Provost Brian Knetl tapped to be community college president in Illinois

GRCC Provost Brian Knetl has been selected to be president at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Ill.

Knetl, who has been GRCC provost since 2019, will become the fifth president at Waubosee, which is located about 45 miles west of Chicago. His appointment is pending final approval from the college’s trustees this week.

Kentl said he had aspired to be a community college president, but the opportunity came sooner than he expected.

“I do hope that I have contributed to and initiated the work needed to build and maintain a collaborative culture in Academic and Student Affairs and have provided a framework that will allow the faculty, staff, and programs at GRCC to continue excelling,” he said. “I will be forever grateful to GRCC for presenting challenges, opportunities, and colleagues that have contributed to my readiness for this position.”

Knetl said the move also allows him to return to his native Illinois, and be closer to his children and family.

“While Grand Rapids and West Michigan will always be an important and special part of my life, I am grateful to have this opportunity in a place I consider home,” he said. “I will be forever grateful to GRCC for presenting challenges, opportunities, and colleagues that have contributed to my readiness for this position.”

At GRCC, Knetl guided the college’s academics during the pandemic, ensuring students continued to receive a quality education and faculty members had the support they needed to continue teaching during the difficult and unexpected time.

He also restructured the college’s academic and student support service structure, overseeing innovative changes to help both students and faculty members.

Knetl’s experience in community college administration began as an assistant dean at Moraine Valley Community College in Illinois. He then spent 10 years at Harper College in Illinois, serving in several positions including interim provost, associate provost, dean of liberal arts and founding associate dean of the Center for Adjunct Faculty Engagement.

Details about Knetl’s start date at Waubonsee and a succession plan at GRCC will be determined soon.

Learning Day 2023

The Teaching, Learning, and Distance Education (TLDE) area is excited to host Learning Day 2023, focusing on GRCC’s Culture of Care.  All members of the GRCC community are invited to attend.  Please see below for all of the details and we look forward to seeing you on January 5th!

Date and Time: Thursday, January 5, 2023, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Location: Ford Fieldhouse or Virtual via Remo

Please complete this RSVP form by December 14th to assist with planning purposes for in-person and virtual attendance.

If you have any questions, please send an email to cte@grcc.edu.  Please see below for the planned schedule and visit the Learning Day webpage for all of the details.

Learning Day 2023 Schedule

8:00 – 9:00 am

• Breakfast and GRCC CARES Resource Fair
  • Join us for coffee and breakfast, and connect with your colleagues who make up key programs and services within the new GRCC CARES Network. 

9:00 – 9:15 am

• Welcome, Dr. Sheila Jones, Associate Provost of Instructional Support & Institutional Planning and Dr. Brian Knetl, Provost & Executive Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs

9:15 – 9:30 am

• CARE as a Strategy for Improved Student Success, Dr. Eric Mullen, Dean of Student Success
  • This session will kick off our exploration of CARE as a key component to strengthen college culture and to strategically align institutional processes, resources, and support services to improve student learning and success outcomes.

9:30 – 10:15 am

• The Contemporary Student Experience – An Interactive Exploration, Lina Blair, Director of Student Life and Conduct
  • Through our participation in a national study on student basic needs, and our shared experience working though and supporting students during a global pandemic, our understanding of the current student experience has shifted. In this interactive session, data and examples of how our students’ lives and needs have changed will be shared and considered in terms of how we need to respond to attract, retain, and graduate students.

10:15 – 10:45 am

• GRCC Student Perspectives, Video

10:45 – 11:00 am

• Break + Networking

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

• Reflections on Student Needs and Learning: A Panel Discussion
  • In this session, faculty will offer insights from their experience facilitating learning while supporting students managing complex life experiences. Participants will respond to questions from the moderator as well as those from the audience.

