GRCC In the News, 7-18-19

Michigan’s Best takes a look at Mitchell’s Run Thru Rockford 2019

July 17, 2019; MLive

ROCKFORD, MI — On the eve of participating in her first Mitchell’s Run Thru Rockford, a community charity event to raise money and raise awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Anessa Fehsenfeld — not really knowing much about the disease — received a phone call that changed her family’s life forever.

… Tyler (Fehsenfeld), who is now 19, is doing a summer internship and studying web development and graphic design at Grand Rapids Community College.

Mow Me Over: How Lawnmower Parenting is Hindering the Next Generation

July 17, 2019; West Michigan Woman

We’re all familiar with the overbearing whir of helicopter parents—always nearby, ready to protect with high levels of behavioral control and warm affirmations and defined as “a parent who takes an overprotective or excessive interest in the life of their child or children.”

… “In the 23 years I have been teaching, parents seeking to remove obstacles from their child’s path has become more commonplace—perhaps because it’s much easier for parents to reach out through cellphone or email than before the digital age,” said Jennifer Reynolds, Jenison Public Schools and Grand Rapids Community College teacher.

GRCC In the News, 7-15-19

Manufacturer dials into workforce training

July 12, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal

If you want something done right, do it yourself — such is the philosophy on display at Autocam Medical when it comes to creating a skilled workforce.

The Kentwood-based contract manufacturer of precision surgical and medical components and devices has for the past several years participated in a CNC Machinist Apprentice Program in which it sends entry-level or other workers to Grand Rapids Community College to receive classroom instruction and training in computer numerical control (CNC) machining.

Survey reveals immigrant challenges

July 12, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal

A group of community leaders is taking the next step for better immigrant inclusion in Kent County.

… The task force includes the four collaborating organizations, as well as the city of Grand Rapids’ Office of Diversity and Inclusion, The Right Place, the city of Wyoming and the Wyoming Public Safety Department, Justice for Our Neighbors, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, Kent County Health Department, Kent ISD, Literacy Center of West Michigan, Kaufman Interfaith Institute at Grand Valley State University, Treetops Collective, Refugee Education Center, Bethany Christian Services, African Collaborative Network, African Resource Center, WGVU, Michigan Office for New Americans, Grand Rapids Community College, Welcoming Michigan, Fifth Third Bank, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Kent County, Spectrum Health, Cascade Engineering, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan and Kentwood Public Schools.

Street Talk: The future is now

July 12, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… Early learners

Grand Rapids Community College’s Early Learning Laboratory recently received a transformation any child would be excited to explore. A carpenter at Rockford Construction, Fernando Zamudio brought GRCC’s vision to life in his latest project that renovated the playground into a space that sparks imagination.

Dental practice spreads joy with community outreach

July 12, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal

It’s been more than five months since Lisa Weller woke up with a new set of teeth.

… After she graduates high school, (Arnela) Hamzagic plans to attend Grand Rapids Community College to become a dental hygienist. She also has siblings who plan to attend college and worries that her parents will not be able to financially support all of them.

ICANN Announces Participants NextGen@ICANN66

July 12, 2019; icann.org (press release)

LOS ANGELES – 12 July 2019 – The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has announced the names of the individuals who will participate in the NextGen program at ICANN66, to be held in Montréal, Canada, from 2 to 7 November 2019.

… The individuals selected as ICANN66 NextGen participants are:

… Austin Bollinger, Grand Rapids Community College.

Meet the ambassadors: Amanda Clouse

Amanda Clouse

Let’s meet this summer’s orientation ambassadors:

Amanda Clouse is majoring in 3D animation and game design through GRCC and Ferris State University. She enjoys playing video games and spending time with her dog.

Dream job: Working for a large gaming company and working on the next big game of the year.

Favorite mythological animal: Dragons

Favorite saying: “Everyone looks content.”

GRCC In the News, 5-21-19

GRCC eyes high finish at National Tournament

May 20, 2019; FOX 17

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — The Grand Rapids Community College men’s golf team has a formula for its success.

Change Ups: GRVBA receives public service award

May 17, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… EDUCATION

Grand Rapids Community College named Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal its 2019 Distinguished Alumna during the 102nd commencement. Neal was the event’s keynote speaker. Nearly 1,500 students will earn GRCC degrees this year.

Inside Track: Family trauma drives Owens’ prevention passion

May 17, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Andrea Owens carries a notebook around with her that says “teach, love, inspire” on the cover — words that summarize her life goals.

… While at Spectrum, she earned her associate degree in network administration from Grand Rapids Community College, then received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in management — while raising four children — through Cornerstone University’s Professional & Graduate Studies (PGS) division.

Inmates show their culinary skills at annual symposium

May 17, 2019; The Holland Sentinel

The most highly-trained chefs of Branch County are most likely inmates at Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater.

… Guests were seated at an L-shaped table. Some are culinary elite like Chef John Zehnder, owner of Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth and Gilles Renusson, pastry chef and educator at Grand Rapids Community College.

… Other educators included Chef James Kekenyesdi, a culinary arts educator for those with mental illness; Chef Charlie Olansky who teaches at Grand Rapids Community College; Chef Mark Dorman of Sullivan University in Louisville, Ky.; and Chef Kristen Dogan of Branch Area Careers Center.

Volunteers help Kent Co. veterans with landscaping

May 17, 2019; WOOD TV

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — At 92, George Burr and his wife of 66 years usually have to pick and choose what gets done around the house, but Friday was different.

… Local employers, like Grand Rapids Community College, provided the muscle. Local companies donated the supplies.

Condolences to friends, family of Jacob ‘Jac’ Bajema

We extend our condolences to the family, friends and former colleagues of Jacob “Jac” Bajema, who died earlier this month.

Recap: CIS students mentor others in computer literacy

GRCC students Christina Sherman and Daniel Hesse did more than study CIS this winter – they helped teach it, too!

Sherman and Hesse served as student mentors to GRCC Noorthoek Academy students this semester. They worked side by side all semester helping them improve their computer literacy skills.

Says their professor Katie Vander Meer, “This was a great experience once again for my students to take part in. Hugs and smiles all around for their last day today!”

GRCC In the News, 6-27-18

Spectrum Theater becomes accessible to hearing impaired

June 26, 2018; Grand Rapids Magazine

In celebration of its newly installed hearing loop system, Spectrum Theater at Grand Rapids Community College is offering a free performance of “Snow White, the Queen’s Fair Daughter” for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their parents, teachers and friends.

GRCC nursing faculty exposing Boys & Girls Clubs teens to career

June 27, 2018; MLive

As Baby Boomers age and the overall need for health care continues to grow, the demand for nurses and other in-demand health care careers will continue increases, officials say.

GRCC’s nursing instructors and students will lead three summer workshops for high schoolers in the club’s Career Pathways Program.

Google IT training coming to GRCC

June 26, 2018; WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Just one more course at Grand Rapids Community College and Ryan Linak will be out in the real world.

Two alumni credit Laker Connections for their academic success

June 26, 2018; gvsu.edu

Juan Mascorro-Guerrero and Gloire Rubambiza found their way to Grand Valley from Mexico and Uganda, respectively.

… Mascorro-Guerrero graduated from Thornapple Kellogg High School and then enrolled at Grand Rapids Community College, under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. At one point, he was working three jobs to pay off his college debt.

GRPD to hold first two ‘Speed of Trust’ events Wednesday

June 27, 2018;  WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Police Department will hold the first sessions of a community trust building initiative Wednesday, June 27.

“Speed of Trust” will be at Grand Rapids Community College from 8 a.m. to noon. There is an alternate session from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

GRCC In the News, 6-26-18

Change Ups: Hauenstein exhibition opens in July

June 22, 2018; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… EDUCATION

Grand Rapids Community College trustees unanimously approved a $112.3-million budget for the 2018-19 academic year, a spending plan that includes the lowest tuition increase in nearly two decades.

