GRCC In the News, 7-10-13

College tuition growing, but some West Michigan universities have seen declines in net price

July 9, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Tuition has grown steadily in recent years at West Michigan’s colleges and universities, but the actual price of attendance has fallen slightly at some schools, data from the U.S. Department of Education shows.

Net price — the total cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships — dropped at Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University and Grand Rapids Community College between 2008-09 and 2010-11, according to data released by the department’s College Affordability and Transparency Center.

‘On the right path’

July 9, 2013; The Grand Haven Tribune

Since her arrival in the U.S. at 14, the Grand Haven woman has fought against being deported to China, where her father sold her to smugglers. The smugglers snuck (Cayla) Roberts and three other girls into the U.S. from Mexico.

… While living in West Michigan, Roberts became part of the DeWitt family. She has graduated from Grand Haven High School, Grand Rapids Community College and Western Michigan University. She has also become an active community member through volunteering and attending Second Reformed Church in Grand Haven.

Teen business owner closes FRSH Boutique after five months

July 9, 2013; The Holland Sentinel

Holland — After five months, teenage small-business owner Matthew Quintero has reluctantly closed the FRSH Boutique, 452 Washington Ave., in the Washington Square neighborhood.

… “I am planning on going back to school,” he said. “I’m going to take online courses to finish up my GED, and then I’d like to take classes at Grand Rapids Community College in the fall of 2014. I’m just going to take it as it comes. I’m still young.”

GRCC, Kent ISD partner on printing to save money, maximize operations

July 9, 2013; The Holland Sentinel

Grand Rapids — Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) and Kent ISD have consolidated its printing services operations to conserve taxpayer dollars and provide better service to the school districts, non-profit organizations, and staff who use its copy services departments.

GRCC, Kent ISD save money on printing

July 9, 2013; WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) – Grand Rapids Community College and the Kent Intermediate School District are teaming up to save money on printing costs.

How combined printing with GRCC will save Kent ISD $150,000

July 9, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Kent Intermediate School District and Grand Rapids Community College have consolidated their printing services operations to save money and create greater efficiencies.

GRCC In the News, 6-14-13

GRCC hosting graduation ceremony for GED students

June 13, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – More than 500 students will be recognized by Grand Rapids Community College Friday for earning awards ranging from a GED to English as a second language credentials.

Next GED Prep Class Orientation and Testing Tuesday 9/4/12

First Session:  Registration for Orientation at 3:45 PM, Orientation/Testing starts promptly at 4:00 PM.

Second Session: Registration for Orientation at 4:45 PM, Orientation/Testing starts promptly at 5:00 PM.

Third Session: Registration for Orientation at 5:45 PM, Orientation/Testing starts promptly at 6:00 PM.

For more information, please contact 616-234-3040.

Students are accepted in the program who meet the following criteria:

• All participants must attend orientation and take assessments.
• All participants must assess at a 9th grade reading level or higher.
• All participants must have a Michigan issued ID or Driver’s License.
• All participants must pay $25, non-refundable, registration fee.

GRCC Learning Corners Offering GED and ESL Orientations

GRCC’s Learning Corners are offering GED and ESL orientations in September and October respectively:

GED Orientation: 9/24/12
Participant requirements for GED Program:

• Must attend an orientation
• Must take assessments and score at a 9th grade reading level or higher to be eligible in our program per state requirements.
• Must have a Michigan issued ID or Drivers License.
• Must pay $25, non-refundable, registration fee.

Students who score below the 9th grade level will be referred to GRCC Adult Basic Education (ABE) at the Tassel MTEC or Literacy Center of West Michigan.  Please refer prospective GED students to Learning Corner @Wealthy, 616-234-3040.

ESL Orientation: 10/1/12
Participant requirements for ESL Program:

• Must attend an orientation and appraisal
• Must take pre-tests
• Must score 181 235 in the CASAS Pre-test to be eligible in our program per state requirements.
• Must have a Michigan issued ID or Passport
• Must pay $25, non-refundable, registration fee.

Students who score 180 and below are at the Beginning ESL Literacy level and do not qualify to be enrolled in our program per state mandate. These students will be referred to the Literacy Center of West Michigan to receive the help they need.

Students who score 236 or higher are at the Adult Secondary level and do not qualify to be enrolled in our program per state mandate. These students will be referred to ESL classes on main campus, GED classes at the Learning Corner @ Wealthy, and/or to a GRCC Academic Advisor to assist them in their next educational step.

Please refer prospective ESL students to WestSide Learning Corner, 616-234-3172.

Inspiring Stories From Learning Corner Graduates – Video

Check out these amazing stories produced by GRCC’s Media Technologies department from students at GRCC’s Learning Corners (on Wealthy and the Westside); they’re inspiring and showcase the great work that we do.

GRCC Learning Corner ESL and GED Graduates Celebrate – Photos

Grand Rapids Community College’s two Learning Corners, West Side Learning Corner and the Learning Corner at Wealthy, held their annual joint graduation ceremony last week.

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The graduation ceremony was for students who completed their high school equivalency test (GED) and for those who have attained the “Level of Proficiency” in their English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and was held in partnership with Lake Michigan Credit Union and Huntington Bank – both businesses have been longtime community partners active in helping students reach their goals.

GRCC’s Learning Corners, located at 1154 Wealthy St. SE and 665 Seward St. NW, have a distinctive purpose: to provide access to higher education to adults who may not think of themselves as “college material,” but are comfortable in a friendly location within their neighborhood.

Podcasts Featuring GRCC Employees Phil Green, Kristin Seevers and David Selmon

Lynne Jarman-Johnson, Interim Executive Director of Communication at GRCC hosts a radio show on WJRW AM 1340 and recently featured GRCC employees on two episodes:

• Phil Green and Kristen Seevers, Construction Management spoke about Apprenticeships
• David Selmon spoke about GRCC’s Learning Corners and orientations for GED preparation and English as Second Language

Photos: GED/ESL Graduation

Last night students from GRC’s General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs graduated in an emotional ceremony at the Spectrum Theater.  In addition, scholarships were handed out to several students to continue their education.

More Information: www.grcc.edu/esl | www.grcc.edu/ged

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