Daily Archives: August 1, 2012

GRCC in the News – 8/1/12

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Candidates hope for state, national political positions
By Staff Reports | The Ionia Sentinel-Standard | Posted Jul 31, 2012 @ 04:07 PM

The 2012 Primary Election is less than one week away, and voters in Ionia County will have the opportunity to vote for some state and national positions. [… Steve] Pestka was raised in Kent County, attended Grand Rapids Community College and the University of Michigan.  (More)

Ivy Tech ‘doing it better than anyone’
6:18 PM, Jul. 31, 2012 | The Star Press

It seems strange that the next chancellor of the East Central Region of Ivy Tech Community College could be a shrink and an ex-cop — until you consider the rest of his résumé. […] Community leaders met with Andrew Bowne, associate vice president of college advancement at Grand Rapids Community College, on Monday. Today, they will meet with the third finalist, Jerald Adley, vice president for student affairs, enrollment management and diversity at Mississippi Valley State University.  (More)

Learning Opportunities from Staff Development – 9/14/12-11/15/12

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New! We are now co-sponsoring sessions with GVSU as part of a Workshop Collaboration Pilot beginning Fall 2012. The learning opportunities detailed below are available to all GRCC employees, and earn Professional Development credits for 2012-13. Please consider participating in these sessions. Online registration is available at grcc.edu/currentlearning or call Staff Development at ext. 4285.

United Way Day of Caring | (Healthy Choices Option)
Fri Sept 14, 2012

Sign up for the morning, afternoon or the entire day!   Each year, more than 1600 volunteers give more than 5000 hours to nearly 80 different organizations. This year, you can create lasting change in our community by volunteering with other students, faculty, and, staff members during the United Way’s Day of Caring.  For more information or to register, contact Jeff Mutch, Community Service Learning Center, or go here.

What Daddies Do Best
Thur. Sept 27, 2012 | Noon – 1:00 pm | Room 2264 Kirkhof Center (Allendale Campus)

OR

Thur. Nov 29, 2012 | Noon – 1:00 pm | Room 2264 Kirkhof Center (Allendale Campus)

“My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, ‘You’re tearing up the grass.’ ‘We’re not raising grass,’ Dad would reply.’We’re raising boys.'” ~Harmon Killebrew

Like football, fatherhood is about winning. But it’s more than just scoring points. It’s about winning the hearts and minds of your children and leaving a rich legacy of love for future generations. This group of Grand Valley dads meets twice a semester to talk about topics related to fatherhood. It’s facilitated by Sharalle Arnold, director of the Children’s Enrichment Center and Sue Sloop, Work Life consultant.

United Way Schools of Hope Tutoring and Training Program | (Healthy Choices Option)
Tues. Oct 2, 2012 | Noon-1:30 pm | Room 1142 Kirkhof Center (Allendale Campus)

OR

Thur. Oct 4, 2012 | Noon-1:30 PM | Room 303C DeVos Center (Pew Campus Downtown GR)

Schools of Hope represents the Heart of West Michigan United Way’s Literacy strategy to close the reading achievement gap between third-grade students in Grand Rapids Public Schools and those in Kent County’s highest scoring districts.  Be a volunteer and sign up as a reading tutor. The commitment is only 30 minutes per week. With supervisor approval, no vacation or personal time will be lost to participate. Each first time tutor is required to undergo one two hour training program.

The Power of Vulnerability
Thur. Oct 11, 2012 | Noon-1:30 pm | Room 2270 Kirkhof Center (Allendale Campus)

Are you a people pleaser? In our culture it’s easy to buy into the myth that vulnerability represents weakness and our imperfections are inadequacies. Fearing disconnection, we spend too much of our precious time and energy performing, perfecting, and pleasing. Rather than believing in our worthiness, we hustle for it.

Lynne M. Lehocky, a therapist from Journey Thru Counseling Services, will join other experts in a discussion centered on Brene Brown’s video, “The Power of Vulnerability.”

Caregiving: A Reason to Overcome Sibling Rivalry
Wed. Oct 24, 2012 | Noon – 1 pm | Room 302E DeVos Center (Pew Campus Downtown GR)

OR

Thur. Oct 25, 2012 | Noon – 1 pm | Room 2259 Kirkhof Center (Allendale Campus)

Sibling Rivalry can become fueled by the demands and decisions of caring for aging parents. Family dynamics often ignite when baby boomer brothers and sisters are forced to unite on how to care for mom and dad.

Common questions they face:

  • Who decides what’s best in their final years?
  • Who takes on the primary responsibility of caring for them?
  • How do siblings prevent resentment from creeping into their relationships?
  • How does rivalry play a role in these decisions?

Join Jennifer Feuerstein, from Gerontology Network, a she talks frankly about how to work peacefully as a family on caregiving issues, inheritance, end-of-life decision, housing, dementia and more.

Estate Planning and Other Legal Issues for the LGBT Community
Fri. Nov 2, 2012 | Noon – 1 pm | Room 2270 Kirkhof Center (Allendale Campus)

OR

Fri. Nov 9, 2012 | Noon-1 pm | Room 302E DeVos Center (Pew Campus Downtown GR)

When members of the LGBT community form new relationships, dissolve existing ones, create families, or draft estate plans, they face a daunting array of conflicting and sometimes hostile laws that their straight peers do not.  Attorney Peter M. Kulas, from Kulas Law Office will help participants understand the legal issues facing the LBGT community and give advice on preparing documents or facing legal hurdles.

Understanding Mental Health in the Workplace and Home
Tues. Nov 13, 2012 | Noon – 1:30 pm | Room 2266 Kirkhof Center (Allendale Campus)

OR

Thur. Nov 15, 2012 | Noon – 1:30 pm | Room 302E DeVos Center (Pew Campus Downtown GR)

Have you noticed a change in behavior in a co-worker, a family member or friend? Would you be able to recognize signs of depression, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety?  Emotional health challenges affect many employees and their loved ones — a fact that is usually overlooked because these disorders tend to be hidden. As a result, emotional health challenges often go unrecognized and untreated.  Mike Ohren, from Encompass, will dispel the myths surrounding mental and emotional illness. Learn about what indicators to look for and hear about the success of treatment for mental disorders.