News 8 at 5:30 p.m.

June 25, 2018; WOOD TV

Google today announced an IT professional certificate that will be available at Grand Rapids Community College. The certificate aims to train students with no prior experience to be IT support professionals in about eight months. Since its inception nearly five months ago, nearly 40,000 students have enrolled in the online program. Grand Rapids Community College President Bill Pink said the certificate will provide students with in-demand skills. IT support is one of the fastest growing fields in the nation with more than 150,000 open positions.

News 8 at 7 p.m.

June 22, 2018; WOOD TV

More colleges are going tobacco-free. The CDC says more than 2,000 colleges were smoke- or tobacco-free last year, up from about 800 in 2012. … Western Michigan and Grand Rapids Community College are both now tobacco free.

Successful spring sports season at St. Patrick

June 25, 2018; Ionia Sentinel-Standard

The 2018 St. Patrick School spring sports season has officially come to an end.

… Individual honors for our baseball team include:

… William Simon: honorable mention CMAC and has been invited to walk on at Grand Rapids Community College

Street Talk: Completely sustainable

June 22, 2018; Grand Rapids Business Journal

A nonprofit that promotes sustainable business looks like it will remain sustainable.

… Outgoing board members include Dave Rinard, Steelcase, who was selected to receive WMSBF’s 2018 President’s Award; Alison Sutter, city of Grand Rapids; Sharon Darby, Cascade Engineering; Lynette Wolf, Lake Michigan College; Sara Yob, Grand Rapids Community College; and Darwin Baas, Kent County Department of Public Works.

Additional Windows 10 workshops added to Fall Staff Development

Additional Windows 10 workshops have been added to Staff Development’s fall schedule of offerings:

• November 29, (2:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
• December 7, (10:00-11:30 a.m.)

Course Description:

Windows 10 has arrived at GRCC! This new operating system has replaced Windows 7, and there are some changes we would like to share with you. Come and join us for this basic introduction to Windows 10, and learn how to navigate the changes.

Register at: http://www.grcc.edu/humanresources/staffdevelopment/learningopportunitiesregistration

 

GRCC In the News, 7-19-17

GRCC gets state support for $12.7M building renovation, expansion

July 18, 2017; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College is getting help from the state to expand and renovate a building to provide the capacity to meet the demands of the growing information technology and manufacturing sectors.

Prosecutor asks jury to find Marcus Bivins guilty of first-degree murder

July 19, 2017; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – Opening statements got underway this morning in the trial of Marcus Bivins.

He’s charged with killing a homeless woman outside Grand Rapids Community College more than a year ago.

Grand Rapids 1967 riot: When anger, oppression erupted into ‘chaos’

July 18, 2017; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – When the 1967 riot broke, Nathaniel Moody, just 12, saw the grocery store and pharmacy where his mother shopped burn down on South Division Avenue.

…  Ellen James, a former Grand Rapids Community College trustee, said many whites did not appreciate the challenges facing the black community.

 

GRCC In the News, 7-17-17

GVSU, GRCC announce campus expansions in Grand Rapids

July 14, 2017; mibiz.com

GRAND RAPIDS — Two higher educational institutions plan to spend more than $82 million combined to expand their downtown campuses.

The state’s 2018 fiscal year budget, signed today by Gov. Rick Snyder, includes allocations for expansions at both Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College.

Change Ups: Blandford Nature Center founder receives inaugural award

July 14, 2017; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… GRANTS

Grand Rapids Community College received a $50,000 grant from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation to create more health care career opportunities for minorities. The grant will fund a 10-day Health Care Scrubs Camp for Grand Rapids Public Schools students. High school juniors and seniors will learn in GRCC simulation labs, work in a decontamination unit at St. Mary’s Hospital, participate in a culinary medicine workshop at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, and take part in a disaster drill.

