Every two years, students at GRCC are asked to take part in the national survey called Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory Survey. For the 2026 iteration, this survey will be open to students, Monday Feb. 16 - Feb. 27, 2026.  Details This survey is going out to: credit and job training students, age 18 and up. Students will get an email invitation, followed by reminders if they don’t complete it. Their access code will be their unique GRCC email address. Students will receive $5 on their raider card within 5 days of participating and will be in a drawing for grand prizes if they choose to provide their information at the end of the survey. Student responses are anonymous and will be aggregated when analyzed. How Staff and Faculty Can Help  Share that the student perspective is crucial to making informed changes and ensuring we continue to invest in what works. Please help us get the word out to students! The following URL link and QR code will be shared with students next week. RNL Surveys   The results will be made available for discussion and information sharing as it was for our Fall 2025 data summit. We want to make use of the time taken by students to provide us feedback.  We’ve seen a response rate of 8% over the last two iterations. We are aiming for 15% and together, we can get there! Let’s go to work! If you have any questions, please contact institutional research at ir@grcc.edu.  

Below are select professional development sessions taking place over the next two weeks. To view the full list of available offerings and earn professional development hours, please visit the Online Learning Center to view the catalog and register. Professional Development Attendance Expectations Registering for professional development is a professional commitment. Please sign up only for sessions you plan to attend, arrive on time, and notify us in advance if you cannot make it. Our time, resources, and presenters are valuable—and your presence matters.  Let’s continue building a culture where we show up, engage fully, and honor our commitments to growth. Event Planning Express Course Need help understanding what it takes to plan an event? Get a crash course in the how to's. Learn about the teams and departments who are involved, room booking system and event preparation. There will be a Q and A session. This course is an express to the Event Planning Summit. It is designed to provide a quick overview and answer questions regarding planning events at GRCC. Feb. 17, 2026 11 a.m. – noon ATC 168 Voya Retirement Workshop Join Voya for an informative session designed to help you better understand your retirement benefits and take confident steps toward your financial future. This presentation will cover how your retirement plan works, investment options, contribution strategies and key planning considerations at different life stages. You’ll also learn practical tips to help you make informed decisions, maximize your savings and prepare for a secure retirement. Whether you’re just getting started or nearing retirement, this session will provide valuable insights to support your long-term goals. You do not need to be enrolled in a Voya plan to attend—this session is open to all employees, and the information shared will be relevant regardless of your current retirement provider. Feb. 19, 2026 2–3:30 p.m. Sneden 103 Leadership Essentials for the Hybrid Workplace The “new normal” of hybrid teams brings exciting opportunities for leaders to rethink and strengthen how they connect and inspire their people. While leading a hybrid team shares similarities with managing in-person teams, it also requires opening the door to new approaches and possibilities. Leaders are equipped with key strategies to successfully unite, support, and energize both remote and in-person team members. Feb. 26, 2026 9– 10 a.m. ATC168 Show Me the Money - Understanding Your Paystub Sure, getting paid is kind of important, but so is understanding what goes into (and comes out of!) your pay stub's bottom line. If you understand exactly how much money you're taking home each pay period, it can help you accurately and confidently plan your budget. We're here to answer your questions about the line items on your pay stub and how all those different sections get packed into one biweekly document to impact your overall earnings. Feb. 26, 2026 2 -3 p.m. Sneden 207  

Roots of Resistance: Women Activists during the Progressive Era in Grand Rapids Grand Rapids Grassroots reminds us that everyday people shape history. This presentation turns our attention to women activists in Grand Rapids during the Progressive Era, a time of intense social change and the founding of GRCC. By examining women’s clubs and community organizing, this program will highlight women, especially Black women who used collective action to address education, housing, health and civil rights. Their work represents an early chapter in Grand Rapids’ long grassroots tradition. Date: Thursday, Feb. 26 Time: 12:30-2 p.m. Location: ATC Auditorium (Room 168) Hosted by: Campus Common Reading Committee Sponsors and Partners: Library and Learning Commons, Social Science Department, LSA Transfer Bridges University of Michigan Program, Woodrick Center of Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs Presenter: Sophia Ward Brewer Open to the public and admission is free. About the Campus Common Reading Initiative  The 2026-2027 Campus Common Reading Initiative is a three-phase exploration of history and democracy that intentionally connects the 175th anniversary of Grand Rapids, the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 112th anniversary of Grand Rapids Community College. The project begins with local grassroots movements in Grand Rapids, expands to examine the city’s contributions to American history and concludes by reflecting on GRCC’s role in shaping the lives of people locally and nationally. Grand Rapids Grassroots: An Anthology  is available for free to GRCC students and staff. Pick up your copy in the Library (RJF 5th Floor) or in the office at the Lakeshore campus. The book is also available to read online:  Grand Rapids Grassroots: An Anthology   Contact Sophia Brewer (616) 234 3867 or Dr. Dillon Carr (616) 234-4284 with any questions.

GRCC will conduct a test of the Emergency Phone Alert System (EPAS) on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at noon. A previously scheduled test did not broadcast as expected due to a configuration error. That issue has been resolved, and this message is to confirm the rescheduled test. During the test, a brief message will be sent through the GRCC phone system. Desk and classroom phones will function as a public address system and play an audible announcement across campus. In the event of an actual emergency, this system would be used to share important information and instructions. The test message will last no more than a minute, and we apologize in advance for any disruption this may cause. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping keep our campus safe and prepared.    

  Amy Brannon, support professional for Imaging Sciences, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Dental Auxiliary and CVT Programs, was nominated by Lisa Radak dean of Health Sciences, for February’s Academic and Student Affairs Council’s Above and Beyond Award. Lisa states, “I am honored to nominate Amy Brannon for the Above and Beyond Award. Amy is the ‘total team player.’ Though she serves as the administrative support professional for Health Programs, she proactively seeks opportunities to strengthen the School of Health Sciences (SHS) and GRCC as a whole. Amy’s background as a former Admissions coordinator is an invaluable asset. She leverages her deep understanding of the student lifecycle to support faculty and staff in initiatives that directly impact student success. By generously sharing her institutional knowledge, she ensures her colleagues are supported and never working in isolation. Amy doesn’t just explain processes; she builds them. She creates durable resources and guides that streamline workflows for the entire team. What truly sets Amy apart is her ‘yes’ mentality. She consistently volunteers for outreach events outside her typical scope, such as career fairs, open houses, and campus tours, and serves as a dedicated SHS representative on college-wide committees. In these roles, she ensures the voice of Health Programs is heard and integrated into broader campus decisions. Amy is a true ambassador for GRCC. Whether she is arriving early to host an information station, staying late or coming in for a weekend event, or developing new resources for a colleague, her commitment is unmatched. She embodies the spirit of the Above and Beyond award every single day.” Congratulations Amy!

Alumni Musician: Kelly Keys Thursday, Feb. 19 SCC 234 Multi-Purpose Room Entire event: 11a.m.- 5 p.m. Session 1:  11 a.m.-2 p.m. Light Refreshments  Session 2:   2-5 p.m. (Jazz Music 2-4 .pm.)  Students, staff and community members are invited to engage with the power of visual expression as a reflection of Black history, culture and creativity. This daylong showcase will feature artwork from GRCC students and local artists, highlighting diverse narratives, perspectives and artistic mediums that honor the legacy and lived experiences of Black communities. Guests are welcome to stop in throughout the day to explore the exhibit, connect with artists, and enjoy a welcoming atmosphere. Light refreshments will be available during the early session, followed by live jazz music in the afternoon to complement the visual art experience. This event creates space for reflection, dialogue and celebration through art as a vital form of storytelling and cultural expression. Hosted by the Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs in collaboration with campus and community partners, this exhibition affirms the role of the arts in honoring Black history and fostering belonging on campus.

  Raising Voices - Cultivating Care Wednesday, Feb. 25 4:30 -6:30 p.m.  Sneden 108 Free food and refreshments at 4:30 p.m. Program starts at 5 p.m.  RSVP through our Raising Voices - Cultivating Care II form. Raising Voices - Cultivating Care , is influenced by the legacy of Pauli Murray, a Black lawyer, activist, and poet whose legacy remains largely unrecognized. Murray's contributions had a profound impact on American history - namely in civil rights and women's rights; and through her story, participants will learn the transformative power of writing and spoken-word poetry.  During this free workshop, participants will explore themes of identity, justice and resistance. Participants will be guided to create their own original spoken word pieces rooted in personal voice and social change honoring Murray’s vision while speaking boldly from their own lives. Share your voice!  All are welcome - no experience needed! Join us for food and socializing, followed by the program. GRCC Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs.