GRCC In the News, 8-31-16

This bootcamp strengthens college chances

8/30/16 schoolnewsnetwork.org (KISD newsletter)

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, MI — With his mother at home and his father back in Guatemala, Oliver Lorenzo is grateful he’ll be the first in his family to graduate from high school and attend college. But he’s only able to afford his first year at Davenport University, he says, because of guidance from a counselor at Godfrey-Lee Middle/High School.

… The recent event in the school media center aimed to help about a dozen students who showed up for pizza and guidance from counselors and teachers, along with handouts on studying and scheduling. Two representatives of Grand Rapids Community College also were on hand.

Rapid to review non-profit pricing, student passes

8/30/16 WGVU

Two proposed pilot programs would make Rapid transit tickets more cost-effective for certain agencies and students.

If approved, the proposals create lower-cost options for non-profits serving homeless or low-income clients, and semester bus passes for students and staff at Grand Rapids Community College.

 

National Payroll Week starts September 6

Human Resources will be celebrating National Payroll Week Tuesday, September 6th through Friday September 9th.

A short survey was created for all employees at GRCC, in celebration of National Payroll Week, and is completely voluntary. The link to the survey is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/92P7CG7.

Our intent is to gather information so we can better serve you. Your feedback is appreciated.

By completing the survey, you have the opportunity to win a $10 campus dining gift certificate! Please take a few minutes now to complete the survey.

Fieldhouse to close early September 2

The entire Ford Fieldhouse will close in advance of the holiday weekend this Friday evening, September 2 at 5:30 p.m.  Those who make use of the facility later in the evening will need to adjust plans accordingly this week.

GRCC participates in Maker Faire

On August 20 and 21, GRCC faculty and staff Karen Walker, Moss Ingram, Abe Lefebre, Dan Keyes, Deb Snow, Mary Hofstra, Julie Parks, and Computer Support Technician student Herbert Johnson promoted GRCC’s various workforce programs and customized training at the Mini Maker Faire at the Grand Rapids Public Museum to over 5,600 visitors over the two days.

Maker Faire is the a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker Movement. It’s a place where people show what they are making, and share what they are learning, which this year featured rockets, robots, DIY science, sustainability, alternative energy, bicycles, unique hand-made crafts, local food, and many educational installations.

Karen Walker presented adapted devices for self-care unique to Occupational Therapy, Moss Ingram and Herbert Johnson promoted GRCC’s Job Training Programs, and Abe Lefebre, Dan Keyes, Deb Snow, Mary Hofstra, and Julie Parks provided hands-on learning opportunities welding at GRCC’s Mobile Manufacturing Lab.

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Jay M. Bylsma authors ‘The Reprobate’

Jay M. Bylsma, an adjunct in the business and math departments, recently had a fiction book, “The Reprobate,” published by Green Ivy Publishing.

Help needed with Welcome Week

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is still seeking your participation in this year’s Welcome Week happening on September 6-8th from 11am-2pm, outside on the Dr. Juan R. Olivarez Student Plaza (the Commons)! CAB needs volunteers to staff the registration table, manage the food line and help monitor and coordinate the different games and activities. If your schedule allows, please add your name to the volunteer forms listed below. Feel free to sign up for more than one shift! Don’t be shy! Without your help, we cannot pull off these events for our students!

• (9/6) – Tuesday – Club and Department Day
• (9/7) – Wednesday – Transfer and Advising Day
• (9/8) – Thursday – Food, Games and More

If you have any questions, please contact Kaylee Wolff, Campus Activities Board advisor, by phone at 616-234-2477 or by email at KayleeWolff@grcc.edu

Have a great day, and thank you for your consideration and continued commitment to our students!

Important message from the purchasing department

Periodically, college employees will receive phone calls from suppliers who are soliciting quick sales. The majority of these calls are scams. Sometimes it’s a truck load of print paper at an unbelievable price or printer cartridges, office supplies, janitorial supplies, or sometimes even energy. The list is endless. These solicitations may even contain “free” offer. Never accept items or commit the college if you receive one of these calls. If possible, don’t provide your name or any GRCC information. Always refer the caller to the Purchasing Department. Thank you for your assistance in protecting college assets.

GRCC In the News, 8-30-16

From the projects to West Michigan

Aug. 29, 2016; Grand Haven Tribune

An adult always had to open the door when someone knocked to make sure you wouldn’t be robbed. Children were called in from outside before 6 p.m., and most of those kids wouldn’t continue school beyond the third grade.

… (Ramon) Soto married his longtime girlfriend and started attending classes at Grand Rapids Community College, where he obtained an associate’s degree in criminal justice. Along the way, he and his wife, Isi, had a son, so Soto continued to struggle to support his family and get through school.

