May 20, 2026 Every so often, a student’s journey reminds us why institutions like GRCC exist. Maurice Baker is one of those students. His story reflects the life-changing power of education, the determination of adult learners and the ripple effect one individual can have across an entire community. “Maurice stands out because showing up doesn’t mean just taking a course or doing the minimum,” said assistant professor and academic advisor, Kristie Kozub. “He shows up with an eagerness to learn, being brave to admit the challenges college brings and bold enough to take the steps that have made it possible to graduate with an associate of arts degree with a concentration in business.” Kozub first met Baker in 2021 during a remote summer Express Advising event. Like many adult learners returning to college, he arrived anxious, excited and full of questions. After learning about Michigan Reconnect, Baker saw an opportunity to pursue higher education later in life — after raising a family and building a successful career in banking. From that first conversation, it was clear that this opportunity meant a great deal to him.  Growing Academically and Professionally  What began as a single advising appointment developed into nearly five years of a meaningful student–advisor relationship. During that time, Baker excelled academically while discovering a strong passion for business, as well as history and English. “As his confidence grew in the classroom, it also became evident in his professional life,” said Kozub. “Over the years, he has earned multiple promotions at work and now leads outreach initiatives that extend beyond a home office and throughout the West Michigan community. “ One memorable moment occurred when Kozub walked into the office one summer and saw Baker — not in person, but on a poster promoting GRCC’s business programs, proudly wearing his backpack. Later that summer, she received a call from a colleague who excitedly reported spotting Baker featured on a GR public bus.   “Interestingly, it was not until nearly a year later that Maurice and I met in person for the first time,” said Kozub. “That meeting was unexpectedly emotional for both of us, marking the culmination of a relationship that had developed virtually through encouragement, persistence and shared commitment to his educational goals.”  Creating A Positive Community Impact Over the years, Baker has proven himself not only to be a dedicated student but also a remarkable leader in the community. He is deeply involved in local organizations, currently serving on the executive board of the NAACP, and was recently elected president of the West Grand neighborhood organization, the largest of its kind in Kent County.     “My efforts and accomplishments weren’t just for me,” said Baker. “They are for everyone who’s working toward a dream. To those of us raising children and grandchildren, balancing marriage, car payments, mortgages and responsibilities of everyday life — I want you to know you can reach your goals.” Maurice Baker embodies the spirit of what GRCC strives to achieve for our students — growth, leadership, and transformation through education. His journey reflects the profound impact that opportunity, determination, and support can have on a student’s life. “I am proud of the work each professor, staff, tutor, and advisor has put into our student’s learning and experience,” said Kozub. “I am proud of Maurice and those like him who have dedicated time, energy and paused other life aspects to pursue education. His story is a powerful example of the life-changing work we do at GRCC and the difference education can make not only for individuals, but for the communities they serve.”   

May 18, 2026 According to the National Center for Education Statistics, up to 70% of students under 25 enter college undecided, and over half of all undergraduates change their major at least once. If you’re afraid of those numbers, you shouldn’t be! Just talk to Karalynn Davis about the sheer joy of achieving clarity when exploration suddenly snaps your future into focus. “I came to GRCC, as did all of my siblings, because my mom works here,” Davis said. “Like many students, I came in the door with multiple interests. I couldn’t decide between journalism and music, so I started with music because I love it so much.” Finding Clarity and Purpose Davis says it only took one semester for her to figure out that music, while fulfilling, was not the right path for a career. “The GRCC music program is exceptional,” Davis said. “Everyone here is so high caliber. Ironically, that’s one of the reasons I realized music was not for me. Trying to make a living from something that brings you solace is not necessarily the right career move.” Fortunately, Davis had a second passion in her back pocket “I did a lot of journalism in high school and loved it, but didn’t really think about it as a career because I had been so enamored with music,” Davis said. “The light bulb clicked for me in my recording technology class. I spent far less time on the recording than I did on the video that was supposed to go with it! I can’t tell you how many hours I invested in perfecting that silly video. I realized that the fire and passion I felt while editing, and that incredible feeling of getting it done and published, were things I wanted to do for the rest of my life.” Working Toward a Goal Once she figured that out, Davis locked in on her goals. After completing her Pre-Multi-Media Journalism A.A. at the end of summer 2026 semester, she plans to attend Central Michigan University to pursue a Media Arts major with a Journalism minor. “My goal is to be a news anchor,” Davis said. “My ultimate, ultimate goal is to host CBS Sunday Morning.” In a surprising plot twist, however, she will be attending CMU as the first-ever transfer student to be awarded the prestigious Lem Tucker Journalism Scholarship. “After I visited CMU, Mike Potter of the journalism faculty recommended I explore this scholarship opportunity,” Davis said. “I dove headlong into Lem’s story to see if the opportunity made sense.” Davis spent hours upon hours researching Lem Tucker…his stories, his life, and his significance in the world of journalism. She studied, wrote, edited and fine-tuned her application with the advice and critique of her grandmother, a beloved confidante and former English teacher. “Something about Lem really resonated with me,” Davis said. “I found his reporting and storytelling to be magnetic. He injected every story with an ardor that made me want to listen. That’s the kind of reporter I want to be.”   Pursuing Journalistic Dreams Davis says that winning this scholarship has been transformative. “The quality of my life has skyrocketed,” Davis said. “Before, I was working four jobs and still didn’t know how I was going to pay for my degree. I was overcommitted and highly stressed. Now I can spend time with my family and my boyfriend. I’m getting more sleep. I’m down to two jobs, which is much more manageable. And I can pay attention to the world around me, which is a critical part of my future career success.” As Davis prepares to pursue her journalistic dreams, she is undaunted by the challenges she knows are lurking, especially as they relate journalistic integrity. “To me, journalism is a human profession,” Davis said. “It’s about humans showcasing another person’s story in a way that only a real person can. My goal is to earn public trust by telling the truth, even when the stories are hard. I hope that someday, people value both my bluntness and my dedication to the truth.”   In her scholarship essay, Davis wrote, “Lem Tucker’s legacy is one of candor. He told the truth, even if shying away from it was more convenient. Lem Tucker’s commitment to reporting with candor and fervor is one in a million. As I enter my first year at Central Michigan University as a transfer student, I hope to grow in my skills to emulate his legacy — no matter what I’m covering.” Visit the Journalism web page to learn more about this program at GRCC. This story was reported by Julie Hordyk.