Monthly Archives: March 2019

Leadership Institute presents staff/faculty open house at the Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC

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Graphic for the 2019 Leadership Institute. The text reads: "InteGREAT CC."

You’re Invited to the 2018 Leadership Institute’s next Sharing Event – Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC Open House

  • DATE: Monday, April 22, 2019
  • TIME: 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
  • LOCATION: Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC, 622 Godfrey Ave SW, Grand Rapids

Details: Connect with your GRCC family at the first departmental open house showcasing the Tassell M-TEC! Julie Parks and her team are eager to show off their campus. Some highlights include:

  • Grilling by the M-TEC Staff – FREE Hamburger/Hot Dog Lunch (vegetarian option available)
  • Tours of the M-TEC
  • Virtual Welder Contest (You could win a prize!)
  • Blood Pressure Readings & Health Protective Clothing Contest
  • Lean Training – Drip & Pipe Contest
  • Check out the Manufacturing Trailer and 3-D printer, M-TEC race car, and Jeep
  • Construction Make-and-Take Project

Photo of the Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC building.

Whether you’ve never had the opportunity to enjoy the M-TEC campus or it’s been a while since your last visit, this is a perfect time to gain a better understanding of another GRCC campus and learn about the programs and services we provide to our students:

  • Automotive
  • Construction Trades
  • Job Training
  • Welding
  • Workforce Training

FREE lunch and free parking. No RSVP required.

Questions: Please contact InteGReatCC@grcc.edu

Construction reminder: final day to take Westbound I-196 downtown until August

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Starting this Monday, April 1, the Michigan Department of Transportation will begin a construction project to reconstruct and widen Westbound I-196 over the Grand River.

A complete closure of Westbound I-196 from Ottawa Ave to Lane Ave will be in place from April-August.

A map showing the detour for I-196 construction. The map directs westbound drivers to plan to take the I-96 intersection (just west of the East Beltline) and to stay on I-96 W until reaching 131-South, which should be taken until it reconnects with I-196 just after that highway crosses the Grand River.

Westbound I-196 will be closed prior to US-131, so US-131 traffic will be detoured to I-96 as shown on the map above. Ramp closures at the US-131/I-196 interchange in Downtown Grand Rapids will also take place beginning April 1.

Please note: Westbound I-196 will be open to the Ottawa Exit, but all remaining traffic on WB I-196 must exit at Ottawa.

Additionally, Scribner Avenue under I-196 will be closed April 2 – August 31 due to the westbound I-196 bridge construction.  Traffic will be detoured to Broadway Ave NW, as shown on the map below:

Map showing the section of Scribner closed underneath I-196 and the official detour route on Broadway Ave NW.

Apply now for the Van & Marinus Swets Travel Award Opportunity for GRCC Employees (non student employees)

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DEADLINE: Thursday, April 18, 2019

This travel award is for fun, enjoyment, and relaxation. It is not intended to supplement any faculty, staff, or administrator’s professional development travel funds. A cash award of up to $400 will be given to any full or part-time GRCC employee who completes the following requirements and has his or her essay judged the best to fulfill the employee’s intention to relax, enjoy and have fun.

Requirements:

  • Submit an essay (500 words or less) telling how you intend to use the cash award for fun, enjoyment, relaxation. The more unusual, the better!
  • Essays will not be judged on spelling, writing style, organization, usage, or grammar. They will be judged on creativity.

Steps for turning in your application for the Van Marinus Swets Travel Award:

  1. Do not put your name on the essay.
  2. Write your GRCC employee ID number in the upper right corner of the first page of your essay.
  3. Attach an envelope to your essay containing the following:
  4. On the outside of the envelope, write your GRCC employee ID number.
  5. Inside the sealed envelope, place your business card or contact information.
  6. Send you application to Mary Reed in the GRCC Foundation Office.
  7. Submit your application by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18.

All award winners will be notified by Wednesday, April 24.

For more information, contact Mary Reed at (616) 234-3930 or mreed@grcc.edu.

G Suite Transition Tip: How to do a busy search in Google Calendar

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Finding a time that works for everyone attending your meeting can be a challenge. The ‘Find a Time’ function in Google Calendar makes coordinating schedules easier. This is the same type of function that you are used to when performing a Busy Search in Groupwise.

You have the ability to see if someone else within the grcc.edu domain is busy or free when adding them to an event. There are two different ways to do so:

  • ‘Find a Time’
  • ‘Suggested Times’

Find a Time:

  1. Go to Calendar.
  2. In the upper left, click Create +
  3. Click on More Options from the Create menu until you are brought to a full screen menu for creating an event.
  4. Next to Event details, click Find a time. You’ll see the local time for guests in other time zones just below their name.
  5. Scroll up or down the time slots, or click the arrows at the top to view different days and weeks.
  6. Click a time slot and then click Save.

Suggested Times:

  1. Go to Calendar.
  2. In the upper left, click Create +
  3. Add event title.
  4. Click More Options.
  5. In the “Add Guests” box, type the name of the person or people you want to invite.
  6. Under “Guests”, click Suggested Times. You will see a list of times when all guests can attend.

Practice this in the pilot environment!

Please Note: The G Suite pilot account is for testing and training purposes only. Any data, settings, or customizations added or changed in your pilot account will not automatically transfer to the production environment on May 5th.

For technical assistance, please contact the IT Support Desk at x4357 or submit a service request on our Support Desk webpage.