Rockford’s school year starts smoothly

Aug. 29, 2016; MLive

ROCKFORD, MI — Around 8,000 Rockford Public Schools’ students returned to class Monday, Aug. 29, with relative ease and a great deal of enthusiasm for the new year, according to Superintendent Michael Shibler.

… “Our early college classes with Grand Valley State University and Ferris State University start today. We also have a dual enrollment program with Grand Rapids Community College.”

Pick which GRCC staff member gets ice water dumped over their head!

The Phi Theta Kappa student organization is holding a fund raiser that will raise money and awareness for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and will also contribute to their goal of getting to Nashville, TN in April to present at their National Nerd Nation Conference!

YOU get to choose WHO gets a bucket of ice water dumped on their head – simply by donating money into the bucket of what ever person you most want to see get wet!

Colleagues who graciously agreed to participate include:

• President Steven Ender
• Dr. John Cowles
• Police Chief Rebecca Whitman
• Lynnae Selberg
• Evan Macklin

Please bring your cash to the 3rd floor of the Student Community Center (SCC) by September 8th at 6:30 p.m. and put it in the bucket of the person you most want to get dumped! Buckets are located by office number 375 on the 3rd floor.

Half of all proceeds go to ASL and the other half to the Phi Theta Kappa GRCC Chapter.

United Way stories of impact: Children born with motor disorders

GRCC employees do a great job of supporting our community through their annual commitment to the West Michigan Heart of United Way. Each month we are sharing a story that demonstrates the outcomes of your commitment.

Learn how Hailey, born with athetoid cerebral palsy, is learning to overcome this limiting motor disorder at the Conductive Learning Center.

 

GRCC In the News, 8-29-16

50 Best Culinary Schools in the US 2016

Aug. 29, 2016; bestchoiceschools.com

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the demand for chefs and head cooks at restaurants and other establishments will grow 9%, faster than most other industries in the country. With the popularity of cooking shows and competitions, more and more people are discovering the field of culinary arts and what it takes to be successful in the industry. Earning a certificate or degree in the field not only provides the experience and training needed to get your foot in the door, it also provides a  foundation for upward mobility to become future leaders and trend setters in the industry.

… #30. Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College-Grand Rapids, Michigan

Bosnian brothers build on heritage

Aug. 26, 2016; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Growing up in Bosnia, Rudy Kadiric remembers handing nails to his father as they built a pole barn. Today, Kadiric and his brother, Muhamed, are continuing the family’s carpentry heritage in Grand Rapids.

… Kadiric worked various construction jobs while going to school at Grand Rapids Community College, where he graduated in 2005 with a degree in architectural drafting and design. In 2006, the brothers decided to utilize the family history and work experience as carpenters and opened their small operation.

News 8 Daybreak

Aug. 29, 2016; WOOD TV

… It’s not only the high schools heading back to the classroom. Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Valley State University will be both starting their school years. Traffic may be impacted.

Former Comstock Park coach welcomed back to sidelines with victory

Aug. 26, 2016; MLive

It has been over 30 years since Tim Johnson wore headphones on the football field at Comstock Park.

… Johnson served as a coach at Grand Valley State and then at Grand Rapids Community College before he became Comstock Park’s baseball coach.

Sneden Cafe open for fall

The Sneden Cafe reopens this week! Its hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

 

Employee Behavioral Intervention Team

The Employee Behavioral Intervention Team provides preventative measures on campus to reduce the risk of an employee incident. (Our team works similarly to the Behavior Intervention Team for students.)

Our team will intake and assess information, take action when necessary and track details about behavior concerns noted in our work environment. Our goal is to provide information and resources to keep our community safe.

Some examples of behaviors or concerns that could be referred to the team are: an employee who states they intend to harm self or others, erratic or unusual behaviors that disrupts the work environment, as well as a sudden or drastic change in behavior that causes concern.

If you have a concern, please feel free to contact any of our team members directly:

• Cathy Kubiak, Jessica Berens, Christine Coon, or Laura Caulk (Human Resources)
• John Cowles (Dean of Student Success and Retention)
• Rebecca Whitman (Chief of Campus Police)

We are committed to a safe work and learning environment at GRCC!

Emergency contact information

Do you know you can verify online your emergency contact information that is currently on file with Human Resources?

Your personal information summary can be found when you log into the online center.  Click on “GRCC Employee” and you’ll see the option to click on “personal information summary.”

If you need to update your emergency contact information, please contact Angie Ramirez at aramirez@grcc.edu!

Fieldhouse’s fall schedule starts this week

The fieldhouse’s fall open activity schedule starts this week.

Basketball court:

• 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
• 6-10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays.

Track: 

• 7-10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
• 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
• 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Exercise room:

• 6-10 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
• 11:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• 11:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays.
• 6-7:45 a.m. Fridays.
• noon to 8 p.m. Fridays.

Free weight room:

• 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Pool:

• 5-8 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
• 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.