Teera Wilkins leading GRCC’s first TRIO Educational Opportunities Center, helping adult learners access higher education

Teera Wilkins has helped students prepare for college success for years. As the new project director of Grand Rapids Community College’s first TRIO Educational Opportunities Center, she’ll use her skills to help adult learners from across the region access higher education.

GRCC was awarded a five-year, $1.16 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to create the center, where unemployed or low-wage workers, prospective first-generation college students, and other adult learners can work with campus specialists to explore higher education options and connect with on- and off-campus resources and programs to support their educational goals.

The Educational Opportunities Center will connect people with programs and services that help with high school diploma or GED certificate completion, academic advising and personal counseling, tutoring and mentoring, career workshops, student financial assistance and help with completing college admission processes.

“I want to make sure everyone has access to a college education that can change their lives,” Wilkins said. “There are many resources in our greater community that can help students of all ages be successful. Many people might not be aware of the support that is available to them. Our new center will make those connections and help them start — and complete — a postsecondary credential that can lead to rewarding careers.”

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GRCC Theater Department’s ‘Stop Kiss’ looks at the sudden and gradual ways life can change

The GRCC Players look at love and at the sudden and gradual ways life can change in their production of Diane Son’s “Stop Kiss.”

The play will be performed at 8 p.m. Nov. 11 to 13 at Grand Rapids Community College’s Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. Tickets – $5 for GRCC students, $8 for faculty and staff, and $12 for the public – can be purchased online at grcctheater.ludus.com or by calling (616) 234-3946.

The college is following strict pandemic wellness protocols, with performers wearing clear face shields and audience members required to wear face coverings.

Caryn McNulty, an instructor in GRCC’s Theater Department, directs the play, which features students Iriana Cotto, Jaclyn Verhulst, Ryk Sacha, Camriss Brown and Isazic Cortez as well as Jonathan Wheeler.

“I hope the audience will get at least two things from the play,” McNulty said, “the first being that love is love and should be celebrated no matter what the gender of the humans. The second takeaway: the wonderful hard work and commitment these talented students put into telling this important story.”

The performance comes less than a month after Theater Department’s last production. “Tigers Be Still,” performed Oct. 14-16, was delayed more than a year because of the pandemic.  

“Stop Kiss” is Son’s first full-length play, and was performed Off-Broadway in 1998. She has worked in television since 2000, on programs including “The West Wing,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “Southland,” and “Blue Bloods.”

Tickets Available: https://grcctheater.ludus.com/show_page.php?show_id=13388

GRCC volleyball player Annie Holesinger named MCCAA Western Conference Player of the Year

Grand Rapids Community College volleyball player Annie Holesinger was named Western Conference Player of the Year by the Michigan Community College Athletic Association on Wednesday.

Holesinger, and Audrey Torres were named to the MCCAA’s All-Region team while six other GRCC student athletes were named to the All-Conference Team.

The team this season enjoyed an 18-match winning streak spanning 66 days, a 10th conference title, finishing 14-0 in Western Conference play, and an MCCAA Championship — the team’s fifth in the last six years. The team was ranked No. 6 in the nation at the end of the season.

“GRCC volleyball has a winning tradition, and we’re proud of the effort our student-athletes put in on the court and in the classroom,” Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. “Our team was one of the best in the nation. The individual awards are special, but reflect the success of the entire team and the hard work of the coaches.”

Holesinger, a sophomore from Rockford, was named All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference and was a member of the All-Tournament team at last weekend’s NJCAA Region XII Great Lakes B Tournament. She was first on the team in kills with 346, blocks with 73 and hitting percentage, .322.

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GRCC In the News 11/11/2021

Leading High-Quality Learning Opportunities

11/9/21; evolllution.com

The modern learner isn’t looking for educational offerings that get them into one job. Rather, they’re looking for an institution that can lay out a career path for them to follow on their lifelong learning journey. This requires institution to strategically think about their offerings and redesigning them that fits the short-term, flexible lifestyle of today’s learners. In this interview, Bill Pink discusses the need to focus on job-focused education, the importance of designing this type of programming to meet learner needs, and what it takes from senior leaders to implement this shift.     

DDA OKs jobs training, retail support measures

11/10/21 WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Two moves aimed at supporting the growth of Grand Rapids got the green light from the Downtown Development Authority Wednesday.

DDA members approved allocating $48,500 in designated funding to Grand Rapids Community College for its workforce training program. The money will go toward training community members to fill construction and public works jobs created by revitalizing the Grand River corridor.

Morning News

11/11/21; FOX 17

(Annie Holesinger honors.)

Morning News

11/11/21; WZZM

(Veterans ceremony.)

Morning News

11/11/21; WZZM

(Vaccination clinic.)

Today – GRCC Veteran’s Day Ceremony

Thank you to all our veterans past and present. GRCC’s Annual Veteran’s Day Celebration will be held Thursday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the GRCC Veterans Memorial located on the south end of Dr. Juan Olivarez Plaza outside RJF Hall.

Today – GRCC planning second COVID-19 vaccination clinic with boosters after providing shots to 76 students, employees and community members last month

Grand Rapids Community College is planning a second walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic for students, employees, and community members that includes booster shots for all three vaccines after a larger-than-expected turnout at last month’s clinic.

The event is planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11 at Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center auditorium, 151 Fountain St. NE.  A parking pass will be provided for individuals getting the vaccine. Walk-ins are welcome.

GRCC’s Oct. 27 clinic saw 76 people getting the shots through Visit Cares, the organization partnering with GRCC and the state of Michigan to administer vaccines.

The clinics are part of an effort to help students, employees and community members have access to an effective COVID-fighting tool. All three COVID-19 vaccine options will be available, as well as booster shots for those who are eligible. Information about booster shots and eligibility is available here.

It is recommended that people bring their vaccine card if they are getting a second vaccine dose or a booster vaccine.

Additional vaccination location information is available at vaccinatewestmi.com.

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If you would like to fill out the required online paperwork in advance – to speed up the process – please scan this QR code and follow the instructions.