GRCC reflects on leadership and achievements of women at college and in society with Women’s History Month events

Grand Rapids Community College is reflecting on the leadership and achievements of women at the college and in society with a series of events commemorating Women’s History Month.

The GRCC Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has planned a series of activities throughout the month, focusing on wellness, leadership and support. Events include:

• YWCA and Women’s Resource Center donation collection, running all month at the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Library and Learning Commons. Donation wish lists are here and here.
• YWCA information session. Participants will learn about what the YWCA offers and how they can volunteer with the organization. The event is planned for 2-3 p.m. on March 2 in Library and Learning Commons, room 123.
• Women’s Wellness Workshop, where participants can take a deeper dive into self-care with Tashuna Hunt, LMSW. The event is planned for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 21 at the Library and Learning Commons, room 123.
• YWCA visit. Students will drop off donations collected throughout the month and get a tour of the YWCA building at 2-3 p.m. on March 22 at the YWCA, 25 Sheldon Ave SE in Grand Rapids.
• Diversity Lecture Series: Graci Harkema: “Finding Belonging in Intersectionality.” Harkema is an international diversity, equity, and inclusion speaker and author, specializing in inclusive leadership and unconscious bias for Fortune 500, small businesses, and non-profit organizations. The event is planned for 4-5 p.m. on March 23 in the Wisner Applied Technology Center, room 168.
• Salute to Women. This event celebrates the accomplishments of women and gender equity advocates who impact the GRCC community and beyond. The award is open to all GRCC stakeholders regardless of gender or gender identity. Annually, persons who exemplify high achievement in advocacy, community service, leadership, and student engagement are nominated in three categories. The event is planned for noon to 1 p.m. on March 29 at Sneden Hall room 108.

Additional information on these events and others is available on the ODEI website.

BRAVE Conversations – How to get it wrong with Erin from ODEI

Join ODEI assistant director, Erin Mieskowski, as she leads BRAVE Conversations “How To Get It Wrong”.

BRAVE Conversations (or How To Get It Wrong) is a packed, 90-minute session that helps you explore why conversations about DEI are actually quite difficult! Erin will also provide techniques to help make them a tiny bit easier in the future. 

While Erin can’t promise that you will magically be comfortable in conversations around diversity, Erin can hopefully provide at least a tiny bit of relief that you are not alone.

ODEI held the first session virtually on February 15. Here’s some feedback from the last session.

• This is the best professional development session I’ve ever had at GRCC!
• Take this session! It was amazing and so empowering to the work we do!

Join Erin for a HyFlex Session of BRAVE Conversations on Wednesday, March 15 at 2:00 p.m. in LRC 123!

Register via the Professional Development tile in your Online Center account.

TLDE Pop-Up & Relaxation stations

Faculty, don’t forget to stop by one the Pop-Up Relaxation Stations today hosted by The T.L.D.E. (Teaching Learning and Distance Education) Office.

The times are 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. tomorrow.

The Station locations are:
303 RJF Hall
Parking Atrium of the ATC
First Floor of the Science Bldg.
The Dining Hall of White Hall
Lakeshore Campus

Take time out the next couple of days to relax and catch up with other faculty members you likely don’t get to see. Light snacks and beverages are provided.

Any questions, please feel free to contact Toy McNeal at tmcneal@grcc.edu or call ext. 3205.

GRCC Adjunct recruitment event

We wanted to pass along information about an exciting event that we’re hosting on Saturday, March 18.  HR and Academic Leadership are collaborating to host an adjunct recruitment information session.

The purpose of this session is to provide adjunct applicants with a preview of what it means to be an adjunct faculty member at GRCC, and an overview of the hiring process.

If you know of someone who meets the minimum requirements (Masters degree and some teaching experience) and they’re interested in learning more about being a GRCC adjunct, the drop in department fair will also provide applicants with an opportunity to have a conversation with department heads in the following academic areas: Biological Sciences, Manufacturing, Construction Electrical Apprenticeship, Applied Tech, Mathematics and Psychology. However, we welcome any adjunct applicant to attend. 

Please go to our website at  www.grcc.edu/adjunctevent to RSVP by March 15.

Increase your mental health awareness

Seats are still available for the hyflex – in person and virtual – session “Raising Awareness of Mental Health in the Workplace.”

GRCC partner Encompass Training will explore the types of disorders, behaviors and mental health issues that can manifest in the workplace, how to recognize them as well as how to create a supportive workplace for all employees.

Thursday March 16 | 10-11am | hyflex – 315 RJF

Register via your Online Center account. 

GRCC student-athletes supporting those challenged by food insecurity by collecting food at Thursday’s basketball games

Grand Rapids Community College student-athletes are teaming up with Student Life to support students challenged by food insecurity and collect food donations at upcoming basketball games.

Spectators who bring two or more food items to the Thursday, March 2 games against Delta College will be given free popcorn at the concessions stand. The women’s team plays at 5:30 p.m., and the men’s team takes the floor at 7:30 p.m.

Free popcorn also will be available for students, faculty and staff who donate two items or more earlier in the day, between 12:30 and 3 p.m. in the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhosue.  

All of the food items will be donated to the GRCC Food Pantry, which has served thousands of students since the start of the pandemic.

“Our student-athletes strive to be leaders on and off the court, and care very much about our campus community,” Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. “It’s important for us to all support our campus food pantry. But we also need to raise awareness of the problem of food insecurity and how it affects our students.”

GRCC’s Food Pantry and snack pantries are designed to meet the immediate food needs of its students on campus by providing a variety of non-perishable food items and basic necessities to students and their families.

GRCC’s Food Pantry is located in the Student Center, and is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Students can visit the pantry weekly. Students can register in the Student Life Office.

There are 10 snack pantries located across campus, providing grab-and-go options including granola bars and microwavable soups. They are maintained in partnership by Student Life, the English department, Psi Beta, Counseling and Career Development, Library and Learning Commons and the Tassell M-TEC. The Snack Pantries do not require registration and food is provided when available.

Information is available at grcc.edu/foodpantry.

Students can connect with additional campus and community resources at grcc.edu/gethelp.

The food drive is part of a conference-wide effort organized by the Michigan Community College Athletic Association.

Chris Coleman, Sally Merrill set career highs as GRCC basketball teams sweep Kirtland Community College

Chris Coleman and Sally Merrill scored career highs to help lead Grand Rapids Community College basketball teams to a season sweep over Kirtland Community College on Tuesday.

Both the women’s team and men’s team celebrated the careers of seven sophomores before their games, and both cruised to fifth wins in a row after defeating Kirtland Community College 90-66 in the opener and 97-78 in the night cap.

Kirtland’s women’s team led by as many as eight in the opening quarter thanks to four straight three-point-shots by Racquel Du Breuil. But GRCC responded to finish out the quarter up 20-18 and led the rest of the way.

“I was happy with the way our kids finished, keeping their composure and focusing on the next play,” head coach David Glazier said. “Also, really good to see Alyssa (Katerberg) find her rhythm and confidence tonight which complimented the performances that Sally and Grace (Lodes) put on.  All seven sophomores played well tonight, which was fitting on this special night.”

Merrill knocked in a career-high 30 points on 12-of-22 from the field and added eight rebounds.  Lodes – coming off a 23-point, 11-rebound performance in her last game – totaled 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. She also had five blocks and four assists.

Katerberg finished with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots.

The team is now 16-7 and 10-3 in the conference, with one game remaining before postseason play.

GRCC’s men’s team was on fire in the first half on the offensive end, racking up 59 points on 24-of-36 from the field and 9-of-18 from behind the arc in the first half.

Coleman scored a career-high 22 points in just 19 minutes, while shooting 10-of-14 from the floor. He also had six rebounds and two of the team’s 12 total three-point baskets.

Eight GRCC players made at least one three and all but one player scored on the night.

Danyel Bibbs finished with 20 points, six rebounds and six assists.  Isaac Warning dropped in a career-high 17 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds and assisting on a career best five shots.

Both teams return home on March 2 for the regular season finale against Delta College.

This story was reported by Ben Brown.

GRCC In the News 03/01/2023

Comstock Park mom attends GRCC to show daughters importance of college

2/28/23 FOX 17

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Comstock Park mother is going to great lengths to show her daughters how important it is to go to college.

How far is she willing to go? By enrolling herself at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), of course!

Grand Rapids Community College issues alert after teen reports attempted groping near campus

2/28/23 MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Grand Rapids Community College issued an alert to students after a 16-year-old reported an attempted groping incident near campus.

Attempted assault reported near Grand Rapids Community College’s campus

2/28/23 WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A teenager reported a stranger tried to assault her near Grand Rapids Community College’s campus late Tuesday afternoon.

Local frontline worker honored for going above and beyond

3/1/23 The Daily News (Greenville)

GRAND RAPIDS — West Michigan Works recognized eight area frontline workers with Beverly A. Drake Essential Service Awards. Honorees were recognized at The Economic Club of Grand Rapids on Feb. 27 meeting and presented with a $100 Meijer gift card. The Essential Service Awards recognize frontline workers who go above-and-beyond their daily responsibilities and display integrity, passion and commitment.    

The 2022 Essential Service Award honorees are Ruby Alvarado, Paws With A Cause; Bayard Brooks, Grand Rapids Community College; Gordon Burnham, Comcast’s Xfinity Store in Muskegon; Tyler Eickhoff, Creative Dining Solutions (LG Energy Solutions Michigan); Julie Ellsworth, The Laurels of Carson City; Michelle Huerta, Ottawa Department of Health and Human Services; Dreama Parker, Blodgett St. Johns; and Ronald Vanden Toorn, Perrigo Oral Care.

Mary Hofstra retirement party rescheduled to March 2

Please join us for Mary Hofstra’s Retirement Party!

When: Thursday, March 2 from 3:30 – 5:30

Where: In the atrium at the Tassell MTEC

Come and celebrate Mary’s retirement and thank her for her years of service!

Commencement volunteers wanted

Dear Colleagues,

The event of the year is here, along with an opportunity for you to play a part in our students’ BIG NIGHT.

Commencement is the happiest time of year in higher ed as we see the students we’ve supported over the years achieve their degree and celebrate their accomplishments.

If you are not faculty or a Dean that needs to participate in the academic procession, please volunteer your time to support this event and the achievements of our students on this special occasion.

Please sign up here by March 1.

The Commencement planning team

March employee learning opportunities

Wednesday, March 1
Good People Make Mistakes

Friday, March 10
Vicarious Trauma

Tuesday, March 14
Active Shooter Response Training

Wednesday, March 15
How To Get It Wrong

Thursday, March 16
Raising Awareness of Mental Health in the Workplace

Tuesday, March 21 & Wednesday, March 22
Mental Health First Aid

Tuesday, March 21
How Do I Pack For FMLA Leave?

Thursday, March 23
GRCC Accounts Explained

Friday, March 24
Mindfulness Made Simple

Monday, March 27
Addressing Employee Conduct Concerns – Roadmap for Leaders

Wednesday, March 29
Value of the Intergenerational Workplace

Thursday, March 30
Show Me The Money

For session descriptions, times, formats and locations, please visit the Professional Development tile in your Online Center account.

Employee Wellness survey

The Employee Wellness Team is seeking feedback from the GRCC employee family on Wellness. Share your insight via this short form.

In an effort to be responsive to employees and provide quality experiences to our campus community, we want to know your needs and interests for future wellness initiatives.

We appreciate your ideas and suggestions and the team will carefully review feedback. Although we cannot guarantee that every idea will be put into action, by completing this brief survey, you are communicating how we can best support you.

Thank you!

Library hours for Spring Break 2023

The library will be open over spring break with reduced hours:

Saturday, March 4, 2023: CLOSED

Monday, March 6 to Friday, March 10: 8 am – 5 pm

Saturday, March 11, 2023: CLOSED

Monday, March 13, 2023: Return to normal library hours 

Bookstore hours for Spring Break 2023

The Bookstore will be open over spring break with reduced hours:

Monday, March 6 to Wednesday, March 8: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Thursday, March 9 and Friday, March 10: CLOSED due to Inventory

Tutorial Labs and Academic Testing Center closed for Spring Break 2023

All Tutorial Labs and tutoring services will be closed during the mid-semester break, March 6 – March 10, and will resume service on March 13

The Academic Testing Center will be closed during the mid-semester break, March 6 – March 10, and will resume service on March 13