Category Archives: Provost's Office

SLT Profile: College Accessibility Team

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GRCC’s College Accessibility Team (CAT) team formed in 2016 as part of our accessibility efforts on campus. The CAT is a cross-college team including representatives from faculty, IT, facilities, administration, DSS and others.

Team members include:

  •   Lina Blair, Student Life and Conduct
  •   Cathy Kubiak and Jessica Berens, Human Resources
  •   Dave Anderson, Nathan Hamilton, and Simon Kittok, Information Technology
  •   Dave Selmon, Academic Outreach
  •   Don VanOeveren and Katie Vandermeer, Computer Information Systems
  •   Lori Cook, Enrollment Center
  •  Jim Vandokkumburg, Facilities
  •  Leah Nixon, Communications
  •  Kimberly DeVries and Deven Swanigan, General Counsel
  •  Misty McClure-Anderson, President’s Office
  •  Rebecca Allington, Disability Support Services
  •  Sarah Rose, Occupational Support
  •  Scott Mattson, Job Training
  •  Steven Putt, Library and Learning Commons
  •  Victoria Janowiak, Finance and Administration
  •  William Faber and  Meegan Willi, Center for Teaching Excellence

This team is tasked with monitoring accessibility concerns and progress across campus and reporting those issues back to the cross-college group. The team communicates about potential areas of improvement and has collaborated on improving some of these areas.

The team has discussed and suggested improvements on methods for tracking accessibility concerns, routing of accessibility questions, and website improvements to aid in directing those who have questions. Various areas who work directly with accessibility, like facilities and DSS, often provide updates on their work so the team can help spread the message about progress and improvements.

Last year the team facilitated a community member’s request for a ramp near the Ford Field House; through the CAT, this request was forwarded to facilities, who examined the feasibility of the request and ultimately had the ramp constructed in response. Communicating this request through the CAT enabled the broader team to see the process, provide input, and spread the word about the improvement.

The team also discusses big-picture concepts related to college goals, including several conversations about universal design, the idea that an area be accessible to anyone as is, without having to institute specific accommodations. Last winter the team took a trip to the new Mary Free Bed YMCA to view the universal design concept of their building. After the tour, representatives from the developers came to visit our team to discuss how to incorporate universal design into our long-term facility planning.

Any questions or suggestions for the CAT can be directed to Kimberly DeVries, Director of Equal Opportunity and Compliance, at (616) 234-2120 or kimberlydevries1@grcc.edu. We are always happy to accept input on topics. You can also contact us if you are interested in joining our work!

Provost introduces podcast

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In an effort to find creative ways to connect with all of you and to share what’s happening in Academic and Student Affairs, Provost Chesley is test-driving a podcast.

Here is how you can access the Provost Podcast:

Deadline for Excellence in Education nominations is March 15

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The Excellence in Education award nomination deadline is March 15, 2015. Recipients of the full-time faculty award and staff award each receive $1,000, and a $1,000 contribution to the GRCC Foundation is made in the recipient’s name. The recipient of the adjunct award receives $750.  Click here to learn more.

Deadline for Excellence in Education nominations is March 15

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The Excellence in Education award nomination deadline is March 15, 2015. Recipients of the full-time faculty award and staff award each receive $1,000, and a $1,000 contribution to the GRCC Foundation is made in the recipient’s name. The recipient of the adjunct award receives $750.  Click here to learn more.

Excellence in Ed nomination deadline approaching

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The Excellence in Education award nomination deadline is March 15, 2015. Recipients of the full-time faculty award and staff award each receive $1,000, and a $1,000 contribution to the GRCC Foundation is made in the recipient’s name. The recipient of the adjunct award receives $750.  Click here to learn more.

Calling for emeritus faculty nominations

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You are invited to submit a nomination for the GRCC Emeritus Faculty Award. This award was established in 1985 to honor those whose dedication and creativity have left an indelible mark on the lives of students and colleagues at GRCC. The deadline for nominations is February 1, 2013.

To access the nomination form, click here.

