GRCC Retiree Biography: Teri Dilworth

Teri Dilworth

Teri started working part-time in August of 1986 and went full-time in 1988. Her entire career has been dedicated to GRCC and our students in the Disability Support Services and Occupational Support office. “That response has always been met with surprise. I truly liked where I work and what my role entailed in the department. It offered me the opportunity to interact with students, parents, community and staff. I’ve seen many students struggle with various barriers which included students with learning disabilities, mental illness, physical and health limitations as well as those who were single parents and low income, etc. Seeing these students find success, whether it was completing a two-year degree, transferring or even a couple of classes for personal interest, allowed me to be a part of their journey. I loved watching them grow and build confidence within themselves. I am proud of the fact that this was my one and only position at GRCC.”

When asked about a favorite story the students she has served, Teri said: “The staff I work with are incredible. They are talented, hard-working and caring people. That will be the most difficult part of retiring for me as I leave my co-workers and friends.”

Teri has helped many students feel and recognize that they belonged in our GRCC community. When asked about an experience that demonstrated she belonged at GRCC, she shared: “For me, the definition of belonging is when I see and feel there is strong leadership within the college community. Example: During my years on the APSS Executive Board, I felt most valued when Dr. Pink requested to meet with the Board President (Sandy Gregory) and Vice President (Me). I felt a true sense of engagement during our meetings as well as being invested in what we brought to him with our concerns and opinions.”

Teri isn’t making plans right away, she wants to ease into retirement. “I have a new grandbaby coming in July, which will make four grandchildren for my husband and I. I have a scheduled trip for a few days in August. I also have a big project to start this summer. Renovations on a newly purchased vintage trailer.”

“I have always felt fortunate and proud to be an employee of GRCC. I have raised a family while working here and now I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to retire at 58.  I will miss the people but I am ready to do something on my own time clock.”

Teri, how can we thank you enough for the time, care and dedication you have shown to GRCC students? Enjoy retirement, have fun with your grandbabies and traveling in your vintage trailer, and visit your friends at GRCC as often as possible. Congratulations!

GRCC In the News, 1-12-18

GRCC Players will re-create the Reagan era

Jan. 11, 2018; The Holland Sentinel

The GRCC Players will re-create the Reagan era in “This Is Our Youth” by Kenneth Lonergan.

Colleges, Urban League hosting Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in West Michigan

Jan. 11, 2018; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – West Michigan colleges and universities will host a series of events Monday, Jan. 15, as the nation pauses to pay tribute to slain civil rights leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

… Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University and Davenport University are collaborating on an annual event in recognition of King’s legacy beginning at 6 p.m. Monday at Fountain Street Church.

Cajun dinner, dance FUNdraiser at LACA Feb. 10

Jan. 11, 2018; Ludington Daily News

Join the Ludington Area Center as it celebrates Mardi Gras Saturday, Feb. 10 with a Cajun dinner and dance fundraiser. This second annual event will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. in LACA’s main gallery, 107 S. Harrison St., in Ludington, and will feature authentic Creole appetizers and buffet dinner, Cajun dance instruction and live Cajun music.

… Chef Barry Sherlock has designed this year’s menu and will be cooking up his great ideas. Sherlock is a graduate of the Culinary Arts Institute at Grand Rapids Community College. He has owned and operated a restaurant, catered privately and volunteered his culinary expertise extensively in the local community. Sherlock currently serves as the dietary supervisor at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital.

The Right Place names board members

Jan. 11, 2018; Grand Rapids Business Journal

A local economic development agency has named its new board members for 2018.

… New appointments

… Bill Pink, Ph.D., president, Grand Rapids Community College

Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra presents Spring Trio Sunday

Jan. 12, 2018; Petoskey News

HARBOR SPRINGS — The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestras Sunday Recital Series begins its 2018 season at 4 p.m. Sunday with a String Trio performing at the Harbor Springs Presbyterian Church.

… (Libor) Ondras is currently preparing for the European Tour with the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra and his residency at the Bay View Music Festival of Petoskey (Summer 2017). Ondras also serves as a director of orchestras, string specialist, and assistant professor at Grand Rapids Community College.

Dominic Dorsey to head SIUE Disability Support Services

Jan. 11, 2018; The Telegraph (Alton, Ill.)

EDWARDSVILLE — Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeffrey Waple, PhD, has announced Dominic Dorsey as director of Disability Support Services. Dorsey will assume his new responsibilities on Monday, Jan. 29.

… After four years at IUPUI, Dorsey became director of accessibility at Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College in 2013 before returning to IUPUI in 2014.

 

Disability Support Services offers Video Relay Service

Disability Support Services has installed a Video Relay Service phone so students or employees who are deaf or hard of hearing and use American Sign Language can place phone calls during office hours.  This tool allows an individual who uses Sign Language to quickly have access to an interpreter for outgoing on- or off-campus calls. The interpreter can both voice for the individual and interpret information back to the individual during the phone call.

If your office receives a call from someone using this type of service, the interpreter will tell you that they are assisting another person with communication through a Video Relay Service; they will then begin to speak the caller’s exact words. In this case, you would talk directly to the individual calling — just as you would with any phone call. (In other words: Don’t say to the interpreter, “they would need to do this”; instead say, “you will need to do this.”)

The interpreters have to follow a strict ethical code that requires all information that they interpret to remain confidential. In other words: The interpreter is simply the conduit through which phone communication can occur. This method of communication is approved and funded by the Federal Communications Commission.  We have been excited to see how the Video Relay Service has already improved communication for our students since it was installed in August!

A huge thanks to Donovan Wallace in IT as well as Jilian Rakow, a GRCC Sign Language interpreter, for helping to implement this!

Spread the word to students and employees that it is available in the DSS lobby, Student Center room 368, during our hours — no appointments needed!