Recap of March Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) Meeting

GRCC’s Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) met on Friday, March 18, from 9am-noon.  Here is a recap of the meeting:

• The team viewed a presentation and participated in a table discussion about results from a recent survey of exclusively online learners.

• The SLT Executive Team provided a presentation to update SLT members on the status of our work this year, a refresher of the charge to SLT for the year, and the Team’s goals for the coming weeks.

• The team completed an activity to continue the conversation about how our 5 Strategic Goals work in concert together.  This will inform our Team’s recommendation and implementation of the next Strategic Plan.

• Based on previous feedback from SLT members, Dr. B. Afeni McNeely Cobham led a discussion about how Equity is not just its own Strategic Goal but is represented across the Strategic Plan.  This was followed by a table discussion and activity that will also inform our recommendation and implementation of the next Strategic Plan.

• SLT’s next meeting is Friday, April 15.  During this meeting, SLT will hear an update from Human Resources on the Evidence-Based Selection Process and then finalize our recommendation for next year’s Strategic Plan.

• Revised 2018-2022 GRCC Strategic Plan brochures are available!  Please contact LaKenya Gissendanner at lgissend@grcc.edu to request copies.  You can also download the electronic version here.

• Please contact Sheila Jones, sheilajones@grcc.edu, if you have any questions about SLT meetings.

About the Strategic Leadership Team: The purpose of the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) is to provide a forum that enables a wide variety of college constituency groups the opportunity to provide input into the present and future direction of the College.  This team will guide the development and on-going implementation of our strategic plan, review benchmarking data, study budget realities and offer recommendations for budget priorities.  SLT’s membership includes over 90 representatives of the college community.  Please visit this page to learn more about SLT.

Learn from the Best: Radiologic Technology professor Heather Klare works from a place of honesty, care, and hope

Heather Klare knows she is teaching at her best when she sees someone smile because they understand a concept.

Klare, like her fictional hero Wonder Woman, works from a place of honesty, care and hope. She is an assistant professor in GRCC’s the Radiologic Technology Department, where students prepare to become radiographers – a career that will always be in demand. 

Klare has mentored graduates who go on to take Michigan’s American Registry of Radiologic Technologists exam. After passing, they find jobs in radiographic settings such as major and minor hospitals, medical centers, emergency walk-in clinics, and orthopedic offices.

The field of radiologic technology also encompasses specialty areas like interventional radiography, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound (sonography), radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine.

Klare earned her Bachelor of Arts in History, with a Computer Applications minor, from Grand Valley State University. She worked in banking after graduation. But then, like so many adult students who attend GRCC, she decided to make a career change.

Klare attended GRCC and earned an Associate of Applied Arts & Science, Radiologic Technology/Science – Radiographer.

After graduation she worked at Metro Health and then Mercy Health St. Mary’s as an interventional radiology technologist. She then took the position of assistant professor at GRCC.

“After working in the field for several years, it was time to give back to the community,” she said.

Soon after she began her career as a professor, Klare also enrolled at Purdue University Global to earn her Master of Science, Instructional Design and Technology – Adult Emphasis. She graduated two years later and continues to have a big impact on the GRCC Radiologic Technology program.

Despite having earned a master’s degree, Klare never forgets that she is not done learning.

“I’ve learned that you may be prepared, but daily practice is what is necessary to be successful,” she said.

Klarecis proud to be making a difference with the faculty and staff in the Radiologic Technology program at GRCC.

“Our students really know that we care,” she said. “That I, and the other instructors in the program, feel that the students’ success in the program is our success.”

Dylan Chargo leads GRCC baseball team to fourth win a row, topping Aquinas College junior varsity

The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team made it four wins in a row after nearly shutting out the Aquinas College junior varsity squad on Wednesday, 8-1 at the Meijer Sports Complex.

A total of 18 GRCC players saw action, including five pitchers. 

Dean Sommer got the start and pitched three shutout innings before Kellan Smith pitched three more scoreless frames. Colton Leatherman, Riley Hawkins and Austyn Adams pitched the final three innings of the nine-inning game.

The Raiders outhit Aquinas 11-6, and were led by designated hitter Dylan Chargo, who went three-for-five with three RBI.

Shortstop Caleb Engelsman had two hits including a triple in the opening inning, giving the team a 2-0 lead.

The Raiders scored one more run in the third, two in the fourth and three more in the sixth.  The Saints scored their lone run in the bottom of the ninth, just before Adams picked off the runner at first to end the ball game.

