Dec. 8, 2025 For Jakob Chapman, basketball has always been more than a game. It has been an escape and a lifelong passion. He first started playing at the age of seven, inspired by his height, his dad's love for the game and the countless hours he spent watching basketball on TV. Before Chapman’s health scare, his life was filled with basketball, football and the normal teenage experiences. That all changed in September of 2023, when Chapman suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Before that moment, he describes his life as “normal” with a kind mindset that kept him grounded as an athlete. But recovery brought new challenges, both physical and mental. “The mental side of healing was harder,” Chapman admits. “Being in the hospital, not being able to do anything — I was weak and it took me forever to be able to read.”​ During that difficult time, the support from his teammates, coaches, friends and family meant everything. “A lot of people came to the hospital and sent me cards and texts; they showed me they cared,” he says. When Chapman was finally cleared to return to the game he loved, there was no hesitation. “I knew as soon as I got cleared that I wanted to play,” he says. Still, he admits there was fear. Especially about getting hit near his Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator, which is a small implantable device that monitors and regulates the heart's rhythm. And there was a lingering uncertainty of not knowing what caused the cardiac arrest. But in the end courage won out over fear. Now a GRCC student-athlete, Chapman is studying HVAC while playing basketball for the Raiders. He chose GRCC because of the strength of the HVAC program , the community, the campus atmosphere and the encouragement from Coach Fox. “Coach Fox, my teammates and the community here all made GRCC the right fit,” Chapman says.  His experience has shaped how he views not only sports but life itself. “Never take anything for granted,” he reflects. “Take that risk.” The journey has also strengthened his relationships and his outlook on his future. “People have reached out to me more, and I have better relationships with my family and friends,” he says. Today, every time Chapman steps on the court, he is reminded of how far he’s come and how lucky he is to play the game he loves. “You don’t really know when you'll have the opportunity,” Chapman says. “If you have the chance, take it.” This story was reported by Danielle Wheeler.

December 5, 2025 Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and Davenport University (DU) proudly announce the 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration: A Call to Courageous Community Action. This landmark event, marking four decades of tri-campus partnership, will move beyond mere commemoration to serve as a powerful launchpad for purposeful engagement and positive change in West Michigan. The celebration will be held on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, from 6-9 p.m. at the historic Wealthy Theater in Grand Rapids. Inspired by the King Center's 2026 theme, Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way, this year’s focus is a dynamic Community Conversation designed to point the community boldly forward. The conversation will center on translating this powerful national theme into tangible action within the local community, focusing on collaboration, equity and sustainable change. “For 40 years, this tri-campus collaboration has exemplified a shared commitment to Dr. King's legacy,” said Dr. Nygil Likely, GRCC’s vice president for people, culture and equity. “This anniversary is not just a look back, but a clear call to action for every neighbor, leader, student and family to define their legacy by committing to service and standing up for justice, equality and peace.” The event will issue a clear call to action, rooted in Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community. Actively Engage in Bringing People Together: Participants will learn practical strategies for bridging divides, fostering genuine dialogue, and strengthening the bonds of our diverse community, choosing community over chaos. Advocate in a Non-Violent Way: The conversation will explore Kingian Nonviolence — not as passive resistance, but as a courageous, disciplined and love-centered methodology for confronting injustice and creating systemic change. The panel discussion will feature thought leaders, who will provide invaluable perspective to this critical dialogue. This longstanding partnership between GRCC, GVSU and Davenport University has provided a vital platform for thoughtful reflection, education and action around contemporary civil rights issues for decades, bringing together students, faculty and the broader West Michigan community to embody the spirit of unity and progress that Dr. King championed. Event Details What: 40th Annual MLK Celebration: A Call to Courageous Community Action When: Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, 6-9 p.m. Where: Wealthy Theater, Grand Rapids Focus: Community Conversation on Unity, Action, and Kingian Nonviolence  

December 2, 2025 Filling out paperwork probably isn’t what comes to mind when you think about cooler weather and cozy fall and winter activities. But completing the FAFSA is absolutely something that should make it onto any college student’s to-do list during this time of year. FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students must complete this form to find out if they qualify for federal financial aid, including grants, work-study funds and loans. Colleges like GRCC also use the FAFSA data to determine eligibility for state and school-based aid. Completing the FAFSA is the most important thing you can do if you need help paying for college. Without it, GRCC’s Financial Aid department cannot award federal and state grant dollars, scholarships or need-based aid. The FAFSA Is More Than Student Loans Students may be hesitant to complete the FAFSA because they do not want to take out student loans and graduate with student debt. But completing the FAFSA is about much more than student loans. It also helps determine if you are eligible for federal and state grants, scholarships and need-based aid. Grants and scholarships are types of aid you don’t have to pay back. As long as you use the funds appropriately and maintain satisfactory academic progress , any grant or scholarship aid is yours to put toward your education. Many Students Qualify For At Least Some Aid You may be surprised to learn that most students qualify for at least some aid. The Michigan Community College Guarantee and Michigan Reconnect are two good examples. Michigan Community College Guarantee covers in-district tuition for recent high school graduates. An additional $1,000 award for living expenses is available for students who are eligible for a federal Pell grant. Michigan Reconnect covers in-district tuition for Michigan residents who are 25 or older. If you live out of district, Michigan Reconnect will still cover some of your tuition costs. Both programs require applicants to fill out the FAFSA. When Should You Complete the FAFSA? The FAFSA opens in October for the upcoming school year. Students who fill out the FAFSA now are applying for aid for the 2026-2027 academic year. It’s always a good idea to complete your FAFSA as early as you can. Many types of need-based aid are awarded on a first come, first serve basis. Applying right away gives you a better chance of securing those dollars for your education. What Information Do You Need to Complete the FAFSA? Before you complete the FAFSA, you will need to create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. Your FSA ID is how you will electronically sign financial aid documents and how you will complete the FAFSA in following years (more on that in a bit!). To create your FSA ID , you will need: Your Social Security number Your date of birth Your full legal name as it appears on your Social Security card An email address you have access to A mobile phone number A mailing address Your Social Security number can only be associated with one FSA ID. You will not be able to make multiple accounts for yourself or create a new account if you lose access to it. Take your time while setting up your FSA ID and make sure all the information is correct. To complete the FAFSA, you will need: Your FSA ID Your Social Security number Your email address Your parents’ email address Access to tax returns for the last two years (to complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA, you will need your 2024 tax return) GRCC’s school code: 002267 If you are considered a dependent, then a parent or guardian will also need to sign the FAFSA. Two important things to keep in mind: You must enter GRCC’s school code if you want us to receive your FAFSA information. Without it, we cannot offer you financial aid. You must provide consent and approval for the Office of Federal Student Aid to obtain your and your contributor’s tax information automatically from the IRS. This information is used to complete the FAFSA form without having to manually enter it. Do You Have to Complete the FAFSA Again Next Year? If you want to continue receiving financial aid, then yes, you should plan on completing the FAFSA again next year. Our team will be here next year to help you with any questions! Need Help? Complete the FAFSA With GRCC We’re here to make the FAFSA as easy as possible. The Financial Aid office is hosting a series of workshops focused on the FAFSA. We’ll be there to walk you through everything step-by-step, answer all your questions and make sure you’re ready to secure your financial aid. Don’t stress — we’ll be there to support you every step of the way! FAFSA workshops are scheduled through May on GRCC’s Main Campus, Leslie E. Tassell MTEC and the Lakeshore Campus in Holland. You can see all upcoming workshops and locations on the Financial Aid webpage or on Raider Connect .