Dear Friends:
Your cards and emails sent to me after Bob’s passing demonstrate a strong, supportive connection you have to each other. As I read the poetry and personal messages, I thought about each of you and how you take time to encourage one another during a busy work day. This is a beautiful gift of grace that truly makes GRCC a family college.
In thanking you, it does not adequately express my gratitude for your thinking of me at this time.
You are fondly in my thoughts!
Cynthia Bristol
Dr. Patricia Oldt will be remembered for a strong belief in equity and social justice, advocating for women to advance to leadership.
Dr. Oldt, a lifelong educator, was Grand Rapids Community College’s former assistant dean for community education. She passed away this week at age 84.
“Dr. Oldt’s impact is felt not just in the students she helped educate at the K-12 level and higher education, but in women she inspired and mentored to follow in her footsteps as a leader,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “That’s a tremendous legacy. We at GRCC extend our condolences to her family and friends, and hope they are comforted with the knowledge that her work and advocacy has made West Michigan a better place.”
In addition to her leadership role at GRCC, Dr. Oldt was assistant superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools, superintendent of Northview Public Schools, and both the distinguished professor of education and vice president for Planning and Equity at Grand Valley State University. She was instrumental in developing GVSU’s charter schools program.
She earned many awards and honors, including election to the Michigan Association of School Administrators Hall of Fame in 2009.
They keep us safe and make sure our facilities are ready to serve our students and community. The Employee Appreciation Committee this week recognized the hard work by our CEBA team, which includes maintenance, facilities, and GRCC Police. These teams were on campus during the pandemic and worked tirelessly.
With lots of projects still moving forward and working in positions that do not make it possible to work from home, they have stayed the course, making sure GRCC remained open and safe!
Both in-person and online services will be closed starting Monday, March 1 through March 7.
We will reopen our online services Monday, March 8, at 10 a.m. and in-person services on Monday, March 8 at 11 a.m.
Several offices on campus will be closed for on campus services only on March 3, 4, and 5 due to the move from RJFH first floor to the third floor Student Center.
The offices affected are the following: Admissions and Enrollment Center, Financial Aid, Cashier’s Office, Records Office, and Veteran Services.
They will only be open for virtual appointments and phone calls those three days.
Several offices on campus will be closed for on campus services only on March 3, 4, and 5 due to the move from RJFH first floor to the third floor Student Center.
The offices affected are the following: Admissions and Enrollment Center, Financial Aid, Cashier’s Office, Records Office, and Veteran Services.
They will only be open for virtual appointments and phone calls those three days.
The Admissions Office is holding a High School Professionals Breakfast on Friday, February 26. This is the first time the information session will be held virtually. While this is always a popular and well attended event by our high school partners, we have a record number of high schools planning to join us. Over 70 RSVPs have been received! The event will take place from 8:30 to 9:30 via Zoom.
Contact Lori Cook at lcook@grcc.edu with any questions.
Spring is right around the corner!
Here’s what’s coming up for the month of March
Register ONLINE
Monday March 8~ Sexual Harassment Awareness
Thursday March 11 ~ GRCC Accounts Explained
Friday March 12 ~ The Science of Happiness
Monday March 15 ~ Data Security
Wednesday March 17 ~ GRCC Reimbursement Policy
Thursday March 18 ~ Active Shooter Response Training *In Person/On Campus
Friday March 19 ~ Mindfulness Made Simple AND Google Tips & Tricks
Wednesday March 24 ~ Workplace Excellence
Thursday March 25 ~ Evidence Based Selection Process AND 25Live Searches & Reports
Friday March 26 ~ Mindfulness for Parents/Caregivers
Tuesday March 30 ~ Strengths Finder
“As Americans, we push towards many tangible goals…jobs promotions, a beautiful home, a certain number in the bank account, the latest fashion trend. Yet at the end of the day, why are so many of us still not happy? Doesn’t success create happiness? In a world filled with so much greed, discontentment, uncertainty and change, where do we find happiness? And can we actually be happy living in this environment?
Join Kendra Bylsma, Director of Wellness at AllOne Health as she uncovers the new science of positive psychology and shares the latest research on how we can rewire our brain to the positive. For the past century, the typical approach to understanding human behavior has always been to look for the average behavior or outcome. Worse yet, an exclusive focus on what goes WRONG in life…and how to remedy it. Traditional psychology wants to find the average reading level, exercise amount, risk of developing heart disease. Positive psychology looks at the outliers and wants to LEARN from them. If we study merely what is average, we will remain merely average.” Register for this March 12 learning opportunity ONLINE
The lab will be closed over Spring Break (March 1-7).
We are open as usual this week through Sunday, Feb. 28 from 6pm-10pm. Sunday 2/28 is the last day for drop-in tutoring before break.
We will return to our normal hours Monday, March 8 at 9am.
Please reach out with any questions to mariamckee@grcc.edu or (616) 234-4244
The lab will be closed over Spring Break (March 1-7).
We are open as usual this week through Sunday, Feb. 28 from 6pm-10pm. Sunday 2/28 is the last day for drop-in tutoring before break.
We will return to our normal hours Monday, March 8 at 9am.
Please reach out with any questions to mariamckee@grcc.edu or (616) 234-4244
The GRCC Bookstore is taking orders for caps and gowns for staff and faculty through February 26. If you need any commencement regalia please stop in the bookstore and fill out the form to order yours today!
Due to turnaround time and production needs, all orders and prepayments must be in by February 26, 2021 to be ready in time for the April GRCC Commencement ceremony.
The number of Grand Rapids Community College students completing federal financial aid forms has increased dramatically in the last year, but many students are still potentially missing out on grants and programs to make college more accessible and affordable.
GRCC is boosting ways to assist students filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA.
The number of FAFSA forms submitted to GRCC for the 2021-2022 academic year is up by nearly 2,000 applications, about 44 percent.
That’s the opposite of state and national trends, according to the National College Attainment Network. But GRCC leaders say there are many students who can still take advantage of financial aid opportunities.
“The FAFSA application is unquestionably the key to accessing scholarships and financial aid programs that can reduce or even eliminate college costs,” said Dr. Tina Hoxie, GRCC associate provost and dean of Student Affairs. “GRCC is focused on helping students complete their FAFSA. We don’t want anyone to miss out on a life-changing education.”
FAFSA is an online form that requires financial and tax information for students and parents, if the students are dependents.
Students can connect with GRCC financial aid specialists by phone at (616) 234-4030; email at financialaid@grcc.edu; text at (616) 219-8224; or virtually or in-person by appointment.
GRCC has a series of helpful videos available on YouTube’s GRCCtv.
The next Coffee & Conversation with President Pink is Wednesday, February 24th! Please join at 10:00 a.m. to hear from President Pink, Brian Knetl, and Lisa Freiburger regarding academics and budget updates.
Click here to join Coffee and Conversation Feb. 24 2021
The CTE March 2021 Newsletter is available here.
Quality Matters (Asynchronous Online Course)
Starts Tuesday, March 9
Facilitated by Mursalata Muhammad and Ian Matthews. Register here
Portfolio Training (virtual via Zoom)
Friday, March 12 from 1-2p.m.
Facilitated by Dan Sullivan and Chris Johnston Register here
Rethinking Mental Health (Virtual via Zoom)
Monday, March 15, 3-4p.m.
Facilitated by Werner Absenger Register here
COMMUNITY SERVICE – Feeding America West Michigan
In-person, off campus
Thursday, March 18 from 1-4p.m.
6 spots left!
Facilitated by Laura Kennett Register here
ADHD Goes to College (virtual via Zoom; students welcome)
Wednesday, March 24 from 1-2p.m.
Facilitated by Laura Kennett Register Here
Faculty Showcase (virtual via Zoom)
Thursday, April 15, 2021 Time TBD
Faculty to be featured: Meghan VanderMale, Wilfredo Barajas, Drew Rozema, John Dersch, Bill Faber, Sam Gould, Rachel Lutwick-Deaner
Facilitated by Laura Kennett
Online Hybrid Certification Course (Asynchronous Course)
Monday May, 10 – Sunday June, 20
Facilitated by Garry Brand Register here
Great Teachers Seminar (in-person, limited number of registrants)
Monday, August 2nd to Wednesday, August 4th.
Applications open soon! More information here
Facilitated by Deb Vilmont
Summer Institute (virtual, online, and in-person)
Wednesday, August 4 – Friday, August 6
Learning tracks include: Assessment; Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Learning-Centered Teaching Practices
Please provide input or suggestions here
Facilitated by Laura Kennett and Deb Vilmont
Excellence in Education Awards
Thursday, August 26 (nominations close May 14)
The daily employee newsletter of Grand Rapids Community College 