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GRCC In the News, 2-2-15

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GRCC hosting open houses for manufacturing partnership that pairs students with businesses

Jan. 31, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College is hosting two open houses next month for a job training program that pairs eligible students with West Michigan manufacturers.

Grand Rapids schools partnering with local colleges and groups on mentoring initiative

Jan. 30, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Public Schools is launching a new initiative called “Grade School to Grad School,” (G2G) developed to help address the achievement gap and develop a national model for educating young men of color, officials say.

The program is being done in collaboration with Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, the Grand Rapids Urban League, Boy Scouts of America, Grand City Sports, and Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.

Grand Rapids weighs in on free community college proposal

Jan. 30, 2015; therapidian.org

In his State of the Union address on January 20, President Obama articulated his hope that two years of college becomes as free and universal in America as high school is today by the year 2020.

… Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) Provost Laurie Chesley believes that providing free community college would benefit not only students, but the Grand Rapids community at large.

As Aquinas expands dual enrollment, see how West Michigan districts stack up on the measure

Jan. 31, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A new partnership between Aquinas College and three Catholic high schools could boost the number of dual enrolled high school students in the region.

… Wyoming Superintendent Tom Reeder credited the district’s Middle College partnership with Grand Rapids Community College, in which students take GRCC and high school courses simultaneously and earn a high school diploma and associate degree in five years.

33rd Annual Giants Awards & Banquet

Jan. 30, 2015; WZZM

Since 1983, thirteen African American individuals and/or organizations are recognized annually for their exceptional contributions shaping the history and quality of life of greater Grand Rapids. The idea for this event grew out of need for recognizing notable contributions of African Americans to the quality of life in Grand Rapids. The founders for this event, Dr. Patricia Pulliam and Cedric Ward decided to engage a group of people from the community to plan the event.

… Proceeds from the event are contributed to the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation’s Milo M. Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund. Two or more scholarships are awarded annually. The scholarships are presented to African American students as perpetual memorials to Mr. Brown.

2015 Giant Award winners to be honored as leaders in Grand Rapids

Jan. 31, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Grand Rapids Community College will honor and celebrate influential leaders in the African American community at its annual Giants Awards program scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at DeVos Places Steelcase Ballroom, 303 Monroe Ave. NW.

GRCC In the News, 12-22-14

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State’s focus on workforce development plays to GRCC’s strengths, president says

Dec. 21, 2014; mibiz.com

As companies across the country and in West Michigan pay close attention to talent issues, they’ve largely looked to community colleges as the go-to source for skilled workers. However, attracting students to technical training programs and sourcing funding for those programs continue to be issues for those schools. During his tenure, Grand Rapids Community College President Steven Ender has worked to grow the college’s programs and curriculum to meet the needs of employers in West Michigan. He spoke with MiBiz about the role community colleges will play in training workers in the coming year.

Change Ups: Volunteer inspires Dégagé patrons

Dec. 19, 2014; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… EDUCATION

… Grand Rapids Community College announced Laurie Chesley will step into the role of provost. She was formerly dean of GRCC’s School of Arts and Sciences. GRCC’s provost-executive vice president for academic and student affairs reports directly to the president and serves as the chief academic officer, with major responsibilities for strategic planning and guiding all aspects of teaching and learning.
Veteran coach David Selmon is interim head coach of Grand Rapids Community College’s men’s basketball team following the departure of T.J. Carnegie, who accepted an out-of-state job opportunity.

Construction Workforce Development Alliance key to developing skilled trades talent, Wickstrom says

Dec. 21, 2014; mibiz.com

As the president of Ada-based Erhardt Construction Co., Ben Wickstrom wants to attract people not only to his firm, but also to the larger construction industry. Wickstrom was one the founding members of the Construction Workforce Development Alliance (CWDA), a group consisting of three local trade associations. He spoke with MiBiz about how the group aims to create a pipeline of workers.

… “We formed this partnership to address the common, shared focus of attracting new people to the construction industry and developing and maintaining a training system to train people currently in the industry and the new people coming in. We formed a partnership with Grand Rapids Community College. They are a supporting member of the CWDA. Michigan Works! is a also a supporting member of the CWDA.”

