GRCC In the News, 8-14-14

Kendall program blends art, science to fill high-demand jobs

Aug. 13, 2014; FOX 17

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — In the health care industry, medical illustration is called a promising path into medicine.

… In west Michigan, the pathway to medical illustration is a collaborative effort, bringing together Ferris State University, Kendall College of Art and Design, Grand Rapids Community College and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

Volunteer registration launches for ArtPrize 2014

Aug. 14,2014; FOX 17

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — As ArtPrize organizers prepare for the 2014 competition, they are looking for volunteers to help welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to Grand Rapids this fall.

… The ArtPrize Volunteer season will launch with the Volunteer Kickoff Event: Carnival of Curiosity. Everyone is invited to join the ArtPrize team at this community event, a time of celebration and anticipation of the upcoming ArtPrize season. Founders Brewing’s 2014 ArtPrize Beer, Mosaic Promise will make its public debut at the event, and Loves Ice Cream will be offering tastes of their locally-sourced, organic frozen treats. Additionally, those interested in volunteering will have the opportunity to create a volunteer account on site in preparation for volunteer schedules going live on August 22. The ArtPrize Volunteer Kickoff Event presented by Grand Rapids Community College will be held at the Ledyard Building in downtown Grand Rapids on August 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EDT.

Fall Learning Opportunities from Staff Development Announced

Staff Development has begun creating its schedule of learning opportunities for fall. Although it is far from complete, we thought it necessary to introduce the first few sessions that have been confirmed and make them available for registration. The 2014-15 schedule is being built upon the results of the current Needs Assessment, and will focus on supervision, leadership and communication offerings, as well as personal health initiatives.

All of our workshops are open to GRCC staff and any faculty member (full-time or adjunct). Please register online at http://www.grcc.edu/staffdevelopment/currentlearningopportunitiesregistration, or call ext. 4285 if you need assistance.

Mindful Leadership

Tue Sept 9, 2014 from 9 AM – 12 PM in Room 118 ATC

Mindful Leadership is all about leading with wisdom and empowerment. By taking a more methodical, collaborative, yet direct approach mindful leaders inspire others to draw from within and employ internal wisdom in achieving personal, professional and organizational objectives. In this workshop, we will explore the concepts of mindfulness and how the practice increases focus and performance. We will also look at leadership from a holistic perspective and how the practice of mindfulness can help build strong teams and heal a toxic workplace. Finally, we will challenge the leader in all of us to cultivate a more authentic and disciplined path to success.

Facilitated by Kim Monaghan, KBM Coaching & Consulting LLC

Feedback Fundamentals

THIS IS A TWO-PART COURSE. PARTICIPANTS MUST COMMIT TO BOTH PARTS.

PART 1: Wed Sept 17, 2014 from 1:30-3:30 PM

PART 2: Wed Sept 24, 2014 from 1:30-3:30 PM

Location: Room 120, Wisner Bottrall Applied Technology Center (ATC)

When sharing feedback is part of an organization’s culture, it is an effective business tool that reaches across all levels. In this course, individual performers learn how to effectively deliver both positive and developmental feedback. They also learn how to be receptive to feedback and to listen to accurately understand the speaker’s intended message. In the workplace, these skills help them to optimize and sustain their own and their coworkers’ performance. Practice makes perfect, and we’ll do plenty of it in this session!

Topics:

  • Elements of giving effective feedback
  • Understanding what positive, developmental, and negative feedback is and how to approach each situation differently and effectively
  • Learn what personal and practical needs each of us has in order to be better positioned to provide feedback
  • Understand how we personally react to feedback in order to make our feedback experiences more successful with others

Facilitated by: The Employers’ Association

Smart Borrowing – PNC Bank Lunch & Learn

Tue Sept 23, 2014 from 12-1 PM in Room 125/127 Calkins Science Center (CSC)

At some point in your life, you will need to borrow money, whether it’s to buy a house, a car, or pay for a college education. Few people have cash on hand to pay for these large expenses outright. This educational class teaches you how to borrow smart, and get the money when you need it most.

In this session, you’ll learn:

  • How to increase your chances of getting the loan you want – what lenders are looking for
  • How to identify some warning signs of unfair or “predatory” lending practices
  • All about your credit “score” and the role it plays in borrowing money
  • Useful tips on how to repair a poor credit history – or protect a good one, and what to look for when shopping for a loan

As part of the PNC Bank Workplace Banking Lunch & Learn Series, PNC will be providing a complimentary lunch to all attending this presentation.

