GRCC volleyball player Annie Holesinger earns MCCAA Western Conference Player of the Week honors

Grand Rapids Community College volleyball player Annie Holesinger was named MCCAA Western Conference Player of the Week after her performances at the McHenry County Invitational Tournament.

The Raiders won one game and lost three in the season’s opening tournament in Rockford, Ill., facing three teams ranked in the national top 10.

Holesinger, a sophomore from Rockford, Mich, totaled 45 kills, averaging 3.46 kills per set, and five blocks across the four matches on Aug. 20 and 21. Holesinger tied her career high of 17 kills against No. 3 Iowa Central Community College while hitting .500. 

GRCC defeated Joliet Junior College in three sets on Aug. 21, and also faced No. 1 Johnson County Community College, No. 3 Iowa Central Community College and No. 8 Kirkwood Community College. The Raiders won at least one set against every nationally ranked opponent this past weekend.

The team is scheduled to travel to Owens Community College in Perrysburg, Ohio on Aug. 27 and take on Oakland Community College, Waubonsee Community College, No. 2 Parkland College and No. 12 Catawba Valley Community College at the Owens Express Invitational.

The Raiders will open conference season on Thursday, Sept. 2 at home against Glen Oaks Community College.

Gov. Whitmer, at GRCC, proposes expanding Michigan Reconnect and Futures for Frontliners scholarship programs

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is proposing expanding Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect – programs providing free in-district community college tuition to eligible residents — as part of a proposed $2.1 billion program to boost middle-class residents, support small businesses, and help communities.

Whitmer, speaking Tuesday in the welding lab at GRCC’s Leslie Tassell M-TEC, proposes using federal stimulus money for a $215 million expansion of the two programs, a $70 million to improve the pipeline of talented workers to industry, a $100 million influx for the Going PRO credential program, and additional programs to offer work experience to Michiganders earning their GEDs and help those reentering society after incarceration transition into the workforce.

“As we emerge from the once-in-a-century pandemic, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to use billions in federal resources to grow Michigan’s middle class, support small businesses, and invest in our communities,” she said.

“With the $2.1 billion in proposals I have laid out, we can raise wages, give people paths to high-skill jobs, grow start-ups, build clean energy infrastructure, and do so much more. I’m utilizing every resource and ensuring that we continue to take bold action to help families, communities and small businesses thrive. Together, we can usher in new era of prosperity for Michigan.”

Whitmer was joined by GRCC President Bill Pink, The Right Place President and CEO Randy Thelen and Susan R. Corbin, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Pink said the Tassell M-TEC was an appropriate place for the announcement, considering it houses training programs providing students with in-demand skills.

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One day, four ribbons cut: GRCC celebrates renovations to expand programs, improve student experience and support

Grand Rapids Community College celebrated renovations to historic buildings on the Main and DeVos campuses – and the ability to expand programs and improve the student experience — with a four-part ribbon-cutting today. 

The work includes renovations to Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, Steven C. Ender Hall and the Custer Alumni House in addition to a new wing and other improvements to the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center.

Some of the projects were completed earlier this year, with celebrations delayed because of the pandemic. Others are nearing completion as students are welcomed back for the fall 2021 semester.

“These renovations allow us to modernize buildings and expand programs, but we also are able to honor the legacies of people who, for decades, have worked to make our college and community stronger,” said Dr. Bill Pink, GRCC president. “We are preserving what made these buildings special, but making sure they are able to meet the needs of the students of today, and tomorrow.”

Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, built nearly a century ago, has been transformed into a 21^st-century learning space, reimagining the student experience for services including admissions and financial aid, as well as modernized classrooms, offices, gathering areas, dining spots, and welcoming entrances. Renovations to four floors are complete, and work continues on part of the building that includes a new Veterans Center, technology support and dining options.

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Tech Tip: Making Panopto videos accessible to students

As we get closer to the start of the new semester, we hope that you are getting an opportunity to explore the new Panopto software! Please follow the directions below on how to update share settings for Panopto videos to ensure they will be visible to students or others with a direct link. To change the settings:

1. Navigate to the Video in Panopto
2. Select the Gear menu on the top right corner
3. Once inside the Gear menu, select Share
4. Once in the share options, under who can access this video change the setting to one of the following options:
   1. Private- Only Specific People or Groups (They will need to be added in the top half of the screen)
   1. Organization (Unlisted)- Anyone at your org who has the link
   1. Public (Unlisted)- Anyone who has the link

Sharing a Panopto Video

For more information and helpful tips, please visit the IT Customer Support Portal or contact the IT Customer Support Desk at x4357.