Extensive road closures Friday and Saturday near the I-196 interchange

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In preparation for the WB I-196 Freeway closure (which will occur Sunday night) there will be many closures at the US-131/I-196 interchange both tomorrow and Saturday. The closures are as follows:

  • Double lane closure on NB US-131 from Franklin to I-196: Friday 9 p.m.-Saturday 3 p.m.
  • Double lane closure on SB US-131 from Ann Street to I-196: Friday 9 p.m.-Saturday 3 p.m.
  • Single lane closure on EB I-196 from Lane Ave to Ottawa Ave: Friday 9 p.m.-Saturday 3 p.m.
  • Ramp closure from Pearl to NB US-131: Friday 9 p.m.-Saturday 3 p.m.
  • Ramp closure from SB US-131 to EB I-196: Friday 9 p.m.-June 10
  • Ramp closure from Ottawa to EB I-196: Saturday midnight-1 a.m.

Check the MiDrive Website for more information.

Construction rerouting Westbound I-196 April 1 through August

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A map showing the detour for I-196 construction. The map directs westbound drivers to plan to take the I-96 intersection (just west of the East Beltline) and to stay on I-96 W until reaching 131-South, which should be taken until it reconnects with I-196 just after that highway crosses the Grand River.

Starting this Monday, April 1, the Michigan Department of Transportation will begin a construction project to reconstruct and widen Westbound I-196 over the Grand River.

A complete closure of Westbound I-196 from Ottawa Ave to Lane Ave will be in place from April-August.

Westbound I-196 will be closed prior to US-131, so US-131 traffic will be detoured to I-96 as show on the map above. Ramp closures at the US-131/I-196 interchange in Downtown Grand Rapids will also take place beginning April 1.

Please note: Westbound I-196 will be open to the Ottawa Exit, but all remaining traffic on WB I-196 must exit at Ottawa.

NEW INFORMATION:

Additionally, Scribner Avenue under I-196 will be closed April 2 – August 31 due to the westbound I-196 bridge construction.  Traffic will be detoured to Broadway Ave NW, as shown on the map below:

Map showing the section of Scribner closed underneath I-196 and the official detour route on Broadway Ave NW.

G Suite Transition Tip: How do I compose an email using Gmail?

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Need to send an email in Gmail? It’s simple! Go to Gmail:

  1. In the top left, click Compose.
  2. In the “To” field, add recipients. If you want, you can also add recipients to the “cc” and “bcc” fields.
  3. Add a subject.
  4. Write your message.
  5. At the bottom of the page, click Send.

Logging into the GRCC Google Pilot environment is highly encouraged for you to become familiarized with the features and layout of Gmail.

You may also view our Knowledge Base resources about helpful Google topics.

Please Note: The G Suite pilot account is for testing and training purposes only. Any data, settings, or customizations added or changed in your pilot account will not automatically transfer to the production environment on May 5th.

For technical assistance, please contact the IT Support Desk at x4357 or submit a service request on our Support Desk webpage.

GRCC In The News, 03-27-19

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GRCC counselors reach out to help students with mental health needs

3/26/19 schoolnewsnetwork.org (Kent Intermediate School District newsletter)

College students can face unfamiliar uncertainty: What career path fits? What degree will land a good job? Is there enough money for tuition and rent? What are the ramifications of an E on a test?

… GRCC student Stanesha Lee, who attended the session for a course she’s taking, said the workshop resonated. “Everybody goes through something and we all need coping skills,” she said. “It’s good GRCC offers these for students.”

One extra year nets big reward: free college degree

3/26/19 schoolnewsnetwork.org

Senior Sarah Galloway never doubted that she wanted to enroll in the Middle College option offered at her high school, since she saw the benefits firsthand with her brother. “It has been an exceptional opportunity,” she said.

Kevin Galloway was among the 20 students in the first group (called a cohort) graduating last spring with both his high school diploma and a Grand Rapids Community College degree.

Lakewood’s Zari Kruger signs with Grand Rapids Community College

3/26/19 Ionia Sentinel-Standard

LAKE ODESSA — Zari Kruger is eager to tackle the challenges of collegiate basketball.

The Lakewood basketball standout has signed to attend Grand Rapids Community College and her high school coach is high on her potential.

GRCC to host Guided Pathways Institute and the Michigan Center for Student Success Spring Meeting

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Grand Rapids Community College will be hosting the Michigan Community College Association’s upcoming Guided Pathways Institute on Thursday, March 28, followed by their Michigan Student Success Network Spring Meeting March 29 on their main campus.

The March 28 Guided Pathways Institute will be facilitated by Dr. Hana Lahr, Senior Research Associate, Community College Research Center, and Nika Hogan, Assoc. Professor of English, Pasadena City College; College National Coordinator, Strategic Literacy Initiative/WestEd, and Professional Learning Coordinator, 3CSN. The session will focus on Program Maps for Student Learning Plans, with attendees consisting of cohort groups from colleges across the state of Michigan to focus on developing curriculum maps to create individualized student learning plans from a faculty perspective.

Friday’s Michigan Center for Student Success Meeting will focus on embedding active learning strategies within introductory course sequences in the MiTransfer Pathway Programs in Biology, Communication and Psychology. Participating colleges are encouraged to send six faculty members, Teaching/Learning Center Directors, and academic administrators to this meeting.

Recap: first InteGReatCC event offered art for all

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The 2018 Leadership Institute cohort held its first InteGReatCC social event last Friday, March 22, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Over 25 GRCC faculty, staff, and guests attended a Campus Canvas event lead by Visual Arts Instructor Nick Antonakis with assistance from Visual Arts students, Rachel and Linnea. It was a fun evening of painting and conversation. All the participants did a stellar job with their works of art!

The Leadership Institute 2018 cohort would like to thank Nick Antonakis, Rachel, and Linnea. This event would not have been possible without their support.

Stay tuned for more information on the InteGReatCC M-TEC Open House event on Monday, April 22, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.