Jan. 5, 2026 The buzz is building for  Bee School 2026 , a one-day beekeeping conference hosted by the Grand Rapids Area Beekeeping Club in partnership with Grand Rapids Community College’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. The event will be held Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in GRCC’s Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center in downtown Grand Rapids. This year’s event features two educational tracks tailored to every level of beekeeper — from people just beginning their journey to experienced keepers managing multiple hives. “We’re really excited about the opportunity to hold this event on campus,” said Audrey Heckwolf, GRCC faculty member and beekeeper. “Bee School brings people together who are brand new to beekeeping, people who are curious and people who have been doing this for decades. Regardless of experience, everyone walks away having learned something new.” Two Tracks Designed for Every Level Participants can choose between a Beginner Track, which introduces the fundamentals of beekeeping, or an Advanced Track, which explores more complex management strategies. They can also move between tracks if they want. Heckwolf said the beginner curriculum is ideal for anyone who wants to understand what it truly takes to care for bees before committing to their first hive. “It can be a big leap to get bees,” she said. “Bee School is such a valuable way to dip your toe in — you get to learn, ask questions and meet seasoned beekeepers in a low-pressure environment.” Topics in the beginner sessions include selecting an apiary location, understanding hive inspections, problem solving, Michigan overwintering techniques, honey harvesting and managing Varroa mites, the most serious parasite affecting honey bees. The advanced sessions include presentations on expanding apiaries, queen rearing, native bees, products from the hive and “trees for bees,” featuring species that provide strong nutritional support for pollinators. Connecting Sustainability, Education and Community The partnership between GRCC and the Grand Rapids Area Beekeeping Club grew from the establishment of GRCC’s teaching apiary, which Heckwolf helped develop. “I feel like this work aligns naturally with GRCC’s sustainability goals,” she said. “Bees are essential to our food systems, and the apiary gives us a living lab where students and community members can learn and ask questions in real time.” Heckwolf said she often sees attitudes shift when people have the opportunity to engage with bees up close. “I once had someone tell me she had always been afraid of bees,” she said. “After learning more, she let a honey bee land on her leg and just watched it. She didn’t swat it — she trusted it, and it trusted her. Those small moments matter, and Bee School creates more of them.” Speakers, Vendors and Hands-On Insight The 2026 schedule includes expert speakers from across Michigan, including researchers, seasoned beekeepers, master arborists and educators. Participants will also be able to shop from a variety of local vendors offering equipment and products from the hive. “We’re hoping to welcome more than 100 people this year,” Heckwolf said. “Bee School is a great place to learn, network and feel connected to a community that’s passionate about supporting bees and the environment.” Registration Registration information, including pricing, is available at  grbee.club/bee-school-2026 . Parking, lunch and refreshments are included in the cost of admission.

Dec. 19, 2025  The Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) Board of Trustees has named Dr. Kathryn Rogalski as the college’s 12th president following a nationwide search. Rogalski currently serves as vice president of academic affairs and workforce development at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) where she provides executive leadership for academic programs, workforce development and corporate training initiatives that support regional economic vitality. She brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education leadership, with a strong focus on student success, workforce readiness and community partnership. “Dr. Rogalski is a highly respected academic leader whose experience and values align closely with GRCC’s mission,” said Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, chair of the GRCC Board of Trustees. “She has a proven track record of advancing student success, strengthening workforce pathways and leading complex organizations through change. We are confident she is the right leader to guide GRCC into our next chapter.” At NWTC, Rogalski oversees a $55 million division and provides leadership to more than 1,000 faculty and staff across multiple colleges, including STEM, advanced manufacturing and skilled trades, nursing and allied health, public safety and business and social sciences. Her work has included leading a collegewide transition from traditional 15-week semesters to eight-week semesters to improve persistence and completion, securing a $2.25 million federal Title III grant to expand high-impact teaching practices, and strengthening partnerships with K-12 districts, universities and employers. Prior to NWTC, Rogalski served in senior academic leadership roles at William Rainey Harper College and College of Lake County in Illinois, where she advanced curriculum innovation, apprenticeship and workforce-aligned programs, faculty development and student advising. She began her career in institutional research and academic advising and has also served as an adjunct faculty member in psychology. Rogalski holds a Doctor of Education in adult and higher education from Northern Illinois University, a Master of Arts from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts from Northeastern Illinois University, graduating cum laude. She is an Aspen Institute Rising Presidents Fellow and an active leader in national higher education and workforce organizations. Rogalski is expected to assume the presidency in 2026. Additional details will be shared as they become available. About Grand Rapids Community College GRCC was established in 1914 as Michigan’s first community college, providing affordable, accessible education to learners of all ages. GRCC offers academic pathways leading to degrees, certificates, transfer opportunities and in-demand career skills through courses delivered across multiple campuses — downtown Grand Rapids and Holland — as well as online, hybrid and weekend formats.