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GRCC’s 3.2% fall enrollment increase includes double-digit growth in Latino and Black students

Sept. 13, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College’s Fall 2023 enrollment has increased 3.2% over the previous year – and that number could rise further with students still signing up for classes. As of this week, GRCC’s enrollment is at 12,157, with almost 4,000 new students. The college also saw double-digit growth in the numbers of Hispanic/Latino and Black/African American students: 11.3% and 11.89%, respectively.  “Our enrollment increase reflects our commitment to being a community college that is accessible, affordable and inclusive,” said Dr. Eric Mullen, dean of Student Success. “We believe that everyone has the potential to succeed, and we are here to support our students every step of the way.” The number of students taking classes online is now very close to in-person students: 7,549 and 9,082, respectively. “One of the many points of pride at GRCC, which is no doubt contributing to our fall enrollment figures, is the variety of our class offerings,” said Dr. Sheila Jones, the college’s interim provost. “GRCC faculty offer courses in ways that support student learning, goal achievement and scheduling needs. These include our in-person, online, hybrid and virtual offerings.” Virtual courses meet online at scheduled times; hybrid classes combine online and in-person instruction. The headcount figures do not include GRCC’s Workforce Training programs, which do not operate on a semester schedule. 

GRCC is hosting a series of discussions about technology’s influence on business

Sept. 12, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is hosting a series of discussions about technology’s influence on business as part of Tech Week Grand Rapids. Tech Week, which runs Sept. 18-23, includes hands-on exhibits, panel discussions and pitch competitions. Sponsored by West Michigan economic agency The Right Place, sessions will cover artificial intelligence, diversity and inclusion, startups, and retaining talent, among other topics. GRCC will be the site of “Tech Trends Reshaping Business,” a series of discussions about generative AI, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence in the future of work. These conversations will run 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 20 at the college’s Secchia Piazza, inside the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center at 151 Fountain St. NE. “In partnership with The Right Place, GRCC is showcasing the intersection of innovation, technology and education in Grand Rapids – a testament to our region’s trajectory toward a tech-driven future,” said Dr. Kristi Haik, the college’s dean of STEM. Here is the schedule for Sept. 20: “Gen AI by flockX,” 9-10 a.m. – Devon Bleibtrey, CEO of flockX, will discuss how companies are using generative AI to help people plug into local communities, drive foot traffic to local businesses, and help local artists reach their local audiences. “Bypassing EDR with Malleable C2 Profiles by White Knight Labs,” 10-11 a.m. – This session, which will include a demonstration, focuses on settings in Cobalt Strike’s Malleable C2 that can be adjusted for memory-scanning evasion.  “AI by Bizstream,” 11 a.m. to noon – Brian McKeiver, co-owner and solutions architect at Bizstream, will look at how artificial intelligence, combined with Microsoft’s OpenAI solutions and Copilots, is creating efficient, automated, and future-ready workplaces. Registration for the GRCC sessions is available  online . To see the schedule for the entire six-day event, go to  techweekgr.com .

Transfer agreement saves GRCC Dental Hygiene graduates time, money in pursuing Detroit Mercy bachelor’s degree

A recently signed agreement allows Grand Rapids Community College Dental Hygiene students to transfer more of their credits to the University of Detroit Mercy. Under the transfer partnership agreement, GRCC students who have completed the Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences in Dental Hygiene may count up to 96 credits – instead of the standard 63 – toward Detroit Mercy’s Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. “This is an excellent opportunity for our Dental Hygiene graduates to be able to complete their bachelor’s degree and save an additional 33 credits – ultimately saving them valuable time,” said Jamie Klap, director of GRCC’s program. Saving time on completing the bachelor’s degree will contribute to filling workforce demand. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the need for dental hygienists is expected to grow a faster-than-average 7% through 2032, with about 16,400 openings annually. Taylor McNeill, a clinical instructor and co-director of dental hygiene admissions for Detroit Mercy, noted that under the transfer agreement, GRCC students would need only 30 credits to meet the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. “With this new agreement, we have the opportunity for GRCC AAAS Dental Hygiene alumni to continue their education to earn the bachelor’s degree as quickly as possible,” McNeill said. “Typically, students who are in this program are able to take online and asynchronous courses to complete their education.” GRCC’s three-year Dental Hygiene program prepares students to take the Dental Hygiene National Board exam and Michigan’s regional licensing exam. To learn more, email dental@grcc.edu or call (616) 234-4349. More information about Detroit Mercy’s degree completion program can be found online or by emailing dentalhygiene@udmercy.edu .

Mary Lynn Rouleau Belden

Instructor Rouleau moved from Detroit to Grand Rapids for her undergrad at Aquinas College, fell into the arts community and stayed and worked. Having a varied career as designer, artist and teacher, she continues to produce both fine art and commercial commissions. She received her Master of Fine Art in Painting and Drawing from Kendall College of Art and Design where she taught Life Drawing. Recently showing at the KIA Invitational, she has exhibited in New York, Detroit and Hong Kong.  

Ethan Ross

I am a photographer and curator here in Grand Rapids. I received my Master of Fine Arts from Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) in 2014 and was an adjunct faculty in the photography program at KCAD from 2012-2016. My work focuses on the deep complexity of human interaction with nature. I am exploring the sometimes harmonious and sometimes destructive tendencies we as humans have when dealing with our environment. Our world, as it exists today, is a hybrid of both man-made objects and the natural forces that are constantly adapting to our ever-growing impact.  

Elizabeth Raubolt

Ms. Raubolt is an adjunct instructor of Art History and Ph.D. Candidate in Roman and Late Antique Art and Archaeology from the University of Missouri. She received Bachelor of Arts in Classical Archaeology and Anthropology from the University of Michigan and her Master’s Degree in Mediterranean Art and Archaeology from the University of Missouri. She is also an active field archaeologist and has worked on projects in Italy, Portugal, Israel, Greece and, most recently, western Turkey  

Matthew Provoast

Matthew Provoast discovered his passion for art in childhood, a time filled with creative exploration, inspired mess-making, and lessons from his grandfather, an avid photographer. His early passion for art guided him to the Kendall College of Art and Design, where he not only earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts but also distinguished himself by receiving the Studio Excellence Award. This honor was in recognition of his unwavering dedication to the photography department and the notable strength and creativity of his artwork. Currently, he is advancing his academic journey by pursuing a Master's degree at Central Michigan University. Known for his proficiency in commercial photography, Matthew truly thrives in the realm of conceptual art, where he continues to explore and evolve. Since 2008, Matthew has successfully led a photography business, specializing in wedding, portrait, and commercial photography. Alongside this, he is deeply committed to his work in conceptual art, creating unique pieces that blend the allure of photographs with the textured depth of encaustic painting. His art, a fusion of mixed media collage, delves into the intricate dynamics of memory, history, and familial connections, offering profound insights into the human experience, with a particular focus on memory loss and the fleeting nature of recollections. In addition to his photographic and artistic endeavors, Matthew has significantly contributed to the local arts scene as the founder, owner, and gallery manager of Light Gallery + Studio. Starting from the ground up, he established this gallery in downtown Grand Rapids as a pivotal space for emerging artists, providing them with the necessary support and exposure to thrive. This venture extended beyond a gallery, serving as a cornerstone for community growth and artistic development. Through this and his teaching role at Grand Rapids Community College, Matthew's dedication to fostering new talent and enriching the artistic fabric of the community has made him an integral and influential figure in both the educational and broader art world. To delve into Matthew's artistic portfolio, review his curriculum vitae, and view examples of student projects, please visit his website at www.matthewprovoast.com .
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