Dec. 12, 2025 The Grand Rapids Community College Foundation awarded $1.4 million in scholarships last year, the largest investment in the college’s history. For many students, this support removes financial obstacles and keeps them enrolled, focused and moving toward their goals. For more than 1,700 students, the moment a scholarship notification arrived was the moment college went from “maybe” to “possible.” One Application, Hundreds of Opportunities GRCC uses a streamlined process that allows students to complete a single 15-minute application, which then matches them with more than 300 available scholarships. The form is open to all students: new, returning, part-time, full-time and transfer. “Students are genuinely surprised by how simple it is,” said Riley Brooket, scholarship and event coordinator. “A couple minutes can change the entire trajectory of their education.” For many students, this simple step kept their college goals within reach. As one student shared: “It was the only way I could attend college and get a degree that wouldn’t throw me into an insurmountable amount of debt.” Support That Reaches Beyond Tuition Scholarships at GRCC help cover the everyday expenses that determine whether a student can stay in college, including textbooks, technology, transportation, groceries and program-related costs. Even with federal and state assistance, students still face more than $11,000 in unmet expenses each year. Scholarships help close that gap. “For many students, one small cost can become a breaking point,” said Mary Reed, associate director of the GRCC Foundation. “A textbook. A tank of gas, or childcare. A scholarship can help with these practical needs, giving students the support they need to stay on track.” One student explained how essential that support became, especially after years of physically demanding work that made pursuing college feel out of reach: “I had spent the last couple of years before attending GRCC in mindless, back-breaking jobs that were hardly allowing me to pay my bills and I knew I needed a change.”  A Lifeline at the Right Time Many GRCC students balance work, family responsibilities and returning to school after time away. Scholarships provide stability at critical moments, giving students the confidence and concentration to stay and follow their dreams. This support made college possible for Mark, who moved to Grand Rapids in 2020 unsure whether he could afford to pursue a degree. He was drawn to GRCC’s commitment to student success, job training and the scholarships that opened the door to an education he once thought out of reach. Now, as a soon-to-be nursing graduate, Mark is preparing to enter a vital health care career without the financial strain that once held him back. “Hearing these stories makes everything we do worth it,” Brooket said. “Students tell us all the time that the support came at exactly the moment they needed it.” The Donors Who Make It Possible Every scholarship exists because of donors, including alumni, families, community members and organizations who believe in expanding access to education. Their generosity ensures students from all backgrounds can pursue their goals with confidence. “Many donors give because someone supported them at a crucial time in their own lives,” Reed said. “They want today’s students to feel that same lift.” How to Apply Students can apply for scholarships at  grcc.edu/scholarships . The single application is open to all GRCC students, and awards are reviewed on a rolling basis. Early submission is encouraged. The process takes only minutes and the impact can be life-changing.

Dec. 10, 2025   Community Learning Experience During Native American Heritage Month, a group of Grand Rapids Community College students, faculty and community members stepped into a living archive of Great Lakes Indigenous history. The Cultural Connections 365 Committee partnered with the Bob and Aleicia Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs to lead a campus community visit to the Ziibiwing Center in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Supported by the Transfer Bridges program and the Mellon Foundation’s commitment to high impact learning experiences, the trip invited participants to immerse themselves in the history, culture and living traditions of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan and other Great Lakes Anishinabek peoples.  “We recognize the importance of exposing students to Indigenous studies and the rich history of Indigenous peoples in Michigan,” said Leanne Challa, manager of the Transfer Bridges program. “Experiences like this help students make real connections to stories that are too often overlooked.” Preserving Michigan’s Indigenous Histories Michigan is home to 12 federally recognized tribes, each with its own history and cultural identity. Many of these stories are preserved and shared through the Ziibiwing Center, which is dedicated to educating visitors about the resilience and richness of Indigenous communities. The center’s permanent and rotating exhibits highlight both the beauty of Anishinabek culture and the painful realities Native communities have endured, including the legacy of federal boarding schools. For generations, boarding schools attempted to erase Native languages and cultural practices. Children were removed from their homes, prohibited from speaking their languages and forced to assimilate into Euro-American norms. The Ziibiwing Center’s exhibit on the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School, located only a few miles from the center, shares the history of the tragedy as experienced by the local Anishinabek peoples. The center also hosts an annual Honoring, Healing & Remembering event to acknowledge the children who were taken to the school and those who never returned home.   Cultural Resilience and Innovation Walking through the center, visitors experience a vibrant portrait of Anishinabek life — a story of endurance rooted in land, language, family and community. Laughter sits at the center of Anishinabek life, reflecting the joy carried in the hearts of the people. Generations have worked hard to keep their culture alive, creating spaces to celebrate its richness and the strength of their resilience. Artifacts throughout the exhibits reveal the engineering skill, artistry and innovation that existed long before modern technology. Tools for hunting and gathering, clothing made from natural materials and early forms of items still used today show how deeply Indigenous creativity has influenced modern life. During a special presentation, the group learned about early versions of baby diapers made from rabbit skin, as well as the origins of instruments such as the drum, which evolved into forms now widely used across musical traditions For many students, these connections between past and present brought new appreciation for Indigenous contributions to daily life.  “I learned about so many tools we use every day,” said Marcus Harris, a business major at GRCC. “The clothing we wear and how it came about, the drum, and how it eventually created the tambourine — it was all enlightening. I realized how many similarities we have, which was very eye-opening for me. We carry more connections and similarities than differences.”   Learning From Native Voices The visit also offered an opportunity for reflection on how stories are passed down and who gets to tell them. One of the goals of the center is to create a space for Indigenous stories to be told by Indigenous people themselves. This commitment is reflected in language revitalization efforts, including youth immersion classes designed to strengthen cultural identity and preserve traditional knowledge.  “It feels very powerful to know the place you’re connected to and your history,” said Ijlal Nuriddin, a student on the waist list for GRCC’s Nursing Program. “As a Black American, I have a discontinued narrative because of the African diaspora. Experiencing each exhibit has helped me see how the Anishinabe people are intentionally getting back who they are.”  Many in the group said they valued the chance to learn history in a space grounded in Native voices. “I think a lot of the story is untold because of residential schools and the loss of Indigenous culture in general,” said Valerie Clingen, a history major at GRCC. “I hope to learn more and share it with my kids,  to bring it to the next generation. I’m also working toward becoming a museum curator or director. Learning about how the culture and reciprocity of the land is important, and it’s something we need to carry forward.” A 10-minute film about the Anishinabek creation story resonated with Alyssa Gamez, associate director of the Woodrick Center. She noticed parallels with her own religious background.  “The video about the beginning of people as it was given to the Anishinabek was very interesting as a Christian,” said Gamez. “I saw the similarities — the same themes, the same moral foundations. It felt like the same story I grew up hearing. Experiences like this help us see that our cultures often share more common ground than we realize.”   Community, Movement and Reflection During the visit, the group experienced traditional dance performances by Native dancers, followed by the opportunity to participate in a round dance symbolizing unity and community. The moment offered participants a chance to reflect on the themes of resilience, healing and continuity present throughout the exhibits. For many, one of the most powerful aspects of the trip was confronting the difficult history of the boarding schools while also witnessing the strength of a community working to preserve and revitalize its culture.  “To actually be in a place where there was a boarding school and learn what it truly represented was a very moving experience for me,” said Tari Mattox, professor and member of the Cultural Connections 365 Committee. “Then to see this beautiful center thriving — promoting the language, sharing the art and passing down the traditions — was incredibly meaningful. They talked about bridging the gap between the generation that was essentially stolen and the younger generations still feeling the impact. It’s my hope that we bring this knowledge back to GRCC and continue these conversations.” Carrying the Story Forward The Ziibiwing Center remains committed to keeping these stories alive and ensuring that future generations understand both the tragedies and triumphs that shape Indigenous communities today. The GRCC group returned with a deeper understanding of Michigan’s Indigenous history — and a renewed commitment to honoring and learning from the voices that carry it forward. To learn more about the Ziibiwing Center visit  https://www.sagchip.org/ziibiwing/ This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell.