Feb. 10, 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 Juan Cisneros Fonseca. Juan is here to help you with the enrollment process for any of the college's seven job training programs. "I will be the first face students see when walking into the Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC," Juan shared. "As a former student at GRCC, I understand that starting a new program can be a little intimidating and stressful. My job is to ease that stress by helping students enroll. I will assist in filling out the application, and connect them with a career coach to discuss the next steps in the enrollment process and financial aid." Job training programs are hands-on, run for approximately 20 weeks, and students attend class for 34 hours each week. Graduates are in high demand for entry-level positions such as automotive technician, computer support technician, construction electrical, machinist-CNC technician, medical assistant, residential construction, and welding-fabrication technician. "Seeing a student graduate and find employment in their field is a satisfying feeling," Juan said. "These Job Training courses give students a chance to enter the workforce and make good wages." Before stepping into his current position, Juan earned a Computer Support Specialist Associate Degree from GRCC, worked in adult education and then helped to coordinate the GRCC Summer Learning Academy program for rising high school seniors. Now, helping students is Juan's number one priority, and is what motivates him at work. Most Job Training programs enroll new participants every other month, and information sessions are currently being held in person. If you know someone who may be interested, have them sign up for an information session today at grcc.edu/JobTraining, and have them ask for Juan when they get there!

A School News Network feature: Grand Rapids Community College students have opportunities to earn money with flexible hours built around their classes – and many campus jobs are going unfilled. It takes many hands to make a campus run smoothly, and Student Employment Services representatives are looking to add more students to GRCC’s workforce. There are currently about 110 students employed, which is down significantly compared to before the pandemic, said Christopher Allen, associate director of Student Employment Services. “We are at roughly a third of what we were at in 2019,” he said. While fewer student jobs are offered by the campus and its partners now than pre-pandemic, there are more openings than in the past. “We are maybe double what we usually have (of open jobs) available,” Allen said. ( See on-campus job openings.) The drop-off in student workers started when the campus went virtual in March 2020. It’s rebounded some since then, Allen said, but it’s not back to where it was. “If you were going to compare it to 2020, we have picked up,” he said. “We are starting to get more applications.” To attract students, GRCC recently increased pay rates from $10.25 to $11 per hour, and $11.50 for lifeguard). Allen noted that GRCC student employees are not required to pay FICA taxes, which means a worker earning $11 per hour earns take-home pay comparable to approximately $11.84 elsewhere. GRCC also helps students find jobs off campus at many locations, which allows students to work more hours than the 28-hour on-campus maximum. There are also work study and non-work study jobs. For work study jobs, a student’s financial aid pays them as a way to pay off loans. For non-work study, the GRCC department the student works for pays the wage. Flexibility and Work Skills Nathan Holt has worked as an office assistant at Student Services in Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall since the beginning of the school year. A GRCC student graduating this spring with an associate degree in business, Holt helps fellow students with financial aid forms, enrollment and testing. “I was having trouble applying anywhere else because I needed experience in fields I want to go into, so I felt like this is a good one,” said Holt, who currently is enrolled in four classes. “I thought this would be a good start-up.” He said he’s developed customer service and personal interaction skills– which he sees as helpful for his career. “Speaking skills, when it comes to business, are really important,” he said. Another benefit of working for GRCC, he said, is that he can prioritize homework and class. He currently works about 18 hours a week. “Flexible hours, that’s a huge help,” he said. “There are a lot of advantages to being a student employee.” Wen Batzer liked working as a student employee so much that she went on to work for GRCC after graduation. While a student from 2018 to 2021, she worked at the front desk at Student Employment Services and at Student Records. She is now the student employment coordinator, helping students with resumes and mock interviews. She also connects with outside employers looking to hire students. Working for the college allowed her to focus on school and learn even more about college than she would have otherwise, she said. She plans to continue while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communications at Grand Valley State University. “Everyone was really nice and allowed a lot of flexibility with jobs and the work,” she said. “It was really interesting and informative to learn how the school works behind the scenes, because it made being a student a lot easier.” Now, with other students, she can relate to their needs and goals. “We really like to put the emphasis on that they are students first,” she said. This story was written and photographed by Erin Albanese of the School News Network. 

