Holiday Breakfast is back in person

On the morning of Friday, December 16, join your GRCC colleagues in celebrating the holidays. Enjoy a warm, hearty breakfast; wear your most fun & festive holiday apparel; and have fun with friends!

We’ll be gathering in the Raider Grill located on the 2nd floor of the  Student Center. Breakfast available from 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Additional seating available in the Quiet Cafe and MultiPurpose Room. 

The program begins at 8:30 a.m. Ugly sweater contest is back and sign in upon arrival for the gift raffle too!

Please accept the calendar appointment (sent a few months ago) if you’re planning to attend so we can accurately plan for food & beverage quantities. 

See you there!

Tech Tip: Utilizing multiple desktops

If you are a single-monitor user (or even if you use an external monitor) it may be handy to have multiple virtual desktops. Juggling different projects on the same computer can be tricky but using a virtual desktop can be very similar to using multiple monitors giving you more space to work.  

Multiple desktops are great for keeping unrelated, ongoing projects organized, or for quickly switching desktops before a meeting. You can add an unlimited number of them as well. 

These instructions can be found in the knowledge base article titled Utilizing Multiple Desktops. Please feel free to bookmark it for future reference.

For more information and helpful tips, please visit the IT Customer Support Portal or contact the IT Customer Support Desk.

If you have a suggestion or a Technology Tip you think can be useful, you can submit them by emailing techtips@grcc.edu 

Verbal De-escalation Skills: Spots still open

There are still spots open in the upcoming Verbal De-escalation Skills training session. 

This learning opportunity, led by Pine Rest staff, introduces communication skills and strategies proven successful to calm hostility in a safe manner. The session aims to help participants learn methods to remain calm and react more effectively when confronted with anger.

In some cases, we can avoid bigger issues if we learn how to redirect a disrupting situation with a student, employee, or visitor from becoming a crisis. 

Register via your Online Center account, Professional Development tile.

Workforce Wednesday: Cesar Mejia builds skills for a career while building homes

After graduating high school in Indiana, Cesar Mejia moved to West Michigan to be closer to family.

“I had taken some construction classes in high school and my cousins knew that I was interested in it,” he said. “They suggested that I look into GRCC. When I saw how this program is set up I thought ‘Wow! that’s cool’ it’s onsite and hands-on, so I signed up!”

The GRCC Residential Construction Job Training program takes place on a construction site, where students build a new home. Students get hands-on lessons and application about the entire process of residential building including blueprint reading, site layout, concrete, carpentry, door and window installation, roofing, siding, and interior finishing.

“I’m more of a hands-on learner,” he said. “I’ve never seen any other program like it. I love that we build homes that people are really going to live in.”

Mejia also works full time third shift before heading to the job site. “It’s a long day but it’s worth it.”

Graduates are qualified for employment in the residential construction industry. The program focuses on constructing homes that achieve a 5-Star Energy rating, are Michigan Green Built, and LEED Certified.

Mejia gets lots of gratification from seeing the finished product.

“We have built this house from the ground up,” he said. “There was nothing here and now a there is a whole house. It’s very satisfying. I want to build homes, I love it.”

Mejia has also built relationships that will last a lifetime.

“At first, I was nervous about the teacher but Kyle (Lackscheide) is the greatest, so wonderful. Honestly, I love the guy. He doesn’t feel like a teacher. He is really a friend. He has taught me so much.”

All of the GRCC Job Training programs has small class size, no more than 16 students.

“After you get to know the other students they become friends. Some of the guys are like brothers to me. I came here not knowing anyone but my family and now I made all of these friends.”

Mejia is excited about his future. “I will be going into this field knowing as much as I can.”

He is confident that he has the skills for the job. “This program has taught me siding, roofing, framing, I have learned so much.”

GRCC offers two 18 week Job Training Certificate programs in the field of Construction; Residential Construction, and Construction Electrical.

New sessions of GRCC Job Training programs begin throughout the year. The next session begins January 23, 2023. For more information go to grcc.edu/jobtraining.

GRCC, University of Michigan Health-West create pipeline of local nursing talent with tuition support, professional experience

Grand Rapids Community College and University of Michigan Health-West established a creative partnership to fill the critical need for nurses by combining tuition support with paid on-the-job professional experience.

