April 25, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – There is still time for four-year college and university students to enroll at Grand Rapids Community College as summer guest students, helping them earn affordable credits to transfer and stay on track to graduate. More than 1,120 guest students already are enrolled for GRCC’s Summer 2023 semester, which starts on May 8. The guests account for about 20 percent of all summer students so far. Students can take advantage of GRCC’s more affordable tuition, smaller class sizes, and outstanding faculty members. GRCC provides classes in-person and online, with the ability to schedule around home and work responsibilities. GRCC is part of the Michigan Transfer Agreement with public and private schools across the state, allowing most credits to transfer easily. Students should first check with their home institution’s course equivalency guide to ensure that GRCC courses will transfer back. Eligible students can use their Grand Rapids Promise Zone scholarship, which covers tuition and other expenses, as a guest student at GRCC.  “Our guest students have home colleges and universities, but we want them to know there is a place for them at GRCC, too,” said Lori Cook, associate dean of access and first year success. “We offer in-person and online classes, which makes it easier for students to schedule around summer jobs, internships and other activities. GRCC credits are accepted across the state, which is a reflection of the quality of our faculty and programs.” GRCC’s in-district tuition rate is $118 per credit hour, helping students minimize student loan debt. Classes are available at the Main Campus in Grand Rapids and the GRCC Lakeshore Campus in Holland. Students can keep on track to graduate or even get ahead by earning summer credits. The schedule also offers students the ability to focus on one or two classes at a time. Additional information is available at grcc.edu/gueststudents . Students may apply online, or call (616) 234-3300 or email admissions@grcc.edu for additional information.

April 24, 2023, TWIN LAKE, Mich. – Drew Harrington led the Grand Rapids Community College golf team to its third tournament championship of the season, winning the Muskegon Spring Invitational on Monday. Although GRCC tied with host Muskegon Community College with a score of 321, the Raiders won the championship because their No. 5 golfer was two strokes better than Muskegon's No. 5.  "Weather was brutal today, being windy and cold, but the Raiders did an outstanding job managing their games through it,"  head coach John Forton said. "We won today because we preach, 'Believe and you will succeed.'" Harrington shot a 79, placing him fifth overall in a field of 41 MCCAA golfers at the Stonegate Golf Club. Logan Palmater of St. Clair County Community College was the medalist shooting a 74. Sophomores Conner Oman and Sam Foss also finished in the top 10 with a score of 80.  Ty Marchlewski finished the Raiders’ scoring with a score of 82. GRCC’s other  tournament championships were Oct. 6 and April 14, both at Glen Oaks Community College. The team will resume conference play on April 28 at the St. Clair County Invitational.  This story was reported by Ben Brown.

April 24, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Sophia Brewer didn’t plan on being a librarian, or even living in Michigan. But she’s now confident she is where she is supposed to be. Brewer, GRCC’s reference and collection development librarian, shared her story and commitment to helping people find resources to be successful on a recent episode of the “Speaking of Teaching” podcast. “Speaking of Teaching,” in its second season, was created by the GRCC Teaching, Learning and Distance Education Department, with hosts Meg Lockhard, Rachel Lutwick-Deaner and Ian Matthews. Raised by a single mother in McComb, Miss., Brewer was put in charge of raising her younger brothers and sisters while her mother battled addictions. “My mother told me I had to leave or I would become her,” she said, adding that it was difficult for her mother to say that, but knew it would be the best thing for Brewer. She attended Jackson State University in Mississippi. “That’s where I started to dream.” Brewer thought about studying nursing, but quickly realized that was not her path. She instead studied education, and considered a move to Kalamazoo for a job. That didn’t work out for personal reasons, but came to Grand Rapids to be near relatives and found jobs at the YWCA and the Grand Rapids Public Library. She would frequently walk through the GRCC campus while working at the public library, and grab a bite in the Raider Grill. Taking part in a community project, she got to know a GRCC librarian who told her about an adjunct position. She started fulltime at the college in 2014. “I think I’m where I’m supposed to be,” she said. “By force or by choice, we are where we are supposed to be. We should sit in whatever moment we are in and figure out what we are supposed to be doing at that particular moment.” Brewer said she enjoys the interaction with students. “In general, I try to hone in on a certain skill set, and the No. 1 skill is to listen,” she said. “The best way to ensure you are welcoming and inclusive and honoring everyone is to listen, to pay attention to that person who is in front of you, or to what that instructor wants in that particular class, and try to live in that moment.” Brewer was elected to be one of the Michigan Library Association’s three new directors-at-large, a move she said is a logical progression in a career that has been marked by a love for libraries. The Michigan Library Association is the state’s oldest and largest library association, serving the library profession for more than 130 years. The organization supports more than 2,000 libraries throughout Michigan from public, academic, school and special libraries, as well as organizations that are supportive of libraries. The group advances the profession through sharing of best practices, innovative ideas and new programs and services that benefit library personnel, library patrons and the communities it serves. She also has served as a board member and presenter for the Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council and is a member of the Grand Rapids Civilians Appeals Board, which she joined in 2020 after the killing of George Floyd. And she writes a regular column for the Grand Rapids Times, founded in 1957 and the oldest existing weekly publication targeted to Black communities in Grand Rapids. “Speaking of Teaching” is available here , and on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other popular podcast hosts.    

April 23, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team rallied back from a 9-1 deficit, but had its 17-game win streak snapped by rival Muskegon Community college. The softball team fared better, with Izzy Regner and Alyssa Wierenga helping the team to a 4-1 victory and a win of the season series against Muskegon. The baseball team, now 26-11 overall and 18-2 in the conference, was down 5-0 and 9-1 at points during the game. A grand slam by Fernando Rivera-Calderon in the sixth inning brought the team to within a run. But Muskegon tacked on two insurance runs to win 14-11. GRCC out-hit the Jayhawks 13-12, but had three errors to just one for the visitors. Zacarias Salinas led the offensive attack going three-for-four from the plate with two runs batted in. Rivera-Calderon, Jake Gumieny and Xander Reisbig all had two hits, with Rivera-Calderon having five RBI. The softball team improved its record to 19-15 overall and 11-9 in the conference. Wierenga scored GRCC's first run of the game, and had a game-high three hits.    Muskegon tied the game at one with a run in the sixth, but GRCC responded with three two-out runs in the bottom of the inning. The Jayhawks had a chance in the top of the seventh with the first two batters reaching base, but Regner retired the final three batters to secure the victory. Regner is now 16-3 on the year and has won 11 straight games since taking a loss on March 30. She has a 1.02 ERA and after 34 strikeouts against Muskegon this series, she has a staggering 222 punch outs for the year. The baseball team is scheduled to play a nine-inning game against Kellogg Community College on April 25.  The softball team will be back on the field April 28 when it begins its final conference series of the season at Bay College.  This story was written by Ben Brown.

April 22, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS Mich. –  Aaron Bess and Andres Rivera-Calderon helped the Grand Rapids Community College baseball team win its 16th and 17th consecutive games with walk-off hits in extra innings against conference rival Muskegon Community College on Saturday. The softball team split its doubleheader, with Izzy Regner picking up her 15 th win of the season. Bess' sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 13th inning gave GRCC a 3-2 opening day victory that took nearly four hours. GRCC (26-10, 18-1) led 2-1 before Muskegon tied the game in the fifth inning. Both teams were scoreless for the next five innings before Bess' bases loaded sacrifice fly won the game for the Raiders. Jake Guminey led the team with three of team’s GRCC’s 12 hits. Caden VanDeBurg pitched the final five innings for GRCC to pick up his first win of the season.  He allowed just three hits while striking out seven. GRCC rallied from being down 5-1 after three innings, but won the nightcap 6-5 in eight innings. Fernando Rivera-Calderon led off the bottom of the eighth with a triple and three batters later his brother Andres singled in the game-winning run.   Blake Waibel picked up the victory in relief of starter Colton Leatherman. The softball team split a doubleheader for the second day in a row. The team got off to a 2-0 lead in the first game of their doubleheader. But in the fifth inning, Muskegon took advantage of three Raider errors and scored six unearned runs to pull ahead 8-2 and hung on to win 8-3. Brynn McArthur had two of the team's three hits. In game two, Regner took a perfect game into the fourth inning, and picked up the win in a 6-5 victory.  The perfect game was broken up after a leadoff bunt single in the fourth. Despite giving up three earned runs, she still struck out 13 batters while walking just one. Lauren James was a perfect three-for-three in the game, including her third home run of the season. Both teams will finish off their season series Sunday at 1 p.m.   This story was reported by Ben Brown.

