Jan. 13, 2021, SUMMIT TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College men’s basketball team battled Jackson College through three overtime periods, but fell short, losing 124-119 on Thursday. The women’s team also was defeated by a strong Jackson team, losing 70-50. The men’s team played into overtime for the fourth time this season. GRCC started strong, building a 20-point lead. But the Jets soared back to make it a six-point game at the half. Dayton Cole's three-point play with 3:56 remaining in regulation gave Jackson its first lead of the game. With just under a minute to go, Cole would hit another basket, tying the game at 86. GRCC had a chance to win it, but Ryel Daye's three-point shot was short and Diego Ledsema's tip-in attempt missed as the buzzer sounded. In the beginning of the first overtime, Jackson’s Alex Daniels took advantage of a double-technical foul called on GRCC, hitting all six of his free throw attempts to put his team up 92-86. But it didn't take the Raiders long tie score at 93. Three more free throws by Daniel seemed to put the Jets up for good, 103-95 with under a minute to go. But GRCC forced another overtime after a three-point basket by Daye, a sophomore from Kentwood, with less than five seconds to go. In double overtime, GRCC was the Raiders up two, but Jackson’s Gabe Damey would hit a game-tying shot just before the buzzer. Damey had a triple-double on the night, with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists. Down three in triple-overtime, Daye had a look at forcing another extra session, but was unable to sink the basket and the Jets held on to win. Six different Raiders scored in double-digits, while Daye, with 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Danyel Bibbs, with 11 points and 11 assists, each had a double-double.   Moore, of Grand Rapids, shot 50% from the floor and picked up 6 rebounds and four steals. Ledsema, of Wyoming, playing his first game for the Raiders, sparked his squad with 16 points, seven rebounds and five steals. The women's team, now 5-7 on the season, stayed close to Jackson through the first quarter, but the Jets would outscore the short-handed Raiders in each of the final three quarters.  Jackson has seven wins and three losses.   GRCC, playing without two starters and a key role player, managed to keep within 10 points for most of the game. But Jackson pulled away late in the fourth quarter to win. Sally Merrill, a freshman from Allegan, added seven boards, playing in all 40 minutes. Freshman Alysia Wesley of Grand Rapids connected on for of seven throws from the field to score 10 points off the bench. Marlene Bussler, a freshman from Battle Creek, nearly had a double-double with eight points and team-high nine rebounds. Both teams will return home on Jan. 15 to take on Lansing Community College, with the women's game tipping off first at 1:30 p.m. Fans who bring in three or more canned goods to support GRCC's food pantry will be admitted free.  General admission is $3 per person. 

Jan. 13, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College Athletics is teaming up with Student Life to support students challenged by food insecurity, offering reduced price or free admission to two upcoming basketball games in exchange for food donations. Spectators who bring three canned food items to the Saturday, Jan. 15 games against Lansing Community College or the Wednesday, Jan. 19 game against Muskegon Community College will be admitted free. Those bringing two canned items will be admitted for $1, and fans bringing one canned good will be admitted for $2. On Saturday, the women’s basketball game starts at 1 p.m. with the men taking the court at 3 p.m. On Jan. 19, the women start at 5:30 p.m. with the men tipping off at 7:30 p.m. All of the canned goods will be donated to the GRCC Food Pantry, which has served thousands of students since the start of the pandemic. “The Athletics Department is part of our campus community, and it’s important for our student-athletes to be leaders on and off the court,” Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. “This is an opportunity to support our campus food pantry, but also raise awareness of the problem of food insecurity and how it affects our students.” GRCC’s Food Pantry and snack pantries are designed to meet the immediate food needs of its students on campus by providing a variety of non-perishable food items and basic necessities to students and their families. GRCC’s Food Pantry is located in the Student Center, and is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Students can visit the pantry weekly. Students can register in the Student Life Office. There are 10 snack pantries located across campus, providing grab-and-go options including granola bars and microwavable soups. They are maintained in partnership by Student Life, the English department, Psi Beta, Counseling and Career Development, Library and Learning Commons and the Tassell M-TEC. The Snack Pantries do not require registration and food is provided when available. Information is available at grcc.edu/foodpantry . “We’re so appreciative of GRCC Athletics, and all of the student and community groups that have supported the Food Pantry,” said Lina Blair, GRCC’s director of Student Life and Conduct. “Many of our students struggle with food insecurity, and the problem intensified during the pandemic. We’re fortunate to have a supportive community to help students overcome this obstacle.”  Students can connect with additional campus and community resources at grcc.edu/gethelp . The food drive is part of a conference-wide effort organized by the Michigan Community College Athletic Association.

Jan. 12, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Senad Ajdarevic drops by the Seymour Branch of the Grand Rapids Public Library a few times a week to take advantage of tutoring services from Nathan Reinke. On a recent Thursday afternoon, Ajdarevic was working on a cover letter for an English 101 assignment. “I’m getting ahead in my work,” said the first-semester GRCC student. A member of the Bosnian community and a 2021 East Kentwood High School graduate, Ajdaravic is the first in his family to attend college. He is pursuing a criminal justice degree and hopes to become a police officer. He explained, “My goal is to get a bachelor’s. That’s my number one goal.” Reinke is helping Ajdarevic and other GRCC students meet their goals. Thanks to a grant from the AT&T Foundation and a partnership with the Grand Rapids Public Library, the GRCC Seymour Learning Hub started in September, offering a quiet place to study, snacks and English tutoring from Reinke, 24 hours a week, at 2350 Eastern Ave. SE. He works with as many as 30 students per week. A lot of his time is also spent helping students navigate GRCC’s online platform, Blackboard. He also helps them set up for Accuplacer testing and complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms. Drop in hours are 3 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The program was recently extended to continue on the same schedule next semester. Serving Southeast Side Students “You get the one-on-one help, and what’s best about this program is it’s not limited,” Ajdarevic said, referring to the fact that he can come five days a week in addition to attending in-person classes. “Time flies by … it’s amazing. I’m here a lot.” Reinke said the learning hub was created to offer the community in the 49507 ZIP code a neighborhood go-to place for GRCC tutoring. The area is home to many students who are minorities and English-language learners. “We are also specifically trying to target non-traditional students – students who are going to college after five or more years of being out of school,” he said. Many students are taking online courses, so it’s a benefit to have someone like Reinke to check in with if they have questions. Reinke, a 2021 graduate of Grand Valley State University, has a bachelor’s degree in professional and classical language. “I recommend Nathan. He’s a very big help,” Ajdarevic said. “He’s very nice, and what is good about Nathan is he has experience with college students. You basically have a peer right by your side to help you out.” This story was written and photographed by Erin Albanese of the School News Network .

Jan. 11, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich . – Singer and songwriter Nik Thomasma tried college in his mid-20s but never really found his groove. Now 41, the lifelong musician is back at Grand Rapids Community College studying business and marketing – and pulling straight As. “I realized I knew how to be a musician. But now I’m focusing on the business of being a musician and taking some ownership in it all,” he said. Although Thomasma always wanted a college degree, he never imagined it possible until Michigan Reconnect . Launched nearly one year ago, the state scholarship program removes cost as a barrier by providing free in-district tuition for those 25 and older who don’t already have a college degree. “The day the state announced the Michigan Reconnect program I thought, ‘I am going to do that!’ I was just thrilled,” he said. The scholarships are changing lives of people like Thomasma across the state. At GRCC, 1,443 students enrolled through Michigan Reconnect for the Winter 2022 semester. "Many of our students and others in our community are experiencing financial difficulties during the pandemic. Reconnect has removed tuition as an obstacle to getting a quality GRCC education," President Bill Pink said last year when the program was announced.  Thomasma worked much of his adult life singing solo or with his band, Nicholas James and The Bandwagon, at music festivals and breweries in West Michigan and across the state. But the pandemic put a screeching halt to public performances. “I generally would play three to five nights a week. But there just aren’t a lot of gigs available right now,” he said. “So this was really the perfect time for me to go back to college. My goal is to complete my associate degree in two years.” And how are classes going? “I’ve always been a good test-taker, but I would struggle at homework and sitting still and paying attention in class,” said Thomasma, a 1998 Kenowa Hills High School graduate. “But I don’t struggle anymore. It’s a lot easier to pay attention, sit still and focus now as an adult.” The biggest challenge, he said, was adjusting to 21 st  Century classroom technology. “Blackboard and all these online tools and portals you have to navigate now didn’t exist when I was in college before,” he said. “It took a while to get used to them, but I’ve got the hang of it now.” Rather than feel embarrassed about college at his age, Thomasma is proud to often be one of the oldest students in classes. “Because of my age, I have a certain level of confidence in myself. I'm happy about where I am and what I'm doing,” he said. Additional information about the Michigan Reconnect program is available at  grcc.edu/reconnect,  by emailing  reconnect@grcc.edu  or by calling (616) 234-3366. This story was reported by Beth McKenna for GRCC.

