May 15, 2025 Life takes many unexpected twists and turns. For Andrew Abbott, the decision to start a college degree at age 35 was definitely unexpected. But as he says, “It was now or never.”  Andrew, like so many GRCC students, returned to school after gaining a good taste of the working world.  “I started off in a warehouse doing general labor and repair,” Abbott said. “I moved from there to assembly, and then to supervisor. Eventually I started monkeying around with computer systems in the warehouse. I didn’t want to ask other people to fix something I should be able to fix myself! I had been thinking about going back to school for a while, and then the Michigan Reconnect program crossed my radar. Since GRCC is local for me, I decided to take advantage of my tax dollars and make use of that opportunity.”  Andrew’s innate ability and personal drive gained his employer’s attention, and they offered him a position in the information technology (IT) department.  “My employer preferred someone with a degree for the position, but it was not a requirement,” Abbott said. “I told them I was going back to school. With that, plus my previous experience, they offered me a position. I originally chose a biomedical degree but then switched to computer science.”  Balancing the needs of a wife, kids and a full-time job while earning a degree has not been an easy task for Andrew. “I’m only able to take two classes each semester,” Abbott said. “So my two-year associate degree is turning into a five-year degree! I’m learning a lot of technical aspects of computer science, and it takes work to keep up with all the information coming at me. But that’s okay. When I’m done, I’ll have a piece of paper that proves I know what I say I know.” Andrew says that without financial aid, this degree would not have been possible. He took full advantage of all the opportunities, including a Pell Grant and Michigan Reconnect.  Michigan Reconnect is a last-dollar scholarship program that pays for students to attend in-district community college tuition-free. Eligible students are those who have lived in Michigan for a year or more and are at least 25 years old. They have a high school diploma, high school equivalency (GED), or certificate of completion but have not yet completed a college degree (associate or bachelor’s). “It would have been really hard to afford this without Michigan Reconnect,” Abbott said. “That financial support definitely provided a strong incentive. After all…who wants to go back to school at age 35? But I couldn’t afford not to do it.”  His hard work will pay off, because computer science is a high-demand career. The  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 23% growth for computer science and information technology jobs between 2022 and 2032 — a much faster than average growth rate, which may indicate continued demand for workers with tech skills as society continues to incorporate technology into everyday life.  Andrew likes his employer and looks forward to putting his computer science skills to use.  “There are plans to help me move up,” Abbott said. “I am doing some junior network administrator work now, as time allows. I also do a lot of hands-on equipment repair and some troubleshooting for our computers and copiers.”  Earning a degree is a big deal for GRCC students like Andrew, many of whom are first-generation college graduates. “No one in my family has a college degree,” Abbott said. “I will be 41 by the time I’m done, and I will be the first person in my family to achieve this goal. By spring of 2026, I will be done and happy I achieved my goal!”  Learn more about GRCC’s  computer information systems programs .    This story reported by Julie Hordyk

May 13, 2025  When Alma Velic was a student at Forest Hills Central High School, she wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted to pursue — but she knew one thing for certain: college was in her future. Her parents, who immigrated from Bosnia to build a better life in the U.S., always emphasized the value of education. For them, higher education was more than a milestone, it was the key to opportunity, stability and a better quality of life. Still undecided about her career path, Alma leaned on her high school teachers for guidance. One teacher recommended Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) as a smart first step: an affordable, flexible place where she could explore her interests without racking up debt. That advice made all the difference. Alma enrolled at GRCC in the fall of 2024. Like many first-time college students, the transition was overwhelming. The biggest stressor? Finances. Alma didn’t attend a Promise Zone school, so she wasn’t eligible for that scholarship. With no clear direction yet and a strong desire to avoid student debt, she faced uncertainty—until she heard Governor Gretchen Whitmer announce the Michigan Community College Guarantee (MCCG) . At first, Alma was skeptical. Was this program too good to be true? But after her mom encouraged her to look into it, Alma called GRCC. To her surprise and joy, she qualified. All she had to do was update her FAFSA to list GRCC. And just like that, tuition was no longer a barrier. “I was ecstatic. It lifted a huge weight off my shoulders,” Alma said. “Without the Community College Guarantee, I would have had to work full-time just to make tuition payments. That would have made it nearly impossible to succeed academically in my first semester.” Thanks to the MCCG, Alma could focus on her education instead of juggling full-time work. It also opened doors to new opportunities on campus, like a work-study job that helps her gain experience while staying engaged in the campus community. She’s been able to connect more deeply with professors, classmates and student support services, all of which have helped her feel more confident in her college journey. While still undecided on a major, Alma is drawn to the tech world. She finds artificial intelligence fascinating and is exploring degree paths in that direction, with plans to transfer to a four-year university. One of her biggest supporters has been GRCC Professor Kenneth Smith, who’s helped her see the potential in emerging fields. Looking ahead, Alma is on track to graduate in spring 2026. “GRCC is a great place to figure things out for your future,” she says. “School is tough, but removing the financial burden made all the difference. The Michigan Community College Guarantee gave me the freedom to focus on what matters most, my education.” The MCCG is designed to give more Michigan residents access to tuition-free education at their local community college—whether they’re just starting out or returning to school to pursue a new path. For Alma, it was a lifeline that gave her clarity, confidence, and a strong start toward a successful future.  

