Dr. Courtney Gallaher, Assistant Professor of Geography and Women’s Studies at Northern Illinois University, will be delivering a keynote lecture tonight for GRCC’s annual conference on Race, Ethnicity, and Identity titled: Linking environmental justice and community empowerment through urban agriculture in Southern/Eastern Africa. Dr. Gallaher, who was awarded the Ph.D. in Geography from Michigan State University, has a record of extensive fieldwork in Kenya and Malawi. The conference is sponsored by the GRCC Social Sciences Department and Grand Rapids Community College, as well as Pearson Education, the International Geographical Honor Society, and the Association of American Geographers. The lecture begins at 7:00 pm this evening in Sneden Hall Room 108 on the DeVos Campus.
Category Archives: Social Science Department
Social science research paper competition draws record number of entries
The Winners of the 2014 GRCC Social Science Department Student Research Paper Competition have been Announced!
“There were a record number of submissions to this year’s GRCC Social Science Department Student Research Paper Competition, and the selection process was very difficult,” said Dr. Robert Hendershot, chair of the Paper Competition Subcommittee, “but the faculty judges are pleased to be able to name the following winners:
1st Place:
Eyssy Moore
Paper Title: “Banana Incorporated: Corporate Interests, U.S. Foreign Policy, and Perpetual Poverty in Central America”
Class: HS293: Seminar on the History of American Foreign Relations
2nd Place:
Gretchen Robinson
Paper Title: “Israel’s Power to Influence”
Class: HS293: Seminar on the History of American Foreign Relations
3rd Place (tie):
Melissa Foster
Paper Title: “The Criminal Mind: Contributions to Criminal Behavior”
Class: SO270: American Families in Transition
3rd Place (tie):
Carla Villasana-Acosta
Paper Title: “Pablo Escobar: The Influence and Control of a Drug Lord in Colombia”
Class: HS230: The History of Latin America
Please join us in congratulating these scholars for their truly outstanding work!
GRCC In the News, 2-24-15
KVCC basketball coach Ron Welch honored by former players, hundreds of fans during final home game
Feb. 23, 2015; MLive
KALAMAZOO, MI – With his arms folded and a look of focus on his face, Kalamazoo Valley Community College women’s basketball coach Ron Welch paced the sidelines Monday just the way Tracy Little remembered from 20 years ago.
… Wearing her dark blue and white KVCC windbreaker from her playing days, Little spoke highly of her former coach and colleague – she formerly coached at Grand Rapids Community College and her first game was against Welch’s Cougars.
Spotlight on human trafficking
2/23/15 WOOD TV
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Human trafficking is a real problem, but it’s not confined to far-away places. A panel discussion on Monday aims to educate the public and break some myths about human trafficking.
… The World Affairs Council of West Michigan is addressing human trafficking in its Great Decisions Discussion Series on Monday, February 23 at 6 p.m. The panel discussion will include Becky McDonald of Women at Risk International and Amanda Colegrove of Crime Victim Advocacy Center. It will be moderated by Michigan Senator Judy Emmons.
(The article doesn’t mention it, but Amanda Colegrove is a GRCC alumna.)
Dillon Carr named to research team
Dillon Carr
We are pleased to announce that Dillon Carr has been selected for the Engaged Department Initiative Research Team. The Research Team, made up of faculty representatives from both Aquinas College and Grand Valley State University, will serve on a cross-institutional research team assessing the impact of integrating community engagement into department-specific curriculum.
Over the course of two years, the Research Team will perform case study research, collect student persistence rates in seven departments at the three participating institutions and disseminate the learning and replicable components of the project through publications, conferences, and professional and peer-reviewed scholarship.
Congratulations, Dillon!
Raider Salute to Dan Zehr and campus dining
A shout out to Dan Zehr and his campus dining team. They made our last minute requests their priority. It’s wonderful to know they have our backs and are willing to help us to make events work with short notice. It’s appreciated by all!
