June 3, 2026 Students in the  Radiologic Technologist (“Rad Tech”) program   become adept at using many diagnostic imaging tools. Their skills help medical professionals diagnose broken bones, torn ligaments, tumors, internal bleeding and much more. Lexi Parden, now a graduate of the Rad Tech program, was learning to use these diagnostic tools at the very moment her husband’s life depended on them. “I was a working class mom with three kids,” Parden said. “I wanted to build a better future for myself, and give my kids a better life as well. I knew I wanted to do something in healthcare, and then I heard about the radiologic technologist program. It sounded like a great way to get into the field, so I enrolled.” It’s not easy to juggle school and family. However, the whole family was making it work, and Parden was nearing the end of the program. Then the stress meter unexpectedly redlined. A Life-Altering Turn of Events  “I got a call from the hospital,” Parden said. “My husband had been out riding his bike and was flung off, hitting a tree at about 25-30 miles per hour. This is the one time he forgot both his bike helmet and his phone. I had no idea anything had happened until I got that phone call.” Her husband was diagnosed with a severe brain injury and suddenly, Parden’s life turned upside down. “My husband is self-employed, so our family income immediately stopped,” Parden said. “I needed to be at the hospital for my husband. I needed to be present for our three kids. And I needed to be in school. There were times I didn’t know how I was going to make it, but quitting was not an option. The overload would have taken me under if it wasn’t for the support I received from GRCC.” More Than Just a School  Parden says that her professors and the staff at GRCC were incredible. “I got help adjusting my schedule so I could be in all the places I needed to be,” Parden said. “They helped me find financial resources. So many people went above and beyond for me. I wasn’t just another student. I was part of a family, and that family is what got me through.” During an interview for the Radiologic Technologist program’s 50th anniversary celebration, program director Julie Lackscheide noted that caring is the “secret sauce” to their success. “Students come to this program because they are choosing to do something better for themselves and their families,” Lackscheide said. “But there are so many barriers. Many of our students are adults, and often parents besides. They’re struggling to balance learning, parenting, working and all the other ‘adulting’ in their lives. My philosophy is that we are as much friends and counselors as we are educators. We listen and support. We connect students with resources and remove barriers, all with the goal of convincing them that they can succeed.”   Unlimited Potential  One year later, the future looks a lot brighter for the Parden family. Parden says her husband has mostly recovered, which is nothing short of miraculous. She graduated and received her certification as an x-ray technician. In yet another blessing, Parden recounts that a position at Trinity Health in Grand Rapids opened up just in time, saving her the additional stress of a daily drive to Muskegon, where she thought she would be working. Health and “normalcy” provide infinite reasons for gratitude. But Parden has also discovered more inspiration through expanding professional opportunities. “Right after I started working at Trinity, they encouraged me to start cross-training in MRI,” Parden said. “I’m doing that, and I have two years to earn my certification. This is a whole new world for me and it’s fun. I can also see much more potential after I gain some MRI experience. I think it could be interesting to learn cardiac MRI, interventional radiology or bone density testing. There are so many options. I feel I’m doing what I was born to do.” Julie Lackscheide’s goal is for students to graduate, pass their boards and find a job. She and her team are doing all that, at a high level , with all types of students. That effort leaves an indelible mark on those whose lives they touch. “This program is challenging, but it’s worth every second,” Parden said. “It literally changed the course of my life and that of my family. I know that sometimes it can feel overwhelming, but the great news is that you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Everyone in the program is there to support you. If I can do it, so can you.” Visit the Imaging Sciences department webpage  to learn more areas of study and career opportunities. This story was reported by Julie Hordyk.

June 1, 2026 For many students, college can feel intimidating. For first-generation college students, that challenge often comes with added pressure and uncertainty. Through TRIO programs at Grand Rapids Community College, students receive academic and financial guidance, tutoring and one-on-one advising designed to help them navigate college and pursue their goals. “When we get the opportunity to work with students in our TRIO programs, we get to nurture an established curiosity, bravery and desire to learn that is apparent in many first-generation college students,” said Victoria Powers, TRIO director. “We are very lucky in that we have the luxury of time with our students.” Powers said students receive individualized advising and support from staff members with different areas of expertise. The program also hosts faculty office hours within the TRIO space, giving students easier access to professors in a more comfortable environment. “Students get an opportunity to see that we are all right here saying we don’t have all of the answers,” Powers said. “But I can get you to someone who might have a different answer that can take the student further along in that conversation.” Finding Support and Building Confidence Four students in the TRIO STEM program — Daniela Alcantar-Nava, Gabriela Martinez-Rivera, Raven Roman and Dulce Reyes-Loredo — said the program helped them navigate college as first-generation students and women pursuing careers in STEM-related fields.   Alcantar-Nava, a 2025 graduate of East Kentwood High School, is pursuing the ADN nursing pathway at GRCC. Drawn to math and science from an early age, she took Advanced Placement physics, biology and chemistry courses in high school and hopes to eventually become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Inspired by her older sister’s college journey, Alcantar-Nava said her education is about creating more opportunities for future generations in her family. “TRIO really cares about their students,” Alcantar-Nava said. “They work hard to help us navigate the system of college. You definitely have to work a lot harder than if there were others who came before you, but that drives me. I think about the future and how I might be able to tell my daughter about all of the things I did.” Martinez-Rivera, an electrical engineering student, said her interest in engineering developed while working alongside her father, a painter in construction. Watching structural engineers collaborate with him inspired her to pursue the field herself. “I saw how much respect my dad had when people would seek him out to work with them,” Martinez-Rivera said. “I wanted that for myself. That sparked a curiosity in me and pushed me to follow my dreams. My dad always encouraged me to dream big.” Roman, a pre-biology student, moved from the Philippines to Grand Rapids shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. As she adjusted to a new country and education system, she said TRIO became an important source of guidance and encouragement. “I was just telling myself that you have to face your fears or you won’t know what could happen in your life,” Roman said. “TRIO really navigates these questions with you. If I was not with TRIO, college would have been very hard for me to navigate, especially as someone who had no idea how education works in the United States. Right now, I’d probably be working somewhere I don’t like. Instead, TRIO has helped me actualize my dreams.”   Reyes-Loredo, a 26-year-old first-generation student, completed her associate degree after a seven-year journey shaped by cancer, financial hardship and immigration challenges. As the oldest English-speaking child in her family, she often helped her parents navigate paperwork and financial systems while growing up in Grand Rapids. After surviving cancer in high school, she briefly attended nursing school in Barcelona, Spain, before returning to the United States and enrolling at GRCC. She later shifted her studies to business finance after witnessing the financial struggles many families face, including her own. Throughout her nontraditional college journey, Reyes-Loredo said TRIO provided support both academically and personally, especially during periods when she traveled frequently to Mexico to visit her husband. “If it wasn’t for all the extra things TRIO does, I don’t know if I would be where I am today,” Reyes-Loredo said. “It’s a small-knit community in TRIO. Even when I pushed them away sometimes, they were constantly there. They gave me a safe space to make mistakes and not feel judged.” In addition to accessible advising tailored to STEM fields, TRIO offers students dedicated study spaces, tutoring support and networking opportunities. Students said the environment allows them to feel understood by peers facing similar experiences. “You can be your full self around people who understand your situation,” Alcantar-Nava said. Pursuing Opportunities Beyond the Classroom   This summer, all four students will participate in competitive research opportunities. Alcantar-Nava and Martinez-Rivera were accepted into the Michigan College and University Partnership (MiCUP) a seven-week research program in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Both students initially hesitated to apply because of the distance and uncertainty about whether they were qualified. TRIO advisers encouraged them to pursue the opportunity anyway. “TRIO is a place where somebody can come in and have the freedom to be curious and to think about themselves in a way that maybe they haven’t had an opportunity to before,” Powers said. “We work to take the noise away from the tasks that are harder to navigate so students have the space to take chances on themselves.” Roman and Reyes-Loredo were accepted into the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, or UROP, at the University of Michigan this summer. Roman said a TRIO adviser encouraged her to apply before the extended deadline, despite her doubts about being selected. Reyes-Loredo will participate in research focused on the mental well-being of parents living in poverty.   Overcoming Barriers as First-Generation Students   The students said language barriers, financial strain and limited professional networks often make higher education more difficult for first-generation families to navigate. “Our parents didn’t always have the same opportunities,” Alcantar-Nava said. “It’s not a lack of intelligence. It’s a lack of resources and opportunities.” The students also discussed the challenges of being women in STEM fields, including imposter syndrome and underestimating their accomplishments. “I think a lot of women undermine their achievements,” Martinez-Rivera said. “You have to accept every accomplishment for what it is and recognize how far you’ve already come.” “We’re just as capable as anybody else,” Roman said. “We can bring innovation and creativity, as well as a voice for women who don’t have that voice.” Looking Ahead For each of these students, seeing their families make sacrifices to create new opportunities has remained a powerful source of motivation as they work toward their academic and career goals. They stressed the importance of embracing opportunities, speaking up for themselves and seeking mentors who can help them navigate the college system. TRIO became more than an academic support program for these students. It provided a sense of encouragement and belonging while giving them the confidence to envision opportunities beyond the barriers they faced. “I think any student who makes a choice to come to college as a first-generation college student is already displaying traits of strength, bravery and confidence,” Powers said. “We’re so proud of these four women. Each one has shown strong character, an incredible work ethic and so much ability. We’re honored to work with these students.” Roman hopes her journey can encourage other first-generation students to take chances on themselves. “Always take the opportunity given to you,” Roman said. “You never know where it can lead until you accept it.” Visit the TRIO programs web page to learn more about the various support services. This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell.