Nov. 3, 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. Today we are putting the spotlight on one of our own. John Doane has only 20 days left with GRCC Job Training students as he is retiring in December after 33 years of inspiring others. “When I started at what was then GRJC in January of 1989, I was an instructor for the Furniture Finishing Program for GRJC Occupational Training. It was located in a small building over on the corner of Leonard and Ball,” he said. Doane has seen a lot of changes at both GRCC and in the field of construction trades training over the last three decades. “The requirements for our faculty now include both industry experience but also credentials in teaching. This really elevated our level of teaching. Another major shift was when our programs became eligible for financial aid. Most of our students qualify for some financial help, if not all of their program getting paid. “The big changes in the construction industry have really focused on safety. We never used to teach anything on safety, if you can believe that! Now we teach OSHA 10 and safety protocols on a daily basis. The other change has been in the area of sustainability, energy efficiency and green building practices. Both of these have been winning improvements for the students.” Doane started the Intro to Construction Job Training program in 2002, when Job Training moved into the Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC. It was the first program GRCC offered in the construction trades. Now Job Training offers Residential and Electrical as well. “I really found my calling when I switched from manufacturing to teaching. The best part of this job is working with students. I love interacting with students! Helping them, seeing them flourish and seeing them get opportunities that they otherwise wouldn’t have gotten had it not been for our programs. I love teaching!” Doane will be retiring but will still have his hand on a hammer. His daughter is an interior designer and has an Airbnb business, and he’ll be helping her expand her business. Doane and his wife, who also recently retired, love to travel, and will be doing some of that too. “I’ve been very fortunate. The faculty, staff and supervisors I have worked with have been a joy!” 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.  

Nov. 2, 2021 - GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College runner Coleman Clark was named NJCAA DII National Athlete of the Week after winning the MCCAA-NJCAA Region XII cross country championships on Saturday. Clark also was named MCCAA Conference Runner of the Week, joined by Kaylee Scott of the GRCC women’s team. Clark, a freshman, earned national honors from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association after winning the MCCAA-Region XII Championships on Saturday in a time of 25:56.5 for the 8,000 meter course. “I’m really happy to have been selected as the NJCAA D2 National Runner of the Week<” Clark said. “I think the season has gone really well so far and I’m really looking forward to Nationals. I attribute my success this season to supportive friends and family and an awesome team that really pushes me to be the best that I can be.” Clark is from Carson City, a community east of Greenville that also is the hometown of men’s team coach Garrett Lacy – and he even broke Lacy’s school record in the 3200-meter race during his senior year. “I’m very happy for Coleman to have received this honor,” Lacy said. “He’s worked so hard all season long, and has led us as our No. 1 runner in every single competition thus far. He’s been as much a leader in practice as he has been in competition as well. Breaking the 26:00 barrier for 8k last meet for the first time at the MCCAA/NJCAA Region 12 championships is no small feat, and he is just scratching the surface at what he is capable of.” Clark was named to the earned All-MCCAA, All-Region, freshman of the year and MCCAA Runner of the Year honors while helping the Raiders finish second. He is the first GRCC student-athlete awarded National Athlete of the Week honors for NJCAA Division II schools. Josh Kipkoech, from Kenya, was named All-Region and All-MCCAA for the second consecutive year after running a 25:58.9. The 2020 NJCAA All-American finished in second place at Saturday's championship races. Freshman Jaydon Moleski, of Cedar Springs, was named All-MCCAA after running a personal best 27:32.1. Scott, a freshman from Grandville, finished fourth in the MCCAA/Region XII Women's Cross Country Championships to help the Raiders to a second place finish. She finished the 5,000-meter course in a time of 19:47.1 to earn both All-MCCAA and All-Region XII honors. 2020 NJCAA All-American, Audrey Meyering earned back-to-back All-MCCAA and All-Region XII honors after running a 19:47.8 while her twin sister Elizabeth and freshman Rose Meyer earned All-MCCAA honors.  Scott and Meyer both were named to the six-runner All-Freshman Team. GRCC will compete in the National Championships in Richmond, Va. on Saturday, Nov. 13. 

