Sept. 9, 2020, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College continues to help students struggling with food insecurity with support from a $48,796 grant from Kent County and the Heart of West Michigan United Way. GRCC’s Office of Student Life has offered curbside food distribution since March, providing more than 1,200 bags of nonperishable food – such as canned fruit, noodles, cereal and rice -- along with frozen meats, fruit, and eggs. The college also has provided household cleaning and hygiene supplies, baby food, formula, diapers and wipes, and pet food. The additional funds will help the college continue providing food and other materials through the fall, with the distribution moving indoors to the food pantry in the Student Community Center. The next session is planned for 3-6 p.m. on Sept. 16. The Kent County Board of Commissioners is partnering with the Heart of West Michigan United Way to use federal CARES Act funding to support nonprofit organizations providing relief services. “Prior to the pandemic, many families and individuals struggled to meet their basic needs. Covid-19 has worsened the strain on those who were already struggling and caused others to experience difficulties for the first time in their lives,” said Michelle Van Dyke, Heart of West Michigan United Way President and CEO. “These dollars provide critical relief to organizations like GRCC that are working tirelessly to serve the growing needs of so many in our community.”   The next session is planned for 3-6 p.m. on Sept. 16. Students can fill out an online form to confirm they are enrolled in at least one GRCC course. They then visit RaiderConnect to RSVP for each food distribution they would like to attend. More than 70% of GRCC students attend part time, scheduling classes around work and home responsibilities. With many area employers limiting hours or closing their doors in response to the crisis, more students face food and housing insecurity. “Many students struggle with food insecurity, and the need for assistance increased dramatically during the coronavirus crisis,” said Lina Blair, director of GRCC’s Office of Student Life. “We deeply appreciate the support from Kent County and the Heart of West Michigan United Way. This will help students continue their education and gain the skills they need to be successful.” Additional distribution dates are posted on the college’s Get Help website: grcc.edu/gethelp. Dr. Kathryn Mullins, vice president of College Advancement and executive director of the GRCC Foundation, said the grant will help students continue their education by assisting them with basic needs.  “This is another example of our community supporting GRCC and its students,” Mullins said. “Students of all ages are looking for a quality education and additional skills as our region recovers. We are working to remove food insecurity as an obstacle to their success.” Leaders in Student Alliance, a group representing students at GRCC, voted to support the food distribution during the summer through a $30,000 donation. Earlier, Student Alliance donated $8,000 to support the food pantry and the Student Emergency Assistance Fund, which helps students who face challenges such as losing their job, a place to live or having their utilities shut off. The Student Emergency Assistance Fund has provided more than $100,000 in grants and loans since 2014. The number of students needing assistance has increased since the start of the Winter 2020 semester, spiking dramatically since the start of the coronavirus crisis. Community members can donate through the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation’s online donation page, grcc.edu/donate.  Select "Student Food Pantry" or "Student Emergency Fund" from the drop-down menu under "Designation.” 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.

The event is planned for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 29, with 40 GRCC staff members ready to help with any question students or assistance students might need prior to Monday’s start of the fall semester.

A frightening experience helped Tara Ronning find her true calling in nursing. Ronning has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Michigan State University, but she left the workforce when she and her husband decided to start a family. She gave birth prematurely to triplets, who were rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit. One of the babies passed away at the age of 4 months. “During this journey, I saw the hearts and tears of nurses and caregivers -- who I now call friends -- poured into their patients and families,” she said. “It was not ‘just a job’ to them, but rather a passion and a gift they could give the families of these young babies. It was their calling in life to give hope and love.” Ronning had just registered for fall classes at GRCC when her husband was struck by a truck while sitting on a park bench. Surrounded by the chaos of the hospital emergency department, she noticed that she felt unexpectedly at ease.  “I can look back now and think that very moment was when I knew without a doubt that nursing was my calling,” she said. A few years later, with her husband recovered from the accident, Ronning started on her new career pathway by taking GRCC classes. “What an opportunity and blessing that I got to study here, close to home and work,” she said. “I am able to manage classes and four busy kids with all the responsibilities of being a wife and mother.”  She plans to transfer to Ferris State University and hopes to have her bachelor’s degree in nursing in spring 2022. The coronavirus pandemic has Ronning especially busy in her job as an emergency room technician while giving her a preview of how she hopes to contribute in a new role as nurse.  “I absolutely love it!” she said. “Having been both patient and now provider, I have seen that this is truly what I am to do with my gifts and talent from God.” What's your GRCC story?  Our community is inspiring. Whether you're a student, employee, alumni or community member, we're eager to learn and celebrate how GRCC or GRJC impacted your life. Click here to share your story!  

August 17, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is partnering with Plainsong Farm in Rockford to provide fresh produce to students struggling with food insecurity during the coronavirus crisis. GRCC’s Office of Student Life since March has offered curbside food distribution, so far providing more than 1,100 bags of non-perishable food along with frozen meats, fruit, and eggs. The college also has provided household cleaning and hygiene supplies, baby food, formula, diapers and wipes, and pet food. Plainsong Farm is the program’s most recent partner, joining GRCC Student Alliance, Heart of West Michigan United Way, Feeding America West Michigan and GRCC employees. “As a non-profit educational farm, it made so much sense for us to partner with GRCC,” said Nurya Parish, the farm’s founding executive director. “We're here to serve our community with good food and learning opportunities. We're excited to be making a difference together.” The non-profit organization has so far been able to provide about 400 pounds of produce; including tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, and other items grown on Plainsong’s 12 Mile Road fields. “West Michigan is a caring community, and we are delighted to have a partner like Plainsong Farms step up and make a difference for our students,” said Lina Blair, director of GRCC’s Office of Student Life and Conduct. “Students and their families are struggling. Many have been excited to choose from a wide variety of healthy, farm-fresh produce to bring home.” More than 70% of GRCC students attend part time, scheduling classes around work and home responsibilities. With many area employers limiting hours or closing their doors in response to the crisis, more students face food and housing insecurity. The next distribution is planned for 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, outside GRCC’s Student Community Center at 122 Lyon St. NE. The college also frequently updates a website – grcc.edu/gethelp – with campus and community resources for housing, food and other challenges. 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.    

The program is a partnership between the legendary heavy metal band’s All Within My Hands Foundation and the American Association of Community Colleges. The effort provides workforce training for community college students and reinvests in cities where the musicians have performed.

Community colleges are a strong option for students, especially freshmen and sophomores, looking to save money in a safe environment while continuing to earn transfer credits and stay on track for graduation. 

Aug. 1, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College celebrated its 103 rd Commencement unlike any of the ceremonies that preceded it, noting how students overcame tremendous challenges in the face of a global pandemic and will emerge stronger for it. The college recognized the graduation of about 1,500 students through a virtual ceremony, with President Bill Pink and other campus leaders conferring degrees through an event streamed live online. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, GRCC determined a virtual ceremony was the best way to honor and celebrate students and their success while allowing as many people as possible to safely participate. Pink spoke from a stage in Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse before about 400 empty chairs to represent students.   “It matters how we react when we are in adverse, challenging conditions,” he said. “What we have been going through these last four or five months has definitely been adversity. Sometimes adversity can truly paralyze you. You’re not sure what to do so you don’t do anything at all. Or, you can choose to innovate. To be creative. To figure out what do I do with this and how can I innovate and not only survive but truly thrive. How do I get past this? How do I still get it done? Survival means you made it. Thriving means you continue to go.” Like colleges across the nation, GRCC transitioned to remote learning in March because of the pandemic. The college plans to offer classes in four formats during the upcoming fall semester. “You showed resilience to adapt to the new learning procedures, from classroom instruction to online learning,” trustee Cynthia Bristol said. “You showed stamina to stay with your classes and finish all of your requirements. Both attributes are assets that brought you to this point and will continue to guide your success.” Professor Duane Davis, recognized for putting his musical stamp on students and the West Michigan Arts community, was awarded Emeritus Faculty status . Davis served as a faculty member in the Music Department for 26 years, working with students in the classroom and serving as GRCC’s director of choral and vocal activities. Under his tenure, the Shades of Blue vocal ensemble received national and international recognition, and the College Choir performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. Dr. Nkechy Ezeh was named 2020 Distinguished Alumnus . She GRCC “opened the door” for her to embark on a career of advocating for children and training educators around the world, especially those working to help families overcome the effects of poverty. Ezeh assists schools and nonprofit agencies as an education consultant, providing curriculum and evaluation expertise. She conducts professional development and parent education workshops all over the world. Both were saluted with video tributes during the ceremony. The ceremony is able to be viewed on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/grandrapidscc/posts/10157793948199261 and on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/UD-BqFCJjys . A downloadable version of the Commencement program is available at grcc.edu/commencement . 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.