Dec. 8, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College men's and women's basketball teams picked up two wins against Hope College junior varsity on Thursday, with the women outlasting the Dutch 71-69 in double overtime and the men dominating to stay unbeaten with a 90-66 victory. The women's team played from behind nearly the entire night, trailing by as many as 15 points in the game, but surged back with big play after big play down the stretch in the fourth quarter. Sophomore guard Alyssa Katerberg hit a three-pointer with 1:48 left in regulation to tie the game. On the next possession she put the team up for the first time since early in the first quarter with a free throw to make it 55-54. Emersyn Koepke made it a two-point game, but Hope forced overtime with a bucket with 27 seconds to go. In the first overtime, with the team down by two points, Marlene Bussler drove through multiple Hope players to sink a layup with 12 seconds left. The GRCC defense didn't allow a shot, forcing the teams to a second overtime. Sally Merrill scored the final go-ahead bucket with 27 seconds left in the game and then held on to her career-high 21st rebound just as the final buzzer sounded after a missed Hope three-pointer. Grace Lodes recorded a double-double with 13 points and 18 rebounds while adding a career-best six assists. Bussler finished with a team-high 22 points and Katerberg finished with 12 points. The men's team cruised to its ninth straight win to start the season, forcing 16 turnovers while only having eight giveaways. Freshman guard Jajuan Walker nearly had a triple-double posting 18 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists. Freshman Bashir Neely was the game's leading scorer, finishing 12-of-24 from the floor for 29 points.  He also had a team-high eight assists and four steals. Jordan Houser dropped in 18 points, while Chris Coleman scored 16 and Seth Schuitema added nine. Both teams return to the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse on Dec. 10 for a matchup against former Western Conference rival Lake Michigan College.  The women will tip-off first at 1 p.m. 

Dec. 8, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Sue DelRaso loves working with GRCC students, because she was once in their shoes.  DelRaso came to GRCC pursuing a complete career change. She had been working as an executive assistant for nearly 20 years while also managing debilitating migraines. After doctors in 2004 informed her to reduce stressors in her life, DelRaso enrolled at GRCC and pursued a new career path in Computer Applications.  DelRaso came to GRCC as a mother of a middle school student and recalls studying and doing homework with her son.  On top of juggling studying, attending classes, and being a mom, she began working at the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center Computer Lab as a student tutor.  DelRaso began receiving more responsibilities and worked her way up as she completed her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ferris State University.  Finally, in 2009 she started working full time at GRCC and is now the tutorial coordinator for the ATC and the Open Computer Lab, Mechanical & Architectural/CAD Lab, and the Sneden Computer Lab.  DelRaso said the best part of her job is getting to meet and help a variety of people. “It’s fun to see the light bulb go off when a student finally understands,” she said. DelRaso’s tutoring strategy involves helping students find answers themselves, rather than giving them the answers. She encourages tutors to ask students questions to find the answer.  Students should leave with the tools to solve problems themselves in the future. It works, too. One particular student who graduated with honors, credits the tutoring lab for giving him the skills he needed.  DelRaso is proud to have watched GRCC change and grow for the past 19 years.  “We have been changing and adapting to what goes on in the community and the job force;  evolving what we offer and how we offer it,'' she said.  The changes we are making allow us to better serve our students. DelRaso uses her own story to prove it is never too late to start a new career or go back to school. Encouraging students not to give up.   “There’s always people who are willing to help you,” she said. “We want you to succeed, we are doing everything we can to help you succeed”.  More information about the ATC Tutorial Lab and Open Computer Lab can be found here.  

Dec. 7, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – After school recently at Lee High School, math tutor Kristine Wright pulled out bags of snacks for the students planning to attend that day’s session. On Tuesdays she offers math tutoring, and on Thursdays she hosts an SAT prep session. Some students in Wright’s study group at Lee have been a part of the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs -- GEAR UP -- cohort for the past few years. Both study opportunities are available for Lee’s GEAR UP students, now in their junior year. Junior Annette Gonzolez said she was afraid to take the SAT in a few months and write essays for her college applications. Wright assured her, “I have everything we need to get you all prepped.” Junior Alexsandra Cortez-Torres said she’s excited to work with Wright every week, as math is not her favorite subject. Thanks to Wright’s support and the resources and opportunities offered by GEAR UP, Alexsandra also is now looking forward to college. She plans to attend Grand Rapids Community College and has set her sights on transferring to the University of Michigan, though her major is unclear. Time is flying for Alexsandra and her classmates as they prepare to take their SAT exams in the spring and continue to tour college campuses. “They tell you, ‘You’re just a ninth-grader. You have so much time,’” she recalled. “Where did that time go?” Preparing Families for the Future GEAR UP has worked since 2018 to increase college and career readiness of students in four Wyoming school districts: Wyoming, Kelloggsville, Godwin Heights and Godfrey-Lee. It started with cohorts of seventh-graders to work with through middle and high school. GRCC was the only college in Michigan to receive a $2.1 million, six-year grant from the U.S. Education Department to fund the program. Program Director Steve Beauclair has a checklist for the class of 2024 and their families. “Now that our cohort students are juniors, we’re asking families to put together a potential college list — the more colleges the better,” he said. “When students make the visit, (we ask) does it feel like a good fit? Do they see themselves being successful here? Do they see people who look like themselves?” GEAR UP also connects with both English and Spanish-speaking families to research scholarships and to complete federal student aid applications. “There is a lot of financial aid available,” Beauclair said. “And we want parents of seniors to be in the position to have multiple financial aid packages so they can make the best decision.” Alexsandra said GEAR UP has helped her understand how to eliminate the financial barriers to college by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid – known as FAFSA -- and applying for scholarships.  “It’s not that I’m not smart enough for college, it’s the money that is the problem,” she said. Building Confidence, Continued Support Annette said GEAR UP opened her eyes to new opportunities and built her confidence about making decisions about attending college. “They help you in the present with high school classes, and help prepare you for college and the future,” she said. “Thinking about college gives you anxiety, but being able to (visit) colleges to see what they offer makes the process easier.” Annette plans to start at GRCC and eventually transfer to Davenport University to “maybe pursue something in business.” “I want to go to GRCC because it’s close to home and they have resources to help you out,” she said. “I’m nervous but excited to be in a new environment and meet new people.” Being a part of the GEAR UP cohort has helped alleviate junior Melanie Zapata’s fears. “We graduate next year, and I’m scared, but not as scared about going to college knowing I have help,” she said. GEAR UP’s parent and student surveys gauge their comfort as they move closer to applying to colleges. “We sense a growing urgency amongst parents as they get closer to graduation and college,” Beauclair said. “We stand at the ready to help get (students) into GRCC, and we’ve taken them to all these schools with the purpose of giving them options.” He said the grant has a goal of 80% completion of the original cohort of 800 students in the four districts.  “You build connections working with the students along the way, and we’ll still be available for them at GRCC,” Wright said. “We want them to be successful.” This story was reported by Alexis Stark of the School News Network .

Dec. 6, 2022 - GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College volleyball player Audrey Torres was named All-American by VolleyballMag.com on Tuesday after helping the team to a fifth-place finish at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Tournament two weeks ago. Torres is the 13th All-American in GRCC volleyball history.  A member of the volleyball team has earned All-American honors in six of the last seven seasons. She's the third GRCC student-athlete to earn All-American honors this semester. Coach Chip Will said the honor was well-deserved "for a great person on and off the court." “Audrey has been a key attacker for us the past two seasons,” Will said. “She has grown into a true competitor who can heavily be relied on to consistently make big plays in high-pressure situations. It is exciting to see that her hard work and consistent high level of play has allowed her to be recognized by other junior college coaches as a VolleyballMag.com All-American.” Torres was one of 11 NJCAA DII players honored by VolleyballMag.com , a publication that for nearly 40 years has covered the sport from the professional level to high school competition. Jim Dietz, a Hall of Fame coach from Lincoln Land College in Illinois, selects the All-Americans for VolleyballMag.com based on game videos, coach comments, and how the player finished in voting in their conference and region, and overall statistics. A sophomore from Caledonia, Torres earlier was named All-Region, All-MCCAA and First Team All-Conference for the second year, and also named to the All-Tournament team at the national tournament. The team this season enjoyed an 18-match winning streak spanning 59 days, an 11th conference title and a Michigan Community College Athletic Association Championship -- the team's sixth in the last seven years. The team then went on to go 3-1 at the national tournament finishing in fifth place - tied for their second-best finish ever. Torres was first on the team in kills with 393 and service aces with 52. She also ranked in the top-five of the MCCAA in kills, kills per set and points per set. She is the third GRCC student-athlete to earn All-American honors this year. Cross country runners Kaylee Scott and Audrey Meyering were selected after their performances in the NJCAA DII National Championships in November.

Dec. 5, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College women’s basketball team snapped a three-game winning streak on Monday with a 70-59 loss to the Aquinas College junior varsity team despite big nights from Grace Lodes and Allison Kellogg. No team led by more than four points in the opening half, which finished tied at 35. But a huge 22-point third quarter by Aquinas created an insurmountable lead. "We had some really nice stretches where we played team basketball, but we didn’t play a complete game to deserve the win tonight," head coach David Glazier said. Aquinas shot 52 percent from the field compared to 26 percent for GRCC.  The team also out-scored the Raiders 46-24 in the paint.  GRCC only had 11 turnovers and out-rebounded Aquinas by one. Lodes scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her third straight double-double of the season, while Kellogg picked up her second double-double with a team-high 14 points and 10 rebounds. Sally Merrill scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds. The team returns to the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse for its next game, facing the Hope College junior varsity team on Dec. 8. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.    

Dec. 5, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Jennifer Archambault’s favorite GRCC memory? “Barbie in a shark!” Start at GRCC and go anywhere. Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC gave them the education and opportunity to be successful. Professor Greg Forbes secretly planted a Barbie leg into the dogfish shark Archambault and the other students would be working on in a dissection lab. “That – and some excellent acting – shocked and thrilled students into attentive engagement into fish anatomy!” Archambault said. That course remains in her memory for another reason: It sparked her interest in wildlife, leading to the rewarding career she has today. Archambault, who earned her Associate in Science in 2002, works for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Raleigh, N.C., as a national recovery coordinator for several threatened and endangered freshwater species, including fish, mussels, a salamander and a snail. She says she’s built her career “step by step,” with GRCC as a valuable launching pad. “The small class sizes and responsive instructors helped me to be a successful and well-rounded scholar,” she said. “It was a good education, accessible in my own community, and I had an amazing advisor in Dr. Forbes, who really helped me carve out the path that has become my career.” She has been able to explore different aspects of wildlife conservation while continuing her higher education journey. “In the 20 years since graduating from GRCC, I went on to earn a bachelor’s degree, worked for several years in private industry at an environmental consulting firm, returned to college for a master’s degree, worked as research staff at a major U.S. university, and earned my Ph.D. while working in academia,” said Archambault of the degrees she earned at North Carolina State University. “I’ve tried to balance enjoying what I’m doing while I’m doing it, with pursuing high achievement to ensure I’ve maximized my options for future opportunities. Along the way, I’ve benefited from supportive advisors, family, friends and community.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply

Dec. 3, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Danyel Bibbs' double-double helped keep the Grand Rapids Community College men's basketball team stay perfect on the year, improving to 8-0 after a dominating 21-point victory over Glen Oaks Community College on Saturday. Bibbs, a two-time Northern Conference player of the week, led both schools with a 25-point, 10-assist performance to lead the team to a 94-73 win. "Glen Oaks is a tough team," coach Joe Fox said. "I thought we did a nice job pushing the pace today and keeping pressure on defensively. Myron Brewer and Rico Wade hit some very timely shots. Really pleased with how our sophomores resonded." Glen Oaks kept the game close in the first half, leading at the 10-minute mark, but the Raiders closed the half on a 22-9 run and never looked back. GRCC shot 51 percent from the field in the second half including 8-of-17 from behind the arc while holding the Vikings to just 39 percent overall and 23 percent from behind the arc. Eleven players scored in all for the Raiders, including 14 points from Myron Brewer and 10 from Jordan Houser, while every player had at least one rebound, including Herman Brown who led the team with six. The team returns to the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse for its next game vs. the junior varsity of Hope College on Dec. 8. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. 

