Welcome New ESP Employees – Cheryl Floyd and Brenda Kupris Cary

GRCC ESPs would like to welcome two new employees to the college; Cheryl Floyd and Brenda Kupris Cary. Cheryl works in Human Resources as a Human Resource Assistant. She received her undergrad in Physical Education, Health, Dance and Recreation as well as her Masters in Management from Aquinas College. She enjoys reading, writing poetry, traveling, working out (she teaches yoga, pilates, spin, kick boxing, step, on the ball, and cardio dance) as well as spending time with family and friends.

Cheryl Floyd (left) and Brenda Kupris Cary

Brenda is the new Payroll Assistant in HR/Payroll/Benefits after spending 17 years with Grand Rapids Public Schools. She has four wonderful children; Eamon (15), Isabel (14), Julia (12) and Wyatt (9). They also have two dogs; a Maltese named Scout, a Chihuahua named Boo, and three cats – Gigi, Jasmine and Stella. Some people may remember her mom, Connie Kupris-Myers, who retired from the Continuing Education department at GRCC about twenty years ago. In her spare time she enjoys music, dancing, the Arts, going to the beach, barbecuing, and just generally having fun with family and friends.

Welcome Cheryl and Brenda!

GRCC in the News – 5/19/11

President Obama salutes Grand Rapids Community College students for community service
Published: Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 12:15 PM  | Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS – President Barack Obama has named Grand Rapids Community College to The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, one of two state schools with the distinction.  (More)

Obituaries Today: Mauricio Jimenez Jr., retired GRCC employee committed to social justice
Published: Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 3:00 PM | The Grand Rapids Press staff

Mr. Mauricio Jimenez Jr., aged 60, of Grand Rapids, passed away at his home on Monday afternoon, May 16, 2011.  Mauricio retired from Grand Rapids Community College where he worked in the Assessment Center. He also worked at the Wayne County Intermediate School District in a Consortium with other school districts in Wayne County. He graduated from Texas A & I University, Kingsville, TX with a bachelor’s degree.   (More)

Grand Rapids Community College baseball team’s postseason run comes to end in heartbreaking fashion
Published: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:10 PM  |Dean Holzwarth | The Grand Rapids Press

The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team’s bid for a return trip to the national tournament ended on Tuesday afternoon.  The Raiders’ season came to a close in the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XII tournament after a 4-3 loss in extra innings against Muskegon Community College at Bailey Park in Battle Creek.  (More)

Harper trustees extend president’s contract
By Kimberly Pohl | Article updated: 5/18/2011 8:25 PM

Citing the culture of collaboration, community and completion he’s created, Harper College officials have delivered a significant vote of confidence for their leader. […] Notable events include the annual Twin Bowl, in which Harper’s football team squares off against Michigan’s Grand Rapids Community College, where Ender’s identical twin serves as president.  (More)

GRCC ESP Relay for Life 2011

GRCC ESP are once again participating in the Relay for Life Downtown Grand Rapids event being held from June 10 at 3:00 p.m. to June 11 at 3:00 p.m. at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in front of the Gerald R. Ford Museum as part of their service to the community. This is not exclusive to only ESP participation so we welcome all help in any way. This year’s Downtown GR Relay for Life theme is “Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes.” Our site’s theme is “Star light, Star bright” … a simple nursery rhyme that is all about wishes. Helping raise funds so that wishes of creating a world where more people survive cancer might come true, creating a world where this disease will no longer threaten the lives of our loved ones or claim another year of anyone’s life, fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community.

There are many ways that you can support the ESP in their participation in this worthy cause: (1) personal monetary donation (easy to do at this link and then click “donate” and “team” GRCC ESP), (2) join the team and raise funds (you can join online with the link from #1), (3) donation of candy that will be sold during the event at our site, and/or (4) walking sometime during the relay.

For more details about Relay for Life, the event, or how you can participate, please contact Tracy Payne at tpayne@grcc.edu or x3673.

Condolences to the Family and Colleagues of Mauricio Jimenez

Long-time GRCC employee in the Counseling and Career Center Mauricio Jimenez passed away recently.  His obituary was printed in the Grand Rapids Press:

Mr. Mauricio Jimenez Jr., aged 60, of Grand Rapids, passed away at his home on Monday afternoon, May 16, 2011.

Mauricio retired from Grand Rapids Community College where he worked in the Assessment Center. He also worked at the Wayne County Intermediate School District in a Consortium with other school districts in Wayne County. He graduated from Texas A & I University, Kingsville, TX with a bachelor’s degree. (Read More)

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday morning at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 101 Hall St. SE. (please meet at the church). Relatives and friends may meet his family on Thursday from 6:00 to 9 p.m. with the rosary prayed at 7:00 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to DaVita Dialysis Center.

Visit Mauricio’s LifeStory page.

Free Lean Champion Certification Information Session

Hear from past Lean Champion alumni about the benefits of this powerful program. Anyone interested in learning about the powerful impact of a Lean philosophy should attend this free info session presented by Workforce Training – Tuesday, May 24th in Room 122 of the ATC from 7:30 to 9:00 am.

If you have ever considered becoming a Lean Champion, this event is a must attend! Lean Champion alumni companies will be discussing the value of this program from their perspective.

If you have wanted your upper management to commit to a program that will save your company time, money, and reduce waste, then get your decision makers to this FREE event!

Event Agenda:

7:30 a.m. Arrive, Beverages
7:55 a.m. Introduction
8:00 a.m. Nelson Brummel, Production Manager Gentex Corporation
8:15 a.m. Todd Sadler, Director of Manufacturing Resources, Harbor Industries
8:30 a.m. Dan Vermeesch, Plant Manager Micron Manufacturing Company
8:45 a.m. Additional Q & A
9:00 a.m. Closing

Although this is a free event, we appreciate your registration. Go to http://www.grcclearn.com click on Lean!

Register now for The Future of Battery Technology in West Michigan

Learn what battery technology is and how it is impacting the West Michigan economy.  Find out the importance of this industry and the future of battery technology.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Anyone interested in learning about battery technology and its importance in West Michigan.

FEATURED PRESENTERS:

Kai Pelz, Manager of Pilot Product Lab for Johnson Controls/SAFT
Kai will present on Powering West Michigan’s Transportation Future with battery technology. The discussion will include an Electric Vehicle overview and updates on local key suppliers, EV charging infrastructure, and marketing strategies.

Julie Parks, Director of Workforce Training at Grand Rapids Community College Julie will discuss the opportunities for supply chain and next advances in energy storage for our local manufacturing companies.

DATE & TIME: MAY 19, 2011 5:30-8:00 p.m. Networking/Presentation (dinner provided)

LOCATION: Radisson Hotel – Grand Rapids Riverfront

COST: $35 SME Members | $25 Students/Unemployed/Retiree | $50 Non-SME Members

Register online here

Learning Opportunities for Employees 5/23/11-6/2/11

Learning Opportunities from Employee Professional Development & Enrichment

Monday, May 23
Persuasive Communication 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 24
Time Management 9-11 a.m.
Excel: Working with Functions & Formulas 1-3 p.m.

Wednesday, May 25
Team Dimensions: Discovering your Role 9-11 a.m.
Motivating Others 1-3 p.m.

Wednesday, June 1
Leading Change 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 2
Excel: Managing Tables 9-11 a.m.
Conquering Information Overload 1-2:30 p.m.

Go to www.grcc.edu/currentlearning for descriptions and registration.