Photos – Regional Education Forum With State Board of Education

Grand Rapids Community College hosted the West Michigan regional education forum sponsored by the State Board of Education on Monday, May 23. These forums are designed as listening and discussion sessions on current education conditions, reforms, and the future direction of education in Michigan.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Local area education leaders in attendance and making remarks included:

• Fiona Hert, Grand Rapids Community College, School of Workforce Development
• Bernard Taylor, Superintendent, Grand Rapids Public Schools
• Kevin Konarski, Kent County ISD Superintendent
• Bill Smith, Kent ISD Student Engagement in High School reform
• Michigan Federation of Teachers representative
• Paul Drummond: Math-Science Center Network
• Matthew VanZetten, Kent County Family and Children’s Coordinating Council
• Michigan College Access Network

Members of the audience in attendance, which included teachers and concerned citizens, also made comments during the public forum portion of the event.

GRCC in the News – 5/25/11

CEO summit to focus on innovation, sustainability
By Staff reports | The Holland Sentinel | Posted May 24, 2011 @ 04:24 PM

Grand Rapids, MI — CEOs will convene to discuss practices that could alter the way employees are hired, trained and promoted. Pathways to Prosperity Employer Business Summit will be 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, according to a release from Grand Rapids Community College.  (More)

OK, which college presidents are NOT retiring?
Published: Tuesday, May 24, 2011, 5:28 PM  | Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS – Thomas Haas says he’s bucking the trend. So is Rick Pappas. […] Davenport University’s Richard Pappas and Grand Rapids Community College’s Steven Ender are the most recent additions to the presidents’ table, and they’re staying put. (More)

Aquinas College leaders to Juan Olivarez: ‘Welcome home’
Published: Tuesday, May 24, 2011, 12:28 PM  | Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS – Juan Olivarez said be broke the news to his 91-year-old father that he’d be returning to Aquinas College after more 40 years, this time as president instead of the nervous freshman from Gary, Ind. […] Olivarez, 61, a former Grand Rapids Public Schools teacher and Grand Rapids Community College president, returns to the city after serving for three years as president and CEO of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. (More)

Aquinas names Olivarez as new president – He graduated from there in 1971
Tuesday, 24 May 2011, 10:33 AM EDT

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) – Aquinas College announced Tuesday that Juan Olivarez, Ph.D., has accepted the position as its new president.  (More)

Photos of GRCC Riverbank Runners Available Online

Several GRCC employees participated in the annual Fifth Third Bank Riverbank Run through downtown Grand Rapids this year despite the less-than-sunny weather.  Photos of the participants are now available online (all you need to find someone is search for their bib number).

Happy 40th Birthday to Elisa Alvarez

If you see this beautiful lady in the ATC today, wish her a Happy 40th Birthday!!

Reminder – No Show Notation Policy

A new policy, No Show Notation has been created and approved. Please post in GRCC Today multiple times along with the following bullet points.

• NS is designed to identify students who register for classes, but do not attend any sessions and do not drop or withdraw from class
• NS would effect financial aid eligibilities
• NS notations would be final and students would not be allowed to enter class once NS is issued

View the full policy here.