GRCC earns eight communications awards for highlighting student successes, transformational programs

Grand Rapids Community College’s Communications team earned top honors from a national college and communications and marketing organization for efforts to tell the story of First Lady Jill Biden’s visit and cards encouraging students to be resilient during the pandemic.

The awards were among seven Medallion Awards earned by GRCC and presented by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations District 3, which includes community, technical and junior colleges in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and the Canadian province of Ontario.

Elly Bainbridge, education and promotion specialist in GRCC’s Leslie Tassell M-TEC, earned the organization’s Communicator of the Year honors for highlighting Workforce Training students and programs.

The GRCC team earned a Gold Medallion in the competition’s Government or Community Relations Campaign category for telling the story of Dr. Biden’s May visit to a campus popup COVID-19 vaccination clinic.

The second Gold Medallion Award was for a series of cards sent to students following the fall 2020 and winter 2021 semesters, encouraging them to be resilient during the pandemic, and to know there are people on campus ready to support them through challenging times.

“The branding and messaging was spot on in conveying resiliency and a culture of caring. The card is beautifully designed and impactful,” judges wrote. “Great idea! Nice, clean images with a strong impact. Well done.”

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Here to Help: Bruné Garcia oversees RaiderCards – your campus ID, and so much more

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 Bruné Garcia. As the service and technology coordinator for Student Life and Conduct, Bruné oversees something used by every GRCC student and employee: RaiderCards.

RaiderCards are your student ID – and so much more. RaiderCards as part of GRCC’s ongoing commitment to campus safety.

RaiderCards can be used for parking, point-of-sale registers on campus, cash-to-card machines, vending machines, printing, and, in some cases, door access.

You can use your RaiderCard to check out materials in the Library, access the campus food pantry, and get into the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse and use the GRCC Fitness Center.

A RaiderCard also is your ticket to free admission to GRCC sporting events and, through the Go See GR program, also the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Gerald R. Ford Museum, John Ball Zoo, and Grand Rapids Children’s Museum.

Bruné also is the main supervisor for the front desk staff at the Student Life and Conduct office where RaiderCards are printed, online photo submissions are approved, and where students can connect with other students through clubs and organizations.

As a college student, Bruné remembers choosing GRCC because the tuition was affordable and it was close to where he lived. He started working at GRCC in 2004 as a student in the Ford Fieldhouse as a lifeguard.

After graduating from GRCC with an associate degree, Bruné worked in the Enrollment Center while attending Ferris State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Bruné later moved to Student Life and Conduct, where he and his team are ready to help!  As an alum and employee, Bruné knows the ins and outs of GRCC. If you have a question he’s unfamiliar with, he and his team will get you to the right person.

“The feeling of knowing that I can make a difference is what gets me excited about coming to work here,” Bruné says. “What moves me to connect with students is the knowledge that I’m supported by my team.  I’ll always have someone to ask for help with finding the right answer.”

You can connect with Bruné and his team in the Student Life office on the first floor of GRCC’s Student Center. 

Learning Day – Call for proposals

Please consider sharing your knowledge with the campus community on Learning Day – January 6, 2022. The proposal form is now open and is accepting submissions through Friday, October 22.  Learning tracks include:

• Technology and Infrastructure
• Access and Equity
• Inclusion, Belonging, and Relationship Building
• Pedagogy
• Get to Know GRCC
• Self Care

Visit the proposal form for more information.

Tech Tip: Updating voicemail greeting

While working remotely, you may have updated your greeting to let callers know you were not in the office.  If you’ve returned to working on campus, you’ll want to update your greeting again.  Below is a refresher on how to do that.
Update Your Personal Greeting

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 

Adjunct Appreciation Week – did you know?

Did you know that GRCC provides the opportunity for adjuncts to receive professional development funds?

For more information regarding these funds, please visit Adjunct Professional Development Funds. The Center for Teaching Excellence also offers Innovation Grantsfor adjunct faculty as well.

Mental Illness Awareness Week runs from October 3–9

Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. However, mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends or coworkers. That is why each year, during the first week of October, NAMI and participants across the country raise awareness of mental illness, fight discrimination and provide support through Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW).

NAMI is featuring videos from real people sharing their lived experience with some of the symptoms and conditions NAMI is focusing on during MIAW. Watch and share the videos.

REMINDER: Your EAP is available 24/7, 365 days a year!

Did you know? Your Employee Assistance Program is available 24/7, is CONFIDENTIAL and available to all employees (except student employees), their spouses and children living in their household.

We encourage all employees to take advantage of these services offered. EAPs deal with a variety of issues such as depression, anger management, anxiety and physical illness.

All EAP consultations and referrals are CONFIDENTIAL and the services are provided at no cost. You can access EAP services 24-hours, 7 day-a-week the hotline number is (800) 442-0809 or (616) 455-6210.

EAP – A Guide to Your Benefits

Mental Illness Stigma Keeps People From Seeking Help. Our Support Can Make a Difference

Mental and Behavioral Health Resources

Tutor Appreciation Week

Faculty and Staff, please pass this on to your students.

It’s National Tutor Appreciation Week, and we need your help thanking GRCC’s amazing tutors! It will only take a moment of your time. 

1. Fill out this quick survey to say thank you to all tutors, to a specific center, or to your favorite tutor.
2. Are you on-campus?  Stop by a tutorial center and add a note to our appreciation board.
3. So that all of our tutors can attend our Appreciation Event, all tutoring services will be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 6 from 1:00PM-1:30PM. 

We look forward to sharing your notes with our tutors and thank you for your time!

GRCC In the News, 10/05/2021

GRCC aims to add landmark with $5M piazza project

October 04, 2021; WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Rapids Community College says a new piazza coming to its downtown campus is poised to become one of the college’s most recognizable features.

GV Alumna Avalon Cutts-Jones leads inspiring lifelong music career

October 04, 2021; The Lanthorn (Grand Valley State University student newspaper)

Grand Valley State University Alumna Avalon Cutts-Jones is a Grand Rapids native whose passion for music started the very instant she was born into two musical families. 

… She said that through this determination, she decided to apply to Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) at age 30 despite her lack of formal, or classical training. 

20+ Mommy and Me Classes for Babies, Toddlers & Their Caregivers

October 04, 2021; Grand Rapids Kids

Looking for an activity your tiniest to can participate in?

The Grand Rapids area has a variety of class options for babies and toddlers to do with a caregiver. (These classes are not exclusive to a mom-child pair – dads, grandmas, nannies you’re invited too!)

… 12. Play and Learn with Grand Rapids Community College.

Allante Leapheart’s journey to GV: a decade in the making

October 04, 2021; The Lanthorn (Grand Valley State University student newspaper)

The recruitment process for the Grand Valley State University football team doesn’t begin and end with statistics and headshots, especially when someone like Allante Leapheart enters the room. When coach Matt Mitchell evaluates new recruits to build his team, high character personalities are what he looks for first and foremost. 

… Graduating from high school in 2011, Leapheart and his family were set on encouraging him to try out for the Grand Rapids Community College football team. Due to the circumstances with his family life, however, he made the bold and brave decision to stay behind and help his mom. Yet to him, it was hardly a decision at all. 

Pre-teach, teach, reteach

October 04, 2021;  schoolnewsnetwork.org (Kent Intermediate School District)

Byron Center — Alec Steen spends a class period each day in Learning Strategies so he can receive a triple dose of what he is learning in his other classes.

“I like being in Strategies because it helps me focus more in a small group with other people and to be able to do my homework and study before a class,” said Alec, who is on track to graduate in May. He plans to attend Grand Rapids Community College and then perhaps transfer to Ferris State University and major in sports broadcasting. “I am able to pay attention more.”