Contact:
Nancy O’Brien (616)234-4213
Vicki Hudson (616) 234-4206
ONE
GRCC DECISION CREATES TWO BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS:
Both Classes and Scholarships Increased
June 11, 2008 Grand Rapids, MI - Grand Rapids Community College increased the number of classes offered this summer, and that one decision is going to benefit students two ways. Using an innovative idea developed by GRCC’s Provost and associate deans, GRCC will not only advance its progress toward meeting the ever-increasing enrollment demand, but will also generate new $2,500 scholarships for high-achieving students within the Kent Intermediate School District.
Provost Gilda Gely says Summer 2008 enrollment jumped almost nine percent over Summer 2007 and, while the numbers are not yet final, it is anticipated that the revenue raised from that increase will allow the new Dean’s Scholarship Program to award 24 GRCC-bound high school students $2,500 scholarships for Fall 2009.
"At GRCC, that’s 30 credits," Gely says, and adds that the scholarships can be used for degree credit or for non-credit courses, for example, a job training program.
"This program is designed to assist students in achieving their goals, regardless of their major or transfer intent," says Gely. "We will be targeting high school seniors with a 3.75 GPA or higher, an ACT composite score of 28 or higher, and a rigorous high school schedule."
President Juan Olivarez characterized the new program as "just the kind of innovative thinking by our academic leadership needed to help us accomplish our initiatives and ends." He added that the new program ties into at least seven of GRCC’s goals, especially to attract and retain top students and to serve the needs of students throughout Kent County.
"We strategized carefully," says Dean of Student Affairs Tina Hoxie. "We knew we could serve students in the summer sessions who would have much slimmer chances of getting the classes they want in the Fall.
Hoxie recognizes that going to school during summer vacation can be a hard sell. "Some students are reluctant to take a course when they could be working or going to the beach," she said, "but our team used several new communications methods to drive home the time, choice and financial advantages summer classes can give a student. I think we were innovative there, too."
GRCC has been providing an excellent, affordable education to all who seek it since 1914 when it was the first 2-year college in Michigan and the seventh in the country. The college offers over 150 degree options in Arts and Sciences and Workforce Development. Student enrollment on the urban campus for both credit and non-credit courses averages 26,000 per year.
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Updated on 11-JUN-08
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