Feb. 9, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College women's basketball team's eight game win streak was snapped Wednesday by the first place Jackson College, 60-55, while the men's team also suffered a five-point loss, 79-74. Both teams struggled from the field with the women shooting 29.4% from the floor, including 3 of 22 from behind the arc, while the men shot 38.8% overall from the field. Sally Merrill led the Raiders with 12 points and 6 rebounds.  Grace Lodes knocked in 10 points and grabbed 8 boards while Karissa Ferry added 9 points and 8 rebounds. "Even without the outcome we wanted, I was proud of the way the kids battled, the way they fought, the way they never accepted a deficit as being too much," women’s team coach David Glazier said. "Moving forward for Saturday and beyond, the players and coaches have to find ways to be more consistent." GRCC is now 13-8 overall and 9-2 in the conference. Jackson now has a two-game lead in the MCCAA Western Conference, improving to 15-4 and 12-1 in the conference. GRCC's men's team was ahead once all night and trailed by 22 with 9:29 left in the game. The defense picked up and forced many Jackson turnovers down the stretch, managing to make it just a five-point game with 42 seconds left. But the team wasn’t able to connect on its final four shots. "I was happy that our guys fought back and made it competitive at the end, but I was disappointed that it took 30 minutes of game action to bring the energy and attitude we needed," Coach Joe Fox said.  "We need to come back Saturday with 40 minutes of good basketball." Drew Moore and Danyel Bibbs each scored 19 points while shooting 50% or better from the field. Ryel Daye had the Raiders only double-double, with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The loss dropped the Raiders to 9-15 overall and 4-9 in the conference.  Jackson improved to 15-8 and 8-5 in the conference. Both teams will play on the road on Feb. 12 against Lansing Community College. The women start at 1 p.m., with the men’s game following at 3 p.m.

Feb. 8, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- LaTosha Brown, an award-winning civil rights and voting rights activist, will offer the keynote address for this year’s Black History Month program hosted by Grand Rapids Community College’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The virtual event, free and open to the public, will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. Registration is available via Eventbrite at: tinyurl.com/GRCCequity A 2019 fellow with the Institute of Politics at Harvard University, Brown is an organizer, philanthropic consultant, and political strategist with over 20 years of experience working in the non-profit and philanthropy sectors on a wide variety of issues related to political empowerment, social justice, economic development, leadership development, wealth creation, and civil rights. Brown, a native of Selma, Ala., is also the co-founder of Black Voters Matter. This power-building southern-based civic engagement organization was instrumental in the 2017 Alabama U.S. Senate race and the 2020 U.S. presidential election. “Ms. Brown’s work mirrors the activism of historical titans such as Fannie Lou Hamer, Ida B. Wells, and Dorothy Height,” said Dr. B. Afeni McNeely Cobham, GRCC’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer. “Latosha’s commitment to expansive voter access has placed her at the epicenter of what some have defined as restrictive election reforms. The keynote address will explore the importance and impact of staying engaged in the democratic process of voting at every level.” As a catalyst for change, thought leader and social strategist, Brown’s national and global efforts have been known to organize, inspire and catapult people into action. In 2021, Glamour magazine recognized Brown in the ‘Women of the Year’ issue for her contribution to protect democracy. In previous years, she has received the White House Champion of Change Award, Spirit of Democracy Award, and the Louis Burnham Award for Human Rights.

