October 18, 2024 Any interaction - whether it’s through a screen or in a physical space - creates an experience. If it’s designed badly…well, we’ve all suffered through an irritating app or frustrating interface and know how it makes us feel. The flip side is also true. The experience can be really great if it is designed well.  As digital and physical spaces become more connected, we now interact with countless “smart” devices and systems every day. So, how can these experiences be designed to help users reach their goals? How can we make the process more satisfying, intuitive, and easier? These are the central questions of user experience design. UX is literally everywhere we turn. Creating positive user experiences requires people who are trained to understand user needs and design solutions that not only make tasks easier but also more enjoyable and engaging. That’s why Grand Rapids Community College has introduced a completely new  Web and UX Design and Development associate degree this fall. The  Web UX Design and Development associate degree  teaches students to focus on understanding user needs and translating those insights into functional, desirable solutions. While interface design is one of the final outputs, students will also learn the broader strategies and processes that ensure users can navigate systems with ease and achieve their objectives.  In addition to learning to design, students gain essential technical skills, such as programming and coding, to bring their ideas to life. Additionally, they can also choose electives to further specialize their career paths in areas like full-stack development, user research, or graphic design. The program is even looking at how to integrate artificial intelligence into the curriculum. “The ‘web’ portion of the degree highlights how most of us interact with systems today. The web has become the backbone for many things we do, connecting and supporting a wide range of experiences,” said Jacob Pollak, assistant professor of Computer Information Systems. “This area could also be called ‘front-end development’ or ‘human-computer interaction.’ A website represents one medium where interaction happens, so we teach our students the programming and coding skills to create compelling web-based experiences.”  Bridging UX/UI principles across media But the program doesn’t stop at the web. Students also learn to bridge UX/UI principles across a variety of media, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and physical spaces. This prepares them to design seamless, user-focused experiences across all platforms, meeting the industry’s need for connected interactions across different devices and environments. “In UX, we’re looking at how the interface works for people,” Pollak said. “Does it bring joy? Does it promote safety and give the users the information they need?” A degree in this field opens up unlimited career opportunities. Manufacturing, video games, product design, finance, healthcare, app design…virtually every field you can think of has user interfaces, along with data synthesis and access requirements. “My goal is for students to work on real-world, industry-relevant projects,” Pollak said. “We use practical examples that simulate actual work environments. For instance, one of our current projects involves the Grand Rapids Public Museum as a potential client. Students are tasked with designing a digital archive to make the over 250,000 artifacts in storage accessible to the public. While this is hypothetical, it mirrors the problem-solving they’ll face in their careers. As our program matures, our goal is to more closely partner with organizations to provide students with real-world, hands-on experience.” The  associate degree in Web and UX Design Development represents a brand-new degree opportunity for GRCC students beginning this fall.  “Our curriculum teaches the skills employers need today,” Pollak said. “Although UX-focused degrees are starting to appear at the bachelor and master degree levels, they are still rare at the associate level, especially in Michigan. Our program goes beyond just coding or visual appeal and prepares students to collaboratively design user experiences by focusing on problem-solving, usability, and understanding user needs.” Careers in web and UX design development  A student who earns this degree will be immediately employable.  “Inquisitiveness, problem solving and divergent thinking skills are essential in this degree,” Pollak said. “A student who shows excitement, interest and ability can make $60,000-$80,000 immediately out of school. If you work hard, it’s possible to make more than six figures a few years out of school.”   Pollak noted that the entire degree program does not yet transfer to a four-year program, but individual courses can be transferred. However, he also noted that a four-year degree in this particular field is not a necessity. The only thing it might do is speed up the job search process a bit.  “This is an exciting field because there are no right answers,” Pollak said. “The work is constantly iterative. There’s always the opportunity for a better solution.” Learn more about the Web UX Design and Development degree. This story was reported by Julie Hordyk.

10/17/2024 As early voting season kicks off in Michigan, Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is excited to announce its participation in the nationwide Party at the Polls initiative, organized by When We All Vote, a nonpartisan voting initiative led by Michelle Obama. This event aims to transform the voting experience into a festive community celebration while boosting voter turnout. Join us for a celebration of democracy On Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, from 5-8 p.m., GRCC will host its own Party at the Polls event at the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse, Hunsberger Arena. Everyone is welcome to join in the festivities, which will include free food, music, games and activities for all ages. Costumes are encouraged at this family-friendly event, but they must be in good taste — no realistic weapons or excessive skin showing. A nationwide movement This year, Party at the Polls is expanding significantly with over 500 events planned across the country. Throughout October and into November, partners and volunteers will gather near early voting locations to create a vibrant atmosphere that encourages community engagement and participation in the electoral process. Beth Lynk, Executive Director of When We All Vote, emphasizes the importance of these gatherings: "At When We All Vote, we believe that voting and using our voices at the polls is truly something to celebrate. That’s why we’re bringing the Party to the Polls at more than 500 events to ensure our communities are voting early and celebrating their power together." Focus on engagement and inclusion The Party at the Polls initiative is designed to be accessible and fun, featuring music, food and cultural activities that engage voters and reinforce the importance of participation. Research shows that this approach effectively increases voter turnout, particularly among young voters and communities of color. In addition to GRCC’s event, several flagship celebrations will take place across the nation, including block parties, community college events and music festivals, all aimed at bringing people together to celebrate their civic duty. Get involved Grand Rapids Community College invites the entire community to participate in this exciting event. It's a fantastic opportunity not just to vote early, but to celebrate democracy together. Bring your friends and family, enjoy the festivities and make your voice heard! Join us in making this election season a memorable one—let’s celebrate democracy together!  

October 16, 2024 Grand Rapids Community College has been awarded $254,326 to increase its student emergency fund. The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) awarded the funds through the state’s Student Success Grant Program. GRCC will distribute the funds as emergency grants using its already existing process to assist students who are at risk of not continuing their education due to unexpected financial challenges.  The Student Success Grant program is part of a new  $45 million student success effort , which marks the state’s first ever grant program aimed at increasing student success rates at Michigan community and tribal colleges and universities.  “Being awarded this grant underscores our commitment to student success and helps ensure that our students have access to the support and resources they need so they can focus on their education,” said David Lovell, interim dean of students. “Together, we are not just investing in our students’ education; we are empowering their future.”  GRCC’s initiative to remove financial and logistical barriers for students aligns with Michigan’s ambitious Sixty by 30 goal to have 60% of working-age adults obtain a college degree or skill certificate by 2030. “MiLEAP is proud to partner with our state’s institutions of higher education to support innovative programs that improve student success and postsecondary credential attainment, as we work together to meet Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “Grant recipients demonstrated through a competitive process that they are committed to supporting their students on their path to prosperity, and we are eager to see the impact on campuses across the state for years to come.” The Student Success Grants are part of a broader state strategy to fund opportunities for public colleges and universities to change institutional practices that will dramatically increase student graduation rates. GRCC is one of several institutions across the state receiving funding to implement innovative programs that empower student success. This story was reported by Amy Soper.