Feb. 21, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Dr. Patricia Oldt will be remembered for a strong belief in equity and social justice, advocating for women to advance to leadership. Dr. Oldt, a lifelong educator, was Grand Rapids Community College’s former assistant dean for community education. She passed away this week at age 84.   “Dr. Oldt’s impact is felt not just in the students she helped educate at the K-12 level and higher education, but in women she inspired and mentored to follow in her footsteps as a leader,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “That’s a tremendous legacy. We at GRCC extend our condolences to her family and friends, and hope they are comforted with the knowledge that her work and advocacy has made West Michigan a better place.” In addition to her leadership role at GRCC, Dr. Oldt was assistant superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools, superintendent of Northview Public Schools, and both the distinguished professor of education and vice president for Planning and Equity at Grand Valley State University. She was instrumental in developing GVSU’s charter schools program. She earned many awards and honors, including election to the Michigan Association of School Administrators Hall of Fame in 2009. The DeQueen, Ark., native earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, then master’s and doctoral degrees from Michigan State University. A strong advocate for education and equality all her career, Dr. Oldt said in a 2014 interview that growing up and attending public schools in the segregated South shaped her beliefs.   “Being exposed to blatant discrimination against women and people of color convinced me that the only ‘equalizer’ that could make a difference is education,” she said in a GVSU profile after being honored in the university’s Celebrating Women in Sport and Physical Activity She commissioned Northview’s first Title IX audit of athletics, revealing the inequities in girls and boys sports. "I viewed athletics as an extension of the classroom, and many did not see it that way," Dr. Oldt said in the GVSU profile. "I used to ask people, 'What if your daughters didn't have textbooks in the classroom? How is that so different from not having equal access in athletics?'" She focused on equity at Grand Valley as well, leading a campus climate study that resolved inequities in salaries, scholarship opportunities and employee benefits. Dr. Oldt’s family requests that those wishing to make contributions in her honor donate to the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation's Salute to Women Scholarship at grcc.edu/foundation or to the Grand Valley State University Foundation's Grand Valley Fund, at gvsu.edu/giving/gvu-foundation .

Feb. 19, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is testing basketball players for COVID-19 weekly through a partnership with Ferris State University, saying the college is committed to keeping student-athletes safe while competing. Interim Athletic Director David Selmon said the testing exceeds safety protocols prescribed by the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Michigan Community College Athletic Association. Through a partnership with the Ferris College of Pharmacy, students, coaches and training staff participating in contact sports will receive weekly antigen tests, with results available in about 15 minutes. The tests are administered by Ferris faculty and students, and are planned to continue through the end of the season. “We’ve adopted several protocols to keep our student-athletes as safe as possible during the pandemic,” Selmon said. “This is an additional step, but we think it is an important one for teams competing in contact sports. Ferris has been an excellent partner for GRCC over the years, and we appreciate being able to work together on this testing.” GRCC Athletics is closely following safety guidelines from the NJCAA and MCCAA, including requiring face coverings, social distancing where possible and prohibiting spectators from the arena during games. That’s in addition to GRCC policies, which include daily health screenings and frequent deep cleanings. “This is another signal that our leadership is keeping the safety of our students first in mind,” Women’s coach David Glazier said. “Our students can safely engage in athletics, and we appreciate these extra steps are being taken. It definitely keeps us moving.” Sophomore basketball player Richard Major said the testing gives athletes peace of mind as they work through the season, which starts tonight against Muskegon Community College. Basketball season has been delayed by several months due to the pandemic. The testing involved a pair of nasal swabs, which are then run through a device. “It’s not too bad,” Major said. “It’s something we need to do to be able to play safely. It will help us stay on the court and get the season in.” All GRCC basketball and volleyball homes games are being live streamed and archived at MichiganSportsRadio.com . Additional information about the basketball teams is available at grccraiders.com . 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.

GRCC Workforce Training offers programs providing 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. Matthew Bronkema was laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was looking for a new job. He heard about GRCC Workforce Training’s Metallica Scholars program. “My mom received an email about the Metallica Scholars program. It came at just the right time,” he said. “I knew I needed to find something that was more sustainable, some type of job that would grow. When my mom suggested I apply, I listened to her, and I’m glad I did!” Metallica Scholars is a partnership between the legendary heavy metal band’s All Within My Hands Foundation, the American Association of Community Colleges, and Wolverine, the Rockford-based manufacturer of work boots and apparel. GRCC was one of just 10 community colleges in the nation selected for the first Metallica Scholar grants in 2018. The college launched an extensive welding program that included an accelerated schedule and career preparation assistance. Welders are in-demand , and the job includes basic duties such as cutting, brazing and welding of various metal components to more advanced activities include metal inert gas welding and tungsten inert gas welding using aluminum and stainless steel. Welders gain an understanding of metallurgy, American Welding Society standards and welding equipment maintenance. People effective in the career are able to read blueprints, perform basic shop math, read measurement tools and communicate effectively with others. “When I found out that I made it into the program I was pumped,” Bronkema said. “There weren’t very many seats available. I love this program!” The 2016 Coopersville High grad said professor Nick Pinckney allows students to move at our own pace, and Bronkema has been able to progress quickly. “I plan to complete this training and work toward getting my journeyman’s card. This program has given me the confidence to really plan my future. It’s looking bright!” Matthew and others in his Metallica Scholars cohort will graduate on Feb. 25. Several students have already been offered job, and others are preparing for interviews with employers this week. 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 .

Start at GRCC and go anywhere! Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC – or Grand Rapids Junior College – gave them the education and opportunity to be successful. We’re sharing some of those stories, and want to hear yours! Terry Rostic made history, becoming the co-founder of Michigan’s first Black-owned craft brewery. But he said that might never have happened without GRCC. Rostic co-founded Black Calder Brewing  with Jamaal Ewing in Grand Rapids last year, garnering national attention as trailblazers .   “GRCC gave me a chance when no one else would,” he said. “I was able to learn from great professionals and professors. GRCC gave me the confidence to continue my education.” Rostic had a solid high school grade-point average, but said he wasn’t a good test-taker and a low ACT score prevented him from getting accepted into a four-year college. Given an opportunity at GRCC, he thrived. “GRCC helped improve my confidence in my learning ability and helped me realize that I belong in higher education -- I just needed a chance,” he said. “I was also exposed to students from all over the country, which was a nice change from my high school, which wasn’t very diverse at the time. Learning about different cultures and having the freedom to pick the classes I wanted and explore was key to my growth as a person, student, and man.” Rostic said he excelled at two four-year institutions after graduating from GRCC in 2004, receiving bachelor’s degree at Cornerstone University with a 3.75 GPA and earning an MBA at Davenport University, graduating with a 3.92 GPA. “If it wasn’t for GRCC I would have not received my MBA,” he said. “I was even accepted into a doctorate program at University of Southern California that I later declined to pursue my dream of opening a brewery.”  He also works in the Human Resources department of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and started an African-American male global leadership program called Alpha League that focuses on academic and social success. Rostic and Ewing have released six brews so far, and are planning a scholarship for GRCC’s craft brewing program to attract more African-American students to the growing industry. Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply . And tell us your story here: https://www.grcc.edu/communications/shareyourgrccstory

Feb. 12, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – There is still time for students to enroll in late-starting winter semester classes at Grand Rapids Community College, offering opportunities to get started on work toward a degree or to stay on track for graduation. There are openings available in classes covering a variety of subjects, including math, English, wellness, geology and child development. Many of the classes are offered in online, virtual real time and hybrid formats and start on March 8. Seven-week classes cover the same amount of content and quality of teaching in about half the time, potentially meeting more often or for longer periods of time. Research has shown students in seven-week classes have higher success and completion rates, and provide flexibility for students looking to schedule around home and work responsibilities. “Late-starting classes are excellent, affordable opportunities for students of all ages who are looking to start momentum toward a degree,” said Tina Hoxie, GRCC associate provost and dean of Student Affairs. “Even taking one or two classes at a time keeps you moving forward, making progress.” Students with questions about late-starting classes can contact the GRCC Enrollment Center at (616) 234-3300 or by email at enroll@grcc. Financial aid specialists can assist with questions about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA, at (616) 234-4030 and through email at financialaid@grcc.edu. 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.

Feb. 11, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The COVID 19 pandemic magnified technology gaps and other obstacles, sparking Grand Rapids Community College to take additional steps to ensure all students continued to have access to a quality education, GRCC President Bill Pink told state lawmakers Thursday. Pink was one of four college presidents invited to testify remotely before the state Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Universities and Community Colleges, talking about lessons learned during the pandemic. Pink was joined by Calvin University President Michael LeRoy, Eastern Michigan University President James Smith and North Central Michigan College President David Finley. A recording of the session is available here.  He praised faculty and staff for responding quickly and creatively to meet students’ needs, both inside and outside the classroom. After initially transitioning all classes remotely, GRCC adopted four educational formats, with online, hybrid, virtual real-time and in person classes. About 80% of fall 2020 classes had online components. Pink told senators the shift revealed the virtual formats were effective for many students, allowing them to take classes scheduled around home and work responsibilities. He said the college will likely continue to offer an expanded number of online classes to augment in-person education as more students are able to return to campus. “We learned our delivery modes now, in some cases, address some students who might not have been able to reach us before,” he said. The pandemic also exposed gaps and created others, especially as students faced a reduction in work hours or found their jobs eliminated entirely. “One of the things we realized being in an urban area like Grand Rapids is we have many students who have different needs, and a pandemic only magnified those,” Pink said.  “We have students who faced food and housing insecurity. We are honored and thrilled to help our students because we know those needs are out there.” GRCC purchased more than 500 laptops and about 350 mobile Wi-Fi hotspots to loan students, and strengthened the Wi-Fi signal in a campus parking lot. The college also partnered with the Kent Public Library to provide students with Wi-Fi access in branch parking lots, and created a Wi-Fi zone in the new Lakeshore Campus under construction in Holland Township. “If we’re going to be online, let’s make sure you can access those classes,” he said Pink told lawmakers the college worked with community partners to provide students and their families with more than 2,000 packages of groceries from the campus food pantry since March, and nearly 500 meals in the fall semester alone. Donations also included hygiene products, cleaning supplies, baby supplies and pet food. Organizations providing food or resources include Heart of West Michigan United Way; Kent County, Michigan government; GRCC Student Alliance; GRCC Campus Dining; the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education; Feeding America West Michigan; Plainsong Farm; the Grand Rapids Children's Museum; I Support the Girls; and others. Pink also thanked senators for their support for the Futures for Frontliners program, which provides free community college tuition to people who served in essential roles during the spring shutdown, and Michigan Reconnect, which covers tuition for students 25 and older who don’t have a degree. “Thank you for programs that are going to make a difference in our community,” he said. “They are going to make a big difference in helping our community to rebound from this pandemic. Not only will we get people back to work, but also get some of our companies the talent they need to get them back up and running. We’re honored you chose community colleges to deliver these programs and we look forward to being of service to our community and to our students.” 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.

Feb. 10, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Here’s a second opinion that confirms the original diagnosis: Students graduating from Grand Rapids Community College’s Nursing program are perfect. According to a National Council of Licensure Exams summary for the year 2020, all GRCC Associate Degree Nursing graduates and all Practical Nursing graduates who took the licensure exam passed the exam on their first attempt. It’s the second year in a row GRCC Nursing students posted perfect pass rates on their licensure exams amid a pandemic that has required ongoing shifts in instructional modalities and modifications to the hands-on experiences necessary for nursing education. “Despite the many challenges of this past year, GRCC nursing students, faculty, and staff demonstrated determination and commitment,” said Michelle Richter, director of GRCC’s Nursing programs. “Congratulations goes out, not only to these graduates and their success on NCLEX, but to the faculty and staff that continue to make this possible!” College leaders say a new curriculum that increases interactive experiences is one reason for the success. Students take part in simulation sessions with manikins that respond and talk – and even deliver a baby. Richter said she’s appreciative of the support from the program’s many clinical partners who have worked diligently to provide students with clinical opportunities in a healthcare setting despite the challenges of COVID. GRCC faculty members also continue to contribute their time and expertise to support the community, both in volunteer roles and as nurses. Last year, GRCC celebrated seven decades of training nurses, with its Practical Nursing certificate program commemorating its 70th anniversary and the Associate Degree Nursing Program starting 50 years ago. The anniversaries coincided with the World Health Organization’s designation of 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, in honor of the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. 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.  

Start at GRCC and go anywhere! Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC – or Grand Rapids Junior College – gave them the education and opportunity to be successful. We’re sharing some of those stories, and want to hear yours! Dr. John Selmon has spent his career as a leader in higher education. He’s been provost and executive vice president at Muskegon Community College since 2017, overseeing academics and financial services. His education – and his career – started at Grand Rapids Community College. Selmon attended what was then Grand Rapids Junior College from 1977 to 1979, then earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska. He later earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from Eastern Michigan University. His career also started at GRJC, returning in 1984 to become program assistant for the Handicapped Student Services and serve as assistant wrestling coach. Dr. Selmon then headed to Davenport University in 1986 and became head counselor and assistant director of the college’s Educational Resource Center. He rose quickly through the ranks at Davenport, and is credited with saving the Flint campus from closing in the mid-1990s with new academic programming and innovative student activities. He became senior vice president and CEO of the Dearborn campus - then the largest in Davenport’s system – as well as the Taylor/Wayne Westland campuses and four campuses in Indiana. He left Davenport in 2004, and served in posts at Kennesaw State University in Georgia and Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor before arriving at Muskegon Community College in 2011. Dr. Selmon was a star athlete in college. While at GRJC, his wrestling team won the national championship and he was named a National Junior Athletic Association All-American. He also was elected to the NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1990. He continued wrestling at Nebraska, earning NCAA All-American honors, as well as the Big Eight Conference Outstanding Wrestler Award and made the Big Eight Conference Academic Team in 1981 and 1982. Dr. Selmon earned GRCC’s Distinguished Alumni Award for 2002. “This is what we all work for at Grand Rapids Community College – to see our students become successful,” then-GRCC President Juan Olivarez said when he announced the selection. “I am also pleased to see that in each city John has lived in he has had an active role in that community. Community involvement and collaboration are two of our strong commitments here at the community’s college.” He continues to be recognized as a leader. Dr. Selmon was selected by the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program to join the 2019-2020 class of the Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence program, which is aimed at preparing the next generation of community college presidents to transform institutions to achieve higher and more equitable levels of student success, in college and beyond. The Mansfield, Ohio native is part of a family of eight brothers and one sister, with parents who stressed academics and service. His brother David is GRCC’s associate dean of Student Affairs and interim athletic director. Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply. And tell us your story here: https://www.grcc.edu/communications/shareyourgrccstory              

Feb. 4, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College President Bill Pink was tapped by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to be part of an advisory board looking at what tools and resources Michigan students will need to get back on track as the state emerges from the pandemic. Pink is one of 33 educators and lawmakers from across the state appointed Thursday to the Student Recovery Advisory Council, which will be headed by Godfrey-Lee Superintendent Kevin Polston. “Education is vital to our state’s recovery, and collaborations such as this council will help all of Michigan move forward,” Pink said. “These are unprecedented and difficult times. The pandemic created some gaps, and exposed others. This group will look at what our schools and communities need, not just to get back to where we were, but to where we need to be. I’m honored to be part of this council.” Whitmer said the council reflects a diverse geographic and demographic composition of the state and represents parents, students, school leaders, educators, community members and individuals with expertise in public health, pediatrics and mental health. The terms expire on Dec. 31, 2021. Pink was selected to represent school leaders and is the only member from higher education. “The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Michigan hard, and our students, families, teachers, and school staff have all felt the strain,” Whitmer said. “Still, our educators have worked tirelessly to teach our children during this pandemic under the most stressful conditions, and for that, our state is forever indebted to them for their service. “It is important to remember that schools also provide other services that students need to succeed, including reliable access to the internet, nutritious meals and mental health supports. COVID-19 has exacerbated inequities in our education system, and we know more work is needed to address the significant impact this pandemic has had on our children. This council will be integral to ensuring our students and educators are equipped with everything they need to thrive.” The council is tasked with:  Developing and submitting recommendations to the governor, state superintendent and state budget director regarding student recovery.  Recommending actions to develop and improve systems for academic support for students who experienced learning loss because of COVID-19. Recommending actions to develop and improve systems for mental and physical health for students impacted by COVID-19. Recommending actions to develop and improve systems to support high school students transitioning into postsecondary education.  Recommending actions to develop and improve out-of-school time supports, including, but not limited to, summer school, before- and after-school programs, and extended school years.  Assembling critical voices from the education and public health communities to assist in identifying key challenges students face due to the pandemic.  Providing other information or advice or take other actions as requested by the governor. Reporting regularly to the governor on its activities and make recommendations on an ongoing basis. Last summer, Whitmer created the Return to School Advisory Council, which developed a framework to inform K-12 districts planning for the 2020-2021 school year. "It is an honor to serve as the chairperson of the Student Recovery Advisory Council,” said Polston. “Last summer, this collaborative group of engaged citizens developed the MI Safe School Roadmap, which was vital to supporting in-person learning.  We look forward to ‘fixing the road ahead’ for the state of Michigan through a safe, equitable, and high-performance educational system that provides access and opportunity for each child to reach their full potential."   

A School News Network Feature – Collin Wooten likes fixing cars, completing maintenance services and replacing parts to make vehicles run smoothly and efficiently. “I’ve always liked cars and just working on them is really fun … I like the hands-on more than doing the computer work,” Wooten said as he replaced coolant in a 2002 Ford Ranger in the classroom/garage that houses the Automotive Technology Program at Grand Rapids Community College. Wooten is working on his associate degree in automotive technology. A 2020 Sparta High School graduate, Wooten began at GRCC with credits from three classes already under his toolbelt from courses he completed as a junior and senior: on brakes, steering and suspension, and an introductory course in the Kent Career Tech Center’s Automotive Technology Program. Now he’s taking classes in heating, ventilation and air conditioning and drivability diagnostics at GRCC, while working part time at an independent repair facility as a mechanic. He hopes to eventually earn a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering from Ferris State University. The proximity and partnerships between the GRCC and Tech Center programs and local dealerships are helping him make seamless transitions through his education. A Demand for Skilled Mechanics Wooten has reason to feel secure about job prospects. While the industry is ever-evolving in terms of technology and efficiency, the foundations of automotive repair will remain the same, say his instructors. Service technicians will still be needed to perform basic maintenance and repair tasks, such as replacing brake pads and changing oil. Those skills right now are in big demand. “There’s fairly consistently a shortage of qualified technicians in the field,” said Ben Smith, assistant professor in the GRCC Automotive Technology program. With about 70 people enrolled this year, Smith hopes to build numbers back up to about 100. “I don’t think people always think of it as a career choice,” he said. “You do pretty high-tech stuff; it’s not just the grunt work you think of from a mechanic. It’s a challenging career.” Many students are already working in body shops. “Most students, if they really want a job, there’s no doubt we can get them a job,” said Nathan Vannest, an instructor in the Tech Center program, where many students earn certifications for jobs and continue training at GRCC. Instructors Chris Yetzke and Mike Pekrul teach in both the GRCC and Tech Center programs. “The last time I checked, the average age of a technician in the U.S. was, I think, 53, so there’s a lot of people retiring,” Yetzke said. ‘Unlimited Opportunities for Pay and Growth’ GRCC partners with manufacturers to align curriculum with needed training, such as with Fiat Chrysler for the Mopar Career Automotive Program. In 2020, Mopar cited an increase in demand for 45,000 automotive technician jobs by 2026. With a median salary of $20.24 per hour, the GRCC associate or certification programs are direct avenues to automotive careers. GRCC offers an 18-week program that covers four out of the eight certification areas, a one-year certificate program that instructs all eight areas, and a two-year associate degree program. The associate degree program transfers to a bachelor’s degree program at Ferris State University, which is the route Wooten hopes to pursue. In terms of landing jobs, GRCC and the Tech Center’s auto tech programs have solid partnerships with employers. Matt Snyder, a corporate technical recruiter for Zeigler Automotive Group, works to find service technicians for 30 dealerships in three states. He partners with both the Tech Center and GRCC to help Zeigler dealerships recruit service technicians. “There is an unbelievable demand for skilled trades people in general. The automotive industry specifically is in dire need of service technicians,” Snyder said. “The programs at Kent ISD and GRCC do a great job of preparing students for an in-demand career with unlimited opportunities for growth and pay. A good technician can write their own ticket and live anywhere in the country they choose within reason. Top technicians are making anywhere from $80,000 to over $100,000 per year. The reality is that pay is not based upon degrees but upon skill set, certifications and work ethic.” Snyder cited a major reason for the demand being so great is that for many years high-school students have been pushed toward pursuing a bachelor’s degree regardless of outcomes. “There has been an idea/thought process that in order to be successful in life you had to have a four-year degree. High schools over the past 25 years have drastically reduced vocational education, cutting back or eliminating programs like metal shop, welding and automotive.” But that shortfall has created opportunities for those with an interest in pursuing a hands-on career, he said. “When the demand for your skill set is high and supply is low, that’s a winning combination for a person to have a great career outlook.”  The Tech Center and GRCC helps students build foundational skills so they can, in turn, build on those certifications over their careers, Yetzke said. “The technology changes, but the basics really don’t here; it’s more basic knowledge of the systems,” he said. “In this business you never quit learning.” Added Vannest: “We can give them a good start to that; GRCC can give them a better start to that. At the dealership, the learning will never stop.” This story was reported and photographed by Erin Albanese of the Kent School News Network .