GRCC awarded $1 million grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation for programs to empower residents, build a diverse workforce

Grand Rapids Community College will use a $1 million grant to connect people in vulnerable populations to career opportunities related to the city’s river restoration projects, infrastructure, and public works.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation awarded GRCC’s Workforce Training Department a three-year, $1,050,344 grant for the college’s Equitable Empowerment Through Career Pathways program. The college will work with community partners, employers and local governments to provide people with skills leading to rewarding jobs or starting businesses.

“This grant will help GRCC and our partners tear down barriers to success and provide life-changing opportunities for people to prepare for in-demand careers,” GRCC President Bill Pink said.

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Dr. Pink Addresses Events in Washington, D.C.

In light of the events in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Dr. Pink addressed the campus community at Learning Day’s opening session.  For those of you that were not able to join, below is the link to view so that you have the opportunity to hear Dr. Pink as well.   

Get a sneak peek of the new grcc.edu, plus 8 things to know about the new site!

As Dr. Pink noted in this Monday’s Pink Ink, we’ve been preparing to launch a new grcc.edu, originally scheduled to go live this week. Unfortunately, the external team that has been working diligently with us on this redesign has been struck by COVID and as a result, the launch of the new website has been delayed until January 21, 2021, so as not to disrupt our startup of the semester.

GRCC’s internal team is grateful to be healthy and hope our GRCC family has come into 2021 with health and happiness.

Get a sneak peek of the new website, plus 8 things to know about the new site!

New grcc.edu

Nominations being sought for 2021 Emeritus Faculty Award

You are invited to nominate a GRCC retired faculty or administrator for the Emeritus Faculty Award.  This award was established in 1985 to honor those instructors and administrators whose dedication and creativity have left an indelible mark on the lives of students and colleagues at GRCC.  During their tenure at GRCC and since their retirement, they have continued to promote GRCC’s “Commitment to Excellence.”

Please submit online nominations by noon on Friday, February 12, 2021.  If you prefer a paper nomination form, please contact provost@grcc.edu to request one.  For more information, you may visit the website.

2021 Excellence in Education Awards

In 2020, amidst the challenges brought about by a global pandemic, our employees rose to the occasion; their knowledge, skills, service and compassion was evident in many ways and across all areas of the institution.

We are all fortunate to be a part of a community of educators who go above and beyond and make GRCC shine both inside and out. There are special individuals who make learning at GRCC meaningful and impactful for our students and working at GRCC an honor and inspiration for fellow employees.

To recognize them, please take the time to nominate them for the annual GRCC Excellence in Education Award.

The Excellence in Education Award was established in 1989 to honor an individual Grand Rapids Community College employee. In 2000, the award was expanded to provide recognition in the form of a staff award, and a separate full-time faculty award. In 2010, an additional award was added for an exemplary adjunct faculty member.

There is a cash award of $1,000 for full-time faculty who have taught at GRCC for at least 5 years, and for adjunct faculty who have taught at least 2 years, with a $750 cash award. Staff members also receive a cash award of $1,000.

Anyone can nominate! Deadline for nominations is May 14, 2021.

Start HERE and select either Full Time Faculty, Adjunct, or Staff.  

The application has gone online! This makes the entire process faster and easier.

Questions?

Faculty & Adjunct: Email the Provost Office at provost@grcc.edu
Staff: Email Angela Salinas at angelasalinas@grcc.edu

Thank you for taking the time to nominate a deserving member of the GRCC family for these awards.

Reminder: IT project requests

Colleagues

The Information Technology Project Management Office (PMO) is preparing to open the FY 2021/2022 project request window. BCOs will be able to start submitting their IT project requests for the 2021/2022 fiscal year on Monday, January 11, 2021. The project request window will remain open until 5:00 PM Monday, March 08, 2021.

Please contact Olwen Urquhart or Jeffrey VanderVeen in the IT Project Management Office if you have any questions.

Thank you!

Information Station Volunteers Needed!

It’s that time: Volunteers are needed to help with Information Stations for the first three days of the semester, January 11 to January 13. As you know, volunteers at the Information Stations help our students feel welcome and find their way on the first few days of classes. This is especially important this semester!

Volunteer sign-up sheet

Things are looking a bit different this semester:

1. Based on the number of students on campus this semester, we have altered some locations – We will have stations at Sneden, ATC and RJF.
2. Shifts are 2 hours long (instead of one hour) and we are staffing one person (not two) to decrease the number of volunteers coming and going and minimize the spread of germs.
3. Masks are required while working at the information station.
4. We will have one table/chair set up at the info. station.
5. There will be plexiglas barriers at all tables.
6. Instead of having a binder of information that everyone thumbs through, a Google doc. will have all relevant information. This will allow us to keep information up-to-date as things change – this will be emailed to you before Monday.
7. Please plan on using your GRCC-issued laptop or tablet to access the Google doc. of information (again, to minimize the spread of germs). 
8. We will have printed maps on hand but will not have a bowl of candy or other refreshments. (To minimize the spread of germs… are you noticing the trend?!) Please plan on bringing your own water and snacks.
9. There will be hand sanitizer at each table. We will also have antibacterial wipes so the table can be wiped down at the end of each shift.