March 3, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - As both a professor and a tutor, Tom Neils is always looking for opportunities to help students have a “lightbulb moment” - when a student fully understands a concept.  Neils came to GRCC 25 years ago to teach a variety of chemistry courses. Upon retiring in 2021, Neils became a tutor for the TRIO program to continue supporting students. TRIO is a federally funded program that supports first-generation, low-income students, and students with disabilities during their college experience. The program's assistance ranges from academic and financial support to personal counseling and physical needs.  “TRIO is special because everyone works so diligently to help the students not only succeed in their studies, but also learn about all the opportunities available to them after they graduate from GRCC,” Neils said. Working with students is the best part of Neils’s day. He tutors all STEM topics, but enjoys chemistry and math the most. As a tutor he is able to identify the hurdles that prevent a student from learning a specific skill or topic. A level of personal attention that was not as easily given in the classroom. Neils is impressed that students have so many great questions, and are eager to learn.  Neils is always looking for opportunities to continue learning. Over the past 15 years he has worked with colleagues and textbook authors to correct an error that has existed in the chemistry world for a long time about the pKa of water. The error appears in many common use textbooks, and Neils has written many modules and letters to get it corrected.  Since beginning the work in 2006, he and his colleagues have been able to get several textbook authors to make the changes and also some reference tables on the Internet. Their work was acknowledged by one of the most prestigious chemical journals, The Journal of the American Chemical Society. Neils and his colleague were invited to record a YouTube video with the editor-in-chief to discuss the error and their work to correct it.  Neils’s passion for chemistry motivates him to encourage students to pursue their own passions.  Neils tells students, “Choose a career that you are passionate about. If you are not sure what you want to do, take courses in a wide variety of fields so that you can find what is of interest to you. In either case, community college is a great place to start!” More information about the Physical Sciences is available here.  More information about TRIO is available here.

March 3, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich . — DeMarco Adkins has some advice for Grand Rapids Community College students with disabilities: If you need help, ask for it. “When I started at GRCC, I really didn’t want to ask for help from Disability Support Services ,” said Adkins, whose cerebral palsy makes writing difficult. “It was my pride. I really wanted to try my best to do my work without that extra support.” That, he said, was a mistake. Adkins, who attended GRCC after graduating high school in 2008, dropped out his first semester when poor grades threatened his GPA. When he returned the following semester, Adkins said he gave himself permission to ask for help. “I really wanted to start off the semester as best as I could, so I requested their services immediately,” he said. He found the Disability Support Services advisors helpful, explaining the types of accommodations available and all required documentation for services. GRCC’s Disability Support Services is one of many learning resources the college offers. Its mission is to help students of all abilities have equal access to all curricular and co-curricular activities. That’s made possible by helping to remove campus barriers or coordinating reasonable accommodations. That support made all the difference. “The advisors assigned an individual who was a note-taker because I write slow and couldn’t keep up with the class and what the instructor was talking about,” said Adkins, now 32. “I was also given extra time to take tests and exams, which was very helpful for me.” The college’s Academic Advising & Transfer Center later stepped in to assist Adkins when he decided to transfer in 2010 to Cornerstone University. “Most of my GRCC classes were transferable, which was great,” said Adkins, who completed an associate degree and bachelor’s degree in ministry leadership at Cornerstone. Adkins suggests other GRCC students with disabilities immediately seek support services to avoid falling behind like him. “There’s no shame in it, trust me,” he said. The Disability Support Services office is located on room 368 of the Student Center, and can connect with students in person and virtually. The office can be contacted by email at disability@grcc.edu , and by phone at (616) 234-4140. This story was reported by Beth McKenna.

