Jan 25, 2024 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – School was never William Staples’ thing … until Grand Rapids Community College, that is. Now a GRCC honor student, Staples is graduating in May, interning full-time at a top-notch Grand Rapids engineering firm, and planning to seek a bachelor’s degree.  It’s a journey he never dreamed of taking.  Staples grew up in Grand Rapids, barely graduating, he said, from Innovation Central High School in 2016. After a string of jobs, he eventually found his niche working for local heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanical contractors. “Five years ago, I would have said I didn’t need college,” said Staples, now 25 years old. “I was making good money working in the trades and life was good for me. But as I got older, I started thinking more towards my long-term goals and realized that education is what would help propel me toward those goals.” He approached GRCC with the thought of earning a one-year Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration (HVACR) Technology Certificate . The first in his family to attend college, Staples said he was hesitant when he started the program in 2022.  Staples was surprised to find that college was a great fit and decided to pursue an associate degree in HVACR Technology . “I’ve seen myself getting better and better academically and just learning and applying myself and making new connections; really using the benefits of getting an education,” he said. Flexible scheduling made it easier than expected to balance college classes and a full-time job, he said. His professors were a big help, encouraging Staples to pursue an engineering degree at Ferris State University after graduating from GRCC.  And he’s ready for the challenge. “For the first time in my life, I’m having fun learning and really digging deeper into my education,” said Staples, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society for the last year. Staples will graduate debt free thanks to a series of scholarships from the GRCC Foundation , Grand Rapids Community Foundation and the Rees Scholarship Foundation, which supports the HVACR industry. When he turned 25, he also qualified for financial aid from Michigan   Reconnect .  Last summer, Staples began working full-time at dbHMS in Grand Rapids as a commissioning engineer intern. He loves it. One day he hopes to be leader in the engineering industry and inspire a new generation of students — especially in minority communities. “I’m definitely leaning toward the leadership and engineering aspect of HVACR,” he said. Staples credits GRCC for changing his life’s trajectory. “It’s just crazy how times have changed for me: Now I have a vision and goal for my life and I couldn’t be more excited,” he said.   This story was reported by Beth McKenna.

Dec. 19, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich . – Tyler Muniz now lives in Kansas, where he’s a firefighter and EMT, but he’s made a lot of stops along the way. He’s worked in youth development for the YMCA, parent aid for the state of Arizona, and corrections in Missouri. The starting point for Muniz’s wide-ranging career? GRCC, which he calls “the home to new opportunities.” He credits the college with getting him “back on track”: “I chose high school to be athletics and social hour and didn’t take my classes seriously. GRCC allowed me to be on my own and get my life straightened out for success.” Muniz, a member of the 2009 National Championship football team, graduated with his associate degree in business in 2010. He completed a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and corrections at Culver-Stockton College in Missouri, joining four other GRCC football team members in playing for the Wildcats. He eventually earned a master’s in nonprofit, public and organizational management from Louisiana State University-Shreveport. He decided to go in a new direction in 2017. “After 10 years of working with children and families of all backgrounds, I found that sitting at a desk wasn’t an environment I thrived in,” he said. “I made the career change to firefighter around five years ago and haven’t looked back since." Muniz, who’s married with two children, keeps in touch with friends from his time at GRCC. “Being able to move into the big city, coming from a small town outside of Kalamazoo was such an amazing experience!” he said. “I lived off Lyon and Lafayette and was able to walk to class and practice within minutes. I had professors who took the time to help me when needed. I felt like I could ask questions, and, no matter what, someone was going to help. “There were resources anywhere you looked, you just needed to utilize them.”

Dec. 12, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich . – Jaret Jaramillo has been a trailblazer since high school when, as a senior, he made Kent City history by becoming his school’s first-ever boys soccer player to sign to play in college with a commitment to the new soccer program at Grand Rapids Community College. He graduated in the spring of 2023 as Kent City’s all-time leader in both goals and assists, even though he missed his entire sophomore season due to injury. Now, as a first-year GRCC student he continues to thrive. He had a great first season on the pitch for the Raiders, playing in 18 games and starting 10. But, more importantly, he is getting the world-class education he had hoped for when he first signed with the Raiders. He’s studying in the GRCC Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration (HVACR) program , and those classes have been his favorites a semester into his collegiate experience. He’s also excited about the path forward, which he hopes will include first earning his associate degree at GRCC and then transferring to Ferris State University for further education before entering the workforce. “Down the road, I see myself at a job where I enjoy getting paid good money with what I've learned,” he said. “And someday, hopefully I will be married happily and maybe have a small family.”  Jaramillo said he’s getting a little taste of future milestones in his life thanks to a small business his parents run that he often works at. It’s called J&A Decorating (for the first names of his father Joseph and his mother Arianna), and it offers decorating for all types of events, especially weddings and quinceañeras. The business has been part of the family for a dozen years. Jaramillo began to pitch in at a young age and now can be found many weekends helping set up and tear down for events. He has tried to bring a similar willingness to help out to his first season of collegiate soccer where, he said, the camaraderie he experienced as part of the 2023 season was a true highlight. “I like that everyone gets along with each other and how fast I make new friends,” Jaramillo said. “And the coaches are great people.” That’s high praise considering his first coach, and soccer hero, is his father, a Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity employee who has been playing soccer since he was a young boy growing up in Mexico. “He also played soccer at Sparta High School where he was All Conference, All District and All Region and then played four years for Grand Valley State University,” Jaramillo said with a small smile of pride. “He got me playing when I was seven, and I have loved it ever since.” Jaramillo also was proud to recently receive the Community Youth Award for a Hispanic student who positively represents the Hispanic youth community and also is a role model in college. He was nominated by Lupe Ramos Montigny of the Committee to Honor César E. Chávez . “It was an award based on an inspiring Hispanic student who puts into action the values and legacy of César E. Chávez on a daily basis,” Jaramillo said. “A student who is a positive role model for other youth in his school and his community.” The award was presented at the Committee to Honor César E. Chávez Hispanic Excellence Scholarship and Community Awards Gala. In the video that introduced him prior to receiving his award, Jaramillo spoke movingly about Chávez and the impact he has had on a generation of Hispanic youth. “I think that one of César Chávez’s  values that I can relate to is sacrifice,” he said. “Something that César Chávez has done that has impacted me was when he sacrificed himself for the farmworkers, so they could have better wages and better farm working conditions. This has impacted me to serve my community because I want to better many more people's lives and help as many people as I can.”

Dec. 8, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - An artist, a state lawmaker and a high school coach are among those receiving honors at the 2024 GIANT Awards. The GIANT Awards recognize members of the African American community for their contributions to shaping the history, culture and quality of life in the Grand Rapids area. Each award is named after someone who has demonstrated excellence and serves as a perpetual memorial to those contributions. Grand Rapids Community College has hosted the awards ceremony since 1983. “The people being honored have helped build our community,” said Tempy Mann, chairperson of the 41st GIANT Awards. “We are excited to share their stories and celebrate their achievements.” Award recipients are listed alphabetically: Valissa Armstead , senior director of diversity and inclusion at Corewell Health – the Raymond Tardy Community Service Award. Debra Bates , owner and administrator for Choice Business Systems Inc. and owner of MeMe’s Foundation Boutique – the Milo Brown Business Award. George Bayard III , artist, owner of Bayard Gallery of Fine African American Art & Books, and executive director of the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives – Ethel Coe Humanities Award. Tasha Blackmon , president and CEO of Cherry Health – the Eugene Browning Medical Service Award. Jimmy Carter , former head coach for East Kentwood High School’s girls basketball team – Walter Coe Public Service Award. Jamie Gordon , executive director of human resources for Kentwood Public Schools – the Phyllis Scott Activist Award. Kristian Grant , the first African American woman to represent Grand Rapids in the state House – William Glenn Trailblazer Award. The Rev. Charles Hudson III , president and CEO of C.H. Hudson Outreach Ministries – the H.C. Toliver Religious Life Award. Latesha Lipscomb , director of engagement and relationships at Amplify GR – Floyd Skinner Justice Award. Inez Smith , retired teacher – Hattie Beverly Education Award. Bobbie Springer , associate director of Veterans Upward Bound at Grand Valley State University and director of MI GEAR UP – the W.W. Plummer Humanitarian Award. Recipients of the Junior GIANT Awards and scholarships are Nas Brooks from Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy and Caebre Baty from Grand Rapids Christian High School. GRCC alumnus Rallah Cobbins, now at Western Michigan University, will receive the Dr. Patricia Pulliam College Leadership Award. Still to be announced is the GIANT Among Giants. That name will be revealed during the awards ceremony, which starts at 6 p.m. Feb. 3 at the DeVos Place ballroom, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. Sponsorship and ticket information can be found online .