GRCC In the News, 9-29-16

Nothing gets lost in translation when Young Farmer Award winner speaks

Sept. 28, 2016; Michigan Farm News

SPARTA — Upon graduating from Grand Valley State University with triplet undergraduate degrees in international business, economics and Spanish, Nick Schweitzer had to make a difficult choice — accept a job offer from the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America or return to the farm to start digging in the dirt.

… Jose (Meza), who was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, came to the U.S. at age 5. He is currently attending Grand Rapids Community College and hopes to return to Grand Valley State to complete his business degree. He said he and Nick talk about college, and he considers Nick a trusted friend whom he seeks advice from.

Speaking out: GRCC’s policy supporting transgender students creates safe learning environment

Sept. 29, 2016; rapidgrowthmedia.com

Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) has awarded me my most cherished opportunities and milestones. In April of this year, I was the first in my family to receive a college degree. I was also recently awarded The 2016 Women’s Salute Award, an honor given on behalf of the Bob and Alecia Woodrick Center for Equity and Inclusion. I was chosen out of 18,000 students and presented with this award thanks to my volunteerism and mentorship in our community.

(This article was written by GRCC alum Beau VanSolkema.)

Hilda Martinez-Gutierrez joins Counseling Center

GRCC received a 3-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that will fund campus-wide activities and programs designed to address and reduce students’ suicide risk by enhancing overall mental health and wellness on campus. The services will also be extended to the Lakeshore campus. Activities include creating a strong community network, implementing a Crisis Response Plan, and providing training and education to promote awareness of the need for better understanding of mental health issues and to encourage positive help-seeking behaviors.

The grant will be coordinated out of the Counseling & Career Development office.  The grant cycle begins on September 30, 2016.  The new Grant Coordinator (a grant funded position) will be Hilda Martinez-Gutierrez.  Hilda is an alumni of GRCC who went on to earn her BS in Family Studies at WMU and her MA in Counselor Education/ College Counseling at WMU.  Hilda worked at GRCC as a student but more recently has been doing her internship with the GRCC TRIO program.  Hilda has a passion for working with first generation, under privileged students.  She is bilingual and has diverse experience in enrollment services, family services, coordinating a youth enrichment scholarship program, and has advocated for substance abuse prevention in Greater Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo.  We welcome Hilda to the GRCC team that will be implementing the grant work and are excited to have her experience and connections as a part of our team.

Visual Arts Department seeks ArtPrize volunteers

The Visual Arts Department needs volunteers to help greet our guests for ArtPrize and direct them to the GRCC Collins Art Gallery on the 4th floor of the Main Building.  We need volunteers from Sept 23 – October 9 on Fridays 12-8, Saturdays 12-8, and Sundays 12-6.

Please contact Katie Budden at kbudden@grcc.edu for sign-up information.