Aug. 5, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Sophie Nyson loves singing, writing and recording music for herself. But the 25-year-old always shied away from taking her music to the next level. Until today. Nyson, who goes by the name Matisse Zuzu when performing, released her first single and music video “Past Tense” today. Zuzu said she owes a debt of gratitude to Grand Rapids Community College, where she’s pursuing an Associate of Music in Recording Technology . “GRCC gave me the confidence to get to a place where I was ready to release this song that I’ve been sitting on for several years,” said Zuzu, who is using a Futures for Frontliners scholarship to attend college. Futures for Frontliners is a state scholarship program for Michiganders who worked frontline jobs in essential industries during the state's COVID-19 shutdown. The scholarship, now closed to applications, provides eligible frontline workers with free in-district tuition to pursue an associate degree or a certificate at their local community college. A similar program, Michigan Reconnect , is still available for adult learners 25 and older. Zuzu was eligible for the Frontliners scholarship because she worked as a credit union teller during the 2020 shutdown. “Because I didn’t go to college straight out of high school, I thought I’d missed my chance at a degree,” she said. “Futures for Frontliners was a gamechanger for me because I just couldn’t have afforded college otherwise.” Zuzu grew up in Grand Rapids and dabbled in music composition as a teen. After graduating in 2015 from East Grand Rapids High School, she wasn’t sure what to do with her music – or her life. But after attending her idol Aurora ’s concert the following year, she longed to perform on stage. Zuzu wrote “Past Tense” in 2020, recording the vocals and piano at home herself. But she still didn’t know how to take the next step. Eventually, she connected with a professional producer, and they re-recorded the single for release. Alec Hawkins, her future brother-in-law, worked with her to film, direct and edit the music video , which features a Heritage Hill home and the Aquinas College campus. “The single showcases a wide dynamic range and represents my desire to let any and all genuine emotions shine,” she said. Though thrilled with the song’s release, Zuzu knows there’s still a lot of hard work ahead if she wants to make it in the music world. She attends GRCC part-time while working and looks forward to the fall semester. GRCC’s Recording Technology program, which debuted in 2000, has been a great addition to the Music Department for students like Zuzu, professor Timothy Heldt said. Like all music majors, students who have selected an emphasis in recording technology must complete courses in music theory, aural comprehension, applied music, performance class, piano and major ensembles. In addition, they learn the fundamentals of the recording arts, analog and digital recording console operation, microphone design and technique, and multitrack audio production and mixing. Heldt said the program provides students with the state-of-the-art equipment and training they need to succeed. And that includes Zuzu. “She’s a very conscientious student, a dead serious learner and tries to absorb everything she possibly can,” Heldt said. This story was reported by Beth McKenna.

Aug. 5, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – GRCC mathematics faculty member Jodi Dawson values getting to know her students beyond coursework. “GRCC students are hard working; oftentimes trying to juggle a job, family and school,” Dawson said. “I appreciate getting to know what my students' goals are and how I can help them achieve them. Math is my passion, the environment created at GRCC allows me to not only teach math but also to get to know how I can help them apply math in real world situations.” Dawson is also proud to work with a team of faculty members and tutorial lab staff that seeks to help all students at the level they’re at. “Our free tutoring lab is wonderful, they are patient and helpful,” Dawson said. GRCC students can access the math lab in person, in room 100 & 105 Cook Academic Hall Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., or on a variety of days and times virtually through Blackboard.  Her department's goal, and one she supports wholeheartedly, is to help students reach their personal and academic goals – which is not always straight As. “One thing that I have learned is that while grades are important, we are not ‘defined’ by our grades,” Dawson said. “Yes, I think all students should strive to do their best, but there are for sure other qualities of success as well. To me – and many future employers – integrity, hard work, effort and knowing where to look for solutions, is more important than the letter grade you got in algebra.” Dawson has wanted to be a math teacher since middle school.  “ I consider it pure joy that I get to work in a career I love,” she said. “When you love what you do it doesn't even seem like a job.” You can join Dawson this fall. There is still time to enroll! She typically teaches MA 97 Pre-Algebra, MA 98 Elementary Algebra, MA 107 Intermediate Algebra, MA 110 College Algebra courses. Check out ClassFinder in mid-August to see which of these classes Dawson will be teaching this fall.

Aug. 4, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College sophomore Jeremy Marble was named Most Valuable Pitcher of the Great Lakes UBL Baseball League, joining six other current or former GRCC players honored with postseason awards. Marble, a southpaw from Sparta, played this summer for the Grand Rapids Brewers in the Great Lakes UBL, a wood bat league for college players. Marble earned five wins and one loss with a 2.53 earned run average. He had 44 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 39 innings. Marble was named to the Great Lakes UBL First Team, along with teammate Colton Leatherman, a right-handed pitcher from Rockford; and University of Indianapolis star Jared Bujdos, who played for GRCC in 2019 and 2020. Three players with GRCC ties were named to the Second Team, including current infielder/outfielder Jacob Gumieny and former Raiders Drew Murphy and Garrett Cheslek. Cheslek, a 6-6 pitcher from Sparta, played for Aquinas College this year while Murphy plans to attend Concordia University in Ann Arbor. Joe Hoeks, a sophomore who played infield and outfield for GRCC this year, was named All-League honorable mention. He hit .292 with 20 stolen bases. It’s the second year in a row a GRCC player earned one of the league’s top honors. Ryan Dykstra was named Most Valuable Player in 2021. Dykstra is playing for the Kalamazoo Growlers of the Northwoods League this summer and will attend Oakland University in the fall. The Great Lakes UBL Baseball League is a summer league with teams in Midland, Grand Rapids, Jackson, Livonia and Manistee. Amateur players are from NAIA, NJCAA and NCAA-sanctioned colleges and universities. The league, a member of the National Amateur Baseball Federation, is intended to provide a summer baseball program for eligible players to give them experience using a wood bat in a competitive atmosphere. The team with the best overall record wins the league championship.

Aug. 4, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  A new, four-day Summer Immersion Experience will help newly enrolled, or first-year Grand Rapids Community College students learn more about campus and connect with resources to help them be successful. The free event runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 15 to 18, and was created by the college's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Events will be located in room 132 of the GRCC Learning Library Center, 140 Ransom Ave NE, in Grand Rapids. “The Summer Immersion Experience will be an exceptional opportunity to get a solid GRCC foundation before you begin class," ODEI Assistant Director Jamillya Hardley said. "Some main goals include building a strong cohort of students through fellowship, learning how to navigate GRCC as a new student, and developing rising GRCC leaders!" Students will be part of a cohort experience intended to carry through their time at GRCC. They'll learn about student engagement programs, including ALAS, Brother 2 Brother, and NIA, receive one-on-one support, be introduced to resources, and participate in culturally affirming experiences supporting their educational journey through GRCC. Students can meet GRCC faculty and staff members, build critical college skills and be confident to start the school year. Participants are required to register by Aug. 10 at  tinyurl.com/SIEregister . Additional information is available at  grcc.edu/odei .