MyGRCC
Menu

Summer 2027 Study Away Proposal Deadline Nov. 1

Study Away Proposal Process For faculty wishing to submit a  Summer 2027   Pre-Proposal; they are due Friday, November 1.  Before submitting your pre-proposal, please take time to review the  Study Away Resources for Faculty webpage. This page is your go-to guide for developing a strong proposal that meets GRCC and national standards for study away programming. The Study Away proposal process is detailed and purposefully designed to ensure faculty success and student safety.  Webpage Support  Reviewing the webpage will help you understand: Faculty Eligibility & Standards -  Qualifications and expectations for faculty leaders and support persons, including prior travel experience, risk management, and student coordination. Curricular & Travel Standards - Requirements for aligning your course learning outcomes to the travel experience, contact hours, location limits, and trip length. Student Support & Collaboration Standards - Guidance on preparing students for travel, building partnerships with travel providers, and collaborating with internal departments. Step-by-Step Proposal Process - Submission deadlines, review stages, and links to all required forms and rubrics (Pre-Proposal, Full Proposal, and scoring rubrics). Example Proposal -  A complete sample of an approved study away course (“ American Cinema Genres: The Cinematic World of Harry Potter ”) to illustrate what a strong proposal looks like. Third-Party Provider Guidelines -  Instructions and tips for working with travel providers to build safe, affordable and educationally rich itineraries. Support Contact – information for  Sean Mackey , who provides one-on-one support for faculty developing proposals, vetting providers and preparing students for travel. Quick Timeline Nov 1 – Submit Pre-Proposal to your  Department Head/Program Director . Within 2 weeks – Meet with DH/PD for feedback and revision. Do the same process with your Dean. By Dec 1 – After Dean support, submit your final Pre-Proposal (with rubric feedback) to  Mike Schavey, Director of Experiential Learning . Mar 1 – Full Proposal due (includes itinerary, budget, logistics, and presentation). If you have questions or would like individualized support, please contact Mike Schavey (mschavey@grcc.edu).    

Lakeshore Campus Celebrates Milestone: 1,000 Students and Growing!

GRCC's Lakeshore Campus has reached a major milestone — surpassing 1,000 students enrolled for the first time since opening its doors in 2021. The celebration recognized the faculty, staff and partners who made this achievement possible and highlighted how this growth represents more than just numbers. Between Fall 2023 and Fall 2025, Lakeshore enrollment grew from 705 to 1,038 students, a 47% increase. The number of class enrollments jumped 57%, and credit hours rose more than 34%. Behind those numbers is a dedicated team that continues to expand programs, improve student experiences and meet community needs across Ottawa County. At the celebration, Executive Director Cameron Buck and President Steven Triezenberg praised the Lakeshore team for their innovation, flexibility and collaboration. The event also celebrated the hard work of the Lakeshore Campus team — from advisors and enrollment specialists to custodians, facilities staff and front-line employees — whose daily efforts make student success possible. Congratulations to the entire Lakeshore team and to everyone across the college who contributed to this remarkable achievement! Watch the  Lakeshore 1,000th Comments video on YouTube.

Get Moving During the Benefits Fair and After: Events Oct. 27-Nov. 6

Take a break and treat yourself to some feel-good wellness experiences during and after the Benefits Fair at the ATC! - Brought to you by HR. Monday, October 27, 2025 Bexa Breast Exam   Scheduling a Bexa Breast Exam is on a first come, first served basis. Spots fill quickly so  schedule your Exam NOW! White Hall  Room 111 435 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Please bring your BC/BS insurance card to your appointment. Eligibility: All employees enrolled in the BC/BS medical plan (The Pool) are eligible for one Bexa Breast Exam in 2025 at NO COST. Had your mammogram? You can still have a Bexa Breast Exam. Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Yoga with Kim   “Undesk Yourself” 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. ATC Room 141 Register through our  Benefits Fair: Pop Up Fitness Classes form. Join GRCC’s own, Kim Stoffel, for an all-levels yoga session designed to target common areas of tension, like neck, shoulders, back and hips. This is perfect for those of us that sit at a desk for long periods of time. It’s a great way to “undesk” yourself!  About Kim: Kim Stoffel, E-RYT and YACEP, is the owner of Watch Kim Flow and is a dynamic yoga instructor who blends movement, mindfulness, and psychology to create accessible classes for every body. With a playful yet practical approach, she helps participants build strength, mobility, and presence, training for the moments that matter most. She is also an Academic Advisor at GRCC! What to bring: Yoga Mat & Block (although not required) Comfortable clothes that you can move in Water Chair Massages   11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Benefits Fair ATC Banquet Rooms 118-124 Take a few minutes to unwind with a soothing chair massage Provided by massage therapists from Simple Wellness Solutions. First come, first serve! Friday, October 31, 2025 Zumba with Angie   Noon - 12:45 p.m.  Spectrum Theatre Room 211 Register through our  Benefits Fair: Pop Up Fitness Classes form. Get ready to dance, sweat, and have a blast at our Zumba session with Angie Ramirez! This high-energy, all-levels class blends Latin-inspired dance moves with upbeat music to get your heart pumping and your spirits lifted. No dance experience needed, just show up, move your body, and have fun! What to bring:  Wear sneakers and comfortable clothes that you can move in. Water Thursday, November 6, 2025 Bexa Breast Exam   Scheduling a Bexa Breast Exam is on a first come, first served basis. Spots fill quickly so  schedule your Exam NOW! White Hall  Room 111 435 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Please bring your BC/BS insurance card to your appointment. Eligibility: All employees enrolled in the BC/BS medical plan (The Pool) are eligible for one Bexa Breast Exam in 2025 at NO COST. Had your mammogram? You can still have a Bexa Breast Exam.  

