Oct. 7, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team extended its win streak to 15 matches after defeating North Central Michigan College in Friday night's homecoming match, which included a salute to the 2012 national championship team. GRCC, ranked No. 17 in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association poll, powered past the Timberwolves in straight sets, 25-14, 25-15, 25-12. GRCC improved to 15-2 overall and 7-0 in conference play with the win. "What an incredible night for the GRCC volleyball community," head coach Chip Will said.  "The support from the alumni and fans was inspiring.  We had a great night, and us coaches are so proud of the strength our kids showed as they came in off the bench." Every player saw action on the court, and sophomore Audrey Torres led the well-balanced offensive attack with 10 kills while hitting over .300. Karissa Ferry finished with eight kills while hitting a season best .400, and Eliza Thelen contributed with nine kills. Thelen and Charlie Baker led the team with three service aces and Alena Visnovksy led the team with four blocks. Members of the 2012 champions – the first GRCC women’s team to earn a title -- were saluted between the second and third sets. The 2012 team was led by Kaitlyn Wolters, who was named a First Team All-American and the NJCAA Division II Player of the Year. The team survived a five-set match in the semifinal round of the national tournament, battling Parkland College of Champaign, Ill., which was ranked No. 3 in the nation. GRCC lost the first two sets, and fell behind 8-3 in the third set, before winning two straight to force a fifth set, which it won 16-14 to reach the finals. In the championship match, GRCC faced the top-ranked team in the country, Cowley College of Arkansas City, Kan. The Raiders swept Cowley, which had been unbeaten, to claim GRCC’s first national title in volleyball. The current GRCC team will be back on the court Saturday with another conference matchup, at home against Bay College. Match will begin at 1 p.m. 

Oct. 7, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is saluting its 2012 national champion volleyball team at Friday’s homecoming, honoring the college’s first women’s team to earn a national title. Alumni from the championship team will be recognized between sets of Friday’s volleyball match between GRCC, which is riding a 14-match winning streak, and North Central Michigan College. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse, 111 Lyon Street NE. Admission is $5, with GRCC students and employees admitted for free with their RaiderCard. A tailgate party is planned for 4-6:30 p.m. on the Dr. Juan R. Olivarez Student Plaza, with hamburgers, hot dogs and macaroni and cheese. The event is open to the public. “Homecoming is an opportunity to highlight our national champions, but also celebrate all GRCC alumni – and those who will be alumni someday,” said Jenna VandeKamp, heads alumni efforts for the GRCC Foundation. “There is tremendous pride in our college, and the impact it has on residents and our greater community.” The 2012 team was led by Kaitlyn Wolters, who was named a First Team All-American and the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Player of the Year. The team survived a five-set match in the semifinal round of the national tournament, battling Parkland College of Champaign, Ill., which was ranked No. 3 in the nation. GRCC lost the first two sets, and fell behind 8-3 in the third set, before winning two straight to force a fifth set, which it won 16-14 to reach the finals. In the championship match, GRCC faced the top-ranked team in the country, Cowley College of Arkansas City, Kan. The Raiders swept Cowley, which had been unbeaten, to claim GRCC’s first national title in volleyball. “A lot of that match was on adrenaline,” coach Chip Will told MLive after the match. “From day one, when they came into this program, they talked about winning a national title, and so adrenaline helped push them through the soreness and some of the tiredness.” Wolters was named tournament Most Valuable Player, recording 32 assists and seven kills in the final match. Along the way to winning the title, the Raiders defeated 12 nationally ranked teams and ended the season on a 30-match win streak, finishing with a 39-1 record. The 39 wins remain a team record for the volleyball program. Wolters is expected to be among the team members attending the homecoming game. Other team members are Nicole Czehowksi, Karleigh Strazisar, Taylor Meyer, Kendall Wolffis, Tayler Friend, Molly Maynard, Hannah Geelhoed, Emily Johnson, Kourtney Wolters, and Amy Vander Wal Will is still guiding the team, winning his 400 th match last season. Joining him at the celebration are coaches Megan Kulak, Staci Johnson and Joe Murray.

Oct. 6, 2022 - CENTERVILLE, Mich. -- Conner Oman earned medalist honors, helping the Grand Rapids Community College golf team defeat Glen Oaks Community College on Thursday. "I was pleased with how the kids competed today," coach Mark Rasmussen said. "Though we didn't play our best, we've got a great group of guys and are getting better every day." Oman, who had to bow out of the last tournament early, shot a 76 to finish first place overall. Both schools were able to field two teams, and GRCC's B team nearly beat the A team, with scores of 317 and 319 strokes. Glen Oaks' teams shot 332 and 362. Of the 20 participants, seven GRCC golfers made the top 10, including taking the first six places. The team is so balanced this year that three players on the B team finished in the top five, including McCoy Denhartigh, taking second with 77; Brad VandenHout, fourth with 79; and Sam Foss, fifth with 80. Mason Anderson shot 78 for the A team to earn third place overall. Next up for GRCC is the Taylor University Invitational on Oct. 10 and 11 on GRCC’ home course at Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada.   

Oct. 6, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  Hip-hop artist Bun B will talk about his evolution as a performer, entrepreneur, activist and Rice University faculty member at an event that is a partnership between Grand Rapids Community College and Muse GR. GRCC’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is collaborating with Muse GR on two events on Oct. 13, celebrating the launch of Muse Southeast, 501 Eastern Ave. SE. “Trill Talk: Small City, Big Dreams” will feature an in-depth discussion about Bun B’s journey from rapper to entrepreneur, hosted by Bakari Kitwana, an internationally known cultural critic, journalist and activist.  The second event, “Trill Certified,” offers a showcase of artists and creatives from Grand Rapids and a friendly cook-off to determine Grand Rapids’ best burger. The Bun B discussion starts at 7 p.m., with “Trill Certified” at 8:30 p.m. Bun B, born Bernard Freeman in Port Arthur, Texas, rose to fame as one half of the Southern rap duo UGK. Along with the late Pimp C, the pair released several albums, including the self-titled “UnderGround Kingz,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Bun B later went on to pursue a solo career. “ODEI remains steadfast in supporting initiatives demonstrating the synergy between art and education,” said Dr. B. Afeni McNeely Cobham, GRCC’s chief equity and inclusion officer. “Our longstanding partnership with Muse GR affords us the privilege of illuminating the contributions and influence of Grand Rapids culture.” Muse GR is an interactive art gallery that offers transformational space for creatives to gather, teach, and learn. Co-owners Stephen and Taylor Smith said it was essential for them to have a presence on the city’s Southeast Side. “Although there are many creatives throughout the Grand Rapids community, creatives from the southeast side have limited options of places that cultivate their gifts and talents,” the pair said in a statement. “We are happy to be one of the places that pour into people and even more delighted when institutions like GRCC align with our efforts through partnership. The GRCC Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has been instrumental in helping us strengthen our impact on the communities we serve.” The events are free and open to the public, but reservations are required for each event. Additional information is available at tinyurl.com/trillvibe  

A School News Network feature - “Order number five! Order number five.” A voice over a microphone breaks through the low buzz of Grand Rapids Community College’s lunch crowd. Tables and chairs sit opposite a student-run food counter and kitchen — a familiar layout with a new, fresh update. Previously known as Art & Bev’s, Foodology is the newest GRCC campus lunch spot, operated by Secchia Institute for Culinary Education students under the guidance and supervision of Chef Audrey Heckwolf. “Foodology is very different from the previous eatery, Art & Bev’s,” Heckwolf said. “Mainly, we have several menu changes, offering less fried food and more healthier, made in-house options.” In addition to hot paninis, soups and chicken fingers, Foodology offers grab-and-go lunches, protein snack boxes and bakery items, all made by culinary students and staff. “It was important to me to change the name and reimagine the identity of the place,” Heckwolf said. “Since we’re a community college with biology and psychology classes, I thought ‘Foodology’ would fit in.” A café serving coffee, espresso and lattes also made its debut this semester at Foodology. When she took on the Bakery Deli Operations class that operates the restaurant, Heckwolf had a vision for how the space should look and what her students should take away from the experience. “I would really like them to be re-engaged in what they’re learning, as a lot of what we learn is applicable to what students want to do after they leave here,” she said. “We talk about learning skills versus management skills, how to manage a staff and create longevity in a food business.” Heckwolf’s students also learn to establish good systems of communication within a kitchen and behind a food counter. “I tell students it’s not all about the food; food is our vehicle for learning,” Heckwolf said. “It’s about learning how to successfully serve customers and run a business. I’m excited about the new food but even more so about students learning the curriculum.” While working at Foodology, students get the opportunity to rotate between the different stations. Third-year culinary student Marley Marano was working behind the register on this particular day. “This class has been great so far,” Marano said. “I had a lot of bakery classes with Chef Heckwolf and this one has been learning how to do quick service and how to manage a restaurant.” Marano wants to run her own personal chef business after earning her degree from GRCC and feels like she’s learning applicable skills working at Foodology.  “Chef Heckwolf has been a great mentor,” she added. “She’s a boss lady.” Foodology is open to GRCC staff, students and the greater community Tuesdays through Thursdays, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., in the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center. It closes for the semester on Oct. 11. New food and bakery specials are offered each day. This story was reported by Alexis Stark of the School News Network.

