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 .

Feb. 16, 2024 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Grand Rapids Community College President Charles Lepper was one of more than 30 higher education leaders from 21 states who met at the White House to discuss how community colleges are meeting the ever-growing demand for skilled workers. Community college presidents and provosts met Feb. 5 with administration officials to share how their institutions are strengthening talent pipelines in growing sectors such as clean energy, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and more. Lepper said GRCC continues working diligently to meet the regional demand for highly trained workers in health care, technology, manufacturing and other industries. “In the landscape of community colleges, addressing critical issues in workforce development is paramount,” Lepper said. “GRCC remains committed to preparing our students for high-wage, high-demand careers.” Officials from the Domestic Policy Council, the National Economic Council, the Office of the First Lady, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Labor heard from community colleges on their successful strategies for recruiting and training a diverse array of students and workers and efforts to create partnerships with K-12 systems, employers, labor unions, local elected leaders, and others. They discussed ways the federal government might continue supporting their efforts. Common themes included additional federal investment in: Short-term training programs with the Federal Pell Grant program Recruiting and retaining faculty in high-demand areas Incentivizing corporations to support efforts to meet workforce demands The group also called for more funding for apprenticeship programs. GRCC already has had tremendous success meeting the employment needs of regional healthcare organizations — and revolutionizing healthcare education — through groundbreaking medical apprenticeships. Its Medical Assistant Apprenticeship is the first accredited program of its kind in the nation. Under this pioneering program, students are employed by West Michigan healthcare organizations, engaging in hands-on work three days a week while dedicating two days to immersive classroom learning at GRCC. Offering full-time health benefits and eliminating tuition fees, the program ensures accessibility and equity for aspiring healthcare professionals. In exchange for this opportunity, graduates commit to a two-year post-graduation employment period with the sponsoring healthcare organization or agree to reimburse the tuition cost. The Medical Assistant Apprenticeship’s success has encouraged employers to work with GRCC to develop similar apprenticeships for in-demand occupations such as Cardiovascular Technologists, Electroencephalogram Technologists, Surgical Technologists, and Sterile Processing Technicians. The apprenticeship program also is a finalist for a 2024 Bellwether Award in the category of workforce development. Lepper said he looks forward to working with fellow community college leaders and the White House to meet today’s demand for tomorrow’s jobs. “Through innovative programs, collaborative partnerships, and a commitment to equity, GRCC will continue paving the way for sustainable solutions in education and workforce development,” Lepper said.

Feb. 7, 2024 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College saw a nearly 3.6% enrollment increase over the fall semester, with growth in new students, returning students and occasional students. As of Jan. 19, GRCC’s Winter 2024 enrollment is 11,487, with the number of new students increasing by 5%. Enrollment by returning students (students re-enrolling from the previous semester) and occasional students (students who have attended GRCC before but were not enrolled in the previous semester), rose by 3% and 7%, respectively. Amanda Kruzona, director of Institutional Research and the college’s data officer, said growth can be seen in many categories: Black/African American students – 12% Hispanic/Latinx students – 12% Asian students – 11% Full-time students – 13% Ages 30 to 39 – 10% “Our international student population rose by over 50%, bringing it back to pre-pandemic levels,” Kruzona said. “We had a 34% increase in students from outside Michigan, and our Lakeshore Campus enrollment grew by 14%. “At GRCC, we are always looking at our processes for ways to improve the student experience. We look at what students need and offer support to help them reach their goals.” Eric Mullen, dean of Student Success and Retention, credited some of the growth, especially in returning students, to development of the GRCC Cares Network, a whole-college effort to connect students to campus and community resources.  When GRCC Cares team members are alerted to a student who needs support, they review their records and talk to those who work with the student to determine how best to help. Team members reach out to the student with information about resources – on campus and in the community – that can help. The college’s “Get Help” webpage includes information on mental health counseling, the Student Food Pantry and loans of laptops and hotspots. It also has links to West Michigan organizations that help with legal problems, domestic violence, and transportation needs. “So many times, a student’s higher ed journey is disrupted by something outside the campus,” Mullen said. “It can be a need for housing or child care or a job to help pay for school. We work to help students overcome these hurdles before they withdraw from GRCC.” GRCC’s Fall 2023 enrollment also showed growth, increasing 3.2% over the previous year. The numbers of Hispanic/Latino and Black/African American students rose 11.3% and 11.89%, respectively. The headcount figures do not include GRCC’s Workforce Training programs, which don’t operate on a semester schedule.

