Are you using Service Learning in your classes? If so, the Service Learning Task Team has developed a Common Service Learning Syllabus. We recommend you use this information in your Syllabus each semester to help guide your students and your course about the Service Learning activity and expectations of the Service Learning event.
Please visit the Experiential Learning website or use this link: http://www.grcc.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/Service%20Learning%20Common%20Syllabus.docx
3 West Michigan colleges share $65,000 grant to develop service learning opportunities
Dec. 17, 2014; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Three West Michigan colleges will use a $65,000 grant to create more service learning opportunities for students and strengthen community partnerships.
Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College and Aquinas College will each select two departments where service learning opportunities in which students learn in the field by partnering with business or nonprofit organizations can be implemented.
New report shows GRCC’s struggle to retain African-American students
Dec. 17, 2014; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Keeping students in school and on path to graduation is one of Grand Rapids Community College’s most important tasks. But when it comes to African-American students, it’s a task the college continues to struggle with.
New police chief notes lowering recidivism rates; continues to seek ways to lower rates further
Dec. 17, 2014; therapidian.org
“Your question is timely,” says our new Chief David Rahinsky of the Grand Rapids Police Department when presented with accounts of remarkably low rates of recidivism among participants in a Peace Education Program at San Antonio’s Dominguez State Jail, and then asked about his approach for checking and applying this kind of result.
… “In the back of the room were social service providers- everyone from Grand Rapids Community College to people from Cherry Street Health Services. I think one of the things that is unique in Grand Rapids is what we touched on previously- that the support is here to help people succeed even despite challenges that they’ve had in the past. Even people who’ve been incarcerated,” says Rahinsky. “When we went around the room, one of the gentlemen from the Department of Corrections asked who was a first time offender, who was a second time offender, who was a third time offender. There was an individual in there who had been imprisoned four times, and one who had been in there five times. The fact that this community still reaches out to them, tries to embrace them, tries to put them on the right trail, tries to show them what social support is there for them, and that law enforcement sees their role as being pro-active and supportive is unique from any place that I’ve been.”
From seminary to STEM: Local pastor heads up huge education project at Steelcase pyramid
Dec. 18, 2014; rapidgrowthmedia.com
On first glance, Jerry Zandstra, the co-founder of the Pyramid Campus Group that recently announced its finalization of a $7.5 million purchase agreement for the Steelcase pyramid building, doesn’t exactly fit the mold you’d imagine for a player in ambitious real estate deals and cutting-edge experiments in incubator-style spaces.
… Among those details: The facility will feature innovations like a leadership council, funded with $200,000 and headed by Bert Bleke, a Grand Rapids Community College board chairman and former superintendent of Grand Rapids public schools. The leadership council will work to research new ideas, assist the schools and encourage collaboration, and is part of a two-pronged approach that Zandstra says will shape the sort of incubator spirit of the Pyramid Campus, along with aspects of spatial design like shared teachers lounges, classroom areas and arts and music facilities.
Northview Superintendent Mike Paskewicz to retire
Dec. 17, 2014; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Northview Superintendent Mike Paskewicz has announced he intends to retire effective July 1, 2015, saying it is the right time.
… In November, Paskewicz ran an unsuccessful race for one of two open seats on the Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees.
After 5 seasons away as head basketball coach, David Selmon rolls with changes at GRCC
Dec. 18, 2014; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — David Selmon, who thought he had coached his last basketball game in 2009, is like a kid in a candy store with the Grand Rapids Community College basketball team.
Community College Programs Can Lead To Big Payoffs In The Right Fields
Dec. 11, 2014; NPR
When it comes to higher education, we’ve all heard the talking points: More people than ever are pursuing four-year degrees despite skyrocketing tuition costs because they don’t have many other choices if they want to be competitive in the workforce.
(Article includes a photo of GRCC dental students.)
Learning at the University of Life
Dec. 11, 2014; rapidgrowthmedia.com
Compassion. Selflessness. Balance. Character. Social consciousness. Humility. Uplifting. And peace, love and understanding.
… Michael Schavey is the director of the department of experiential learning at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC). He points to their school’s Armen Awards, an annual program that recognizes faculty and students for service learning work, as a specific example of GRCC’s commitment to make service learning a significant part of the student experience.
Grand Rapids shelter helps one teen find escape
Dec. 11, 2014; Bridge magazine
Looking back, DaVionte Shannon recalled a time when each day seemed like a tightrope walk.
… He graduated from Union High School in Grand Rapids in June 2013 and plans to enroll in January at Grand Rapids Community College. He pays the rent through a job as a caretaker at an area nursing home.
The Armen Awards- Excellence in Service Learning invites all faculty to participate in this event showcasing best practices in service learning. Watch this [video] to learn how it works.
The event includes a professional video highlighting your service project, a celebration event honoring your team’s efforts, a chance to win up to $3,000 and an opportunity to share your hard work on a local network morning show.
See a video of last years winner Sarah Krajewski and her Biology for Educators course! [video]
Participants must submit their proposal by November 1st. The proposal includes a short description of how your course learning outcomes are met through your service learning project.
Click [here] to begin your proposal.
Need help? Please call Mike Schavey at 234-4180
Apply to the Armen Awards – Excellence in Service Learning! To learn more about the awards, click here.
Participants must submit their proposal by November 1st. The proposal includes a short description of how your course learning outcomes are met through your service learning project.
Click here to begin your proposal.
Need help? Please call Mike Schavey at 234-4180.
Apply to the Armen Awards – Excellence in Service Learning! To learn more about the awards, click here.
Participants must submit their proposal by November 1st. The proposal includes a short description of how your course learning outcomes are met through your service learning project.
Click here to begin your proposal.
Need help? Please call Mike Schavey at 234-4180
The Armen Awards- Excellence in Service Learning invites all faculty to participate in this event showcasing best practices in service learning. Watch this [video] to learn how it works.
The event includes a professional video highlighting your service project, a celebration event honoring your team’s efforts, a chance to win up to $3,000 and an opportunity to share your hard work on a local network morning show.
See a video of last years winner Sarah Krajewski and her Biology for Educators course! [video]
Participants must submit their proposal by November 1st. The proposal includes a short description of how your course learning outcomes are met through your service learning project.
Click [here] to begin your proposal.
Need help? Please call Mike Schavey at 234-4180
Students in GRCC’s honors program worked with Habitat for Humanity of Kent County last week. Habitat’s A Brush with Kindness program provides painting, landscaping and minor repair services to eligible homeowners.
GRCC students earn awards at national business professionals competition
May 16, 2014; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College students took home eight awards at a Business Professionals of America completion in Indianapolis.
Grupos minoritarios de GRCC aumentan pese a prohibición de Acción Afirmativa
May 16, 2014; El Vocero
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (EVH).- Tras la aprobación de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de los Estados Unidos de ratificar la Prohibición de la Acción Afirmativa en el estado de Michigan, tal como se había aprobado en el año 2006 por un grupo de seis magistrados de la corte del estado, desde entonces universidades y colegios han acatado la ley, dejando de dar privilegios a las minorías a la hora de asistir en busca de educación superior.
Pese a la drástica ley, aun existen centros de educación avanzada donde estadísticamente los números en porcentajes de las minorías siguen aumentado.
En ese sentido, en la ciudad de Grand Rapids autoridades del Community College (GRCC) explicaron como están trabajando con los grupos minoritarios interesados en asistir al centro, tras la aplicación de la prohibición de la Acción Afirmativa.
West Ottawa seniors celebrate their next steps in Decision Day Party
May 18, 2014; The Holland Sentinel
Holland, Mich. — With cheerleaders lining the halls, college mascots giving out high fives and the drum line playing, West Ottawa High School was in celebration mode on Thursday.
… “At first I didn’t want to go to college,” (Darah) Kok said. But with the urging of some friends and teachers, he decided to look into it.
“People started telling me (college) changes your life. I didn’t want to waste my life.”
Kok plans to attend Grand Rapids Community College in the fall on a full ride scholarship.
SECOM-GRCC Partnership Recognized at Annual Armen Awards Celebration
May 16, 2014; SECOM newsletter
Service, innovation, and collaboration are at the heart of Grand Rapids Community College’s annual Armen Awards, a competitive program designed to promote innovative thinking. Created and supported by longtime GRCC supporter Armen Oumedian, the program rewards student teams who design and implement projects that benefit a community organization.
Muskegon sports briefs: Muskegon Community College drops 13-inning marathon in regional baseball
May 16, 2014; MLive
MUSKEGON, MI — It’s going to be a quick turnaround for the Muskegon Community College baseball team.
… The game ended after midnight and MCC (35-17) faces an elimination game at 11:30 a.m. Friday against Grand Rapids Community College in Battle Creek.
May 2, 2014; WOOD TV
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Three Grand Rapids Community College staff members are recipients of The Armen Awards. The Armen Awards is a team competition event designed to inspire best practices for teaching and learning.
Challenge Scholars: creating opportunity
May 5, 2014; therapidian.org
They say it takes a village to raise a child and in the eyes of Grand Rapids Community Foundation and Grand Rapids Public Schools, these words ring true. Benjamin Oliver, Challenge Scholars Advisor, and Meredith Fennema, PR & Marketing Specialist, both at Grand Rapids Community Foundation, are two of the many individuals dedicated to the success of Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s newest education endeavor: Challenge Scholars.
… Since the program has been implemented, the participating schools have seen a near 10% increase in academic acceleration, a 5% decrease in chronic absenteeism and an over 20% increase in expected growth targets in math and reading. As a way to celebrate the program’s success thus far, a special celebration for all currently enrolled Challenge Scholars will take place on Tuesday, May 6 at Grand Rapids Community College’s Ford Fieldhouse.
Silver Line looks to boost economic development, local real estate
May 2, 2014; Grand Rapids Business Journal
Hi-ho, Silver Line! When all is said and done, it is possible that one of the greatest recent economic development catalysts Grand Rapids has seen will arrive by way of bus.
… Part of the process meant being sure to touch economic hotspots like 54th and 44th streets, Venema said, but it also meant marketing to both Silver Lines customers and its neighbors. One of the biggest factors is higher education, he said, adding that BRT officials spent a lot of time discussing how such a corridor could help students attending downtown Grand Rapids colleges, such as Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College. The Silver Line could benefit the schools by allowing students to reach their destination without the need of a car, meaning schools could spend less on providing parking and instead spend more on the programs offered, he said.
Gast, Weidinger Homer As No. 17 Owens Softball Routs GRCC In Doubleheader
May 2, 2014; ABC 13
The No. 17 Owens Community College softball team swept a pair of five inning games against Grand Rapids Community College in today’s home finale.
GRCC’s Armen Awards honor student service learning projects
April 30, 2014; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College has announced the winners of its annual service learning awards.
West Michigan family gains new fame as BBC recounts story of their trials, torture in Romania
May 1, 2014; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — There were no more secrets last October when Ion and Mioara Bugan and their three children met for a reunion with their former neighbors in Draganesti, a small village in eastern Romania.
… Carmen studied at Grand Rapids Community College, then at the University of Michigan and Oxford University. Besides writing Burying the Typewriter, she has published a collection of poems, “Crossing The Carpathians.” She won the 2011 Katharine Bakeless Nason Prize for non-fiction. Her second collection of poems, “The House of Straw” came out early this year.
April 30, 2014; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Retiring Grand Rapids Police Chief Kevin Belk will be the guest of honor — and the target of jokes — at a Silent Observer fundraiser on Wednesday, April 30.
(Article doesn’t mention it, but Kevin Belk is a GRCC alumnus.)
May 1, 2014; WOOD TV
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — With furnaces having worked overtime this winter, many homeowners may be considering getting their air ducts cleaned. Target 8 discovered when it’s time to get them cleaned and when you’re wasting your money.
… Target 8 took his pictures to Grand Rapids Community College HVAC professor Don Steeby, who said it didn’t look like the ducts had been cleaned properly.
Loriel Jenny’s extra work paying off in the batters box for Wyoming softball team
May 1, 2014; MLive
WYOMING — Loriel Jenny is off to a sizzling start for the Wyoming softball team and doesn’t appear to be ready to cool off any time too soon.
… Jenny has already signed to play softball at Grand Rapids Community College.
From Michael Schavey, of the Department of Experiential Learning:
I wanted to thank the Armen Awards Planning Team for another successful year!
Projects to create age-appropriate biology lessons for schoolchildren, assist Gilda’s Club with LaughFest, and support those who work with cancer patients and survivors were named winners in Grand Rapids Community College’s 2014 Armen Awards.
The winners were announced during a ceremony on April 25, 2014:
[First Place: $3,000] Sarah Krajewski and her Biology for Educators course partnered with Immaculate Heart of Mary School.
[Second Place: $1,500] Bethann Talsma and her Office Ethics and Etiquette course partnered with Gilda’s Club.
[Third Place: $750] Jolanta Lanier and her Personal Health course partnered with the American Cancer Society.
The other finalists were:
Learn more about this event by visiting www.grcc.edu/armenawards
Celebrate integrated innovative teaching and learning practices that make meaningful contributions to our community through service learning! The Armen Awards presentation will feature interviews and powerful video of the work of each team, a (huge) check presentation – plus delicious snacks before the show starts.
The details:
Friday, April 25th from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University Woodbridge N. Ferris Building located at 17 Pearl St. NW, Room 217. Please RSVP at http://www.grcc.edu/armenawards
Check out this album from last year’s event.
Please check out the Experiential Learning April BLOG at: http://grccdel.wordpress.com/
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