12:00 – 1:15 pm

• Lunch and GRCC CARES Resource Fair

1:15 – 2:00 pm

• Introducing GRCC Cares: A Network for Student Support, David Lovell, Associate Director, Title III
  • What is the GRCC Cares Network? How is it different from early alert? David Lovell will share details on a new system that has been developed to expand referrals for student support, as well as provide details on how we are building a comprehensive, campus wide Care Management system to address student basic needs and improve student learning outcomes.

2:00 – 2:15 pm

• Break + Networking

2:15 – 3:15 pm

• Care Management: A Panel Discussion
  • Team members from across the college in student support roles will discuss their utilization of Navigate to anticipate student needs and respond to referrals. In this discussion, panelists will share how the use of Navigate has improved student engagement and support while simultaneously generating data intelligence that will inform future improvements and strategy development.

3:15 – 4:00 pm

• Table Discussion and Feedback
  • Each in-person and virtual table will be provided with prompts to reflect on Learning Day content and provide feedback and suggestions on next steps to expand our understanding of student needs and how to grow our campus culture of care, including the following: pedagogy, policies, systems, and processes that improve student learning. This feedback will be synthesized and used to inform professional development, program development, systems improvements, data needs, and more.

4:00 p.m.

• Wrap Up, Additional Learning Opportunities, and Next Steps

Teaching, Learning, and Distance Education (TLDE) news

Finals Week is here!

Thank you for reading this semester’s weekly TLDE update emails.  We wish everyone the best as we begin finals week, complete end of semester grading, and celebrate the holiday season!  This is our final TLDE update of the fall semester.  Please stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks as we plan Winter 2023 professional development opportunities!  Finally, we look forward to seeing you on Learning Day!  (Keep reading for more details.)

January 5 is Learning Day 2023!

TLDE is excited to host Learning Day 2023, focusing on GRCC’s Culture of Care. All members of the GRCC community are invited to attend.  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 this RSVP form by Wednesday, December 14.  You can find the full schedule and more details on the Learning Day webpage.

Reminder: Adjunct Faculty Hub and Onboarding Event

Did you know that we maintain a website of resources for adjunct faculty?  Please visit the Adjunct Hub to access a variety of teaching, classroom, and student success resources as well as campus safety information.  

Human Resources (HR) is hosting an Onboarding Event for adjunct faculty on Opening Day, Wednesday, January 4, from 4 – 5:30 p.m. in the Ford Fieldhouse.  More information to follow via email from HR.  Please also stay tuned for more details about TLDE’s Winter Adjunct event, which we are planning for later in the semester.

Be loud and proud, refresh your headshot on Jan. 5!  (Cross-post from GRCC Today)

GRCC has outstanding faculty and staff members. Help us show students, potential students and community members the quality of the people here at GRCC serving our community by having a current headshot for the website and other uses.

The Communications Department is providing an opportunity for faculty and staff to have free headshots photographed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 5 – Learning Day – on the third floor of the Student Center in the lounge area.

Without a headshot, the webpage shows a missing photo icon or a RaiderCard photo.

Communications stresses that GRCC provides an affordable education, but more importantly, a quality education. Our expert faculty and dedicated staff members are selling points! Help us highlight your work and attract new students by updating your headshot and web bio.

Upcoming Online Workshops:

1. The Online Hybrid Certification Course (OHCC) begins on Monday, January 9. This six-week online asynchronous training prepares faculty to teach online and/or hybrid courses at GRCC.  More details and registration information can be found in the link below.
2. Quality Matters (QM) Rubric Online Course begins on Tuesday, January 10. Known as the APPQMR for short, this is a three-week asynchronous online course beginning Tuesday, January 10 and ending Tuesday, January 31. The course is QM’s flagship workshop on the QM Rubric and its use in reviewing the design of online and blended courses and is intended for a broad audience, including but not limited to faculty, instructional designers, administrators, and adjunct instructors. The APPQMR is the prerequisite for the Peer Reviewer Course, which is the required course to become a QM Peer Reviewer.  Contact Ian Matthews for more information.

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

Don’t forget to update your webpages with Shutdown hours

The Web and Digital Strategy Department wanted to share a reminder to check your webpages to make sure they reflect up-to-date information.

If you need help with any of these updates, please submit a ticket to webhelp@grcc.edu and we would be happy to assist you.

Thank you for helping us provide the best information and user experience for our students.

Tech Tip: Employee separations, transfers, or retirements

Do you have an employee who is leaving, transferring positions or retiring and want to make sure their access is removed for the systems they used? Here are some things to know about removing employees’ access.

Network Accounts: To have access removed from an employee’s network account, supervisors should fill out the Employee Separation service form upon transfer to another department, separation with the college or retirement. This would include access to systems such as Peoplesoft, Web Editing Access, Document Imaging and shared Network Drives. To submit an Employee Separation, visit the IT Customer Support Portal.

Google Groups: Each Google Group has one or more managers that controls the member access. If you have someone that needs to be removed from a Group, notify one of the Group managers. If you are not sure who the manager of a Group is, click the Member tab in a Group and the Manager(s) will be listed there. You can add or remove users from your Google Group by following the steps listed in our knowledge base.

Google Team Drive: IT has empowered managers of Google Team Drives to update access for their employees.  You can add or remove users from your team drive by following the steps listed in our knowledge base.  

Google Spaces/Team Chat: IT has empowered members of Google Spaces to update access for their own chat spaces. You can add or remove users from Chat Spaces by following the steps listed in our knowledge base. 

Email: An employee’s email access will automatically be removed when an Employee Separation request is processed. Separations are processed on the effective date which is typically the day after the employee’s last day. Supervisors should coordinate with their employee before the date of separation to transfer important departmental emails.

Lastly, we strongly encourage managers to have their employees share the content of their Google Drive, J Drive, or GRCC email that may be relevant to their position as it becomes difficult to recover after someone leaves GRCC. 

For other great tips, visit the IT Customer Support Portal and search the Knowledge Base for other articles.

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

My Story Started at GRCC: Sara Anne Hook says GRCC helped launch a career in writing, education

After 37 years as a faculty member and associate dean at Indiana University’s School of Informatics and Computing, Sara Anne Hook retired in 2020.

Then it was time to return to the classroom – as a student. She’s pursuing a master’s in fine arts at Butler University in Indianapolis.

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.

Writing has always been a part of Hook’s career.

“It all started with the English composition course I took at GRCC in the summer of 1975,” she said. “I’ve been an author, book and manuscript reviewer and editor – and now a poet – because of having a strong foundation in the English language.”

Starting at GRCC is a family tradition for Hook: Her mother, brother and nephew are alumni.

“Because I took several required courses at GRCC during summers, I was able to complete my BA in three and a half years, saving time and money, and start my MLS program a semester early. Accounting and economics courses from GRCC were helpful when I started my MBA degree.”

Hook earned her bachelor’s in history and master’s in library science, both from the University of Michigan; and a Master of Business Administration in finance and Juris Doctor, both from Indiana.

“My career evolved with each degree I earned, with support and encouragement from some terrific people – professors, classmates and colleagues,” said Hook, an Emeritus Professor at Indiana. “I was lucky because my employer offered substantial financial assistance with tuition for its full-time employees. This allowed me to continue my education. Along the way, I learned how to learn – and I’m still learning!”

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

Bashir Neely leads GRCC men’s basketball to perfect 10-0 record, best start since 2001

The Grand Rapids Community College men’s basketball team finished off a perfect first half of the season with a 12-point victory on Saturday against former Western Conference foe Lake Michigan College, 83-71.

With the win, the Raiders improved to a 10-0 start, the team’s best start since the 2000-2001 season, when it started 13-0.

“I can’t really put into words how proud I am of the effort these guys have brought the last two games,” coach Joe Fox said. “They complimented each other both offensively and defensively, and they stayed positive the whole week. I can’t even pick out a specific performance to highlight, as all five guys contributed in serious ways. Raider basketball is a culture of effort, energy and enthusiasm and these guys embodied that this week. My assistant coaches also did a tremendous job game-planning this week.”

