‘Advocate, mentor and leader:’ GRCC adviser Lynnae Selberg earns national recognition for making a difference

A Grand Rapids Community College academic advisor has earned national recognition for her success in helping students navigate higher education.  

Associate professor Lynnae Selberg has been awarded a Certificate of Merit from NACADA, a national association supporting academic advisors. She received recognition in the Outstanding Advising Award-Primary Advising Role category. 

GRCC President Bill Pink called the honor “well-deserved.”

“Lynnae is an educator, advocate, mentor and leader,” he said. “Her work has made a very real difference in the lives of so many students.”

Selberg meets students before and after the regular workday and, even before the pandemic, was reaching out through Zoom and texting. 

“She is always looking for new ways to help students, to meet them where they are at and to help provide what they need to be successful,” said Erin Busscher, assistant professor and academic advisor. “She has created videos, workshops, ‘how-to’ guides and other tools and resources.”

Selberg, who received GRCC’s Excellence in Education Award in 2017, works with GRCC’s Early/Middle College students and the Honors Program. She also serves as the academic advisor for the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. 

Selberg earned her bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation from Grand Valley State University and a master’s in rehabilitation counseling from Michigan State University. She joined GRCC in 2011 after working for Ferris State and Davenport universities and Albion College. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Michigan and a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor.

“You couldn’t have a better job than this!” she says, adding that she loves watching students achieve success when they didn’t think it was possible.

“Sometimes the plans don’t work out, and we have to change course, but it is like a giant puzzle with each student, and I help them find the best pieces and put it all together.”

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GRCC In the News 06/13/2022

Mantella, other leaders tackle systemic issues at Black Boys and Men Symposium

6/10/22 Grand Valley State University press release

K-12 and higher education leaders addressed the challenges of the systems that impact Black men and boys and the need to create conditions for their success at a symposium sponsored by the Division of Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach.

At the Black Boys and Men Symposium, President Philomena V. Mantella was joined by Quentin Ross, president of Alabama State University; Bill Pink, president of Grand Rapids Community College and soon Ferris State University; and Kevin Polston, superintendent of Kentwood Public Schools. The moderator was Khalid Mumin, superintendent of Lower Merion School District in Pennsylvania.

Who is Ryan Kelley? What to know about the candidate charged in Jan. 6 riot

6/10/22 Crain’s Detroit Business

Who is Ryan Kelley?

… The 1999 graduate of Jenison High School attended Grand Rapids Community College before working at Ameritech, which later became SBC and now AT&T. He is married with six kids, according to his campaign website.

Op-Ed: How the pandemic is changing higher education for the better

6/12/22 Los Angeles Times

During college graduation season, it’s easy to get swept up by the notion of the great promise of higher education, even if recent statistics tell a different, more sobering story.

… Grand Rapids Community College President Bill Pink — like almost every other college leader — discovered his Michigan institution was utterly transformed by the pandemic. Unlike many other higher-education leaders, Pink, now the incoming president at Ferris State University in Michigan, fully embraced that transformation. He found that offering more flexibility helped students complete their degree requirements.

Mansfield native named college president at Michigan school

6/13/22 Mansfield News Journal (Ohio)

MUSKEGON, Mich. — Mansfield native John Selmon has reached the pinnacle of his profession.

… Selmon began his career in Michigan at Grand Rapids Junior College, where he had been a star athlete.

Oh, so close!

6/13/22 The Daily News (Greenville)

FRANKENMUTH — Standing on the third fairway at The Fortress Golf Course, Belding senior Mason Anderson was pondering his next shot.

… That kid from Belding will head to Grand Rapids Community College to play for the Raiders and coach John Forton, one of Doug’s good friends.

Dean of Health Sciences candidate presentations

The Dean of Health Sciences screening committee invites the campus community to attend the candidate presentations. 

The presentations are available in-person and virtually. We would encourage anyone who can attend in person to join us in ATC 168 (Auditorium). 

Candidate 1: Tuesday, June 14 from 1:30 – 2:40 pm in ATC 168 or live streamed. 

Candidate 2: Monday, June 20 from 12:30 – 1:30 pm in ATC 168 or live streamed. 

Candidate 3: Wednesday, June 22 from 10:30 – 11:30 pm in ATC 168 or live streamed.