May 9, 2025 What started as a challenge to fix her dad’s broken-down truck has evolved into a full throttle pursuit of a career in automotive technology. Elizabeth Vanostran is turning her passion into a profession through Grand Rapids Community College’s (GRCC)  Automotive Technology programs — a launchpad that’s giving her the skills, confidence and opportunity to succeed in a traditionally male-dominated field. With plans to earn her bachelor’s degree through a seamless 2+2 program with Ferris State University, Vanostran is proving that grit, talent and the right program can take you exactly where you want to go. The start of a new passion Vanostran’s automotive journey started during her freshman year at Caledonia High School. “My freshman year of high school, my dad’s truck broke down. He had a rule that in order for me to get a car, I had to be proficient at fixing one myself. He didn’t want me to be helpless if my car ever broke down. My assignment became his truck. He sat down with me and we worked through it together. I ended up doing a lot of work on that truck,” shared Vanostran  What took Vanostran by surprise was how much joy she felt working on her dad’s truck.  “I realized how much I loved it,” said Vanostran. “As someone with ADHD, I’ve always been interested in a wide variety of fields. Automotive, being so complex, kept my brain engaged and did for me what a lot of other fields didn’t do. It encompassed so many of my interests.”  While attending Caledonia High School, Vanostran had the opportunity to attend Kent County Training Center (KCTC). “I took automotive classes at KCTC my junior and senior years of high school. I knew then that I had a future career in Automotive,” said Vanostran with confidence.  Building a future Vanostran began to see the value of acquiring a college degree after high school. “I remember talking to a lot of colleges. After the tour at GRCC, I began to consider going to college. I never considered it before. It just didn’t feel like it was an option for me. Brett Atchison, the Automotive Department head at GRCC, opened my mind to it all. GRCC was so affordable and the program they had set up with Ferris State to acquire my Bachelor’s Degree seemed like a perfect fit,” said Vanostran. “Brett also talked about having what he called ‘the itch’, when you find something you love and you want to build upon it. He shared his own experience with that feeling and it really resonated with me.” That conversation helped Vanostran make her decision with confidence. “Brett helped me see how a degree could take me where I wanted to go in my life,” said Vanostran. “GRCC stood out because of its instructors. They are extremely knowledgeable and you can tell they want to be there. They want their students to succeed and you can feel their passion.” Vanostran’s experience in the classroom has far exceeded her expectations. “I am able to work with students who have been in the program for longer than me. You learn a lot from people who are learning. The instructors set a tone of building a community. They made me feel equal and safe. Professors see us as capable and I really enjoy that atmosphere,” said Vanostran.  Inspiring the next generation  GRCC’s Automotive Technology program has opened doors Vanostran never expected and now she’s paying it forward . As she works towards her degree, she wants to inspire other young women toward a career in the Automotive Industry. Her job at the Grand Rapids Children Museum connected Vanostran to a Girl Scout Troop to help them earn their Automotive Badge. “I am putting together an opportunity to give the Girls Scouts Troop a tour of the automotive facility at GRCC. I’m excited to inspire these girls and share with them that they too can be a part of the automotive industry if they want to be!” exclaimed Vanostran.    Vanostran is grateful for the foundation GRCC has provided. She hopes to continue leading future generations in their potential careers in the Automotive industry. She knows the life she wants is in reach and  the Automotive Technology Program at GRCC is helping her get there.  Learn more about the Automotive Technology Program . This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell