March 18, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Always remember, at GRCC, you are surrounded by people who want you to be successful and are ready to walk with you on your educational pathway. We are here to help! Meet Sue DelRaso. You will find Sue tutoring students in the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center Tutorial and Open Computer Lab, in the Mechanical and Architectural Design / CAD Lab, or in the Sneden Computer Lab. Sue is the coordinator for those labs, and develops subject specific training and works alongside the professional tutors and student employees she supervises. In two of the labs, the ATC Tutorial and Open Computer Lab and the Mechanical and Architectural Design/CAD lab, Sue helps students who are taking Computer Information Sciences and Mechanical and Architectural design courses. Both of these labs offer drop-in tutoring. The ATC Tutorial and Open Computer Labs offer drop-in and appointment-based tutoring. And the Sneden Computer Lab is a drop-in lab where students can go to work on their assignments. Sue came to GRCC as an adult student focused on changing careers. She was leaving a high-pressure job as an executive assistant to a hotel general manager. She had medical related barriers, and the challenge of balancing the demands of attending classes and doing homework with being a mom, to overcome. "I suffered from severe migraines that were caused by a stressful work environment and other factors," she said. "During my first semester as a student at GRCC I was only allowed to take classes. After that semester my doctors would only allow me to work 10 hours per week and gradually increase my work schedule.” Sue persisted, worked in campus labs in roles with increasing responsibility, and reached her goals. Now she can relate to current students who are balancing college, their health, work and family. She can also understand how it feels to struggle in the classroom and need tutoring -- because she took advantage of tutoring labs when she was a student. "I started working as a student tutor, getting help and helping others in their classes," Sue said. "After a semester, I was hired to work at the Student Help Desk. I gradually worked my way up to a position as a professional tutor -- which I worked in for many years. Then I became the assistant lab coordinator and finally the tutorial coordinator." This was all while Sue worked another part-time job and completed her associate degree in Computer Applications and then Bachelor of Science in Business. Sue's career and educational journey has given her the insight to focus the services of tutorial labs around student needs. And she is now showing students how to find their own success in the classroom and with their homework. "I love to see when a student finally understands something that they have been struggling to understand," she said. "It’s like watching a lightbulb over their head gradually getting brighter and brighter until it just turns right on. I want to help students to become independent leaners, to learn to ask themselves the right questions to lead to understanding or problem solving." Sue does not regret the path she took, from stepping into the workforce after high school, to attending GRCC as an adult student, to balancing a busy life to complete her bachelor's degree. And as a GRCC staff member Sue values most the friendships she has made with students, and what she has learned from them. "I have gone to help a student who is asking, and I’m the one who ends up learning something new," she said. "I believe that you can learn something new every day if you look for it, are open to it. Learning is a journey, part of everyone’s everyday life." Students interested in academic support and tutoring can reach out through email at tutoring@grcc.edu and by phone at (616) 234-4145.

March 16, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Jack Case struggled with addiction for years. “Four years ago, I was on heroin and was pretty desperate. Fortunately, I went through a rehabilitation program in Grand Rapids and after the program was over, I saved my money from working two jobs to buy my own house.” Case bought the house and turned it into a home for other recovering addicts. GRCC Workforce Training programs provide in-demand skills leading to rewarding careers. We are introducing students who are heading down an educational pathway and changing their lives by earning occupational certificates. Case was eligible for the state of Michigan’s Future for Frontliners program which came at just the right time. The program covers the cost of in-district tuition for people who worked in essential roles during the state’s COVID-19 shutdown in 2020. “I heard about the Residential Construction program and signed up!” Case started the program last October and finished this week. GRCC offers two 18 week Job Training Certificate programs in the construction field; Residential Construction , and Construction Electrical . “The program is great and the instructor is excellent; he’s very charismatic,” Case said. “I like his style of teaching. He shows you once how to do something and then just steps back and lets you do it yourself. He’s right there if you have any questions but you definitely learn by doing. I loved it!” The Residential Construction program takes place at a construction site, where students build a new home. Students get hands-on learning and application about the entire process of residential building including blueprint reading, site layout, concrete, carpentry, door and window installation, roofing, siding, and interior finishing. “With my new skills, I will be able to purchase houses at a lower price,” Case said. “Those are the homes that need attention. Now I have the skills to do the ‘rehab’ work on those houses myself.” Case’s goal is to start a nonprofit that will offer housing to others in recovery. Graduates are qualified for employment in the residential construction industry. The program focuses on constructing homes that achieve a 5-Star Energy rating, are Michigan Green Built, and LEED Certified. “My future looks good. I am looking to start my own non-profit. That way I can qualify for grants to help me buy more houses so then I can turn them into more recovery homes. There is a great need for facilities like this in the Muskegon area and I hope to establish my non-profit there. GRCC offers other industry certifications including; Carpentry Certification 1 , Lead Abatement Training , and the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP) . Contact the Workforce Training team for additional information through email at workforcetraining@grcc.edu and by phone at (616) 234-3800.

