March 12, 2024 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Daryl Mitz has a lot on his plate. Alongside his studies in the Grand Rapids Community College Secchia Institute for Culinary Education , he also balances fatherhood, a full-time job at Vitale’s Restaurant in Comstock Park, and treatment for his chronic kidney disease. “At first, I was afraid it was going to be a struggle, but I’m doing it,” he said. “I feel like, if I’m able to work through all this, I’m able to do anything.” Food has been an important part of Mitz’ identity since he was very young, watching and learning from the women in his life, and he laughed as he recalled discovering his own culinary skills. “It’s always been in my family; I kind of grew up cooking with my mom and my aunts,” he said. “Once I was able to make some really good ribs on the grill and my mom liked them, I knew I had it.” But, after graduating from East Kentwood High School in 2008, he didn’t immediately pursue culinary education. Instead, he spent a brief stint in GRCC’s Business Management program before taking time off from school to raise his first child. “I just wanted to be more present as a father while my kid was little,” he said. It was during this time that Mitz began working in the restaurant industry, first in fast food management and then, eventually, in his current role as lead line cook at Vitale’s. “It gets hectic sometimes, but it definitely gives me motivation,” he explained. Though he has tried working in other industries, he feels that the kitchen is where he truly belongs. “I worked in an office for a little bit,” Mitz said. “But I couldn’t handle not being as active.” In 2022, however, he received a diagnosis that would seem to slow anyone down. His kidneys were failing, and he would need to be put on dialysis, though this would only be a temporary fix. A transplant would ultimately be in his future. “I found out that I needed to go in for treatment three days a week for four hours at a time,” he said. Even with these challenges, Mitz stubbornly refuses to be held back from achieving his dreams. Soon after receiving his diagnosis, he decided to re-enroll at GRCC, this time in the Culinary Arts program through the Secchia Institute. “One of my aspirations is to become an executive chef,” he said. “I’d love to see what it’s like to run a kitchen myself,” he stated. And he feels that GRCC is already preparing him well for the challenge. “You learn all kinds of things like knife work, sauces, and things like that,” Mitz said. “I’ve been cooking for years, but the program has really helped elevate my skills.” He added that he is grateful for the tuition assistance he has received through Michigan Reconnect as well. Michigan Reconnect is a scholarship program funded by the state that provides eligible Michiganders with free in-district tuition at a Michigan community college, helping them earn an associate degree or skill certificate. Mitz is looking forward to an internship with a local food truck business this summer before graduating next spring. After that, the possibilities are endless. “I want to tell my story of how GRCC has helped me in case there’s someone out there who’s doubting their ability to work and go to school,” Mitz said. “If I can do it, anyone can do it.”   This story was reported by Alissa Griffin.

March 6, 2024 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – For the third straight year, Grand Rapids Community College graduates in the Occupational Therapy program have swept past the national average. All the 2023 graduates of GRCC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program passed their licensing tests on their first attempt, according to a National Council of Licensure Exams summary. That’s a sparkling performance, especially when compared to the 87% national pass rate for 2023.  High achievement is a consistent theme in this program. GRCC graduates achieved a 100% passing record in 2021, and fell just one person shy of achieving the same goal in 2022.  Passing this test represents a significant career milestone. Successful graduates can seek licensure to practice anywhere in the United States as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. They can also choose to continue their education and seek a bachelor’s degree in the field. “This accomplishment reflects the hard work of our students and the rigor of our Occupational Therapy program,” said Lisa Radak, dean of GRCC’s School of Health Sciences. “Grand Rapids Community College sets a high bar for students seeking to enter this competitive field. Our faculty strives to give students the theoretical as well as the practical knowledge to achieve and succeed.”  GRCC’s Occupational Therapy program combines intensive classroom instruction with 16 weeks of full-time fieldwork in supervised settings. Students gain all of the essential scientific knowledge, plus valuable insights into the challenges as well as the rewards of this growing field.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the physical therapy field is growing at a rate of approximately 15% per year, much faster than the average for all occupations.  “Occupational therapy plays a pivotal role in helping individuals regain or retain independence and improve their quality of life through interventions and adaptive strategies,” Radak said. “We are pleased to partner with our local healthcare providers and give our students a strong foundation for future career success.” To learn more about GRCC’s Occupational Therapy program, visit the website .

March 4, 2024 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Community College is the site of Junior Achievement’s Grand Rapids Girls’ Dream Fair: A STEM Experience this year. The March 14 event seeks to inspire local middle-school girls to consider careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Girls attending will experience a day of mentoring, leadership, and education from a diverse group of women in STEM careers. A series of inspirational speakers will begin the day’s events, followed by breakout sessions featuring JA’s It’s My Future program, a self-development curriculum. After lunch, a group of West Michigan STEM-focused businesses will gather for a career fair, before the event concludes with a STEM activity led by GRCC faculty. “Because women are vastly underrepresented in STEM fields,” explained Sarah Caldwell, JA’s Director of Development, “the Girls’ Dream Fair aims to capture their interest at a critical phase in their development.” “Only a third of the people in STEM careers are women. We’ve found that, by the time they reach high school, girls are already starting to self-select themselves out of these subjects,” she added. “It’s essential to reach them at a young age, because interest is the strongest indicator of whether a student will go on to study a STEM major in college.” Kristi Haik, GRCC’s Dean of STEM, believes this partnership is a perfect fit. “One of our goals at the School of STEM is to help these underrepresented students have access. We want to let local girls know that STEM careers are a possibility, and that they can pursue them at GRCC,” Haik said. Caldwell hopes that students who attend the JA Girls’ Dream Fair: A STEM Experience will develop big career dreams, boost their self-esteem, and discover what’s possible for their future. “JA is committed to providing youth with not only the skillset, but also the confidence to go on and do amazing things in their communities,” Caldwell said. “We are grateful to our volunteers and community partners that make this event possible.” Though the event is already at capacity, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are still available online. Find registration information for the Lakeshore Girls’ Dream Fair .