Grace Bruursema serves as the Navigator at TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC). Her role is primarily dedicated to assisting non-traditional adults willing to make the push to further their education to better support themselves and their families - whether that means completing a GED, obtaining a trade certificate, or enrolling in college. She walks prospective and existing students through the steps of admissions, enrollment, financial aid, and more. She can also connect students with any resources they may need throughout this process, through GRCC or our many community partners.
Grace has always had a passion for advocating for others, eventually going on to earn a Bachelor’s of Arts with Honors from Grand Valley State University in 2021, with a double major in Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies and French. Immediately following graduation, she lived in France for a year, teaching English as a Second Language to high school students.
Grace has two cats she adopted in college as emotional support animals. She has volunteered at multiple cat sanctuaries and has a devotion to animal welfare. In her free time she enjoys practicing nail art & manicuring, reading, and playing video games. She hopes to soon begin pursuing her Master’s in Higher Education to be able to continue meeting students’ needs by influencing administrative policy as well as meeting with students one-on-one.
