September 1,  2023 Grand Rapids, Mich. —   Grand Rapids Community College has been awarded a fifth grant from Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, to help more nontraditional students gain in-demand welding skills. The Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) was launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands  in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges. MSI added 11 new schools and now directly supports 42 community colleges across 33 states. GRCC was one of the first ten colleges to be supported by the legendary band when it started the Metallica Scholars program, and is currently the only one in Michigan. “The investment that All Within My Hands has made has resulted in over 89 individuals from West Michigan achieving welding and machining skills that probably would not have if not for the band Metallica promoting skilled trades,” said GRCC President Charles Lepper.  “We are honored that AWMH has chosen us to be a recipient for the year five cohort.” The AWMH foundation has provided GRCC with $240,000 over five years. The grant helps continue the Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp program aimed at attracting women and other underserved community members; giving them career skills as well as hands-on welding experience. “The Metallica Scholars Initiative is so important to us because we are seeing results,” said Lars Ulrich, drummer and co-founder of Metallica. “Five years in, with the help of schools like GRCC, we are helping people fill these essential jobs which require skills and training. We are so proud and grateful that we can facilitate this program.” Mother-daughter duo Tanya Contreras and Cheyenne Belonga went through the GRCC program together.  “Not only has it provided us with valuable skills for entry-level welding positions,” Belonga said. “But it has also opened our eyes to a world of possibilities.” To qualify for the program, participants must be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma/GED, and be able to work in the United States. It is a short-term program to get welders to work in West Michigan, with the goal of helping them grow into apprenticeships or other learning opportunities within the welding field. “The Metallica Scholars Initiative is a strong and cooperative assemblage of the nation’s best community colleges, creating a supportive climate for participants to communicate directly and share best practices,” said Peter Delgrosso, AWMH executive director. “As a result, our Metallica Scholars leave the program well-trained and confident. Ultimately, the impact is felt locally and nationally as Metallica Scholars enter the workforce and fill in-demand technical positions.” Partners like Metallica help highlight the importance of  community colleges. “We are happy to continue to partner with Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation to support the vital career and technical education work of the nation’s community colleges,” said Walter G. Bumphus, AACC’s president and CEO. “Colleges across the country provide pathways to well-paying jobs through programs, services and training that lead to in-demand skills, certificates and degrees for students.  These programs are responsive to the needs of local businesses and provide a pipeline of qualified workers to local industry. Partners like Metallica that continue to provide support for community colleges help us to showcase the importance of investing in the transformative power of community college education.” Additional information about the program is available at  grcc.edu/metallica

Aug. 29, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Students who aspire to become American Sign Language interpreters can complete their first year at Grand Rapids Community College before finishing their training at Lansing Community College. Under an agreement recently signed by the two colleges, students will take GRCC’s American Sign Language classes, which are currently offered as electives, and then transfer to LCC’s specialized Interpreter Training Program, where they can earn an associate degree or certificate.  “We are thrilled about the new transfer agreement between GRCC and LCC,” said Justine Bryant, affiliate assistant professor of sign language at GRCC. “This opportunity allows students living on the west side of the state some flexibility when it comes to earning their degree, and we’re hoping to further grow and diversify the field of interpreting through this partnership.” Dawn Cousino, LCC’s director of Communication, Media & Arts programs, said she’s excited about the collaboration. “LCC’s program offers students program-specific advising, an opportunity to earn 240-plus practicum hours, participate in a mentorship program and the Sign Language Club,” she said. “Upon completion, students will be well-prepared to take the state certification exams.” Demand for sign language interpreters is high in Michigan, which has especially stringent requirements for certification. According to the state Department of Civil Rights, about 7.4% of Michiganders identify as deaf, deaf-blind or hard of hearing. About 8% of West Michigan residents identify as members of that community. Nationwide, the demand for ASL interpreters is expected to grow 19% annually through 2028. You can learn more about GRCC’s ASL program online .

August 23, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Less than a year ago soccer was announced as the newest sport on both the men’s and women’s sides of the Grand Rapids Community College athletics ledger. It joined men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s cross country, plus baseball and golf on the men’s side and softball and volleyball on the women’s side. Now, the two Raiders soccer teams will kick off the home portions of their 2023 seasons with a men’s and women’s doubleheader on Saturday, August 26 at MacKay-Jaycees Park (located at 2401 Kalamazoo Avenue SE in Grand Rapids). Both squads will host the Titans of Terra State Community College with the women’s tilt slated for a 1 p.m. start and the men to follow at 3 p.m. Women’s schedule: https://grccraiders.com/sports/womens-soccer/schedule Men’s schedule: https://grccraiders.com/sports/mens-soccer/schedule GRCC athletic director Lauren Ferullo can’t wait to see the college’s two newest teams in action. She is a former soccer player and coach and noted that soccer was added in part because it was consistently the most asked-about sport from prospective student-athletes when they visited campus. That interest has led to full rosters for both women’s coach Jason Hill and men’s coach Damiekco Smith who each have 20-plus players on their 2023 squads. Both teams also have strong local connections with almost every player on each side hailing from West Michigan high schools and club teams. Women’s roster: https://grccraiders.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster Men’s roster: https://grccraiders.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster Both coaches said it’s a huge honor to be at the helm of the college’s first-ever soccer teams. “I honestly still can't believe I'm doing this,” Hill said with a smile. “I can feel the weight of being the head coach of the women's soccer team at GRCC, and I'm excited to have this opportunity and will continue to grow the program.” Smith agreed. “It feels great, and the team is excited to play,” he said. “Every game is a highlight for us. We will be fun to watch and will definitely put on a show.” Both coaches also said it’s a pleasure to recruit student-athletes to the college. “The flexibility of GRCC is a huge recruiting bonus,” said Hill. “Most of our athletes are local, and at their hometown community college they can work on their general education credits and earn an associate degree or a certificate. My wife has an associate degree in nursing from GRCC, and there are so many great choices here.” And Smith said simply that his pitch was his players will see the pitch. "It doesn't matter if you're (NCAA) D1 if you are sitting on D-bench,” he said with a laugh. “Come play for me, and you will see the field, and you will be making history.” Both coaches came to GRCC with sterling credentials and are eager to share their expertise with their players. Smith has almost three decades of soccer coaching experience, including at the collegiate and club levels and most recently as head coach for the Wellspring Prep High School girls’ soccer team, while Hill also came to GRCC with a wealth of coaching experience and played club soccer for 16 years in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and a variety of countries in Europe. This story was reported by Phil de Haan.