Jan. 22, 2025 Most people will only ever encounter international diplomacy by watching or reading the news, but one Grand Rapids Community College graduate recently got to experience it in-depth. Zach Danevicz was part of a group of GRCC students who attended the American Model United Nations (AMUN) conference in Chicago in November. Over 1,500 college students, most from four-year schools, came from all over the country to attend the annual event, which simulates a meeting of the United Nations. “We represented Romania this year, and being able to act as that country was a really fun and interesting experience,” said Danevicz, who served as president of GRCC’s Foreign Affairs Club. “You’re almost taking on the personality of a country and trying to enact that as loyally as you can.” This was the second year in a row at the Model U.N. for Danevicz, who served as a member of the International Press Delegation, where he reported on the Economic and Social Council and the Historical Commission of Inquiry of 1948. This gave him a unique Model U.N. experience, he said. “The typical committees essentially role-play through current issues, but the historical committees go through things that happened in the past, almost like a Dungeons and Dragons game,” he said. And, as a journalist with the Press Delegation, Danevicz said he was tasked with writing reports on the happenings within his assigned committees, which were then published in the AMUN Chronicle. His coverage of the Historical Commission was especially exciting because it earned him the award for best written article, only the second time a GRCC student has won this honor in over 20 years. “I wrote about what’s known as ‘The Indonesian Question’, which happened when Indonesia tried to gain independence from Dutch control following World War II,” said Danevicz. “I leaked an important piece of information, just like the journalists did in 1948, and things played out the same way they did in real life.” Danevicz finished his environmental and sustainability studies at GRCC in December and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in the field at Grand Valley State University. “I’ve always been interested in nature preserves, so I’d like to work in one of those, or maybe land stewardship or invasive species management after I graduate,” he said.   Though this might seem like an entirely different world than that of geopolitics, Danevicz is confident that his experience with the Model U.N. will have a positive impact on his career in the future.  “I don’t have literature or writing as a minor, but having the award will help with future jobs or graduate programs because it shows that I have strong writing skills,” he said. “Being able to have the kinds of experiences I did through a community college like GRCC was really cool.” This story was reported by Alissa Griffin.

Jan. 21, 2025 Following in his late father’s footsteps, Jonathan Wyckoff teaches an 18-week job training program on how to use Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machines. Wyckoff’s father, Michael Wyckoff, taught the same program at Grand Rapids Community College 42 years ago.  “Teaching is in my family,” Wyckoff said. “My dad taught this same program I’m in. My sister and brother-in-law both teach as well. It felt right when the position became available.”  With the course meeting four days a week for eight and a half hours a day, Wyckoff provides students with a classroom environment that resembles the workday. After his own experience working in the industry, specifically with Herman Miller, Wyckoff reflects on how this program sets students up to thrive when they start their own careers.   “I learned it can be hard to get a good gauge for what the workplace looks like in the classroom. Once a month, we do a tour of different companies so students can see the job spaces to get a good look at what they’re working toward,” Wyckoff said. “This program is four days a week and that’s basically a full-time job. It’s considered job experience. I like to make sure our students work on showing up on time since that’s a big advantage in the workplace. I try to make sure they get to where they need to be on time to practice that skill for the industry.”  In addition to setting his students up for practical success in the workplace, Wyckoff focuses on having fun with every project he introduces to the classroom. Projects have included making lightsabers, as well as Spider-Man and Batman inspired helmets. An upcoming project features a Detroit Lions theme. “I think one of my greatest motivations is to always have fun,” Wyckoff said. “We get to make all types of stuff. We’ve made a large-scale Lego block out of metal that we’ve cut down using our manual tools. Whenever I have students around here, typically I like to have some sort of fun project that I’m working on that students can see to boost their motivation to be able to run this equipment and to like running it as well.”  Wyckoff inspires students to dig into the understanding of the machines by working on manual tool projects in the beginning of the course.  “We work on a lot of manual things to get a feel for the process and then we move to the CNC machines,” Wyckoff said.” I love machining and I love being able to do that every day. With all the machines we have you can almost make whatever you want.” In addition to keeping fun at the forefront of every class, Wyckoff creates an atmosphere in his classrooms where students can come alongside their fellow classmates in a helping capacity.  “I love seeing a drive from students toward leadership. There are times when I call on students to see if they can pull out those training skills and help other students. It’s not a bad thing if you’re not strong in this area, but it’s a good thing to practice at it,” Wyckoff said. “It’s inspiring to see other students helping each other out. I had a group of four students who recently graduated that I could draw from to help their fellow students. Leadership, retaining knowledge, it’s amazing to watch students in this space.”  When Wyckoff isn’t in the classroom teaching students how to use CNC machines, he’s on the water competing in one of the ski competitions he partakes in during the summer months. Along with his team, the Grand City Show Skiers, Wyckoff performs a series of events including the pyramid, jumps, barefooting and different choreographed acts. Wyckoff fondly talked about his experience with the ski team.    “I do a lot with training other skiers on how to do different techniques. The skiing helps me with the teaching and the teaching helps me with the skiing,” Wyckoff said. “I’m having a ton of fun with both!”  Wyckoff brings a youthful and experienced presence to the job training program.  “A lot of the students in my class are a similar age to me. It’s amazing to know your students and for them to feel comfortable around me as well,” Wyckoff said. “I am a very flexible person, and I think they know that I care about how they’re doing in this class. I’m not here to fail people, I’m here for them to get through the class with the tools they need to potentially have a career afterward.”  Learn more about the  Machine Tool/CNC Job Training Program at GRCC.  This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell.