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Kathryn Rogalski

Dr. Kathryn A. Rogalski is an experienced higher education executive with more than 25 years of leadership in community and technical colleges. Throughout her career, she has focused on strengthening student success, advancing workforce alignment and expanding access to high-quality education that supports both economic and social mobility. Prior to joining Grand Rapids Community College, Dr. Rogalski served as vice president for academic affairs and workforce development at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC), where she led a $55 million division and provided strategic oversight for more than 1,000 faculty and staff across STEM, advanced manufacturing and skilled trades, nursing and allied health, public safety, business and social sciences, as well as corporate training and economic development. As chief academic officer, she guided institutional strategy related to curriculum, accreditation, teaching and learning, industry partnerships and student success initiatives. During her tenure at NWTC, she led significant organizational transformation, including the college’s shift from traditional 15-week semesters to eight-week sessions to increase persistence and completion. She secured a $2.25 million Title III grant to strengthen high-impact teaching practices and close achievement gaps, expanded K-12 and university partnerships, and helped position the college as a regional workforce leader. NWTC earned national recognition as an Achieving the Dream Leader College and was a finalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Previously, Dr. Rogalski served as dean of business and social sciences at William Rainey Harper College in Illinois where she oversaw academic programming, faculty leadership and workforce-aligned curriculum development. Earlier in her career at the College of Lake County, she held progressive leadership roles including associate dean, academic advisor and research assistant in institutional effectiveness. These experiences continue to inform her data-informed and student-centered approach to leadership. Dr. Rogalski has served on numerous workforce, chamber and economic development boards and is an active participant in national higher education organizations, including Achieving the Dream and the American Association of Community Colleges. She is a Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Community College Excellence Program (Rising Presidents Fellowship). She holds a Doctor of Education in Adult and Higher Education from Northern Illinois University, a Master of Arts in Social Science from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northeastern Illinois University. As president of Grand Rapids Community College, Dr. Rogalski is committed to expanding opportunity, strengthening academic and workforce pathways, and ensuring GRCC remains a college where students and the communities they call home can build  bright futures together.

Get Ahead on Your Degree As a Guest Student This Summer

March 9, 2026 The word “summer” probably brings to mind things like sunny days on Lake Michigan, reading in a hammock or walking to your favorite ice cream place for a sweet treat. Summer is also the perfect time to take a class or two at GRCC and get ahead on your degree. Take Prerequisites and Transfer Credit Back to Your Home Institution Summer classes are a great option for incoming freshmen who want to get a head start on their college journey and start earning credits at an affordable rate. They’re also ideal for students already  enrolled at another college or university who want to stay on track or get ahead in their degree. You can apply to GRCC as a guest student and transfer the credits back to your home institution. Here’s how it works: Fill out the Guest Student Application . Check with your home institution’s course equivalency guide to ensure GRCC courses will transfer back. Take classes in Grand Rapids, at the Lakeshore Campus or online. Transfer credits back to your home institution in the fall. Registration for the summer semester is open and first session classes begin May 11, 2026. Attend Classes in Grand Rapids, Holland or Online GRCC offers classes in multiple locations: at the downtown Grand Rapids campus, at the Holland campus and online. These options enable students to build a schedule that fits around summer activities or work. There’s the flexibility to attend class at the Lakeshore Campus in the morning and head out to Holland State Park in the afternoon. Or work during the day and take an evening class online. No matter what you have planned for the summer, we have options that work around your busy life. Get Tuition Help With Grand Rapids Promise Zone If you attended high school in Grand Rapids, you may also be eligible to receive tuition assistance with Grand Rapids Promise Zone. The Promise Zone Scholarship is available for students who live within the Grand Rapids Public Schools service area and graduate from one of the 25 public, public charter, or private high schools located within the city limits. The program covers the cost of tuition, fees, books and required course materials. The Promise Zone scholarship is a “last dollar” scholarship. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine available need-based aid. Once the total need-based aid has been determined, the scholarship covers the remaining costs. For Promise Zone questions, email at promisezone@grcc.edu or call (616) 234-4321. Stay On Track With Free Tutoring and Counseling Services Worried about balancing classes and life this summer? GRCC students have access to free academic tutoring and counseling services, either in-person or online. Whether you need help with a tricky math problem or want to develop strategies to deal with stress, we’re here for you. GRCC’s Tutoring and Learning Centers offer personalized assistance in specific subjects including math, language arts, biology, business and social sciences. Tutoring may be drop-in or by appointment, so be sure to check each center’s web page before you go. GRCC’s Center for Counseling and Well-Being is staffed by licensed professionals who are committed to improving and advocating for students’ mental health and wellness. You can schedule an in-person or virtual appointment. Counselors are also available for brief, urgent walk-in consultations. Other resources for GRCC students include food assistance , laptop and technology loans , an on-campus health clinic and bus passes for The Rapid . Start your Guest Student application today and get ahead on your degree!

GRCC Policies Reviewed/Updated February 2026

The new/revised policies have been added to the  College Policies   webpage.    11.19 Lobbying Policy Substantive Policy Changes Expansion of Prohibited Activities: The list of unallowable costs now explicitly includes attempts to influence the outcomes of any State or local election, referendum, or initiative, in addition to Federal procedures. Stricter Authorization Protocols: No individual may engage in lobbying on behalf of the College without express, prior written authorization from the College President. Enhanced Professional Standards: Any person authorized to lobby must now be a duly registered lobbyist and is personally responsible for complying with all annual reporting requirements mandated by law. Compliance Breadth: A new clause specifies that all lobbying activities must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations. 11.20 Supplanting Federal Funds Policy Minimal Changes Contact positions updated to reflect current titles and structures.  