Nov. 2, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is planning a second walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic for students, employees, and community members that includes booster shots for all three vaccines after a larger-than-expected turnout at last month’s clinic. The event is planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11 at Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center auditorium, 151 Fountain St. NE.  A parking pass will be provided for individuals getting the vaccine. Walk-ins are welcome. GRCC’s Oct. 27 clinic saw 76 people getting the shots through Visit Cares, the organization partnering with GRCC and the state of Michigan to administer vaccines. The clinics are part of an effort to help students, employees and community members have access to an effective COVID-fighting tool. All three COVID-19 vaccine options will be available, as well as booster shots for those who are eligible. Information about booster shots and eligibility is available here . Vaccines will not be available for children ages 5-11 at this time. It is recommended that people bring their vaccine card if they are getting a second vaccine dose or a booster vaccine. Additional vaccination location information is available at vaccinatewestmi.com . The clinics are 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.

Nov. 1, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Andrew Moore's 32 points were not enough for the Grand Rapids Community College men’s basketball team, which opened the 2021-22 season with a 91-89 double-overtime loss to Schoolcraft College.   Moore, a sophomore from Forest Hills Northern High School, connected on two free throws with over 13 minutes remaining in regulation, giving the Raiders their biggest lead of the night, 52-40. But the Ocelots came back, whittling the lead down to two points four minutes later. A lay-up by Ashton Nance (16 points-16 rebounds) gave the visitors their first lead of the second half with 4:20 on the clock. Keionte Cornelius, son of former GRCC great Kendrick Cornelius, put Schoolcraft up by three with 57 seconds to go. Moore would respond with a three-pointer to tie the game at 66.  With Schoolcraft up two, Moore missed a three, but Rico Wade was there for the rebound and knocked down a huge fade away jumper to force the first overtime of the night. In the first overtime, Cornelius had a shot blocked by Matthew Richards (17 points-16 rebounds-four blocks) and to a second overtime they went with the score tied at 75. In the final period, Richards tied the score at 86 with 30 seconds remaining. The Ocelots’ Ross Stofflet hit a three and Avery Ismail made two free throws on their next two possessions to claim the victory. "It was a tough loss," assistant coach Jordan VanDyk said. "We saw a lot of good things and a lot of details we need to work on and improve. We played hard and our guys were together. We look forward to the next one and can't wait to get back in the gym tomorrow." Cornelius led all scorers with 34 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists.  For GRCC, Justus Clark, of Farmington Hills, was just one rebound shy of a triple-double, finishing with 14 points, 10 assists and nine boards. Wade, from Atlanta, Ga., tallied 18 points and seven rebounds while Brockton Kohler, of Greenville, scored six points and grabbed 10 rebounds. GRCC will be back at home on Nov. 6 and they will take on St. Clair County Community College.  Tip-off will be 20 minutes after the Raiders women's basketball game that begins at 1 p.m. 

Nov. 1, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- State economic and workforce officials met today with Grand Rapids Community College leaders and local business, workforce development and community representatives at GRCC to discuss Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s plans to invest federal stimulus dollars to support the economy. The event is part of a statewide tour designed to gather stakeholders to discuss a comprehensive strategy to use American Rescue Plan funds to support small businesses, grow the middle class and invest in communities. “We have a strong commitment to carrying out the governor’s economic vision that tackles structural challenges in an effort to grow Michigan's economy, create good-paying jobs and build industries of the future,” said Susan Corbin, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. “It is critical that we work together and hear from a diverse set of voices throughout the state, so that we can continue our economic recovery and build Michigan back better.” The goal of these events is to share the governor’s vision with key stakeholders and thought leaders and highlight local projects that demonstrate how the MI New Economy plan can move the state’s economy forward. The Grand Rapids stop of the tour included presentations from LEO and an open discussion with other local leaders to highlight their initiatives – current and on the horizon – that align with Whitmer’s MI New Economy plan. Whitmer’s plan includes continued support for state programs Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect, which provide free in-district community college tuition to eligible residents. The programs are part of Whitmer’s plan to have 60% of state residents earn a college credential by 2030. GRCC President Bill Pink said he appreciated the state’s support for the students, and suggested community colleges could have state support for success coaches and wraparound services to help students starting or restarting their education through the programs. “At this institution, this semester we have about 3,000 students on campus taking advantage of those dollars,” Pink said. “What’s helpful is to have those dollars come with the systems that we need to give those students some support. It’s great to be able to bring someone 30 years old back to school who didn’t think they’d be able to navigate college. It’s awesome to get them in the door. We have to make sure we have the boots on the ground to help them be successful. We want them to have access, and success.” Whitmer in August came to GRCC to talk about increased funding for the two scholarship programs and Going PRO, which provides in-demand career skills. Last month Whitmer detailed her economic agenda, including the unveiling of the three pillars of her $2.1 billion MI New Economy plan with goals that will help state leaders track progress on efforts to build a stronger and more resilient Michigan. The pillars are focused on economic development, workforce and community investment. “Workforce development, small business growth and affordable housing investments are all connected and necessary to advance Michigan’s economy,” said Jeremy DeRoo, CEO of Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids. “Growing these in a coordinated effort that aligns with the work local partners are already doing will allow Michigan to emerge stronger than before the crisis.” In addition to the college attainment goals, the governor’s plan also calls for: Lifting 100,000 families out of working poverty during the next five years.    Providing access to low- or no-cost childcare for 150,000 more families by 2024.  Becoming a top 10 state for small business job growth and revenue growth from 2022 to 2026.  Becoming a top 10 state for household income growth during the next five years.    Becoming a top 10 state for growth in venture capital funding over the next five years. Creating 100% access to high-speed internet and 95% adoption by households during the next five years, while continually investing in higher quality access. Creating 75,000 new or rehabilitated housing units in five years. Additional information about the MI New Economy plan is available at www.michigan.gov/MINewEconomy .

