The college was closed on Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day and will be closed Friday, July 3 for Independence Day. If you are eligible for holiday pay, please be sure to record this time off in the holiday column of the time sheet.
The complete list of holidays can be found at http://www.grcc.edu/humanresources/payroll/payrollschedule20152016 under Helpful Links.
Mackinac Island Policy Conference fosters collaborative discussion on education
May 28, 2015; The Michigan Daily (University of Michigan student newspaper)
MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. — The luxury of the Grand Hotel, carriage rides to the stables for dinner, lunch with live music, yoga on the longest porch in the world and cocktail hours created a facade for the work done at the 35th annual Michigan Policy Conference on Mackinac Island.
… Later in Closing the Skills Gap: Building a World-Class Talent Pipeline a panel moderated by Chris Holman, founder and CEO of Michigan Business Network, and consisting of Stephanie Comai, director of the State of Michigan’s Talent Investment Agency; David Dauch, chairman, president and CEO of American Axle Manufacturing; Bill Pink, vice president and Dean of Workforce Development at Grand Rapids Community College; and John Russell, president and CEO of CMS Energy and Consumers Energy, discussed other possible ways of implementing Snyder’s skilled trades vision. The discussion surrounded the implementation of a STEM-focused curriculum so students leaving high school already have the technical skills the workforce demands of them.
Tyler Pols gets some unexpected help in winning our Grand Rapids baseball poll
May 28, 2015; MLive
Tyler Pols is certainly a deserving winner of our MLive/Grand Rapids Press baseball poll, but the Byron Center senior picked up some unexpected votes along the way.
… Pols plans to play next season at Grand Rapids Community College and then transfer to an NCAA Division I program.
Top Grads: Oakridge High School announces its top 2015 graduates
May 29, 2015; MLive
MUSKEGON, MI — Oakridge High School has announced its top 10 graduates for the class of 2015.
… Kelton Lewis, son of Robert and Sara Lewis. He was a member of National Honor Society and has received high school academic awards. He plans to attend Grand Rapids Community College and then transfer to Western Michigan University to study computer engineering.
May 28, 2015; ncaa.com
Superstitions in baseball are as old as the game itself. From not stepping on the foul line to not talking about a no-hitter while it’s in progress to eating the same meal before every game while you’re on a winning streak. Superstitions are everywhere in the national pastime.
… (Brian) Portelli came up with phrase “Get the cheese puff” when he played at Grand Rapids community college in Michigan before coming to FIU. Initially the phrase didn’t catch on, but eventually FIU reliever Chuck Cormier started yelling it whenever Portelli was at bat. Portelli hit .350 this season so obviously he was on to something. With Cormier’s help the phrase spread throughout the FIU dugout.
GRCC success rates rise, but about half of students don’t graduate, transfer in 6 years
May 27, 2015; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Achievement rates are rising at Grand Rapids Community College, but about half of students still don’t complete a degree, earn a certificate or transfer to another institution within six years, according to a new report.
$33M raised to send Grand Rapids students to college, trade school for free
May 27, 2015; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Grand Rapids Community Foundation announced Wednesday it has raised $33.6 million to pay for Grand Rapids Public Schools students involved in the Challenge Scholars program to attend college or trade school.
… In addition to what’s been raised, the presidents of Aquinas College, Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University and Grand Rapids Community College announced in 2013 they each have created special scholarships for the 2020 graduates of the program.
Students Leave Their Mark Through Artwork
May 27, 2015; schoolnewsnetwork.org (Kent Intermediate School District newsletter)
Wyoming Public Schools, MI — Wyoming High School senior Lordia DiPiazza has left her signature, and it’s in the form of a smiling face looking toward the future.
… Lordia is in the Wyoming Middle College, and begins her fifth year as a Wyoming High School student next fall. Middle College students are enrolled in Wyoming and Grand Rapids Community College, and graduate after five years with both their associate’s degree and high school diploma. The fifth year is spent on the GRCC campus.
GRPS’ Parent University produces ‘Power Parents’
May 27, 2015; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Since school started last fall, Grand Rapids Public Schools has seen over 8,100 attendees at its Parent University, an initiative aimed at helping parents become full partners in their children’s education.
… (Raynard) Ross, an associate dean for student success and retention services at Grand Rapids Community College, said the development of each and every child is indeed a community effort that schools cannot do alone, or in isolation without healthy parental involvement.
The latest schedule, for June 1 to 7, for the College Channel includes a presidential politics presentation. Check out the offerings here.
Human Resources/Staff Development would like your feedback on the trainings you would like to see offered for the 2015/2016 Fiscal Year. To provide feedback please login to Peoplesoft/Online Center, select GRCC Employee and then Needs Assessment. The trainings are organized by professional skill (i.e. communications, diversity, etc.). Select the trainings you are interested in attending. Human Resources/Staff Development will compile the feedback during the summer months and share the professional development opportunities in GRCC Today.
Note: The needs assessment is used only to provide feedback on trainings you are interested in Human Resources/Staff Development offering, it does not mean you registered for that training. As professional development is made available you will be able to register through the registration page.
GRCC names executive director of foundation
May 26, 2015; Grand Rapids Business Journal
An experienced education administrator is the new leader of the $30-million Grand Rapids Community College Foundation.
This Saturday, May 30th, intermittent network outages are to be expected at the Thompson MTEC, Tassel MTEC, and Midtown Center. Work will being at 6:00 AM and is to be completed by 6:00 AM on Sunday, May 31.
Outages may last as long as five minutes at a time.
Any future updates will be posted at: Also available through http://www.grcc.edu/informationtechnology/customersupport, https://grccitstatus.wordpress.com, https://twitter.com/grccithelp, and www.facebook.com/grccit
If you are short on your professional development for 2014-15, there are still a few learning opportunities on the Staff Development calendar:
Online registration is available at http://grcc.edu/staffdevelopment/currentlearningopportunitiesregistration or by calling Staff Development at ext. 4285.
Also, there are literally hundreds of learning opportunities available 24/7 through SkillPort eLearning. You can access SkillPort online at https://grcc.skillport.com.
Due to an afternoon Ceba meeting, the 2:30 mail run to the DeVos campus will be at 2 pm today.
GRCC’s Advanced Manufacturing Series is an introduction or update for those in manufacturing or interested in manufacturing. You may take one workshop or a combination of workshops.
Core courses include:
Elective courses include:
For details or to register, click here.
Another year is in the books. Wednesday, May 20th, we held the GRCC Scholarship Golf Outing (formerly the Flanagan Golf Outing) at Thousand Oaks Golf Club. Thank you to everyone who helped support the outing — from golfing, donating raffle items, to buying raffle tickets. Your support helps provide scholarship dollars for our students. THANK YOU!
May 22,2015; Grand Rapids Business Journal
Amway Corp. sells more than just products.
The direct sales giant, which last year had more than $10.8 billion in sales worldwide, is making some of its better pitches closer to home.
That’s why Grand Rapids Community College recognized Amway last week with its Internship Employer of the Year Award.
Fleeing from Civil War in Africa, Family Finds Peace and Caring Community in Cedar Springs
May 22, 2015; schoolnewsnetwork.org (Kent Intermediate School District newsletter)
Cedar Springs Public Schools, MI — In war-ravaged Somalia, Max and Maryan’s children did not go out to play. Quite the opposite: They told their young ones to stay inside, where it was safe.
… Ciise, having finished two years at Grand Rapids Community College, is headed to the Army, joining his twin brother Jibriil in the military. Ciise hopes to finish college in the service and earn a surgical-technician certificate to work in an emergency room.
… They obtained the Inner City Christian Federation house with assistance from Spahr, and by taking home ownership classes and meeting credit score requirements. Grants helped them afford the down payment and closing costs, but they will use Maryan’s job at Meijer and other family income to pay the mortgage of about $107,000. Max is taking classes in criminal justice at GRCC.
New barbecue joint opens in long-vacant Horseshoe Bar space downtown
May 26, 2015; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — It’s been more than 30 years since the ground floor of the old LaMar Hotel was occupied by a functioning business.
… The menu by local chef Cody Clements takes cues from various American barbecue styles the meats are Texas-style dry rub and the sauces are a mix of Kansas, Carolina and Texas varieties but the sides are a departure from the norm.
(Article doesn’t mention it, but Cody Clements is a GRCC alumnus.)
ICC men’s golf ties for 7th at nationals
May 22, 2015; The Journal Star (Peoria, Ill.)
STATESBORO, ALA. — The Illinois Central College men’s golf team finished in a tie for seventh at the NJCAA Division II national tournament at Goose Pond Colony.
The Cougars posted a team total of 300 on Friday in the four-day tournament’s final round. ICC’s four-day total of 29-over par (1,181) was matched by Grand Rapids Community College.
There are still 3 seats available for the “Generational Diversity in the Workplace” workshop tomorrow, May 27th from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM in Room 122 LRC (Diversity Learning Center conference room). The workshop is being presented by Tamber Bustance.
Description: Never before have we had four generations of people together in the workplace. Because of this shift in employee demographics, the need to create safe places to discuss generational differences is vital. Essential to the Generational Diversity in the Workplace workshop are interactive activities, videos and small group dialogue exploring the relationship between different generations. Participants will: Understand the formative years of each generation and their core values; Use this information to connect and work with different generations; Offer strategies for effective cross generational communication.
Registration is available online at http://grcc.edu/staffdevelopment/currentlearningopportunitiesregistration or by calling Staff Development at ext. 4285.
GRCC is sponsoring two presentations that can help Registered Medical Assistants earn continuing education credits. Both will take place 6:15-9 p.m. June 4 at Tassell M-TEC, 622 Godfrey Ave. SW. The cost is $10.
To sign up, click here.
The Raider Golf Team completed another great season with a 7th place finish at the National Golf Championships. The team shot rounds of 295/292/295/299 on the 7145 yard Goose Pond Colony Golf Course in Scottsboro, Al. Zach Bialik, recently named 1st team Ping All American, finished 19th with rounds of 76/71/69/72. The team concludes their season with nine tournament victories, Western Conference Champions, MCCAA Champions, and a Region XII Championship.
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