Feb. 5, 2024 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College Nursing students were perfect – again. All the 2023 graduates of GRCC’s Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing programs passed their licensing tests on their first attempt, according to a National Council of Licensure Exams summary. It’s not the first year of perfection for the Nursing Department: Passing rates for GRCC’s RN graduates were 100% in 2019 and 2020. LPN students had 100% pass rates in 2018 through 2020.  “This accomplishment reflects the dedication and expertise of our Nursing faculty, as well as the commitment of our students to excel in their studies,” said Lisa Radak, dean of GRCC’s School of Health Sciences. “Grand Rapids Community College remains steadfast in its goals to provide quality education that prepares our students for success in their professional journeys.” GRCC’s Nursing programs combine intensive classroom instruction with hands-on experience in simulation labs that feature manikins that respond and talk as well as real people. Students also benefit from the college’s strong partnerships with West Michigan health-care providers, Radak said. “Area hospitals give our students valuable real-world experience and gain a pipeline to a talented and diverse workforce,” she said. To learn more about GRCC’s Nursing programs, visit the website .

Feb. 3, 2024 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A community activist whose ministry focuses on urban men was recognized as the 2024 GIANT Among Giants during an awards ceremony tonight. The Rev. Jerry Bishop founded LifeQuest Urban Outreach in 1998. The ministry works with 1,100 adult and young men monthly, involving them in programs such as Night Quest, Saving Our Sons, and BROTHER-2-BROTHER weekly worship. LifeQuest’s headquarters, in the former Oakdale Christian Elementary building, serves as a hub for multiple congregations of different faiths to hold their services. It also serves as a small business incubator and is the new site of the Gerald Dawkins Academy, a charter school that Bishop and LifeQuest opened for the 2023-24 school year.  Bishop’s ministry encompasses his activism as he strives to make Grand Rapids safer for all residents. After presiding over 21 funerals for people who died from the coronavirus, he joined other area faith leaders on Kent County’s COVID-19 church task force in 2020. A summer of gun violence that same year prompted him to organize a community prayer event for residents and the Grand Rapids Police Department.  Bishop, a founding board member of Abney Academy, published “Transforming Urban Lives” in 2002. He received the. H.C. Toliver Religious Life Award at the 2004 GIANT Awards. “There isn’t a place that Pastor Bishop is afraid to go to spread the Gospel,” said Tempy Mann, chair of the 41st GIANT Awards. “His compassion toward often-overlooked segments of our community is inspiring. He has made a difference in countless lives.” The GIANT Awards, which Grand Rapids Community College has hosted since 1983, recognize members of the African American community for their contributions to shaping the history, culture and quality of life in the Grand Rapids area. Each award is named after someone who has demonstrated excellence and serves as a perpetual memorial to those contributions.  Awards were given in 11 other categories during tonight’s ceremony and banquet: Valissa Armstead , senior director of diversity and inclusion at Corewell Health – the Raymond Tardy Community Service Award. Debra Bates , owner and administrator for Choice Business Systems Inc. and owner of MeMe’s Foundation Boutique – the Milo Brown Business Award. George Bayard III , artist, owner of Bayard Gallery of Fine African American Art & Books, and executive director of the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives – Ethel Coe Humanities Award. Tasha Blackmon , president and CEO of Cherry Health – the Eugene Browning Medical Service Award. Jimmy Carter , former head coach for East Kentwood High School’s girls basketball team – Walter Coe Public Service Award. Jamie Gordon , executive director of human resources for Kentwood Public Schools – the Phyllis Scott Activist Award. Kristian Grant , the first African American woman to represent Grand Rapids in the state House – William Glenn Trailblazer Award. The Rev. Charles Hudson III , president and CEO of C.H. Hudson Outreach Ministries – the H.C. Toliver Religious Life Award. Latesha Lipscomb, JD , director of engagement and relationships at Amplify GR – Floyd Skinner Justice Award. Inez Smith , retired teacher – Hattie Beverly Education Award. Bobby Springer , director of GEAR UP at Grand Valley State University – the W.W. Plummer Humanitarian Award. Proceeds from the event support the Milo M. Brown Memorial and the Junior GIANT scholarships, named for awards founders Cedric Ward and Patricia Pulliam. Kyle Greer and McKenzye Sterk, both Nursing students at GRCC, received Milo M. Brown Memorial scholarships. Cedric Ward Leadership scholarships went to Grand Rapids Christian High School student Caebre Baty and Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy student Nas Brooks. The Dr. Patricia Pulliam College Leadership Scholarship, was awarded to Rallah Cobbins, an architecture student at Western Michigan University.