Chef Clark introduces new take on Italian cuisine

July 11, 2017; Grand Rapids Magazine

Chef Clark Frain is excited to bring contemporary Italian cuisine, including crudo offerings, which means raw in Italian, to downtown Grand Rapids.

… After a stint at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College he landed at Gibsons. “I had a great experience there,” he said. “I started refining my technique and learning about high quality ingredients.”

Inside Track: Building a brotherhood

July 14, 2017; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Andre Fields knows firsthand the painful combination of poverty, fatherlessness and systemic racism that haunts many of his black male students.

… Fields, an associate professor and counselor at Grand Rapids Community College, started a leadership development fraternity for black male students at GRCC called Alpha Beta Omega (ABO) in 2012.

 

 

GRCC In the News, 7-6-17

National CyberWatch Center Announces Winners in Inaugural Innovations in Cybersecurity Education Program

July 6, 2017; benzinga.com

Some of the most creative and unique ideas for teaching a complicated subject like cybersecurity comes from the educators themselves. That’s why the National CyberWatch Center designed a competition for Innovations in Cybersecurity Education. Among the 44 submissions, five ideas were selected as winners that were honored at the 2017 Community College Cyber Summit on June 28.

… Winners were selected in five categories:

… Lab ActivityNetwork Defender-Threat Hunting Honors Project by Andrew Rozema, Grand Rapids Community College, which is a live fire ethical hacking lab for students to test hacking and skills in a safe environment.

GRCC In the News, 10-17-16

Grand Rapids Community College names 4 finalists for president

Oct. 14, 2016; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A Grand Rapids Community College search committee has named four finalists, including an internal candidate, who will vie to become the college’s 10th president.

IT firm will get $180K from state to add 25 jobs

Oct. 15, 2016; MLive

KENTWOOD, MI — The state is rewarding a Kentwood IT firm with a $180,000 grant for expanding in Michigan instead of Virginia.

… The firm is also tapping into Grand Rapids Community College, which approved a $200,000 revenue bond in June to provide free training for newly hired workers. The bond is supposed to be paid back with the state income tax paid by those employees who will be earning more after they gain the new skills. The state-funded training is part of the Michigan New Jobs Training Program that aims to provide a pathway for people to earn a living wage.

Vectorform named top tech company of year

Oct. 14, 2016; Crain’s Detroit Business

Royal Oak-based Vectorform LLC was named the top technology company of the year at the 16th annual Automation Alley awards gala Friday night at the Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle.

… Other awards announced Friday night:

… The Outstanding Educational Initiative Award went to Michigan Apprenticeship Program Plus, a joint venture of Grand Rapids Community College and Macomb Community College to train up to 600 over five years in manufacturing and technology through a federal grant of $3.9 million.

College’s diversity series continues with globalization discussion

Oct. 15, 2016; MLive

The diversity lecture series sponsored by Grand Rapids Community College’s Bob and Aleicia Woodrick Center for Equity and Inclusion, is intended to provide insight and understanding of multicultural issues.

Gov. Rick Snyder makes appointments to the Building the 21st Century Economy Commission

Oct. 14, 2016; michigan.gov

LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the initial appointments to the Building the 21st Century Economy Commission, created by Executive Order 2016-14.

… Jessica Ann Tyson of Kentwood is the president and owner of JA PR Group, LLC. In 2016, she was issued the Community Leadership Award by the Michigan Republican Party and the Seeds of Growth Leadership Award by Grand Rapids Opportunity for Women. Tyson attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Grand Rapids Community College.

Dozens of HBCUs to recruit students during college fair in Grand Rapids

Oct. 14, 2016; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – West Michigan students thinking about college are invited to attend a special college fair this weekend.

… The HBCU College Readiness Fair is Saturday, Oct. 15 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. It’s taking place at the GRCC Ford Field Gymnasium which is located at 111 Lyon NE in Grand Rapids.

FSU program prepares minorities for college

Oct. 14, 2016; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Approximately five years ago, Tony Baker noticed a troubling trend on the campus of Ferris State University.

