June 5, 2026 Pride Month is a time to celebrate the diversity, resilience and contributions of the LGBTQ+ communities. Each June, we join with the larger community to honor the struggles for equality, recognize progress and reaffirm our collective commitment to inclusion, respect and human dignity.  Join GRCC At Community Pride Festivals GRCC’s enrollment team will host tables at the Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Holland Pride Festivals. Stop by to learn about GRCC’s academic programs, student resources and inclusive campus culture. Don’t forget Pride-themed giveaways that will help you show your support for an education system that welcomes everyone.  Muskegon Pride Festival  Saturday, June 6 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Hackley Park Muskegon’s annual festival is a full day of celebration that brings together local organizations, businesses, families, residents and visitors to celebrate inclusion and show their support for the LGBTQ+ community.  After a morning Pride Parade, festival attendees can shop local vendors, visit food trucks and learn about local LGBTQ+ services and organizations.  Find additional event details on the  Muskegon Pride website .  Grand Rapids Pride Festival Saturday, June 20 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Calder Plaza Now in its 38th year, the Grand Rapids Pride Festival works to create a safe, open and inclusive environment for community members to celebrate who they are. Community members, businesses, organizations and allies gather to celebrate the beautiful and diverse LGBTQ+ community. General admission is free. Donations support the Grand Rapids Pride Center, which is the longest-running LGBTQ+ resource center in Michigan Additional event details are available on the  Grand Rapids Pride Center website .  Holland Pride Festival  Saturday,  June 27  1 p.m.-6 p.m. Kollen Park The Holland Pride festival is presented by Out on the Lakeshore, a non-profit organization that provides programming, resources, support and education to LGBTQ+ people and allies. Festival attendees can expect an afternoon of entertainment, food trucks, local vendors, resource booths and activities for all ages. Find more event information on  Out on the Lakeshore’s website . There’s a Place for Everyone at GRCC At Grand Rapids Community College, we believe every student should feel valued, respected and empowered. GRCC is proud to stand with our LGBTQ+ students, employees and community partners — not just during Pride Month, but all year long. As part of our mission to foster a welcoming and inclusive campus, GRCC supports: LGBTQ+ students with free counseling services and assistance with food, utility costs, housing resources, transportation, healthcare, childcare and more. Educational resources through the GRCC Library, including books, research guides and curated content on LGBTQ+ history and identity. Partnerships with local organizations like the Grand Rapids Pride Center, Grand Rapids Trans Foundation and United Campus Christian Fellowship to build bridges between campus and community. Policies and practices that uphold the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ students, including non-discrimination, gender-inclusive facilities, preferred first name and pronoun support, and access to support services. Pride Month is about visibility, celebration and commitment — values that align closely with GRCC’s vision of accessible, life-changing education. We are proud to celebrate this month with our community and continue working toward a future where all students feel seen, heard and supported. Happy Pride from all of us at GRCC!

June 4, 2026 Expectations are weighty things. Many of us live under them. We feel pressure from so many places, including family, friends and community. Sometimes those expectations fuel us to push harder. Other times, we have to buck them to do what we think is right. Sa San can tell you all about expectations. She is an immigrant from Burma (officially Myanmar), a southeast Asian nation. She came to the United States with her mom and two siblings, and started classes at GRCC in 2018. For Sa, the expectations were clear. “As an Asian immigrant, I was always pushed to be a nurse, doctor or engineer,” San said. “Since my brother had a significant heart condition and was hospitalized many times, I decided to give nursing a try to see if I liked it. I thought healthcare would be a way to give back, and also allow me to be a model for the next generation.” A Challenging Journey Achieving a nursing degree was not an easy road. Sa spent two years on the wait list for the Nursing A.D.N. program at GRCC. By the time she was accepted in 2022, she had a seven-month old daughter, which definitely added to the stress. Her husband and family stepped up to support her on her journey. Sa completed her degree in 2024 and started working at University of Michigan Health-West, but she really wanted to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Davenport University. However, that required money she did not have. “I didn’t know how to find the money for a BSN,” San said. “Then I received an email about the West Michigan BSN Connect Scholarship . I decided to apply, and I was awarded a scholarship!” The scholarship covered three semesters, which is exactly what Sa needed to complete her BSN through Davenport. She started in May of 2025 and finished in May of this year. “This is a milestone for me and a huge accomplishment,” San said. “I am the first in my family to do this. I can see that my siblings and the people in my community are inspired by my achievement and want to pursue more schooling.” Leading By Example Achieving this goal after becoming a mom meant that Sa had to buck another set of expectations. “If you are a mom in my culture, you are expected to be just a mom,” San said. “I am showing people that it is possible to gain an education and have a career, even with a child and a husband. It’s a challenge for the people around me to understand this.” But Sa’s persistent and consistent work is paying off. Her sister has finished cosmetology school but wants to do more. Her brother is still in school. Even one of her aunts, who wanted to become a nurse but wasn’t able to, has decided to go back to school to pursue a career. Resources and People Made the Difference Sa notes that, as a first generation college student, she relied on many of the services GRCC offers. “I am so grateful for GRCC,” San said. “They were my backbone. They were there for me on day one. I had so much help from great advisors, and also from the TRIO program . I am especially grateful for Jamarcus Wiggins, the advisor connected with Davenport, who helped me with the transfer process.” Now that she has completed her BSN, Sa is working at University of Michigan Health-West on the second floor post-surgical unit. She loves nursing and feels that she is both a help and an example to her family. As for GRCC? Sa’s message is simple. “I am here because of you. I achieved this goal because of you. Thank you.” Learn more about the Nursing program or TRIO .

June 3, 2026 Students in the  Radiologic Technologist (“Rad Tech”) program   become adept at using many diagnostic imaging tools. Their skills help medical professionals diagnose broken bones, torn ligaments, tumors, internal bleeding and much more. Lexi Parden, now a graduate of the Rad Tech program, was learning to use these diagnostic tools at the very moment her husband’s life depended on them. “I was a working class mom with three kids,” Parden said. “I wanted to build a better future for myself, and give my kids a better life as well. I knew I wanted to do something in healthcare, and then I heard about the radiologic technologist program. It sounded like a great way to get into the field, so I enrolled.” It’s not easy to juggle school and family. However, the whole family was making it work, and Parden was nearing the end of the program. Then the stress meter unexpectedly redlined. A Life-Altering Turn of Events  “I got a call from the hospital,” Parden said. “My husband had been out riding his bike and was flung off, hitting a tree at about 25-30 miles per hour. This is the one time he forgot both his bike helmet and his phone. I had no idea anything had happened until I got that phone call.” Her husband was diagnosed with a severe brain injury and suddenly, Parden’s life turned upside down. “My husband is self-employed, so our family income immediately stopped,” Parden said. “I needed to be at the hospital for my husband. I needed to be present for our three kids. And I needed to be in school. There were times I didn’t know how I was going to make it, but quitting was not an option. The overload would have taken me under if it wasn’t for the support I received from GRCC.” More Than Just a School  Parden says that her professors and the staff at GRCC were incredible. “I got help adjusting my schedule so I could be in all the places I needed to be,” Parden said. “They helped me find financial resources. So many people went above and beyond for me. I wasn’t just another student. I was part of a family, and that family is what got me through.” During an interview for the Radiologic Technologist program’s 50th anniversary celebration, program director Julie Lackscheide noted that caring is the “secret sauce” to their success. “Students come to this program because they are choosing to do something better for themselves and their families,” Lackscheide said. “But there are so many barriers. Many of our students are adults, and often parents besides. They’re struggling to balance learning, parenting, working and all the other ‘adulting’ in their lives. My philosophy is that we are as much friends and counselors as we are educators. We listen and support. We connect students with resources and remove barriers, all with the goal of convincing them that they can succeed.”   Unlimited Potential  One year later, the future looks a lot brighter for the Parden family. Parden says her husband has mostly recovered, which is nothing short of miraculous. She graduated and received her certification as an x-ray technician. In yet another blessing, Parden recounts that a position at Trinity Health in Grand Rapids opened up just in time, saving her the additional stress of a daily drive to Muskegon, where she thought she would be working. Health and “normalcy” provide infinite reasons for gratitude. But Parden has also discovered more inspiration through expanding professional opportunities. “Right after I started working at Trinity, they encouraged me to start cross-training in MRI,” Parden said. “I’m doing that, and I have two years to earn my certification. This is a whole new world for me and it’s fun. I can also see much more potential after I gain some MRI experience. I think it could be interesting to learn cardiac MRI, interventional radiology or bone density testing. There are so many options. I feel I’m doing what I was born to do.” Julie Lackscheide’s goal is for students to graduate, pass their boards and find a job. She and her team are doing all that, at a high level , with all types of students. That effort leaves an indelible mark on those whose lives they touch. “This program is challenging, but it’s worth every second,” Parden said. “It literally changed the course of my life and that of my family. I know that sometimes it can feel overwhelming, but the great news is that you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Everyone in the program is there to support you. If I can do it, so can you.” Visit the Imaging Sciences department webpage  to learn more areas of study and career opportunities. This story was reported by Julie Hordyk.

