Sept. 14, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Dr. Charles Lepper is formally the 11th president of Grand Rapids Community College. His investiture took place at 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 14, at Fountain Street Church and marked the official transfer of power to the new president, who began in January 2023. The ceremony is an important event for any college or university and among the oldest traditions in academia. Investiture comes from the Latin and means “dress in robe.” Fittingly, the investiture of Lepper saw a processional of robed academics from both GRCC and numerous other colleges and universities, all wearing the often-colorful regalia of academia, including cap, gown and hood. President Lepper also marched in regalia but without the medallion of office, which was presented during the ceremony.   The event began with words of welcome from Grand Rapids Chamber President and CEO Rick Baker, Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella, GRCC Student Government President Alexis Miranda, and GRCC Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Sheila Jones. During his remarks, Lepper spoke about the importance of belonging and the role Grand Rapids Community College serves in fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and accepted. “In the coming years, my vision for Grand Rapids Community College is clear: to recruit and retain top-tier faculty and staff that reflect the community we serve, to strengthen our partnerships with K-12 and business and industry, to foster a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and belonging, to empower our students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in an ever-changing world, and to ensure that Grand Rapids Community College continues to be a national leader in innovation, education, and workforce development.” GRCC faculty and alumni provided music for the prelude, processional, national anthem, singing of the alma mater, and recessional. The GRCC presidential medallion and mace also were highlighted during  the event. The medallion, made by faculty members, is a recreation of the college seal and represents the scholarship and authority of the office. It includes three flames representing the highest and purest purpose of education replacing the darkness of ignorance and fear with the vision of truth, understanding and beauty. The mace, made by faculty and students, includes a rope of gold encircling the wooden handle that spirals upward emphasizing the strength of the institution. The hardwood column implies strength as it supports and elevates the silver globe which contains the college seal and encompasses a global awareness and diversity of the college’s mission. Lepper has more than 25 years of experience at universities and community colleges, and prior to his role at Grand Rapids Community College, he served as a vice president at Salt Lake Community College. Prior to his time at SLCC, he served as a vice president for Student Affairs at Tidewater Community College in southern Virginia. He has also been active with the National Academic Advising Association, serving as a consultant to two-year institutions around the country, and serves on the board of directors for the Michigan Community College Association, The Right Place and West Michigan Works!. Lepper earned a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources and Personnel Management from Ball State University; a Master of Education in Secondary, Higher and Adult Education from Grand Valley State University; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership, Administration and Foundations from Indiana State University. He also completed Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management in 2017 and earned a professional development certificate in trauma and resilience from Florida State University in 2021.

Sept. 13, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College’s Fall 2023 enrollment has increased 3.2% over the previous year – and that number could rise further with students still signing up for classes. As of this week, GRCC’s enrollment is at 12,157, with almost 4,000 new students. The college also saw double-digit growth in the numbers of Hispanic/Latino and Black/African American students: 11.3% and 11.89%, respectively.  “Our enrollment increase reflects our commitment to being a community college that is accessible, affordable and inclusive,” said Dr. Eric Mullen, dean of Student Success. “We believe that everyone has the potential to succeed, and we are here to support our students every step of the way.” The number of students taking classes online is now very close to in-person students: 7,549 and 9,082, respectively. “One of the many points of pride at GRCC, which is no doubt contributing to our fall enrollment figures, is the variety of our class offerings,” said Dr. Sheila Jones, the college’s interim provost. “GRCC faculty offer courses in ways that support student learning, goal achievement and scheduling needs. These include our in-person, online, hybrid and virtual offerings.” Virtual courses meet online at scheduled times; hybrid classes combine online and in-person instruction. The headcount figures do not include GRCC’s Workforce Training programs, which do not operate on a semester schedule. 

Sept. 12, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is hosting a series of discussions about technology’s influence on business as part of Tech Week Grand Rapids. Tech Week, which runs Sept. 18-23, includes hands-on exhibits, panel discussions and pitch competitions. Sponsored by West Michigan economic agency The Right Place, sessions will cover artificial intelligence, diversity and inclusion, startups, and retaining talent, among other topics. GRCC will be the site of “Tech Trends Reshaping Business,” a series of discussions about generative AI, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence in the future of work. These conversations will run 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 20 at the college’s Secchia Piazza, inside the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center at 151 Fountain St. NE. “In partnership with The Right Place, GRCC is showcasing the intersection of innovation, technology and education in Grand Rapids – a testament to our region’s trajectory toward a tech-driven future,” said Dr. Kristi Haik, the college’s dean of STEM. Here is the schedule for Sept. 20: “Gen AI by flockX,” 9-10 a.m. – Devon Bleibtrey, CEO of flockX, will discuss how companies are using generative AI to help people plug into local communities, drive foot traffic to local businesses, and help local artists reach their local audiences. “Bypassing EDR with Malleable C2 Profiles by White Knight Labs,” 10-11 a.m. – This session, which will include a demonstration, focuses on settings in Cobalt Strike’s Malleable C2 that can be adjusted for memory-scanning evasion.  “AI by Bizstream,” 11 a.m. to noon – Brian McKeiver, co-owner and solutions architect at Bizstream, will look at how artificial intelligence, combined with Microsoft’s OpenAI solutions and Copilots, is creating efficient, automated, and future-ready workplaces. Registration for the GRCC sessions is available  online . To see the schedule for the entire six-day event, go to  techweekgr.com .

A recently signed agreement allows Grand Rapids Community College Dental Hygiene students to transfer more of their credits to the University of Detroit Mercy. Under the transfer partnership agreement, GRCC students who have completed the Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences in Dental Hygiene may count up to 96 credits – instead of the standard 63 – toward Detroit Mercy’s Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. “This is an excellent opportunity for our Dental Hygiene graduates to be able to complete their bachelor’s degree and save an additional 33 credits – ultimately saving them valuable time,” said Jamie Klap, director of GRCC’s program. Saving time on completing the bachelor’s degree will contribute to filling workforce demand. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the need for dental hygienists is expected to grow a faster-than-average 7% through 2032, with about 16,400 openings annually. Taylor McNeill, a clinical instructor and co-director of dental hygiene admissions for Detroit Mercy, noted that under the transfer agreement, GRCC students would need only 30 credits to meet the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. “With this new agreement, we have the opportunity for GRCC AAAS Dental Hygiene alumni to continue their education to earn the bachelor’s degree as quickly as possible,” McNeill said. “Typically, students who are in this program are able to take online and asynchronous courses to complete their education.” GRCC’s three-year Dental Hygiene program prepares students to take the Dental Hygiene National Board exam and Michigan’s regional licensing exam. To learn more, email dental@grcc.edu or call (616) 234-4349. More information about Detroit Mercy’s degree completion program can be found online or by emailing dentalhygiene@udmercy.edu .