Nov. 1, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The work of artist Tatsuki Hakoyama, a Grand Rapids Community College adjunct instructor, is the subject of an exhibit in the campus’s Paul Collins Art Gallery. Hakoyama is a native of Japan who has taught in GRCC’s Visual Arts Department since January, this semester working with students in the AT 140 Drawing 1 class. The exhibit will run through Nov. 18 in the gallery, located on the fourth floor of newly renovated Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, 143 Bostwick Ave. NE. Admission is free. Although he enjoys working with a broad range of content and media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, papermaking, and digital drawing, he said his passion is creating allegorical paintings influenced by magical realists. Hakoyama said his influences include magical realist painters such as George Tooker, Peter Blume and René Magritte. “These paintings depict magical narratives that invoke a sense of uncanniness to seemingly mundane scenery,” he wrote in an artist statement for the exhibition. “These compositions analyze, criticize, and question the human struggle — both physical and metaphysical — and provide social commentary on relevant topics relating to identity, education, and impact of globalization and technology in our social structure.” Hakoyama earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. His work has appeared in numerous exhibitions throughout Michigan and has received recognition, including a first-place Juror’s Award at 2021 Art Walk Central in Mount Pleasant, the Martin Maddox Prize for Imaginative Realism at 2020 West Michigan Areas Show in Kalamazoo, and a 2D Juror’s Award at 2019 Regional Arts Exhibition in Grand Rapids.  

Nov. 1, 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. Troy Anderson had talent to spare after graduating high school. What he didn’t have was confidence, but Grand Rapids Community College helped change that. “I was a really quiet and shy person when I started at CC,” Anderson said. “I was given opportunities there that I don’t believe I would have gotten anywhere else to step up and be a leader and perform in ways I was too afraid to do in high school.” Leadership is now second nature to Anderson, the director of bands for Kelloggsville Public Schools. He is also a freelance musician with multiple groups, a horn arranger and minister of music for the Shepherd’s Arm Ministries. “GRCC’s Music Department started me on the path to where I am today by giving me the basics I needed in music theory, music education and lessons on performance,” he said. “It was the perfect environment for me because it gave me a chance to learn and not be intimidated.” But Anderson learned more than music skills. “The faculty there really pushed me to get out of my comfort zone in a caring way that showed me I could trust them,” he said. “The successes that I experienced there helped build my confidence.” Anderson, who went on to earn a bachelor’s in education from Western Illinois University, calls GRCC his “true beginning.” One of his favorite memories is of delivering a speech at the 50th anniversary of GRCC’s Musical Moods concert. “It is the story that I tell quite often because it was the biggest turning point in giving me confidence to do any type of public speaking,” he said. Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .  

