New learning opportunity for employees

Lisa Dopke, Grants Coordinator for GRCC, has created a new learning opportunity for all employees titled “Support Staff Professional Development (SSPD).”

This learning session is designed for staff members interested in learning more about applying for a Support Staff Professional Development (SSPD) grant to fund their external professional development activity.

Questions to be answered include:

• What is the SSPD program and what can I use an SSPD grant for?
• How are grant awardees selected?
• Where do I find information about the program and upcoming deadlines?
• What are the steps for applying for an SSPD grant?
• How are SSPD reimbursements processed?

Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions, and begin completing their SSPD application during the session.

Two sessions are scheduled in September:

• Tues. Sept 17 from 9-10 AM in Room 351 Main
• Mon. Sept 23 from 2-3 PM in Room 351 Main

If you’re interested in attending, please register online at http://cms.grcc.edu/currentlearning.

GRCC In the News, 5-24-13

See how Michigan’s community colleges fare under state’s budget plan

May 23, 2013; MLive

LANSING, MI – Michigan’s community colleges remain in line for an average 2 percent increase in state support for the next fiscal year.

… Grand Rapids: $17.5 million, up 1.9 percent

GRCC considers project to renovate Belknap Park ballfields

May 22, 2013; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Community College is considering a $315,000 project to renovate the Belknap Park ballfields.

Ionia County Sheriff’s Office welcomes two new deputies

May 23, 2013; Sentinel-Standard (Ionia County)

IONIA COUNTY, Mich. — Two new deputies have joined the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office.

… When Baarda finished high school, he was not sure what career path to pursue. He talked with his school liaison officer about the Metro High School Police Academy, a week-long mini-academy that was held at Grandville High School.

“After doing that, I really enjoyed it, and decided I wanted to go further into it,” Baarda said. “I started taking criminal justice classes at Grand Rapids Community College, and then joined the police academy there.”

Baarda has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from GRCC, and is a 2007 graduate of its police academy.

20th Annual Bee Dazzling Spellebration

May 22, 2013; MLive

(Photo of Ric Underhile and Patti Trepkowski competing in the Literacy Center of West Michigan’s spelling bee.)

Grand Rapids Community College: A Case Study in Longevity

May 23, 2013; carlwalker.com (Carl Walker Inc. company newsletter)

The Bostwick Parking Structure at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) was at a crossroads in 1987.

NJCAA Division II World Series opens in Enid

May 23, 2013; enidnews.com

ENID, Okla. — It’s that time of year again. For the fifth-straight year, Enid will serve as the host city for the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II World Series with 10 district championship baseball teams from around the nation converging on David Allen Memorial Ballpark. The World Series runs through June 1.

… Seven teams are making return trips to the Series, with three newcomers (Murray State, Brunswick, North Iowa) joining the party. Three of the seven returning teams account for 12 previous World Series titles with Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College leading the way with five titles, followed by LSU-Eunice with four and Madison (Wis.) College with three. The other returning contenders are Heartland (Ill.) Community College, UConn-Avery Point, Lackawana and Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College.

Delta’s Schoof, Gurnee earn honors in baseball

May 23, 2013; Midland Daily News

Two area baseball players were among award winners for Delta College recently.

Merrill’s Jimmy Schoof, a pitcher for the Pioneers, was named to the Region XII All-Tournament Team, while Bay City Western’s Tyler Gurnee, who plays first base for Delta, received Michigan Community College Athletic Association Third Team honors.

Delta finished its season 31-20 and finished runner-up to Grand Rapids Community College at the Region XII tournament.

Preschool kids visit fire station

The Bear Room children from the Laboratory Preschool visited the fire station on LaGrave last week. We had a great time learning about the equipment that the firefighters have to carry on each call. One of our teachers even dressed up in the firefighter gear. The children now know how a firefighter is dressed, so if they ever need to be rescued, they will understand that the firefighter, dressed in all of this scary-looking gear, is there to help them. Each child also got a hat and a badge from the firefighters. It was a lot of fun!

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Teachers can earn continuing education credits with online courses

Grand Rapids Community College offers Michigan teachers and educational professionals the opportunity to earn state continuing education clock hours online through a partnership with Cengage Learning’s Ed2Go.

Sharpen your skills, or learn new ones any time of the day or night. You can complete any course entirely from your home or office. Earn state continuing education clock hours online with our instructor-facilitated online courses specifically designed for teachers!  Choose from more than 45 courses already approved by the state!

To register, click here.