“By removing cost barriers – including for adult learners and others who need to continue working while finishing their education – the program creates and nurtures a diverse pipeline of local healthcare talent,” said Dr. Peter Hahn, UMH-West CEO.

“We see this as an investment not just in our workforce but in West Michigan itself,” Hahn said. “This is a way to ensure that the new generation of rising healthcare leaders reflects the communities we serve.”

The program also addresses an urgent need amid warnings of a nationwide shortage of nurses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts more than 203,000 openings for registered nurses each year through 2031.

Made possible by a grant from the University of Michigan Health-West Foundation, the program launches in December. Here is how it works:

• Students who have completed one semester of GRCC’s Nursing Program can apply for the program and have up to three semesters of their GRCC tuition paid by UMH-West
• They will commit to working at UMH-West for two years upon completion of the GRCC program and becoming licensed as registered nurses
• During their employment as registered nurses, UMH-West will encourage and support their completion of a bachelor’s degree in nursing through existing partnerships and tuition reimbursement

“GRCC has a great program and they put out some outstanding nurses,” said Steve Polega, chief nursing officer – and a GRCC graduate. “Once they have that two-year degree, they will have a chance to put their skills to work, explore their career passion and advance toward their BSN – which opens a whole new level of opportunity for nurses.”

Dr. Juan R. Olivarez, GRCC’s interim president, said the partnership exemplifies GRCC’s long history of helping a diverse community of learners of all ages to gain the education and skills they need to pursue rewarding careers.   

“Partnerships make communities stronger,” Olivarez said. “This program’s innovative approach is a great example of how working together creates opportunities for students while helping healthcare providers and our greater community.”  

Michelle Richter, GRCC Nursing program director, said the program is a great extension of the school’s approach to nursing education, which combines classroom instruction with clinical applications.

“We are proud of the success rate of our students, and this should help open doors to more of them,” Richter said. “Assisting students with tuition allows them to focus on completing their education, and ultimately enter the workplace more quickly and better prepared. The opportunity for employment upon graduation allows students to be able to serve the community in a rewarding career, and continue adding skills and advancing their education.”

The goal is for 10 to 15 nursing students to sign up in December and graduate in April 2023. The program seeks to enroll 10 more nursing students each of the next three semesters: December 2023, April 2024 and December 2024.

“We know that GRCC nursing students are especially committed to their community,” said Kate Veenstra, associate chief nursing officer at UMH-West. “They also bring diverse backgrounds and experiences. These are values we share at UMH-West, and we’re really looking forward to building these mutually beneficial relationships.”

GRCC In the News 11/30/2022

UM Health-West teams up with GRCC to create pipeline nursing program

11/29/22 MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – University of Michigan Health-West (UMH-West) is offering up to three semesters of paid tuition to Grand Rapids Community College nursing students.

UMH-West y Grand Rapids Community College crean una fuente de talento de enfermería local

11/29/22 El Vocero

WYOMING, MICHIGAN (EVH) – University of Michigan Health-West y Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) anunciaron una asociación creativa para satisfacer la necesidad crítica de enfermeras al combinar el apoyo de matrícula, con experiencia profesional remunerada en el trabajo.

(WYOMING, MICHIGAN (EVH) – University of Michigan Health-West and Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) announced a creative partnership to meet the critical need for nurses by combining tuition support with paid professional on-the-job experience.)

UMH-West, GRCC team up to create pipeline of local nursing talent

11/29/22 WZZM

The University of Michigan Health-West and Grand Rapids Community College partnered to provide tuition assistance to help fix the nursing shortage.

DBusiness Daily Update: Oakland County Investing $1M to Aid Development of Affordable Housing, and More

11/29/22 DBusiness

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.

… University of Michigan Health-West and Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) today announced a partnership to fill the critical need for nurses by combining tuition support with paid on-the-job professional experience.

UM Health-West partnering with GRR in nursing student tuition program

11/29/22 Black Information Network

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – On Tuesday, University of Michigan Health-West and Grand Rapids Community College announced a tuition program to help becoming a nurse more affordable.

GRCC and University of Michigan Health-West partner to create local nursing talent pipeline

11/30/22 Grand Rapids Business Journal

A new program aims to help diversify local nursing talent, while creating a pipeline to help solve nursing shortages. 

A grant from University of Michigan Health-West (UMH-West) in partnership with Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), will help keep diverse, local talent in the area and curb the nursing shortage, plugging GRCC graduate nurses into UMH-West hospitals to serve the West Michigan community. 

Retirement Celebration for Jim Holyfield

There will be an open house retirement celebration for Jim Holyfield on Thursday, December 1 from 3 – 4:30 p.m. in the White Hall Dining Room. 

Please stop by and wish Jim the best in retirement as we celebrate his exceptional years of service at GRCC!  

GR Promise Zone Mentorship Program: Looking for mentors

We are looking for local community members and professionals to serve as mentors to our Promise Zone students.

Our goal is to help create and grow a student’s career and life skills, as well as expand their professional networking opportunities.

We want to focus on career-oriented support and coaching by our mentors and provide Promise Zone students with real-life experience to prepare them for their future beyond college.

For more information on the mentor requirements and objectives, visit our mentorship webpage.

Giving Tuesday: Supporting the GRCC Foundation will help more students overcome obstacles to success

GRCC Commencement ceremonies Ford Fieldhouse on Friday, April 27,2022. © Photography by Steve Jessmore, Steve Jessmore Photography

Fabiola Carrillo Esparza wasn’t sure she’d be able to obtain a college education until a Grand Rapids Community College Foundation scholarship helped her overcome financial obstacles, attend full time and graduate.

“I want to thank the donors of the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation, who have faith in us and support our education,” she said. “I want you to know that it was a big blessing for me, and I am sure it has been – and will continue to be – for many others.”

Esparza was one of 1,642 students who were awarded GRCC Foundation scholarships in 2020-2021. Today, on Giving Tuesday, the foundation is asking for support to help the next generations of students succeed.

“GRCC is proud to serve all types of learners – high school graduates just starting out, adults making a second try at higher education, and those building skills to change careers,” said Dr. Kathryn K. Mullins, vice president of College Advancement and executive director of the GRCC Foundation.

“Wherever their educational journeys might take them, whether it is right in the workforce or to another institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree or beyond, their paths intersected right here at GRCC. Opportunities are made; skills are learned and friendships forged. It all begins at GRCC.”

The foundation awarded $1.3 million in scholarships in 2020-2021. But the need is still great. Of the 3,209 who applied for scholarships, 1,567 did not receive awards. Foundation leaders are looking to close that gap and remove finances as an obstacle to attending college.

There are many ways to support the foundation and the students it assists. Support can happen through one-time gifts, recurring bank or credit card donations, stocks, and even through wills. To view all the ways to give, please visit the foundation donation webpage.

GRCC Employees on the move from October 1, 2022 – November 1, 2022

Please congratulate those who have moved and been promoted!

WELCOME TO GRCC

New Hires
Mason Norasing
Accounting/Budgets, Support Professional
Effective date: October 24, 2022

Carl Merchant
Maintenance, Building Maintenance
Effective date: October 17, 2022

Brian Haynes
Custodian, Custodian I
Effective date: October 31, 2022

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW POSITION

Transfers:
Terrence Moore
Transfer to: Student Records, Student Records and School Certifying Official, Support Professional
Transfer from: Student Financial Services, Support Professional
Effective date: October 31, 2022

Sulari White
Transfer to: Academic Advising and Transfer Center, Assistant Professor
Transfer from: Academic Advising and Transfer Center, Interim Director and Assistant Professor
Effective date: October 5, 2022

Kaelee Steffens
Transfer to: Academic Advising and Transfer Center, Program Director and Assistant Professor
Transfer from: Academic Advising and Transfer Center, Assistant Professor
Effective date: October 5, 2022

Elizabeth Vanportfliet
Transfer to: Academic Advising and Transfer Center, Temporary Assistant Professor
Transfer from: Academic Advising and Transfer Center, Temporary Assistant Professor
Effective date: October 5, 2022

Riley Brooket
Transfer to: College Advancement, Foundation Scholarship & Event Coordinator
Transfer from: College Advancement, Contingency
Effective date: October 31, 2022

Douglas Heintzleman
Transfer to: Career Program Operations, Technical Operations Technician
Transfer from: Maintenance, Building Maintenance
Effective date: November 14, 2022

Benjamin Thompson
Transfer to: Information Technology, Automation Network & Lab Administrator
Transfer from: Information Technology, Computer Tech Level 1
Effective date: November 7, 2022

Chiquital Clay
Transfer to: Financial Aid, Associate Director of Financial Aid, Student Engagement & Eligibility
Transfer from: Financial Aid, Support Professional
Effective date: October 31, 2022

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

Retirements:
Kathleen Schoen
Library & Learning Commons, Support Professional
Effective date: January 21, 2023

Judith Bezile
Computer Information Systems, Professor
Effective date: December 21, 2022

Pamela Miller
Business & Industry, Associate Dean Business & Industry
Effective date: November 12, 2022

Janice Holton
Student Records, Support Professional
Effective date: November 5, 2022

GRCC In the News 11/29/2022

New culinary lecture classes coming to GRCC’s Lakeshore campus

11/28/22 MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College is adding new culinary lecture classes to its Lakeshore Campus next semester to meet growing demand.

University of Michigan Health-West, GRCC take on nursing shortage with new partnership

11/29/22 mibiz.com

University of Michigan Health-West will help nursing students at Grand Rapids Community College pay for their training through a new partnership designed to address an acute nursing shortage.

GRCC, U-M Health-West partner in tuition program for nursing students

11/29/22 WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Rapids Community College is partnering with University of Michigan Health-West to make becoming a nurse more affordable.

GRCC, U of M Health-West partnering to support new nurses

11/29/22 FOX 17

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A new partnership between University of Michigan Health-West and Grand Rapids Community College means more talented nurses will stay in West Michigan.

Emergency Training exercise planned for Tuesday 11/29

GRCC will be conducting an emergency training exercise in conjunction with the City of Grand Rapids Office of Emergency Management, the Grand Rapids Police and Fire Department, along with other area emergency responders on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022.

We anticipate the presence of police and other emergency vehicles may be present on the DeVos Campus during this training exercise.

The exercise will be conducted between 8 a.m. and noon, and will be a combination of table top discussion and some physical tests of GRCC’s emergency communication and response protocols.

As part of the exercise, we will be testing the campus lockdown procedures between approximately 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. All exterior doors to all GRCC campus buildings, including the Lakeshore Campus will be temporarily locked (no longer than 10 to 15 minutes) during the test.  Staff will attempt to be at doors to let people in if necessary.

During this exercise the emergency communication systems will be activated. All messaging will include “This is a test.”  If a real emergency were to occur during the time of the exercise, all emergency communications will be very clear to our community.

The GRCC Police Department is available for normal calls for service during this time, and no service should be impacted.

Teaching, Learning, and Distance Education (TLDE) News

Please RSVP for Learning Day 2023!

In order for us to continue to plan for offering Learning Day 2023 in a HyFlex format (with both in person attendance in the Ford Fieldhouse and virtual attendance via Remo), please complete the Learning Day 2023 RSVP Form by Wednesday, December 14.  More information to follow!  

What’s New in Instructional Technology: Wednesday, November 30 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Do you want to be a tech-savvy professor? Gather with other faculty to share new and tried and true technology tools used to plan practical classroom lessons, create quizzes and assessment tools, prepare lecture slides/presentations and improve student engagement in the classroom. This session will be held in HYFLEX format (you can attend in person in 315 RJF Hall or virtually).

Featured Upcoming Workshops/Events and Reminders:

1. “Well I Won’t Do that Again” – Thursday, 12/1 – noon to 1 p.m. – HyFlex
2. Tips and Tricks Fall 2022 – Wednesday, 12/7 – 9 to 10 a.m. – HyFlex

Please visit CTE’s Calendar and Programming webpage for the current listing of all Fall 2022 Professional Development opportunities being offered by TLDE!

Retirement Celebration for Jim Holyfield

There will be an open house retirement celebration for Jim Holyfield on Thursday, December 1 from 3 – 4:30 p.m. in the White Hall Dining Room. 

Please stop by and wish Jim the best in retirement as we celebrate his exceptional years of service at GRCC!  

GR Promise Zone Mentorship Program: Looking for mentors

2022 GRCC Promise Zone Scholarship Recipients 6/23/2022 © Photography by Steve Jessmore, Steve Jessmore Photography

We are looking for local community members and professionals to serve as mentors to our Promise Zone students.

Our goal is to help create and grow a student’s career and life skills, as well as expand their professional networking opportunities.

We want to focus on career-oriented support and coaching by our mentors and provide Promise Zone students with real-life experience to prepare them for their future beyond college.

For more information on the mentor requirements and objectives, visit our mentorship webpage.