… The benefit for Ferris comes from establishing strong partnerships with schools and the community. In addition to its partner school systems, Ferris works with the Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation, the Hispanic Center of West Michigan, AT&T, Destination Education, Latin Americans United for Progress, the Hispanic Center of Oceana County and Oceana County College Access Network to run the program. The school also works with local institutions Kendall College for Art and Design in Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Community College in Holland which provide classroom space.

GRCC In the News, 7-29-16

Listen Up: NaNa Mafe Wo (I Miss You)

July 29, 2016; Modern Ghana

US based Ghanaian musician NaNa is out with this new highlife single titled Mafe W o( I miss you).

NaNa, who is currently a computer Science student at Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan decided to test the waters with this new tune and depending on how well Ghanaians( who this song was made for) accept this song will decide whether to pursue his interest in the music business alongside studies or drop music and only focus on studies.

Four seats draw five trustee applicants in Thornapple Township

July 28, 2016; The Hastings Banner

The race is on in Thornapple Township for four open trustee positions, and five applicants including incumbent Ross DeMaagd are in the running for the prize. DeMaagd, a Republican, will be joined by fellow Republican challengers Curt Campbell, Jake Jelsema, Andrew Lindemulder and Sandra L. Rairigh.

… Jake Jelsema, 30, lives on Twin Creek Drive and is a small business owner.

… What experience or education qualifies you for this position? I currently oversee a budget of over $5 million and a staff of 20 employees. I am also trained in financial and managerial accounting. I have an associate degree form Grand Rapids Community College, a bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College with a double major in political science and history, and a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School with specialization certificates in administrative law and constitutional law.

… Andrew Lindemulder, 28, lives on Holes Avenue and is an information technology director.

… What experience or education qualifies you for this position? I am currently the IT director for a large furniture manufacturer in Grand Rapids. Previously, I worked for a multi-national corporation, overseeing contracts in the millions of dollars. I have a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Ferris State University and an associate degree from GRCC.

Faculty Spotlight: Andrew Rozema

Andrew Rozema

Andrew Rozema is a full-time professor in the Computer Information Systems Department at Grand Rapids Community College. From taking classes at GRCC as a junior in high school, becoming an adjunct instructor, and beginning his full-time role in 2014, Rozema has been a part of the GRCC community for more than half of his life. In his full-time position, Rozema teaches a variety of Computer Information Systems classes including Microcomputer Operating Systems, Routing and Switching Essentials, Ethical Hacking I and II, Principles of Information Security, and Computer Forensics. These courses build the foundational understanding of operating systems and networks.

Professor Rozema credits much of his success in the classroom with the professional development that he has received at GRCC through the Center for Teaching Excellence. By merging the skills that he had acquired through a career in broadcasting and information technology with personal experiences and effective professional development, he is able to create best practices in the classroom. Some of these best practices include using video creation to ensure that lectures get captured in the classroom and brought online for students to review, using online discussion forums during in-seat classes to ensure that all students are involved in class discussions, and using virtualization technologies to allow students to interact with technology that people are using in the real world.

In addition to his work in the classroom, Professor Rozema stays busy with other work within the CIS Department and the college. Departmentally, he has worked with colleagues to redesign the entire CIS curriculum, focusing specifically on aligning the information security curriculum with the Committee on National Security Systems standards. College-wide, he is actively involved in the Academic Governing Council and the Curriculum Approval Committee. For the past two years Professor Rozema has been involved in organizing and presenting at Faculty Learning Day, as well as continuing professional development at retreats and seminars like Great Teachers and Trends.

Professor Rozema continues to embrace the freedom to pursue his interests in IT and information security and advance the mission and vision of his department and college. He says, “I’m all about the Open Door. As somebody who walked in it and then through it, and then on to greater things, I love that this institution gives anyone willing to work for it amazing opportunities.” Thank you for continuing to provide these opportunities for our students.