If you have a suggestion or a Technology Tip you think can be useful, you can submit them by emailing techtips@grcc.edu 

CTE Upcoming Fall sessions

Make sure to check out the CTE’s Calendar page for these Upcoming Fall Sessions and more to come!

September Sessions

HyFlex Community of Practice 

Learning Circle – Peak Performance 

Blackboard Basics (HyFlex)

FPE System Overview 

October Sessions

Portfolio Training

Promoting Equity – Pt. 2.

How Do You Handle Series – Session I & Session II

Classroom Observation Training

November Sessions

How Do You Handle Series – Session III

 For further details on sessions, click here to view the Calendar and Programming Page

Ice Cream Social with Ohana Ice Aug. 25

Reconnect with your GRCC Family and enjoy a frozen tasty treat!

The Ohana Hawaiian Shaved Ice truck is visiting the Tassell MTEC, DeVos Campus, and the Main Campus, so be sure to save the date on your calendar!

Tuesday August 24

11:30am-1:00pm at the Tassell MTEC (near front entrance)

2:00-4:00pm at the DeVos Campus (Admin. Bldg parking lot)

Wednesday August 25

12:30-3:00pm at Main Campus (at the South end of the Commons)

Volunteers STILL needed for Information Station Aug. 30-Sept. 1

It’s that time: We are looking for volunteers to help with the Information Stations! As you may know, volunteers at the Information Stations help our students feel welcome and find their way around campus. This will be especially important this semester!

This year, we are holding an information table outside of the new Enrollment Center prior to Fall start. The first three days of Fall start will be the stations set up around campus like in the recent past.

As you look at the volunteer sign-up sheet, please take note of the three different tabs to sign up accordingly!

• Semester Start Stations: August 30-September 1 from 7:00am-6:30pm

Sign up here

Details about Information Stations that may look a bit different this semester:
We are inviting two volunteers to each station, but please prioritize filling each station so we can guarantee coverage for the 2-hour commitments.

1. Please follow the current campus protocols while working at the information station to minimize contact and germ spreading.
2. Each station will have two tables and 2 chairs in addition to plexiglass barriers and signs indicating wayfinding.
3. 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.
4. Please bring your GRCC-issued laptop or tablet to access the Google doc. of information (again, to minimize the spread of germs).
5. Handouts at each station will include campus maps, Sneden shuttle flyers and GetHelp cards.
6. Please plan on bringing your own water and snacks as these will not be provided.

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.

If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Fox, Student Resources Coordinator, at (616) 234-2543 or ashleyfox1@grcc.edu.

GRCC In the News, 08/25/2021

GRCC celebrates building renovations with ribbon-cutting ceremonies

August 24, 2021; FOX 17

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Tuesday was a day of long-awaited celebrations at Grand Rapids Community College as the school highlighted the work to update four buildings on campus.

GRCC opens new Lakeshore Campus

August 24, 2021; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Grand Rapids Community College officially opened a new 52,000-square-foot Lakeshore Campus at the former JCPenney store in The Shops at Westshore Mall, 12331 James St. in Holland.

Michigan colleges hope raffles boost COVID-19 vaccinations in time for fall

August 24, 2021; Bridge Magazine

Johnathan Taft doesn’t consider himself lucky when it comes to contests, but getting a COVID-19 vaccination paid off for him this month when the Central Michigan University senior from Greenville won a scholarship valued at a full year of tuition.

… Schools like CMU, Oakland University, Eastern Michigan University, Albion College, Grand Rapids Community College and Western Michigan University offered everything from $10 gift cards to full tuition.

Whitmer visits GRCC, proposes $2.1 billion economic package

August 24, 2021; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke at Grand Rapids Community College Tuesday. She touched on the state’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and proposed a multi-billion dollar spending package.

Whitmer praises local school mask mandates, but maintains a state order is unlikely

August 24, 2021; The Holland Sentinel

GRAND RAPIDS — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Tuesday her office supports public health professionals who are facing protests from parents upset with school mask mandates, but she will not be issuing any orders on masks in K-12 schools moving forward. 

Whitmer, speaking at an event touting an economic recovery proposal at Grand Rapids Community College, said she applauded “local leadership,” including in Ottawa and Allegan counties and on local school boards for instituting mask mandates of their own.