About Grand Rapids Community College
Fast Facts about GRCC History
Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) was the first community college in Michigan, founded in 1914 as Grand Rapids Junior College by the Grand Rapids Board of Education, following a resolution passed by the University of Michigan faculty. The College has been accredited continuously since 1917 by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (The Higher Learning Commission | 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400 | Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504 | Phone: (800) 621-7440), a member of the Federation of Regional Accrediting Commissions of Higher Education. In 1991, voters in the Kent County Intermediate School District agreed to a millage proposal redistricting Grand Rapids Junior College to a community college.
Since then GRCC has grown steadily, increasing its course offerings, capacity and reach with a variety of locations throughout West Michigan.
Winter 2009 Enrollment Profile
Overall, GRCC educates over 28,000 credit and non-credit students annually.
Credit Full time: 40.5 percent
Credit Part time: 59.5 percent76.3 percent of Winter 2009 students lived in the Kent Intermediate School District attendance area.
Curriculum
GRCC organizes instruction into two schools:
1. The School of Arts and Sciences
2. The School of Workforce DevelopmentThere are 13 programs in the School of Arts and Sciences, including: Biological Sciences, Child Development, English, Language & Thought, Mathematics, Music Physical Science, Psychology, Social Science, Theater, Teacher Education, Visual Arts, Wellness
There are 17 programs in the School of Workforce Development, including: Applied Technology, Business, Computer Applications, Criminal Justice, Drafting and Design, Dental, Fashion Merchandising, Health Programs, Hospitality Education, Interior Decorating and Design, Landscape Management, Manufacturing, Nursing Occupational Therapy Assistant, Radiologic Technology
GRCC serves more than 400 local businesses annually with its Job Training and Continuing Education and Professional Development programs.
Faculty
GRCC's faculty is made up of nearly 250 full-time instructors and 350 part-time adjunct instructors.
Many GRCC faculty members have been recognized regionally and nationally for their expertise and innovative teaching styles.
Location
The GRCC main campus encompasses more than 25 acres in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The college also offers instruction from a variety of regional centers in the metropolitan Grand Rapids area (including numerous local high schools, regional centers and its two Learning Corners on Wealthy St. and Seward Ave.) and on the West Michigan lakeshore (including West Ottawa High School, Careerline Tech Center, the Midtown Holland Center and Grand Valley State University's Meijer Campus in Holland).
GRCC supports two Michigan Technical Education Centers (M-TECs) in Ottawa County (the Thompson M-TEC) and the Tassell M-TEC in downtown Grand Rapids. These centers offer training opportunities for high-demand occupations as construction, manufacturing, and mechanics and repair.
To increase capacity to meet unprecedented demand, GRCC acquired the former campus of Davenport University on Fulton St. in downtown Grand Rapids and will begin offering courses at Sneden Hall beginning in the Fall 2009 Semester.
Academic Calendar
GRCC offers classes 7 days a week throughout the year.
The College offers 15-week fall and winter semesters, accelerated 18-week certificate programs, and a variety of seminars, workshops and certifications that may be completed in a few hours or days.
Additional Information
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Updated on 11-SEP-09
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