Aug. 16, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Pulitzer Prize-winner Nikole Hannah-Jones and Emmy Award-winner John Leguizamo are among the speakers highlighting Grand Rapids Community College’s 2021-2022 Diversity Lecture Series and Latino Heritage Month. The Diversity Lecture Series provides students, employees and community members access to scholars, thought-leaders, activists, and artists and is presented by the GRCC’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “Our overarching goal for the year ahead is cultivating equity through an intersectional framework,” said Dr. B. Afeni McNeely Cobham, GRCC’s chief equity and inclusion officer. “We are adopting intersectionality from the work of professor Kimberlé Crenshaw, who describes intersectionality as an understanding of how race, class, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, physical appearance, height, and other individual characteristics ‘intersect’ with one another and overlap.” This year’s kickoff of the Diversity Lecture Series will highlight a new initiative called Interfaith Literacy. Keynote speaker Austin Channing Brown will lead a discussion about standing in the shadow of hope. In this context, the word “shadow” is a metaphor for patience and grace. Brown is a speaker, writer and media producer providing inspired leadership on justice in America. She is the author of “I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness.” Her workshops and lectures are incisive, fun, disarming and transformative. By using an intentional mix of humor, pop-culture, story-telling, and audience engagement, she evokes thought, feeling and action as she celebrates the possibility of justice in our organizations and communities.  The event is planned for 6 p.m. Sept. 7. Leguizamo established a career defying categorization. A multi-faceted performer, writer and director, Leguizamo's work in film, theatre, television and literature covers various genres with boundless and visceral creativity. Leguizamo starred in the hit one-person, Tony Award-nominated play, “Latin History for Morons” From November 2017 to February 2018, which revolves around all that is missing from his son’s middle-school understanding of Latino history. Leguizamo is the Latino Heritage Month keynote speaker and is scheduled to speak at 6 p.m. Sept. 15. Nikole Hannah-Jones is the creator of the 1619 Project, which has generated robust discussion about broadening what is taught in schools. Hannah-Jones was at the center of a debate on academic freedom when she was initially denied tenure at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this year. Her address is planned for 6 p.m. Jan. 31, 2022. LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, will commemorate Black History Month. Brown is a catalyst for change, thought leader and social strategist, whose efforts have inspired people into action. She received the 2010 White House Champion of Change Award, the 2006 Spirit of Democracy Award, and the Louis Burnham Award for Human Rights. All events are virtual. Register or RSVP at: tinyurl.com/GRCCequity

Aug. 16, 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. Amanda Colegrove wanted to be sure what she wanted to do with her life before she went to college, so she went right into the workforce for a few years. She enrolled in GRCC when she decided to pursue her passion for social justice. “When I came to GRCC, I started in the Sociology Department, and then I took a geography class -- and that pretty much changed the course of my academic career,” she said in a 2015 interview. “It was in that particular class that I came across a little paragraph about human trafficking in the world and in the U.S.” Colegrove wanted to learn more about the issue but ran into an immediate roadblock: At that time, very little research was being done. “About 95% of it was international,” she recalled. “There wasn’t a lot of research being done about trafficking in the U.S.” Colegrove graduated in 2010 from GRCC, where she served as president of the Lambda Upsilon chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, the international geographical honor society. She earned a bachelor’s degree in geography and sociology at Aquinas College in 2011 and graduated from the University of Missouri with a master’s degree in geography in 2013. In grad school, Colegrove worked to address the lack of information about human trafficking in the United States by developing a model for assessing the risk at the local level -- a huge help for communities trying to gather resources to fight the problem. She was hired right out of grad school as a coalition organizer for the Crime Victim Advocacy Center in St. Louis, Mo., where she trained law enforcement, social service providers and health care professionals to recognize human trafficking and provide better help to its victims. Colegrove now works with the Minnesota Department of Health’s Safe Harbor program, a statewide effort to fight sex trafficking of youth. She credits GRCC with more than setting her on her career path. “The variety of classes I was able to take opened up new avenues of thought that underpin much of the work I do today,” said Colegrove, who received GRCC’s Geography Field Cap Award.   Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .

Aug. 13, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Junior College became Grand Rapids Community College 30 years ago, and Fred Behm, Katherine Crouch and Mark Zaskiewicz were already taking classes -- and they have not stopped. The trio are members of the Noorthoek Academy, which was founded in 1989 to fill a gap in the community for special education after high school. GRCC is a proud partner, and student attend weekly classes and have all student privileges. Students with learning challenges and other intellectual disabilities gain continuing education and inclusion experiences in the arts and sciences. This award winning, non-profit program was the first of its kind in the country. Noorthoek enriches the lives of about 80 students a year. The academy this week celebrated students, honoring the three 30-year participants, 20-year student Denise Zalsman; 15-year students Becky Boisvenue, Erin Deiss, Craig Edelstein, Yvonne Johnson, Josh Nguyen, Quan Nguyen and Emily Shanahan; 10-year students Sandra Corning, Allie Cowden, Terry Halstead, Angie Phillips, Elizabeth Slagter; and 13 five-year students. Noorthoek Academy serves people in Kent and surrounding counties ages 18 and over, who have successfully completed four years of high school. The curriculum is tailored to the needs of the educable mentally impaired student or those with comparable abilities. Students explore the natural sciences, history, literature, drama and current events while learning about other countries and cultures using a dynamic, hands-on approach. Being on a college campus and integrating into the mainstream, students have the opportunity to increase their self-confidence and independence while making friends in an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement.

Aug. 12, 2021, 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 Miguel Espinoza. You will find Miguel, who is bilingual, working with students and community members at the new GRCC Lakeshore campus. He is here to help current and potential students find the information and resources they are looking for. Miguel will help you with admissions, registration, financial aid, placement testing, counseling appointments, and with your student technology. His background is in social work, and his focus is on helping students eliminate barriers to their educational goals while they navigate the world of higher education. Miguel acquired a bachelor's degree in Spanish from Michigan State University, and returned to school after many years to earn a master's degree in Social Work, with emphasis in Policy, Planning, and Administration, from Western Michigan University. He began working at GRCC's Enrollment Center in 2005. During the 2007-08 academic year, he was co-advisor to the Hispanic Student Organization. In early 2009 Miguel transferred to GRCC's Lakeshore Campus. Miguel knows we are never too old to learn. He is here to help students of all ages and walks of life be successful as lifelong learners. Learn more about what the GRCC Lakeshore Campus has to offer at grcc.edu/lakeshore or by email at lakeshore@grcc.edu or by calling (616) 234-2200.

Aug. 12, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Come to the Grand Rapids Comic-Con Summer Bash this weekend dressed like a pretend superhero, and leave ready to gain the skills to become a real one – and maybe even win a special replica of Thor’s famed hammer! Members of the Grand Rapids Community College Job Training team will be at the event from Friday to Sunday in the DeltaPlex in Grand Rapids, showing off sci-fi-themed projects they’ve created in the college’s labs and sharing how the skills used to produce them lead to rewarding careers. Faculty and staff will be on hand to talk about Information Technology and Machine Tooling classes. Guests can get a close look at projects that include replicas of Iron Man’s mask, Star Wars lightsabers, and Mjolnir, Thor’s hammer. Guests can enter a free drawing to win Mjolnir, designed and created using a combination of CNC milling and turning machines in the new state-of-the-art manufacturing lab in GRCC’s Wisner- Bottrall Applied Technology Center. According to legend, only those “deemed worthy” are able to lift Mjolnir. Guests are invited to stop by the GRCC Job Training booth and test their worthiness, pose for photos and enter their name for the drawing. “Many of the people attending Comic-Con will be interested in learning about the skills used to create these projects, and might not be aware programs are available at GRCC,” said Andrew Beach, CNC machine tooling instructor. “These 18-week programs will prepare students for rewarding careers in automotive, aerospace, health care and other essential fields.”  GRCC Job Training team members will be in booth 116. Event hours are noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the DeltaPlex, 2500 Turner Ave. NW in Grand Rapids.  

Aug. 11, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – GRCC Workforce Training programs provide in-demand skills leading to rewarding careers. Each Wednesday we’ll meet students who are heading down an educational pathway and changing their lives by earning occupational certificates. Nataly Ramirez thought she wanted to be a dental hygienist and started at Grand Valley State University. After her first year she realized it was not for her. “I knew I wanted to do something hands-on but I wasn’t sure what to do.” Ramirez started looking at GRCC and all the programs offered.   “I made appointments with counselors and advisors to see what might be a good fit for me. When I found out about the Automotive program, I was like, that’s what I want to do. I didn’t think there were actually programs that teach automotive skills.” To become an Automotive Technician, people are required to be certified and licensed in the state of Michigan. Licensed technicians use precision diagnostic equipment, service manuals and hands-on power tools to diagnose and repair customer vehicles. “I did not know anything when I went into this program now I am coming out with a lot of knowledge. I was very nervous to start. I thought that there would be people that would already know so much but they start you off with the basics and help you along the way.” Students learn braking systems, suspension, electrical, heating and cooling and computer operations. In 2016, GRCC became the only location in Michigan to partner with Chrysler Fiat to provide MOPAR CAP Level One Certification - giving students the opportunity to acquire the value credential which includes 37 certifications. “I like how we start off each day in the classroom and then go into the lab to work on the cars.” The Automotive Technician program is taught by instructor Gayl Beals, who has more than 25 years of experience in the industry. Beals earned an education specialist degree, holds MOPAR level one certification and is accredited by Snap-on Tools. “After the program, I would like to get a job at a dealership and learn as much as I possibly can. Someday, I would like to have my own business. There aren’t very many female owned garages. My friends think it’s cool that I’m doing this. They say that I am changing the industry.” The next section of Job Training programs begins October 18, 2021. Anyone interested in gaining career skills through GRCC Workforce Training can connect via email at workforcetraining@grcc.edu, and by phone at (616) 234-3800.   

Aug. 9, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is offering an incentive to encourage students to get the COVID-19 vaccine and plans on-campus vaccination clinics as part of efforts to keep the campus safe. Vaccines have been determined to be the most effective tool in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and preventing serious illness and hospitalization. As of Tuesday, GRCC is requiring that everyone on campus wear face coverings when indoors, following a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kent and Ottawa counties were moved into the “substantial” category for risk transmission. Students who have already received the vaccine or who are fully vaccinated by Nov. 15 will receive a $200 credit on their RaiderCard accounts to use for campus dining, parking, printing, and in the bookstore. The incentive will be available for students enrolled for the fall 2021 semester. The college is using federal Strengthening Institutions Program Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds for the project. “An increased number of students and employees are coming back to campus this fall as we emerge from the pandemic,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “We believe vaccines are the best way to assure students are able to successfully engage in on-campus learning and participate in campus activities. Vaccines are readily available, and we’ll provide vaccinations here on campus to make sure everyone has the opportunity to get one. Promoting vaccines is one more thing we can do to keep our campus safe.” Vaccination location information is available at vaccinatewestmi.com . The incentive program is one of the steps GRCC is taking or extending as part of a campus safety and wellness plan. On-campus class sizes will be limited to 75% capacity, and the college is replacing two-person desks with single-person desks in most classrooms. Hundreds of hand sanitizing stations were added last year, and changes were made to campus cooling and ventilation to increase air flow. College leaders are monitoring developments with COVID-19 and the delta variant, and are communicating with state and federal health authorities for guidance as conditions change. GRCC Nursing students administered shots into the arms of students, campus employees, and others in the spring as part of the Shot of Love campaign, a partnership with Urban Church Leadership Center and Spectrum Health. In May, the college hosted a campus vaccination pop-up clinic, which was visited by first lady Jill Biden.

Aug. 9, 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. When Grand Rapids Junior College alumnus Paul Krieger looks back over more than 30 years in the workforce, one “dream job” stands out. Was it working as a lab assistant, analyzing the expression of receptors for CCK and similar hormones in Xenopus laevis oocytes? No. Was it teaching English and biology to high schoolers in Beijing? No. Was it authoring a four-book series of illustrated science guides? Close, but no. Krieger says he landed his dream job in 1991: biology professor at GRCC. “I taught courses in anatomy and physiology, general biology, and personal health,” he said. “My former students have launched their own successful careers as nurses, dental hygienists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, physician assistants, occupational therapists, and medical doctors, as well as many other careers.” GRCC was Krieger’s own launching pad, back when it was known as GRJC. “Both of my older brothers attended GRCJ and then the University of Michigan,” he said. “After seeing how well it worked out for them, I followed in their footsteps. I was not mature enough to go away to college as a first-year college student. GRJC gave me the opportunity to start my college career while living at my parents’ home and working a part-time job. This was an ideal situation for me.” Krieger also credits GRJC with setting him on his career path. “Since my childhood, I always loved art and science, but I was having trouble deciding on a career,” he said. “Several of my multitalented professors at GRJC inspired me to consider teaching as a career. I decided this would allow me to possible combine my passions for art and science in a meaningful way. This turned out to be a great decision for me and worked out even better than I could have imagined.” After earning an Associate of Science in 1984, Krieger received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Michigan and a secondary teaching certificate. He earned a master’s in biological sciences from Wayne State University in 1991. He started teaching in high schools in Beijing and Jackson before returning to GRCC, where he worked for 28 years. But his 2019 retirement from GRCC didn’t end his teaching career: He is the author and illustrator of the four-book Visual Analogy Guides series, which cover anatomy, physiology and chemistry. Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .