July 29, 2024 Jackie Araiza knows exactly what it feels like to be overwhelmed by education. She plans to leverage that empathy in her role as the new operations manager for the Grand Rapids Community College Lakeshore Campus in Holland.  Araiza struggled in high school. She skipped classes and had a low GPA. Her personal turnaround story  started with GRCC. As someone who has worked her way up to a new role and is currently working on a master’s degree, she never forgets that the people of GRCC were the secret to her success.  “I received so much support at GRCC,” Araiza said. “In fact, I still keep in touch with the people who helped me succeed. I know how important that kind of encouragement is for students, because I’ve lived it. I also know that if I could do it, so can they.” Cameron Buck, executive director of the Lakeshore Campus, explained why this new position is so important.  “We are very intentional about building community on the Lakeshore,” Buck said. “Much of my role involves being in the community creating relationships. I’m excited we will have someone dedicated to working on the community inside the building, ensuring that both faculty and students feel connected and welcomed. Jackie is the perfect person to forge that culture.” Buck gave this example. “A student in crisis emailed Jackie late one night. By 8:05 a.m. the next day, she had a solution worked out and had communicated with the student. I found out about it after the problem was already solved! That’s the kind of exemplary service she brings to her role.”  Araiza is able to create solutions in part because she has deep knowledge of GRCC systems.  “Jackie understands how we provide services at our Main Campus in Grand Rapids,” Buck said. “She also understands the nuances and differences at the Lakeshore Campus. That dual knowledge will empower her to identify barriers and increase our efficiency in serving students.”    In addition to her professional skills and high degree of empathy, Araiza is also fluent in Spanish. That’s a wonderful asset for the Lakeshore Campus. “Spanish is actually my first language,” Araiza said. “I grew up in a Spanish-speaking home. That allows me to connect very well with the Latin community here. I am always happy to help a student, talk with a family or translate information for GRCC.”  The availability of Spanish-speaking staff helps draw students to GRCC’s Lakeshore Campus.  “Our Lakeshore Campus enrollment is almost 30% Hispanic/Latino,” said Buck. “We have a handful of bilingual staff members. My goal is that the Hispanic community sees itself represented and welcomed here. People actually come from Grand Rapids to this campus because of our language accommodations.”  In her new role, Araiza will be able to focus particularly on services for students who may face challenges. “We are a wrap-around organization,” Araiza said. “We are here to help students. That student focus is why I love working at GRCC. Whether you’re having trouble with food, transportation, mental health or classroom expectations, just reach out for help. It will always be there.”  Araiza and the rest of the Lakeshore Campus team will have plenty of opportunities to serve, as enrollment continues to climb. “We have a lot of students coming through our doors,” Araiza said. “It’s a lot more convenient for local residents to come to our campus than to go to Grand Rapids. It’s also a smaller, less intimidating place to navigate. This is a wonderful place for someone to take their general education courses and figure out a direction. Then they can decide what the next right step looks like. It might be staying at the Lakeshore Campus, blending in some online learning, or possibly transferring to the Main Campus. We have a lot of options and we will help students decide what to do.” Regardless of her new title, Araiza says one thing won’t change. “I’m still here to help students,” she said. “I will never turn anyone away.” Learn more about GRCC’s Lakeshore Campus in Holland . This story was reported by Julie Hordyk.    

Grand Rapids Community College is dedicated to breaking down barriers and making college education both accessible and affordable for learners of every age and background. Our programs are tailored to meet the evolving needs of our diverse communities. To amplify our reach and engage more prospective students, we are excited to launch our latest marketing campaign. This new campaign is more than just a series of ads; it is designed to highlight the transformative impact of our institution on our students and how our mission is to help them reach their goals and dreams. Campaign Details The campaign, under the theme of “Together, We’ve Got This,” is designed to resonate with prospective students and their families by showcasing the unique strengths and values that define GRCC.  Tagline: “Together, We’ve Got This” is not just a tagline; it’s a promise and a rallying cry. It encapsulates our belief in the power of community and collective effort in achieving personal and academic success. GRCC is here to help a student every step of the way. No one goes on their educational journey alone. Visual Identity: The campaign features vibrant and engaging visuals of current students that illustrate the diverse and dynamic experiences at GRCC. From inspiring student stories to dynamic campus scenes, the imagery reflects the vibrant programs and opportunities available here. Channels: Look for our campaign across multiple platforms, including billboards, television, streaming services, digital ads, print ads and more. Messages are in English and Spanish and each channel will bring those messages to life in unique and engaging ways, ensuring our reach is as broad as our vision. The two television spots can be seen on YouTube - “ Together, We’ve Got This .” and “ You Imagine It, We Make It Possible .”            Campaign Objectives What sets this campaign apart is the depth of thought and creativity invested by a cross-departmental team. Through this campaign, we aim to achieve several key objectives: Increase Awareness: We want to broaden awareness of GRCC’s unique offerings and the transformative impact we have on our students. Enhance Engagement: By showcasing our values and strengths, we hope to engage more deeply with prospective students and their families, making them feel a part of the GRCC community even before they step on campus. Strengthen Connections: We aim to build stronger connections with our current students, alumni and the local community, reinforcing the sense of pride and belonging that defines GRCC.   Campaign Launch All of us at GRCC are filled with excitement and optimism about the future. “Together, We’ve Got This” is a reflection of our commitment to supporting our students every step of the way. We look forward to sharing this journey with you and seeing how together, we can help students achieve great things.

Beginning this fall, students  from the Class of 2023 and beyond are eligible for Michigan’s new Community College Guarantee . Passed by Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature for Fiscal Year 2025, the Community College Guarantee will cover in-district tuition costs and fees for graduating high school seniors to earn a degree or skill certificate at their local community college. Eligible students are those who graduated from a Michigan high school or earned a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or beyond. The Guarantee includes in-district tuition based on contact hours and mandatory fees. Also included is an additional $1,000 bonus living expenses award for students eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and are potentially eligible for the Guarantee regardless of the Student Aid Index (SAI) as calculated by the FAFSA. To receive the award, recent Michigan high school graduates must do the following: Complete the 2024-25 FAFSA if haven’t already done so Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. If a student is a dependent per the FAFSA, then parent(s) must also be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year Graduate from a Michigan high school or earn a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after Enroll full-time in college within 15 months of your high school graduation “The Community College Guarantee is a critical building block toward the educated workforce we need,” stated GRCC President Dr. Charles W. Lepper. “By 2030, 70% of Michigan jobs will require at least some post-secondary education. And while community college is relatively affordable, it still poses a financial barrier to many families. The Community College Guarantee removes that barrier for students.” In-district students are those who reside within the Kent Intermediate School District (KISD) and pay property taxes to support GRCC. All Michigan residents contribute to GRCC, along with the other state community colleges, through state taxes which help supplement student tuition. Since GRCC is partially funded by taxpayers, different tuition rates exist for students who are resident, non-resident and out of state.  

July 24, 2024 The age-old statement is true: money matters. The cost of higher education has skyrocketed over the last 30 years. As a result, fewer students are choosing to pursue a four-year degree right out of high school. Adults who are considering a new career have to think twice about the time and money it will take to pursue a degree. Grand Rapids Community College is committed to keeping costs low while helping students earn the degree they need for high-demand careers. That’s why GRCC is partnering with  West Michigan Works! to host two health care career fair carnivals in August. This is our second annual carnival in Grand Rapids, and we are adding a carnival at our Lakeshore Campus in Holland this year. These career fairs provide opportunities to explore careers in health care fields. Exhibitors will be ready to talk about open positions and on-the-job training. Some will even offer onsite interviews. “The companies partnering with us at these career fairs need entry-level employees and sincerely want to help their employees gain the appropriate education,” said Lisa Radak, dean of GRCC’s School of Health Sciences . “Some of them will hire people who have no specific health care education or training. Many of them will provide tuition reimbursement and scheduling flexibility to make earning a degree or certificate a realistic and attainable option. Last year, employers said they planned to hire 54 people who participated in the event!”   GRCC financial aid advisors can help you complete your FAFSA What makes these events really special, however, is the addition of GRCC financial aid advisors, who will be onsite at both locations. They are experts in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, which is how you can access financial aid to help pay for college or a career or trade school. Prospective students can talk with prospective employers and then move right into completing the financial aid form. “Finances are a real barrier for many students,” said Chiquital Clay, associate director of Financial Aid, Student Engagement and Eligibility at GRCC. “The prospect of huge debt pushes many students straight into the workforce. They don't even think about pursuing a degree. We want people to understand that there are a lot of resources for students. Money should not stand in the way of your degree." Attendees at the career fairs will work one-on-one with GRCC financial advisors to ask questions or seek assistance in completing the FAFSA online. “You can walk out of this career fair with a completed FAFSA,” Clay said. “The FAFSA has been totally revamped this year and it is a lot easier. We can work through it with you in 30 minutes or less.” The GRCC FAFSA workshops at the career fair will help students of any age quickly assess their eligibility for financial aid. “Right now, there are incredible opportunities for a virtually free education at GRCC,” Clay said. “Adults who have lived in Michigan for a year or more and who do not have a degree can potentially qualify for free education through Michigan Reconnect . The recently announced  Michigan Guarantee  will allow every high school graduate to earn an associate degree or skills certificate at little to no cost from their local community college. Don’t let finances stand in the way of your dreams. A lot of help is available.”  Attend a family-friendly career carnival These are family-friendly events, so bring the kids to play in the bounce house and check out the balloon animal artist while you talk with prospective employers and GRCC financial aid staff. Plan to attend the Grand Rapids event from 4 to 7 p.m. on August 7 at the Leslie E. Tassell MTEC building, located at 622 Godfrey Ave. Or join us from 4 to 7 p.m. on August 20 at GRCC's Lakeshore Campus in Holland, located at 12335 James St. Prospective employers and GRCC financial aid representatives will be on site at both events. Use the stamps you earn from talking to the exhibitors and cash them in for free food as well. You’ll enjoy a night of productive fun for the whole family! If you can’t make it to one of the career fairs but would like to learn more about financial aid at GRCC, please visit our  website to schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with one of our financial aid advisors.  To learn more about GRCC’s health education options, please explore our  Health and Exercise Science Academic Pathway .  We sincerely thank the companies that are partnering with us at these two events to hire and educate healthcare professionals. Many thanks to Trinity Health, West Michigan Works! and the Michigan Department of Labor for their sponsorship of this event.  This story was reported by Julie Hordyk,

July 22, 2024 Professor Nikki Smith sees foundation donations as part of her work in transforming students’ lives. Why do donors support the GRCC Foundation? For some people, it’s part of a family tradition. Others are motivated by their gratitude for their GRJC or GRCC education. Many faculty and staff see first-hand the need for scholarships in their encounters with students. Dr. Nikki Smith gives for all three of those reasons. She graduated from GRJC in 1989 and has been a full-time professor in the Criminal Justice Department for 18 years. “My parents instilled in me early in life the core values of living and giving beyond self,” said Smith, whose father was also a GRJC alumnus. In fact, her parents encouraged her to enroll at GRJC after she graduated from Central High School. She then enrolled at Grand Valley State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s in social work. This past May, she received her doctorate in education, organizational leadership and development from Cornerstone University. “I enjoyed every moment of my time at GRJC,” she said. “I was a member of the women’s nationally ranked tennis team for two years, the debate team and a member of the Black Student Union.” In addition to regular contributions to the foundation, Smith has a scholarship designated for students majoring in Criminal Justice. “I hope to alleviate some of the financial burdens that students often face, allowing them to focus on the overall care of their minds, bodies and souls as they prepare to move into a career of service,” she said. “My three- to five-year goal is endowment.” Smith, who received a GRCC Excellence in Education Award in 2015, believes the benefits of her donations to the foundation go beyond the scholarship recipients. “I often think about the mission, vision, values and strategic plan of GRCC,” she said. “These core tenants of our college provide scholars who teach and the staff who support our students the opportunity, through education, to help transform students’ lives. Contributing financially to student scholarships allows others to become conduits of this powerful transformation. “Because I believe in what we do at GRCC – and those it impacts – my decision to contribute needed no prompts. It is my great pleasure to give.” This story was republished from GRCC’s 2022-23 Foundation Annual Report.

July 17, 2024 How many pennies can a tinfoil boat hold before it sinks? That’s one of the questions teams of middle school students tried to answer during the Sankofa STEM Academy hosted at Grand Rapids Community College this summer.  The five-week summer program run by  STEM Greenhouse gives Grand Rapids students the opportunity to have fun while building their skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.   One room of students filled with laughter as the competition intensified to see who could build the strongest tinfoil boat.  Across the hallway, another group worked to  solve a hypothetical murder case, examining physical evidence, DNA, and blood samples in forensic science experiments to determine which of their six suspects was guilty. In other classrooms, students learned about fractions, cursive writing, and poetry.  It’s all part of the  STEM Greenhouse mission to bridge the achievement gap and ensure that children from underrepresented communities can excel in STEM with an academic foundation in math and science. The academy helps strengthen skills and confidence so students can succeed in school and life. Students build friendships with classmates, learn to trust their teachers, and improve their STEM skills through hands-on experiential learning and weekly field trips. They also are provided with lunch and snacks. The academy also employs local high school students as student teachers throughout the summer giving them the chance to learn through teaching. Student teachers get hands-on experience teaching younger generations, mentoring them, and sharing their own experiences..  This story was reported by Kailee Potgeter.

