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.

United Way Campaign 2022: Almost half way to our goal

We have just a short time to reach our goal of $25,000.  As of today we have had just over 30 employees donate $10,500.00!  A BIG Thank YOU to those 30 plus employees!

Do you know you are able to designate what organization receives your donation?  YES, that means your donation will count toward our campaign goal and your dollars will go directly to the organization you have a personal connection with.

Tuesday, November 29 is Giving Tuesday, so why not make your donation NOW?  DON’T WAIT, click on the link below and donate.

DONATE NOW! Username: GRCC email address Password: employee ID

Congratulations to Don VanOeveren as he is the winner of one year of free parking, for donating between November 1st – 4th! 

ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN! 

Anyone that has donated by November 29 will be in the drawing for a gift certificate to the Heritage Restaurant!  So if you haven’t donated yet, click the link above!

Please don’t delete this email without clicking the link above and donate!  

Message from United Way: Only when we LIVE UNITED can we reduce poverty and create an equitable future for all. Visit our website to see how we bring it all together for the benefit of our entire community.

Read Our Annual Report

My Story Started at GRCC: Once a nontraditional student, Jennifer Orme says GRCC was ‘springboard’ for her success

Starting at Grand Rapids Community College allowed Jennifer Orme to build the skills she needed while she advanced in the professional world. 

Start at GRCC and go anywhere. Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC gave them the education and opportunity to be successful.

“It’s been a long and interesting journey to get to where I am today, and I feel that my time at GRCC was the springboard to success,” said Orme, director of human resources for the city of Holland. “As a nontraditional student who chipped away at my education while gaining valuable professional experience, I have had the opportunity to grow into a leadership role within my community.”

She especially appreciated the variety of courses she found at GRCC.

“My coursework was well-rounded and ranged from business and communication courses to philosophy and the arts,” she said. “These classes broadened my knowledge, sparked my curiosity and exposed me to a diverse group of people and perspectives. I also took several theater courses and worked in the box office at the Spectrum Theater on campus. This experience really helped me to become a confident public speaker, which is something I do often in my role with the city.”

Orme worked for Spectrum Health while earning her GRCC associate degree in 2001. She then set her sights on a bachelor’s degree, attending classes part time at Colorado State and Grand Valley State universities, while working full time in the human resources field for Heska Corp. and Meijer.

“After a decade in the private sector, I decided to make the switch to the public sector and was hired as an HR generalist at Ottawa County,” she said. “I spent the next five years at the county overseeing the hiring, benefits and wellness programs. In 2016, I completed my Bachelor of Science degree at Grand Valley State University as part of a leadership cohort with other nontraditional students.”

Orme, who has worked for the city of Holland for six years, gets great satisfaction in making sure employees have the skills and support they need to do their best work.

“As someone who finds great purpose in helping others to succeed, human resources leadership in the public sector is an excellent fit,” she said. “I have also been extremely fortunate to work under some incredible leaders who have inspired me, supported my professional growth and encouraged me to push myself further. I have learned from the best of the best!”

Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply.

GRCC In the News 11/28/2022

Community college votes on new president

11/22/22 Grand Rapids Business Journal

Grand Rapids Community College came to a unanimous agreement in its presidential search. 

GRCC partners with state to connect students with resources

11/23/22 secondwavemedia.com

Obstacles such as food and housing insecurity can affect how a student does in class. A new partnership between Grand Rapids Community College and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services can connect students with outside resources to help them be successful.

Board selects Salt Lake Community College VP as GRCC president

11/23/22 School News Network (Kent Intermediate School District)

The Board of Trustees voted unanimously Monday, Nov. 21 to select Charles Lepper as the new president of Grand Rapids Community College.

Grand Rapids Community College picks Charles Lepper for next president

11/23/22 The Holland Sentinel

GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Rapids Community College has named its next president. 

Dr. Charles Lepper Appointed President of Grand Rapids Community College

11/23/22 Diverse: Issues in Education

Dr. Charles Lepper has been named president of Grand Rapids Community College, WOODTV reported. His start date is yet to be set.

Next GRCC president is Utah community college officer

11/23/22 secondwavemedia.com

Charles Lepper, who oversees student affairs and enrollment at 10 Salt Lake Community College campuses, has been chosen as Grand Rapids Community College’s new president.

GRCC assistant basketball coach Islam Hoxha came to West Michigan as a refugee from Kosovo, gives back by helping change lives

11/23/22 La Prensa

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Nov. 14, 2022: It’s 5 p.m. on a Thursday, and Islam Hoxha is pacing the hallways of the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse.

… A first-year assistant coach for the Grand Rapids Community College’s men’s basketball team, Hoxha said he gets nervous before every game. But on this mid-November day, he and the Raiders are 2 ½ hours away from tipoff against their archrivals, the Lansing Community College Stars.

Ottawa County approves $32.7M in ARPA funds for community projects

11/23/22 mibiz.com

The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners has approved allocating $32.7 million in federal stimulus funds for 24 community projects, over some objections that an incoming slate of commissioners should get to vote on project funding.

• … Grand Rapids Community College Michigan Reconnect expansion ($506,493): Gap funding would be provided in the form of scholarships to students who wish to use the state’s Reconnect program.

Change-Ups: Long lands on Forbes’ America’s Top Wealth Advisors list

11/23/22 Grand Rapids Business Journal

… Disability Advocates of Kent County announced five community leaders have joined its board of directors: Miriam Andrade Cuevas, inclusive communications adviser, Corewell Health; Angela Gildea, regional sales manager, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; Shontaye Witcher, assistant vice president of inclusion and equity and ADA compliance officer, Grand Valley State University; Sulari White, academic adviser and assistant professor, Grand Rapids Community College; and Tanya Ross, human resources senior manager, Bimbo Bakeries USA.

As enrollment climbs, GRCC adds culinary classes to Lakeshore Campus

11/24/22 The Holland Sentinel

HOLLAND TWP. — In response to increased demand and growing enrollment, Grand Rapids Community College is adding a handful of culinary education classes to its Lakeshore Campus. 

State specialist helps connect GRCC students to food, housing resources

11/25/22 MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College has a state specialist on campus this semester who is dedicated to helping students overcome obstacles like food and housing insecurities, transportation challenges and more.

Newsmakers

11/27/22 Community College Daily (American Association of Community Colleges)

… Charles Lepper has been selected as the new president of Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan. He is currently vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) in Utah, a position he has held since 2015.

Winter semester learning opportunities available

Learning opportunities scheduled for January through July 2023 are now open for registration via the Professional Development tile in your Online Center account. 

A variety of topics and formats (in person, virtual, and hyflex) will be offered.

As always, your suggestions and requests are welcome.

Learning Center Open House for students, faculty, and staff

You’re invited to the Learning Center Openhouse on Tuesday, November 29 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Visit Media Technologies, Woodrick Center for Equity and Inclusion, Academic Support and Tutoring Services, and the Library and Learning Commons to enjoy delicious food, fun activities, and live music provided by the GRCC Guitar Ensemble.

There will even be a chance to win prizes! We hope to see you there!

GRCC Stuff the Sled 2022

There are a lot of great ways you can help make someone’s holiday a little brighter this year.

One way is to join the GRCC United Way campaign and Stuff the Sled — formerly Adopt a Family. This program provides holiday gift bags to children in Kent County Head Start.

Donations can be made November 1 through December 7. 

How to Donate:

Go to the GRCC Holiday Helpers page, click on the Donate Now button top right, add items you would like to purchase to your cart and check out. It is that easy!  

Thank YOU in advance!

WMU Onsite admission event at Grand Rapids Community College on December 1

Are your any of students interested in transferring to Western Michigan University for
Summer I 2023, Summer II 2023, or Fall 2023?

If so, let them know they can sign up to participate in the WMU Onsite Admission Event at Grand Rapids Community College!

Thursday, December 1 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Student Center Room 336

Sign up to meet with a WMU transfer admissions counselor to receive an on-the-spot admission decision and

to learn about your next steps toward a future at Western!

The WMU application fee will be waived, and we will send your GRCC transcript

to Western free-of-charge if you participate in this event. WMU will also expedite your Official Credit Evaluation so you can see how your credits transfer.

To schedule an appointment, please register here  by Tuesday, November 29, 2022.

December 05, 2022 Economic Club of Grand Rapids opportunity for GRCC students

The Economic Club of Grand Rapids has gifted us with the opportunity to have GRCC students participate in an upcoming luncheon FOR FREE.

The next event is a panel on December 5, “The Value of Innovative DEI Strategies in Your Organization.” More information on the topic: https://econclub.net/events-2/#speaker-info-6 

Limited seats are available!

To register for the conference, and get more information, please complete the  December 5, 2022 Economic Club of Grand Rapids Opportunity for GRCC Students google form.