April 22, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- When Grand Rapids Community College holds commencement on April 29, it will be the end of three stressful years for Fabiola Carrillo Esparza. It will also be the culmination of a long-held dream, one that started in 2007. Back then, Esparza couldn’t join in when her fellow high school seniors talked about their plans.  “For me, it was different,” she said. “The circumstances didn’t allow me to continue school back then. I came with my parents and my brother at the age of 11 years old to the U.S. as tourist visitors. My parents did not come with a plan to stay, but God had different plans for us. Soon after, our visas expired, and we became illegal immigrants.” Her parents’ hard work kept the family fed and clothed, but they didn’t have the means to send her to college. And her status as an illegal immigrant disqualified her from accessing help by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA. So after graduation, she got a job making bouquets, which paid enough to meet her personal needs but not enough for college tuition. She married in 2010 and gave birth to a son. Raising him helped her realize that her dream of attending college was still there – and now there were resources that could help. “Thankfully, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program) started in 2012, and I was able to obtain a work permit,” Esparza said. “I started working at Interpreter Network as an interpreter and office scheduler. In the meantime, we came across Justice for Our Neighbors, an organization that helps low-income families in West Michigan with legal services. I was blessed to obtain my permanent residency, a process that took close to a year.” After the birth of her daughter, Esparza began working at the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, a coalition of community organizations that educates young children in vulnerable areas of West Michigan. She discovered her passion: teaching. She applied for a T.E.A.C.H scholarship from the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children and started at GRCC in 2019. While Esparza was excited and thankful to finally pursue her college dream, the past three years have been difficult. “Being a wife, mother of two young children, and working a part-time job was very difficult,” she said. “It meant going to sleep past midnight to spend some time with my children after work, and then do homework. “I was exhausted all the time, stressed, and, at times, I felt like giving up.” But Esparza was surrounded by support: her husband, her parents and GRCC Foundation scholarship donors. She received foundation scholarships that allowed her to be a full-time student this final year. Esparza shared her story on Friday at the foundation's Creating Connections gathering, where scholarship recipients meet supporters. “I want to thank the donors of the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation, who have faith in us and support our education,” she said. “I want you to know that it was a big blessing for me, and I am sure it has been – and will continue to be – for many others.” Esparza doesn’t regret the “challenging” path she took to college and is excited for commencement. “This means so much to me and my family,” she said. “I will be doing my internship this summer, God willing, then I hope that in the fall, I can start doing what I love to do: working with children.” Photo by Andrew Schmidt.  

April 21, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Students enjoy being in Nancy Forrest’s math classes because she breaks down hard concepts and problems in a way they can understand. Her students know that she truly wants them to succeed. “GRCC students are a joy to work with,” said Nancy. Come to GRCC and learn from the best. Forrest helps students relate to math and overcome their challenges in the subject by celebrating with them that mathematics is the foundation of everything. She also focuses her teaching around the knowledge that math can bring with it more challenges than simply solving an equation. “If students don’t like math it’s often because they felt embarrassed about incorrect answers in the past,” Forrest said. Her goal is to help them understand that it's okay to make mistakes during the learning process. Forrest earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Grand Valley State University and a master’s degree in environmental studies from University of Rochester. Teaching math to college students was not how Forrest started her career. “I started out in the field of biology and switched to mathematics,” she said. “At the high school level, I taught biology, physical science, earth science, chemistry, and physics. I love all the sciences.” Looking back to teaching during the pandemic, Forrest enjoyed the opportunity for roommates, family members and pets to join the virtual classroom and even faculty meetings. “My cats got to put in their two cents during my Zoom meetings,” she said. Looking for opportunities in any challenge is one of many characteristics Forrest shares with her hero, President Abraham Lincoln. “Lincoln is my hero because of his integrity, compassion, intelligence, wit, sense of humor, and service to others,” she said. You can experience Forrest’s enthusiasm for all things math when you watch a video she created for her online students called “The Number Tau,” or her GRCC Mathematics Seminar “PI, My Favorite Number.” Or, take one of her classes and you may get to learn about Mole Day, or how the Chinese abacus has been used to calculate and record numbers for over nine hundred years. You will find Forrest teaching MA 107 Intermediate Algebra, MA 108 Trigonometry, MA 110 College Algebra, MA 131 Precalculus, MA 133 Calculus with Analytic Geometry l, MA 134 Calculus with Analytic Geometry ll.

April 21, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- When Iliana Argueta heads to Grand Valley State University this fall to pursue a degree in social work, she’ll take a permanent reminder of her two years at Grand Rapids Community College and her associate degree in Human Services, Education and Social Science. That’s because when Argueta and a friend passed their GRCC algebra class, they immediately went out and got tattoos to celebrate the accomplishment! “Algebra in high school was my only grade lower than a B,” she said. “But at GRCC, professor Mark (O’Donnell) was so great. His lectures were amazing, and he gave us so many tips. I got a B in the class, and I aced the final. My best friend and I both aced the exam, and we got tattoos to celebrate.” Celebration has been a consistent theme for Argueta during her two years at GRCC. She admitted, though, that her hometown community college was not originally on her radar as a student at West Catholic High School. She worked hard in school, got good grades and, after being accepted at Michigan State University, she felt like her efforts had paid off. And then, a week before classes, she looked at her first bill and was overwhelmed. “I thought ‘wow that’s a lot of money,’ and I just started crying,” she recalled. She stayed one semester at MSU and then transferred to GRCC. It’s a choice she has never regretted, in part because she attends GRCC for free on a Grand Rapids Promise Zone scholarship. “I wish I would have started here right away,” she said, a week before graduation. “I felt like GRCC was second-best. But that’s not the case at all. It’s academically rigorous; the professors are amazing, and with the Promise Zone, I don’t pay a single cent.” Argueta is one of 15 students set to graduate this spring or summer as part of the Grand Rapids Promise Zone program – the first large group of graduates. Started in 2020, the Grand Rapids promise Zone is a “last-dollar” scholarship that covers up to 60 credit hours (30 credit hours for those 50% eligible), including the costs of tuition, books, required course materials and any required fees associated with attending GRCC. So far, 20 students are graduating through the program. The Grand Rapids Promise Zone scholarship is available for students who live in Grand Rapids and graduate from one of the 25 public, public charter, or private high schools located within the city limits. Additional information is available at grcc.edu/promisezone , by email at promisezone@grcc.edu and by phone at (616) 234-4321.   Argueta’s experience -- not including the tattoo -- is not unusual. Ben Gillion, a graduate of West Michigan Aviation Academy, planned to join a branch of the military before finding out about the Promise Zone program from a school counselor. His first thought was it sounded too good to be true. But as he explored it further, he realized the advantages he’d gain attending GRCC for free, and he became a student in the Criminal Justice program. He’s set to graduate from the Police Academy and is applying for jobs locally with a variety of agencies. “I thought to myself, ‘Why not get a college degree for free?’” he said. “I don’t know where I would be without the Promise Zone program.” New Grand Rapids Promise Zone director Ashlee Mishler loves hearing that kind of feedback from the almost 400 students attending GRCC for free thanks to the program. “It’s an exciting time, and we’re definitely growing,” she said. “This is really the first large group of Promise Zone graduates. It’s so amazing to see these students, who have been able to utilize this promise from their community and make GRCC a great place to either start a career or move on to further education.” This is Mishler’s third stint at GRCC, and she said what continues to pull her back is the resilient nature of the students she serves. “We know many GRCC students face challenges, and we are determined to get them the support they need to be successful,” she said. “We want students to know that we are in this together: So many people are focused on helping them get the education they need to reach their goals.” Raising awareness about the Promise Zone program continues to be a priority. “People, when they find out -- when we tell them what this program is all about -- they think it’s too good to be true,” she said. “It’s great to be able to bring good news to people.” Count Gillion among the GRCC graduates who plan to do great things in the future. As he looks back on the past two years, he says his first year was tough because of COVID and online classes, but year two has been everything he hoped for. “Whether interacting online or in person everyone has been so helpful,” he said. “They make the effort to help students with anything. They want to see you succeed.” He points to Professor Omar Dieppa and two classes – Intro to Traffic and Patrol Procedures – as examples of what made GRCC such a great fit. “He just makes class so fun,” Ben said. “He has a big personality, and he cracks a whole lot of jokes, but that makes the class fun, and when I have fun in class, I learn and retain the information so much better.” Argueta is doing her part. She works part time at Tropical Smoothie and has become a Promise Zone ambassador with her co-workers or anyone else looking into college options. “I tell them that if they live in Grand Rapids, they have to look into the Promise Zone,” she said. “I’m a big cheerleader for the Promise Zone and for GRCC.” And she has the tattoo to prove it. This story was reported by Phil de Haan for GRCC.

April 19, 2022, COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – On a day when the Grand Rapids Community College baseball team celebrated past champions, the current squad showed it can provide thrills of its own. GRCC shutdown Calvin University 8-0 in the second game of a doubleheader, and fought for a 3-3 tie in the opener when Max Varon launched a pinch-hit, three-run homer in games played at LMCU Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps.   A three-run second inning by Calvin University in the opener put the Knights on board, and the lead looked to stand headed into the final inning. Varon’s fourth homer of the season with two men aboard sent the game into extra innings. GRCC loaded the bases twice in extra innings, but were unable to score. Neither could Calvin, and the game was called after nine innings tied at 3-3. In the nightcap, GRCC spread out 12 hits among 10 different batters, including season firsts from Brady Owen, Alex Liakos and Melvin Rodriguez. On the day, Ryan Dykstra led GRCC with four hits in seven at-bats and two walks. Caleb Engelsman, Dylan Chargo, Xander Reisbig, Payton Young and Varon all contributed with two hits each. Ten different Raiders took the mound, with Kellan Smith picking up the win in game two. The afternoon was a celebration of GRCC athletics past and present. Nearly 20 players and coaches from the NJCAA National Champion teams from 1996 and 1997 recognized between games. Coached by Hall-of-Famer Doug Wabeke, the teams were the first GRCC teams from any sport to win a national championship. The alumni threw out the ceremonial first pitch to current Raiders. The game also featured volleyball player Alena Visnovsky performing the national anthem, softball pitcher Izabella Renger, throwing to battery mate Taylor Cross, and recognition for members of GRCC cross country, basketball, and golf teams.  The baseball team is now 15-20-1 on the season with a four-game series against conference opponent Glen Oaks Community College on April 22-23.  

April 19, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Classes are now open for Grand Rapids Community College’s two summer sessions, providing opportunities for students of all ages to continue their education – or get a head start on the fall semester. GRCC’s summer schedule has two seven-week sessions and one 14-week session, with most classes starting on May 9. A second, seven-week session starts on June 28. Students can register for summer courses at grcc.edu/enroll . “Summer classes are ideal for incoming freshmen seeking a head start on their college journey, current students scheduling classes around other responsibilities, and older learners looking to gain new skills,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “These sessions keep a quality education within reach. Michigan Reconnect can eliminate cost as a barrier for students age 25 and older, and the online options can be convenient for students to keep moving forward on their classes wherever they will be during the summer months.” Seats are available in more than 500 summer sections, with more than 200 offered online, 10 offered in a virtual real-time format and nine in the hybrid format – a mix of online and in-person settings. Of the more than 300 in-person classes, about 250 are at the main campus in Grand Rapids, 21 are at the GRCC Lakeshore Campus at Lakeshore, 45 offered in locations off campus, including several area high schools. A growing number of West Michigan students attending classes in four-year schools are taking summer classes at GRCC as guest students, then transferring them back to their home colleges. Guest students are students who are enrolled at another college, but are taking classes at GRCC to gain quality credits at affordable rates. Universities and colleges across the state accept GRCC credits through the Michigan Transfer Credits. Students interested in attending GRCC as a guest student should first check with their home institution’s course equivalency guide to ensure GRCC courses will transfer back.