July 16, 2024 Grand Rapids Community College has joined 25 community and technical colleges throughout the United States in the Manufacturing Imperative - Workforce Pipeline Challenge (MI-WPC) pilot program designed to strengthen the manufacturing industry by addressing shortages in the workforce and closing the skills gap.  The MI-WPC is a three-year program with a goal to attract 1,000 individuals at each of the initial participating community and technical colleges annually, resulting in 75,000 or more qualified workers in pursuit of manufacturing careers. The estimated economic impact of growing the industry’s workforce is $6 billion.  “Grand Rapids Community College is proud to partner with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and our community college colleagues throughout the United States to strengthen the manufacturing industry,” said GRCC President Charles Lepper. “By working together, we can more effectively prepare students for high-demand careers and build a more robust workforce that will benefit both our local and national economies.”  The MI-WPC  program was launched in Fall 2023, combining the industry and workforce expertise of  SME with a select group of U.S. community and technical colleges to inspire the future workforce by training students for manufacturing careers. SME anticipates millions of U.S. manufacturing jobs will need to be filled over the next few years.  “We are thrilled to host a series of both President’s Advisory Council and Manufacturing Association Advisory Council meetings to progress this public and private sector initiative and keep the momentum moving forward,“ said Deb Volzer, government and workforce partnerships director for SME, who is leading the MI-WPC initiative. “Additionally, we regularly bring together those implementing the initiative at each institution in our ‘Champion’ meetings where best practices are identified and shared.”  Innovative solutions for attracting students in STEM related programs, developing and deploying curriculum aligned to the needs of local industry, changing the narrative around manufacturing, and deploying strategies to build stronger relationships with school districts will be shared nationally to grow local economics, reduce barriers to employment, and fill vacant manufacturing jobs. This story was reported by Amy Soper.

Does going to a community college mean you have to give up on team sports? Not a chance! According to Alex Ehnis, a 2024 graduate who played forward for the  Grand Rapid Community College Raiders basketball team , the opposite is actually true. “I played basketball at a small high school, and let’s just say I wasn’t one of the best players when I got to GRCC,” Ehnis said. “To be completely honest, I was probably one of the worst. So I sat the bench much of my first year and red-shirted my second year. But by the third year…I was a different player.” The numbers tell the story: he averaged 18 minutes per game and shot over 50% from the field in his last season, compared to five minutes per game and 8% shooting his first year. “People don’t think there’s going to be much competition at a community college,” Ehnis said. “But there are a lot of good people in the league. GRCC has a  great volleyball team that almost always goes to nationals. The  baseball team was the undefeated conference champ this year and they’re often ranked. The  golf team is excellent. If you enjoy sports, GRCC can be a great fit.” Ehnis loves basketball, but he knows it’s not going to be his career. That’s why he is also proud of the Exercise Science Associate Degree he earned during his time at GRCC.  “I had never thought about a community college before I learned about GRCC,” Ehnis said. “It made a lot of sense to me. The smaller class size was more personal and closer to what I had experienced in high school. It was about half the cost of attending a four-year program. And here, I could still work on my basketball to become better. Now all of my credits will transfer to a four-year program, and I hope to play basketball, too.”  Ehnis says he worked as hard in class as he did on the court.  “It was harder than a lot of people might think. GRCC challenges you, and I liked the challenge. And my professors knew their stuff. For example, my Exercise Science professor was an athlete and former body builder. My Chemistry professor worked at Kennedy Space Center. These people have credible experience in their fields.” So what does Ehnis plan to do now that he has graduated?  “I would love to become a physical therapist specializing in sports injuries and rehab. In a perfect world, I would get to do that in West Michigan.” He knows it is tough to get into physical therapy school, so he also has the backup plan of becoming an athletic trainer. But regardless of how the next chapter unfolds, Ehnis doesn’t regret his decision to attend GRCC. “I recommend GRCC to everyone because you definitely get your money’s worth at this school.” Academic programs in the Health and Exercise Sciences pathway can lead to professions like occupational therapy assistant, nurse, dental hygienist, dental assistant and radiologic technologist. Degrees in this pathway prepare students to transfer into bachelor's degree programs related to exercise science and health professions such as physician assistant, occupational therapist and physical therapist. GRCC offers a general transfer option, as well as two-year programs tailored to Aquinas College, Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University.  To explore GRCC’s Health and Exercise Sciences Academic Pathways, please visit our  website .  This story was reported by Julie Hordyk.