Rodney D. Brown to lead Grand Rapids Learning Center

Rodney D. Brown

The Grand Rapids Learning Center, GRCC’s college preparatory high school program in partnership with Grand Rapids Public Schools, welcomes Rodney D. Brown as its new principal.

Brown is entering his 23rd year in education — including seven years teaching political science at GRCC.

He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Santa Clara University in California and a Master of Education from Davenport University.

Brown started with GRPS as a recruiter in 2006 and has served as athletic director, dean of students and, since 2014, as assistant principal at Innovation Central High School.

GRCC In the News, 5-16-19

GRCC summer learning academies benefit Wyoming, Grand Rapids students

May 15, 2019; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College is launching a new Summer Learning Academy and expanding an existing one to increase the number of students from underserved communities prepared to succeed in postsecondary education.

Kentwood welcomes first black woman officer

May 15, 2019; WOOD TV

KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD) — The Kentwood Police Department reached a new milestone this week.

… She (Jesalyn Heard) recently graduated from Grand Rapids Community College. While there, she was on the dean’s list and earned an associate degree in criminal justice. She also completed the GRCC Police Academy in April.

… Her father serves as a sergeant with the Grand Rapids Community College Police Department and her mother works for a warden with the Michigan Department of Corrections.

RC Caylan Showcases Drama and Luxury in his Collection at NYFW

May 15, 2019; ifashion Network

RC Caylan paid tribute to Whitney Houston with his haute couture collection entitled, ‘LEGEND, I Am every woman’ at the New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter showcasing. An up and coming designer Caylan, is increasing becoming popular in Hollywood and the fashion industry. For his selection for the CAAFD NYFW showcase, with his debuted collection, he wanted to promote and pay tribute to Houston, a legend in herself. His costumes were inspired from the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s and the way Houston used to dress herself during that time.

RC Caylan was born in Iligan City and raised in Batangas City in the Philippines. He migrated to USA in 2012 where he graduated in Fashion Designs from the Grand Rapids Community College in 2015, the same year when he had his first big fashion show at San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Network. In 2016, he opened his own studio ‘RC Cayln Atelier at Suite 308 80 Ottawa Avenue, Grand Rapids in Michigan. At his studio Caylan also focuses on bridal wear. He personally sees that each woman gets the gown of her dreams for her fairy tale wedding. He won The Best Fashion Designer Award at The Global Beauty Awards in 2016. Since then he has been actively dressing celebrities, and has become a favorite in fashion magazines. His collections are now available at Regent Style House in Beverly Hills, one of the best showrooms around.

Is there a global helium shortage?

May 15, 2019; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — With helium prices on the rise, many wonder if we are in the midst of a global helium shortage. After speaking with two environmental experts, 13 On Your Side can verify that there is no global shortage of helium. However, the United States faces some back sets when it comes to retrieving the very abundant resource.

… Harvard alumna and former NASA employee Lauren Woolsey, now an assistant professor at Grand Rapids Community College, said helium is the second most common resource in the universe and that its constantly being made underground from the decay of radioactive minerals.

Heartlands Institute of Technology honors top students

May 15, 2019; Ionia Sentinel-Standard

IONIA — Heartlands Institute of Technology offers juniors and seniors in Ionia County a chance to explore different career fields, such as health occupations, aviation and criminal justice, while enrolled in high school. On Tuesday, May 14, Heartlands held its award morning and afternoon ceremonies to honor students who completed courses for the 2018-19 school year at Ionia High School.

… Grace Timmer received the Heartlands Student Scholarship for $1,000. A Student Advisory Scholarship for $500 was awarded to Amanda Zarebski. Marissa Hall received a $1,000 award for studying in the culinary field at Grand Rapids Community College and Alexandre Durham and Natalie Smith both received $1,000 scholarships, funded by Heartlands fundraisers.

GRCC plans ‘Raider Takeover’ of Union High School on May 16

GRCC staff and faculty are planning a Raider Takeover of Union High School on Thursday, May 16 to help inform students about college and inspire this next generation of Raiders to pursue postsecondary education.

The event runs from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Union High, 1800 Tremont NW in Grand Rapids.

The GRCC team will engage with eleventh grade Challenge Scholars students in classrooms.

The goals are to promote academic success, college aspiration, and career exploration and inspire students to continue exploring the endless opportunities available to them.

GRCC colleagues will connect with students and engage in meaningful discussions to help students see college as a possibility. They’ll allow students to get a glimpse of college life and begin exploring how to navigate the transition from high school to college. Students will be informed about college and assist in debunking myths about the college experience GRCC colleagues will share their own educational journeys and career experiences with Challenge Scholars students.

Contact the College Success Center at collegesuccess@grcc.edu, (616) 234-2312 if you are interested in participating.

Condolences to David, Lilly, Jared Anderson

We extend our condolences to David, Lilly and Jared Anderson on the passing of Lilly’s father, Ronald J. Kozal, on December 31.  David is the chief information officer at GRCC; his wife, Lilly, recently retired from her position as GRCC’s associate dean of Academic Outreach.  Their son, Jared, manages online store operations in Purchasing at GRCC.  Services will be held Thursday, January 4, at the Basilica of St. Adalbert, at 1 p.m., where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, January 3, at Arsulowicz Brothers Stocking Mortuary, from 6-9 p.m., and one hour prior to the service on Thursday.  Memorials in Ronald’s name may be directed to the American Heart Association.

Condolences may be sent to: David and Lilly Anderson, 10305 Chinook Drive, Allendale, MI 49401.

Brandon McBride to receive NAACP Role Model Education Award

Congratulations to Academic Outreach success coach Brandan McBride, who will receive the NAACP Role Model Education Award during the 51st Annual Freedom Fund Dinner and Awards!

Message of thanks from Anderson family

A message from David Anderson, in IT:

Dear GRCC Family,

On behalf of our entire family, I would like to thank everyone for their support, compassion, cards, flowers, text and email messages and donations to the American Cancer Society-Hope Lodge during my father’s extended illness and recent passing. There are no words to express our gratitude.

Warm regards,

David, Lilly, Jared and Colton Anderson

GRCC In the News, 8-28-17

Morning News

Aug. 28, 2017; WZZM

Kamady Rudd: “It looks pretty nice out now — a beautiful way to start off the school year. We’re joined by Superintendent Weatherall Neal.”

… Weatherall Neal: “I guess going into this school year, I’m really excited for the students and staff members … We are starting middle college this year, which is awesome. Our seniors will be able to graduate with an associate degree from Grand Rapids Community College. So that’s nice — it’s free of charge, actually, to parents.”

Street Talk: The fountain of youth

Aug. 25, 2017; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta joined Gov. Rick Snyder at Grand Rapids Community College last week, where they discussed the importance of apprenticeships before touring the third and fourth floors of the colleges Peter and Pat Cook Academic Hall.

Craft brewing makes its way to Michigan college campuses

Aug. 27, 2017; The Lanthorn (GVSU student newspaper)

A new trend has been brewing on college campuses around Michigan, and that trend is craft brewing.

… Western Michigan University, Michigan State University, Ferris State University and Grand Rapids Community College are just a few examples of colleges in Michigan that offer a craft brewing program.

Condolences to David, Lilly, Jared Anderson

Our condolences to David, Lilly and Jared Anderson on the passing of their father and grandfather, Alan Leroy Anderson, on August 22.

David is the chief information officer at GRCC; his wife, Lilly, recently retired from her position as GRCC’s associate dean of Academic Outreach. Their son, Jared, manages online store operations in Purchasing at GRCC.

Services will be held Saturday, August 26, at Norwalk Lutheran Church, 5614 Chippewa Highway in Manistee, MI.  Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. followed by the funeral at 2 p.m.

Memorials in Alan’s name may be directed to the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Grand Rapids.

GRCC In the News, 6-7-17

Up to 20 officers to be hired by Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety

June 6, 2017; MLive

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is hiring 10-20 officers to begin serving in January 2018.

… Recruits are hired by KDPS and then sent to a police academy either at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kellogg Community College, Grand Rapids Community College or Grand Valley State University.

Undaunted by disease, staying the course

June 6, 2017; schoolnewsnetwork.org (Kent Intermediate School District newsletter)

Sparta Area Schools, MI — Standing in a hall of Sparta High School, Steven Sevarns wore a smile that might suggest he wasn’t headed to class that day. He had finished his last lessons before graduation, and all but the ceremony was behind him.

… Steven was dual-enrolled in a computer science class through Grand Rapids Community College in fall 2015 semester, which fortunately wrapped up before symptoms began. His instructors at the Tech Center allowed him to finish his work at his own pace, enabling him to complete it before the school year’s end.

GRCC In the News, 5-8-17

Change Ups: WMU Cooley Law School associate dean inducted into alumni ROTC Hall of Fame

May 5, 2017; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… AWARDS

Retired Col. Scott Haraburda is Grand Rapids Community College’s 2017 Distinguished Alumnus. Haraburda is a 1981 graduate from then Grand Rapids Junior College; chemistry professor Joe Hesse was named the college’s 2017 Emeritus Faculty; and president Dr. Steven C. Ender received the President Emeritus Award. Ender retired in April.

