Impact Award Winner: Sherry Sokolowski

Each year there are many stories about how working as a Student Employee at GRCC has had an impact on students’ lives. With this in mind, Student Employment Services recently sponsored the “Impact Award“.

Supervisors were asked to submit a 1-2 page nomination letter centered on the topic/question: How has the experience of working as a Student Employee provided a positive impact on a student’s life inside and outside of GRCC.

This year’s winner is Sherry Sokolowski who works as an Orientation Ambassador in the Admissions department. Sherry’s supervisor is Jose Mora who wrote:

“Sherry has immersed herself in everything GRCC; she believes in the mission and culture of the college. She has involved herself so much on campus that she is impacting students from a small and grand scale. When working with students in orientation she has a calming effect, helping students with nerves and anxiety about college. Going to college for the first time is a stressful process, especially at this point in time when we are not always able to be there for our students in a traditional in-person format. Sherry is a healthy dose of encouragement for a lot of our new students.”

Congratulations Sherry!!!

Highlighting staff who help our students

Always remember, at GRCC, you are surrounded by people who want you to be successful and are ready to walk with you on your educational pathway. We are here to help!

Meet David DeBoer. He’s GRCC’s executive director of Financial Aid and has more than 25 years of experience helping make a college education more affordable.

David has served students at four different higher education institutions, including GRCC.

He holds degrees from Calvin University, Western Michigan University, and Davenport University.

He has been active in state, regional, and national level financial aid discussions, and has served as president of the Michigan Financial Aid Association.

He says helping students reach their goals and seeing them obtain their degree or certificate is the greatest source for motivating him to help other students. 

David and his team want to make college more affordable and accessible, and they’ll work with you to identify grant, scholarship and loan options unique to your needs and academic goals.

They’ll help you determine if you qualify for tuition-free programs such as Michigan Reconnect and the Grand Rapids Promise Zone, or federal Pell Grants that can cover all your education expenses.

They’ll also help take the mystery out of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Remember, don’t fear the FAFSA. We can help! You can connect with the Financial Aid and Scholarships team by email at  financialaid@grcc.edu and phone at (616) 234-4030. Their office is usually located on the first floor of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, but are temporarily working on the third floor of the Student Center during renovations.

Center for Teaching Excellence: Faculty Showcase videos

If you were not able to attend the Faculty Showcase, please enjoy these videos from the event!

Faculty Showcase Full Event – Zoom Recording: https://youtu.be/qd80yzHFckU

Innovative Professors (video excerpt from Zoom event): https://youtu.be/vJZ3eynQc2E

Sabbatical Summary (video excerpt from Zoom event): https://youtu.be/BGoulDsEDI0

Bill Faber Full Length Sabbatical Presentation: https://youtu.be/trYvHDdKwvc

Meghan VanderMale Full Length Sabbatical Presentation: https://youtu.be/xFzNpM2gISU

IT Walk-In Center temporarily moving to Calkins Science Center

Due to construction on the G2 level of RJF, the IT Walk-In Center is temporarily being relocated to 104 Calkins Science Center beginning on April 26th through early October. 

We look forward to your visits Monday – Thursday between 8-5 or by appointment by calling 234-4357.

“Shot of Love” campaign offers COVID vaccines for GRCC employees and their families

There is still time for GRCC employees and their families to get the COVID vaccine through the college’s partnership with Urban Church Center and Spectrum Health as part of the “Shot of Love” campaign.

If you have not yet been able to obtain the safe and effective COVID vaccine, this is a great opportunity to make your appointment and get vaccinated this week!  

This will be the Pfizer two-dose vaccine, which is approved for those age 16 and older. To reserve your vaccine and make an appointment, please call the number below as soon as possible.

The process to reserve your COVID vaccine appointment is:

1. Call the remediation line, 616.391.9031  
2. Tell them you are from GRCC and are calling to make a vaccine appointment. Please provide the following code when calling: GRCCVOL2021.
3. These vaccines will be available at the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic, DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. in Grand Rapids.

De-Stress Fest

Faculty and Staff, please pass this information on to your students!

For this year’s De-Stress Fest, Campus Activities Board will be giving away tickets to 3 different places!

To sign up and receive your tickets, fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/…/1WHGfQZqD302p21PiFB4IGsW…/edit

More information can be found on the form! Good luck with the last 2 weeks of classes/finals students!

Questions? Email sherrysokolowski@grcc.edu.