Four-day Summer Immersion Experience will help students learn about campus, connect with resources

A new, four-day Summer Immersion Experience will help newly enrolled, or first-year Grand Rapids Community College students learn more about campus and connect with resources to help them be successful.

The free event runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 15 to 18, and was created by the college’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Events will be located in room 132 of the GRCC Learning Library Center.

“The Summer Immersion Experience will be an exceptional opportunity to get a solid GRCC foundation before you begin class,” ODEI Assistant Director Jamillya Hardley said. “Some main goals include building a strong cohort of students through fellowship, learning how to navigate GRCC as a new student, and developing rising GRCC leaders!”

Students will be part of a cohort experience intended to carry through their time at GRCC. They’ll learn about student engagement programs, including ALAS, Brother 2 Brother, and NIA, receive one-on-one support, be introduced to resources, and participate in culturally affirming experiences supporting their educational journey through GRCC.

Students can meet GRCC faculty and staff members, build critical college skills and be confident to start the school year.

Participants are required to register online by Aug. 10.

GRCC In the News — Aug. 4, 2022

GRCC wins grant, partners with Dell Technologies, Intel

8/3/22 Grand Rapids Business Journal

A local community college was chosen to partner with tech giants Dell and Intel in a nationwide program to help enhance higher education resources for teaching artificial intelligence programming. 

Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is one of 15 colleges nationwide to be awarded a $40,000 grant from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), Dell Technologies and Intel. 

Community college professor receives national award

8/2/22 Grand Rapids Business Journal

A nationwide medical technologies company recognized a Grand Rapids Community College professor for her professional and community work. 

GRPS anuncia nuevo superintendente adjunto de liderazgo y academicos de preK-12, 7 nuevo director ejecutivo de Comunicaciones y asuntos externos

8/3/22 El Vocero

Las Escuelas Públicas de Grand Rapids anunciarón el nombramiento de la Dra. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell como su nueva Superintendente Adjunta de Liderazgo y Académicos de PreK-12, y del Sr. Leon Hendrix como su nuevo Director Ejecutivo de Comunicaciones y Asuntos Externos.

… La Dra. Lovelady Mitchell es una erudita profesional galardonada. Recientemente reconocida como una “próxima educadora a seguir”, la Universidad de Eastern Michigan honró a la Dra. Lovelady Mitchell como Académica de Excelencia en 2015. En una elección reciente, la Dra. Lovelady Mitchell obtuvo la mayor cantidad de votos para convertirse en funcionaria electa; ahora se desempeña como miembro de la Junta de Fideicomisarios de Grand Rapids Community College.

(Grand Rapids Public Schools announced the appointment of Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell as its new Associate Superintendent for PreK-12 Leadership and Academics, and Mr. Leon Hendrix as its new Executive Director of Communications and External Affairs.

… Dr. Lovelady Mitchell is an award-winning professional scholar. Recently recognized as an “next educator to watch,” Eastern Michigan University honored Dr. Lovelady Mitchell as a Scholar of Excellence in 2015. In a recent election, Dr. Lovelady Mitchell received the most votes to become an officer elected; she now serves as a member of the Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees.)

Ram Ramblings: Coach Robert Massey fills out his staff just before practice begins next week

8/2/22 Winston-Salem Journal

Just in time for football practice, which begins next week, Coach Robert Massey has filled out his coaching staff.

… (Chris) Holmes spent his undergraduate years playing for Jackson State University 2009 &2010 and Grand Rapids Community College 2006-2008; where he was named a junior college All-American.

Zoom to release security update

Zoom will be releasing a new security update on August 6, 2022 that will prevent any versions below 5.3.0 from working.

How will this affect you?

Zoom will no longer work on machines running version 5.3.0 or below. An update will be automatically pushed to affected machines at 7 am on August 4th. This update will require the computer to be on campus or connected to the VPN.

How to verify what version you are on?

You can verify what version of Zoom you are using by clicking on your profile icon in the Zoom application, then navigating to Help > About Zoom.

How to update on a Windows PC?  

You can proactively update Zoom by navigating to the Software Center from the Start menu and searching for Zoom in the list of applications. You should be able to find an “Update” button. Please note, this update will require being on campus or connected to the VPN.

How to update on a Mac?  

If you are on a Mac, you can update Zoom by opening up the Applications folder via Finder, selecting the GRCC Self Service utility, searching for the Zoom application within, then clicking the install button.

If you have any questions, please contact us at (616) 234-4357.

Whitney Marsh completes Michigan Community College Leadership Academy

Whitney Marsh, director of GRCC’s Ford Fieldhouse, was saluted by college trustees and Interim President Juan R. Olivarez for completing the Michigan Community College Leadership Academy.

“It was an amazing opportunity and I was very honored to be chosen!” Marsh said. “I was able to meet many new colleagues who work at other Michigan community colleges, so networking was a huge part of this as well.”

The MCCA Leadership Academy is a cohort-based, nine-month learning journey designed for faculty and mid- to senior-level community college administrators who are ready to move into a higher level of leadership and are nominated by their president or chancellor. 

Coming soon …

…. to an Online Center near you: Fall semester employee learning opportunities presented by Human Resources.

We are in the final stages of curating a schedule of sessions for employee professional development credit. A wide variety of topics will be presented in both in person and virtual formats.

Watch GRCC Today in the coming weeks for details on the release. Stay tuned….

GRCC Players plan 3 productions for 2022-2023

The GRCC players have planned the 2022-2023 season! All students — not just those majoring in Theater — are welcome to audition. You can find audition information online.