School district plans $17M renovation of high school

May 5, 2017; Grand Rapids Business Journal

A local school district is planning to renovate a high school into a “center for college preparation and career technical education.”

… In a joint venture with Grand Rapids Community College, GRPS will launch its first Early Middle College program at the renovated Ottawa Hills High School.

GRBJ: Ferris programs help Latinos hone business skills

May 8, 2017 WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – Throughout her 10 years in educational leadership and her work in the nonprofit sector, Lorena Aguayo-Marquez has worn many hats. Now, she wants to focus on the work that truly motivates her.

That’s why Aguayo-Marquez, program assistant for adult education programs at Grand Rapids Community College, signed up for the Latino Talent Initiative, a professional development program established in 2014 by the Latino Economic and Business Development Center (LEBDC) at Ferris State University.

GRCC Athlete Jeff Drake Todd

May 5, 2017; Grand Rapids Times

Jeff Todd is one of Grand Rapids Community College’s best basketball team players with a scoring average of 21.3 points per game as the Raiders combo point guard and shooting guard. In this interview with the GR Times, he talks about how he learned that grades come first the hard way, the influence of his parents on his college career, future plans and more.

Sinclair baseball edges Cuyahoga to win conference championship

5/7/17 Dayton Daily News (Ohio)

Sinclair split a doubleheader with Cuyahoga on Sunday to clinch the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference championship.

… The Tartan Pride travel to Grand Rapids Community College for a non-conference doubleheader on Monday.

Innovation Central, Montessori students’ 2017 prom a royal night

May 5, 2017; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Students from Grand Rapids Public Schools’ Innovation Central High School and Grand Rapids Montessori joined together for a royal night at their prom Friday, May 5.

The two schools — which are on the same campus — held their prom at Grand Rapids Community College’s Raider Grille. The theme was “where the royals meet.”

GRCC In the News, 4-3-17

Relatives pay tribute to man killed on highway trying to help friend

April 2, 2017; FOX 17

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. A man who police say was killed while merging too slowly onto US-131 last month has been laid to rest.

… (William) Wilson-Wade had just started working as a sales associate at AT&T and was a 2010 graduate of Forest Hills Central. He previously attended GRCC and Central Michigan University.

Change Ups: Gaddy is Women’s Resource Centers new CEO

March 31, 2017; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… EDUCATION

… Grand Rapids Community College teamed up with Kent Intermediate School District on Launch U, a tuition-free early college program. Students in the four-year Launch U program will graduate with a high school diploma and a GRCC associate degree in mechanical design, tooling and manufacturing technology, or industrial technology. Launch U was created in partnership with local school districts, GRCC and area manufacturing representatives.

Attracting talent will be focus of Summit Up! Event

April 3, 2017; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Summit Up! event in which more than a dozen business leaders will discuss methods of attracting, developing and retaining talent.

… Other speakers will include Jacob Maas, CEO of West Michigan Works!, Kevin Stotts, president of Talent 2025 and Bill Pink, incoming president of Grand Rapids Community College.

Inside Track: Putting his mark on Grand Rapids

March 32, 2017; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Isaac Norris finds similarities between his love of music and his work as an architect.

… Meeting an architect with the same skin color at a young age showed him becoming an architect was possible, so his interests growing up from drawing and painting to building model cars all made sense as he entered the working world. He received an associate’s degree from Grand Rapids Community College before venturing to the University of Detroit School of Architecture now called University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture for a bachelor’s degree.

Q&A: Michelle Urbane Theater Manager, GRCC’s Spectrum Theatre

March 31, 2017; Revue

The Spectrum Theater, located on Fountain Street in Grand Rapids Community College’s campus, houses four theater troupes and is always bustling with activity. Managing all that activity is Michelle Urbane, theater manager. On top of managing the box office, Urbane directs and performs in shows and can always be seen running from one place to the next, always with a big smile on her face.

Comprehensive Therapy Center CWC Awards Finalist

March 31, 2017; WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Our next finalist for the Connecting with Community Awards is the Comprehensive Therapy Center.

… It started with a summer camp called Therapy and Fun, which meets three times a week during the summer, from June to August. This camp model allows therapists and volunteers to come together to provide dance, music, and reading to the children in the camp. Volunteers for the summer camp can be children as young as 5th graders. The camp recruits their volunteers from area middle and high schools, such as Kent Intermediate School District. They also have partnered with GVSU speech pathology graduate students, Davenport occupational program students, and the GRCC OT program to gain volunteers that can invest in their children.

GRCC In the News, 2-16-17

Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation Awards $60,000 Grant to GRCC’s Cruisin’ to College Program

Feb. 15, 2017; Targeted News Service

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb. 15 — Grand Rapids Community College issued the following news release:

Grand Rapids Community College’s Summer Learning Academy has been awarded a $60,000 grant from the Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation to expand its work and assist more students.

GRCC’s board approves contract with next president

Feb. 15, 2017; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees unanimously approved a contract Monday, Feb. 13, for its next president, Bill Pink, currently vice president and dean for workforce development.

GRCC In the News, 9-6-16

Culinary school ranks among tops in US

Sept. 5, 2016; Grand Rapids Business Journal

A local culinary school is ranked as one of the top programs in the nation.

Best Choice Schools, a website ranking higher education institutions in various categories, ranks the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College No. 30 in its ranking of Top Culinary Schools 2016.

West Michigan organizations win statewide Energy Excellence awards

Sept. 5, 2016; Grand Rapids Business Journal

A pair of organizations in the region have been named winners in a statewide awards program that celebrates energy innovation.

… Habitat for Humanity of Kent County earned the award for its efforts to teach high school students from Grand Rapids Public Schools how to build LEED-certified homes, as well as its partnership with Grand Rapids Community College to run LEED-certified programs on home construction, green remodeling and sustainable residential design.

Detroit Sewn to Expand to Larger Facility in Pontiac

Sept. 2, 2016; dbusiness.com

In an effort to aid its growth, Detroit Sewn, a Pontiac-based, full-service cut and sew manufacturer that assembles products for companies in metro Detroit and beyond, will double the size of its operations by moving to a new, 5,000-square-foot facility early next year.

… Detroit Garment Group offers its programs through Henry Ford College, Grand Rapids Community College, Lansing Community College, and St. Clair Community College.

See SAT scores from lowest to highest for Kent, Ottawa schools

Sept. 4, 2016; MLive

For the first time this year, Michigan added the SAT to the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress or M-STEP. It was taken by high school juniors. Michigan students scored an average of 1001 out of a possible 1600 on the college admission exam.

… The Grand Rapids Learning Center is one of Grand Rapids Public Schools’ alternative education programs that’s a partnership with Grand Rapids Community College. Twenty-six students took the SAT in April. The average score was 782.7 out of 1600 (398.1 reading, 384.6 math).

GRCC Music Faculty Recital

September 2016; wherevent.com

… This concert will feature performances by the Grand Rapids Community College music faculty. The program will feature works by Brahms, Hindemith, Copland and others. Admission at the door is $5 general and $3 for students and seniors.

Morning News

Sept. 6, 2016; FOX 17

Don’t forget: We’re teaming up with Grand Rapids Community College to start our Classroom of the Week series again!

Making it in Grand Rapids: Social enterprise fights for a place in the entrepreneurial ecosystem

Aug. 25, 2016; rapidgrowthmedia.com

Malamiah Juice Bar doesn’t just sell juice at the Downtown Market. They also employ teenagers with no prior work experience.

… Among these social entrepreneurs, there are people like Chris Sain Jr., who do a little bit of everything. Sain, author, social entrepreneur and founder of Grand C.I.T.Y. Sports, had plenty of support as a star football player in high school and a walk-on at Michigan State University. But when that career ended and he turned to a new calling as a mentor, educator and social entrepreneur striving to reach kids in impoverished neighborhoods, he quickly learned he didn’t have nearly the same resources or support.

(This article doesn’t mention it, but Chris Sain Jr. is GRCC’s coordinator of retention.)

Daughter motivates Timberwolves lineman Jayson Cummings

Sept. 5, 2016; The Holland Sentinel

Jayson Cummings admits that he’s made some mistakes in his life.

… Cummings was second-team All-State for Ypsilanti Lincoln in 2004, then played a year at Grand Rapids Community College before his career on the gridiron got derailed.

Getting college students ready to vote

Sept. 2, 2016; FOX 47

The elections are only a few months away. To help college students get registered, the Secretary of States Mobile Office will travel 3,000 miles to 18 colleges.

… Grand Rapids Community College

Sept. 26

Bostwick Commons

Glen Oaks volleyball falls to KVCC

Sept. 2, 2016; Three Rivers Commercial-News

CENTREVILLE — The Glen Oaks Community College women’s volleyball program returned to the floor Tuesday and dropped a 25-19, 21-25, 16-25, 18-25 decision at home to Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

… Glen Oaks will host Grand Rapids Community College on Thursday, Sept. 8.

Jewish Theater Grand Rapids presents ‘Brill’

Sept. 6, 2016; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – The first production of the Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids 2016-17 season opens this Wednesday.

… Directed by Jason Marlett and starring Leonard Robinson and Madeleine Hagger, Brill will be performed in the intimate “Black Box Theatre” on the second floor of Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE, on the GRCC campus in downtown Grand Rapids.