Andre Fields receives national service award from Boy Scouts of America

Andre Fields talks to students at Raider Nation Day.

Congratulations to Associate Professor Andre Fields, director of Alpha Beta Omega, for receiving the national Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award from the Boy Scouts of America.

The award, which was given today during the organization’s annual “Fulfilling the Dream” luncheon, recognizes outstanding service in demonstrating and implementing Scouting ideals for youth from rural or low-income urban backgrounds.

Fields is being honored for his work with ABO, GRCC’s leadership development program for inner-city men. Members of ABO, which is funded by the Wege Foundation, work with mentors on strategies for success in college, career and life. They also have access to one-on-one tutoring, workshops, study tables, and math and writing groups.

The other recipient of the award, Autocam Medical CEO and President John Kennedy, also has strong GRCC ties. Autocam teamed up with GRCC and other area companies to form the Advanced Manufacturing Program in 2012. Participating companies work with GRCC to determine the AMP curriculum and schedule. All the AMP “classes” are run in a cohort fashion, with classes scheduled and reserved specifically for students in the program.

Kennedy is being recognized today for his work in starting a reading initiative in the Grand Rapids Public Schools.

“Dr. Fields and Mr. Kennedy are powerful examples of what outstanding service looks like,” Aaron Gach, Scout executive and CEO of the President Ford Field Service Council, said in a press release. “They have each championed initiatives that will have a positive and lasting impact on our community’s youth.”

 

GRCC In The News, 10-10-18

Lakeshore Chamber rounds up trio of culinary stars for next Leadership Connections
10/9/18 moodyonthemarket.com
Coming on the heels of a rousing sendoff by their inaugural speaker, Jeff Noel from Whirlpool Corporation, the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce is more than doubling down on their next entry — they’re triple-teaming the audience with a trio of people making a huge difference on the culinary scene in Michigan’s Great Southwest.
… Luis Amado, CEPC, is a native of Guadalajara, Mexico with a Palestinian and Spanish Background. Chef Amado began his career at the age of 14 as a pastry cook at his family locally owned Pastry Shop in Guadalajara, Mexico. He moved to the US to Study culinary arts and Graduated from Grand Rapids Community College in 1992, after which he traveled to Europe and worked in Spain and Belgium to develop his knowledge of classical European Pastry. He returned to the US in 1994 and worked as Executive Pastry Chef and Executive chef of private country clubs and fine dining restaurants throughout California, Indiana and Michigan. From 1988 to 2016 he served as director for the Baking and Pastry Arts Program at Baker College of Muskegon, where he developed the curriculum, taught classes and coached students for national and international competitions. He is currently the Culinary Management Chair at Lake Michigan College where he developed the curriculum and teaches a variety of classes.

School News Network: GRCC, Tech Center create a recipe for student bakers to earn college degree
10/9/18 WKTV
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 associates degree.

Morning Mix
10/9/18 FOX 17
Kicking things off for the 2018-19 season for the Jewish Theater of Grand Rapids is a story of a family who have experienced a miracle — or have they? Where do we perform? Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE in downtown Grand Rapids, on the GRCC campus.

Thank you to GRCC Family

Nora Michael would like to express her thanks to the GRCC family’s heartfelt show of support, sympathy cards, and flowers received regarding the passing of her husband.

Upcoming HR Learning Opportunities

Upcoming human resources-sponsored learning opportunities:

• Changing Habits with Denise VanEck of Thought Design, 10/12: Do you do things (or not do things!) that you’d like to change? Do you have habits that get in your way or just don’t work anymore? Did you know that “willpower” is the worst way to change a habit?In this workshop, we will explore the neuroscience of habit formation and strategies for changing your mental or physical habits in ways that will really stick!
• Diffusing Rude Behavior, 10/16: It can be difficult to know how to react when you are confronted with rude behavior. This course examines a number of cases of rude behavior and provides participants with effective tactics to responding in these situations.
• FMLA: What’s in it for you? *NEW DATE* 10/18: Have you ever wondered what the Family Medical Leave Act is all about? Have you ever wondered if you or one of your employee’s had a “qualifying event” but were afraid to ask? In this session you will learn the various ins and outs of FMLA, intermittent FMLA, and the GRCC FMLA policy. You will also learn what a qualifying event is for you or an immediate family member and what is covered while you are on leave.
• Beginning Excel, 10/18: This session will provide participants with an introduction and foundation on which to build for Excel 2016.
• Fitness can be N.E.A.T with Kendra Bylsma of Allegro, 10/19: Studies show that families who find ways to be active together are healthier and more engaged. Learn ways to keep your kids and family members involved and active. Be ready to play and have fun as a group. You will leave with a handout of ideas and games that will be engaging for all ages.

Also, more seats are available for the following 2-day training:

• Basic Life Support/CPR Certification, 11/9 and 11/12: This hands-on skills training prepares you to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies. It also teaches the skills and knowledge needed to provide care for victims of sudden cardiac arrest through the safe use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).The class can teach Adult CPR/AED, Child CPR/AED, and/or Infant CPR/AED (any combination of the three).

Visit the Learning Opportunities page for more information.

Blood Drive tomorrow in the Student Center

GRCC’s Office of Student Life is hosting Michigan Blood for a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 11, in the Multipurpose Room (SCC 234) of the Student Center. Walk-ins will be accepted, but you may also make an appointment online. Donors can receive a free pizza voucher for Hungry Howie’s. Direct any questions to Joe Courtade at josephcourtade@grcc.edu.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM)-Week Two

The Department of Homeland Security has teamed up with the Cybersecurity industry to provide information they believe everyone across the nation should know to stay safe and more secure online. Week Two details information on the Cybersecurity field and ways you can become educated in Cybersecurity without necessarily pursuing a career in it.

The Week Two Newsletter for NCSAM is now available on The GRCC Security Awareness webpage.

Forums for Equity and Inclusion Officer Position Conclude Today

Grand Rapids Community College is finishing a series of faculty and community forums to meet the finalists for the position of equity and inclusion officer today with an interview of Salvador Lopez.

Salvador Lopez, the associate director of diversity recruitment at Grand Valley State University, will be interviewed today, October 10, at the ATC.

The faculty forum will run from 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. in room 124 at the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center (151 Fountain St. NE). The community forum will run from 2:15-3:15 p.m. in the same location.

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.

The other finalists for the position include:

• B. Afeni McNeely Cobham, a visiting associate professor at Salem State University, will be interviewed October 1 in room 168 of the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, 151 Fountain St. NE.
• Jessica Cruz, chief diversity and inclusion officer at Northern Michigan University, will be interviewed October 3 in room 168 of the ATC.