Oct. 31, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College runners Coleman Clark and Josh Kipkoech earned the top two places in the MCCAA NJCAA Region XII Championship on Saturday, with both the men’s and women’s cross country teams finishing in second place. The women's team's top two runners, Kaylee Scott and Audrey Meyering, finished in fourth and fifth place, both setting personal records of 19:47 with a virtual tie. 2020 All-American Meyering finished a fraction of a second behind the freshman from Grandville. Clark, a freshman from Carson City, ran 25:56 to lead a field of 76 runners, with Kipkoech, a 2020 All-American from Kenya, just behind him in the competition at Grand Woods Park in Lansing. The win was Clark’s third of the season, earning him MCCAA and Region XII Runner of the Year.  Kipkoech was also named All-MCCAA and All-Region for the second straight year. “The guys ran great today,” coach Garrett Lacy said. “We’re still a little banged up with illness and injury, but those who competed ran very well with many coming away with season-best performances. Coleman and Josh both dominated the race up front leading from start to finish and coming in first and second overall and breaking the 26:00 barrier for the first time this season” Lacy said Jaydon Moleski, Christian Martinez-Ramos, and Lucas Schneider also had strong races to round out the top 5 scoring finishers. “We’re very excited to keep working hard, and hopefully get a little healthier before our national race in two weeks in Richmond, Va.,” he said. Moleski, a freshman from Rockford, finished in 13 th place with a personal best time of 27:32 -- 19 seconds better than his previous best. He also earned All-MCCAA and All-Region honors. Martinez-Ramos, a freshman from Kentwood, cracked the top-20, finishing with 28:02, while Schneider, a freshman from Kentwood, 28:24, and Craig Fuller, from Ludington, 28:26 finished 23rd and 24th respectively. Both GRCC teams are ranked No. 7 in the nation in NJCAA Coaches Polls, with Lacy and Sharon Becker in their first years as head coaches. The women's team finished in second, closely following Lansing Community College. The Raiders' top two runners, Kaylee Scott and Audrey Meyering, finished in fourth and fifth place, both setting personal records of 19:47 with a virtual tie. 2020 All-American Meyering finished a fraction of a second behind the freshman from Grandville.  "What an awesome group of trustworthy hardworking student-athletes," Becker said. "Kaylee and Audrey ran brilliant races, setting personal bests, while Liz (Meyering) and Rose (Meyer) were just seconds away from personal bests themselves. All four finished in the top 15, earning them All-Region and All-MCCAA honors. Allison (Hoop) and Alex (Webster) also gave great efforts, finishing in 23rd and 26th place." GRCC will now prepare for the NJCAA National Championships, planned for Nov. 13 in Richmond, Va.

Oct. 30, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team won its eighth MCCAA Championship by defeating Mott Community College in a hard-fought, four-set match on Saturday, and now sets its focus on the Region XII tournament.  GRCC, ranked sixth in the nation, won its 18th match in a row. The team defeated the Eastern Conference Champion Bears 25-22, 21-25, 30-28 and 25-17 playing at home in the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse. The win improves the Raiders' season record to 21-5 overall while Mott falls to 16-13. GRCC's Chip Will earned Coach of the Year honors. Freshman Audrey Torres of Caledonia had another phenomenal match and even added a Sports Center-worthy "kick kill" to boot. "It was an unreal moment getting the kick kill," Torres said. "I just stuck my foot out hoped for the best, but most the credit goes to our liberos, Audrey (Gower) and Ola (Nowak).  Audrey had a great pancake dig, while Ola just got enough on it to pass it to my foot. The whole team came together today and it felt great to add another championship to our program's history." The Raiders’ first Michigan Community College Athletic Association championship was in 2010, and the team has won five of the past six titles. Torres earned her seventh double-double of her college career with a 13-kill, 13-dig performance. She also had a career-high four blocks, including a big solo block in the second set and had a team-high four aces. Sophomore Kylie Oberlin, of Fruitport, was GRCC's most efficient attacker on the night, with 12 kills and two errors, and had the most blocks with six, including a solo of her own. Statistical Leaders: Kills: Torres, 13; Oberlin, 12; Annie Holesinger, 11; Morgan Fugate, 6. Assists: Shannon Russell, 36; Nowak 12. Digs: Gower, 19; Nowak, 16; Torres, 13; Russell, 11. Blocks: Oberlin, 6; Torres, 5; Holesinger and Eliza Thelen, 2. Aces: Torres, 4; Charlie Baker, 3; Fugate, 2. By winning the conference championship, the Raiders received a bye in next week's regional tournament in Port Huron. GRCC will face the winner of the Muskegon-Lansing match on at 8 p.m. on Nov. 4.