Lake Michigan went into the locker room up 39-37 at the break, but GRCC went on a 19-2 run in the second half to put the game out of reach for the visitors.

GRCC shot 58 percent from the field in the second half while holding the Red Hawks to just 38 percent.

Freshman Bashir Neely was the game’s leading scorer for the second time in three games, finishing 7-of-16 from the floor and 8-of-8 from the free throw stripe for a total of 24 points.

Detroit native Jordan Houser recorded his first career double-double, with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Sophomore Chris Coleman of Saginaw had career-highs in points with 22, rebounds with seven and steals with three.

Jajuan Walker nearly had another double-double with 19 points on an efficient eight-of-11 shooting, and eight rebounds.

GRCC will have the next three weeks before returning to the court in Detroit on Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. in a rematch against Community Christian College. 

Winners of the College Success Center Sticker Design Contest

The grand prize winner of the College Success Center Sticker contest is Jada Reahm with “The Future… Create It!!”  Jada will receive a $50 Amazon e-gift card!

Second place is “Latte Good Vibes” by Jena Buttery and third place goes to Carson Vachon with “You’ve Got This.” Jena and Carson will each receive a $25 Amazon e-gift card.

Thank you so much to the students who submitted a design and thank you to all of the students, staff, and faculty who took the time to vote!

Look for the newly printed stickers at Winter 2023 events!

Celebrate Dr. Kathy Mullins’ career supporting GRCC students

An open house retirement celebration for Dr. Kathy Mullins, vice president for College Advancement and executive director of the GRCC Foundation, is planned for Thursday, Dec. 15 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in The Heritage restaurant.

Everyone is invited to stop by and thank Dr. Mullins for her years of service to GRCC and its students, and wish her the best in her new role as vice president for University Advancement and Marketing at our partner, Ferris State University.

Dr. Mullins has raised millions of dollars for student scholarships and facility improvements. She worked with community partners and donors to double the amount of money available for scholarships and generate resources to transform and modernize facilities throughout the campus.

Dr. Mullins also oversees GRCC’s Grants and Development team, which shattered the college record for grant funding to support students and programs. She also directed GRCC’s award-winning Communications and Web and Digital Strategy teams.

Dr. Mullins has headed the GRCC foundation since 2012. Last year, it distributed more than $1.4 million in scholarships to more than 1,600 students. The foundation also raised funds to renovate the historical Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, Steven C. Ender Hall and Custer Alumni House. A series of renovations and a new addition have transformed the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, a building that also houses Ferris programs.

“Dr. Mullins’ work at Grand Rapids Community College has had an impact on every student, whether they are supported by a scholarship or taking classes and accessing services in state-of-the-art facilities,” Interim President Juan R. Olivarez said. “She has built relationships with partners across the region to create more and better opportunities that bring about generational changes for students and their families.”

Please consider making a donation to the Foundation in her honor, a suggested designation would be the Women in Philanthropy scholarship. Kathy has worked hard to cultivate this scholarship over the last few years, with a special group of women from both the external and internal community.  When donating remember to include in the “tribute gift” field; in honor of Kathy Mullins, Women in Philanthropy scholarship.

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!

Be loud and proud, refresh your headshot on Jan. 5

GRCC has outstanding faculty and staff members. Help us show students, potential students and community members the quality of the people here at GRCC serving our community by having a current headshot for the website and other uses.

The Communications Department is providing an opportunity for faculty and staff to have free headshots photographed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 5 – Learning Day – on the third floor of the Student Center in the lounge area.

Without a headshot, the webpage shows a missing photo icon or a RaiderCard photo.

Communications stresses that GRCC provides an affordable education, but more importantly, a quality education. Our expert faculty and dedicated staff members are selling points! Help us highlight your work and attract new students by updating your headshot and web bio.