Nominations needed for Outstanding Adult Learner Award

Attention, GRCC Faculty and Staff:

Please support our adult and nontraditional students at GRCC by nominating them for the Grand Rapids Area Higher Education (GRAHEN) annual Outstanding Adult Learner (OAL) award. The OAL Banquet, which will be held this year on Wednesday April 10, 2013, recognizes and honors the academic achievements and community contributions of adult students from local higher education institutions.

Information and nomination forms are available by contacting the Admissions office.

The deadline for nominations is February 15.

Please contact Angela Z. Salinas (Recruiter for Adult Enrollment and Outreach Coordinator) at ext. 3420 or angelasalinas@grcc.edu with any questions and/or to submit nominations.

Thank you for your support and participation!

Academic Support Center organizes tutor training

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On January 7 and 8, 2013, the Academic Support Center offered its semiannual Tutor Training to over 100 tutors.

On the first day of the event, new tutors experienced a Role of the Tutor session presented by Yumi Watanabe, a session exploring the 12 Steps of Tutoring presented by Jeff Stone, a Scavenger Hunt of the different tutoring centers on campus, and an interactive tutoring scenarios session presented by Jenni Klutts.

On the second day, all tutors participated in a Cross-Cultural Tutoring session presented by Tamber Bustance and Kathleen Owens, a MyDegreePath degree audit software presentation by Lynnae Selberg and Erin Busscher, and a panel discussion on Encouraging Independent Learning facilitated by Kellie Roblin.

Raider Salute to tutor trainers

The Academic Support Center would like to send out a Raider Salute to Lynnae Selberg, Erin Busscher, Kathleen Owens and Tamber Bustance for presenting at the January Tutor Training, which was held last week at the Calkins Science Center.

Over 100 new and returning tutors participated in presentations on the MyDegreePath degree audit software (Lynnae and Erin) and Cross Cultural Tutoring (Kathleen and Tamber). The feedback from the tutors regarding these presentations was very positive and many tutors expressed that the material covered would easily be applied in their work this semester.

The Heritage restaurant reopens January 22, 2013

Hello, friends: We are proud of our culinary school and would like to share this experience with all of you. Notice these great links for the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education and The Heritage Restaurant:

• Please join our email club for free gifts of food and desserts throughout the year.
• See our hours and menus on our website.
• Make reservations through OpenTable.

On January 22, 2013, The Heritage reopens for this semester of dining. The Heritage Restaurant is one of the many classroom laboratory facilities operated by the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College. The restaurant is staffed by students in the Culinary Arts and Culinary Management programs and is under the direct supervision and watchful eyes of professionally trained chefs and table service professors. During the luncheon hours, your meal will be prepared and served by freshman students. The meals featured represent International Cuisine with modern and classical touches. The style of table service is distinctly American. In the evening, we feature a relaxed atmosphere, more Continental Cuisine, and our sophomore students preparing much of your meal before your eyes. The table service is a mixture of American and French; the food–wonderful.

Our student bistro, Art & Bev’s Deli-Bakery, is located on the second level of the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center. Each day you will find a changing variety of freshly prepared gourmet-to-go items as well as baked-today breads and pastries.

The Secchia Institute for Culinary Education restaurants and kitchens are our classroom settings. We take pride in them. We prepare our meals daily with the finest seasonally available ingredients, fresh produce and dairy products, quality poultry and fish, home-styled baked breads, and taste-tempting desserts. We serve our meals with equal pride.

We look forward to seeing you.

Condolences to Laura DeVries

Condolences to Laura DeVries from GRCCePRINT, who lost her son Christopher unexpectedly on January 11, 2013.  Christopher was a GRCC student studying for a pharmaceutical career.

A Laura DeVries Benefit Account has been set up through Lake Michigan Credit Union to help Laura and her family with funeral costs.  If you would like to help you can donate in person at LMCU, make a transfer by phone, or visit ePrint and make a donation to Rachel, Danelle or Matt.

Emeritus Faculty Nomination

You are invited to submit a nomination for the GRCC Emeritus Faculty Award. This award was established in 1985 to honor those whose dedication and creativity have left an indelible mark on the lives of students and colleagues at GRCC. The deadline for nominations is February 1, 2013.

To access the nomination form, click here.

Consent to electronic W-2s to get yours early

Employees who provide consent no later than January 25, 2013, will receive an email notification when their 2012 W-2s are available. By consenting to receive your W-2 electronically, you agree to view and print your W-2 through GRCC’s employee self-service. You will not receive a paper copy, but you can print the electronic version as often as you would like.

Paper W-2s are still available, and will be mailed no later than January 31 to those employees who chose not to give consent.

If you wish to receive electronic W-2’s, please go to here for instructions on how to give consent.

School of Arts & Sciences welcomes Melissa Polanco-Nunez

Melissa Polanco-Nunez

GRCC welcomes, Melissa Polanco-Nunez to the School of Arts & Sciences Dean’s office – Educational Support Professional to the Associate Dean for Faculty Evaluation and Hiring.

Melissa was a student worker for the Counseling and Career Center for 3 1/2 years and earned her Associates in Sciences with MACRAO from GRCC in 2007. She transferred to Michigan State University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Science with an emphasis in Zoology. She was invited back to work for the Counseling office in the summer of 2009 as the Coordinator of New Student Orientation. After she completed at MSU, she came back to GRCC as a contingency employee to continue as the Coordinator of New Student Orientation. She was then placed as a Retention Specialist where she worked with Early Alert for a little over 2 years. She originally wanted to become a Veterinarian, but working at GRCC increased her interest in College Counseling so now she is a student of Western Michigan University’s Masters program in College Counseling.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and playing around with her beautiful 4 year old pomeranian/chihuaha baby. She enjoys visiting different places, museums and amusement parks (specially Zoos since she still has a passion for animals). She’s really excited in continuing her work at GRCC in this new position and getting to know each of her new colleagues.

Information session set for January 16, 2013, on Medical Assistant program

An information session on GRCC’s Medical Assistant program is scheduled for January 16, 2013, at Tassell M-TEC.

The program will prepare you to perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep health practitioner offices and clinics running smoothly. It combines classroom lecture, group activity, simulation learning and a competency-based externship experience. You will be prepared to take the medical assistant national certification exam through American Medical Technologists.

Classes start January 21. To register, click here.

Root Camp starts January 23, 2013

Root Camp is a four-session series that covers the basics to have you ready to garden by spring!

It meets monthly from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning January 23, 2013, and ending April 24. The sessions, led by local experts, focus on timely topics and are located at GRCC’s
Tassell M-TEC. Bring your dinner if you’d like!

The topics are:

• January 23 —  Stuff Grows! – Soil Basics and Composting.
• February 20 —  Cruising the Seed Catalog; What’s Good and What’s Easy.
• March 20 —  Get Ready, Get Set: Where, What, How, and Start Some Seeds
• April 24  — Go! – Plant, Prune, Protect, Pick.

Register for the four-part series for just $40, or attend individual sessions for $15 each. If you’re a West Michigan Co-op member, a discounted rate is
available. For more information, click here.

Crane to arrive February 11, 2013, at College Park Plaza

A crane is scheduled to arrive to the south end of College Park Plaza on February 11, 2013, and mechanical equipment will be installed that month.

Here’s what’s going on inside the building:

• Fireproofing patch work of the steel and metal deck is complete on the sixth floor and 90 percent complete on the fifth floor.
• Installation of HW process piping continues on the third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors.
• Electrical rough-ins continue on the sixth floor, lower mechanical room, and mechanical chases.
• Dry-wall, metal stud, and patch work continues on sixth-floor walls.
• The mechanical contractor is installing new ductwork on the sixth floor.

 

Learning Opportunities from Staff Development for January 14-18:

You may review these and all winter semester offerings and register here.

Social Media for the Advanced User

Tue, Jan 15, 2013

8:30-11:30AM

Room 2263, Russel H. Kirkhof Center, GVSU Allendale Campus of GVSU

THIS LEARNING OPPORTUNITY IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN GRCC AND GVSU: Leah Twiley and Nate Hoekstra from the GVSU web team will review the latest social media guidelines and talk about the best practices for when, what and how to post updates to your social media accounts. They will also review the web team’s role with social media at the university and cover the following:

Facebook:

• Advertising
• Pages, Administrators, Insights and Settings
• Wall Management
• Profile Management
• Tagging individuals & organizations in posts

Twitter:

• When to @reply, @mention and direct message
• Hash tags
• Related services & tools
• Profile management
• Twitter photos & geotagging

 

Brown Bag Lunch – Except for Six

Wed, Jan 16, 2013

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

120 ATC

Part of the ‘Successful Aging’ video series presented by the GRCC Older Learner Center. This documentary is intended for the children and caregivers of aging parents and family members. The documentary was made in 2007 by dedicated hospice volunteers who wanted a better way to discuss end-of-life care. The film is an effort to change how we view the end-of-life. Michigan documentarian Matt Burnell directed the film which tells the stories of three individuals and their families facing challenges at the end of life. The film captures the poignancy of the end-of-life experience and dignity of these unique individuals. Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns has said of the film, “This is a heart-felt and important film that takes a subject that most of us would rather ignore and humanizes it. From the dedicated doctors and caregivers to the heroic patients, this is the story of what will happen to all of us.” Facilitated by Mike Faber.

 

What Daddies Do Best

Thu, Jan 17, 2013

12-1:00 PM

Room 2264, Russel H. Kirkhof Center, GVSU Allendale Campus

THIS LEARNING OPPORTUNITY IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN GRCC AND GVSU: “Parents are often so busy with the physical rearing of children that they miss the glory of parenthood, just as the grandeur of the trees is lost when raking leaves.” Marcelene Cox.  Take a moment to meet with other GVSU and GRCC dads to talk about fatherhood and the challenges that parents face. Join us for a lively, engaging discussion and lunch twice a semester, to hear how other fathers are coping with parenthood; their greatest fears, and their greatest joys ~ their children! This group is for fathers with children of all ages.

 

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group

Thu, Jan 17, 2013

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Room 2242, Russel H. Kirkhof Center, GVSU Allendale Campus

THIS LEARNING OPPORTUNITY IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN GRCC AND GVSU: Whether you are caring for an aging loved one who can no longer live without your help or for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, GVSU recognizes the challenges that you are facing. Being a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or someone who is unable to live independently, is known for placing a great burden on the caregiver. The pressures can be wide-ranging, and touch the social, psychological, physical and economic facets of the caregiver’s life. Get the support that you need by attending the GVSU Caregiver and Alzheimer’s Support Group. The group is facilitated by Cindy Beel-Bates, associate professor of nursing, and Sue Sloop, Work Life Connections consultant. Join us – You don’t have to go it alone!