Jan. 24, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. --  A successful run last November for a seat on the Grand Rapids Public Library board fits right in with GRCC professor Lauren Woolsey’s willingness to walk a different path. After completing two bachelor’s degrees at the University of Maryland, she went on to earn a doctorate in astronomy and astrophysics at Harvard. For many academics, the next step would have been some sort of post-doctoral research fellowship. Woolsey had those opportunities, but she turned them down to accept a tenure-track teaching position in GRCC’s Physical Sciences Department. “I was a teaching fellow for three semesters (at Harvard),” she said. “I had the opportunity to go down a couple of different paths after grad school, but I really like the engagement involved with teaching college students. That passion for teaching drew me to GRCC, and I have never looked back. I am in my dream position.” She is equally enthused about her new role as member of the Grand Rapids Public Library Board of Commissioners. As a child, she moved a lot, but one constant in her life from state to state was finding the library and “seeing the magic of what was available there.” “I've always loved reading, and I have to thank my parents for using books and trips to the library as rewards,” she added. So, when she saw there were two empty library commission seats on the ballot last fall, she sensed an opportunity. “I like to think that I spend some time being aware of societal issues and take seriously how to be a good citizen,” she said. “I didn’t want there to be an empty seat where someone could come in and do some damage, so I asked myself: ‘Do I have the ability, and can I commit to the kind of time it would take to be a good library commissioner?’ I decided that I did, and I am excited to have been elected and to start my work with the board on Jan. 31.” Woolsey said conversations with GRCC librarian Sophia Brewer helped solidify her decision. Brewer was a GRPL commissioner but had decided to run for a state-level library position -- which she later won -- so her position was one of the two that needed to be filled. “It is a positive move for her to be in her new seat, and she was happy that I ran for and won her old seat,” Woolsey added. “And now we have two GRCC people in, hopefully, positions of influence when it comes to libraries.” Although she ran unopposed, Woolsey still campaigned, including creating an information-filled website . “I wanted to make sure that voters were actively informed,” she said. “Having information does make a difference. I believe that information is key, and that’s why the public library is key.” That philosophy is imbued in her approach to all of life. One of her hobbies and interests outside of teaching is board games and game design . She has designed two card games and one board game. “I’m not trying to make money with my games,” she noted. “But to have made something that people enjoy is quite a lot of fun.” She also is a regular at Grand Rapids Unpublished Boardgame Society meetings, where attendees play and critique board games in process. She said she enjoys the give and take of a typical GRUBS get-together. “We play and test each other’s games,” she said. “It’s really about giving feedback and finding the potential and the positive things in these games that are still developing.” She said her skills as an instructor lend themselves to what she does at GRUBS and that what she does with the group probably helps her as a GRCC instructor. Indeed, she said the unique nature of a community college is something she still appreciates after almost seven years at GRCC. “One of the reasons I like teaching so much is the wide range of our students,” she said. “The diverse community we have at GRCC allows me to learn from my students even as they are learning from me.” This story was reported by Phil de Haan.  

Jan. 23, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Michigan Reconnect program has successfully helped residents start or restart a college education, but state leaders “have more work to do” to make a degree or career certificate within reach for others, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II said Monday. Gilchrist conducted a roundtable discussion with Grand Rapids Community College President Charles Lepper, students, administrators, and faculty members at the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, saying he wanted to hear how the program has been effective, but also how the state can continue to make changes and help more residents. “We want everyone to be able to determine their own path,” Gilchrist said, noting that additional support services would help the program expand, and help students with financial obstacles and other challenges. “We want to help people finish what they’ve started.” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to discuss Michigan Reconnect during her State of the State Address on Wednesday. The Michigan Reconnect and Futures for Frontliners programs cover the cost of in-district tuition for community college students. Lawmakers last year approved an additional $6 million to help pay for other expenses, such as daycare or transportation. Reconnect, launched in Feb. 2021, is aimed at students 25 and older who have not yet earned a degree. Frontliners was available in 2020 for residents who worked in essential fields during the state’s COVID-19 shutdown. The two are part of Gov. Whitmer’s Sixty by 30 goal, hoping to have at least 60 percent of the state’s adults have a college degree or career certificate by 2030.  Gilchrist said the state already is close to 50 percent in just the last two years. “The pace is good,” he said. “But we have to keep our focus on it.” Andre Broussard used the Reconnect program to enroll in GRCC’s Computer Support Job Training program. He recently was awarded the first-ever MTEC Leadership Award, which recognizes a student who has gone above and beyond expectation. “My experience has been very great,” he told Gilchrist. “This took me from being an over-the-road truck driver into now, in IT, as a computer support technician with Magic Steel. This basically gave me a second chance, to redefine what I want to do. This is something I wanted to do since I was a child, and it is coming to fruition now.” Jodi Holland is a first-generation college student, who came to GRCC at age 58 to gain skills to follow her dreams of being a baker – and also to inspire her grandchildren. “When I started school, I thought I could become a baker, but now, I’m a pastry chef,” she told Gilchrist. “I’ve learned so much at school. Not just about baking, but about how to manage employees and manage my time.” Employers have said Michigan’s job market continues to change after the pandemic. Many older students are looking for additional training to advance in their careers, or to start new careers. Employers are looking for people with skills – and also ready to gain more skills by heading back to college. Michael Welch, vice president of operations for the Grand Rapids-based Magic Steel, said he hopes the state can boost partnerships with employers and colleges. “As an employer, we sometimes struggle to find people with the right skills,” he said. “This program has helped me get people in the door and be productive, and then we can build from there.” As of September, 9.5 percent of all state Reconnect and Futures for Frontliners students were at GRCC. Of the winter semester that started this month, 2,584 students were accepted to GRCC through Reconnect, and 1,141 are enrolled for the winter semester. Others can start in the summer or in the fall. About half of the enrolled Reconnect students -- 556 – are taking classes for the first time. And 464 students are returning after more than two years away to complete their education. Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/reconnect and grcc.edu/reconnect .

Jan. 23, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Tom Barczak is proud of the work he does to ensure that buildings are safe, and he’s proud of the role GRCC has played in his career. Barczak serves as regional director of Forensic Analytical Consulting Services, a national company that ensures public health safety in buildings. Start at GRCC and go anywhere. Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC gave them the education and opportunity to be successful. Barczak first enrolled at GRCC in 1991, majoring in general studies.  “That fall semester at GRCC led to taking courses at Purdue University for six semesters, working toward a degree in biology to pursue a career in medicine,” he said. “With life and family changes, I made a career switch and started working in building sciences and restoration work in 1999.” Barczak has enjoyed his career in industrial hygiene and environmental consulting.  “My education over the past 20 years has allowed me to travel across the United States and work in various business sectors from residential to health care and even skyscrapers,” he said. “I have also worked in various cities following devastating natural disasters such as hurricanes and other extreme weather events." When Barczak decided to complete a bachelor’s degree – “a longtime personal goal and professional milestone” – he turned again to GRCC. “GRCC was a great place to start my collegiate experiences in 1991, but, more importantly, GRCC was the catalyst which allowed me to complete my degree at Ferris State University in 2019,” he said. “The established collegiate partnership between GRCC and Ferris State allowed me to finish my bachelor’s degree along with enhancing my skills and knowledge in key coursework areas such as business law and project management.” For Barczak, GRCC has been the right place at the right time, twice. “GRCC is an incredible place to start your college experience, complete valuable coursework to gain knowledge in a career field, and a place to complete your educational goals and achievements.” Start your GRCC story today here.  

Jan. 21, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College men's and women's basketball teams got back on the winning track after dominating wins against Alpena Community College on Saturday. In the women's game, sophomore Allison Kellogg had a career night, with 19 points on an efficient 8-of-12 from the field and added a career-high five steals, helping GRCC to a 72-48 victory. The team improves to 8-5 overall and 2-1 in conference play. The Raiders led wire-to-wire and led in every statistical category. The team turned the ball over just 10 times and had 15 steals and seven blocks.  Grace Lodes had a career-high nine assists and Karissa Ferry added a season-best eight points including 4-for-4 from the free throw line.  Sally Merrill was 7-of-11 from the field and 5-of-5 from the charity stripe while adding a team-best seven rebounds. The men's team also led the entire game in its convincing 106-65 win, snapping a four-game losing streak after starting the season 11-0.  GRCC only led by eight points at the half, but erupted for a season-high 61 points in the second half.  All 10 players scored, including a game-high 23 points on 10-of-12 shooting from Bashir Neely.  The Raiders bench out-scored the starters 57-49.  Several other GRCC players also had career days.  JaJuan Walker scored 17 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out five assists.  Jordan Houser scored eight points, grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and had a game-high five steals.  "Great to get back in the win column after a tough few weeks," head coach Joe Fox said. “Our guys did a great job collectively locking in and executing a game plan. Hard to pick out a certain performance to highlight since everyone played an important role in the victory, but I thought Rico Wade, Bashir and Jordan brought great energy on both ends of the court.  JaJuan and Chris Coleman also made huge plays in the second half for us."  Both teams will be back on the court on Jan. 25, visiting Muskegon Community College  in an MCCAA Northern Conference matchup.   

Jan. 20, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Wade Wiltenburg, a Grand Rapids Community College student in an apprenticeship program, earned top honors in the Electrical Craft Competition, an annual event with the Associated Builders and Contractors Western Michigan and GRCC. The annual event highlights the achievements of the men and women who represent the future of the electrical trades in commercial construction. Wiltenburg, who works with Buist Electric, was awarded first place. Second place went to Mitch Meines, who also works with Buist Electric, and third place went to Sean Gibbons, who works with Feyen Zylstra. "ABC Western Michigan's Electrical Craft Competition provides today's electrical apprentices the perfect avenue to showcase their exemplary craftsmanship and commitment to excellence," said Greg George, president of ABC Western Michigan. "This competition demonstrates the immense potential for success in the construction industry, and confirms that the future of electrical work is in great hands." All contestants are fourth-year apprentices enrolled in the GRCC Workforce Training Electrical Program and are current employees of ABC-member companies. The competition includes a written exam measuring industry knowledge followed by the hands-on portion, installing an electrical service under tight time constraints. Apprentices earn credit at GRCC while working for a participating employer. Judges from top electrical firms graded contestants on safety, layout, compliance, appearance, and quality of workmanship. Each year, the first-place winner at the chapter level goes on to compete at the Associated Builders and Contractors National Craft Championships during the ABC National Convention in March. “GRCC loves supporting this competition because we get to see our students advance in their careers after they have finished our program,” GRCC Job Training professor Doug Wiersma said. Other competitors were Brent Engelsma, of Kleyn Electric; David Losch, of Feyen Zylstr; and Nick Hilts, of Windemuller.

Jan. 20, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Chad Sytsma has been educating students for more than 15 years at Grand Rapids Community College, and is still excited to engage with students every day. “My experiences with the students in my classes have always been so positive. They are there for a purpose and are working hard to get their degrees. I am always impressed with how seriously they take their education,” Sytsma said.  Sytsma is the  faculty liaison for the Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies Department, teaches in the Business Department at GRCC, and teaches at Hudsonville Public Schools. In his free time he can be found coaching young athletes on the football, baseball, and softball fields. Sytsma recalled “so many” things to like about teaching at GRCC. He appreciates the ability to teach classes in person, virtually, and in online formats. He emphasizes the importance of meeting students where they are, and providing resources to empower them to be successful.  Sytsma said community is at the core of GRCC. His work with the DLIT department allows him to support faculty and staff in their use of instructional technology. He feels supported by faculty and administration, making it a great place to work.  “At first we tend to think it is only about the content of our class, but relationships and relevance can be really helpful to getting our students to understand the content even deeper”, Sytsma said. Programs at GRCC offer real world, relevant skills and information that help students achieve success. Faculty and staff are trained professionals in their field, who are able to teach from personal experiences.  Sytsma got his Bachelors of business Administration from Davenport University, and his Masters of Education from Aquinas College. His experience teaching for over twenty years provides him with a wealth of knowledge that he enthusiastically shares with his students.  More information about the Business Department courses can be found here.  More information about the Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies department can be found here.

Jan. 19, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College men’s soccer team signed its first four players as its looks ahead to its inaugural season this fall. "We have a group of great individuals on and off the field," coach Damiekco Smith. "Glad to be able to sign some hometown heroes." The GRCC Athletic Department has added soccer in response to a growing interest in the sport internationally and an increasing number of requests from potential student-athletes. The first four players to commit to the team have experience playing at the high school level. Ian Gunderson played for Northview High School and graduated in 2022. He is a center back and received an All-District award his junior and senior years, along with All-Conference, All-Region, and Honorable Mention All-State his senior year. Gunderson was also a captain and received an award his senior year from his team, showing it voted for him as its most prominent leader and support on and off the field. He played club soccer on a SCOR National League team for three years. Brett Miller also attended Northview High School, where he was a three-year varsity player. Brett produced 11 clean sheets – when a team concedes zero goals in a match -- and only allowed 0.6 goals per game. His 93 percent save average was rewarded by making first team All-State in Division II his senior year as a goalkeeper. He was also a part of the All-Conference and All-Region teams. Hani Alturkmani played his high school soccer at Wellspring Prep Academy, where he was named to the All-Conference team during his freshman and senior years. He is a striker with an innate ability to find the back of the net. He also played his travel soccer with the Revolution. Yosia Mukanda is a graduate of Potter's House, where his team won the school's first-ever state championship in 2021. His dream has always been to play collegiate soccer and is happy GRCC is where his dream will come true. Women's soccer was also introduced this past year, with Lizzie Hornack guiding the team. There are still opportunities for students looking to be a part of both teams.  Recruiting questionnaires are available here for the women's team and here for the men's team.

Jan. 19, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- GRCC geography professor Mike DeVivo ends emails he sends with “Geography Lives!” Since his surname is a patronymic of Vivo, or “alive,” DeVivo comes by his sign-off honestly. He’s doing his best every day to bring geography to life for his GRCC students, having served as a faculty member at the college since 2002. He loves the classroom, but he also loves opening up the world of geography beyond the classroom, including hosting a  Conversation with a Geographer  oral history series. And in recent years, he has given a number of talks on leadership, as well as the history of geography, geopolitics, and African wildlife conservation and community development before academic audiences, corporate executives and government officials in Africa, Asia and the United States. One of the places his passions come together is in an annual calendar project that raises funds for CAMFED, an international NGO and nonprofit that works to eradicate poverty in Africa via the education and empowerment of girls and young women. The GRCC connection to CAMFED goes back more than a dozen years to when DeVivo incorporated “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide,” written by Nick Kristof and Cheryl WuDun, into his World Regional Geography course. “To say that it was impactful is an understatement,” he recalled. Kristof then was invited to speak on the GRCC campus as part of the Diversity Lecture Series, and he was pleasantly surprised to be awarded honorary membership to the International Geographical Honor Society for contributing to the advancement of geography during his visit. DeVivo declared: “His presence on campus and our knowledge of Half the Sky’s content sparked us to put our heads together to develop a project to ‘make a difference.’” Support for CAMFED was the result, and DeVivo decided to take the photos of animals he had from fieldwork in Africa to produce a benefit calendar and, he added, “spotlight the GRCC geography program’s initiatives associated with advancing social justice vis-à-vis race, ethnicity and gender .” The first calendar was produced in 2012 for 2013, and one has been produced every year since. The amount raised for CAMFED varies, but many years it’s more than enough to make a difference for girls and young women in Africa. “It's important to place this effort in context,” DeVivo said. “Given that the funds needed to support the education of a high school girl in Africa for a year amounts to about $240, my students and I determined that this is one small way we could make a difference. As far as fundraising goes, in some years, it's only enough to send a few girls to school. Yet three or four years ago, our T-shirt and calendar sales played a big role in a $4,800 check being sent to CAMFED. Supporting the education of 20 girls goes a long way in fostering women's empowerment for a better world.” The current “Faces of African Wildlife” calendar has been selling well for the past few weeks and can still be purchased from DeVivo via the contact info on his website . This year’s version includes images of cheetahs, meerkats, giraffes, lions, hippopotamuses, African buffaloes, and other animals photographed by DeVivo in 2021 and 2022. It is designed by the GRCC Communications graphic design team. DeVivo said the wildlife calendar is only one aspect of the excellence of the GRCC geography program. “Students and faculty often deliver lectures at academic conferences and universities in the U.S. and abroad,” he noted.  That includes his own travels which since September 2022 have seen him give talks at the University of Pretoria (South Africa), Western Washington University and Muskegon Community College. “And I’m planning to speak at conferences in Denver, Los Angeles and Mozambique before the end of May,” he added with a smile. Indeed, the GRCC geography program has been recognized by the American Association of Geographers as one of the top community college geography programs in the country, and DeVivo has been asked to serve on AAG committees to advance the discipline, including currently serving as the chair of the Meridian Award Committee which determines the most important book written by a geographer in 2022. “ Former students have shown themselves to be stellar undergraduate and graduate students, as well as scholars,” he said. “Upon reflection, it is the GRCC geography students I have mentored over the years who in many ways are sources of inspiration for continuing on this path.” DeVivo describes his own educational path as “rather complex.” He was born in Europe and spent considerable time there before attending school in Connecticut. “When I was 17, my parents reluctantly agreed to sign the necessary documents for me to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps,” he said. He then served as a Recon Marine before taking an interservice transfer to serve as a U.S. Navy Diver, and following honorable discharges, he attended a couple of colleges and universities and also was licensed as a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer, taking command of various vessels for the mineral and oil industry. Now, for the past two decades he has called GRCC home, a place where geography lives. This story was written by Phil de Haan.

