September 26, 2024 A great smile can change a person’s life. A dental assistant is someone who works alongside a dentist to provide those smiles. If you chose this career, you could make smiles every day!  Dental assistants are in high demand and short supply, especially after the pandemic. “This is a career that people tend to stay in,” said Jamie Klap, program director. “After the COVID-19 pandemic, many people retired or decided to stay home with their children. That has left a lot of openings in dental offices and clinics, and a shortage of people to fill them.”  A dental assistant serves as the second set of hands for a dentist. An assistant helps with fillings, extractions, braces, root canals and more. Although people with on-the-job training can do very simple tasks, a license is required in Michigan for dental assistants who want to perform more advanced functions.  Becoming a Registered Dental Assistant requires three steps. First, you need to earn a  dental assisting certificate or  associate degree from an accredited program. GRCC has both. Second, you need to pass your licensure exam. And third, you apply to become registered as a dental assistant through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). While that might sound complicated, the whole process does not take very long. “A student can complete the dental assisting certificate at GRCC in about 10 months,” Klap said. “Our program involves basic classwork, but students spend the majority of their time practicing in dental offices. Our students complete 300 total externship hours at two or three dental offices, and have extensive real life experience working with patients.” Here is the best news.  “We work with a variety of dental offices,” Klap said. “Many offices are looking to hire trained dental assistants. That’s why they choose to bring our students in for externship rotations. Students often receive a job offer after completing their externship rotations.”  Dental assisting is an excellent option for people who have empathy, initiative, good memorization skills, are proactive and have an ability to think ahead. Those skills, along with GRCC’s program, are a winning combination. “GRCC has the only accredited dental assisting program in West Michigan,” Klap said. “The next closest accredited programs are about two and half hours away. Our dental assisting program does not have any pre-program requirements, meaning a student can start right after graduating high school. We have excellent, experienced faculty and longstanding partnerships with many local dental offices and clinics. Our students finish the program with skills that are in high demand.” From a financial perspective, dental assisting can be a highly affordable path to a career with lifelong potential. There are scholarship opportunities through GRCC as well as through dental organizations and foundations. For students 21 or older, the  Michigan Reconnect Scholarship could cover the cost of tuition for this training. GRCC is also a perfect choice for people who have extensive on-the-job training. GRCC is one of only two programs in the state that will credit work experience as part of the dental assisting program requirements. A certified dental assistant simply needs to attend GRCC for one semester to learn the more advanced procedures and then sit for the licensing boards exam to become a Registered Dental Assistant. Klap shared that the dental assisting program is great for students who are recent high school graduates, those waiting to start the dental hygiene program, or those who are eager to work with the public in a health care setting.  “Dental assisting is a wonderful career opportunity that you can start quite quickly,” Klap said. “It offers flexibility, variety, and the choice of full- or part-time employment, depending on what fits your lifestyle.”  Learn more about GRCC’s dental assisting program.    This story was reported by Julie Hordyk.

For over five decades, GRCC’s Early Childhood Learning Laboratory (ECLL) has set the standard for early childhood learning in West Michigan. The ECLL’s innovative approach and tailored developmental learning have significantly impacted the entire community, benefiting children, students, parents and staff alike.  To honor this special occasion, we want to highlight the history of the ECLL, its approach to training future educators and how it fosters a community where people are passionate about creating supportive education environments. Growing capabilities and footprint   The ECLL welcomed its first students in 1974. Located in the First United Methodist Church at the corner of Fulton St. and Barclay Ave., the ECLL had the capacity to care for about 80 children ages 2 ½ years to six years. In the 1980s, infant and toddler care was added, and by 1985, around 80 college students participated in practical labs as part of their coursework.      By 2017, it was time to expand the ECLL’s physical footprint and capabilities. The new state-of-the-art facility includes seven early childhood classrooms, observation areas for students and staff and adult classrooms to host child development and education courses. The expanded facility has become a hub for early childhood education. The ECLL is licensed to care for 110 children and provides practical training for over 375 students enrolled in GRCC’s  Education programs and degree transfer programs. Training future educators   The ECLL fosters a truly unique educational environment for college students enrolled in the Education Program. GRCC students have the opportunity to close the textbook and put their classroom knowledge into practice. The lab components involve observing qualified educators working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers. They also write lesson plans, practice creating age-appropriate play experiences, handle conflict resolution and much more. The combination of knowledge and practical experience has helped many students build their confidence and decide to pursue careers in early childhood education. “I’ve worked with students who have gone on to be center directors and public school teachers,” said Penny Folsom, who worked at the ECLL for 26 years before retiring in 2018. “I’m so proud of each of them. It’s wonderful to think about the impact we had on them and to see the passion they bring to their own careers.”  “We’re sending highly trained educators into the field every year,” said Melissa Boman, director of the ECLL. “They can take what they’ve learned into the programs they serve after graduation and become leaders in this field.”  Giving children and parents safe spaces to grow   Training future educators is only a part of the ECLL’s mission. It also provides highly interactive early childhood education for families attending GRCC. Children benefit from quality programming, and parents can focus on their education, knowing that their child has the best possible care. The infant and toddler programs are based on supportive relationships and emphasize child-directed learning. Qualified teachers plan the curriculum, and children are free to move among the learning center activities in their classroom. Weekly schedules offer everything from fun language arts and music activities to challenging science and math games. With every interaction, staff seek to engage each child’s interests and personal gifts. “The way we did things was so hands-on and involved,” remembers Folsom. “I don’t think we should underestimate the importance of giving children a healthy start and bringing them into an environment where they can learn and grow.”  “I enjoyed building relationships with the infants and then also with the families,” said Cheryl Botham, who worked at the ECLL for 39 years. “We prioritized one-on-one care, and having the chance to create a relationship with the rest of the family was really special.”  Building community — in and out of the classroom Spend enough time at GRCC, and you might start to notice a common theme: community. It’s the community’s college, a place where students have the support they need to further their education and where staff are excited about their work and the difference they make every day.  The ECLL is no different. It’s a community bound together by a shared passion for providing the best early childhood care and equipping future educators with the foundational tools they need for a successful career.  “The camaraderie amongst the staff was something special,” said Folsom. “We built connections with each other, with the children and with the families. Raising children is a community project, and I don’t regret a minute of my career. I hope the 50th anniversary will help bring even more recognition to the outstanding childcare and celebrate the great work being done.”  GRCC is celebrating with an open house on September 30, 2024, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.  Learn more and RSVP for the event Pictures courtesy of Rockford Construction

Sept. 25, 2024 On July 19, 2024, at the 11th annual conference of the association, the National Association of Clery Compliance Officers and Professionals (NACCOP) recognized the important work that individuals and institutions are doing to maintain compliance with the Clery Act, thus increasing the safety and security of their campuses. The annual awards are presented at the conference each year. There were 11 individuals and institutions nominated across four award categories in 2024.  Grand Rapids Community College was honored for Clery Compliance Program of the Year because of our success over the past five years implementing innovative approaches to enhance campus safety. GRCC Clery Compliance Specialist Robin Graves accepted the award on behalf of the college. A few of the notable achievements mentioned in the honor include: Developed and implemented a comprehensive college-wide emergency communication policy that clearly outlines procedures for issuing timely warnings, emergency notifications and public safety advisories. Established a Clery Compliance Committee and Clery Act Compliance Policy, reinforcing the importance of campus-wide collaboration in achieving compliance with Clery Act requirements. Achieved accreditation from the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (MLEAC) for the GRCC Police Department, which includes a thorough review of procedures related to the Clery Act and Title IX as integral components of the accreditation process. “We are incredibly honored to receive the Clery Compliance Program of the Year award from NACCOP. This recognition reflects our commitment to transparency and safety on campus, stated GRCC Chief of Police Rebecca Whitman. “I want to extend a special thank you to Robin Graves, our Clery Compliance Specialist, whose dedication and expertise have been instrumental in developing a robust program that prioritizes the well-being of our students and community.”  The NACCOP honored these individuals and institutions: Clery Compliance Officer of the Year (4 Year Institution) Jason Goodman, University of Kansas D. Stafford & Associates Excellence in Clery Compliance Award Deborah Pope, University of Central Florida Clery Compliance Program of the Year Grand Rapids Community College Most Improved Clery Compliance Program High Point University See photos of the award winners on the NACCOP website

September 24, 2024 How long do you think Grand Rapids Community College has had a music program? If you guessed close to 60 years, you would be right!  Albert P. Smith was the first person hired to teach music back in 1946. Since that time, the program has grown from one class to four distinct degreed offerings. “People don’t know that GRCC confers music degrees,” said Kevin Dobreff, Music Department head and program director. “We have multiple options for people who want to continue on to a four-year program, or for those who want to go straight into the workforce.”  If you’re a musician, you can think of this in terms of optional endings. The first ending, or in this case, academic path, is an Associate of Music. This is a degree focused on transfer. Students who pursue this degree are often interested in music therapy, music education in the public schools, or music performance. They will complete two years at GRCC and then transfer to the program of their choice to complete a four-year degree.  The second path is the  Associate of Music in Recording Technology . This is primarily a school-to-work program that equips students to work in studio recording, the music business, digital editing, live sound or broadcasting. Our third path is the  Digital Audio Specialist Certificate . This program is designed for people who are interested in recording technology. It emphasizes more technology and fewer music classes. Students will learn to apply their technical knowledge and skills to the production of sound recordings as finished products, or as components of film/video, broadcast, live or mixed media productions.  The final path is an  Associate of Arts Degree in Music and Entertainment Business . This degree is specifically tailored for transfer to the Ferris State University bachelor’s degree program of the same name. This program requires three years at GRCC and then one year at Ferris. Students who pursue this degree are focused on the business side of music. This might include promotion and music production, sales, marketing and management, public relations or similar careers. Regardless of the path you choose, you need to know one important fact: GRCC is accredited by the  National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) . Why does that matter? Less than 30 community colleges in the entire country are accredited. And that accreditation is more than just a bureaucratic rubber stamp.  “The accreditation means that our students meet the standards for the first two years of a four-year program,” Dobreff said. “They are ambassadors…they carry the reputation of GRCC when they transfer. So we are focused on making sure they meet the standards.”  Dobreff also says that GRCC is the perfect place for music lovers to hone their skills. “Four-year music programs are competitive,” Dobreff said. “You don’t get in unless you pass the audition. GRCC offers a wonderful pathway for learning what you need to learn and honing your skills so that you can successfully transfer and pass an audition. Big dreams are not enough in this field: you need guidance to succeed.”  Even if music is not your career goal, you can join one of the GRCC  instrumental or vocal ensembles , or take private lessons as an elective.  “The data shows that people who participate in music do better academically,” said Dobreff. “So whether you’re interested in a music major or just want to enjoy music as part of your college experience, please check out the music department.” Learn more about GRCC’s music programs.   This story was reported by Julie Hordyk.