After losing their first 10 games to start the season, GRCC has now won four in a row to improve to 4-10.

The team is scheduled to play next on March 25 at 2 p.m. against Mid Michigan College in a double-header at home at Belknap Park. 

GRCCePRINT Open House

We are excited to share with you we are having an open house! Come see our new equipment and what they can offer for marketing items.

Sign up on the Google Sheet Daily Schedule for your time slot to stop in, visit and receive your personalized gift.

Wellness Champions: Yellow poles can be lifeline in emergencies

They look like ordinary yellow poles. But the Emergency Blue Light Pedestals across campus can be your lifeline in a time of trouble.

Be a champion! GRCC is helping students and employees focus on all areas of health and wellness as we emerge together from the pandemic.

Wellness is a full integration of physical, mental and spiritual health. That includes physical health, but so much more. During the next year we’re also looking at emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental and occupational health, and how we all can work to help ourselves and each other.

There are many resources at GRCC to help all of these types of wellness. Each week, we’ll introduce you to people, places, and equipment here on campus ready to support you on your wellness journey.

Being safe and being comfortable are key part of wellness, and GRCC has a variety of resources available to help students, employees and community members.

The Emergency Blue Light Pedestals – also called Blue Lights – are located at seven points on campus. You’ll find them at either end of the President Juan Olivarez Student Plaza, at the Library and Learning Commons, at the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, the Calkins Science Center, and two of them at Sneden Hall on the DeVos Campus.

GRCC Police Chief Rebecca Whitman said the Blue Lights have speakers and a button to press in an emergency. Anyone pressing the button will be connected with a GRCC Police dispatcher, who can send help immediately. The button connects to the Grand Rapids Police Department dispatcher during off-duty hours.

Once a person connects with the dispatcher, they should remain near the pole. Officers will look for the flashing blue light atop the pole and come quickly.

Chief Whitman said students, employees, and community members also can find call boxes throughout parking ramps that can also be used for routine calls, such as flat tires or batteries that need a boost.

GRCC Police also are available by calling 616-234-4911 in an emergency, and (616) 234-4010 for routine calls.

Tech Tip: Troubleshooting assistance for submitting timesheets

Timesheets are submitted by most of the campus community on a regular basis, IT would like to offer some common resolutions below for common errors with your timesheet. 

1. When opening your timesheet, make sure to enable editing and enable content on your excel file. 
2. If you are receiving a Visual Basic or Run Time error, you will likely need to download a new copy of the paybook to your J Drive.
3. If you are using a Macbook or working from home, you will need to submit your Timesheet via VMware. 

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 

GRCC In the News 03/24/2022

Senior taps into family for inspiration, works to inspire peers

3/22/22 schoolnewsnetwork.org (Kent Intermediate School District)

The word “cheerleader” would probably best describe senior Kevin Zube, because he’s loud and proud when it comes to his school.

… He maintained a 3.8 grade-point average in his last semester, which included taking some courses at Grand Rapids Community College. “Those have really prepared me for what it is going to be like in college,” he said.

 Battery Bootcamp: GRCC plans new program for LG expansion

3/23/22 WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Putting the help wanted sign out isn’t enough these days.

… Enter Grand Rapid Community College’s planned Battery Bootcamp.

LG Energy To Spend $1.7 Billion To Produce Lithium-Ion Vehicle Batteries In Holland

3/23/22 mitechnews.com

HOLLAND, MI – LG Energy Solution, an advanced lithium-ion battery manufacturer, is investing $1.7 billion to expand its operations in the City of Holland. LG Energy Solution will add more than 1 million square feet to their existing footprint in the city’s limits to meet the growing demand for their lithium-ion batteries. LG Energy Solution aims to increase battery production capacity through this expansion, set to open in 2024.

… West Michigan Works! is supporting this project with a Workforce Hiring and Training Plan valued at $5.18M, Grand Rapids Community College through $14.5M in Michigan New Jobs Training, and Michigan Community Capital through a $1.7M New Market Tax Credit.

Michigan Business Beat | Brent Case And The Right Place Helping Companies Expand In Western Michigan

3/24/22 Michigan Business Network

Chris Holman welcomes back longtime friend Brent Case, Vice President of Business Attraction for The Right Place, Grand Rapids, MI.

… The Right Place worked closely with the MEDC to ensure the company continued its growth in the region rather than out-of-state locations. With the approval of a $300,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant, the MEDC is supporting the expansion through the Michigan Strategic Fund. West Michigan Works! and Grand Rapids Community College will also be supporting the project with a workforce training package.