Oct. 5, 2022 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Grand Rapids Community College and partners $2.9 million over three years to increase the number of community health workers in West Michigan. GRCC is one of five colleges or organizations in Michigan to earn the grant, and the only community college. Students will earn a community health worker, medical assistant, or personal care assistant certification. Registration opens in November. GRCC is partnering with Cherry Health, Trinity Health and Spectrum Health’s Healthier Communities for the training, working together for the training and placement within the organizations. “Our community turns to GRCC to help residents gain the skills they need for important roles, especially in the rapidly growing and changing world of healthcare,” said Julie Parks, dean and executive director of Workforce Training. “We’re proud to partner with some of the top healthcare providers in West Michigan to provide the training, fill a critical need, and help our residents.” Community health workers help people navigate and access health services and adopt healthy behaviors. They can help people connect to needed health care, access health insurance, educate healthcare providers and other stakeholders about community health needs, collect data for use in determining programs and policies, and provide some screenings and referrals. “Cherry Health is honored to be part of this collaborative effort allowing us and the other partnering organizations to accelerate our ability to fill gaps in care and use non-traditional methods to develop meaningful career-pathing opportunities for community health workers,” Cherry Health President and CEO Tasha Blackmon said. “Through this program, our staff and other community members will develop skills we feel are critical as we advance patient care. By streamlining training for Community Health Workers, we will make our communities healthier and empower these individuals to grow in their healthcare careers.” GRCC will use the grant to train new community health workers and expand the skills of current ones. Those in the program will gain hands-on experience by working in the field and through apprenticeships. “Well-trained and compassionate community health care workers are an integral part of what we do here, bringing inclusive and quality health services to communities that need it most,” said Paula Schuiteman-Bishop, vice president for Healthier Communities operations at Spectrum Health. “Programs such as Maternal/Infant Health and More Life, Mas Vida, have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of so many individuals in the area and are the perfect means for providing quality education and training to aspiring health care professionals or those who are looking to brush up on their skills. We look forward to participating in this effort.” The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded more than $225 million to 83 grantees nationally through the American Rescue Plan to provide and apprenticeships to about 13,000 community health workers across the nation. "Patients depend on community and public health workers for care and medical information,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a release. “These investments will equip community and public health workers with the skill sets needed to provide effective community outreach, increase access to care, and assist individuals with critical prevention and treatment services.” Parks said the partners are coordinating this month on the final details of how the program will work. “As trusted health care messengers, community health workers are essential to connecting individuals from historically underserved communities to health care and helping people stay connected to care and services,” HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson said. “Today’s awards are an important step in expanding the health workforce at a time when people need support accessing care and treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, chronic disease and COVID-19.”

Oct. 4, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  Mason Kolhoff matched his personal best time and was second in a field of 101 runners in a recent race, earning the Grand Rapids Community College freshman Michigan Community College Athletic Association men's Cross Country Runner of the Week honors. Kolhoff, a Martin resident who graduated from Otsego High, helped the GRCC men’s cross country team to a first-place finish at the Oakland Raider Invitational last week. "Mason earning athlete of the week, I couldn't be prouder,” coach Rob Hyde said. “He works so hard in training, on race day, in classes -- and he even works a job every night. Truly a driven and determined teammate who is a great leader in word and in deed." Kolhoff at the Oakland Invitational tied his personal record of 26:38, finishing in second place. The men's team is ranked No. 13 in the first U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll of the season. It is the second straight week a GRCC runner received  Runner of the Week honors.  Last week, Kaylee Scott, of the No. 6 ranked women's team was named MCCAA Runner of the Week. GRSS is next scheduled to compete in the Muskegon Community College Invitational on Oct. 15. Competition is set to begin at 1 p.m. for the women and 1:45 p.m. for the men.  

Oct. 4, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College Athletic Department is celebrating its new partnership with Nike for team apparel and other items with a “yard sale” for students, employees and community members. The sale is planned for 2-4 p.m. on Thursday in the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse, and again on Friday prior to the homecoming volleyball game, which starts at 6 p.m. The sale includes jerseys, backpacks, jackets, polo shirts and other items created during the prior partnership. Many of the items are unused, but others have been worn in competition and practice by GRCC student-athletes. Proceeds will be used to support the GRCC Athletic program. “We’re excited by our new partnership with Nike, and that collaboration created the opportunity to start updating our uniforms and team apparel,” Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. “As we make that transition, we know there are many Raider would you like to show their spirit by owning some of the retired materials.” GRCC works closely with Game One, a leader in sports equipment, to provide uniforms to GRCC student-athletes. The company is transitioning GRCC to Nike gear throughout this year. “Providing high quality performance products that enable championship level competition for athletes at GRCC is at the forefront of our mission,” Game One CEO Jayme Wisel said. “We are pleased to have been selected, in joint partnership with Nike, to be the provider of leading sports apparel and equipment that is consistent with the rich history of GRCC.” The homecoming game on Friday includes a salute to the 2012 national championship volleyball team.