April 18, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Nils Michaelis’ career has taken him to several countries and to well-known companies such as Google and LEGO. He credits GRCC with giving him the best start. 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. Michaelis started at GRCC in 2003, the same year he arrived in the United States from his native Germany. “GRCC helped me jump-start my career in various ways: Immersing myself into American culture and engaging with both U.S. and other international students widened my horizon as a human being, but also in academics and the possibilities that are out there,” he said. “Attending GRCC, I also discovered something I didn’t think I had in me before: drive and ambition. That naturally came in handy during the remainder of my academic, as well as my professional, career for the years to come.” He was active in Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year colleges; Delta Pi Alpha and the International Students Organization. After earning his associate degree in 2005, he transferred to Grand Valley State University, where he received a bachelor’s in advertising and public relations. Michaelis had planned to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Michigan but instead went to work for Google in Dublin. “I believe that having a healthy ambition and drive within you should take you where you want to go,” said Michaelis, who eventually received his master’s in global consumer marketing from the University of Liverpool in 2011. “If that means getting a degree in a field that interests you, that is a good start in the right direction. But one should never be afraid to change direction along the way.” After five years in product marketing at Google, he joined Trustpilot, a startup consumer review platform in Copenhagen, Denmark. “Over the past 10 years, I worked both in startup and larger enterprise environments in either marketing or product roles, learning what it takes to build successful digital markets,” he said. Last year, he joined the LEGO Group, which is expanding beyond the well-loved toy bricks to become a digital consumer brand.  He's a product management coach. Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .

April 18, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The transformation of a shuttered JCPenney department store into the vibrant learning hub that is the GRCC Lakeshore Campus and the renovation of historic Steven C. Ender Hall into a new student space has earned national recognition for the architectural and engineering firms leading the projects. Both facilities earned Outstanding Project in the Community College Renovation/Adaptive Reuse/Restoration category by Learning by Design magazine. GMB Architects and Engineering were honored for the work on the GRCC Lakeshore Campus, and Progressive AE was saluted for Ender Hall. Learning by Design showcases the best in the education design and construction market, recognizing innovative pre-K to 12 schools and cutting-edge colleges and universities. “This well-earned recognition reflects the innovation and expertise of the architecture and engineering firms here in West Michigan,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “These are very different projects, but both will help our college better serve our students and community. We’re proud of these facilities, and also the partnerships with the people who can put our dreams into blueprints and support our students long into the future.” The 52,000-square-foot GRCC Lakeshore Campus opened in August 2021 in the Shops at Westshore Mall, 12335 James St. in Holland. The facility has nine classrooms, four computer labs and five unique labs for biology, chemistry, electronics, automation, welding and machine tooling, housing programs for students working toward an associate degree or a career-focused certificate. “GMB is honored to be a part of this transformational project for the Lakeshore community,” said David Wilkins, GMB’s higher education practice leader. “This renovated building has created a whole new student experience on a single campus that connects this community with amazing assets and infrastructure. This building and program is 100% focused on education, not only for traditional learners but excels at fostering lifelong learning.” The building also has spaces for advising and counseling and other student support services and a satellite library, as well as areas for use by community groups. GMB Architecture + Engineering designed the project, and construction was directed by The Christman Co. The Learning by Design salute is the second for Progressive AE and the Ender Hall project. It was honored by American School & University magazine in December. “It’s so exciting to work on a project that brings new life to a historic building!” Progressive AE Practice Leader Tod Stevens said. “The contrast of materials creates a rich dialogue between the old and new, and advances the sustainability ambitions of both Grand Rapids Community College and Progressive AE!” The building at 455 E. Fulton St. was previously known as the Mabel Engle House. It was constructed early in the 20th Century by a lumber baron for his family. GRCC purchased it from Davenport University for use as offices. The 3,850-square-foot Steven C. Ender Hall is now used for student-focused departments, including the Experiential Learning and the Honors programs, and Student Employment Services. It also provides space for Student Life clubs and organizations to meet. Pioneer Construction carried out the renovations. Honors are determined by a jury of architects and educational facility planners recommended by the American Institute of Architects Committee on Architecture for Education and Association for Learning Environments. Both projects are striving for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, part of GRCC’s sustainability goals. ###  

