GRCC In The News, 10-08-18

GRCC, Tech Center create a recipe for student bakers to earn college degree
9/5/18 schoolnewsnetwork.org (Kent Intermediate School District newsletter)
West Michigan is home to high-caliber chefs, bakers and other culinary experts and the level of skill is evident in the cuisine and flavors served at ethnic restaurants, fine dining establishments, casual diners, pastry shops and bistros.
… Now there’s an easy way for Joslynn (Skutt) to transition smoothly from high school student to pastry aficionado with the goal of adding her own style and flavor to the scene. Thanks to a new partnership between the Tech Center and Grand Rapids Community College’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, she is among 40 students earning 20-25 free GRCC credits, about a third of the 67-credit associate’s degree.

Holland grill company offering culinary scholarship
10/7/18 The Holland Sentinel
Grilla Grills, a wood pellet smoker grill company in Holland, has launched a new scholarship for a culinary student enrolled in the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College.

Drive Announce 2018-19 Promotions
10/4/18 oursportscentral.com
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Drive, the Official NBA G League Affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, announced the team’s promotional schedule for the 2018-19 season earlier today.
… Friday, November 30 – Grand Rapids Community College Jersey Takeover Night

Undersheriff Michelle Young appointed Kent County Sheriff
10/5/18 The Post (Cedar Springs)
There’s going to be a new sheriff in town.
… She (Michelle LaJoye-Young) also went to school while working for the Kent County Sheriff’s Office. She attended the Grand Rapids Community College Police Academy; received her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Western Michigan University. She graduated from Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command in 2012.

Pink receives Distinguished Alumni Award from UCO
10/5/18 oceagles.com (Oklahoma Christian University publication)
EDMOND, Okla. (Oct. 5, 2018) — Another one of former Oklahoma Christian basketball player Bill Pink’s alma maters honored him Friday, as the University of Central Oklahoma presented him with a Distinguished Alumni Award.
Pink, 51, now is the president at Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College, a position he’s held since November 2016. OC honored the Abilene, Texas, native last November as a Distinguished Alumnus, and yet another of his alma maters, York (Neb.) College, inducted him into its Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.

Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids performing “Miracle on South Division Street”
10/5/18 WZZM
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Starting on October 10, Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids is performing “Miracle on South Division Street” and they are inviting you to join them for a night on the town.
The theatre group will be performing several shows at Grand Rapids Community College’s Spectrum Theatre. That address is 160 Fountain Street. NE.

Save the Date – GRCC Flu Shot Clinic on October 24

The 2018 GRCC Flu Shot Clinic for Staff will be held at the Annual Benefits Fair.

• When: Wednesday, October 24, 2018
• Where: ATC Banquet Rooms 118, 120, 122, and 124
• Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The best way to prevent the flu and its spread is to get a flu shot. Protect yourself. Protect your family. Protect your friends.

The cost to GRCC staff will be $20 cash or check made payable to “Grand Rapid Community College.”

Employees covered under the WMHIP health plans can receive the flu shot at no charge. You will need to bring your insurance card to this event in order for Spectrum Health to bill on your behalf.

Spectrum Health Visiting Nurses will administer flu shots.

GRCC Employees on the Move through October 4, 2018

Please congratulate those who have moved and been promoted.

WELCOME TO GRCC

Debra Davis

Support Professional, Human Resources Benefits

Effective 9/24/2018

 

Sonja Hernandez

Program Coordinator, Woodrick Center for Equity & Inclusion

Effective: 9/24/2018

 

Danielle Flaumenhaft

Human Resources Generalist

Effective: 10/15/18

 

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW POSITION

Lisa Dopke

Transfer from: Associate Director of Grants and Resource Development

Transfer to: Director of Grant Development, Grants and Resources Development Department

Effective: 9/10/2018

 

Lakisha Beck

Transfer from: Support Professional, Records Office

Transfer to: Systems Functional Analyst

Effective: 9/17/18

 

Angela Salinas

Transfer from: Coordinator of Adult Enrollment & Outreach

Transfer to: Employee Events, Engagement, and Onboarding Coordinator

Effective: 10/29/18

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

Retirement:

Brenda Cary

Support Professional, Records Office

Effective: 1/1/2019

Final Forum for Equity and Inclusion Officer this Wednesday

Grand Rapids Community College is finishing a series of faculty and community forums this week to meet the finalists for the position of equity and inclusion officer.

This week’s final interviewee is:

• Salvador Lopez, associate director of diversity recruitment at Grand Valley State University, who will be interviewed October 10 in room 124 of the ATC.

The faculty forum will run from 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. at the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center (151 Fountain St. NE). The community forums will run from 2:15-3:15 p.m. in the same locations.

 

The other two finalists for the position include:

• B. Afeni McNeely Cobham, a visiting associate professor at Salem State University, interviewed October 1.
• Jessica Cruz, chief diversity and inclusion officer at Northern Michigan University,  interviewed October 3.

The person selected for the position will work with stakeholders – students, faculty, staff and community members – to ensure that GRCC is a leader in equity and inclusion.

This position also will oversee the Bob and Aleicia Woodrick Center for Equity and Inclusion, which has worked for 12 years on educating and honoring the dignity of all people through community celebrations such as the Giants Awards and through educational opportunities like student workshops, the Latino Youth Conference, and the Institute for Healing Racism.

College Channel programming through October 12

The latest schedule, through October 12, includes the GRCC Math Seminar with John Dersch.

Leadership Institute 2019 applications accepted through October 26

The Grand Rapids Community College Leadership Institute is a 12-month leadership program committed to strengthening new or emerging leaders from across campus. This program is geared to foster a broader understanding of the campus community, accelerate talent development and hone individual and team leadership skills. The Leadership Institute is designed for employees who have the capacity and desire to make a positive influence on our campus.

Testimonials from past Leadership Institute Alumni:

I was a member of the 2015 Leadership Institute team, and what an experience I had! Going into the start of the Leadership Institute I had reservations. Will this help me? Will I fit in? Do I want to put the time in that is required? The answer was yes! The Leadership Institute provided me with many opportunities to better myself professionally here at GRCC. Through the Leadership Institute I became comfortable with public speaking, where today I am comfortable interacting with anyone in any format. I was taught to express my thoughts and ideas, but probably the most gratifying aspect was to work on our project with my teammates. To be able to feel the accomplishment at the end, the bond we had formed, and most importantly the friends that I made along the way. I would encourage anyone that has any interest in the Leadership Institute to take the next step, and join as you will not be disappointed. – Thomas Vos

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As a member of the 2014-2015 Leadership Institute cohort, I was given the opportunity to meet many new people from multiple departments of the college. It also increased my awareness and appreciation for the work other GRCC employees do. Regardless of whether we work in Facilities, Information Technology, or the President’s Office; we all perform specific and valuable tasks. Our work can positively impact our students, faculty, and staff at GRCC, as well as the community around us. More importantly, the Leadership Institute allowed me to better understand the entire hierarchy of the organization; to see the big picture, and to comprehend how every one of us fits into this amazing GRCC family.
Professionally, the Leadership Institute enabled me to take the next step in my career. It gave me the extra knowledge and confidence to lead my very own team. Shortly after I finished the Leadership Institute in 2015, I accepted the Information Technology Desktop Support Team Coordinator position. If I had the opportunity to go through the Leadership Institute again, I would do it without hesitation. – Antonio Aguillon

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For anyone considering participating in GRCC’s Leadership Institute, stop considering and just apply. For those eager to learn and grow professionally, it is very difficult to find a better program!

Being a member of the 2016 Leadership Institute cohort allowed me the time to learn and incorporate leadership skills into my day to day practices. Having exposure to the inter-workings of the college including multi-departmental advisory boards gave a deeper level of perspective and understanding of the operations of GRCC Leadership and how decisions are made within the college.

The Leadership Institute experience is great for developing relationships with peers in other departments that I traditionally would not have the privilege to work with. Everything learned throughout the cohort, I knew I was capable of, but going through the process I developed the confidence and skills to tactfully implement the changes into my day-to-day routine.

The culmination of this experience has directly resulted in an increased confidence to lead, build collaborative relationships with others outside my team, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a leader and a resource for others.

For those interested and applying, the amount of energy and interest you put into the program is exactly what you will take away from it. Go in with an open mind and a willingness to learn! – Kelly Webber

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The Leadership Institute 2019 application deadline is Friday, October 26, 2018. For more information visit the Leadership Institute webpage or please contact Jessica Berens in Human Resources at jberens@grcc.edu.

 

 

GRCC Faculty Association hosts Voters Not Politicians presentation today in Sneden

The GRCC Faculty Association is hosting a presentation by the group Voters Not Politicians today at the DeVos campus. This open forum will begin at 4 p.m. in Sneden 108.

According to its website, Voters Not Politicians is a nonpartisan, grassroots group working to pass Proposal 2, which would amend the state constitution to change Michigan’s redistricting process.

This session is open to all GRCC employees, students, and the greater community. Registration is not required.

If you have any questions, please contact Heather Richards, Political Science, or Meghan VanderMale, Math.