GRCC President Pink named to Lakeshore Advantage board, will boost collaboration, opportunities for students

Grand Rapids Community College President Bill Pink has been named to the board of Lakeshore Advantage, an organization fostering economic development in Ottawa and Allegan counties.

The appointment comes as GRCC is consolidating its GRCC Lakeshore Campus into a new location in the Shops at Westshore in Holland Township to make a college education more accessible for Lakeshore residents.

“Our presence in Ottawa County is important to me. I am honored to be a part of the Lakeshore Advantage board, as our college has had a strong relationship with the organization for quite some time. Our new GRCC Lakeshore campus is another prime example of the importance we place on the Lakeshore community,” Pink said.

GRCC is renovating the former JCPenney in the mall, a 50,000-square-foot building near the intersection of U.S. 31 and James Street. The campus will include classrooms for both arts and sciences and workforce classes, as well as student resources. The project is planned to be completed by the fall 2021 semester.

Pink is one of three new members of the board, which also added Muskegon Community College President Dale Nesbary and fairlife plant manager Hawk Dobbins.

Lakeshore Advantage is a non-profit local economic development organization started in 2003 by business and community leaders to ensure current and future generations want to live and work in the economy. Lakeshore Advantage assists primary employers, from startups to large world-class corporations, in Allegan and Ottawa counties.

Read more

My Story Started at GRCC: City Commissioner Ruth Straayer-Kelly says GRCC introduced her to new perspectives

Start at GRCC and go anywhere! Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC – or Grand Rapids Junior College – gave them the education and opportunity to be successful. We’re sharing some of those stories, and want to hear yours!

Ruth Straayer-Kelly has had many careers in her life: teacher, community organizer, Grand Rapids city commissioner. She credits what was then Grand Rapids Junior College with building a foundation for all those roles, by allowing her to explore different interests and introducing her to new perspectives.

“At GRCC, I was exposed to fellow students from a large variety of backgrounds and perspectives,” she said.

She majored in political science at GRJC in the mid-1970s, but through electives, she explored music, art and other subjects.

“Electives such as music appreciation, bowling and ceramics helped me make friends and develop skills I’ve used outside of employment,” Straayer-Kelly said. “A large clay pot from an art class still resides with me and brings back pleasant memories of my time at GRCC.”

Read more

Two NEW wellness learning opportunities added for spring

Two new wellness employee sessions are open for enrollment:

Food as Medicine
Harness the power of nutrition to promote health and wellness in your life!
Join us on April 27 – enroll ONLINE

and

Just Breathe
From breathing to survive to breathing to THRIVE!
“Breathe in deeply to bring your mind home to your body.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
Join us on May 20 – enroll ONLINE

March 31 Blood Drive

Hello team GRCC!

Hard to believe we are at the final blood drive of the year. As always, very grateful to you all that we’ve been able to find a solution for this year, and hopeful that next year brings more “normalcy” for all of us too!

We are looking to fill 16 appointments for this drive – which hasn’t been an issue so far this year. We also have a new staffing model that will allow for some walk-ins, though we want to keep pushing an appointment first and foremost too.

Donors will continue to receive the $10 e-gift card, as well as COVID-19 antibody testing too!

Please feel free to start spreading the word! Sign up at Mobile Drive Schedule – GRCC