Jan. 18, 2023, MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College men's and women's basketball teams struggled on the road Wednesday, dropping both games to Mid Michigan College. In the women's game, Mid Michigan jumped out to a 22-8 lead after the first quarter and led by as many as 24. GRCC battled back to make it just a four-point game with a minute to go but that's as close as it got. The Lakers scored the final five points of the game to win 74-65. Grace Lodes was 9-for-18 from the field for 21 points to lead GRCC, while grabbing a game-high 15 rebounds. Marlene Bussler finished with nine points, eight rebounds and eight assists and Allison Kellogg added 10 points and five rebounds. The women’s team is now 7-5 on the season, and 1-1 in MCCAA Northern Conference action. GRCC's men's basketball team hung with the Lakers for the first 28 minutes of the game, but the home team then went lights out, scoring 42 points the rest of the game and shooting around 65 percent from the field, winning 102-70.  Danyel Bibbs led the team with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists. The men’s team’s losing streak has hit four games after the team won the first 11 games of the season. Both teams will be back on the court on Jan. 21, hosting Alpena Community College in another Northern Conference matchup.

Jan. 18, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Dr. Tina Hoxie is putting her retirement on hold to return to GRCC as interim provost. Hoxie has served GRCC students for nearly 30 years, last as the associate provost and dean of Student Affairs, retiring last April. Her first day back will be Feb. 1. The provost is GRCC’s chief academic officer with major responsibilities for strategic planning and guiding all aspects of teaching and learning in support of student success. Hoxie is filling in while the college searches for a replacement for Provost Brian Knetl, who is leaving Jan. 20 to become president of Waubonsee Community College in Illinois. Hoxie came to GRCC as director of Student Activities after working at Aquinas College for 11 years. She became dean of Student Affairs in late 2001, with the role becoming associate provost and dean of Student Affairs in 2013. Hoxie last year said encouraging students to go to college, helping and meeting their needs as they start, stop, work through the unexpected, and come back to finish their goals has been something she enjoyed most about her time at GRCC. “The relationships and connections across campus have always made my job easy. The GRCC staff do an amazing job caring for, supporting, and serving our students,” she said prior to retiring. “It has always been my passion to continually work toward improving the student experience, reduce student barriers, help students succeed, and find ways to increase access to GRCC. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with so many incredible students over the years and with a team of people at GRCC who give it their all!”