April 16, 2026 Food has brought people together for centuries. Whether during holidays, special occasions or a night out, gathering around the table fosters connection. Sasha Ahmed, an associate professor at the Secchia  Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College, incorporates that sense of community into her teaching. Ahmed began as a student before returning to GRCC as an educator. “I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to come back and teach,” she said. “I’m in a department that works so well together. I also have a great program director, Dr. Werner Absenger. He encourages me to explore new ways to enhance our program. Even if something isn’t strictly culinary-focused, I have support. As a department, we understand how important it is to be part of the community. We take our role as the community’s college very seriously.” Sharing Resources With the Community The culinary program maintains strong ties to the community through partnerships with local organizations. Ahmed has worked with Spring GR , an organization that provides business education to underserved communities. Recognizing the talent of culinary students seeking to grow their businesses, Ahmed partnered with Spring GR’s Kitchen Accelerator Program to support aspiring food entrepreneurs. “I’ve had the privilege of teaching workshops for each cohort, as well as additional classes for alumni,” Ahmed said. “Topics range from basic kitchen skills and culinary math to platter design and event planning. I enjoy sharing knowledge, brainstorming and getting to know participants. It’s rewarding to help people gain skills that can contribute to their success.” Ahmed also partners with West Michigan Welcome Plan Collaborative and A Glimpse of Africa , organizations advocating for immigrants and refugees. “I believe access should be equal for everyone,” she said. “Being involved is a way to use what I have to help open doors or provide support to those entering the culinary world. The work can feel small, but it matters to the people you’re helping.” Focusing on Experience Ahmed’s commitment to sharing knowledge is central to her teaching. She works with both students and community members, emphasizing practical skills and professional growth. “Our culinary program is dedicated to education and excellence,” she said. “We want to share what we know to help people succeed in an industry we love. If we want our students to be employable, sharing knowledge is essential. We aim to help them grow.” Ahmed noted the program’s strong alumni network. Graduates stay connected for job references and updates, reflecting the program’s ongoing support. “We exist for the community, and that shows in many ways,” she said. Expanding Learning Beyond the Classroom   Ahmed also helps lead study abroad experiences, giving students opportunities to engage with different cultures and cuisines. “We think it’s important for students to become better global citizens, and travel plays a role in that,” she said. “Experiencing food where it’s made — like tasting balsamic vinegar in Italy — is very different from trying it at home. These experiences help students grow in both passion and understanding.” She has seen significant personal growth in students during these trips. “Some students had never been outside Michigan,” Ahmed said. “Watching their transformation from the beginning to the end of the trip is remarkable. They gain a deeper appreciation for different cultures and develop stronger social skills with their peers as they spend extended time together. It’s incredible to watch them build relationships and a stronger sense of community. It’s a meaningful experience for all of us.” Bringing It All Together For Ahmed, teaching at GRCC provides a foundation for community engagement and service. She continues to explore new ways to connect with others and support students. “I feel supported in finding ways to connect with the greater community,” she said. “This industry can be stressful, and we need each other.” With that support, Ahmed began teaching a stress management course focused on responding to the hospitality industry. “We wanted to focus on stress management as a department. I was especially interested in teaching this topic and helping others recognize how valuable it is to know how to decompress,” she said. “With encouragement from Dr. Absenger, I pursued training in this area. We secured funding, and now I teach techniques like meditation and breathing. We love what we do and want to be able to teach others how to stay sustainable in their passions.” Ahmed said the program reflects a broader commitment to community. “It’s meaningful to be part of a department that keeps food — and everything connected to it — at the center of community,” she said. Visit the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education web page to learn more about their areas of study. This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell.

April 14, 2026 The piano has held special fascination for Tyler Watkins ever since he was young. “When I was 12, I received a mini-keyboard with about 40 keys,” Watkins said. “I loved playing it, and kept trying to learn songs. My parents bought me a full-size keyboard for my 15th birthday. Once I started learning contemporary music on that, I was hooked.” Watkins is pursuing a recording technology associate degree , with the dream to someday write movie scores. He came to GRCC not only to finish up his gen ed requirements, but also because the music program receives top ratings among Midwest colleges. “I love the intricacy of a good score,” Watkins said. “I think I hear things that other people don’t hear in those pieces. ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ is probably one of my favorite scores. The music is so fitting for each scene. I want to be able to create that kind of magic.” Earning his recording technology degree from GRCC is the first step, and then he hopes to transfer to Western Michigan’s music program. Watkins knows that building connections in the movie industry will take time, so he also plans to teach for a while. Coaching from a Pro Professor Jonah Elrod , an accomplished composer himself, noticed Watkins’ composition talent and encouraged him to submit a piece for the 2026 Jack Stone Award for New Music. Each year, community college student composers from around the United States submit pieces for varied instrumentations, and these pieces are judged by members of the Composers Alliance of San Antonio . A winner and two runners-up are selected, and they are then flown to San Antonio, where they get to meet and form lifelong friendships in addition to hearing their works premiered by top-notch professional musicians. They receive a recording of their works, and the concert is preceded by a master class involving the musicians and at least one of the judges, allowing the students valuable opportunities to learn and grow as composers. Although the Jack Stone competition was open to community college students from all over the United States, professor Elrod thought Watkins was ready to compete on that stage. And in this, Watkins’ second-ever composition competition, he received one of the two runner-up awards. “This win is going to push me forward,” Watkins said. “It reinforces the idea that this is something I can do. The win is great to put on my resume. However, even better than the win is what I learned when I went to San Antonio. Hearing my piece performed by the actual instruments brought it to life. I learned so much on that trip about instrumentation, phrasing, and even breathing for woodwinds. It taught me how to better orchestrate my music.” Professor Elrod is thrilled that Watkins was able to advance his compositional skills through the competition and the benefits that came with the win. “It’s a huge educational experience to interact with musicians at that level,” professor Elrod said. “Tyler was able to meet people and had to explain his music. That’s a skill that only comes with practice, so this was a great way to acquire it. He also made some wonderful connections, and got to interact with the faculty at Northwest Vista College. Those are priceless experiences.” About the Music  Watkins titled his piece, “This Garden of Reverie,” and explains that it moves the listener through a journey of self-reflection. “The music begins with someone walking through a peaceful, calm garden,” Watkins said. “As the walk progresses, the scenes change and become darker. This song reflects the polarity of our minds. We can be peaceful when our minds allow us to be, but we can also become our own worst enemies when we allow fear to take over.”   Professor Elrod notes that regardless of where Watkins’ career takes him, this award can do nothing but help. “Tyler’s music is really special,” Professor Elrod said. “He is already so mature in his phrasing and the way he plans his music. He’s careful and expressive, not rushing from idea to idea. After only one year, his music has a maturity that’s hard to develop. If he wants to go the self-published route, this adds credibility to his work. If he wants to teach, he can say he won a competition. I hope the win opened his eyes and gave him confidence, because he is really talented.”   Visit the Recording Technology, A.M. web page to learn more about this program. This story was reported by Julie Hordyk.