Aug. 21, 2025
On August 20, 2025 GRCC kicked off the fall semester with its Opening Day Celebration — an energizing gathering of faculty and staff to welcome the new academic year. A highlight of the event was the recognition of three remarkable employees with the college’s most prestigious honor: the Excellence in Education Award.
Established in 1989, the Excellence in Education Awards recognize GRCC employees who demonstrate outstanding dedication to student success, professional excellence and service to the college and broader community.
This year’s honorees are:
Faculty Award: Julie Lackscheide, Program Director of Imaging Sciences
A trailblazer in the School of Health Science, Julie Lacksheide has been instrumental in expanding access to in-demand healthcare careers. Through her leadership, GRCC has launched several new Allied Health programs, including MRI, Surgical Tech, CVT and EEG, helping to meet workforce needs while opening new doors for students.
Julie’s impact in the classroom is equally profound. She fosters engaging, real-world learning experiences and ensures her students feel supported from their first day through graduation. During the pandemic, she developed virtual lab content to keep students on track and later transitioned her program to a hybrid model to improve balance and accessibility. All while maintaining accreditation standards and high board pass rates.
Colleagues praise her as a mentor, collaborator and steady source of encouragement and solutions. Her commitment to service, inclusion and innovation reflects the very best of GRCC’s mission and values.
Adjunct Faculty Award: Chad Sytsma, Adjunct Professor and Distance Education Faculty Liaison, Business and CIS
For 20 years, Chad Sytsma has helped students and colleagues thrive across learning formats — face-to-face, hybrid and fully online. As both an instructor and distance education faculty liaison, Chad brings technical skill, pedagogical expertise and a student-centered approach to everything he does.
His courses reflect best practices in design and accessibility, with clear objectives, active learning and prompt feedback. In his liaison role, he mentors fellow faculty on inclusive online teaching, supports Quality Matters course reviews and contributes to collegewide training and instructional design efforts.
Chad’s influence extends beyond the classroom. He’s a trusted resource to peers, a role model in the use of technology and a dedicated youth sports coach who invests in the next generation both inside and outside of GRCC.
Staff Award: Marisol Blanco, Interim Associate Dean of Strategic Outreach
Marisol Blanco has shaped GRCC’s approach to holistic student support. Under her leadership, the College Success Center expanded its reach, helped students navigate college systems, overcome barriers and build the confidence to succeed.
Marisol is a driving force behind key initiatives like College Success Bootcamp and New Student Onboarding, which prepare students academically and socially for college life. She is a fierce advocate for first-generation, low-income and Latine students, building partnerships across GRCC and the Grand Rapids community to promote equity and access.
Known for her generosity, vision and deep commitment to student success, Marisol is a leader who inspires others to rise with her — cultivating trust, belonging and impact at every level of the institution.
Congratulations to Julie, Chad and Marisol on this well-earned recognition and for their incredible contributions to GRCC and our students!