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Apply Now for GRCC’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Inherit the Dream Scholarship

Nov. 19, 2025 High school seniors across the Kent Intermediate School District are encouraged to apply for Grand Rapids Community College’s  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Inherit the Dream Scholarship , a $1,000 award honoring students who exemplify leadership, service and a commitment to equity and inclusion. Since its creation, more than sixty scholarships have been awarded to area high school seniors through this annual celebration — helping students turn their educational dreams into reality. Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy The scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose lifelong pursuit of justice and equality transformed a nation. Dr. King believed that education was one of the most powerful tools for social change, a path to empowerment, opportunity and service to others. Through this scholarship, GRCC and the  Bob and Aleicia Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs continue to honor his vision by supporting students who reflect his dedication to community, leadership and inclusion. Why Apply? This scholarship is more than financial assistance. It’s an opportunity to join a legacy of students who are making a difference in their schools and communities. Recipients are recognized during the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in January, where the entire community gathers to celebrate progress and the ongoing pursuit of Dr. King’s dream. Steps to Apply Answer the two prompt questions on the application. Include one written letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, coach or mentor. Provide your high school transcript. Email all materials by Dec. 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. to  wcima@grcc.edu . Eligibility To be considered, applicants must: Be a graduating senior in the Kent Intermediate School District. Be involved in community service or activities in support of diversity and inclusion. Be accepted to Grand Rapids Community College with a minimum 2.0 GPA. Students who share Dr. King’s belief in the power of education to transform lives are encouraged to apply and become part of this enduring tradition of hope, leadership and service. Learn more about the scholarship and other opportunities .

Enrollment Team Above and Beyond Award Recipients for November 2025

  The Enrollment Team was nominated by Kristi Welling for November’s Academic and Student Affairs Council’s Above and Beyond Award. Welling states she is proud to nominate the dedicated employees on her team - Admissions and Enrollment One-Stop Specialists Garrett Esper, Matthew Butterfield, Shawn Hassani, and Juan Cisneros Jr., and Call Center Coordinator Magda Phillips for the GRCC Above and Beyond Award.  “These individuals are the unsung heroes of our campus, quietly ensuring that students, staff, and departments are supported with professionalism, care, and incredible knowledge.  Although their work often happens behind the scenes, the numbers tell a powerful story of their impact. Between May and August 2025, the team processed over 2,600 high school transcripts, playing a critical role in moving students through the admissions pipeline smoothly and efficiently. Over the past year, they have created an impressive 116 Knowledge Base Articles, serving as a key resource for both internal staff and the wider campus community. In August alone, they triaged more than 2,600 individuals in RJF Student Services and answered over 6,500 phone calls, all while continuously fielding inquiries from staff across campus about student statuses and enrollment processes. Despite the high volume and constant pace, they remain composed, patient, and ready to assist at a moment’s notice. Beyond their core responsibilities, this team consistently steps up to support wherever needed. Whether it’s helping Admissions with Specialist Appointments or pitching in during Orientation, they bring versatility, reliability, and a spirit of collaboration to everything they do. They are truly campus “gurus”, not because they seek recognition, but because they consistently go the extra mile to support students, colleagues, and each other. Their commitment to GRCC’s mission and student success is unmatched, and their work is truly the backbone of many campus operations.  For their exceptional service, flexibility, and unwavering dedication, I wholeheartedly recommend this incredible team for the Above and Beyond Award.”  Keep up the great work Enrollment Team!

GRCC Policies Reviewed/Updated October 2025

The new/revised policies have been added to the  College Policies   webpage.           9.1 Fundraising Policy  X. Procedures, Section A and Section B: Update the language to be consistent with other college language X. Procedures, Section C (Submission Form and Process): Update the name of the form from "Fundraising Approval form" to the "Fundraising Interest form" Revise the submission process to ensure the Foundation is the first step for vetting activity. X. Procedures, Section D (Considerations): Update the introductory phrase to follow the new submission process Add "strategic plan" to the list of elements the fundraising activity must fall within X. Procedures, Section D-b: Remove this section entirely, as the note [EVE6] indicates it is "Not relevant." X. Procedures, Section E-c (Approved Departments): Update the department name from “ODEI” to "Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs" Updates to the Form Added new Foundation logo Updated name of form Remove outdated explanation of the form Updated signature section to add supervisor  9.10 Material Donations Policy V. Entities Affected by this Policy: Remove "GRCC Faculty & Staff" and replace with "All GRCC employees" Remove students, not sure the reason to list them. VI. Who Should Read This Policy: Change the current text to "All GRCC employees." VII. Related Documents & XI. Forms: Update the name of the form listed in both sections to "Material Donation form" X. Procedures, Section A: Change the recipient of the notification to "The GRCC Foundation shall be informed..." to reflect that any individual in the Foundation can be contacted rather than just the Executive Director X. Procedures, Section B and Section C: Add “department representative” as the person who is the point person for the transaction. Add the Dean as a recipient of notification. List the steps in a consolidated format for donations that don’t require additional funds and donations that would. X. Procedures, Section C-c: Update the cost threshold for contacting the Purchasing Department to $7,500 which is the new purchasing minimum required to involve Purchasing. Updates to Form Update logo to new Foundation logo.  Donor Information Section: Add phone and email to donor information section GRCC Information Section: Update to specific GRCC contact for the donation. Who is the contact at the college for the donation specifics? Updated approved by to include BCO or Dean. 6.2 Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment and Equal Opportunity Non-substantive changes Removed interim from policy title Updates revision history Updated date of last revision Updated date of next revision 6.5 Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy Non-substantive changes Removed interim from policy title Updates revision history Updated date of last revision Updated date of next revision 3.3 Misconduct Policy Violation Reporting Non-substantive changes Updates revision history Updated date of last revision Updated date of next revision

Learn 2 Play(L2P) Pickleball Events Nov. 19 and Dec. 2

Want to learn to play Pickleball or improve what skills you have? Ford Fieldhouse assistant director Andrew Rolls is hosting two L2P sessions open to all students, faculty and staff who would like to learn how to play pickleball and play some games.  He is a certified instructor and can teach basics all the way up to advanced skills. You do not need any equipment, it is provided for you. Learn 2 Play Pickleball Events Wednesday Nov. 19  11 a.m-12:30 p.m.  Ford Fieldhouse Arena Tuesday Dec. 2  11 a.m-12:30 p.m.  Ford Fieldhouse Arena Sign up on the Raider Connect form  Learn 2 Play and Single Day IM Event Sign Ups . Questions? Email Andrew Rolls at andrewrolls@grcc.edu

GRCC Programs Open Doors to Research and Transfer Success

Nov. 17, 2025 Transitioning from high school to a four-year college can seem daunting if you’re trying to navigate on your own. Fortunately for students like Sally Odren, GRCC offers an onramp to the process, and the support to achieve a four-year goal. “I originally enrolled at GRCC because I wasn’t ready to go into a four-year program,” Odren said. “My high school didn’t provide a lot of information about the college application process and I needed a middle step.”  Now in her second year at GRCC, Sally has set her sights on the University of Michigan, thanks in part to the resources she discovered through  Transfer Bridges . The Transfer Bridges program connects GRCC students to the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts at  U-M Ann Arbor , offering opportunities to engage and learn about the transfer experience. “I love the transfer Bridges program,” Odren said. “I have been able to attend workshops, such as how to build a resume. I’ve met a rep from U-M onsite who helped me pick classes that will satisfy the transfer requirements. I’ve learned that expressing interest early can help you get accepted, so I’m taking full advantage of what they offer.”    Through Transfer Bridges, Sally also discovered an invaluable opportunity for research this past summer.  The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program at U-M Ann Arbor offers a 10-week paid fellowship for Michigan community college students who are interested in continuing their academics at a four-year university. Sally applied and was accepted. “It was an incredible experience,” Odren said. “I received a stipend to live in Ann Arbor and work for a Ph.D. student in the Marsal Family School of Education, studying the implications of diversity in the college admissions workforce.” During the Poster Session at the end of the program, undergraduate students have the chance to create a poster that explains their research. Sally won a blue ribbon for her work.  “The judge asked me a really thoughtful question,” Odren said. “I had to explain the implications of my work to him, and it took some thought. I think I won the award because of that answer.”   Thanks to her excellent work over the summer, Odren is continuing to work for U-M as a Mellon Scholar Research Fellow during the school year. She puts in about 10 hours per week, doing work that is similar to what she did over the summer.  Transfer Bridges is helping Sally navigate her way toward a four-year degree. She’s also taking advantage of the Honors Program to help develop her academic skills. The GRCC Honors Program offers a transformative college experience for highly motivated students seeking academic excellence, leadership development and meaningful community engagement.  “I took an introductory seminar to learn research skills and understand the importance of community engagement, and that was really helpful,” Odren said. “Each semester, we need to complete honors projects or seminars and do volunteer work. The community engagement we’ve done is highly meaningful. For example, I volunteered to help paint a mobile home that was being given to a family as part of Family Promise of West Michigan. I also volunteer with the Literacy Center of West Michigan, which I love. All of these experiences are going to help me as I continue with my education.”   Sally will complete her  pre-sociology associate degree in the spring of 2026, and plans to transfer to U-M to earn her bachelor’s degree. But that might not be the final goal.  “I’m hoping to go to graduate school,” Odren said. “I have really enjoyed the research I’m doing, so that may become a career option.” Learn about the  Transfer Bridges program and  Honors Program at GRCC.
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