Facilities Update: GRCC Cuts Energy Use with Smart HVAC Upgrade

GRCC is finding new ways to go green and save green. A new variable frequency drive (VFD) installed on the chiller in Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall is improving energy efficiency and cutting costs. This smart technology allows motors to use only the energy they need, saving an estimated 200,000 kWh of electricity and $20,000 each year. It’s a simple upgrade with a big impact — lowering emissions, reducing wear and extending equipment life. See how this small change is making a big difference in sustainability at GRCC.. Read more on the Environmental Stewardship at GRCC webpage.  

GRCC Alumni Achieves Longed-For Success With Computer Support Technician Job Training Program

Oct. 20, 2025 There’s something to be said for persistence. Although it has taken him five years, Adam Yohannes has finally acquired the skills he needed to break into the computer science field. “I felt like I was stuck,” Yohannes said. “I wanted to do something with computers, so I earned an A+ certificate right out of high school. College wasn’t working for me, and I couldn’t find a full-time job.” After a six-month contract stint in Seattle, Adam came back to Grand Rapids and resigned himself to finding a different career. A friend suggested that he check out GRCC because it offered so many options. “I had decided I would go into the electrician program,” Yohannes said. “Then I found out there was a one-year wait to get in, which nixed that idea. I ran across the  Computer Support Technician job training program and thought it might jump-start the career I’ve always wanted. It was the best idea I’ve ever had.”  Adam finished his program in September 2025. He is now a certified A+ technician, having passed both his CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 exams.  “I was nervous about Core 1, which covers general knowledge, but I passed with flying colors,” Yohannes said. “I was even more uneasy about Core 2, which is more focused on trouble-shooting. That’s not my strong suit, but I still did very well.”  Adam credits Professor Moss Ingram for the incredible support he provided.  “Moss is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had,” Yohannes said. “He helped me study for the exams, giving me tips on how to think and what mindset to have. When I passed, Moss was so excited!”  Adam immediately turned his certificate into a local contract. “I’m working at Corewell Health, helping them transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11,” Yohannes said. “What’s funny is that I was nervous about my Core 2 test, which is troubleshooting…and that’s what I find myself doing! But the more I do it, the better I’m becoming. I’m still working with Moss to become even more effective.”  It would have been easy for Adam to leave his fellow students in the dust as he cruised off on his new career adventures. But that’s not how he’s wired. Each time he passed an exam, he generously gave time to his fellow students to describe his experience. He shared the method by which he prepared, issues he encountered along the way, and strategies he used to overcome them. He gave advice about do’s and don'ts, and answered any questions his fellow students had about the process. “I love to help people,” Yohannes said. “I like to give people tips and help them work more effectively. That’s my personal wiring, but it’s also a good fit with the information technology field overall. I just paid forward what I received.”  Adam got involved with  FutureTech Careers as an ambassador for much the same reason.  “As an ambassador, I represent GRCC while talking with employers about our program and our students,” Yohannes said. “I know firsthand how hard it is to find a job. I feel like being a FutureTech ambassador allows me to advocate for opportunities that will benefit other students. And I admire many of these companies, so it’s fun to talk with them.”  Going forward, Adam has big dreams for success. “I really want to become a full-time Corewell employee,” Yohannes said. “I’m currently a level one troubleshooter, and I want to get to level two. I’m also thinking about going back to school to earn my associate degree in computer science.”  Learn more about the  Computer Support Technician job training program or the Pre-Computer Science associate degree . 

Academic and Student Affairs (ASA) Fall Open House Oct. 27

Join your Academic and Student Affairs and GRCC colleagues at our first-ever annual ASA Fall Open House. Monday, Oct. 27 3-5 p.m. ATC Banquet Rooms 120/122/124 This is an informal time for everyone to meet new colleagues and say hello to anyone in new roles and just to take a break and connect. We will be handing out ASA Directories and swag and there will also be an opportunity to win prizes for those who attend and engage in conversation. Light refreshments will be served.  

New Printer Supply Ordering Process and Support Instructions

New Print Vendor Purchasing and Information Technology are collaborating with Applied Innovations, our new print vendor to streamline our printer supply process with a new automated system. Below is how things will work going forward. New Toner Ordering Process No more manual ordering - you will not need to place orders or track toner levels manually. When a printer’s toner is running low, the vendor will be automatically notified. A replacement toner cartridge will be shipped to Shipping and Receiving, addressed to the specific location of the printer. Once we receive it, it will be delivered to the printer’s area (e.g. your office, department or common space). Reporting Printer Issues If your printer is malfunctioning, please submit a ticket with  our GRCC IT Support team . IT will contact the vendor to dispatch a technician as needed. Submit a  service ticket with GRCC IT Support OR Email  itsupport@grcc.edu or call 616-234-4357 This ensures we have a formal record of the issue and can follow through efficiently. Questions or Concerns During this transition, please feel free to reach out to Purchasing at ext. 3850 if you have any questions or concerns about how the new process works. Thank you for your cooperation as we move to this more efficient and hassle-free supply model.  
Subscribe to
Transfer