April 5, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College’s cross country teams will have new coaches – familiar faces who were part of the staff last year when both times finished in the national top 10 and three student-athletes earning All-American status. Matt Sicilia, who oversaw both the men’s and women’s teams, is stepping down from coaching to spend time with his family. Assistant Coach Garrett Lacey has been named head coach of the men’s team, and Assistant Coach Sharon Becker will be head coach of the women’s team. “Coach Sicilia did an outstanding job building the GRCC program into a national power,” Interim Athletic Director David Selmon said. “He’ll be missed, and we wish him well. We’re also excited to have two excellent coaches who are able to assume lead roles and keep the program headed in the right direction.” Sicilia said his daughter will be involved in high school sports and his son in middle school sports next year, and he wants to spend more time with his family and attend his children’s events. “Starting the program at GRCC and building a culture of mutual support and hard work, as well as bringing our program into national prominence, is something that I am extremely proud of,” Sicilia said. “Seeing so many runners achieve success that they didn’t believe was possible is so rewarding. I’m thankful for this experience, as it will help me when I get back into coaching later in life. The team is in great hands with Garrett and Sharon taking over. I have all the belief in the world that they will continue the program’s success for years to come!” Sicilia guided the GRCC program for seven seasons and was named National Junior College Athletic Association Coach of the Year last year. Lacey attended Carson City-Crystal High School where he was a four-time All-State runner, and holds two school records. Lacy was the head coach of the cross country team and assistant coach for the track and field team at Cedar Springs High School between 2014 and 2019.  "I plan to build on the success that Coach Sicilia has had over the past seven years of this program's restart, and continue the traditions and cultures that he has established while also bringing my own unique set of skills to the position,” he said. Lacy said cross country is a team sport, where no individual is above the goals of the team. He also plans on having a family atmosphere and support for everyone involved. “The cross country program is booming, and we aim to be a program that regularly competes for conference, regional, and national championships,” he said. “We have a great recruiting class coming in, probably the best in our program's history. Coupled with the runners we have returning from this past year's team that placed 9th in the country at the NJCAA D2 national meet, we see no reason why we can't be a podium team -- in the top three -- at our national meet at the end of next fall." Becker has been on the GRCC coaching staff for five seasons. She started running to school on Grand Rapids’ West Side as a child as a means to get to and from school. She was a successful runner in high school and was a member of the Central Michigan University cross country and track and field teams. Becker said she “pleased, grateful and excited” to become head coach of the women’s team, and looks forward to growing the team from the seeds Sicilia planted. “Some of the things I have learned from Matt Sicilia is that being a coach is not just about the running, training, or a constant of drudgery and work,” she said. “Coaching – teamwork -- is about creating culture, building relationships, sharing the same goals, overcoming differences and obstacles, and focusing on the process rather than the end outcomes.” Becker said she plans to train student-athletes to the best of their abilities while also cultivating team camaraderie -- and have a little fun. “My passion for coaching was cultivated because there were coaches in my life who took time to coach me when I was young,” she said. “My high school and college coaches were important mentors that helped me with so much more than only training me to run faster. Coaches like Larry Fisher, James Schaff, and Keela Yount helped me grow to be a better person -- even though I took it for granted when I was young.”  The women’s team last fall finished fourth in the nation, with Audrey Meyering earning NJCAA and Coaches Association All-American honors, and Kiah Becker earning Coaches Association honors. The men’s team claimed ninth place in the nation, with Josh Kipkoech earning First-Team All-American honors. The success at the National Champions capped off a season where the Raiders dominated regional and conference competition. Both teams won the Michigan Community College Athletic Association and NJCAA DII, Region XII titles, the first since the rebirth of the program in 2014.      