April 17, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team is facing Calvin University at a special game on Tuesday, April 19 at LMCU Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps. The teams are playing a doubleheader, with the first game starting at 2 p.m. Here’s what you need to know: The home team: GRCC is 14-20 on the season, but that’s a little misleading. The team started the season on a tough, 11-game road trip down south facing four-year schools and other top competition, losing the first 10 games. GRCC is 8-8 in conference play. Players to watch: Byron Center native Ryan Dykstra is powering the GRCC offense, leading the team in batting average with .371, hits with 39, doubles with nine, and home runs with four. Jerad Berkenpas, also from Byron Center, has been the ace, leading team with four wins, a 2.45 earned run average, and 46 strikeouts in 40.1 innings. Caleb Engelsman, of Rockford, recently had a game for the ages, hitting a two-out, bases-loaded triple to give GRCC a walk-off win against rival Muskegon Community College – and even pitched a complete-game victory. The coach: The Raiders are led by Mike Eddington, who played two seasons at Grand Rapids Junior College for legendary Coach Tom Hofmann. He was part of the team that placed sixth in the Junior College World Series and was an honorable mention All-American. Eddington transferred to Michigan State University, where he broke the Spartan home run record, previously held by former Detroit Tigers star Kirk Gibson -- a record that still stands today. The opponent: Calvin University is 12-12 this season, coming off a doubleheader split against Kalamazoo College on Saturday. Catcher Rick Padilla is leading the team offensively with a .372 batting average, eight doubles and three homers. Pitcher Calvin Miller has three wins, a save and a 2.19 earned run average. Kevin Van Duyn is in his fourth year as Calvin’s head coach. A two-time Division III All-American second baseman at Calvin, Van Duyn has a record of 42-38 and a second place MIAA finish in 2021. Honorees: The GRCC Athletic Department is celebrating the 26th anniversary of the 1996 team and the 25th anniversary of the 1997 team, both winning the NJCAA baseball national championship. The teams included two players – Brad Block and Joe Trigg – who were named All-Americans. A number of players from those teams are planning to attend and will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Admission: Admission is free for GRCC students and employees with their RaiderCard. General admission is $10, and $5 for Calvin students and employees with their ID card. Parking: Parking at LMCU Ballpark will be free. GRCC baseball history: GRCC’s baseball team has a storied tradition, with five national championships, 19 regional championships and 30 conference championships. GRCC coach Hofmann led his team to nearly 700 wins, served as an assistant coach on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team and was inducted into the Community College Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1988 and into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. GRCC at LMCU Ballpark: It’s the second year that GRCC has played at LMCU Ballpark. Last year’s doubleheader against Kellogg Community College, was the first game at the stadium since the start of the pandemic, and the first with the park’s new name.

April 16, 2022, BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – A nine-run, fifth-inning explosion by Kellogg Community College doomed the Grand Rapids Community College baseball team on Saturday, which lost a doubleheader on the road. GRCC in the first game saw the game slip away early and couldn't recover in a 4-2 loss. Caleb Engelsman took the loss for GRCC, pitching six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking none. Jacob Gumieny, Engelsman, Zacarias Salinas, Dylan Chargo, Ryan Dykstra, Andres Rivera-Calderon, and Dominic Palamara each collected one hit. GRCC hoped to pull off a split after mounting a 6-1 lead in the nightcap. But Kellogg’s nine-run outburst put the team out in front to win 10-6. GRCC put up three runs in the second inning, led by Gumieny, Engelsman, and Dykstra, who each had RBIs in the inning. Caden VanDeBurg took the loss, with the righthander lasting two-thirds of an inning, allowing four hits and four runs while walking none. Brad Dunn started the game for GRCC, allowing five hits and five runs over four innings, striking out three and walking one Gumieny, Chargo, Xander Reisbig, Dykstra, and Andres Rivera-Calderon each managed one hit. GRCC has lost three in a row, with the season dropping to 14-21. The team’s next games are against Calvin University at LMCU Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps. Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.