April 21, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS Mich. –   The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team continues its dominance, now winners of 15 in a row after a doubleheader sweep over conference rival Muskegon Community College on Friday. Izzy Regner won her 14th game of the year as the softball team split its doubleheader. The golf team also was in action, finishing in fourth place at the Jackson Invitational. For the baseball team, 2022 All-American pitcher Jerad Berkenpas added another complete game shutout to his resume after his team won 8-0 in the opener. Berkenpas, 5-1, allowed just three hits while striking out nine and walking just one. Reigning Northern Conference player of the week Fernando Rivera-Calderon led the offense, going three-for-three with three runs scored.  Seven other Raiders recorded a hit, including Jacob Gumieny, who launched a three-run home run in the GRCC’s six-run fourth inning. Game two was a pitchers’ duel, with GRCC winning 2-1.  The team scored on a suicide squeeze by Luke Huerta in the second and then on a defensive miscue by the Jayhawks in the fifth inning. Luke Linder, who had two of the team's three hits, had the team’s lone run in the fourth inning. Connor Foley stayed perfect on the year, bringing his record to 5-0 with a complete game. In the softball game, Izzy Regner, 14-3, struck out 10 batters, including the final three, to give her team a 3-1 victory in its opener. GRCC out-hit the Jayhawks eight to five with Jaye Guichelaar leading the way by going three-for-four. Muskegon out-hit the Raiders 16-6 in the nightcap cruising to a 14-3 win in five innings.  Regner and Madi Lemke (two doubles) each had two hits and Samara Kolehouse and Alyssa Wierenga (triple) had the other two. Both teams will be playing Saturday in games three and four of the five-game series against the Jayhawks. The men's golf team was also in action at the Jackson College Invitational with the team finishing in fourth with a team score of 311. Drew Harrington had a great day on the course, finishing with a 74 and fourth-best on the day.  Teammates Brad VandenHout, 78; Zach Basiaga, 79; and Conner Oman, 80; completed the teams scoring.   This story was reported by Ben Brown.

April 21, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Samantha Minnis spends her days helping students learn, and her passion for her work is infectious.  Minnis loves learning new things everyday. Working in a library constantly surrounds her with information and questions. She gets to learn alongside students about a wide variety of subjects, helping them find the information they need.  Minnis is the Information Literacy and Outreach Librarian for the Grand Rapids Community College Library. Her role allows her to spend time in classrooms teaching students how to research, at the Reference desk in the library helping students with assignments, and around campus sharing information about the resources the library provides.  Minnis received her bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Central Michigan University, where her mother is a professor. While at CMU, Minnis began working at the library as a student employee. Upon graduation she became full-time and completed her masters degree in Library Sciences. She has worked for the Kent District Library as well as the GVSU library.  Minnis came to GRCC in August of 2022. She was intrigued by the community college experience, and excited to work in a library that is integrated into the community. The work that Minnis does is pertinent to all students, regardless of what academic pathway they are on. Literacy skills are important for students wherever their career takes them.  Minnis said the best part of working for GRCC is the students she encounters on a daily basis. She helps students determine what information they are looking for, the best places to find it, and the best way to use the new information.  Minnis is impressed by the research skills GRCC students have. She invests in these skills and empowers students to grow their confidence in their skills. Giving them the tools they need to solve problems on their own in the future.  “The purpose of the library is to support students. Whether it is through research assistance, providing laptops and hotspots, or just a quiet place to study. We really just want to see students succeed, and are always willing to help,” Minnis said.  More information about Library resources can be found here.

