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Martin Luther King Jr “Legacy Week” Events: Jan. 13-19

  Join GRCC in honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a week of reflection, service, dialogue and community-building. Kids Food Basket: Bag Decorating Tuesday, Jan. 13 11 AM – 2 PM SCC Raider Grille 205 & SCC 3rd Floor Corridor Movie Film Screening: One Night in Miami Wednesday, Jan. 14 Screening at 11:30 AM Screening: ATC Room 168 Discussion at 1:30 PM Discussion: ATC Rooms 122/124 MLK Campus Guest Speaker: Dr. Dar Mayweather Thursday, Jan. 15 ATC Rooms 11–11:30 AM Brunch (Rooms 122/124) 11:30 AM–1:30 PM Speaker Presentation (Room 168) Livestream: Dr. Dar Mayweather Presentation 1-15-26 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Community Leaders Panel Discussion: A Call To Courageous Community Action Monday, Jan. 19 6  PM Wealthy Street Theater Watch the livestream on Vimeo from our  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration webpage. Additional Community Events For more community events, visit The King Center’s  2026 King Holiday: Mission Possible 2- Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way webpage.  You can also learn more about the great work the The King Center does by providing many services and opportunities: education and training, offerings for students and educators, research and scholarship, program and events, and a global network. They state, “Our mission is to empower people to create a just, humane, equitable and peaceful world by applying Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy and methodology (Nonviolence365).”  

Nominations being sought for 2026 Emeritus Faculty Award: Due Feb. 6

You are invited to nominate a GRCC retired faculty or administrator for the Emeritus Faculty Award. This award was established in 1985 to honor those instructors and administrators whose dedication and creativity have left an indelible mark on the lives of students and colleagues at GRCC.  During their tenure at GRCC and since their retirement, they have continued to promote GRCC’s “Commitment to Excellence.” Please submit online nominations by noon on  Friday, Feb. 6, 2026  on our  Emeritus Faculty Award Nomination Form webpage . For more information, please visit the  Emeritus Award webpage.  

New Career Pathways Partnership Connects Promise Zone Students to In-Demand Careers

Jan. 9, 2026 A new partnership between the  Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority and the  Grand Rapids Chamber is opening doors for Promise Zone students to explore careers, connect with employers and prepare for the workforce. Launched in January 2026, Career Pathways expands access to career exploration, employer engagement and workforce readiness resources designed to help students align their education with high-demand careers in West Michigan. Bridging the Gap Between Education and Careers Career Pathways connects Promise Zone students with employers through small-group conversations, structured career readiness tools and ongoing support through experience. The goal is to remove barriers between students and employers while providing meaningful, high-quality opportunities to explore careers and build confidence. “We are working to remove barriers between students and employers, creating high-quality experiences for career exploration,” said Jamell Hatchett, talent pipeline program manager at the Grand Rapids Chamber. “Career Pathways will provide support before, during and after each opportunity, ensuring every student feels seen, connected and prepared.” Programming begins during the Winter 2026 semester and offers students clearer, more accessible pathways into high-demand fields. How the Partnership Works Through a collaborative, hands-on approach, students will gain real-world insight into careers such as: Health sciences Skilled trades Business Technology Hospitality The Grand Raids Chamber will engage industry professionals to participate in employer conversations, site visits and mentoring, helping students better understand workplace expectations and career options. Students will also receive support with resumes, interview preparation and access to Chamber-supported talent development resources. The Grand Rapids Promise Zone will lead student outreach, preparation and follow-up to ensure sustained engagement and meaningful outcomes. “We are excited for the partnership and the opportunities it will provide our students to gain career insights, build connections and gain experiences that prepare them to enter the workforce,” said Ashlee Mishler, director of the Grand Rapids Promise Zone. Building on Strong Educational Partnerships This new initiative builds on a longstanding partnership between the Grand Rapids Promise Zone and Grand Rapids Community College, which became the first city-wide collaboration between public, public charter and private schools in Grand Rapids’ history. Promise Zone students who earn an associate degree at GRCC may also complete a bachelor’s degree at Ferris State University or Grand Valley State University through a new partnership that provides up to $7,000 per academic year at each university. About the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship The Grand Rapids Promise Zone removes financial barriers to higher education by covering tuition, fees, textbooks and more. The scholarship also includes: A $500 credit each fall and winter semester at GRCC for on-campus expenses such as food, parking or printing Additional staff support to connect students with on- and off-campus resources To qualify, students must live in the city of Grand Rapids and graduate from one of 25 eligible high schools, with continuous residency and attendance since the start of 11th grade. Since launching in 2020, more than 2,000 GRCC students have received support through the Promise Zone Scholarship. Enrollment has grown from 245 students in fall 2020 to nearly 800 students enrolled this fall. Promise scholarships like Grand Rapids’ are now offered in 13 communities across Michigan.

