Employee Exercise Classes for Fall 2022 semester

How do you take care of YOU? Exercise is one of the most effective ways to relieve stress, build strength, increase energy, and boost mood.

We are fortunate at GRCC that complimentary exercise classes are available to all employees. Wellness is fundamental to job success and workplace satisfaction. 

Great news! Spin is BACK!!! 

All classes are 45 minutes. All levels are welcome. Modify to meet your own fitness needs and goals. For more information, please visit the Employee Exercise website.

Mondays — 5:15-6:00pm

Spin with Kelly

Room 213 FFH

Tuesdays — 12:00-12:45pm

Strength Blast with Lannie

Room 213 FFH

Wednesdays — 12:00-12:45pm

Raider Strong with Lannie

Room 213 FFH

Thursdays — 12:00-12:45pm

Fitness Fusion with Lannie

Room 213 FFH

Please take a moment to register for Fall 2022 semester employee exercise participation. The registration form includes the waiver and calendar appointments will be sent to you so you allot the time to join the workout each week.

As always, please contact angelasalinas@grcc.edu if you have any questions or need further information.

To inspire you, please enjoy this message from Amanda Kruzona, a “regular” at employee exercise classes.

What is your “Wellness Why”? shared by Amanda Kruzona

What makes you “choose” employee exercise at GRCC?

• Access. I don’t have to drive anywhere to get a quality workout, I can clean up before returning to work, and I don’t have to pay for it.
• Satisfaction. I have never regretted a workout.
• Accountability. I have someone looking out for me, making sure that I stay motivated.
  
  

What benefits do you enjoy from participating?

• Better mood
• Easier gratitude – my mood, positivity, self confidence, etc. allow me to appreciate life more.
• Self confidence
• Better focus
• Better sleep
• Positivity
• Healthier choices

How does GRCC employee exercise help make you a better employee?

• Teamwork/camaraderie. I feel the effects of having someone you work with support you on something simple like doing one more squat so I know how it might feel to someone else when you motivate them to do something that improves their work life. Meeting people in informal settings allows you to make more meaningful connections which is a stronger foundation for building relationships as well.
• Motivation. Because I can do hard things like burpees, it makes it easier to do things that are hard professionally.
• Enables work/life balance. I appreciate my work day and get more done so I can spend more quality time with my family. It saves me from having resentment against either.

What motivates you?

• Life longevity
• Happiness
• Role model for family

Dell offers faculty, staff, and students early access to their Labor Day Sale

Look what’s coming soon – You get EARLY ACCESS to Dell’s Labor Day Sale starting August 25th!

• Early Access dates: Aug. 25-31
• Sale goes through Sept. 7
• Savings include: 
  • Inspiron 15 3000 – Laptop $230 (save $70)
  • New XPS 13 Laptop – $849 (save $150)
  • Dell 24 Monitor – $130 (save $90)
  • Inspiron Desktop – $500 (save $100)

     See these offers and more at  www.Dell.com/DellU/GRCC 

As a reminder, here are a few other upcoming events:

• Semi-Annual Sale 9/8 – 9/21
• NEW XPS COMING! Be on the lookout for our newest XPS 13 2-in 1  with new innovative design. Launch planned for 8/25.
  • Infinity edge with stunning 3K display with Gorilla Glass 7
  • Lightweight and portable on-the-go with detachable keyboard
  • Anywhere connectivity with 5G 

 Access the sale and get all the deals on your dedicated member page:   www.Dell.com/DellU/GRCC

You can always save on electronics and accessories with your Member Purchase Program discount. Click on the accessories “exclusive 10% off coupon” box on your dedicated page to access your savings.  

Workforce Wednesday: Liliana Saldana found a career helping her community through the GRCC Public Works Academy

 In 2019, Liliana Saldana wasn’t sure what she wanted to do.

“After high school, I didn’t head right to college. I was indecisive about what I wanted to do.”

A family member suggested that she look into the Grand Rapids Community College Public Works Academy.

“They thought it would be a great way for me to explore different types of work and it really was.”

GRCC and area municipalities partnered to create the academy. Public works employees are vitally important in our communities, and in great demand across West Michigan.

“The Public Works Academy was a real eye-opener for me. It was interesting learning about what a city has to do support its citizens,” Saldana said. “There is so much! I liked that so much of it was learning hands-on skills. I also didn’t realize all the rules and safety protocols necessary to know.”

This program features a small class size, hands-on training, and job placement assistance. Participants have a career coach and a job developer to help support their success. As part of the program, successful graduates are interviewed by local public works departments.

Saldana credits the Public Works Academy for her opportunity to work for the City of Grand Rapids.

“It was great that I got interviews with the different cities. It took a while to hear back but I had a second interview, this time it was for a customer service position. That surprised me! They said that because I had the knowledge that I learned from the hands-on training, I was a really good fit.”

Saldana is proud she has been able to improve customer service to the Hispanic community.

“Because I am bilingual, I was really able to help with our Spanish-speaking customers,” she said. “Many of the issues that I saw when I first started were mostly due to language.”

Municipalities are looking for people who are passionate about improving the lives of those around them.

“The public works department is so critical. Working through the pandemic helped me see how it’s really essential. From the roads, to trash, to trees – people don’t realize how this work impacts our quality of life.”

Saldana thinks the Public Works Academy is great for anyone who is not sure what they want to do and don’t want college debt.

“If you are ready to get into the workforce and you like hands-on jobs, working outside, different tasks every day, or customer service and office work, this program is for you.”

Many of the public works positions are seasonal, meaning the tasks or duties may change depending on the season.

“In the winter your job may be snow plowing, but in the summer, you can be filling potholes and other street work. It’s great if you get bored easily because it can change throughout the year. Plus, it’s easy to move around once you start. It’s hard to explain because there is so much to it!”

Taking this program really opened Saldana’s eyes to how we treat our environment and sparked a passion she didn’t even know she had.

“It made me realize how much I enjoy learning about the environment and the sustainability aspect of our systems. It genuinely makes me happy. I do want to go back GRCC to take some classes on that and the City of Grand Rapids offers tuition reimbursement.

“With the way our city is growing, we have to plan for the future. There is going to be more and more people needed to keep it going and keep it a great place to live.”

The next session of the Public Works Academy begins Oct. 18, 2022. The class meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for 15 weeks at the Tassell M-TEC, located at 622 Godfrey Ave SW in Grand Rapids. The cost of this program is $650; however, if you live in the City of Grand Rapids, your cost is $25.

For more information contact the M-TEC at 616-234-3376.

With GRCC’s scheduling options, students don’t have to choose between working and attending college this fall

Students don’t have to choose between making good money and going to college to start or restart their education.

Grand Rapids Community College’s fall semester starts Aug. 29 with spaces still available in classes delivered in a variety of formats and places, allowing students to schedule around home and work responsibilities.

GRCC also can help students take advantage of state and local programs that can reduce or eliminate college expenses.

The deadline is approaching, but students still have time to apply and enroll in fall classes.

“Wages are growing right now, and we know many people want to take advantage of that,” said Eric Mullen, GRCC’s dean of Student Success. “We’re making sure students can earn their education on their schedule while they are working. It’s never been easier to plan classes around busy schedules, with online, seven-week and Lakeshore options to help students keep their education on track.”

Students can apply and enroll for the semester at grcc.edu/ready, and learn more about events planned to help them prepare for the start of the semester.

This fall, GRCC plans for about 40 percent of classes to be online or have an online component, and about 1,600 seats are available. Students who prefer an in-person experience will also find many available seats. 

GRCC has expanded the number of seven-week classes, this year offering 123 sections that include general education courses as well as Entrepreneurship Certificate and the Marketing associate degree programs. Additional information is available at grcc.edu/programs/7week-classes.

The college also has increased opportunities at its Lakeshore Campus in the Shops at Westshore.

Classes at the Holland Township facility were limited to 75 percent capacity last academic year because of health and safety protocols. Enrollment has jumped from about 600 students to more than 900 this year, with additional seats available in both credit and certificate programs. Additional information is available at grcc.edu/lakeshore.

Students might be eligible for financial support through the state’s Michigan Reconnect program and the Grand Rapids Promise Zone.

Michigan Reconnect is available for residents ages 25 and older who have not yet earned a degree. The Grand Rapids Promise Zone scholarships are for students graduating from a high school within the city. Additional information is available at grcc.edu/reconnect, by calling the Reconnect hotline at (616) 234-3366 and by emailing reconnect@grcc.edu. Additional information about the Grand Rapids Promise Zone is available at grcc.edu/promisezone, by email at promisezone@grcc.edu and by phone at (616) 234-4321.

Students who are not eligible for Michigan Reconnect or the Grand Rapids Promise Zone might still qualify for a federal Pell Grant or for one of the many GRCC Foundation scholarships.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA, is required for the programs and scholarships. The college has a FAFSA Hotline – (616) 234-4030 – with specialists available to answer questions about the form. Students also can make appointments to connect with specialists in person, virtually or over the phone at grcc.edu/financialaid. Specialists can be reached via email at financialaid@grcc.edu.

GRCC also provides services for student veterans, opening its first Veterans Center last year on level G2 of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall. The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs recently saluted the college as a Gold Level veteran-friendly school.

“GRCC is committed to helping our student veterans persist and graduate,” said Registrar Valerie Butterfield, who oversees the program. “Our Veterans Center is a one-stop shop for students looking to connect with campus support services, or even just to be part of a community with people with similar experiences.”

Tip: Resetting your MyGRCC password

The MyGRCC password expires every 120 days. To avoid any potential login issues, we recommend resetting your password at the beginning of every semester.

To change your password: 

• Login to the MyGRCC Portal
• Select USERNAME in the upper righthand corner  
• Select Edit Profile. 
• Lastly, select Change your password now.

Please Note:

• Once your password is reset, it will sync with all of your accounts immediately except for email which can take an additional 15 minutes.  
  
  
• The password expiration date reflected in MyGRCC will not be accurate until you have changed your password for the first time from within the new portal. The new portal went live March 2, 2022. 
  
  
• To avoid syncing errors, make sure to follow the requirements for a new password:
  • 10 characters long
  • at least one capital letter
  • one number 

Resetting Your Password

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 08/17/2022

GRCC named a Gold Level College by Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, reflecting campus commitment to helping student veterans

8/9/22 La Prensa

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Aug. 9, 2022:Grand Rapids Community College was named a Gold Level College by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, reflecting the campus’ commitment to helping student veterans gain the support and education they need to be successful.

Stateside

8/16/22 Michigan Radio

(Interview with Grand Valley State University professor Andrea Riley-Mukavetz about the lodge built on campus; GRCC students assisted.)