Dec. 2, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College freshman Vanessa Hewitt has played softball since she was 4. After deciding to continue playing in college, GRCC arranged for her to meet with someone who was a part of the mentoring program “just to make sure I stayed on track,” Hewitt said. She was even more excited about the program when she found out her mentor, Izabella Regner, also plays softball. “It’s great, and Izzy has been so helpful,” Hewitt said. “Along with helping me keep on track, it also helps us build a good relationship off the field.” Meeting with her mentor every Thursday meant she established a good routine early on, she said. “(Mentoring) has helped me balance school and my sport, and I would say the most positive thing is how it reflects on my grades,” Hewitt said. Community Created The new athlete mentoring program grew from 2021 study table requirements for student athletes. Brianna Greenough, an Athletic Department support team member, matches new students with volunteer mentors and makes sure pairs get time scheduled and a space to meet if needed. “I think it’s really important that this program connects students with resources,” Greenough said. “We now have 10 mentors who service all 117 student-athletes.” Greenough meets with incoming freshmen individually to discuss their hopes and concerns. She also looks back at their senior year grade point average to determine if the student needs to meet weekly or monthly for tutoring. After week six of classes, freshman athletes’ progress reports are also reviewed. “It’s been really interesting to learn and see how people benefit from the program,” Greenough said. “We’re seeing less of the usual cliques within teams and more students going to different sporting events and cheering each other on.” The mentor roster includes at least one student from each sport offered at GRCC. Being mentored by a peer or teammate is easier for some than working with an adult or professor, Greenough has observed. “It’s really heartwarming to see the community that’s been created. If athletes have similar majors, they help each other through things,” she said.  ‘They’ve got your back’ Some mentors returned from last year, while others responded to a post on the student employment website or were recommended by their coaches. In his third year at GRCC, Blake Waibel is a left-handed pitcher on the baseball team and a mentor to 10 freshman athletes, on average. “Last year I worked for the school and wanted to work again, so (the athletic department) thought I would be a good fit for mentoring,” Waibel said. Having coached his younger brother’s baseball team, Waibel knew he enjoyed working with people.  “I love (mentoring), and can see how much they benefit from it,” he said. “A lot of it is brand new to them and they’re overwhelmed going into school. It’s nice to have someone who’s been there and done that, and will hold them accountable to use their resources.”  Waibel said he has learned that not every student is the same, and helping some students may require a more unique approach than others. “My job is to figure out what they need and how to help,” he said. For example, “some people just need help mapping organizational skills.” Waibel recognizes the benefits of getting good grades and reducing stress. “If you’re doing well in school, you’re not worried too much about making grades or being eligible for your sport,” he said. “When you’re with your mentor, you know that person has your back and will help make sure you’re doing the right things.” This story was reported by Alexis Stark of the School News Network.  

Nov. 17, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College professor Bill Gayle enjoys challenging students in his culinary and business classes with critical-thinking questions.  “Challenging intelligent minds is always one of the most enjoyable elements of teaching GRCC scholars,” he said. Gayle said his culinary students are always particularly engaged.  Gayle also believes one of the biggest strengths of the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education is its experienced faculty, with many members who have worked in kitchens around the world.  “We have some of the absolute best instructors in the country who are willing to not only teach, but also willing to share real world experiences,'' Gayle said. Gayle received his bachelor's degree in business with a minor in mathematics, his master’s degree in business with an emphasis in finance, and specialized training which certifies him to teach online and hybrid courses. This was especially helpful during the last few years.  Gayle has learned a lot about leadership through his career. In owning multiple restaurants, including presently owning The Florentine Ristorante in Grandville, he is proud to share his mistakes and failures with his students to encourage them to make their own and then learn from them.  He is able to share his experiences with students while teaching about topics including hospitality management, sanitation and safety, business communication, business leadership, and food science.  More information about the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education can be found here.

Dec. 1, 2022, 2022 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Pen and ink convey detailed views of city life in the latest exhibit in Grand Rapids Community College’s Collins Art Gallery. “Drawings in Ink,” featuring the work of Kendall College of Art and Design adjunct instructor Taylor Mazer, runs through Dec. 5. Mazer is a Kalamazoo native who earned bachelor’s degrees in fine art and illustration from Kendall. He has had his work featured in more than a dozen publications, including “International Drawing” annuals and the Oxford University Press’ “Drawing Essentials: A Guide to Drawing from Observation.” He works with Micron drawing pens, brush pens and India ink. “While my works are more rooted in the analysis of an environment, I still like to utilize tools often reserved for narrative illustrations,” he said. “I will direct light and shadow, signs, the direction of the line work, placement of objects, etc., to focus the viewer’s eye on particular objects, similar to how a comic book dictates a narrative through its panels.” “Artistaday” an online gallery that features artists from around the world, commented that Mazer has “a keen eye for the city.” “But what you won’t find in his work are sweeping skylines or postcard views of famous monuments. Rather Mazer favors the less glamorous side of the city. Street signs, lamp poles, highways and electrical lines are all common images in his work. “His meticulously detailed drawings are both elegant and gritty. It’s hard to look at a Taylor’s drawing and not want to get up close to follow his lines, or to become captivated by his dramatic shading, and stark light and dark contrasts. So, when Taylor draws a trashcan or a street pole, he’s not shedding a negative light on the city (in fact, he seems to love it!), rather he is simply asking that we look at it from the less obvious perspective. And sometimes that makes all the difference.” The gallery, on the fourth floor of GRCC’s Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall at 143 Bostwick Ave. NE, is open 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.