Muskegon Community College (MCC) is pleased to announce the return of the 60th Annual Student Art Exhibition at the Overbrook Gallery, running from May 13 to September 4.
…. In conjunction with this event, MCC is privileged to welcome Nick Antonakis, Department Head of Art at Grand Rapids Community College, as the guest juror for this year’s exhibition.
On Tuesday, April 29, 2024, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II stopped by GRCC’s Calkins Science Center to explore our new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Incubator, participate in an AI demo and learn more about our new AI Certificate Program.
The purpose of the AI Incubator is to bring artificial intelligence to the staff and students at GRCC as well as the surrounding community. The intent is not only to provide a career pathway into AI for students, but to also provide a chance for high schoolers and community members to experience the technology and to gain a baseline understanding of its use.
A techie at heart and an engineer by training, the Lt. Governor was joined by GRCC President Charles Lepper, Provost Sheila Jones and Dean of Workforce Development Julie Parks to participate in an AI demo. The demo, led by Dean of the School of STEM Kristi Haik and Assistant Professor Jonnathan Resendiz, had the group answer queries about AI that informed the creation of a bot and demonstrated the scope of the economic impact the technology can bring to Michigan. If used effectively, AI will contribute to the development of new industries, personalize education, enhance workforce skills, improve efficiency and transform teaching and learning methods.
In short, AI is going to rock the job scene.
GRCC’s program is one of the first AI Certificate offerings in Michigan. Launching fall of 2024, the program will be made up of 7-week courses and focus on project-based learning. It will create a stackable certificate in AI similar to GRCC’s Data Science and CyberSecurity Certificates. The intention is that this certificate could stack into a pathway degree or other flexible two-year degrees based on the students’ needs and potential transfer. The curriculum is based on Intel’s AI for Work Force program.
GRCC is hosting an AI Incubator Open House for businesses to explore the lab, participate in a demonstration of its capabilities and learn how GRCC can help them become AI-ready. The open house is scheduled for June 18, 2024, 7:30 – 9 a.m. in the GRCC Calkins Science Center. More information about the open house and registration is available on GRCC’s Get AI-ready with GRCC webpage.
Nervous system dysregulation refers to disruptions or abnormalities in the normal functioning of our nervous system. This can show up in different ways, like having trouble with our senses, moving our bodies, thinking clearly, handling emotions, or even with automatic systems in our bodies like heart rate or digestion.
In a dysregulated state, our sympathetic nervous systems are imbalanced. We feel we are at our limit, and it affects our ability to problem-solve, make rational decisions, and engage positively with others. Symptoms can be physical or emotional and include chronic pain, migraines, difficulty concentrating, agitation, moodiness, insomnia, sweating, nausea. Indigestion, anxiety, and a racing heart.
Techniques for Nervous System Regulation:
Sleep
Evidence suggests a reciprocal relationship between sleep and mental health. Those who experience anxiety and depression often have chronic sleep problems. These sleep problems can exacerbate symptoms
Experts recommend that adults sleep between 7 and 9 hours a night. Adults who sleep less than 7 hours a night may have more health issues than those who sleep 7 or more hours a night.
Stress Management
Maintaining a balanced nervous system is crucial, and managing stress plays a key role in achieving this balance. Integrate relaxation methods like deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation into your everyday schedule to soothe your nervous system.
Breathing activities like box breathing or slow breathing are particularly effective
Nutrition
Promoting optimal nervous system function requires a well rounded diet consisting of whole foods, beneficial fats, and vital nutrients that are essential for nervous system support.
Yoga and Exercise
Yoga and exercise have a profound effect on mental and physical health and encompasses elements known to regulate the sympathetic response.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — As warmer weather moves in during May, motorcycle safety awareness month reminds the public to look out for all vehicles on the roads.
Their work with preventative maintenance and equipment projects has saved the college tens of thousands of dollars and resolved critical issues before the semester started (including a complete machine rebuild in the quality science lab).
They have a passion for problem solving, identifying creative areas for improvement, and above all a focus on student success. They are a blessing to the college, wonderful colleagues, and truly remarkable members of the GRCC Family. We are lucky to have them on board.