MSU fan Gus Penning goes from Grand Rapids CC to Baylor TE

Dec. 20, 2014; The Detroit Free Press

Gus Penning contributed to the roar that swept through Spartan Stadium late on the night of Oct. 22, 2011, after Michigan State receiver Keith Nichol grabbed a Hail Mary pass from Kirk Cousins and muscled past the goal line to beat Wisconsin at the buzzer.

… He was a freshman tight end at Grand Rapids Community College at the time, unrecruited out of Jenison High but determined to make a player out of himself. On Jan. 1 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, he’ll line up for No. 4 Baylor (11-1) against his former favorite football program, and he’ll try to help the Bears beat the No. 7 Spartans (10-2) in the Cotton Bowl.

GRCC In the News, 12-18-14

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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.

GRCC In the News, 12-16-14

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Business Journal names Newsmaker nominees

Dec. 11, 2014; Grand Rapids Business Journal

The more, the merrier, right?

The Grand Rapids Business Journal has expanded its Newsmakers of the Year awards for 2014, adding several new categories that reflect continued economic expansion.

… Education

John Dunn, Western Michigan University

Steven Ender, Grand Rapids Community College

Richard Pappas, Davenport University

GRCC names provost

Dec. 15, 2014; Grand Rapids Business Journal

The new provost at Grand Rapids Community College is an experienced administrator and educator.

Inside Track: His vision for the theater is to be part of the change

Dec. 12, 2014; Grand Rapids Business Journal

In November, Kyle Los joined Actors Theatre as managing director.

… (Fred) Sebulske, who was a faculty member with the Grand Rapids Community College theater department, founded Actors Theatre in 1980. He was a strong leader with a clear vision, and Actors thrived under his tutelage, but by his retirement, funding had become a challenge and remains so today.

GRCC In the News, 12-12-14

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GRCC names new provost

Dec. 11, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Laurie Chesley, dean of Grand Rapids Community College’s school of arts and sciences, will take over as the school’s provost.

‘Out of the blue,’ against the odds, one man’s journey to dream job

Dec. 11, 2014; MLive

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, MI — Derrick Johnson was attending Grand Rapids Community College and struggling to pay his bills, when he picked an obscure profession out of a list: Water plant manager.

GRCC In the News, 12-1-14

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Change Ups: Ike receives WGVU Engage award

Nov. 28, 2014; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… EDUCATION

Grand Rapids Community College has selected three finalists in its search for a new provost-executive vice president for academic and student affairs: Laurie Chesley, dean of GRCC’s School of Arts and Sciences; Tony D. Hawkins, instructional dean of humanities at Montgomery College in Maryland; and Bill Pink, vice president of academic affairs at Oklahoma State University.

Walker family proud to have son join police ranks

Nov. 28, 2014; MLive

WALKER — A Walker dad who has served with the Walker Fire Department for years said he couldn’t be prouder of his son who was recently hired by the Walker Police Department.

… (Steven) Ritzenheim was working for the Rockford Police Department when he accepted the Walker position. While he was a senior at Kenowa Hills High School and later while attending the Grand Rapids Community College’s law enforcement academy, Ritzenheim had interned with the Walker Police Department. He said he liked working in Rockford, but being a Walker police officer was always his dream.

Education group purchases pyramid from Steelcase

Nov. 26, 2014; WOOD TV

GAINES TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — A non-profit education group announced it is purchasing the iconic pyramid building once occupied by Steelcase Inc. for $7.5 million.

… The group has also established a Leadership Council, headed by Grand Rapids Community College Board Chair and former Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Bert Bleke, to focus on developing the educational programs and curriculum.

Former Muskegon High School coach Tony Annese continues success with Ferris State football

Nov. 28, 2014; MLive

MUSKEGON, MI – Even for Tony Annese, this might be a little ahead of the game.

… Annese has won at every other coaching stop along that way — at Montrose, Ann Arbor Pioneer and Jenison in addition to Muskegon in the high school ranks, and at Grand Rapids Community College before taking over at Ferris in 2012.