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Save the Date for a Town Hall on Sept. 25: Updated Viewing Option

September 25 1-2 p.m. ATC Auditorium This is a great opportunity to hear from President Triezenberg and other college leaders as they share updates and insights on topics important to our campus community. We understand schedules can be tricky, so if you're unable to attend in person, a virtual option is available at  Employee Town Hall 9-25-25 Also,  if you work at the Lakeshore, you can gather with your colleagues and watch it in room 102!

Bridges to College-Raider Ready Program Helps Students Start Strong

Sept. 12, 2025 Starting college can be intimidating. The Bridges to College-Raider Ready Program helps recent high school graduates planning to attend Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) get acquainted with college life. This free, nine-week summer program provides valuable insights before students officially begin their college career.  Getting a Head Start Bella Sampedro, a graduate from City High School in Grand Rapids, completed the program this summer.  “I heard about the Bridges program during orientation,” Sampedro said. “They mentioned we could get $500 on our RaiderCard and earn up to six credits. I hadn’t been in any college classes yet, so I might as well find out what this is all about.” Sampedro felt confident she was prepared for the next step, but she gained more than she expected.  “I was pretty confident I knew everything I needed to get started, but it sounded like a fun opportunity to get plugged in,” Sampedro said. “I was always on the GRCC website researching what I could, but the program helped broaden my horizons. It revealed just how many resources were really available to us. I’m so glad I was a part of this.” Inside the Classroom   This summer, students in the program took a math or theater class as well as a College Learning Studies course. The in-person classes give students a chance to gain experience in a college classroom setting.  “It felt like a shift from being in class during high school,” Sampedro said. “The teachers dove right into the content. It’s very self-motivated and feels like you get more autonomy in your learning. The CLS100 class taught us how to accommodate our learning styles in ways that would be beneficial to us. I am starting in the nursing program with the plan to transfer to the University of Michigan, so it felt good to get an idea of how to prepare myself for college learning before I officially get started.” Exploring Resources The program also introduces students to GRCC resources with presentations on how to apply for financial aid and scavenger hunts to explore campus.  “We had several presentations that were really helpful,” said Sampedro. “Bank of America came in to talk to us and we were able to speak with them directly to ask questions about our finances. The scavenger hunts helped us become familiar with all the campuses which helped me feel more comfortable. I found really neat places to study on campus. Plus, I still felt like I had my summer. The obligation is very reasonable and I was done early in the day. I know I keep saying this, but I learned just how many resources we have at our fingertips.” Sampedro’s journey in the Bridges to College program provided her with a stronger understanding of all GRCC has to offer. And, the program also helped her make new connections.  “I met this fantastic group of people,” she said. “We made a group chat and talked about hanging out throughout the year. The program helped me feel connected before even getting started.”   Students also had opportunities to take several field trips to Craig's Cruisers, the John Ball Zoo, Celebration Cinema downtown and Michigan’s Adventure. Other perks included free breakfast, lunches during the field trips and bus cards for transportation. Sampedro’s experience in the Bridges to College program gave her a stronger understanding of what GRCC has to offer as well as confidence for the transition ahead. Learn more about the Bridges to College-Raider Ready program This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell.  

September Provost Update

I hope that everyone is having a great start to the new fall season.  This is always a busy time on campus and now is no different.  Please read below for several updates and opportunities. World Suicide Prevention Day: September 10! In support of suicide prevention and awareness, our Center for Counseling and Well-Being is hosting tabling/drop-in events around campus for students to get information, make self-care bags, take a mental health screening, and connect with faculty counselors.  Please share this information with students – this is a great opportunity for learning and engagement, even for extra credit (if you choose).  Please see their  World Suicide Prevention Day for more information. Campus Safety September is National Campus Safety Awareness Month and the College is going to be providing emails and updates to promote awareness and understanding of safety and security protocols across campus.  Please stay tuned for these messages. Additionally, I want to draw your attention to the following: Our Campus Safety-Active Assailant Response Video has been updated. Please take a few moments to show this video in class: Active Assailant Response .  Please note that the video begins with an introduction in which GRCC alumni who transferred to Michigan State University reflect upon their time here on our campus and on the tragedy that occurred in 2023 at MSU. Please remember that College practice–for campus safety–is to close and lock classroom doors while classes are in session. For added security, all GRCC buildings lock at 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.  Students, faculty, and staff can still enter using RaiderCards. Students and faculty who come to campus for class on Saturday will also need to use RaiderCards to enter the buildings.  For additional campus building hours, please visit the  Campus Building Hours webpage. GRCC Police Chief Rebecca Whitman and Victoria Janowiak, Executive Director for Operational Planning are hosting an Emergency Framework Overview professional development opportunity for new employees or anyone wanting a refresher.  The next session will be held on September 23rd from 1:00 - 2:30 pm in Sneden 108 with a HyFlex option to attend as well. Winter Opening and Learning Day: GRCC Annual Marketplace Planning for the 2026 Winter Opening and Learning Day is underway!  This year, we're excited to launch a GRCC Annual Marketplace. The marketplace will be held during breakfast, offering a unique opportunity to learn about and connect with departments and areas you may not regularly interact with. To be a part of the marketplace, please sign up on the  1st Annual Learning Day Marketplace form by October 31, 2025. Homecoming Week is Almost Here! Throughout the week of September 29th-October 3rd we will be celebrating Homecoming.  Highlights include athletic events, annual office decorating and chili cook-off contests, and much more!  See the full event schedule on the  Homecoming 2025 webpage and note the following spirit week days: Monday, September 29: Tie Dye Spirit Day Tuesday, September 30: Jersey Spirit Day Wednesday, October 1: GRCC Spirit Day Thursday, October 2: Character Spirit Day Friday, October 3: Dress to Impress Spirit Day Reminder: TLDE Catalog of Programs and Services Please remember to review the opportunities available throughout the year from Teaching, Learning, and Distance Education (TLDE).  TLDE's  catalog of offerings for the 2025-26 academic year continues to be available.  Highlights include: Professional development sessions TLDE can bring straight to your department Scheduled Canvas training and support throughout the semester The 2025-26 Faculty Showcase And much more!  Register for sessions at  TLDE's Learning Sessions page , contact TLDE to request a  departmental session , or visit  grcc.edu/TLDE for additional information. Canvas Appreciation Event: Save the Date As I shared at Opening Day, 14 teams of over 100 faculty and staff members supported the transition from Blackboard to Canvas.  The Instructional Support and Institutional Planning (ISIP) area is planning an appreciation event on October 10 to thank everyone for their excellent work and service to the campus in completing this transition.  More details will be shared from our Associate Provost of ISIP, Dr. Jennifer Batten, as plans are finalized. In closing, there are a lot of events happening on campus this month.  The  GRCC Events page has details about even more activities open to the public and for students, in addition to the Employee Events calendar, which is available via the  Stay in the Loop: Employee Events Calendar webpage.  I hope you’ll join me at a performance, game, or lecture soon.  I’m grateful for all of you for continuing to provide vibrant learning spaces for our students–inside and outside of the classroom–that create a welcoming and engaging community here at GRCC.  There is a great energy on campus and I know it matters to our students.  Now and always, I hope you find our campus to be a space for learning, reflection, and care for each other. Have a great rest of the week and talk to you soon, Sheila

Tech Tip: Google Forms Credential Harvesting

Information Technology has become aware of an increased effort to gain access to student and staff GRCC credentials by unauthorized individuals. Recently, several individuals on campus were sent a Google Form, and were asked to provide their MyGRCC Username and Password into the form, similar to the one pictured below:   Please remember Sensitive Information, including passwords, should never be entered into Google Forms.  To help users remember this, at the bottom of Google Forms it states "Never submit passwords through Google Forms." If you are ever sent a similar form, please report it to Google so others do not give their password on the form. Instructions can be found on our Reporting a Google Form as Spam/Phishing  webpage For more information and helpful tips, please visit the  IT Customer Support Portal or contact the IT Customer Support Desk at x4357. If you have a suggestion or a technology tip you think can be useful, you can submit them by emailing techtips@grcc.edu 

GRCC to Showcase the Power of Art as an ArtPrize 2025 Venue

Sept. 10, 2025 Grand Rapids Community College will once again be part of ArtPrize as a host venue for the 2025 competition, spotlighting the work of 11 artists from across the country and beyond. This year’s theme at GRCC is “Experience the Power of Art.” The college invites the community to explore a diverse collection of installations and exhibits located in two spots on campus: Paul Collins Art Gallery – Fourth Floor of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall (RJF). Spectrum Theater – 160 Fountain St. NE. The exhibits will be open throughout the ArtPrize run, welcoming students, faculty, staff and the public to experience creativity in spaces that bridge art, learning and community. Featured Artists at GRCC ArtPrize 2025 visitors will discover works by a wide-ranging group of talented artists, including: Tatsuki Hakoyama Tobin Sprout Paul Loehlel and Mark Hanavan Caroline Hahn Matthew Schenk Joe Marchesi PD Juncker Sara Alexis Daniel Miller Leticia Bajuyo Wanda Moreno-Aguilar GRCC’s participation in ArtPrize reflects the college’s long-standing commitment to creativity, cultural expression and West Michigan’s vibrant arts community. Visitors can view the full GRCC map online to plan their experience. Convenient parking is available in Ramp A and Ramp B, with easy access to both the Collins Art Gallery and Spectrum Theater. There is quite a bit of road construction in and around GRCC’s campus, so allow plenty of time for travel. ArtPrize runs Sept. 18 - Oct. 4, 2025, throughout downtown Grand Rapids, with venues featuring hundreds of artists in all mediums. For more information, visit ArtPrize.org

Volunteer Opportunities at ArtPrize: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience!

ArtPrize has shared an interesting volunteer opportunity with us. The message from them and details of the opportunity are below. Don’t forget, you can use up to 5 volunteer hours towards your yearly Professional Development requirements. Message I’m excited to share a one-of-a-kind volunteer opportunity with Arborialis , a featured ArtPrize Experience hosted by UK-based Architects of Air. This large-scale inflatable exhibition blends light, color and nature-inspired architecture to create an unforgettable, walkable art experience. From Sept.19 to Oct. 4,  Arborialis will transform 555 Monroe N into a world of exploration, and we’d love your help to make it possible! Volunteer Role: Arborialis Steward Arborialis volunteers, known as stewards, are essential to the daily operations of Arborialis, ensuring a safe, smooth and enjoyable visitor experience. Some duties include monitoring entrance/exit points, guiding visitor flow surrounding the structure and supporting general exhibition logistics. Shifts are scheduled Tuesday - Sunday, 11 AM - 6:30PM, with volunteers rotating through different roles every 30 minutes for a well-rounded experience. Training Requirement All volunteers  must  attend one in-person orientation session led by Architects of Air managers prior to their first volunteer shift. Training dates are as follows: ● Thurs, Sept 18 at 2:00 PM or 5:30 PM ● Tues, Sept 23 at 5:30 PM ● Sat, Sept 27 at 9:00 AM ● Wed, Oct 1 at 9:00 AM To sign up for training, please email volunteer@artprize.org with the day, time, and where applicable, the number of participants.  Reasons to Volunteer Volunteering at Arborialis provides stewards with: hands-on experience with a world-renowned, traveling exhibition, and rotating roles and comprehensive training, as well as exclusive ArtPrize perks, including swag, access to volunteer-only spaces and an appreciation party held after the conclusion of Artprize. Stewards can also anticipate tiered rewards based on the number of shifts completed, up to a chance to win VIP tickets to the ArtPrize Awards Ceremony after the completion of 4 shifts. For more information, visit  www.artprize.org/volunteer What to Wear/Bring Stewards should wear comfortable, easy-to-remove shoes (Arborialis is shoeless inside), weather-appropriate layers for outdoor shifts, and bring water, sunscreen and snacks as needed to enjoy during down time. Arborialis is a unique chance to be part of an international sensation – for free, and while making unforgettable memories, and while gaining real-world experience. Ready to join us? Find your date of interest below and sign up!* ●  Friday, Sept 19th ●  Saturday, Sept 20th ●  Sunday, Sept 21st ● Tuesday, Sept 23rd ●  Wednesday, Sept 24th ●  Thursday, Sept 25th ●  Friday, Sept 26th ●  Saturday, Sept 27th ●  Sunday, Sept 28th ●  Tuesday, Sept 30th ●  Wednesday, Oct 1st ●  Thursday, Oct 2nd ●  Friday, Oct 3rd ●  Saturday, Oct 4th *Opportunity availability is based on number of sign up slots available  

Payroll Notification: Labor Day Timesheet Reporting Reminder

We hope you had a restful Labor Day holiday now that Fall semester is underway. This reminder is for the 9/26/25 pay date timesheet (for the pay period of 9/1-9/14/25). The first day of the pay period was Monday, 9/1/25, which was the Labor Day holiday. Employees who are eligible for holiday pay (both hourly and salary) will use the HOL column on the timesheet to report regularly-scheduled hours for that day. Generally, part time/non-benefited (contingent) and student employees are not eligible for holiday pay and should not work and not report time, either in in/out times or the HOL column. Part time/non-benefited employees can use the NP column (for No Pay) for hours that day to add up to the regular weekly hours if the timesheet gives an error message when trying to submit. Supervisors, please pay close attention to hours on 9/1/25 to ensure people who are eligible for holiday pay are using HOL and those who are not eligible don't have any HOL hours reported or are using the NP column (or PTO for limited benefit employees who'd like to use some of their leave bank towards that day). As always, you can send us an email at hrpayroll@grcc.edu with any questions.  

“Go Beyond” Recipients for August 2025

Career and Student Employment Services sponsors the “Go Beyond” recognition program for student employees.   This program recognizes student employees who go beyond their normal job responsibilities to provide extraordinary service while working at GRCC.   Nominated student employees receive a special GRCC T-shirt and a gift card. Congratulations to our “Go Beyond” recipients for August: Josiah Mupeso (AATC) Oleg Nshungu (AATC) Shaam Singh (Adult Education) Alyssa Collazo (Student Life & Conduct) Alexys Glover (Student Life & Conduct) Brooke Gordon (Student Life & Conduct) Rod Amani (Student Life & Conduct) Cyle Trudell (Student Life & Conduct) To nominate a student employee, please visit the  Go Beyond Recognition Program  webpage.  

GRCC to Host Multiple Tech Week GR 2025 Events on Campus and in the Community

Sept. 8, 2025 Grand Rapids Community College will play a central role in Tech Week Grand Rapids 2025, connecting students with top technology employers, supporting entrepreneurs and helping industry professionals put artificial intelligence to work. GRCC is hosting or co-hosting several major events as part of the six-day unconference, which runs Sept. 15–20 across the city. Events include: The FutureTech Speed Networking Event on Sept. 16 Artificial Intelligence: Real Profit on Sept. 16 Career Strategies in an Uncertain World and Can AI Do This? on Sept. 17 Innovate & Automate: A Practical AI Workshop on Sept. 18. Using AI for Real-World Results Artificial Intelligence: Real Profit will be held in GRCC’s Secchia Piazza on Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 8 a.m. to noon. The workshop, led by Elizabeth K. Goede of SPARK AI Lab and Sharon Gillenwater, a startup founder who built and sold a $25 million company, will show participants how to turn AI trends into measurable business results. Attendees will gain hands-on experience with AI tools for business creation, learn funding strategies from proven entrepreneurs and walk away with ready-to-launch action plans. The event is open to entrepreneurs, business owners, tech professionals and students of all skill levels. Connecting Students with Industry Leaders The FutureTech Speed Networking Event will be held Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on GRCC’s main campus. The event is designed to spark meaningful connections between students and professionals in fields including artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity and data privacy, hardware and the Internet of Things, cloud computing and DevOps and advanced manufacturing. Students will move through a structured program in one of three one-hour blocks. Each block includes: Check-in and warm-up: Students will pick up name tags, review the schedule and get resume and elevator pitch support from job developers and career coaches. Employer rotations: Students will take part in small-group mock interviews with 6-8 employers. Each student will answer questions, receive feedback and rotate tables. Employer feedback panel: Industry professionals will share overall impressions, resume tips and interview advice, followed by a group Q&A. The program is designed to provide students with real-world networking experience while helping employers connect with GRCC’s growing pool of FutureTech talent. “Students will leave with insights, feedback and connections they can use to launch their careers,” said David Pridmore, GRCC FutureTech program manager. “Employers have the chance to meet and mentor emerging professionals while helping to shape the local tech workforce.” Career Strategies in a Changing World On Wednesday, Sept. 17, GRCC’s FutureTech Career Program will co-host Career Strategies in an Uncertain World from 8 to 10 a.m. at Has Heart Coffee Shop. The event is designed to inspire college students, job seekers and mid-career professionals to launch or pivot into tech careers. Lightning talks will feature local experts sharing tactics for navigating today’s job market, creative ways to gain real-world experience, the most in-demand skills for 2026 and beyond, and the importance of soft skills and adaptability. Speakers include TJ Scott of Amway, Geraldo Gonzalez of Aztech/Code on Wheels, Christy Ennis-Kloote and Jim Becher of Augusto Digital, Lydia Kauffman of Carnevale & Tech Collaborative, and Nora Bylsma of Array of Engineers. Can AI Do This? Also on Sept. 17, GRCC will co-host Can AI Do This? from 4 to 6 p.m. at Secchia Piazza in the Applied Technology Center. The interactive event invites attendees to bring real-world workflow challenges and watch as a cross-disciplinary panel explores whether AI can provide solutions. Experts in data science, product development, operations and legal will test ideas live, offering guidance, next-step checklists and networking opportunities for participants. The event is co-hosted by West Michigan AI Lab, BizStream, NuWave Technology Partners and GRCC. Putting AI to Work in Manufacturing On Thursday, Sept. 18, GRCC will host Innovate & Automate: A Practical AI Workshop from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The free, hands-on session is tailored for employees in manufacturing companies of all sizes and focuses on implementing AI tools to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Participants will build practical bots they can immediately use in the workplace, with a focus on two key areas: Maximizing maintenance efficiency: Using AI to predict equipment failures, automate maintenance schedules and reduce downtime. Optimizing manufacturing and delivery: Building bots to streamline production processes, improve inventory management and ensure on-time delivery. The workshop gives participants an opportunity to bring their own ideas and walk away with solutions ready to put into practice. Building the Tech Pipeline By hosting and co-hosting these events, GRCC is highlighting its role as a bridge between education, industry and community growth. “Tech Week GR is about showcasing innovation and sparking collaboration,” said Dr. Kristi Haik, GRCC dean of the School of STEM. “We’re proud to be part of it by supporting students, helping employers and strengthening West Michigan’s tech ecosystem.”  
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