October 3, 2024 Grand Rapids Community College is one of 124 higher education institutions selected to participate in the inaugural  Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum . The new, fully online institute is designed to help departments, programs, colleges, and universities respond effectively to the challenges and opportunities artificial intelligence (AI) presents for courses and curricula.  Teams from participating colleges and universities will work with the  American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) to develop and implement AI action plans for their classroom, curricula, and campuses.  Team members from GRCC include:  Kristi Haik, dean of the School of STEM  Amy Lyn. executive director of Teaching, Learning, and Distance Education (TLDE) Heather Klare, assistant professor of Radiologic Technology Matheta Righa, associate professor of Business Moss Ingram, professor Mursalata Muhammad, professor of English and TLDE faculty special programs liaison Samantha Minnis, assistant professor “This is a transformative opportunity for GRCC to navigate the challenges and opportunities that integrating AI into the classroom brings,” said Kristi Haik, dean of the School of STEM. “Participating in the institute empowers us to enhance all of our educational offerings and equip our students for a future where technology and creativity intersect.”  The institute will offer monthly meetings and webinars throughout the academic year to allow time for teams to interact with other campuses, address timely topics of interest, and provide updates on the status of AI. Each campus team is assigned a mentor from the institute’s faculty, who can connect the team with expertise from other institute faculty members as needed. Asynchronous interactions across campus teams and with the institute’s faculty will be encouraged and facilitated through AAC&U’s online institute platform.  The institute launched its work in September 2024 and will conclude with a closing capstone event in April 2025. This story was reported by Amy Soper.

October 2, 2024 Take the first step toward the future you’ve dreamed of by completing the Grand Rapids Community College enrollment process during two upcoming open houses. Join us from  10 a.m. to noon October 5 at the Lakeshore Campus , 12335 James St. in Holland. You’re also invited to attend an open house from  9 a.m. to noon Oct. 19 at GRCC’s Main Campus in the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse , 111 Lyon St. NE., in Grand Rapids.  Staff at the open houses will guide prospective students through the complete enrollment process. Topics include: GRCC’s 12 academic pathways and more than 150 degree options. Steps to applying at GRCC. How to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA. Financial aid opportunities. Resources and student services available at GRCC’s campuses. Registration is encouraged but not required. Sign up today at  grcc.edu/openhouse . This story was reported by Amy Soper.