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About the Learning Academy for Faculty & Staff at Grand Rapids Community College


Philosophy | Strategic Connection | Programs & Services | Our Staff | Location & Facilities

Philosophy

The primary responsibility of the Learning Academy for Faculty & Staff is to provide learning experiences that support GRCC's development as a Learning College and it's achievement of the 2010 goals. Faculty and staff have diverse roles and responsibilities for supporting student learning. The offerings and services of the Learning Academy will help everyone develop the skills, understanding and relationships needed for ever improving effectiveness.

The Learning Academy will accomplish this by facilitating learning experiences for faculty and staff in a way consistent with the Learning College Principles and sound principles of adult learning. To this end, the Learning Academy will:

  • Create substantive change in individual learners.
  • Engage learners in the learning process as full partners who must assume primary responsibility
    for their own choices.
  • Create and offer as many options for learning as possible.
  • Assist learners to form and participate in collaborative learning activities.
  • Define the roles of learning facilitators in response to the needs of the learners.
  • Succeed only when improved and expanded learning can be documented for learners.

Strategic Connection

The Learning Academy for Faculty & Staff incorporates the physical elements and systemic approach to staff and faculty development. It is a collaborative working relationship among Organizational Development, Academic Affairs, and Learner Resources & Technology Solutions, supported by Financial Services. The Leaning Academy for Faculty & Staff represents the whole college united to give faculty and staff the needed resources to assure the success of student learning.

The Learning Academy is aligned with the following strategic priorities:

Strategic Priority 1- Improve the Learning Process:

  • Develop academic systems that support students from where they are to where they want to go.
  • Expand and improve the learning environment.
  • Expand and improve the instructional process.
  • Establish a culture of evidence to guide improvements.

Strategic Priority 2 - Cultivate a campus environment that promotes the full development of the college employees, a strong sense of shared purpose and work, and living shared values to make GRCC a better place to work and learn:

  • Provide a campus environment reflective of our belief in the GRCC values of responsiveness,
    accountability, innovation, diversity, excellence, respectfulness, and service.
  • Strive to incorporate these values in every process that affects student learning.
  • Support the systematic development of our employees, recognizing they are our most valuable resource.
  • Fully developing and using their abilities enables us to work together to support learners effectively.

Strategic Priority 3 - Shared responsibility for leveraging technology to cultivate an inspired learning environment for our students, staff and community:

  • Create collaborative, flexible, and individualized learning experiences for our students,
    employees and the community.
  • Create and implement best practice in the use of technology.

Programs & Services

The Employee Wellness Team provides wellness education and activities for Grand Rapids Community College employees that will enable each individual to assess, improve, and/or maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The Personal Enrichment Team (PET) supports the philosophy that employees need to feel valued in order to be their most productive. It hosts events that give employees the opportunity to gather and socialize in a non-work atmosphere.

Advisory Teams are a key component of how the Learning Academy will work. They are representative of our campus (employee groups) and will have a clear role in choosing which types of learning opportunities are offered in the Learning Academy


Our Staff

Liz Timmer
Coordinator of the Learning Academy for Faculty & Staff
234-3490

Pam DeGryse
Learning Academy ESP
234-3848

Jessica Berens
Data Tech
234-3179

Jason Johnson
Part-time Multimedia Learning Martials Developer
234-3571

Laurie Foster
Faculty Development Coordinator
234-3989

Bill Faber
Faculty Development Facilitator
234-3482

Kathy Miller
Faculty Development Facilitator
234-4327

Ann Alexander
Faculty Development Facilitator
234-4179

Location & Facilities

The Learning Academy for Faculty and Staff is located on the third floor of the Main Building, Room 310. Here's more information about our space:

    • 310 - Main reception area with display case outside [view room]
    • 310D - Mini Studio: A comfortable, quite area for producing multimedia projects and doing voice over work. [view room]
    • 316 - Instructional Design area: Multimedia, faculty consultation, small group informal learning area. [view room]
    • 347 - Steelcase Custer Room: Flexible learning space designed for small group meetings, informal presentations, and private consultation. [view room]
    • 344 - Learning Circle area: Small informal learning space designed for connecting and conversation. Two couches, wireless, bathroom. [view room]
    • 349 - Kitchen/Storage
    • 351 - Faculty & Staff Training Room [view room]

      • Flexible seating for groups of 10 - 20
      • Speaker phone
      • Multi media classroom setup
      • Projection system / screen on South wall
      • All employee access

Call us at (616) 234-4285 or send an e-mail to learningacademy@grcc.edu if you need directions or have questions.

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Updated on 15-JAN-08
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