March 2, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Brockton Kohler sank two free throws with 10.7 seconds remaining helping the Grand Rapids Community College's men's basketball to an 81-78 win over Delta College on Thursday. In the earlier game, Sally Merrill scored a career-high 31 points, but the women’s team fell 78-65 in the team's final regular-season game. With the win, the men's team will head to the postseason on a six-game winning streak, with a 21-7 overall record and 9-5 conference record.  The team finished in third place. “It was a back and forth battle all the way to the finish,” coach Joe Fox said. “We got some great performances down the stretch tonight, particularly from Kohler, Isaac Warning, and Danyel Bibbs. Defensively, Carter Thomas, Bashir Neely and Seth Schuitema all had a huge impact. I'm proud of this team’s regular season. Twenty-one wins is a great bounce back after a rough year last year from a wins and losses standpoint. Seeing the maturation of the sophomores has been great.” Kolher's game-high 21 points included five three-pointers on 7-of-13 from the field. Isaac Warning played a career-high 38 minutes and scored a career-best 18 points and had a team-high nine rebounds. Danyel Bibbs had  17 points, six rebounds and a game-high nine assists. The women's team led 16-15 after the first quarter, but Delta College erupted for 28 points in the second quarter and built a lead that GRCC couldn't surpass. GRCC did have fewer turnovers and more steals and assists than the visitors, but were out-rebounded by 14, which was an uncommon occurrence as the team ranks as one of the top rebounding teams in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association. Merrill's 31 points came just two nights from her previous career-high of 30 points against Kirtland Community College. Grace Lodes led the team with nine rebounds, three blocks and five steals while scoring seven points. The team dropped from second place in the conference to finish tied for third with a 10-4 record. Muskegon Community College will host GRCC's women's team on March 7 in the first round of the playoffs, while GRCC's men's team hosts Delta College. Both games will be at 7 p.m.  If either team wins, it will advance to the semi-finals later in the week at Mott Community College. This story was reported by Ben Brown.

March 2, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  Grand Rapids Community College Geography professor Mike DeVivo will receive a top award at a national organization’s conference later this month. DeVivo will receive the Presidential Achievement Award from the American Association of Geographers during the Denver event. The organization gives the award to only two geographers annually who have made long-standing and distinguished contributions to the discipline. The AAG credited DeVivo for defining the value of community colleges as a “nurturing ground” for new geography students. “I was shocked and at a loss for words when I learned I had been selected for this award!” said DeVivo, who has been with GRCC since 2002. DeVivo was born in Europe but attended high school in Connecticut. He enlisted in the Marines at age 17, serving in reconnaissance and later became a Navy diver. Following his honorable discharge, he was licensed as a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer, commanding several vessels for the mineral and oil industry. He then began his university studies. During the conference, which is being held face to face for the first time since 2019, GRCC’s Geography program will also be honored with the AAG Program Excellence Award Honorable Mention. The program is recognized for its successful students and alumni, as well as student-led efforts to counter food insecurity and poverty in Grand Rapids and fund raising to support female education in Africa. The AAG declared, “The current vision of a space to address society is compelling. The alumni and collegial testaments, along with the letters of support indicate a strong and reputable program.”  GRCC’s Geography program offers both Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. The curriculum, which combines writing-intensive courses as well as lab and field work, is offered in-person, online or a combination of in-class and online. Students have made presentations at academic conferences and have conducted research in the United States, Latin America and Africa. The Geography program runs a speakers series and sponsors a chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, the International Geographical Honor society. DeVivo, who will also take part in two sessions at the conference, said he expects to meet with a number of GRCC alumni who work in the field.  

March 1, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is reflecting on the leadership and achievements of women at the college and in society with a series of events commemorating Women’s History Month. The GRCC Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has planned a series of activities throughout the month, focusing on wellness, leadership and support. Events include: YWCA and Women’s Resource Center donation collection, running all month at the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Library and Learning Commons. Donation wish lists are here .   YWCA information session. Participants will learn about what the YWCA offers and how they can volunteer with the organization. The event is planned for 2-3 p.m. on March 2 in Library and Learning Commons, room 123.   Women’s Wellness Workshop, where participants can take a deeper dive into self-care with Tashuna Hunt, LMSW. The event is planned for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 21 at the Library and Learning Commons, room 123.   YWCA visit. Students will drop off donations collected throughout the month and get a tour of the YWCA building at 2-3 p.m. on March 22 at the YWCA, 25 Sheldon Ave SE in Grand Rapids.   Diversity Lecture Series: Graci Harkema: “Finding Belonging in Intersectionality.” Harkema is an international diversity, equity, and inclusion speaker and author, specializing in inclusive leadership and unconscious bias for Fortune 500, small businesses, and non-profit organizations. The event is planned for 4-5 p.m. on March 23 in the Wisner Applied Technology Center, room 168.   Salute to Women. This event celebrates the accomplishments of women and gender equity advocates who impact the GRCC community and beyond. The award is open to all GRCC stakeholders regardless of gender or gender identity. Annually, persons who exemplify high achievement in advocacy, community service, leadership, and student engagement are nominated in three categories. The event is planned for noon to 1 p.m. on March 29 at Sneden Hall room 108. Additional information on these events and others is available on the ODEI website .

Feb. 28, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Chris Coleman and Sally Merrill scored career highs to help lead Grand Rapids Community College basketball teams to a season sweep over Kirtland Community College on Tuesday. Both the women’s team and men’s team celebrated the careers of seven sophomores before their games, and both cruised to fifth wins in a row after defeating Kirtland Community College 90-66 in the opener and 97-78 in the night cap. Kirtland's women's team led by as many as eight in the opening quarter thanks to four straight three-point-shots by Racquel Du Breuil. But GRCC responded to finish out the quarter up 20-18 and led the rest of the way. "I was happy with the way our kids finished, keeping their composure and focusing on the next play," head coach David Glazier said. "Also, really good to see Alyssa (Katerberg) find her rhythm and confidence tonight which complimented the performances that Sally and Grace (Lodes) put on.  All seven sophomores played well tonight, which was fitting on this special night." Merrill knocked in a career-high 30 points on 12-of-22 from the field and added eight rebounds.  Lodes - coming off a 23-point, 11-rebound performance in her last game - totaled 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. She also had five blocks and four assists. Katerberg finished with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots. The team is now 16-7 and 10-3 in the conference, with one game remaining before postseason play. GRCC's men's team was on fire in the first half on the offensive end, racking up 59 points on 24-of-36 from the field and 9-of-18 from behind the arc in the first half. Coleman scored a career-high 22 points in just 19 minutes, while shooting 10-of-14 from the floor. He also had six rebounds and two of the team's 12 total three-point baskets. Eight GRCC players made at least one three and all but one player scored on the night. Danyel Bibbs finished with 20 points, six rebounds and six assists.  Isaac Warning dropped in a career-high 17 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds and assisting on a career best five shots. Both teams return home on March 2 for the regular season finale against Delta College. This story was reported by Ben Brown.

Feb. 28, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich . — As a mom, Cassandra Tiensivu knows actions speak louder than words. So instead of just telling her young daughters about the importance of a college degree, the Comstock Park mother showed them and enrolled at Grand Rapids Community College herself. “I understand how hard it is for young people to follow the advice of someone who doesn’t put their money where their mouth is, so that’s when I decided to apply to GRCC and get myself a degree,” said Tiensivu, an honor roll student who’s pursuing a General Studies degree. Her daughters, now 21 and 18 years old, literally followed in her footsteps: Sabrina is in her second year at GRCC studying Business Administration and Juliana is a freshman in the college’s Math, Science and Engineering Academic Pathway . Tiensivu, now 43, married soon after high school and never attended college, instead working as a stay-at-home mom after her daughters were born. Several years after her divorce, she enrolled at GRCC in 2016. “Part of the reason I went back to school was because I wanted to instill the importance of college and a career so they wouldn’t be in the same position that I found myself,” she said. “I felt like the luckiest person in the world when I got my acceptance letter from GRCC.” When it was time for each daughter to start classes, Mom stepped up as their personal tour guide. “I was so proud to show them where everything was on campus,” Cassandra Tiensivu said. “If I hadn’t been a student myself, I don’t think I’d be able to assist them with the transition as well as I have.” Although she began at GRCC as a full-time student, Tiensivu’s class load flexes when her family needs more of her time. “In 2018, Sabrina was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and I took a year off school to be there for her,” she said. “Thankfully, she beat the cancer and is doing great.” Balancing classes, homework, household and “mom stuff” isn’t always easy. This semester, Tiensivu took a break from classes to focus on Celestial Kittens, a new company she started featuring space-themed felines she designed. Her product line includes stickers and stuffed toys, with a children’s book and fashion accessories on the way. “I would like to be self-sufficient with my own business and still be able to pursue other things,” she said. After exploring several academic fields through the years, Tiensivu is just nine credits away from an associate degree in general studies. She hopes to soon attain GRCC degrees in Pre-Art and Pre-Business before heading to a university and becoming a paleontologist. “I know it’s taken me a long time to get a degree but I’m going to get there eventually … I’m not giving up,” Tiensivu said. For now, she enjoys the time with her daughters, carpooling to GRCC with her youngest, eating lunch on campus at Quiet Cafe, and watching all three of their career aspirations come to life. And her daughters are still watching and learning. “I think it's awesome that Mom is going back to school,” Sabrina Tiensivu said. “When I see Mom study, all I can think of is how hardworking and dedicated she is.” This story was reported by Beth McKenna.

Feb. 27, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College student-athletes are teaming up with Student Life to support students challenged by food insecurity and collect food donations at upcoming basketball games. Spectators who bring two or more food items to the Thursday, March 2 games against Delta College will be given free popcorn at the concessions stand. The women’s team plays at 5:30 p.m., and the men’s team takes the floor at 7:30 p.m. Free popcorn also will be available for students, faculty and staff who donate two items or more earlier in the day, between 12:30 and 3 p.m. in the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse.   All of the food items will be donated to the GRCC Food Pantry, which has served thousands of students since the start of the pandemic. “Our student-athletes strive to be leaders on and off the court, and care very much about our campus community,” Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. “It’s important for us to all support our campus food pantry. But we also need to raise awareness of the problem of food insecurity and how it affects our students.” GRCC’s Food Pantry and snack pantries are designed to meet the immediate food needs of its students on campus by providing a variety of non-perishable food items and basic necessities to students and their families. GRCC’s Food Pantry is located in the Student Center, and is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Students can visit the pantry weekly. Students can register in the Student Life Office. There are 10 snack pantries located across campus, providing grab-and-go options including granola bars and microwavable soups. They are maintained in partnership by Student Life, the English department, Psi Beta, Counseling and Career Development, Library and Learning Commons and the Tassell M-TEC. The Snack Pantries do not require registration and food is provided when available. Information is available at grcc.edu/foodpantry . Students can connect with additional campus and community resources at grcc.edu/gethelp . The food drive is part of a conference-wide effort organized by the Michigan Community College Athletic Association.

Feb. 27, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – As the first director of Workforce Development at Latin Americans United for Progress, Grand Rapids Community College alumna Maria Morales strives to connect West Michigan residents to the skills that will give them satisfying careers as they fill crucial gaps for area employers.  Start at GRCC and go anywhere. Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC gave them the education and opportunity to be successful. The “3+1” program allowed her to complete three years of a bachelor’s degree program  at GRCC before completing the final year at Ferris State University. She credits GRCC’s  equitable access and opportunities for her success.  “GRCC was indispensable to my education,” she said. “As a first-generation college student, I had the guidance of incredible advisors and professors who helped me navigate unfamiliar educational systems and structures, who believed in me and advocated for me each step of the way. Being able to enroll for online learning and the 3+1 program reduced the challenges of completing a degree as a full-time professional, wife, and mother to an infant." Morales completed her bachelor’s in business administration with a certification in leadership and supervision from Ferris and is commissioned by the state as a notary public. With her work at LAUP, she has come full circle – as she explores opportunities to collaborate with GRCC on building career pathways to better equip people to meet workforce needs.  Start your GRCC story today here.