July 13, 2020, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Most of Grand Rapids Community College’s fall and winter sports will be rescheduled until spring 2021 to keep student-athletes, coaches and spectators safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Junior College Athletic Association’s Board of Regents approved a 2020-2021 Plan of Action on Monday, affecting fall and winter sports – except for cross country, which will continue in the fall with outdoor competition protocols in place. Affected would be GRCC’s nationally ranked volleyball team and men’s and women’s basketball teams. Baseball, softball and golf teams already compete during the spring season. “We want our student-athletes to be able to compete in the safest possible environment,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “This is an unprecedented move, but we are living in extraordinary times. We respect the NJCAA decision, and we will continue planning with recent guidance while keeping the academic success, safety and the health of our student athletes as the top priority.”  GRCC’s Athletic Program is coming off a successful year, earning the 2019-2020 Michigan Community College Athletic Association Charlie Chanter All-Sports Award, which goes to the college program most successful in a variety of sports. 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.

Fall semester classes begin on Aug. 31 and include some on-campus experiences.

When her kids started school, MaryAnne Flier returned to GRCC. “I took a few classes at GRCC back in 2006, but at the time, I didn’t have a clear direction that I wanted to take,” she said. “Because of that lack of clarity — and because I had a good job at the time — I decided that college wasn’t a necessity for me.” In 2016, she had been a stay-at-home mom for five years. But now she was ready for her next chapter and made plans to get an associate degree and then enter GRCC’s Dental Assisting program. Scratch that. “As I worked through the courses required for the (Associate of Arts) degree, it became clear to me that if I was going to continue in any program, it would need to better align with my passions,” Flier said. Dental Assisting was out, but she wasn’t sure what her new pathway was. She decided to work on requirements for her associate degree while she figured it out. As part of that new plan, she took a physical geography class in fall 2018. “Honestly, the only reason I took it was because it seemed like the lesser of three ‘evils’ when it came to my remaining options for a physical science and lab course,” Flier said. That geography class turned out to be more interesting than she thought, and she learned from professor Mike DeVivo that she could build a career that combined geography with her passions for social justice and community development. Geographers influence people and their environment locally and around the world, DeVivo said. “Urban and regional planning requires the talents of geographers, as do efforts to combat social injustice, environmental despoliation, food insecurity and geopolitical problems,” he said, adding that geographers work in both the private and public sectors. “For example, the U.S. Department of State has an Office of the Geographer that has been in existence since 1929, which engages in the analysis of international geographic issues, such as refugee flows, public health problems, humanitarian relief, war crimes prevention, climate change, and human and wildlife trafficking.” Encouraged by DeVivo, Flier secured an internship with the World Affairs Council of West Michigan, a nonprofit organization focused on foreign policy and issues of international interest. She also delved into independent research. Her presentation, examining the impact of evangelical Christianity on Grand Rapids politics, won first place in the undergraduate student paper competition at the annual meeting of the East Lakes Division of the American Association of Geographers. She was to present her research at the California Geographical Society conference in April before that event was canceled because of the pandemic. Her position as president of GRCC’s chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, the international geographical honor society, has helped her pursue her passion for social justice — locally and globally. In addition to raising funds for Kids’ Food Basket, GTU is also focused on helping CAMFED, the nonprofit Campaign for Female Education, with its mission of educating and empowering young women in sub-Saharan Africa. Flier, who graduated this spring with an Associate of Arts, plans to start at Aquinas College next fall, with a double major in geography and community leadership. “My plan is to work in some capacity in the nonprofit sector here in Grand Rapids, doing something related to community development,” said Flier, who received Aquinas’ Hruby Scholarship and one of only two Darrel Hess Community College Transfer Scholarships awarded nationally from the American Association of Geographers. Flier, who also works as an academic tutor, believes students should approach general education requirements with an open mind. “If you’re the least bit unsure of the educational path you want to take, just take as many different classes as you can — you never know what you might end up falling in love with!”

GRCC's first-ever drive-through GRADfest, where students will be saluted and can obtain everything they need to make the virtual commencement special, runs 3-7 p.m. on July 7.

The program followed retired GRCC chef Angus Campbell as he shared lessons about cooking and life for more than 100 episodes. Noah DeSmit and Klaas Kwant, of GRCC’s Media Technologies Department, produced the series through a grant from Peter Secchia and Jay Smith.

GRCC's Student Alliance serves as the intermediary between the student body and the campus administration

GRCC will continue hosting the event, an initiative designed to spark interest in college and careers among eighth-grade students. The next conference is planned for March 2, 2021.

In April, trustees unanimously approved a 1.7% tuition increase for the 2020-2021 academic year, keeping tuition increases under 2% for the third consecutive year.

Bailey, who served on Grand Rapids Community College’s board of trustees from 2013 until she passed away in April, was known for putting the needs of students first.

The following is a message from Grand Rapids Community College President Bill Pink:  June 8, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- I’ve been thinking about whether I would make a public statement addressing the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Not because of disrespect for the horrible acts behind their deaths, nor the importance of calling out injustice to men who look like me. I see many other leaders releasing statements and I fully respect those sentiments. Yet, I’ve struggled with writing a statement, for two reasons. First, while I see the value in declaring our commitment through a written statement, I am more concerned with what we are going to do about it. Action! We can make statements denouncing the horrific actions of these deaths, but if we do not follow those statements with sustainable, long-term transformation, our statements are irrelevant. They would not honor those who have not only lost their lives, but also our communities who are experiencing disparities and struggle in finding hope. If you wonder who they are, take some time to look at some of the people who are protesting. We must think in terms of transformation. Second, I’m tired -- physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I’m tired. I’m tired of looking at the news and finding out that another black life has been taken because of a senseless act of individuals who decided to treat them as something other than a human being. I’m tired of having my black friends who have black sons telling me their fears about whether their son is safe whenever he walks out their door. And I am tired of hearing statements such as, “Why are they still protesting?” and “When are we going to stop talking about racism?” As Dr. King put it so eloquently decades ago, this, too, is not a season where the African-American needs to “simply blow off some steam” and get over it. If that is where we are, then I will remain very tired. That said, do not mistake my fatigue for complacency or giving up. Quite the contrary. I am blessed to be president of an amazing institution. I firmly believe our institution, GRCC, can and will play an important role in helping our community not only heal, but also learn and grow from the place we are right now…whether it be the pandemic of a coronavirus, or the pandemic of addressing inequities associated with the diverse populations of our community. Our college has been here for more than 100 years. It has been here through horrible days in our country and in our community. The walls of our college witnessed world wars, recessions, depressions and many other issues. And we are still here. I have no doubt GRCC will continue to be a pillar in this community for growth and transformation. Our diversity and equity initiatives are second to none . We are laser-focused on filling equity gaps across our campus community and the community of Grand Rapids. I am proud that our Police Academy has instilled, “ The Fair and Impartial Policing” implicit bias training for our cadets who will soon take to the streets of our communities in this city and region with a stronger skill set for handling situations with wisdom and care. I am proud that GRCC is an integral partner with the Grand Rapids Promise Zone initiative to remove cost as a barrier to education. Every student within the zone will have access to opportunities to transform their life and break generational cycles of poverty. I remain convinced this community’s college will be responsive to this present situation. I commit as its president to doing so. This college stands with this community to look this monster of racial injustice square in the face and declare that it will never win. If we, alongside our community, will unite around the cause, with dedicated focus and sincere commitment to action, we will see transformation throughout West Michigan. If not, we will continue to deal with being repeatedly tired… …I choose action!