April 5, 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. We’re sharing some of those stories, and want to hear yours! While pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sports management at St. Cloud State University, CJ Breen finds himself tapping the lessons and skills he learned at GRCC. Breen came to GRCC after a long search for the perfect place to learn while playing baseball. “After visiting tens of community colleges from Illinois to Tennessee, nothing compared to the feel of the campus GRCC offers,” he said. “The campus is comparable to any four-year institution in the state.” Breen played infield for the Raiders while pursuing an Associate of General Studies and earning a spot on the 2019 NJCAA All-Academic Third Team. He credits his time at GRCC with teaching him time-management skills and the importance of making academics a priority. “My academic success has opened up many doors that I never thought possible,” he said, “and that’s why I strive to be an advocate for student athletes to do their best while in the classroom. Treat every course like it was your job and the professors like the boss of the company.” Breen, who hopes to eventually work in college athletics, has had the chance to see sports from many angles during his time at St. Cloud and Niagara universities. He has worked in athletics marketing as an intern with College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts and as a camera operator for ESPN broadcasts. While working with the athletic director at the University of Tennessee-Martin, he sat in on meetings about fall sports during the pandemic. “I have a passion and understanding of what it’s like to be in those student athletes’ shoes,” Breen said, “and I want to be in a position to better those athletes’ futures on and off the field.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply . And tell us your story here: grcc.edu/communications/shareyourgrccstory

April 3, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College baseball team’s win streak was snapped Saturday, with a pair of losses to Lake Michigan College. The Red Hawks won the first game 8-6, then poured on the offense in the second game, winning 13-4. GRCC stayed in the first game until the end, but the Red Hawks Varsity pulled away late, when Jonah Sibley drew a walk and forced in a tie-breaking run. Both teams collected 11 hits. The Raiders tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning when Aaron West drove in a run on a ground out. Caleb Schmitt led the Lake Michigan College, allowing three hits and no runs over two innings, striking out two and walking none. Keegan Spomer took the loss, giving up two walks. Caleb Englesman, Payton Young, and Sam Schmitt each collected multiple hits for GRCC, with Englesman getting three hits in four at-bats. In the nightcap, GRCC let the game slip away early and couldn't recover in the 13-4 loss. The Raiders struggled to put runs on the board and had a tough time defensively. Will Roberts earned the victory on the pitcher's mound for Lake Michigan, going five and a third innings, allowing four runs on four hits and striking out four.  Clayton Bixby threw one and two-thirds innings in relief out of the bullpen. Englesman took the loss for GRCC, going two innings, allowing five runs on six hits, striking out one and walking none. West led GRCC with two hits in four at bats. The 10-4 Raiders are next in action on Tuesday on the road against Lansing Community College.

April 2, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Muskegon Community College was just too much for GRCC’s stellar volleyball team this season. The Raiders have lost five matches this season, four of them to Muskegon. Friday’s defeat in straight sets propels the Jayhawks to the national tournament, and ends the Raiders season. The Raiders squared off against Muskegon in the District XII finals after first- and second-round games against Henry Ford and St. Clair County Community College were cancelled. Muskegon, the No.1 seed in the tournament, notched 25-17, 25-23 and 25-17 victories to continue its unbeaten streak. Kylie Oberlin led GRCC with 12 kills and 19 assists. Annie Holesinger had eight kills and 23 assists. Kara Hecht had 21 assists and Gabi Kitley had 19. GRCC finishes with an 8-5 record, with the only other defeat coming at the hands of Glen Oaks Community College in the first match of the season. It was a most unusual year, with the traditionally fall sport moved to spring because of the pandemic, the season shortened and six games canceled. GRCC came off a 2019-2020 season where the team went deep into the national tournament, finishing fifth in the nation.

April 2, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College’s baseball team boosted its winning streak to 10 games, sweeping a doubleheader from Lake Michigan College on the road in Benton Harbor. The Raiders are now 10-1 on the season, having not lost since the opening game. It looked like GRCC’s streak might have been coming to an end in the first game. Lake Michigan scored three runs in the first inning on a home run by Roman Kuntz. GRCC team was down 4-2 in the sixth inning when Fernando Calderon homered on a 3-2 count, scoring three runs. The Raiders tacked on one more run in the top of the seventh to claim a 6-4 victory. Collin Bradley earned the win for the Raiders, going five innings and allowing four runs on five hits and striking out one. Eliott Traver and Sam Schmitt helped to close out the game in relief.  Schmitt recorded the last three outs to earn the save. Jonah Sibley took the loss for Lake Michigan, pitching five and two-thirds innings, allowing five runs on five hits and striking out eight. Schmitt went two-for-three at the plate to lead GRCC in hits. The Raiders didn’t commit an error. Calderon, in right field, had six chances in the field, the most on the team. GRCC in the second game fell behind 3-0 in the first inning on Roman Kuntz’s second homer of the day, then never looked back. The team answered with four runs in the top of the second inning, added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings then two more in the six to put a 8-3 game in the win column. Garrett Cheslek pitched the Raiders to victory, surrendering three runs on six hits over five and two-thirds innings, striking out one. Bradley Dunn threw one and one-third innings in relief out of the bullpen to earn the save. Matthew Engler took the loss for Lake Michigan College Red Hawks Varsity. The pitcher went five innings, allowing six runs on five hits and striking out five. GRCC totaled seven hits. Jake Paganelli and Caleb Englesman both had two hits. The Raiders are back in action against Lake Michigan on Saturday with a doubleheader at home in Belknap Park. Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.