GRCC Alum Tara Huskey Earns Prestigious Global Graduate Scholarship

Grand Rapids Community College alum Tara Huskey has been awarded the highly competitive Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Scholarship, placing her among just 146 recipients worldwide. The scholarship will fully support Huskey as she pursues a master’s degree in Athletic Training at the University of South Florida, covering the full cost of her graduate education. Huskey graduated from GRCC in 2024 and was a member of the college’s Honors Program. During her time at GRCC, she demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to academic excellence, leadership and service. This new recognition builds on an already remarkable achievement. In 2024, Huskey was also selected as a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, one of the nation’s most prestigious scholarships for community college students. That award provides up to $55,000 per year for two to three years to complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited four-year institution in the United States. While at GRCC, Huskey pursued an associate degree in exercise science and made a lasting impact across campus. She was active in the Honors Program, founded and served as president of the Fitness Club student organization, worked as a biology tutor and participated in a summer research program with Michigan Technological University. Her passion for health, wellness and helping others has guided her academic path and career aspirations in athletic training. Huskey’s continued success highlights the power of community college pathways and the impact of the GRCC community in supporting ambitious students as they pursue their goals. Stay tuned — we’ll be sharing more soon about Tara’s inspiring journey and the impact she continues to make beyond GRCC.

Share Your Voice: Help GRCC Shine During Community College Month

Grand Rapids Community College has been recognized as a 2026 Leader College by Achieving the Dream (ATD), and now ATD is inviting us to help spotlight the people behind that success. As part of Community College Month in April, Achieving the Dream will feature short quotes from faculty, staff, students and leaders across its Leader Colleges, highlighting the everyday work that drives student success. GRCC is encouraged to submit quotes from across our campus community that reflect how we support students, remove barriers and create meaningful learning experiences. This is a great opportunity to elevate GRCC’s work on a national stage, and it only takes a few minutes to participate. What ATD Is Looking For ATD will be sharing weekly content throughout April focused on these themes: Leaders Listen – How student voices help shape policies and practices Students Speak – Students reflecting on their experiences at GRCC Teaching That Transforms – Faculty perspectives on student-centered teaching Support in Action – Advisors and staff removing barriers to student success Quotes may come from leaders, faculty, staff or students and should reflect real, on-the-ground experiences at GRCC. Submission Guidelines Quotes must be 50 words or fewer Multiple submissions from across the college are encouraged Priority will be given to quotes submitted with a headshot and photo release form Headshots should be high-resolution, color photos with a neutral background All submissions must be made using ATD’s official form Deadline to submit: March 12, 2026 Selected submissions will be featured on Achieving the Dream’s social media channels, and contributors whose quotes are chosen will be notified directly by ATD. How to Participate If you’re interested in submitting a quote, or know a colleague or student whose voice should be shared, please complete the  Community College Month Quote Submission Form by March 12. Let’s come together to showcase the people and practices that earned GRCC its 2026 Leader College designation and to celebrate the impact we make for students every day!    

Campus Race to Zero Waste Update and Garbage Tour

Go GRCC! We are four weeks into the Campus Race to Zero Waste Competition and 16,689 pounds of paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and metal have been recycled. That is over 8 tons of materials that will have a “useful” second life instead of heading to the landfill.   Check the digital signs around campus for weekly progress updates from the Communications team! We are ahead of where we were last year at this time. There are still four more weeks to go. Keep recycling! It really makes a difference. Interested in learning more about recycling? Wondering what the “useful” second life of recycled materials looks like? Curious about what happens when the recycled materials arrive at the Kent County Recycling and Education Center?  If so, then the  Garbage Tour is for you! Check out the information for this action-packed professional development and sign up! There are still seats available. Lunch is provided and it counts towards four hours of professional development.

Professional Development (PD) Opportunity: Insights Into GRCC- Enhancing Understanding Through Data Literacy March 18

Institutional Research invites the campus community to a professional development session, “Insights into GRCC: Enhancing Understanding through Data Literacy,” on March 18 from 11 AM to noon.  This session is designed to enhance participants’ understanding of GRCC's new strategic plan metrics  dashboard , while equipping them to make data-informed decisions and contribute to advancing the college's strategic initiatives. To register, please sign up through the Online Center. For any questions, email  IR@grcc.edu .

Supervisor Technology Training with IT March 24

New to a supervisory role at GRCC, or looking for a refresher on key technology processes? Join Supervisor Technology Training with IT, an in-person session designed to help supervisors confidently navigate the systems and tools used to support their teams. March 24 9–11 a.m. Facilitated by Jacob Barczak Register through the Online Center In this session, you’ll learn how to use the IT Services Portal (TeamDynamix), complete Network Account Provisioning (NAP) forms for hires and transfers, manage Google Groups and Shared Drives, and understand IT processes for onboarding, offboarding, equipment and data security. The training also covers supervisor tools in the Online Center, including approving timesheets and leave requests. Whether you are new to supervision or want a clearer understanding of GRCC’s technology processes, this session will give you the foundation you need to support your team effectively.  

Sign up Today for the Adult CPR, First Aid and AED Certification on March 23!

Last month we recognized Heart Health Awareness Month, now let’s keep the momentum going!  The Talent Development team is pleased to offer an Adult CPR, First Aid & AED Certification course on March 23, 2026, from 1–5 PM. The session is facilitated by Go Rescue, LLC and follows the American Red Cross curriculum. This hands-on training will give you the skills and confidence to respond in an emergency at work, at home, or anywhere you’re needed. Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion. Spots are limited! Building Managers across campuses are especially encouraged to attend to help strengthen on-site emergency preparedness. Sign up today in the Online Center!
Liberal Arts Degree Info Session
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Liberal Arts Degree Info Session

4-year colleges have so many liberal arts majors and minors to offer, and sometimes we're left stumped
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