GRCC has always valued and championed learning and growth for all its employees. The latest way to expand skills and knowledge is through the benefit of access to LinkedIn Learning.
LinkedIn Learning is a renowned resource and industry leader in online training, hosting a vast digital library of over 20,000 courses covering various topics, skills, and experiences including technical, business, software, DEI, and creative topics.
Accessing this opportunity is simple and easy.
All employees can log into Linked In Learning using a single sign on feature available through the Online Center account. Log into the MyGRCC portal using your regular college credentials.
LinkedIn Learning is convenient, user friendly, easy to navigate, and learner-centered. You may participate in an entire course, watch individual videos, some as short as five minutes, and engage in recommended training for your goals, pursue interests and hone your skills in a vast variety of subject areas.
Do you frequently talk to students who either do not know how to access their student email account or don’t even know they have one?
Below are a couple of knowledge base articles we suggest reading so that you may be able to assist students in those circumstances. One explains when a student will have access to their GRCC student email account, one explains how to sign into it, and on explains how to transfer them.
Information Technology would like to remind faculty of the upcoming archival and deletion process for Blackboard Learn courses. As we approach the scheduled removal of Winter 2022 term courses on Thursday, May 30, 2024, we would like to emphasize the critical importance of maintaining course data.
Timely adherence to archival procedures ensures the integrity of our educational resources, compliance with storage constraints, and seamless access for both instructors and students. For transparency purposes, the information below outlines the various timelines we adhere to.
Archival Timeline:
Term courses within Blackboard Learn are available to instructors for two years after the semester in which they were taught. Upon the conclusion of a term, courses older than two years are archived and removed from Blackboard Learn. The offline archives are retained for an additional two years.
Permanent Deletion:
All Blackboard Learn courses that have been archived offline for more than two years will be permanently deleted. Instructors can request a restore of the course within the first two years of archival.
Winter 2022 term courses are scheduled to be removed from Blackboard Learn on Thursday, May 30, 2024. If any existing courses in Blackboard are linked to content in a Winter 2022 course, there may be potential impacts.
Course Restore Request:
To request a course restore, please complete this Service Request Form. Additionally, instructors can manually create their own archive/exports at any time. For more information on archiving and exporting, please refer to this knowledge base article.
Courses not associated with a term, such as templates, portfolios, master course shells, training and orientation courses, and any individual or departmental courses used for accreditation, are not subject to the standard archival process.
Action Required:
We kindly ask you to review your courses after May 30 and report any possible issues to IT Support at itsupport@grcc.edu or via the IT Support Portal.
We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring the smooth management of our Blackboard Learn platform. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to IT Support.
Many adults can think of pop culture icons or superstar athletes who captured their childhood imaginations with their glamour and fame. Today’s young people are no different. However, the curated and unrealistic lens of social media often distorts their view of these legendary stars. So where do they go to find out about real life topics? With whom do they have meaningful conversations, experience mentorship, and discover empowerment?
“Girls are often silenced, stereotyped or seen as being without influence,” stated Jamillya Hardley, director of the Woodrick Center of Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs at Grand Rapids Community College. “That’s why I was so honored and pleased to be on the planning committee for the 2024 GRPS Girls Youth Conference. This work provides a way to pour into our youth and uplift them in order to change the narrative.”
More than 250 middle school girls from 10 Grand Rapids Public Schools chose to participate in this year-long conference. It began in October with a kickoff event at which the girls from each school met their facilitator. That individual was an advisor, a teacher, or an advocate who they could connect to from the school.
Then they met each month for workshops, conversations or activities around the theme “Faith, Focus, Future.” The planning committee chose these words for a reason.
“They are all positive and progressive words that are also subject to personal interpretation,” Hardley said. “We wanted words that would be familiar to the girls, but that they could also interpret and explore in their own individual ways.”
GRCC hosted a finale event on May 1 at the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse with all the girls and their facilitators.
“It was an incredible event,” Hardley said. “We held panel discussions with local professionals from a number of fields. We conducted breakout sessions on topics such as mental health and relationships. We shared lunch, and then wrapped up with presentations in which speakers from each school shared perspectives on the theme and what it had meant to them.”
It’s understandable the girls would be excited about coming to GRCC together and experiencing a college campus. But for Hardley, the most astounding thing was their engagement.
“These girls were so in tune with themselves,” she said. “I wasn’t as progressive at their age! They were asking about credit and taxes and how to sustain a home and family. They asked so many great questions. This was a truly remarkable way to give them a voice and a space to share their thoughts.”
Hardley said that partnering with GRPS and hosting this conference is a natural fit for GRCC.
“We are trying to become more student-centered and more community-centered,” she said. “What better way to do this than to invite these girls to our campus so they can meet people who are invested in them? I believe the girls left with both a physical and emotional sense of how they can challenge themselves and grow into leaders.”
Having a sense of belonging and purpose will transform the young ladies who participated in this year-long program.
“The bonds they created are so important,” Hardley said. “I know that this work helps build connection and community for girls who otherwise might be marginalized, silenced, or historically under-represented. I hope they left feeling inspired about a future that is bright and unlimited.”
As a title sponsor for the Annual Heritage Hill Home Tour, GRCC received 24 complimentary wristband passes which we’re making available to interested employees.
We’ll give them away in pairs to the first 12 people who request them.
The Home Tour is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19. The passes will need to be picked up at the Admin building on the DeVos campus and are good for either or both days.
If you’re interested, please contact Grace Blanchard at graceblanchard@grcc.edu or ext 2177.
Whitney Marsh is the most recent recipient of the Provost’s “Above and Beyond” award presented at Deans’ Council on May 9.
Over the past nine months, Whitney has worked tirelessly for GRCC community members as the College’s Interim Title IX Coordinator. Whitney has performed this work with expertise and enthusiasm.
As Interim Title IX Coordinator, Whitney served students, employees and community members with empathy and compassion. Whitney handled difficult situations with poise, worked diligently toward helping solve problems, and made every person she worked with as Interim Title IX Coordinator feel a sense of support, value and belonging.
In accepting and performing this complex role, Whitney demonstrated her leadership versatility, her commitment to supporting students, and her integrity in assuring institutional compliance.
Michelle Hamilton joins Grand Rapids Community College as our new Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX Coordinator. Previously, she worked for Michigan State University (MSU) where she also received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Criminal Justice.
In her role at MSU, she served as a Respondent Advisor where she represented members of the MSU community accused of violating the Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy, Anti-Discrimination Policy, as well as Title IX violations. Hamilton has guided members through the formal grievance process by coordinating and drafting statements, gathering evidence, advocating for supportive measures, and conducting cross-examinations during formal hearings. She has presented on a wide range of Title IX topics explicitly focusing on underrepresented communities within the Title IX process, along with taking preventative measures to help students and employees understand Title IX processes and policies. Hamilton has spent more than a decade advocating for students who are underrepresented in a university setting. Additionally, Hamilton has overseen conduct and procedural training of more than 2,500 student employees across a vast understanding of student employee life and has built a reputation as a trusted advisor for student coaching and advice.
While working full-time, Hamilton received her Juris Doctorate from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Her objective is to educate the community about policies and incorporate feedback for continuous improvement. She will embrace best practices, and work collaboratively and openly in her effort to create safe spaces while guiding people as they build their future.
On a personal note, Hamilton enjoys the theater, movies, history, and bowling as well as spending time with family and friends.
Student Employment Services sponsors the “Go Beyond” recognition program for Student Employees.
This program recognizes Student Employees who go beyond their normal job responsibilities to provide extraordinary service while working at GRCC. Nominated student employees receive a special GRCC T-shirt and a gift card.
Congratulations to our “Go Beyond” recipient for April 2024: Cassie Brannon from Student Life and Conduct.
The City of Grand Rapids is hosting Water Pool-ooza on the Grand, a free community event aimed at engaging families and students in water conservation efforts while providing a day of fun activities and education.
….The event is made possible through funding by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and in partnership with Grand Rapids Community College and the City of Grand Rapids.
Short Panic wasted little time making a splash on West Michigan’s music scene.
Formed by music students at Grand Rapids Community College, the youthful funk-rock ensemble burst out of the gates by winning The Stray’s 2023 Battle of the Bands and followed that up by getting signed to Midwest Gold Records to release their full-length debut album.
The daily employee newsletter of Grand Rapids Community College 