– Social Sciences & Psychology Departments
Geography Lives! newsletter includes career information
The first issue of the Geography Lives! newsletter includes information about careers and news about a fundraiser to benefit the education of girls in Africa. You can see the newsletter below or download a copy by clicking here.
GRCC Geography Alumna’s Article Published in Prestigious Scholarly Journal
“Political Agency and Citizen Journalism: Twitter as a Tool of Evaluation,” a groundbreaking article by GRCC Geography alumna Cadey Korson (A.A. 2008), was recently published in the prestigious scholarly journal, The Professional Geographer. Ms. Korson conducted an analysis of tweets about United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Haiti and C^ote d’Ivoire, which revealed the usefulness of Twitter, as a medium for citizen journalism, in evaluating phenomena like peacekeeping missions. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Kent State University, having just returned to the U.S. from fieldwork in the South Pacific French territory of New Caledonia. Before pursuing doctoral studies in Geography, Ms. Korson was awarded the B.A. at Aquinas College and the M.A. at the University of Missouri. Her research interests include critical geopolitics, social media and citizen journalism, peacekeeping, and political development in francophone regions.
GRCC In the News, 11-13-14
‘Frontlines of Freedom’ radio host speaks out on Veterans Affairs shakeup
Nov. 12, 2014; MLive
ZEELAND — A nationally syndicated radio talk show host based in West Michigan says this week’s shakeup at Veterans Affairs is a step in the right direction, but fears it may be a case of too little, too late.
… Gillem received two Purple Hearts, five Bronze Stars and a Silver Star for his valor in battle in Vietnam. He currently teaches American government at Grand Rapids Community College.
Nov. 12, 2014; MLive
BIG RAPIDS, MI — Tony Annese remembers Dec. 22, 2011 “like it was yesterday.”
… What’s happening at Ferris State has happened before with Annese. He went 195-41 in 22 years at the high school level, including three state titles, and then went 30-4 in three seasons at Grand Rapids Community College. He’s won everywhere he’s been.
GRCC Geography Alumna Wins Award!
On the 17th of October at the regional meeting of the Association of American Geographers in Kalamazoo, Alyson Mabie, a GRCC graduate and past-president of the College’s chapter of the International Geographical Honor Society (GTU), took first place in the undergraduate student paper competition. She began her research last year with funding from the GRCC GEOGRAPHY LIVES! Field Studies Award. Her paper, “Claiming Turf: The Spatial Distribution of Three Discrete Types of Graffiti/Street Art in Southeast Grand Rapids, Michigan,” is considered one of the most comprehensive explorations of urban graffiti in academic geography. One distinguished geographer commented, “It’s the best.” Ms. Mabie is currently a geography major at Grand Valley State University, intending to graduate in 2015 and subsequently pursue graduate studies. She is the fourth GRCC alumnus to win an award for an outstanding paper presentation at this annual regional geography conference in recent years.
Distinguished Scientist Awarded GRCC Geography Field Cap
The notable scientist, Richard Leakey, delivered a talk yesterday, sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. Contributing much to humanity through his tireless efforts in exploring the earth, uncovering secrets of the past, assessing the impact of climate change, and advocating for social justice and wildlife, Leakey was selected by Time Magazine as one of the 100 greatest minds of the 20th century—incidentally a list that includes the Wright Brothers, Jacques Cousteau, Jonas Salk, and Sigmund Freud. Leakey has remained committed not only to the advancement of science, but also to fighting for political justice and environmental conservation. All of these things, incidentally, are inherently geographical.
The GRCC Geography Field Cap is awarded to the institution’s geography alumni, as well as those that have contributed to the advancement of Geography through fieldwork, exploration, research, teaching, or publication. It is rare for any one individual to contribute in every one of these areas, but Richard Leakey has done just that. In recognition for his contributions to advancing Geography, the GRCC Geography Field Cap was awarded to Professor Leakey. He graciously accepted the honor while being thanked for what he has done for the discipline of Geography—and what he has done for humankind.
The latest from GRCC TV on YouTube: board meeting; Race, Ethnicity and Identity Conference
Social Sciences Symposium speakers attracting large numbers
Over 150 students, faculty, and community member gathered for Dr. Faria’s lecture on March 18.
