Dec. 15, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College Provost Brian Knetl, who guided the college’s academic offerings through the challenges of the pandemic, has been selected to be president at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Ill. Knetl, who has been GRCC provost since 2019, will become the fifth president at Waubonsee, which is located about 45 miles west of Chicago and has about 12,000 credit-seeking students. Kentl will start in his new role on Jan. 30, 2023. He said he aspired to be a community college president -- but the opportunity came sooner than he expected. “I do hope that I have contributed to and initiated the work needed to build and maintain a collaborative culture in Academic and Student Affairs and have provided a framework that will allow the faculty, staff, and programs at GRCC to continue excelling,” he said. “I will be forever grateful to GRCC for presenting challenges, opportunities, and colleagues that have contributed to my readiness for this position.” Knetl said the move also allows him to return to his native Illinois, and be closer to his children and family. “While Grand Rapids and West Michigan will always be an important and special part of my life, I am grateful to have this opportunity in a place I consider home,” he said. At GRCC, Knetl guided the college’s academics during the pandemic, ensuring students continued to receive a quality education and faculty members had the support they needed to continue teaching during the difficult and unexpected time. He also restructured the college’s academic and student support service structure, overseeing innovative changes to help both students and faculty members. Knetl’s experience in community college administration began as an assistant dean at Moraine Valley Community College in Illinois. He then spent 10 years at Harper College in Illinois, serving in several positions including interim provost, associate provost, dean of liberal arts and founding associate dean of the Center for Adjunct Faculty Engagement. Knetl has a bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Saint Mary’s University, a master’s degree in Theatre from Texas State University, and a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Loyola University-Chicago. He replaces Dr. Christine J. Sobek, who will retire on Jan. 4 after serving as Waubonsee’s president since July 2001.

Dec. 17, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  The transformation of the Mable Engle House into Grand Rapids Community College’s Steven C. Ender Hall has earned honors from the U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan. GRCC’s Facilities team, project architect Progressive AE, and construction manager Pioneer Construction were honored this month with the LEED Gold Certified Higher Education project award. The USGBC-WM Leadership Awards promote outstanding green building initiatives by recognizing projects, organizations, and people who have made extraordinary contributions to achieving healthy, energy-efficient green buildings in the state of Michigan. The Certified Green Building Awards recognize exemplary building projects that received high-performance certifications. The U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan, organized in 2004, is a program-based nonprofit dedicated to transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated, in a way that improves the quality of life in Michigan. James VanDokkumburg, GRCC’s executive director of Facilities, said sustainability is one of GRCC’s strategic goals, and is considered through all aspects of the college’s operations. Renovating a historic building rather than replacing it is a sustainable approach that also preserves a connection with the community’s past. “All the work we do starts with the thought of following our sustainability goals, making our community a better place,” VanDokkumburg said. “But sustainability is more than a goal, it is a recognition of the responsible and right way to do things.” The building, 455 E. Fulton St., 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 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. A ribbon-cutting was held in August. Progressive AE worked with GRCC, local building officials, and the city’s Historic Preservation Commission on the $3.4 million renovation. The project earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Certification for Commercial Interiors, a national standard established by the U.S. Green Building Council. GRCC held a ribbon-cutting in August for the building, which was named for President Emeritus Steven C. Ender.