Facilitated by: Members of PNC Bank, Workplace Banking team

Building Cultural Agility

Thu Sept 25, 2014 from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM in Room 122, Learning Resource Center (LRC)

In the Building Cultural Agility workshop, participants explore the history of their own communication style, and how it affects their current ability to enjoy and employ successful communication. According to many global experts including Culture Catch in Switzerland, “Cultural Agility enables you to adapt your style to communicate, negotiate, and build trust in cultures different from your own.” They will experiment with relevant workplace communication examples and: Examine the intent of communication and aspects of culture; Explore cultural influences on communication, and address cultural variations.

Facilitated by: Tamber Bustance, The Bob & Aleicia Woodrick Diversity Learning Center

Using Exercise to Reduce Aches and Pains

Wed Oct 1, 2014 from 12-1 PM in Room 125/127 Calkins Science Center (CSC)

Part of the Kent County Health Department Wellness Services: Regular exercise is an excellent way to prevent everyday aches and pains. Most muscle and joint problems are caused by sedentary lifestyles and muscle imbalance. Learn some exercises that can help relieve or prevent pain.

Facilitated by: Aaron Toffoli, Health Educator, Kent County Health Department

Coaching Skills for Managers and Supervisors

Wed Oct 8, 2014 from 1-3 PM in Room 103 Sneden

It would be a wonderful workplace if everyone did a perfect job all of the time. But sometimes, people need coaching to help them improve. This program explains the process of effective coaching that you can use to help improve performance and behavioral issues.

Topics include:

  • The coaching process-when to use
  • Defining the problem
  • Exploring the cause
  • Identifying solutions
  • Following up

Facilitator: Lynne Goede, PHR, MA, Consultant, Master Skill Builder

Boundaries in the Workplace

Thu Oct 16, 2014 from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM in Room 122, Learning Resource Center (LRC)

How do you know where to draw the line in relationships, roles and responsibilities? Participants will begin to address this issue by exploring methods of respecting and protecting other’s boundaries in the workplace. Objectives for the session include: Define boundaries in regards to job responsibilities and interpersonal boundaries; Determine the importance of boundary setting; and help others to understand their boundaries.

Facilitated by: Tamber Bustance, The Bob & Aleicia Woodrick Diversity Learning Center

How to Read People

Tue Oct 14, 2014 from 9-11 AM in Room 124 ATC

Positive interactions require understanding and appropriately responding to all messages being communicated, through body language, expressions, verbal cues and behavioral patterns. Reading people is also a necessary skill for career development. Interviewing, collaborating, negotiating, presenting, conducting meetings and effectively communicating with supervisors, colleagues and subordinates, all require your ability to successfully read others. This workshop explores ways we can develop our ability to read and effectively respond to others verbal and nonverbal cues and the positive impact this skill can have on our careers.

Facilitated by Kim Monaghan, KBM Coaching & Consulting LLC

Sauces of Italy

Fri Oct 24, 2014 from 1-2:30 PM in Room 130 ATC

Part of the Kent County Health Department-Adult Nutrition Series: Tired of jarred marinara sauce? You can make a variety of easy and delicious Italian sauces right in your own kitchen. Leave with recipes to add to your collection- You’ll never be bored with noodles again!

Facilitated by: Dawn Davies, Public Health Educator, Kent County Health Department

Foundations of Money Management – PNC Bank Lunch & Learn

Wed Nov 5, 2014 from 12-1 PM in Room 103 Sneden Hall

Your future financial success depends on building basic money management skills. This class will help you understand how banking services and smart budgeting can make your life easier and set you on a path toward achieving your financial goals. You will discover:

  • Why you should have a checking account and how easy it can be to get one
  • How to write a check, make a deposit, and use your check register to keep track of your money
  • Saving for your future is easy with proper budgeting
  • How to reduce debt or even avoid it altogether
  • Useful tips on how to repair a poor credit history or protect a good one.

As part of the PNC Bank Workplace Banking Lunch & Learn Series, PNC will be providing a complimentary lunch to all attending this presentation.

Facilitated by: Members of PNC Bank, Workplace Banking team

Crucial Conversations – The Key to Positive Relationships

Thu Nov 6, 2014 from 9-11 AM in Room 120 ATC

Many people either avoid having a difficult conversation or handle it poorly. What if you could have a conversation that accomplishes your goal while leaving the other person with a positive impression? This program will focus on how to create a positive atmosphere for any difficult, important or crucial conversation.