Feb. 7, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College women's basketball team’s win streak is at eight games after Sally Merrill dropped in 26 points against Glen Oaks Community College on Monday. The men's team struggled against the Vikings, losing 91-70. Ten different members of the women’s team scored at least two points and every player grabbed at least one rebound in the 72-58 victory.  "Hard fought win tonight against a talented and improving Glen Oaks team," Coach David Glazier said.  "I felt we again had to fight through a slow start. But credit to our entire roster for stepping up and contributing when we needed it." Merrill led GRCC in scoring for the 12th time this season, shooting 10 of 19 from the floor and 5 of 6 from the free throw line. The Raiders’ bench outscored their opposition 25-1, led by Allison Kellogg, who poured in eight points. The win keeps GRCC all alone in second place in the MCCAA Western Conference with a 13-7 record, 9-1 in the conference. GRCC's men's team shot 34% from the field compared to 52% for Glen Oaks. The team also was outscored by 30 points in the paint.  Ten players scored in double digits during the game, including six from the Vikings, who were led by Qualen Pettus with 19 points off the bench. The Raiders, who are 9-14 overall and 4-8 in the conference, were led by forward Nyuon Nhial, who scored a career-high 17 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Ryel Daye had his seventh double-double of the season, scoring 13 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. "In this league, you have to go into every game wanting to win, not expecting to win," Coach Joe Fox said.  "I thought the guys from Glen Oaks executed and were focused, and I thought we were a bit on our heels. Thankfully it’s a quick turnaround to a big rematch game for us, and we get to take on a very good Jackson College team on Wednesday. Our guys will be ready." Both teams will be back on the Hunsberger Arena court to take on Jackson College on Feb. 9. 

Feb. 7, 2022 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Versiti, which supplies life-saving blood for medical procedures in Michigan and four other Midwestern states, is funding Grand Rapids Community College scholarships to train the people who collect those donations. The blood supplier plans to award four  Versity Phlebotomy Skills Scholarships nnually to cover tuition for GRCC’s Phlebotomy Skills program. The first two scholarships are going to students in the latest session of the program, which started today. Hannah Tuuri, Versiti Inc.’s talent acquisition specialist, said the organization hopes the scholarships encourage people in underrepresented populations to consider this rewarding career. “Versiti is committed to building ethnic diversity within the donor population,” she said. “The scholarship is designed to help us develop diversity within our industry and teams to ensure that we reflect the population in which we serve.” Linda Witte, program developer for GRCC’s health certificate programs, said demand for phlebotomists is projected to grow by 21% each year with 400 job openings annually. GRCC’s 10-week Phlebotomy Skills program is presented in a hybrid format, with lectures online and smaller groups of students meeting in person on the downtown campus for labs and demonstrations. “This is a skill-building course,” Witte said. “About half of the people who come into this class are already working in health care, and the other half are looking for that entry-level job.” Those who are interested in the Phlebotomy Skills program can find more information online. Dr. Kathryn Mullins, vice president of College Advancement and executive director of the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation, said the Versiti Phlebotomy Skills Scholarships will encourage people to train for an important job, benefiting all of West Michigan. “Community partners like Versiti are critical to GRCC’s role of providing people with opportunities for higher education and skills training,” she said.

Feb. 7, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Tristan Walczewski believes in taking “intelligent risks.” Start at Grand Rapids Community College and go anywhere. Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC gave them the education and opportunity to be successful. When an unconventional opportunity came along, Walczewski grabbed it, confident in all he’d learned at GRCC. “My first year spent studying at GRCC was actually Music Education,” he said. “After revisiting my study, I chose to transition to business.” Walczewski went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management, with a minor in international finance, from Davenport University. Shortly after graduating, he decided to pursue a new goal: sommelier certifications. He earned an Advanced Sommelier Certification last year and hopes to gain a Master Sommelier Diploma in 2023.  “I knew I wanted to do something unconventional, that was dynamic and fast-paced,” he said. “As I was completing my undergrad, an opportunity arose that I never considered as a career path and I was fortunate to be granted the opportunity to try it.” He’s now general manager of Bistro Bella Vita in downtown Grand Rapids and beverage director for the dining establishment’s parent company, Essence Restaurant Group. In these two roles, he draws equally on what he’s learned in his sommelier studies and in business classes as GRCC. “I thoroughly enjoyed my speech and communication course along with the very helpful Microsoft classes,” he said. “Professional communication and an understanding of finance are vital in any position. “The GRCC professors were educated in their fields, and many were working actively in their field in addition to teaching, which I found to be helpful in understanding the real world application of the curriculum.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at  grcc.edu/apply .