MI-ACE Women's Network: Lunch and Learn Professional Development Webinar Jan. 23

Mentorship by Design: Creating the Support Systems that Move You Forward Jan. 23, 2026  Noon – 1 p.m. Zoom Webinar:   Webinar Registration A panel session that discusses how to find mentors, build strong relationships and leverage mentorship to overcome obstacles and achieve leadership goals. Panel members: Dr. Shannon Lynn Burton,  University Ombudsperson, Michigan State University Dr. Stephanie J. Lee, University Ombudsperson, Oakland University Dr. Remylin Bruder, Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs, Rochester Christian University

Opening/Learning Day Kicks Off 2026 With Connection, Learning and a Mascot Reveal

The GRCC community rang in the new year together on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, during Opening/Learning Day — an annual tradition focused on connection, learning and shared purpose. Employees gathered in the Ford Field House for breakfast, conversation and the first-ever Opening Day Marketplace, which showcased departments and services from across the college. The morning culminated with Opening Remarks from Interim President Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg, followed by remarks from outgoing Board Chair Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, GRCC’s 12th President Dr. Kathryn Rogalski and incoming Board Chair Salvador Lopez. The program concluded with the long-anticipated reveal of GRCC’s new mascot. Watch the Opening Day highlights and mascot reveal:  Opening Day January 2026 The day’s programming emphasized inclusive teaching, well-being and professional growth, beginning with the Faculty Showcase Panel,  Elevating Excellence with Active and Inclusive Learning Experiences . Sessions continued throughout the afternoon, giving employees the opportunity to learn from colleagues, explore new ideas and reflect together as the semester approached. Thank You for Joining Us Opening/Learning Day is a reminder of the strength of the GRCC community and the shared commitment to student success that unites us. Thank you to everyone who attended in person, helped plan the day or supported operations behind the scenes. A special thank you to our colleagues in Teaching, Learning, and Distance Education (TLDE) for coordinating the Learning Day program. If you were unable to attend or would like to revisit the morning’s highlights, we encourage you to watch the video linked above. Here’s to a strong start to 2026 and to moving forward together.  

GRCC’s New Otter Mascot Debuts With a Splash

Jan. 6, 2026 Our new mascot is here and ready to slide down a snowy riverbank into some GRCC school spirit! The River Raider is inspired by GRCC’s location, energy and commitment to helping students navigate their educational journey and reach their goals. Otters are curious, clever and quick, just like GRCC students. They adapt to change, face challenges with grit and explore new paths with a playful and determined spirit. Our kind of Raider! The process for choosing a new mascot was based on student, employee and alumni feedback. GRCC Raiders voted on their favorite mascot finalist during the last week of September. After a week of fierce competition and 2,388 votes, a clear winner emerged! The otter received 54% of votes, with 60% of overall votes coming from students. Meet the River Raider The River Raider is a curious and social creature who grew up along the banks of the Grand River. As a pup, the River Raider tumbled and played in the cascading river rapids for which the city of Grand Rapids would be named. The challenging flow of the river current taught the River Raider resilience and how to adapt to quickly changing environments. Values Resilient Agile, Swift Our Raider is adept at navigating life’s challenging currents, adapting quickly to new educational paths and overcoming setbacks through patience and persistence. Community-Focused Social, Supportive Otters live in “rafts” or communities to stay warm and keep from drifting apart. The River Raider views the entire GRCC community as their raft, emphasizing inclusion and collective success. Clever Resourceful, Quick The River Raider is drawn to GRCC because of our focus on career readiness, practical knowledge and the ability to use tools — literal and metaphorical — to achieve a goal. Energetic Playful, Cheerful The River Raider uses their high energy to keep spirits up, encourage engagement in campus life and celebrate every victory, large or small. Fun Facts Favorite food: sushi, of course. Hobbies: swimming and diving in the summer, sliding on snowy riverbanks in the winter. Special skills: using polished river stones to open shells and solve small puzzles. They also give special stones to their friends. Favorite color: blue…maybe yellow…maybe both? Tip: never challenge the River Raider to a breath holding competition. They can hold their breath for eight minutes! The River Raider Is Ready to Dive Into Campus Life With a playful and persistent spirit, the River Raider embodies the GRCC promise of helping every student thrive and find their community. And just like our students, our mascot is ready to tackle the constant flow of life and learning and adapt to new challenges. The Marketing and Communications team will be out and about the first week of winter semester classes with free mascot t-shirts, stickers and keychains for students. We’re also collaborating with the Bookstore and GRCC Athletics to create exclusive swag. Get ready to see the River Raider all over campus!

GRCC Players’ perform “Orion” January 22-24

  January 22-24, 2026 7:30 p.m. Spectrum Theater, Lab Theater (Room 201)* By Matthew McLachlan When Sam and Gwen's relationship comes to an abrupt end, Sam is guided through the wreckage with the help of his friends Scott and Abby to find his place in Gwen's life, while a part of Gwen may not be ready to let go of Sam either. Orion tells a story of love’s complexity at the start of our adult lives and those love relationships that end, but never really leave us. This play about relationships, far beyond an ordinary breakup drama, uses honesty, charm, and humor to dig deeply into the reasons why we love and make the sacrifices we do. The first full-length play of a rising star in the playwriting world, Matthew McLachlan provides a knockout debut in which fans of great contemporary plays are sure to love. $18 General Admission  $12 GRCC Faculty and Staff  $5 GRCC Student Buy  Tickets . For more information, email jonathanwheeler@grcc.edu or call (616) 234-3946.

Faculty and Administrators: Cap and Gown Orders Due Feb. 6

As we prepare for this year’s commencement ceremony, we want to remind faculty and administrators who are processioning that the deadline to order your academic regalia through the GRCC Bookstore is  Friday, February 6 If you do not have a cap and gown, please be sure to place your order before the deadline. Pricing may vary depending on the customization of your academic hood.  To place an order, you may visit the GRCC Bookstore and speak with Patti Toth, or you can reach her via email at patriciatoth@grcc.edu.

Meet the People Who are “Here With” Our Students

If you’ve heard the phrase  Here With You popping up lately, it’s more than a campaign — it’s a reflection of how many of our colleagues show up for students every day. As part of that ongoing effort, we’re introducing three relatively new leaders whose work plays a critical role in helping students navigate college, find their footing and keep moving forward: Crystal Morris, Amy Huntington, and Dr. D’Wayne Jenkins. While their areas span financial aid, advising and support, and student life, they share a common commitment — meeting students where they are and walking alongside them. Crystal Morris: Helping Students Find a Way   As executive director of financial aid, Crystal Morris understands that financial aid can feel overwhelming and stressful for students. Her message is simple and reassuring:  there is almost always a way forward. Crystal and her team spend a lot of time helping students understand the “why” behind financial aid decisions, whether it’s FAFSA verification, appeals, or what happens when life disrupts a semester. They don’t just explain the process, they guide students through it, step by step. Crystal often reminds students that completing a FAFSA doesn’t mean taking out a loan, and that many students don’t realize how much aid, including scholarships and state funding, they may be eligible for. Her team works hard to help students minimize debt and focus on persistence and success. In her words, Financial Aid isn’t here to say no, they’re here to show students how. Amy Huntington: Helping Students Figure It Out (One Step at a Time)   If you’ve met Amy Huntington, associate dean of student advising and support, you know her approach is refreshingly honest and student-centered. She’s quick to tell students they don’t need to have everything figured out and that trying something is often the best place to start. Amy leads a broad portfolio that includes academic advising, disability support, counseling and the Center for Career and Professional Readiness. Together, these areas support students as whole people, not just course schedules. Advisors in Amy’s areas help students save time and money by choosing the right classes, but they also help students navigate work, family responsibilities and moments of uncertainty. Amy is especially proud of the college’s Center for Counseling and Well-Being, noting that free, confidential support and opportunities for connection are essential to helping students persist. Her philosophy is simple: keep the momentum going, meet students without judgment and help them take the next step forward, whatever that looks like. Dr. D’Wayne Jenkins: Creating Belonging and Building Trust   For Dr. D’Wayne Jenkins, dean of student life, student support is deeply personal. His own college experience lacked the guidance and connection he now works to provide for others. “I want to be someone that I did not have,” he often says and that mindset shapes how Student Life approaches its work. Dr. Jenkins and his team focus on engagement, leadership, belonging and retention. From student organizations and leadership development to advocacy and basic needs support, the goal is to help students feel connected and supported early, before challenges become barriers. Listening to student voices, building trust and creating welcoming spaces are central to the work. As Dr. Jenkins puts it, success isn’t always quantifiable, sometimes it’s about relationships, confidence and helping students feel like they belong at GRCC. More Stories Coming Soon Crystal, Amy and D’Wayne are just the beginning. The Here With You campaign will continue to spotlight employees from across the college — advisors, navigators, coaches, frontline staff and others who meet students where they are and help them move forward. Stay tuned for more stories and more opportunities to get to know the people who are here with our students every step of the way.
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