fundraiser for The Diatribe, a Grand Rapids based nonprofit. Indeed, the event was a microcosm of her larger approach to business and life. “My mission is to empower and collaborate with as many BIPOC and female vendors as possible for every event,” she said. “And it’s important for me to represent organizations that don't have the resources to host events or grow their brand due to barriers.” That emphasis has roots in her personal identity. Feathers on both her business card and her body remind her of her Native American heritage, a heritage that in turn reminds her that she has a responsibility as a business owner to give back. As a result, she offers a nonprofit discount and donates a portion of her proceeds to local charities, often works on events for causes that resonate with her and sits on the Board of Directors of Mel Trotter Ministries. Her GRCC days still influence how she approaches work and life, she said. “I was a full-time student, worked, had relationships and friendships and extracurricular activities,” she said of that period in her life. “I had to learn how to balance all those things, how to give each the appropriate energy and time to each and find time for myself too. That skill is something I’m constantly working on, but I can absolutely say it started during my time at GRCC.” And, she added with a laugh: If GRCC ever needs help planning or managing events, I’m available.”   This story was reported by Phil de Haan.  

June 28, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is partnering with the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium to create a career pathway for energy careers, helping create rewarding opportunities for students and filling vital, in-demand jobs. The Energy Trades Pathway Program is a stackable, one-year credential program starting in fall 2023, and was created with MEWDC partners including Consumers Energy, DTE, Holland Board of Public Works, InfraSource, and Lewis Tree Service. Combining credit and non-credit classes, the program offers students the flexibility to explore energy pathways before committing to a specific field. Students will gain a strong foundation in essential skills applicable to multiple job roles within the skilled trades industry. The curriculum includes hands-on learning labs, allowing students to apply what they have learned and gain practical experience. Additionally, students will receive comprehensive training in areas such as test preparation for apprentice opportunities, basic electricity, blueprint reading, hand and power tools, project management, and health/endurance training. "Energy is a field that affects everyone and everything in our communities. We are proud to partner with Consumers Energy and DTE and other employers to build a talented workforce and create a pathway for residents to gain valuable, in-demand skills that will make our community stronger today and long into the future," GRCC President Charles Lepper said. The partnership between GRCC and the six employer partners addresses a significant workforce gap in West Michigan. Over the next five years, there will be more than 1,500 job opportunities in various energy sectors, including gas operations, heavy equipment operation, electric operations, and line clearance tree trimming. GRCC's job developers will connect students with potential employers. The starting wages for most positions range from $18 to $42 per hour. "We're excited about this partnership with Grand Rapids Community College as it addresses specific gaps in Michigan's energy workforce and provides pathways into great careers throughout the energy industry today and into the future," said Sharon Miller, co-chair of MEWDC and Director of Talent Pipeline at Consumers Energy. Chris HooSang, co-chair of MEWDC and director of Human Resources at DTE Energy, expressed enthusiasm for the program, saying, "Developing win-win partnerships that guide Michiganders to energy careers is at the heart of MEWDC's work, of which DTE Energy is proud to be a part of. The new Grand Rapids Community College program, in collaboration with employer partners, offers great training opportunities to Greater Michigan's eager, diverse talent." Additional information about the Energy Trades Pathway One-Year Certificate Program at GRCC, is available at grcc.edu/energytrades .    

June 27, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College culinary professor Jenn Struik made it to the final round of a popular Food Network game show. But in the end, she got Chopped. Struik is a GRCC alumna who returned to the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education to help the next generations of students find success in the kitchen. She said last week that she’s long been a fan of Chopped, where four chefs compete against each other in preparing an appetizer, an entrée and a dessert. The ingredients make things complicated, with contestants on the show that aired Tuesday presented with items including beef fat fudge, roasted bone marrow, and a steak cake – meat buried in mashed potatoes. Struik sailed through the appetizer and entrée rounds, and judges had praise for her dessert crumble, which contained the marrow, hash brown waffles, plums and goat cheese caramel. But judges said her bison ribeye in the entrée was slightly undercooked, and awarded the $10,000 top prize to Atlanta-based Chef Marlo Nash. Struik said recently the episode, which was filmed in New York in October, was stressful. The chefs had 20 minutes to make the appetizer, 30 minutes each for the entrée and the dessert and then the presentation time for the show’s three judges. It was her second appearance on the Food Network, winning the top prize on Supermarket Stakeout, where chefs create dishes from groceries they purchase from nearby supermarket customers. When not competing at teaching at GRCC, Struik is a chef and registered dietician. She also was a coach for the team of GRCC culinary students who were finalists in the recent NASA HUNCH competition, and prepared a meal judged by astronauts and other NASA leaders. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in dietetics before earning certifications in Culinary Arts, Personal Chef and Chef Training from GRCC. Struik teaches at GRCC, but also has worked as a dietician for local hospital systems. Since 2018, Struik has run her own business, called Jenny with the Good Eats, offering weekly meal prep, including for those with chronic health conditions; private in-home dining experiences; cooking classes; restaurant consulting and more. “Feeling proud of the journey in my career so far,” she said. “And having these opportunities and such wonderful experiences.” Phil de Haan contributed to this story.

June 23, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College is launching a new Data Science Certificate program to help students gain skills for careers in a fast-paced, evolving field. The program, which can be completed in a year, combines computer information systems and mathematics skills to help students process data to help employers make informed, strategic decisions. “Information is abundant in today’s high-tech world,” said Dr. Kristi Haik, dean of GRCC’s School of STEM. “The challenge we face today is understanding and interpreting data to make better decisions. This new certificate will help students gain their first steps into an exciting field, and prepare them to continue advancing in their education and careers.” Students earning a Data Science Certificate will learn how to take raw data, run it through a set of tools and algorithms to understand the information and help shape decisions. With the certificate, students can hope to be hired into an entry level, data analyst position, transitioning to data scientist and data engineer roles with additional training. Analyst jobs pay an average salary of $69,638. The Data Science Certificate program is intended to be a first step in a computing career. Students can continue their education for a variety of careers, including data scientist posts, which average $120,000 a year. GRCC is working with a curriculum developed with industry leader Intel, with classes including Microsoft Excel, Computer Science I, Statistics, Programming for Data Science, Database Design, Intro to Data Science, and Applied Data Science as a capstone course. Students can take classes in online, seven-week formats that start with the upcoming fall 2023 semester. Additional information is available on the GRCC Data Science Certificate webpage , or by contacting the Computer Information Systems Department at cis@grcc.edu and by phone at (616) 234-3670.