Feb. 5, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College women's basketball extended their win streak to seven in a row, while the men's basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak in a sweep of Kellogg Community College on Saturday. The women’s team dominated, with all 11 GRCC players scoring at least two points and grabbing at least one rebound in the Raiders’ 57-31 victory. The win keeps GRCC all alone in second place in the MCCAA Western Conference with a 12-7 record, 8-1 in the conference. Forwards Grace Lodes and Sally Merrill led GRCC with 10 points and both tallied four rebounds in 19 minutes on the court. Audrey Harnish led the team in rebounding with nine while scoring six points off the bench. Emersyn Koepke added eight points and six rebounds. "Extremely happy with the complete team performance today," Coach David Glazier said. "Our reserves work their butts off everyday so it was rewarding to see them all contribute to the win today." In the men’s game, GRCC point guard Danyel Bibbs was nearly unstoppable, connecting on 11 of 13 from the field, one of one from three-point range and three of three from the charity stripe, for a game-high 26 points.  He also had a game-high nine assists, four blocks and three steals. The Bruins jumped out to an early lead and had a nine-point advantage 7:22 into the game, but the Raiders outscored the visitors by 14 to close the half up 48-43. GRCC, 9-13 overall and 4-7 in the conference, led the entire second half, hanging on for a 96-90 victory, snapping a three-game skid. Andrew Moore knocked in 19 points while Brockton Kohler poured in 18 points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds. "Playing a team back-to-back, especially after a heartbreaker like the last game, can be difficult," Coach Joe Fox said. "Both teams made adjustments, and I was happy with how the guys executed. Danyel Bibbs did a great job pushing the pace offensively, and Nyuon Nhial was a great anchor defensively in the second half. I’m excited for the guys to get a W after putting in a lot of hard work. The next key is to build on this win and keep momentum rolling moving toward the playoffs." Both teams will have just one day off before they take on Glen Oaks Community College in Grand Rapids on Feb. 7.

February 4, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The introduction of Grand Rapids Community College’s first-ever Young Alumni Award winner, breakfast with presidents, and basketball games against rivals Kalamazoo Valley Community College are among the week of activities featured in this year’s Homecoming. While a number of the activities are taking place remotely, others will be conducted in person with wellness protocols as the campus faces challenges created by the pandemic. “There is truly something for everyone in this year’s Homecoming celebration,” said Lina Blair, director of the Office of Student Life. “We’re proud of who we are and what we do at GRCC. It’s exciting to recognize our alumni – and our future alumni – with activities that are fun, informative, and inspirational.” Additional information is available at grcc.edu/homecoming . Friday, Feb. 11: It’s Spirit Day! Employees, students, alumni, families, and even pets are encouraged to show their spirit by wearing your GRCC attire. Take individual or team photos for a chance to win prizes. Monday, Feb. 14: GRCC’s first-ever Young Alumni Award winner will be announced on social media. The GRCC Foundation is honoring alumni age 40 and younger, highlighting accomplishments and sharing inspiring stories about how a GRCC education is vitally important to launch educational journeys and careers. A virtual Student Organization Mixer is planned for 2-4 p.m. Representatives from groups across campus will be available using REMO and will share information about opportunities and activities.  Registration is available here . Tuesday, Feb. 15: Have breakfast with GRCC President Bill Pink, Student Alliance President Brendan Burke, and other student leaders. Grab-and-go meals will be available between 9 and 10:30 a.m. on the fourth floor of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall. Get vaccinated or boosted. We’re all fighting the pandemic together. GRCC’s latest vaccination and booster clinic is planned for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the fourth floor of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall. We’re celebrating leaders, events and opportunities during Black History Month. The GRCC Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is hosting a virtual keynote address at 6 p.m. featuring LaTosha Brown. She is a 2019 fellow with The Institute of Politics at Harvard University, is an award-winning organizer, philanthropic consultant, political strategist, and jazz singer with over 20 years of experience working in the non-profit and philanthropy sectors on a wide variety of issues related to political empowerment, social justice, economic development, leadership development, wealth creation, and civil rights. Details about registration are available here . Wednesday, Feb. 16 Employees are invited to a Winter Warm-up presented by the GRCC Human Resources Department. Three kinds of soup will be available as a grab-and-go meal between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at Sneden Hall Room 103 and Student Center Room 234. Students can participate in a BINGO night sponsored by the Campus Activities Board in the Raider Grill between 5:30 and 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17 Leslie Tassell M-TEC employees are invited to a Winter Warm-up presented by the GRCC Human Resources Department. Three kinds of soup will be available as a grab-and-go meal between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the M-TEC. Friday, Feb. 18 It’s Spirit Day! Show your Raider Pride by wearing your GRCC attire. The winner of the Raider Spirit photo contest will be announced. Raiders on Ice! GRCC students, employees and alumni are invited to skate for free between 5 and 10 p.m. at Griff’s Ice House Address: 30 Coldbrook St NE in Grand Rapids. Saturday, Feb. 19 The Big Game! The GRCC men’s and women’s basketball teams are taking on the rivals at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The action will be available for viewing online. The women’s team tips off at 1 p.m., with the men’s team starting at 3 p.m.  

Feb. 3, 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 Linda Witte. Linda develops and manages health certificate programs for GRCC. Specifically, she manages GRCC's Medical Assistant, CNA, Pharmacy Technician, and Phlebotomy Skills Training programs. Linda also is also developing a Direct Support Professional program, and is assisting with Surgical Technologist and Anesthesia Technologist programs. This work is as dynamic as it sounds. "I meet with employers to find out their hiring needs and put together short-term training programs to fill their needs," Linda said. "Secondly, I oversee the best group of trainers who have a big heart for students. Thirdly, I work with potential and current students -- from wanting to know more about health careers, to encouraging their success once they are in our programs, to celebrating with them once they've successfully completed the program. I ensure that our curriculum teaches students what the profession needs them to know, and I arrange for the student's clinical placements." Linda is an advocate for healthcare careers, and not just because there is great demand for highly skilled professionals. She knows quality healthcare has a big impact on people's lives, and it's a great field to work in. "It's so rewarding to make an impact on a person's ability to be healthy and lead a fulfilling life," she said. "Like many people in healthcare, my interest started with a family member who was seriously ill -- my brother had leukemia. Because of that, I was exposed to a lot of different health professions as I was growing up. I really liked the idea of being able to help a person's mental wellbeing, so I majored in psychology and social work. I worked in a lot of different health professions including pharmacy, CNA, administrative work, adult foster care, and medical assisting." This breadth of experience gives Linda an edge as she develops and manages healthcare programs for the college. "There are so many choices for people in health careers and it's fun for me to help people consider their options," she said. "I can also relate to those who may be nervous thinking about going back to school, as I went back after 24 years to continue my education. If I can do it, others can too!" Linda's first job at age 14 was in a pharmacy and she's been employed in healthcare ever since. She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology, with a minor in Social Work, from Calvin University. Her career after college focused on behavioral healthcare in roles including direct care, activity therapy, resident advising, and finally staff educator. As Linda's career evolved she wanted to become more involved in helping staff and programs grow. She returned to college to earn her master's degree in Public Administration and Management from Grand Valley State University. "All of these experiences came together to equip me for the position I'm in now," she said. There is no choice between who Linda enjoys working with more in her current position - local employers, GRCC students, or GRCC staff -- she loves them all! "We have employers who care that this career is fulfilling to employees, and who want to support the success of our students," Linda said. "Plus, our staff of GRCC trainers is the best! I love to hear students talk about how their trainers go the extra mile to support their success. Finally, our students are amazing! They are passionate about making other people's lives better. Our students are so resilient at working through obstacles with determination in order to obtain a certification and career in healthcare. Their stories move and inspire me."