GRCC volleyball player Alena Visnovsky is fourth in the nation in blocks per set

The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team is on pace to finish as one of the program’s best blocking teams ever, largely because of sophomore Alena Visnovsky.

Visnovsky, a third-year player from Sparta, ranks first in the 20-team Michigan Community College Athletic Association and fourth in the nation, averaging 1.45 blocks per set.

“Blocking is a big focus, really for our whole team,” Visnovsky said. “A primary part of my game is being aware that blocking is my job. If l don’t get to my spot, and help establish our defense, then my teammates have a harder time doing their jobs. There’s no feeling like getting a block-kill and your teammates getting super excited.”

Visnovsky, on pace for well over a 100 blocks this year, currently has 93 after a five-block performance Tuesday, helping the team to its 17th straight win and clinching a share of the conference title – the 12th program history.

“I’m so proud of the work Alena has put in the last 3 years at GRCC,” coach Chip Will said. “She has grown so much on and off the court to become one of the nation’s best blockers. Her willingness to learn each day and develop all areas of her game has made her a great role model for our team.”

So far this season, the 6-foot-tall middle blocker has played and started in all 19 matches. She has had five or more blocks in 12 games with a career best nine at Owens Community College. She also has 49 kills and averages 1.62 points per set.

GRCC also leads the MCCAA in blocks per set, averaging 2.23.

Visnovsky last year was one of three GRCC student-athletes named to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s All-Academic First Team for their perfect 4.0 grade point averages. She’s also active on the GRCC student newspaper, The Collegiate.

Board of Trustee Candidate Forum 2022

GRCC’s Faculty Association is planning a public forum for candidates seeking seats on the GRCC board of trustees. The event is open to the public to attend in person or follow along online.

Trustees Kenyatta Brame, Kathleen Bruinsma, David Koetje and Salvador Lopez are running unopposed in the upcoming elections.

The forum is planned for Oct. 17 from 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. in the Board Library on the fifth floor of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, 143 Bostwick Ave. NE.

Guests can follow the event virtually at Board of Trustees Candidate Forum.

GRCC President Finalist Interview Schedule and Activities

Interviews with the presidential candidates start next week, with Stuart Blacklaw on October 18, Charles Lepper on October 19, and Timothy Casper on October 24.

QR code for links to feedback surveys will be at each session, on the Presidential Search website, and available in GRCCToday on the day the candidate is on campus.

Tuesday, October 18, Dr. Stuart Blacklaw:

• 8:00-8:40 a.m. — Breakfast gathering with the Board of Trustees in room 122 of the ATC.
• 8:45-9:30 a.m. — Cabinet in ATC.
• 9:45-10:30 a.m. — Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access in the ATC auditorium. Public link to live-stream.
• 10:45-11:30 a.m. — Faculty forum in the ATC auditorium.
• 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Student forum in the ATC auditorium.
• 12:45-2:00 p.m. — Lunch with the Executive Leadership Team in ATC.
• 2:30-3:30 p.m. — Campus & Community Forum (all faculty, administration, staff and public invited) in the ATC auditorium. Public link to live-stream
• 3:45-5:15 p.m. — Board of Trustees Interview in the ATC auditorium. Public link to live-stream.

Wednesday, October 19, Dr. Charles Lepper:

• 8:00-8:40 a.m. — Breakfast gathering with the Board of Trustees in room 122 of the ATC.
• 8:45-9:30 a.m. — Cabinet in ATC.
• 9:45-10:30 a.m. — Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access in the ATC auditorium. Public link to live-stream.
• 10:45-11:30 a.m. — Faculty forum in the ATC auditorium.
• 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Student forum in the ATC auditorium.
• 12:45-2:00 p.m. — Lunch with the Executive Leadership Team in ATC.
• 2:30-3:30 p.m. — Campus & Community Forum (all faculty, administration, staff and public invited) in the ATC auditorium. Public link to live-stream.
• live-stream.

Monday, October 24, Dr. Timothy Casper:

• 8:00-8:40 a.m. — Breakfast gathering with the Board of Trustees in room 122 of the ATC.
• 8:45-9:30 a.m. — Cabinet in ATC.
• 9:45-10:30 a.m. — Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access in the ATC auditorium. Public link to live-stream.
• 10:45-11:30 a.m. — Faculty forum in the ATC auditorium.
• 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Student forum in the ATC auditorium.
• 12:45-2:00 p.m. — Lunch with the Executive Leadership Team in ATC.
• 2:30-3:30 p.m. — Campus & Community Forum (all faculty, administration, staff and public invited) in the ATC auditorium. Public link to live-stream.
• 3:45-5:15 p.m. — Board of Trustees Interview in the ATC auditorium. Public link to live-stream.

Get some pronoun practice

Photo by Devin Kira Murphy licensed CC BY-NC 2.0

Still struggling with singular ‘they/them’ pronouns? Let us help you.

Whether you know it or not, we guarantee you interact with non-binary people who use these pronouns. 

Come learn some best practices, share your concerns, ask questions, and get some hands-on practice with us in a brave space.

It’s not about ideology; it’s about creating a supportive and safe environment for our students and peers. 

We hope to see you there on November 2!

Register for this “Using They, Them, Their Pronouns” session via the Professional Development tile of your Online Center account. 

Retirement Readiness session during Benefits Fair

The annual GRCC employee Benefits Fair is on Wednesday, October 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the ATC.

As part of this event, there will be two informational sessions for employees held in the ATC auditorium and virtually.

HR & Payroll are partnering with LMCU to bring a financial bootcamp learning opportunity entitled “Retirement Readiness” .

Join us on Wednesday October 26 (11 a.m.-12 p.m.) either in person (ATC 168) or virtually (via Zoom) for a discussion of retirement savings options and resources available to achieve financial freedom in retirement.

During this session, LMCU will provide an overview for individuals just starting to explore retirement savings and those that need reassurance that they’re on track with their retirement goals, as well as those individuals nearing the retirement finish line. 

Registration for this employee learning opportunity is now open.

Log into your Online Center account and select the Professional Development tile.

GRCC In the News 10/13/2022

The Annual GIANT Awards And Banquet Returns After A Two-Year Hiatus Imposed Due To Covid Restrictions

10/7/22 The Grand Rapids Times

The Black community honored 12 individuals at the J. W. Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids, in recognition of their outstanding achievements.

… Raymond Tardy Community Service Award: Raynard Ross, president, Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education, and associate dean of student success at GRCC.

Giant Among Giants

10/7/22 The Grand Rapids Times

The community honored Bishop McMurray, the senior pastor at Renaissance Church of God in Christ of Grand Rapids, as a spiritual visionary who brings an array of theological, business, management and financial expertise to his ministry. As an Apostle, Bishop McMurray and his wife of 34 years, Dr. E. Jean Lackey-McMurray, and their 3 small children founded the Renaissance Church of God in Christ on August 22, 1992.

… The 39th Annual GIANT Awards and Banquet returned after a two-year hiatus. Since 1983 the community has presented the awards program and banquet in partnership with Grand Rapids Community College with support from area businesses and agencies. GIANT Awards selection committee undertakes GIANT Awards selection committee undertakes the task of selecting honorees based on the merit of their nomination and stellar achievements. Committee members are: Larry Johnson, Tempy Mann, Darius Quinn, Faye Richardson-Green, and Shannon Wilson.

Morning Buzz: October 12

10/12/22 FOX 17

… 2. Future college students, you’re invited to GRCC’s College And Transfer Fair this Thursday.

GRCC earns $2.9 million federal grant to increase the number of community health workers in West Michigan

10/12/22 La Prensa

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Grand Rapids Community College and partners $2.9 million over three years to increase the number of community health workers in West Michigan.

Three candidates chosen in presidential search

10/12/22 School News Network (Kent Intermediate School District)

The Board of Trustees has selected three candidates to interview for the position of GRCC president. Interviews will take place over the next two weeks. 

Community college narrows presidential search

10/12/22 Grand Rapids Business Journal

In the search to replace former president Bill Pink, Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) has finalized three candidates from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Utah. 

Grand Rapids Community College narrows President search down to three candidates

10/12/22 WGVU

After a nationwide search for its next President, Grand Rapids Community College has narrowed the field down to three finalists for the job.

Try some great food – Restaurant Week GR returns in November

10/12/22 95.7 FM

Mark your calendar for Friday, November 4th through Saturday, November 12th, 2022. Restaurant Week Grand Rapids is back again for another year and has a few changes.

… Again this year, a dollar from every check-in will be given to the GRCC Secchia Institute for Culinary Education’s endowment scholarship. Since the very first Restaurant Week GR back in 2010, over $185,000 has been raised.

Goshen artist wins museum Best of Show

10/13/22 The Goshen News (Ind.)

ELKHART — The Midwest Museum of American Art has announced the winner of the Jack & Karen Cittadine Best of Show for the 44th Elkhart Juried Regional Exhibition. The award was given to Randy Horst, of Goshen, for his mixed media drawing “Mrs. Lots Attention” and will be included in the museum’s permanent collection.

The Elkhart Juried Regional Exhibition is a major survey of current trends by artists from 20 northern Indiana counties and four southern Michigan counties. This year 200 artists submitted 345 works in all media for the judges’ consideration. The exhibition features 144 works of art by 115 of those artists. It was juried by Nick Antonakis, Chair & Professor of Visual Art at Grand Rapids Community College; and Shaun Dingwerth, Executive Director at the Richmond Art Museum.

Fire Drills – Friday October 14, 2022

In conjunction with October Fire Safety Month,  GRCC Police and Facilities will be conducting Main campus wide Fire Drills on Friday, October 14 starting at 9:00 am.

Fire Drills will include audible alarms and building evacuations. Please direct questions or concerns to GRCC Police Lt Robert Decker, ext 3579. 

IIPD Applications: Due October 21

The GRCC Grants Department is accepting applications for the Instructional Improvement & Professional Development (IIPD) Program. 

The purpose of the award is to support faculty professional development to ensure continued growth, develop new avenues of instruction and curriculum, and to enhance the professional lives of faculty for increased student learning, achievement and success.

Awards are for amounts up to $5,000 and the deadline is October 21 at 5:00 pm. 

The IIPD application packet and guidelines are available on the Grants Department webpage at www.grcc.edu/iipdgrants. 

Please note that applications must include a signed Dean’s Approval Form and Department Head Approval Form, Budget Form, and budget documentation. 

If you have any questions about IIPD grants, please contact Lisa Dopke (ldopke@grcc.edu).

Good luck!

GRCC hosting MACRAO College and Transfer Fair October 13

Faculty and Staff: Please pass this information on to your students.

Grand Rapids Community College will host West Michigan’s biggest college and transfer fair Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022 in the Ford Fieldhouse!

Explore your options and connect with more than 50 colleges and universities nationwide.

Morning: 9 a.m. -11 a.m.
College Fair
High schools will be bused in to see our campus and visit with reps

Afternoon: 1 p.m. -3 p.m.
Transfer fair
Open to GRCC students looking to transfer

Night: 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
College Fair
High school students and families but open to anyone. If GRCC students cannot make the afternoon fair we encourage them to attend the evening

For further details and a list of colleges attending, go to our MACRAO College and Transfer Fair at GRCC webpage.