More than 150 students, faculty, and members of the local community gathered on Tuesday evening, March 18, for Dr. Caroline Faria’s talk related to her fieldwork in East Africa: Styling a Nation: Fear and Desire in the South Sudanese Beauty Trade. Dr. Faria is an assistant professor of geography at Florida International University. She delivered this distinguished lecture as part of the International Geographical Honor Society’s Visiting Geographical Scientist Program for the GRCC Social Sciences Department Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Conference.
Then, on March 19 more than 120 people gathered for Dr. Alicia Decker’s talk related to her research in Africa: Recalling the Legacy of Amin: Ethnicity, Gender, and Religion in the Shaping of Memory in Uganda. Dr. Decker is an assistant professor of African studies and women’s studies at Purdue University. She also delivered this lecture for the GRCC Social Sciences Department Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Conference.
Michele Norris leads learning opportunity
On March 13, faculty members from the Social Sciences, English, and Language and Thought participated in a Faculty Professional Development Opportunity/Conversation with the Diversity Lecture Series and Social Science Department’s Race, Ethnicity and Identity Conference speaker Michele Norris (NPR). The DLC and the Social Science Department co-sponsored Michele Norris’s lecture last night at Fountain Street Church.
Race, Ethnicity and Identity Conference starts tonight
The Social Sciences Department hosts Pamela Alderman and Kizombo Kalumbula as they present at the first lecture of this year’s Race, Ethnicity and Identity Conference. Monday, March 10th from 6:30-8:30pm in Room 108 Sneden Hall, they will present their talk: Courage Ablaze and The Hidden War in the Congo. They will have art work to view along with a Congolese choir to entertain and educate. Please encourage any and all to attend. This event is free and open to the public.
GRCC In the News, 2-3-14
GRCC on 7.5 percent enrollment decrease: ‘Improved economy has more people back to work’
Jan. 31, 2014; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Enrollment at Grand Rapids Community College fell by 7.5 percent this semester, a drop administrators attribute to West Michigan’s improving economy and fewer non-traditional students signing up for classes.
World Affairs Council opens foreign policy series
Jan. 31, 2014; Grand Rapids Business Journal
Grand Rapids will be having a discussion Monday about whether or not Edward Snowden is a traitor, a hero or both.
… Feb. 24: U.S.-Israeli Relations in a Changing Middle East, armchair discussion with Dr. Yael Aronoff, chair of Israel Studies, James Madison College, Michigan State University; moderated by Dr. Michael DeVivo, Grand Rapids Community College
Industry assembles Construction Workforce Development Alliance
Jan. 31, 2014; Grand Rapids Business Journal
What do you do when work-force development challenges, a negative image and overall economic peril knock at your industry’s door?
… The second order of business and certainly the most ambitious part of the CWDA’s plan is to develop an educational construction curriculum and certification through ABC and Grand Rapids Community College that could eventually be used in community colleges across West Michigan. This initiative is called the Construction Core Certification.
Wolverine steps up to help young builders
Jan. 31, 2014; Grand Rapids Business Journal
Earlier this winter, Gideon Sanders watched as students loaded into buses wearing sweatshirts, baseball caps and sneakers.
… Paired with the Design & Construction Academy, among others, are Rockford Construction, Triangle Associates, Progressive AE, The Christman Co., Michigan State University, Ferris State University and Grand Rapids Community College.
Super Bowl another work day on the field for Carl Paganelli Jr. of Grand Rapids
Feb. 2, 2014; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Once again, Carl Paganelli Jr. has to work on Super Bowl Sunday and, as usual, it will be his most scrutinized work day of the year.
(Article doesn’t mention it, but Mr. Paganelli is a GRCC alumnus.)
Watch as GRCC’s Courtney Hill never touches the floor with game-winning buzzer beater
Jan. 31, 2014; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Grand Rapids Community College basketball player Courtney Hill proved you don’t have to set your feet for a great shot.
The daily employee newsletter of Grand Rapids Community College 