March 15, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- For Veronika Frei, her GRCC Foundation scholarship was a timely surprise. “After being temporarily unemployed with no money coming in, I was in a bind,” she said of the pandemic lockdown. “The scholarship made it possible to pay daily bills like groceries, gas and my phone bill!” Frei was one of 10 GRCC students to receive the new AT&T Aspire program scholarship. Funded by the AT&T Foundation, it’s one of more than 300 scholarships available by completing just one application. The Grand Rapids Community College Foundation plans to distribute $1.4 million in scholarships to more than 1,000 students this year, and the priority deadline is March 15. The application and additional information can be found at grcc.edu/scholarships. “I was overwhelmed with joy when I saw the email,” said Frei, who plans to become a high school art teacher. “Knowing that I did not need to worry about my financial needs for a month or two, was a huge relief. GRCC looks out for their students and I am extremely grateful for their help.”

March 14, 2022 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The GRCC Players will take a new look at an ancient myth in their production of “Eurydice” by Sarah Ruhl. The play, which runs March 17 to 19, retells the myth of Orpheus’ journey to the underworld through the eyes of his young bride, Eurydice. Grand Rapids Community College students Emily Page, Jake Bieniewicz, Carlos Caracheo Trujillo, Jase Harris, Bryanna Lee, Gabi Salazar and Shannon Heldt comprise the cast, with instructor Jason Flannery directing. This is Flannery’s second time directing a GRCC Players production. “Working with college students can be very rewarding!” he said. “My approach as a director asks students to drop the pretense that often comes along with folks’ preconceived notions about ‘acting’ and find honest moments in their performances. This often clashes with what young performers are told about portraying an emotional story onstage, but my hope is always that the work that students find with this approach leaves them feeling a greater connection to their work, and feel more seen and real onstage.” Flannery believes audiences will leave the theater impressed by both the play and the performers. “I hope the audience walks away surprised and touched by this semi-autobiographical fairy tale that playwright Sarah Ruhl has given us,” he said. “I hope they'll see the outstanding potential of Grand Rapids artists and GRCC's student body – maybe invest some time into future productions, and maybe even audition!” Trujillo, who portrays the father in the play, admits it took a little time to readjust to being busy again after the pandemic shutdown: He will be auditioning for Western Michigan University’s musical theater program on the same day as one of the “Eurydice” performances. “I really hope that when people see ‘Eurydice,’ they gain an appreciation for those around them – be they family or friends,” he said. “I think family, especially, is something that my generation has taken for granted. I think the play gives a good perspective on how complicated yet beautiful those emotions can be.” “Eurydice” runs at 8 p.m. March 17 to 19 at GRCC’s Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. Tickets, which can be purchased online , are $5 for students, $8 for GRCC faculty and staff, and $12 for the public. For more information, call (616) 234-3387.  Photo by Dave Kagan of Sensitography.

March 14, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- As a U.S. Marine and then a journalist, Daniel Schoonmaker has seen a lot of the “real world.” He’s now working to make that world a better place. 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. Schoonmaker didn’t plan on going to GRCC; when he did enroll, he didn’t plan to be there for more than a semester. “With all my friends that went away to school complaining about how their classes were being taught by grad students, I realized that GRCC was a better value,” he said. “Looking back, I don’t believe I had the emotional maturity to be successful at a four-year school at that point in my life.  “Academics were not my priority those first two years. When I was focused, I was pursuing things that I thought I wanted – like being a police officer or a physician – and hating them. It took me some time to figure out who I wanted to be. GRCC was a great environment for that.” Schoonmaker went overseas with the Marines after graduating from GRCC in 2002. After returning to Michigan, he was able to tap his experience at The Collegiate to get a job as a sportswriter and, later, as a business journalist. He was well-established when he enrolled at Aquinas College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and English. He then turned his talents to public relations and marketing, serving as a sustainable business advocate and educator. He’s now executive director of the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum. “My work is heavily focused on network development and movement building,” he said, “Creating momentum for climate leadership, social justice and the creation of a circular economy in partnership with businesses and institutions.” Schoonmaker is quick to credit GRCC for some of his success. “A big part of that was learning to fail,” he said. “I dropped some classes. I got in trouble on some Collegiate assignments. I tried to work double shifts while carrying a full load of classes. On my very first day of class, I insulted a professor so bad he was ready to fail me on the spot. “GRCC taught me the value of learning from your mistakes.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .  