April 20, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College students are accustomed to getting feedback and guidance from professors. But this week?  Astronauts. Two teams of GRCC students took part in the NASA HUNCH competition at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, vying to send a meal to the International Space Station or develop edible packaging to be used on future space missions. The teams will learn how they finished in about two weeks. “It was so exciting, but it is also a little bittersweet because we’ve enjoyed working on these projects all these months,” student Katie Bird said. Bird and Devon Vanderwall were among 10 finalists today preparing a dish for judges including Jessica Watkins, the fifth Black woman to travel into space, and the first to join a space station expedition. She recently completed a six-month stay on the space station. Students Abby Tichelaar and Cole Herring on Wednesday pitched their edible packaging plan to NASA experts including astronaut Victor J. Glover. He recently served as pilot and second-in-command on the Crew-1 SpaceX Crew Dragon, named Resilience, and served as flight engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 64. The GRCC Raider Fuel NASA HUNCH teams are working under the direction of the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, with Dr. Werner Absenger, Secchia’s program director, and Chef Jennifer Struik serving as coaches. The Secchia Institute is partnering with the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District’s Careerline Tech Center for the culinary competition. This year’s theme was hearty ethnic soups or stews, and the GRCC team prepared Austrian style steak soup, following strict dietary guidelines. Students closely watched levels of sodium, fat, saturated fat and looked for higher levels of fiber. Students wanted to create a meal that was flavorful, but would not create difficulties for astronauts in space. “We learned how to be adaptable,” said Bird, who has been working on the project since September. “You have to be ready for just about anything that could happen. The second team, through a middle college partnership with the Kent Intermediate School District’s Launch U program, was among five finalists in the Health and Biomedical Science category. Thursday’s competition took place in the space center’s Food Lab, with all 10 teams preparing dishes as judges, guests and even celebrity chef Joshua Weissman peeking over their shoulders and conducting interviews. Tichelaar and Herring are mechanical design students and devised edible cargo boxes in an interdisciplinary project with a goal of eliminating waste on missions, where space on aircraft is at a premium. Their edible cargo transfer boxes hold nutrition bars, and at the end of its life cycle upcycled into an edible solution, such as gummy bears, recycled, or downcycled into plastic components. Vanderwall said the experience opened his eyes to the wide variety of careers within the culinary world. “There are so many ways you can go and things you can do in this field,” he said. Students said they had some time to explore the space center, learning about the Apollo missions and Mars expeditions. The competition was intense, but students said they had some time to meet some of the other teams from around the country. “We swapped samples,” Wanderwall said. “I liked ours better.”

April 20, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Recent graduates from Grand Rapids Community College Workforce Training programs can connect with more than 20 area employers at a job fair planned for April 26. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the Tassell MTEC, 622 Godfrey Ave. SW, in Grand Rapids.   “In Workforce Training, we are focused on offering programs that lead to satisfying employment”, said Lead Job Developer, Sydney Plaggemars. "Hosting this annual job fair is one way we are supporting our students, alumni and area employers. Career coaching and placement services are invaluable services and a rewarding aspect of our work.” The annual event features employers in the fields of manufacturing, automotive, construction and welding. The job fair is available for anyone who has taken one GRCC’s hands-on Job Training Programs or credit classes. Students will receive on-the-spot interviews. Any student who would like help preparing a resume can contact a GRCC job developer for assistance at (616) 234-3800. Attendees are asked to RSVP here . 

April 19, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS Mich. –  The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team shut out Aquinas College's junior varsity twice on Wednesday to win its 12th and 13th straight games, 3-0 and 10-0. Game one of the doubleheader at Belknap Park was a pitcher’s duel, with both staffs not giving up hits until the bottom of the fourth inning, when GRCC's Xander Reisbig drove home two runs on a double to right-center. Two batters later, Reisbig scored on a wild pitch, giving the Raiders a 3-0 lead and enough to secure the victory. The pitching staff of Ethan London, Ryan Hawkins, Kellan Smith and Alex Schmitt allowed just two hits while striking out seven batters.  Smith picked up his first win in relief and Schmitt picked up his first save. In the nightcap, GRCC, 22-10, took advantage of seven base on balls and cruised to a 10-0 victory in just five innings.  Five of those seven walks scored for the Raiders.  Andres Rivera-Calderon led the team, going three-for-three and Ryan Hether added a triple to deep center field to score the game's final run. Blake Waibel picked up his second victory, pitching three innings, giving up two hits while striking out four batters. Aaron Bess and Mason Hammond pitched the final two innings, giving up just one hit. GRCC resumes conference play on April 21 for a five-game series against Muskegon Community College.    This story was reported by Ben Brown.