Jan. 10, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Residents can gain in-demand skills needed for careers with local municipalities through the next session of Grand Rapids Community College’s Public Works Academy, which starts Jan. 25. GRCC teamed up with local municipalities to provide the program, which includes guaranteed interviews for open jobs. “Public works employees are vitally important in our communities, and in great demand across our region,” said Julie Parks, interim dean of GRCC’s School of Workforce Development. “This is a great example of how we work with community partners to create opportunities for residents while building a talented workforce.” Community partners include public works departments for Grand Rapids, Kentwood and Grand Haven, in addition to the road commissions from Kent and Muskegon counties, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and engineering firm Fleis & VandenBrink. The academy runs 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays from Jan. 25 to March 16.  The program is open to people ages 18 and older who are ready to work. A high school diploma or GED diploma is recommended. A valid driver’s license is required. Successful graduates will receive interviews with at least two community partners for possible seasonal or internship positions at public works facilities in West Michigan. This is the first step to secure a full-time position. Job titles include: building specialist; engineering technician; equipment operator; fleet services technician; maintenance worker for utilities, streets, grounds, and buildings; plant assistant; safety specialist; and tree trimmer. John Gorney, Public Works director for Grand Rapids, said people in public works careers play an important role in maintaining a community’s health and vitality. Many municipalities are seeing an increase in retirements, creating demand – but also chances for people to gain a variety of skills for rewarding careers.  “Municipalities across the country have been challenged in recent years to attract qualified individuals for entry-level public works positions,” he said. The Public Works Academy at GRCC was created in 2018 to establish more recognition of public works careers, and provide pathways for people seeking career opportunities and potential advancement. Gorney said establishing a “one-stop” training opportunity for employers to send new or incumbent workers was part of the mission. About 60 people have graduated from the academy so far, with nearly 50 of them obtaining some type of position in the public works field. “The city of Grand Rapids has directly benefited through hiring of trained and certified individuals, as well as incumbent workers who have advanced in their careers since attending,” Gorney said. “We hope to continue growing the program, and attracting more people to the noble profession of Public Works.” Additional information is available at grcc.edu/PublicWorks .

Jan. 10, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- 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. Josh Ferguson graduated from GRCC’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education in 2008, but his newest post doesn’t have him in the kitchen. In October, Ferguson was named director of business development for Creative Dining Services, a food services company that works with colleges, businesses, senior living communities and other institutions. “My job is to seek out and develop new partnerships with corporations, colleges and universities where we can provide our unique brand of personalized hospitality management services,” he said. “Even though I went to culinary school, I have always had an interest in sales and the business side of the hospitality industry.” Ferguson brings a variety of culinary and business experiences to his new role, with previous jobs at New Holland Brewing Co., Thousand Oaks Golf Course, Two Hats Ranch and Sysco. He even returned to GRCC for a while as assistant banquet chef. He credits the real-world experience he gained while a GRCC student for his career success. “I am proud to say that I wouldn’t be where I am today without GRCC,” he said. “My time there laid a strong foundation for which I have been able to build an exciting and rewarding career. “I’m a big believer in the idea that success can’t be achieved alone, and doors to opportunity don’t open by themselves. GRCC has been there – and continues to be there – to help open doors for me, and I am deeply thankful for that.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .

January 7, 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 Scott Mattson. Scott is GRCC's Job Training and Construction Trades Program Manager. Scott works with an incredible team at the GRCC Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC, helping students learn hands-on skills to start new careers in automotive; computers; construction electrical; machine tool and CNC; medical assistant; residential construction; and welding. Scott enjoys helping people reach their goals, whatever that may be. "There are so many opportunities in the skilled trades that don't often get shared and I love to share the life that can be earned on this path," he said. "I get to see individuals make life-changing decisions and how proud they are of themselves when they complete their program and begin working." Scott received his bachelor's degree from Lake Superior State University. He worked in Lansing after graduating, and then in the Upper Peninsula to work in the hospitality industry. He then returned to Lake Superior State University, this time as a staff member, serving as the men's and women's tennis coach and intramural activities director for four years. He came to GRCC in 2000. If you are interested in gaining career skills, connect with the M-TEC team via email at training@grcc.edu , by phone at (616) 234-3800. The M-TEC is located at 622 Godfrey Ave. SW in Grand Rapids.