Grand Rapids Community College
Board of Trustees Election 2009 Information
Candidate Biographies
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Board of Trustees Candidate Forum | April 14, 2009
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Robert C. Bennett
Biographical statement:
I have lived in the greater Grand Rapids area for my entire life. I am an
alumnus of
GRCC. I hold a bachelor’s degree in information science and a master’s degree in
organizational management. I completed both degrees in the last ten years.
I have worked for GE Aviation Systems for 32 years. I am currently a technical
manager
where I am responsible for various projects to improve the process and
procedures
within the organization.
I have volunteered in several elementary schools in the area. I taught
technology use,
assisted with reading instruction and currently teach Junior Achievement
classes.
Additionally, I teach two, three and four year old students at the church that I
attend.
I also serve on the board of Kent County Girls on the Run. This organization helps teach third through fifth grade girls to make healthy life-style choices while helping them become able to run 5 kilometers (3.1 miles).
Candidacy statement:
I am running for a seat on the GRCC Board of Trustees to serve my community better. I have 15 years of experience in the policy governance model while serving on the board of Wyoming Public Schools. I believe this experience will help me serve the college from the first day I take my seat.
My philosophy of education is that it is the keystone to improving our economy. Higher education is even more critical in the current economic climate. It plays a pivotal role in helping our community recover.
Perspective on mission:
The mission of Grand Rapids Community College aligns with my philosophy of education. I agree that GRCC plays a vital role in enabling the community to achieve their goals. These goals can be as varied as:
- A dual enrolled high-school student getting ready for the college experience,
- Someone in the midst of a career change, or
- Someone just seeking to enrich their lives.
I would love to be a part of an organization that continues to enrich its community.
Ellen M. James
Biography
I am a lifelong resident of Grand Rapids and a retired Contract Compliance Officer for the City of Grand Rapids Equal Opportunity Department. I am a founding board member of Grand Rapids Community College. I have served as Chairperson of the Board from July 2001 through June 2003, Vice Chairperson of the Board from its inception in 1991, through June 30, 1997. I also served on the Board’s Finance Committee from 1995 to 1997, and was Treasurer and Chairperson of the Finance Committee from 1999-2001, I was elected to the position of secretary for the 2003-05 term and I currently serve as the Treasurer. I have also served on the Board Policy Committee, the Evaluation of the President Committee, and the Presidential Search Committees.
I have served on the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Central Region Nominating Committee. And, I have also served on numerous boards in the community. I presently serve on the Metropolitan Board of the YMCA, the NAACP Executive Board, Porter Hills Foundation, President of the Coalition for Representative Government, Mount Mercy Housing Corporation Board of Directors, Grand Rapids Police Chief Advisory Committee, and honorary co-chair of the Girl Scouts capital campaign drive. I have received the YWCA Tribute to Women Award for Advocacy; was selected by Grand Rapids Magazine as one of the Top ten “Leaders with a Mission”; received the Giants W.W. Plummer Humanitarian Award; and am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
I am a member of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church.
Statement of Candidacy
Times like these require wisdom, a steady hand, fiscal responsibility, and experienced leadership. Now more than ever, during this season of change, which includes a new president, GRCC needs my vision, leadership, and experience.
Mission
I am committed to the Mission of Grand Rapids Community College – every student must have the opportunity to achieve their educational goals and lead productive lives.
Nadine Renee Klein
Biography:
I am a true “Midwesterner.” I was born in Columbus, Ohio. My family moved to Palatine, IL (northwest of Chicago) when I was in high school. I went to College in Michigan and then law school in Indiana.
I graduated from Hillsdale College in 1986, magna cum laude. My major was political science and my minor was French. I received a full tuition scholarship to Valparaiso University School of Law. I earned my JD in May, 1989. I then moved to Grand Rapids in July, 1989, after taking the bar exam.
My first job was as an associate attorney at a medium sized law firm (50 attorneys). After working at the firm for 3 months, I realized I did not enjoy private practice, so I took a position as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney with the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office. I worked in the Appellate division for 2 years.
In January, 1992, I opened my own law office and was a sole practitioner until January 1999, when I took a part-time position with Dykema Law Offices. In May, 2004, I filed my petition for candidacy to run for the District 19 Kent County Commissioner. I left Dykema law office at the end of June, 2004, to concentrate on my political campaign. In August, 2004, I defeated a 20 year incumbent Commissioner in the primary election. I then won the general election in November 2005.
In September, 2004, I joined the law office of Brinks and Associates as a part-time contract attorney. I later became an associate attorney in July, 2005 (still part-time).
I served as a Kent County Commissioner from January 2005 through December 2008. I was an extremely active Commissioner during my four years on the Board. I was the Vice-Chair of the Legislative and Human Resources Committee (one of the Board’s 2 standing committees), from January 2006 through December 2008. I served on the Network 180 Board of Directors from April 2005 until December 2008. After my first year on the Board, I was elected the Board’s chairperson and continued as chairperson until I left the Board in December, 2008. I also served on the Public Works Board for 4 years, the John Ball Zoo Citizen’s Advisory Board for 3 years, and the Millenium Park Citizen’s Advisory Board for 3 years.
In addition to my committee appointments, I was actively involved in the Kent School Services Network (KSSN) and the Prevention Initiative (PI). Both of these programs are designed to help our community’s children. KSSN brings needed family, social, medical, and psychological services to the school to enable elementary and middle school children to concentrate on learning and succeeding in school. PI focuses on early childhood services so our children get a strong beginning in life and are in a safe and neglect-free home.
I was also involved on numerous sub-committees, such as the DHS Building Recognition project, the By-laws and Standing rules subcommittee, the appointments sub-committee, budget subcommittee, eminent domain subcommittee and numerous others.
I left Brinks & Associates as of January 31, 2009, to pursue a full time position as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Grand Rapids. I started my new position with the City of Grand Rapids on February 9, 2009.
As an attorney, I served on the Young Lawyers Board of Directors from 1990 through 1995. I served as Vice-Chair from 1993-1994 and Chairperson from 1994-1995. I also served on several Grand Rapids Bar Association committees. I was a member of the Kent County Friend of the Court Citizens Advisory Board as the attorney member for 6 years from 1998 – 2003 and served as chair for 2 of those years. Additionally, I served on the State Friend of the Court Board as the attorney member from October 2002 to August 2004.
In addition to my professional activities, I have been actively involved in our community since moving to Grand Rapids. I was a member of the Grand Rapids Jaycees from 1991 through 1999. As a Jaycee, I served on numerous committees, such as the Santa Clause Parade, Las Vegas Nights, New member recruitment and orientation. From 1993-1994, I served on the Board of Directors as a membership director. From 1994-1995, I served as legal counsel for the Michigan Jaycees and received several honors for outstanding service.
I am actively involved in my church, St. Paul the Apostle. I currently serve on the Education Foundation as its secretary and volunteer at the school. I am a past chair of the Women’s Guild, past coordinator of the Sunday nursery program, past member of the mom’s group.
Statement of Candidacy:
I have always been actively involved in our community and wish to continue to serve my community; therefore, I am running for GRCC Trustee. I have a great deal of experience serving on and chairing various boards and committees in our community. Through my community involvement, I have developed many personal and professional relationships with both community leaders and community members.
Education is the cornerstone of our society. I believe it is extremely important that we begin educating our children as soon as they are born. Education begins at home. Early childhood education and Kindergarten readiness are the basic building blocks. Quality education must continue through elementary, middle school, and high school. Each level of education is important in its own right and builds upon the previous level.
I also believe that education needs to be the primary focus of a child’s life. Education needs to engage the whole child, mind and body. It should include not only classroom activities and academic, but also extra-curricular activities, sports, cultural activities, and hands-on experiences. Our children should be constantly learning, even if not in a formal school setting.
Higher education has become a necessity in today’s society. I see our community college as a vital link for our young adults to transition from childhood to adulthood. Now, more than ever, our young adults need to be prepared to go out into the work force with marketable skills. This can be accomplished through a “traditional” higher education course of study as well as through vocational training. Community College is the perfect place to enable our young adults to become self-sufficient, contributing members of our society.
GRCC Mission:
I am supportive of GRCC’s mission. It captures the nature and spirit of GRCC and does an excellent job describing to others why GRCC exists and what GRCC is all about. It is very inclusive.
Richard Ryskamp
BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT
I am 53 years old, married, and father of two sons who are approaching college age. I earned an undergraduate degree in engineering at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, and then a medical degree at University of Rochester in New York State. I came to Grand Rapids in 1983 for medical residency. After completing residency, I served in the US. Army Medical Corps in Germany for four years. I returned to Kent County twelve years ago. Besides continuing to practice medicine, I serve as part-time faculty (Clinical Assistant Professor) in the College of Human Medicine of MSU. I have also served on numerous committees at hospital and church, including some as chairman.
STATEMENT OF CANDIDACY
I am a candidate for Trustee of the GRCC Board because I wish to contribute to our community and I believe that
- education is the key to our future
- in our community GRCC plays a large part in that education and that future
- the Board of Trustees plays an important role in keeping GRCC focused on its
mission of serving the community
- the Board can serve the community best if it has representation from all
segments of the community
- as a social conservative, I would provide representation for a segment of
community that is passionate for education but has been underrepresented.
MISSION OF GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The preamble to Article 8 of our state constitution explains the rationale for the existence of public educational institutions such as GRCC.
"Religion, morality and knowledge, being necessary for good government and the happiness of mankind, the means to education will forever be encouraged."
Of the three assets necessary for good government and human happiness (religion, morality and knowledge), GRCC must focus on the mission of providing a benefit to the community by promoting the last one, knowledge, while being careful not to undermine the first two.
Richard L. Schilo
BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT
I am 70 years old and the father of two adult children. I earned my undergraduate degree in Accounting from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa. I lived and worked my enetire life in the Pittsburgh area until 2007 when my wife and I retired and moved to Grand Rapids to be closer to our grandchildren. I was employed with Westmoreland County Community College for 30 years. I was Vice PResident of Administrative Services and taught in the Business Deaprtment for 15 years. I also served on the Board of Trustees for Westmoreland County Federal Credit Union for 25 years as treasurer. Since moving to Grand Rapids, I am active in our Church, the food pantry, and volunteer at the Veteran's Hospital.
STATEMENT OF CANDIDACY
I am running for a seat on the Board of Trustees becasue I am well familiar with the operations of a community college and its role within the community. I believe my experience will allow me to make a contribution for the good of the college.
MISSION OF GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
I am supportive of the college and its work. I believe that the college should maintain the open door policy that it now has. I also believe the college should be on the cutting edge of new job technology and continue working with local employers to enable graduates to enter the job market qualified and able to mee the challenges of the economy.
Ken Smith
Biographical information is as follows:
Work History
- 31 yrs. constructing, developing and teaching job training and retraining
programs for GRCC.
- 20 years in the auto service industry as technician, service consultant and
service manager.
- Served as expert witness in court cases involving motor vehicles.
- Instructor for professional update training for technicians.
Community Service:
- 8 years serving on Chrysler Corporation Arbitration Board.
- Active in church, currently serving on board of trustees.
- Served on advisory committe, judging, hosting and developing student VICA/Skills
USA contests over many years.
- Advisor in development of Michigan State Mechanics Certification and
administration testing program.
Education:
Education and instructor training is industry based through General Motors, Chrysler, Ford and other manufacturers, as well as academic credits from GRCC and Ferris State University.
Candidacy:
-My long involvement with the college has allowed me to make a positive contribution to it, and the college has been a positive force in my life. I would like to extend that relationship as a member of the board of trustees and believe my experience in the field of job training would be an asset, as we work to answer the new economic needs of our community.
I believe my unique perspective and experience in job training will be an asset
to the board. Education should be consistent and relevant to the needs of
students, as well as affordable. The college must strive, with a cooperative and
collaborative effort, to address the needs of a broad range of interests and
abilites in our community.
College Mission:
- As a community college we have a responsibility to be aware of current needs of our residents and enable them to reach their short and long term goals.
Richard W. Verburg
Education:
1986 B.A. Communication, Aquinas College
1970 High School Diploma, Grandville Public Schools
Work History:
1970-1973 Custodian, Grandville Public Schools
1974-1975 Rapistan Inc., Sales Services Specialist
1976-1977 R.G.I.S. Inventory Specialist
1978-2006 G.M. Production Technician
*1997-1999 Area Leader at GM
*2004-2006 Area Leader and Safety Trainer at GM
2007-Currently Independent Contractor – C.T.A.
Community Activities:
1995-1996 Chairperson United Auto Workers (UAW)
Local 730 Citizenship & Legislative Committee
Lector and Eucharistic Minister – St. Pius X Church
2001-2002 Treasurer – Secretariat of Cursillo-Diocese of Grand Rapids, MI
2003-Current Keryx Prison Ministry of Ionia, MI
1997 Elected to the Board of Trustees of GRCC
2003 Re-Elected to the Board of Trustees of GRCC
*4 years – Secretary of the Board of Trustees of GRCC
*Have served as the GRCC Board Liaison to the Strategy Team, Community
Conversations and M-Tech.
Statement of Candidacy and Rationale
My rationale for running for the Board of Trustees is that I am quite representative of many of the families of Community College students. I have spent 38 years in the Grand Rapids area as a working person. I come to the community college experience from a place and a point of view that is different from others. I bring an open mind as the community college movement further unfolds and is defined in Grand Rapids.
Philosophy of Education
My philosophy of education is that academic excellence is a necessity for all students. Education should be an agent of change, improving the graduates’ world and their lives. Education is the fundamental element in the transformation of both the individual and society. A priority goal of education must be that it enable people to reach their fullest potential. Education is an investment in the workforce of the future.
The Mission of Grand Rapids Community College
The Mission of Grand Rapids Community College is to create learning opportunities that will lead to our graduates’ success. “Open Door” enrollment is an unwritten mandate. Faculty, Administration and Staff at GRCC have a calling and a responsibility in securing our area’s future.
Local governance is why Grand Rapids Community College and so many other community colleges have flourished. It is vital to the evolution and survival of the community college movement. We must be able to adjust new trainings and curriculum to meet our region’s changing needs.
Milinda Ysasi
Biographical Statement
I am a life long resident of Grand Rapids and the Southeast side. Education and
opportunities were always available to me; my parents are both 30 plus year
employees of the Grand Rapids Public Schools. I often remember going to the
district building on Bostwick with my parents for pay day.
I attended Grand Valley State University and received a dual B.B.A in
Management-Human Resources and Marketing. During my undergraduate years I was
very involved in student life on campus. I was a student senator, President and
active member of Latino Student Union, interned at Cascade Engineering and a
recipient of the Minority Business Education full tuition scholarship.
I began full time work at Cascade Engineering in 2003 after my internship that began in 1999. Initially I worked in our Benefits and Compensation group supporting our Grand Rapids campus and subsidiaries. In 2006 I was promoted to HR Generalist for the automotive group. Today I am the HR Generalist for 3 facilities and focus on employee relations, development and sustainable staffing solutions. Most recently I have been working with our consulting arm-Quest Sustainable Solutions to conduct with presentations and customer audits.
My experiences at GVSU and with Cascade Engineering have influenced my decision to be an active community member. I ran for Library Commissioner in 2005; while I did not win the election I was fourth in the primary of seven others and one incumbent. In 2006 I was accepted in the Michigan Political Leadership Program-an MSU fellowship for community leaders who are interested or have run for office. I have also been recommended for Leadership Grand Rapids and am in the process of submitting my application. I have served on a number of boards and have listed my experience below:
- Hispanic Center of Western MI immediate past President and current board member
- Grand Valley State University Alumni Board of Directors
- United Way Project Blueprint
- Grand Rapids Civilian Appeals Board
- YMCA International Committee member
- BLEND participant and presenter
- League of Women Voters Membership Chair
- Inforum – We Connect affinity group
Statement of candidacy
I am an excellent candidate for the Board of Trustees due to my past work, education and community experience. I have been given opportunities to achieve my goals of higher education and I feel that higher education should be accessible and affordable to all who want an advanced degree. I want to represent all stakeholders of Grand Rapids Community College and collaborate to ensure a sustainable West Michigan region.
Mission of Grand Rapids Community College
I agree completely with the mission of the college. As I have stated above I have been able to achieve my goals and I am ready to work to help others achieve their goals. The success of the college and mission has happened due to collaboration with other industries, institutions and community members. I feel that I will be an excellent addition to the existing board and leadership.
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