March 12, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Sally Merrill of the Grand Rapids Community College women’s basketball team earned the final MCCAA Western Conference Player of the Week honors of the season after scoring 62 points, grabbing 27 rebounds and dishing out 6 assists in three tournament games. It’s the second time this season that Merrill, who plays guard and forward, earned Player of the Week honors. Merrill is a freshman from Allegan, and graduated from Hamilton High School. Earlier in the week she was named All-Region, All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference, and to the All-Freshman Team. Merrill in February was saluted for performances against Lake Michigan College, Ancilla College and Mid Michigan College. She totaled 60 points, 23 rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and two steals in the three games. The women’s team finished with a 20-11 record, reaching the championship game of the NJCAA Great Lakes A District tournament. David Glazier, wrapping up his sixth year at the helm, posted the most wins of his GRCC career.

March 11, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Sketching, playing the piano, juggling – these are just a few of the activities that have, briefly, captivated Kohl Goldsmith. “Latching onto an obsession for a while, I become determined to become the master of a skill, only to drop it a week later, bored to tears by the mere thought of it,” he said. Goldsmith worried that his lack of focus meant he would never find a satisfying career path. But the pandemic lockdown changed all that. He and his family depended on the local pizza place and one-dish meals until one evening when Goldsmith volunteered to make the pizza from scratch. “My pizza may not have been the greatest pie from New York to the Italian boot, but my family adored it,” he said. “Each step felt like a revelation, from making the dough to preparing the sauce and toppings. I’d never felt so connected to any meal I’d ever had until that night.” With financial help from the GRCC Foundation, Goldsmith is working toward an associate degree in Culinary Arts and a Baking and Pastry Arts certificate from the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. He plans to eventually open his own cake business. Goldsmith credits the foundation scholarships with keeping him on track to graduation. “Scholarships are more than just help, they’re hope – and they’ve given me the confidence to sign up for the classes I want, not just the ones I can afford,” he said. The GRCC Foundation plans to distribute $1.4 million in scholarships to more than 1,000 students this year, and students can apply by filling out just one application. The priority deadline is March 15. The application and additional information can be found at grcc.edu/scholarships . This semester, one in five GRCC students has tuition covered by a scholarship, grant or state program, removing cost as an obstacle to a life-changing education. Many more students could take advantage of foundation scholarship free-tuition programs if they complete the FAFSA – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students can connect with GRCC financial aid specialists by phone at (616) 234-4030; email at financialaid@grcc.edu; or virtually or in-person by appointment.

March 11, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Chef Bob Schultz believes the strength of GRCC’s Secchia Institute for Culinary education comes from the expertise and the camaraderie of culinary arts faculty and staff. “Working together is much easier and successful when a department has the same end goals in mind,” he said. Chef Schultz brings over 25 years of teaching experience to his team, as well as several degrees focused on excellence in teaching culinary arts classes. He earned an Associate Degree of Applied Arts and Sciences in Culinary Arts from GRCC, a bachelor’s degree in Business from Davenport University, and a master’s degree from Ferris State University in Career and Tech Education. Students can work with Chef Schultz when they take CA 114 International Foods, CA 115 Table Service, CA 180 Co-Op/Internship class, CA 160 Ice Carving, CA 209 Principles of Food Science, or CA 200 Hospitality Management. Chef Schultz has excelled as a culinary arts faculty member at GRCC because of the college’s commitment to supporting faculty in their professional development. “I have capitalized in my teaching profession thanks to the commitment from the college supporting me as I earned various degrees and certifications,” he said. “Teaching in the culinary field has always been a career goal. I have been teaching here at GRCC for over 25 years and my goal has always been to bring something to our students that culinary students can’t get from any other culinary school in the United States. Hence my tenacity for knowledge.” Chef Schultz inspires passion in his students when he focuses on their success by making sure they grasp important concepts no matter their learning style, by diversifying the delivery of the material using different platforms. Excellence in teaching is a main tenant of Chef Schultz’s career as he continues the work of the Chef-Professors that came before him at GRCC. “My heroes are the chefs that helped establish our culinary program and its reputation,” he said. “It is because of their work, dedication, and sometimes sheer tenacity to the culinary craft that inspires me. In following their example, I am doing my part to help students fuel their passion for the culinary arts.”