  April 2, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Their meal won’t get to the International Space Station, but a collaboration between Kent Career Technical Center students and Grand Rapids Community College culinary program leaders might help astronauts someday walk on Mars. Four KCTC students partnered with the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education for the NASA HUNCH competition. Every year, NASA challenges culinary schools to create menu items for the astronauts at the International Space Station. But the national challenge is about more than creating the best-tasting takeout. NASA scientists are studying how to keep astronauts healthy and prepare them for potential long-term missions. " NASA is figuring out how to feed astronauts heading to Mars by feeding humans on a six-month space trip," said Werner Absenger, program director for the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. "One would think that this is a job for the country's most prestigious experts -- and it sure is. But, through the NASA HUNCH Culinary Challenge, high school students play a considerable part in developing food for microgravity to feed astronauts and ensure successful NASA missions. When you think about that, that's an unbelievable opportunity for high school students who think they want to make a rewarding career in the culinary arts." NASA required teams to submit two healthy “comfort food” recipes. After evaluating both submissions from the KCTC-GRCC team, NASA experts picked a recipe for chili verde with rice and beans for the students to develop further.  The KCTC is a program operated by the Kent Intermediate School District to provide high school students in-demand career skills. The KCTC-GRCC team of Elizabeth Afton, of East Grand Rapids; Grace Haaksma, of Grand Rapids; Olivia Sandoval, of Wyoming; and Chris Quezada, of Kentwood, finished out of the top 10 and won’t move to the next round. But the students said the experience was still valuable, and they learned much about the science behind food preparation. "There are many problems students have to deal with and come up with creative solutions," Absenger said. “The team had to research and write a paper on food safety, stability, palatability, resource minimization, variety, reliability, and usability." Out of around 30 schools competing this year, 10 finalists will have an opportunity to travel to Houston to prepare a final version of their dish for judges from the Johnson Space Center’s food lab, personnel from the International Space Station, and astronauts. The winning recipe will be prepared by NASA and flown to the International Space Station for the astronauts to enjoy. A team from the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education came close to winning the contest last year, finishing second in a field of 56 teams . Thomas Brown and Victoria Uy prepared a dish of Indian butternut squash, mango chicken and brown rice.  

April 1, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College basketball teams each fell two points shy against Muskegon Community College, closing out the regular season on Friday. The women’s team lost 55-53, ending the season with an 10-3 record that fell just short of a conference title. The men’s squad lost when Muskegon hit two free throws with 2.2 seconds to win 75-73. The women’s team looked to be in command in the first quarter, going up 22-10. But Muskegon dominated in the end, outscoring the Raiders 20-7 and finishing on top. The win pushes the Jayhawks record to 12-2, claiming the conference title. Olivia Koetje was the leading scorer with 14 points, followed by Shonyah Hawkins with 13 and Eurasia Green-Boyd with 11. Jayla Bibbs scored six points, but grabbed 19 rebounds. The men’s team lost three of its last four games in the final seconds. The team was neck-and-neck with Muskegon for most of the game, losing in the final 2.2 seconds. Isaac Anderson led the Raiders with 24 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Chandler Collins had 18 points and eight boards. Muskegon finishes the season at 4-9. Both Raiders teams are scheduled to play next on April 6 in the NJCAA Region XII Great Lakes West Tournament.

April 1, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Robert Richmond appreciated how a life-changing Grand Rapids Community College education helped his employees and took steps to make sure those opportunities continue to be available to all. Richmond, who passed away in 2019, left the GRCC Foundation nearly $10 million, the largest single donation in the college’s history. GRCC leaders are reviewing how to best use the donation to support student resources and modernize buildings. “This is an extraordinary and generous investment in GRCC, its students and our greater community,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “Mr. Richmond saw firsthand how GRCC gave his employees the knowledge and confidence to grow and thrive. His gift will help us continue providing state-of-the-art learning spaces and other resources to make education more accessible to West Michigan residents.” Richmond started his career with IBM, helping businesses set up computer systems. He and his wife, Lois, started B&L Plastics in Rockford, and later, B&L Development. They frequently hired interns from GRCC. Family members said Richmond believed strongly in higher education and was impressed by the work performed by interns who were earning associate degrees at GRCC. Dr. Kathryn K. Mullins, vice president for College Advancement and executive director of the GRCC Foundation, said Richmond’s bequest is recognition of the importance of GRCC’s mission.   “Mr. Richmond’s vision was to help the college keep higher education within reach of everyone who seeks it,” she said. “We will use this generous gift to honor his legacy.” Pink said the donation reflects the value West Michigan employers and residents place on the community’s college and its critical role in developing a talented workforce and boosting the local economy. “We deeply appreciate this gift,” Pink said. “Mr. Richmond is a great example of leaving one’s treasure to touch the lives of others for years to come.” Grand Rapids Community College offers learners of all ages opportunities to gain credits for degrees or transfer and in-demand career skills leading to rewarding careers. GRCC was established in 1914 – Michigan’s first community college -- and offers affordable classes on weekdays, evenings, Saturdays and online at locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties.        

April 1, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- GRCC hosted Phi Theta Kappa’s regional conference for the second year in a row. The virtual event, March 24 to 26, included officer elections, breakout sessions, a trivia night, a graduation “afterglow” party, a keynote speaker from Azusa Pacific University, and the opening of a time capsule from 1995. GRCC’s PTK chapter, Alpha Upsilon Kappa, was recognized as a 5-Star Chapter for the eighth consecutive year, one of only 18 in the 31-chapter region. Alpha Upsilon Kappa also received other awards: The chapter earned its first REACH award for recruiting and engaging new members. The chapter received first place for its college project: a video series on campus resources. The chapter’s “Honors in Action” project placed fourth for its theme and 10 th for the actual project. The GRCC officer team -- Aya Ghlaim, Ethan McNeilly and Alyssa Reynolds – placed fifth in the region. Nicholas Cetlinski was named a Coca Cola Gold Scholar, earning a $1,500 scholarship. Melanie Lequia was named a New Century Workforce Scholar, earning a $1,250 scholarship. Ethan McNeilly received the Susan Friedrich Memorial Scholarship of $250. Lequia, Cetlinski, Michael Kelley and Philder Okech were named to the All Michigan Academic Team.

March 31, 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. Armando Medina was ready to transform his life. He spent years moving around various jobs but was searching for a real career. He has several daughters and his wife to support and he knew it would be a struggle if he went back to school. Medina feels like all the stars aligned for him when he learned about the GRCC Machine Tool/CNC Job Training program. He attended an online information session and was excited. The instructor, Andy Beach, spoke so passionately about all the opportunities in the trade that Medina knew that this program would provide him the transformation he was looking for. According to the 2021 Hot Jobs put out by West Michigan Works!, the median hourly wage for a CNC machine operator is more than $20 per hour with many openings in this field annually. In just five months, Machine Tool/Computer Numerical Control Job Training students learn to shape metal and various materials to precise dimensions by using machine tools. MT/CNC technicians plan and set up the correct sequence of machine operations in accordance with blueprints, layouts or other instructions to write both manual and computer-generated machine programs. The technician is required to use various hand tools, micrometers, gauges and other precision measuring instruments. Skills are developed in GRCC’s new lab in the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center and students are trained in print reading, basic shop math, using measurement tools, terminology and communicate skills. Now, successfully working at Blackmere Pump, PSG, Medina is inspired and hopeful for what is to come. “The (Job Training) CNC/Machining program has been an incredible gift,” Medina said. “I love this work and can see the potential for a lifelong career. My family is proud of me for going to college and my confidence has grown like never before! I honestly do feel like a new person. I’m just so thankful!” 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. Additional information is at grcc.edu/programs/job-workforce-training .