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Building Access and Security Information for Employees

As we begin the semester, please keep the following building access and safety reminders in mind: Electronic Access: Exterior doors lock/unlock automatically by schedule. Employees can use their RaiderCard to enter after hours. Evening Security: Classroom doors are locked beginning at 7 p.m. Monday–Thursday. RaiderCards are required for access. Weekend Access: Employees with Saturday responsibilities in the Calkins Science Building will need a RaiderCard for entry. Lakeshore Campus: Security services are provided by DK Security, with staff available whenever the campus is open. They provide escorts, vehicle assistance and coordinate with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office in emergencies. If you have any questions, please contact Chief Whitman via email.

Welding Skills Meet ArtPrize Through FutureTech Careers

Sept. 18, 2025 Three months ago, Lee Hillman began a unique internship through FutureTech Careers, applying welding skills to an ArtPrize entry for GRCC graduate and artist Luis Fernandez. As that work draws to a close and ArtPrize begins, both Lee and Luis offered up their thoughts on the benefits of this collaboration. Lee began working with Meta4mat , a local fabrication company, in June of this year. The challenge was to integrate welding skills within the broader context of fabrication and project management. The end result, La Voz de Mi Gente, is a three-piece installation on display outside Grand Rapids Public Museum during ArtPrize. ( Entry #69339 ) Luis didn’t know about FutureTech Careers when he started the conversation with GRCC. However, he had a reason for wanting to engage. “This is my first entry into ArtPrize,” Fernandez said. “I wanted the piece to involve places that were part of my story. Since I am a GRCC graduate, it made sense to include them in some way.” La Voz de Mi Gente is a set of three welded frame cubes with integrated light strips. Each side holds a photograph of a Puerto Rican artist, along with a brief synopsis of that person’s story.   “Art is the backbone of a culture,” Fernandez said. “I came to the United States from Puerto Rico when I was young. I found myself losing the connection to my native culture as I grew up. So I went back to Puerto Rico for three months to seek out artists and stories that would reconnect me. My goal was to bring those stories back and share my native culture here in Grand Rapids.” With ArtPrize opening on September 18, Lee has finished up the internship. That has led to some thoughtful reflection and learnings. “I tend to work independently, and that’s often fine,” Hillman said. “But for this project, I quickly learned that there were times when I needed to ask for help and it was okay to admit that.”   Time management skills also played a role. “I discovered that there are always more steps involved than you anticipate,” Hillman said. "My welding instructor, Nate Haney, asked me to guess how much time I would spend fabricating, and I honestly didn't know. I guessed somewhere around 40 hours, and it ended up being closer to four times that. I spent most of my time problem-solving, and I adapted my welding technique in ways I never had before. Learning to expect the unexpected was part of the lesson for me.” In addition to acquiring specific work skills, Lee now possesses self-knowledge that will guide the job search process. “This kind of work requires tremendous collaboration,” Hillman said. “You're checking on supplies, timelines, and everyone who's involved. The project management aspect of this work-study was eye-opening. I learned that while I'm capable of handling these responsibilities, I’m not sure I want to be a project manager. I thrive when working independently or with a small team. Knowing that about myself and my skills will definitely help shape my job search going forward.” Everything Lee learned will help make the transition from school to work easier. That is precisely the purpose of FutureTech Careers . “This is a perfect example of what FutureTech Careers is designed to do,” said David Pridmore, program manager. “We want to connect students with real employers in real environments. This helps build relationships between industry and education, while bridging students into careers.” Luis thinks the FutureTech experience will shift the way students see opportunities open in front of them. “When I was a student, I had the chance to take part in a paid internship, creating a website for a nonprofit,” Fernandez said. “I have to say that I failed at it, but that was okay because I was in a space where I was still learning. Failure was part of that learning. I want to help create opportunities for students to grow and learn. Lee did an excellent job, but also has discovered areas for growth. To me, that means the experience was a success.” Lee says that the opportunity was absolutely worthwhile. “This internship, building upon my job training program, is a great way to transition from education to the workforce,” Hillman said. “I applied and expanded my welding skills for a fabrication project, which feels different than welding plates for practice. But I also developed my time management and problem solving skills. This experience taught me what fabrication and project management are about. I now have a more well-rounded understanding of how my skills fit in the workplace.” Learn more about FutureTech Careers at GRCC  

Campus Safety Resources and Training for Employees

Your role in maintaining a safe campus is essential. Please review the following resources and complete the required safety training: Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT): If you see or hear something concerning about a student, share it with the  Behavioral Intervention Team . There is also an  Employee BIT for workplace concerns.   Campus Police: Our sworn police officers provide safety support, respond to incidents and are always available to assist. Need an escort to your vehicle or battery assistance? GRCC Police can help! Learn more on the  GRCC Police webpage.   Active Assailant Safety Video: All employees are  required to review this video to understand what to do during an active assailant situation. Watch the  Active Assailant Response video.   Emergency Procedures Website: Bookmark this site as your one-stop resource for safety information, contacts and reporting options:  Emergency Procedures . If you have any questions, please contact Chief Whitman via email.

Tech Tip: Wireless Accounts

Did you know there are several ways to access GRCC Wireless? The chart below will help guide you through which one is best for you to use when on campus. Network Purpose Access GRCC SECURE Designed to help faculty, staff and students work efficiently. This is the preferred wireless network Click on the network connection and use your MyGRCC login credentials. GRCC Wireless Used for devices that may not be able to connect to GRCC Wireless. This network is also designed for campus visitors that need to access the internet. Click on the network connection which may open a browser window. You may need to open your web browser and navigate to  grcc.edu to get the login page. Use your MyGRCC Login Credentials when prompted. Connect To GRCC Wireless as a guest   Authenticate using email, once connected guests will need to click the link in their email within 10 minutes or the session will be terminated. For additional assistance check out our Knowledge Base article on Connecting to GRCC Wireless:  How do I connect to the wireless network (wifi) at GRCC? Connecting to GRCC Wireless as a Guest For more information and helpful tips, please visit the  IT Customer Support Portal or contact the IT Customer Support Desk at x4357. If you have a suggestion or a Technology Tip you think can be useful, you can submit them by emailing techtips@grcc.edu 

The GRCC Family Saddened by the Loss of Former Employee and Alumnus Rick Vander Veen

Rick Vander Veen passed away September 12, 2025 Vander Veen worked here for many years - working his way up to becoming director of operations for the Ford Fieldhouse - and retired in 2018. He also attended GRCC back when it was known as GRJC. His family will meet with relatives and friends Wednesday September 17, 2025 at Heritage Life Story Funeral home Van Strien Creston Chapel 1833 Plainfield Ave N.E. Grand Rapids, MI 49505 from 10 A.M. to the start of the service at 11 A.M. See our VanderVeen Remembered video.

Member Purchase Program: Dell's Tech Refresh Sale Sept. 8 through Oct. 6

  Windows 10 support is ending soon, and now's the time to upgrade to Windows 11 during   Dell's Tech Refresh Sale. Use your education discount to get an  extra up to 10% off your next purchase. Dell's Tech Refresh runs from 9/8 through 10/6 Members can shop 24/7 at:  www.Dell.com/DellU/GRCC    Here’s how to access your exclusive member benefits: Sign in or create a Dell account:  www.dell.com/myaccount/en-us/membership Register for Dell Rewards by selecting the Dell Rewards box during account creation Verify your member status using your valid partner company email address Your discount will be automatically applied to eligible items in your cart  

Suicide Prevention Day

    The  Center for Counseling & Well-Being would like to thank all faculty and staff who encouraged students to stop by our tables on September 10th for World Suicide Prevention Day. We saw a total of  162 students that day and provided them with resources and information on suicide prevention.  Several students shared their "reason for living" via sticky notes. You can see some of these on the bulletin boards in the 1st floor of the Student Center and RJF G2. Of the students who stopped by, 142 made a self-care bag and 119 entered themselves into a prize drawing. As a reminder, the Center for Counseling & Well-Being has a team of six licensed counselors dedicated to improving the mental health of our students through prevention, education and counseling. We offer free, confidential short -term individual counseling, group counseling,  workshops , mental health resources and off campus referrals. Students can meet in-person or virtually. Students can  schedule an appointment online or call (616) 234-4130. In addition, counselors are available for brief, same-day, urgent walk-in consultation Monday - Friday between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the Student Center, Room 368. Students may also stop by during these times to meet with a counselor for a  Let's Talk session.      

Culinary Students Bring Learning to Life Through Fall Events at The Heritage

  Students in GRCC’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education are taking classroom lessons straight into the dining room this fall. Two culinary courses are collaborating to design, prepare, and serve a series of special events at The Heritage Restaurant. The Menu Students in  CA 244: Banquet and Catering Fundamentals practice creating menus and coordinating events — from family-style dinners to elegant gatherings. They learn how to adapt to different occasions, preparing them for careers in the fast-paced hospitality industry. The Service Meanwhile, students in  CA 233: Beer, Wine and Spirits Management gain hands-on experience with responsible beverage service. They study wines, beers, and spirits, practice pairing food with drinks, and apply their skills in real event settings. Together, these courses give students the chance to showcase their skills while offering the community memorable dining experiences. Save the Date: Fall 2025 Events at The Heritage Family-Style Fried Chicken Dinner – Sept. 15 (Make reservations  here .) French Wine Pairing Dinner – Sept. 30 (Make reservations here .) Tapas & Taps – Nov. 4 Paired Giving – Nov. 11 Fountain Hill Brewery Beer Pairing Dinner – Nov. 18 Reservations for the Fried Chicken Dinner and French Wine Pairing Dinner are now open through OpenTable.  Reservations for the other events will open after students complete the menus, typically 1-2 weeks prior to the event. Menus & event descriptions will always be posted on OpenTable as soon as they are available. No staff/faculty discounts.  For large parties (6+), email heritageevents@grcc.edu. Stay connected by joining the  Friends of the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education eClub and following The Heritage on  OpenTable to see upcoming experiences.  

Tech Tip: How You Can Tell if an Email Is Spam or Phishing

Here at GRCC, the protection of our staff, faculty and students’ personal and financial information is of utmost importance and it is our goal to make sure that information is always secure. One way to make sure that information stays safe is to keep our end users knowledgeable of online threats. As GRCC’s first line of defense against unwarranted phishing and malware, here are some ways to help to keep yours and the college's information safe. Do not click on links in emails unless you are certain what the link is. Malicious emails can come from a trusted person’s account if their credentials have been compromised. Just because you know the person, does not mean it is safe. Stay cautious everywhere online, especially in communications where the sender can be spoofed. To verify the validity of a link, hover over it. The full link will display in the bottom left hand corner of your email. Read through it carefully to see if the address appears correct. If you believe you may have clicked on a phishy link by mistake, please contact GRCC’s IT Customer Support immediately at (616) 234-4357. Do not open unsolicited attachments in emails. If you are not expecting an invoice or document, call the sender to ensure they actually sent it to you, and it is not coming from someone impersonating them. If you believe you may have opened a suspicious attachment by mistake, please contact GRCC’s IT Customer Support immediately at (616) 234-4357. Use extra caution with emails sent from other school districts. We recognize that there are many emails coming in from other districts this time of year due to student transfers.  Please be extremely cautious when opening any attachments or links found in those emails. If you would like to report a phishing email you can click on the kabob (three vertical dots) in the upper right hand corner of the opened email and select Report phishing. It should be noted that this option is only available when viewing emails on a desktop computer and not a mobile device. For more information on phishing and how to avoid it please visit the IT Customer Support Portal or contact the IT Customer Support Desk.            

Stay Informed with GRCC Emergency Notifications

Please take a moment to review how GRCC communicates during emergencies and severe weather. GRCC uses the RAVE Alert system to notify faculty, staff and students about: Emergency situations on campus Important notifications, including inclement weather closures and delays Important: Active GRCC students, staff and faculty are automatically enrolled in the RAVE Alert system each semester. Community members, parents and others may subscribe by visiting  RAVE Alert login . Tip: To ensure you receive text messages, check your phone settings in the Online Center. Make sure your number is listed as a mobile/cell phone   — phones listed as “home” will not receive texts. If you have any questions, please contact Chief Whitman via email.
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