Topics include:

  • The power of words, tone and body language
  • How to stay focused on your goal
  • How to read the other person during the conversation
  • How to keep going when you are angry
  • How to eliminate abrasive speech and speak with persuasion

Facilitator: Lynne Goede, PHR, MA, Consultant, Master Skill Builder

Organic Foods – Are they safer and more nutritious?

Tue Nov 18, 2014 from 2-3 PM in Room 118 ATC

Part of the Kent County Health Department Nutrition Series: Is it really worth spending the extra money on organic products? What is the difference between organic foods and their traditionally grown counterparts? How do you decide which is best for you when considering nutrition, quality, taste and cost? Do you know where to find locally grown produce? This presentation has all of the answers you are looking for to help you make an educated decision for yourself.

Facilitated by: Dawn Davies, Public Health Educator, Kent County Health Department

Social Contracts…An Intentional Approach

Tue Nov 18, 2014 from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM in Room 122, Learning Resource Center (LRC)

Whether you are leading in a classroom, a small group meeting, or managing a project, the Social Contract approach will assist you in an intentional process of building and defining inclusive principles, guidelines and consequences for social behaviors. Do not play the expectation guessing game in regard to appropriate social behaviors. Instead, attend this workshop, which will: Introduce a model of an intentional, inclusive Social Contract approach; Practice the model by developing your own Social Contract; Share wisdom with other teachers, community organizers, and professionals; and take back the model to your community.

Facilitated by: Tamber Bustance, The Bob & Aleicia Woodrick Diversity Learning Center

Soup’s On! 101

Fri Dec 5, 2014 from 1-2:30 PM in Room 130 ATC

Part of the Kent County Health Department-Adult Nutrition Series: There’s nothing better than a steaming bowl of soup to warm you up on a chilly day. Come learn how easy it is to make homemade soups that will warm your soul.

Facilitated by: Dawn Davies, Public Health Educator, Kent County Health Department

Raising Money-Smart Kids– PNC Bank Lunch & Learn

Tue Dec 9, 2014 from 12-1 PM in Room 118 ATC

By teaching your children about money at an early age, you can help them develop good financial habits-ones they may carry with them for the rest of their lives. Learn which money skills a child should master before leaving home and how to teach young children to save toward a goal.

As part of the PNC Bank Workplace Banking Lunch & Learn Series, PNC will be providing a complimentary lunch to all attending this presentation.

Facilitated by: Members of PNC Bank, Workplace Banking team

Bullying in the Workplace

Wed Dec 10, 2014 from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM in Room 122, Learning Resource Center (LRC)

Bullying may not have been left behind as we all grew older! Some of the behaviors we experience in the workplace may exhibit the characteristics of bullying. The resulting environment may be so uncomfortable as to affect the work of an individual or the climate of an entire office. The workshop will help identify bullying and its effects while becoming aware of intervention strategies. Participants will recognize and define bullying; Review prevention policies, actions and methods, and become aware of possible intervention strategies.

Facilitated by: Tamber Bustance, The Bob & Aleicia Woodrick Diversity Learning Center

Crucial Conversations-Dealing with Difficult People

Tue Dec 16, 2014 from 1-3 PM in Room 118 ATC

We have all met someone who “pulled our chain.” Our reaction was not the best. And then we had regret. This program will focus on understanding our “triggers” and how to effectively deal with those triggers. We will look at the traits we don’t like in others and learn ways to stay focused on the conversation without being sidetracked by other issues.

Topics include:

  • Triggers – what they are and how to manage them
  • Anger-how to calm yourself and others during a dialogue
  • How to move from a conversation to a positive action
  • How to make a difficult request
  • “Red flag” words to avoid

Facilitator: Lynne Goede, PHR, MA, Consultant, Master Skill Builder

 

Lean Champion certification program starts in September

Our Lean Champion certification program helps you identify and eliminate waste.

Even if costs remain constant, elimination and  reduction of waste may:

  • increase an organization’s ability to produce more products or services with the same resources.
  • increase an organization’s ability to serve more customers.
  • reduce total lead time.

And all that results in increased profits!

In GRCC’s program, you will learn to develop and use your organization’s value stream map to identify and drive your improvements. Critical to learning the principles and various tools is applying them to your current work. By successfully completing a lean implementation (or value stream) project of your choice from your company, you will yield results from this program immediately.

The program starts September 26. To register, click here.