June 1, 2026 For many students, college can feel intimidating. For first-generation college students, that challenge often comes with added pressure and uncertainty. Through TRIO programs at Grand Rapids Community College, students receive academic and financial guidance, tutoring and one-on-one advising designed to help them navigate college and pursue their goals. “When we get the opportunity to work with students in our TRIO programs, we get to nurture an established curiosity, bravery and desire to learn that is apparent in many first-generation college students,” said Victoria Powers, TRIO director. “We are very lucky in that we have the luxury of time with our students.” Powers said students receive individualized advising and support from staff members with different areas of expertise. The program also hosts faculty office hours within the TRIO space, giving students easier access to professors in a more comfortable environment. “Students get an opportunity to see that we are all right here saying we don’t have all of the answers,” Powers said. “But I can get you to someone who might have a different answer that can take the student further along in that conversation.” Finding Support and Building Confidence Four students in the TRIO STEM program — Daniela Alcantar-Nava, Gabriela Martinez-Rivera, Raven Roman and Dulce Reyes-Loredo — said the program helped them navigate college as first-generation students and women pursuing careers in STEM-related fields.   Alcantar-Nava, a 2025 graduate of East Kentwood High School, is pursuing the ADN nursing pathway at GRCC. Drawn to math and science from an early age, she took Advanced Placement physics, biology and chemistry courses in high school and hopes to eventually become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Inspired by her older sister’s college journey, Alcantar-Nava said her education is about creating more opportunities for future generations in her family. “TRIO really cares about their students,” Alcantar-Nava said. “They work hard to help us navigate the system of college. You definitely have to work a lot harder than if there were others who came before you, but that drives me. I think about the future and how I might be able to tell my daughter about all of the things I did.” Martinez-Rivera, an electrical engineering student, said her interest in engineering developed while working alongside her father, a painter in construction. Watching structural engineers collaborate with him inspired her to pursue the field herself. “I saw how much respect my dad had when people would seek him out to work with them,” Martinez-Rivera said. “I wanted that for myself. That sparked a curiosity in me and pushed me to follow my dreams. My dad always encouraged me to dream big.” Roman, a pre-biology student, moved from the Philippines to Grand Rapids shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. As she adjusted to a new country and education system, she said TRIO became an important source of guidance and encouragement. “I was just telling myself that you have to face your fears or you won’t know what could happen in your life,” Roman said. “TRIO really navigates these questions with you. If I was not with TRIO, college would have been very hard for me to navigate, especially as someone who had no idea how education works in the United States. Right now, I’d probably be working somewhere I don’t like. Instead, TRIO has helped me actualize my dreams.”   Reyes-Loredo, a 26-year-old first-generation student, completed her associate degree after a seven-year journey shaped by cancer, financial hardship and immigration challenges. As the oldest English-speaking child in her family, she often helped her parents navigate paperwork and financial systems while growing up in Grand Rapids. After surviving cancer in high school, she briefly attended nursing school in Barcelona, Spain, before returning to the United States and enrolling at GRCC. She later shifted her studies to business finance after witnessing the financial struggles many families face, including her own. Throughout her nontraditional college journey, Reyes-Loredo said TRIO provided support both academically and personally, especially during periods when she traveled frequently to Mexico to visit her husband. “If it wasn’t for all the extra things TRIO does, I don’t know if I would be where I am today,” Reyes-Loredo said. “It’s a small-knit community in TRIO. Even when I pushed them away sometimes, they were constantly there. They gave me a safe space to make mistakes and not feel judged.” In addition to accessible advising tailored to STEM fields, TRIO offers students dedicated study spaces, tutoring support and networking opportunities. Students said the environment allows them to feel understood by peers facing similar experiences. “You can be your full self around people who understand your situation,” Alcantar-Nava said. Pursuing Opportunities Beyond the Classroom   This summer, all four students will participate in competitive research opportunities. Alcantar-Nava and Martinez-Rivera were accepted into the Michigan College and University Partnership (MiCUP) a seven-week research program in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Both students initially hesitated to apply because of the distance and uncertainty about whether they were qualified. TRIO advisers encouraged them to pursue the opportunity anyway. “TRIO is a place where somebody can come in and have the freedom to be curious and to think about themselves in a way that maybe they haven’t had an opportunity to before,” Powers said. “We work to take the noise away from the tasks that are harder to navigate so students have the space to take chances on themselves.” Roman and Reyes-Loredo were accepted into the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, or UROP, at the University of Michigan this summer. Roman said a TRIO adviser encouraged her to apply before the extended deadline, despite her doubts about being selected. Reyes-Loredo will participate in research focused on the mental well-being of parents living in poverty.   Overcoming Barriers as First-Generation Students   The students said language barriers, financial strain and limited professional networks often make higher education more difficult for first-generation families to navigate. “Our parents didn’t always have the same opportunities,” Alcantar-Nava said. “It’s not a lack of intelligence. It’s a lack of resources and opportunities.” The students also discussed the challenges of being women in STEM fields, including imposter syndrome and underestimating their accomplishments. “I think a lot of women undermine their achievements,” Martinez-Rivera said. “You have to accept every accomplishment for what it is and recognize how far you’ve already come.” “We’re just as capable as anybody else,” Roman said. “We can bring innovation and creativity, as well as a voice for women who don’t have that voice.” Looking Ahead For each of these students, seeing their families make sacrifices to create new opportunities has remained a powerful source of motivation as they work toward their academic and career goals. They stressed the importance of embracing opportunities, speaking up for themselves and seeking mentors who can help them navigate the college system. TRIO became more than an academic support program for these students. It provided a sense of encouragement and belonging while giving them the confidence to envision opportunities beyond the barriers they faced. “I think any student who makes a choice to come to college as a first-generation college student is already displaying traits of strength, bravery and confidence,” Powers said. “We’re so proud of these four women. Each one has shown strong character, an incredible work ethic and so much ability. We’re honored to work with these students.” Roman hopes her journey can encourage other first-generation students to take chances on themselves. “Always take the opportunity given to you,” Roman said. “You never know where it can lead until you accept it.” Visit the TRIO programs web page to learn more about the various support services. This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell.