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Get involved in Water Pool-ooza on the Grand!: Volunteer to host a water activity or resource table June 7

Event details Water Pool-ooza on the Grand is just around the corner, and we need your help to make it a splash! This exciting, FREE family event will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 10 AM – 2 PM at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids. We are looking for GRCC departments to volunteer by hosting a resource table or an interactive water activity to engage with attendees and raise awareness about the importance of water conservation. Water Pool-ooza is designed to engage K12 students and their families in fun-filled water activities while educating them about the vital role of water resources. Attendees will have the chance to experience hands-on water activities, explore career options in water-related fields, and learn how they can become Water Champions in their community. This event is a partnership between Grand Rapids Community College and the City of Grand Rapids, aiming to inspire and empower the next generation of water stewards. Ways to get involved Host a resource table or water activity Volunteer your department to set up an interactive water activity or information table. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your department’s commitment to water conservation and connect with the community. There is no cost to participate, and we’d love to have you involved! Volunteer If you’d prefer to help out without hosting an activity, you can volunteer at the event. We need extra hands to ensure everything runs smoothly! To register as a volunteer, please email Hillary Caron at waterprogram@grcity.us . Spread the word Even if you can’t participate in person, help us spread the word! Share the event with your network to make sure as many people as possible know about Water Pool-ooza and all the exciting opportunities it offers. Interested in signing up? It’s easy! Simply visit Water Pool-ooza Volunteer/Partner Sign-Up Form or reach out to Haley Kozal at haleykozal@grcc.edu or 616-234-3376 for more information. Let’s work together to make Water Pool-ooza a memorable and impactful event for our community. Thank you for your support in helping us educate and inspire future water leaders!  

Change of date: Summer “Parking Structures and Pedestrian Bridges Restoration” project starting May 27

Summer repairs will begin on  Tuesday, May 27, 2025  for the “Parking Structures and Pedestrian Bridges Restoration” project. This project will include the several areas. Noise is expected to occur as construction equipment will be used for concrete demolition. The project is expected to be completed mid-August. Ramp A - Level 6  The Level 6 entrance/exit gates will be closed for the entirety of the project. Barricades will be stationed just South of the Level 5 Ransom Ave exit gates as well as the Level 5/6 transition to restrict Level 6 access. All Students must enter Ramp A via Fountain St. Employee access will not be impacted. All Ramp A Elevators will be accessible for use on all levels, and a pedestrian walkway on Level 6 will be available for use. Other affected areas All other parking structures and pedestrian bridges will have intermittent closings throughout the course of the Summer, with announcements made prior to any closures.  Parking structures Applied Technology Center: Parking Level College Park Plaza Parking: Lower and Upper Parking Levels Cook Academic Hall: G1 and G2 Parking Levels Raleigh J. Finkelstein North Entrance at Student Plaza Bridges College Park Plaza/Cook Academic Hall Bridge Ramp A/Learning Center Bridge over Ransom Ave Ramp A/Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall Bridge Ramp A/Student Center Bridge Student Center/Ford Fieldhouse Bridge over Lyon St Student Center South Stairs  

MI OER Conference save-the-date for November 7 and call for proposals

Last year GRCC hosted the MI OER Network annual conference, and now Washtenaw Community College is taking the lead for this Fall. The conference is on November 7 . This week, the MI OER Network team is pleased to announce the 2025 conference keynote speaker, Heather Blicher. Heather Blicher is the Director of the Community College Consortium for OER (CCCOER) with Open Education Global, where she leads efforts to expand and support Open Education across community colleges in North America. A passionate advocate for access, equity, and collaboration, Heather works to build community and empower practitioners as they drive the next wave of innovation in Open Education. Learn more about Heather on the conference website !  CALL FOR PROPOSALS Call for proposals is still open! We look forward to showcasing the boundless creativity, timeless ideas, and groundbreaking innovations of Open Education advocates and practitioners as we explore the theme of Limitless Learning, Infinite Impact . Submit your proposal at mioer.org/events through June 2. We are OPEN to all topics related to open education!.  Sign up for the MI OER Network to receive updates and communicate with fellow MI OER Network members.

Executive Leadership Team pop up session on May 5

Thanks to those of you who attended the "pop up" session with the Executive Leadership Team on April 30!  It was great to see everyone and share some time together. If you were not able to attend, we have another opportunity for you on Monday, May 5 from 10-11 a.m. – ATC 118 There’s no formal agenda or presentation and you can come and go as your schedule allows.  We'll have treats and a welcoming space to ask questions, share reflections or simply say hello. Whether you’ve got a question in mind, an idea to share or just want to connect, we hope you’ll stop by. See you there!

Tara’s journey from TRIO to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

May 1, 2025 When Tarangarirwa (“Tara”) was young, her mom would always say, “Don’t hit your head and hurt your brain when you go outside to play.” Now she plans to become a neurosurgeon and find out what that meant. Tara grew up in Zimbabwe. She came to the United States in 2023 and joined her family in Grand Rapids. She packed more than her kind smile and friendly personality for the move. Tara came fired up for education and the chance to make an impact. “When I was young, my dad asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up,” Mushonga said. “He laughed when I said I was going to be a doctor. There were no women doctors around us. How did I know what was involved? I didn’t! I just knew that’s what I wanted to do.” Tara’s older sister attended GRCC, and Tara decided that it made sense as a first step for her as well. “GRCC is small and affordable,” Mushonga said. “I needed a place that felt like home, not something that would overwhelm me.” Creating that sense of welcome and support is exactly what the TRIO program and people like Evan Macklin, program advisor, are here to do. “TRIO is an advising center for first generation college students and also those who have low incomes,” Macklin said. “I was a first generation college student, so I know what it means to achieve that dream. My job is to mentor and coach students. Sometimes I’m augmenting information from their parents. Sometimes I’m a sounding board. Regardless of what is needed, I want to help students succeed. The care I received as a student here is the care I want to give now.” Resources such as TRIO and Evan are a huge support to the students they serve. “I did not understand the American education system when I got here,” Mushonga said. “I thought I could go straight to med school. When I found out how much a bachelor’s degree and med school cost, I was shocked. When I started choosing courses, I made all the wrong choices. I’m so glad I was able to get the help I needed to navigate.” Evan helped Tara get on track toward an Associate degree in Pre-Cell and Molecular Biology, the credits for which will fit the prerequisites of an undergraduate degree. But he opened her eyes to an even more significant opportunity: financial support. The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is a highly selective scholarship for the nation’s top community college students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges or universities. Each Cooke Scholar has access to generous financial support for two to three years, college planning support, ongoing advising and the opportunity to connect with the thriving community of fellow Scholars. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation receives more than 1,600 applications annually. From that pool, 400 make it as semifinalists, and 60 receive the coveted scholarship. “I was telling Mr. Macklin about my dreams, and he told me about the Jack Cooke Foundation scholarship,” Mushonga said. “I didn’t think I could do it but he kept pushing me.” Evan freely admits that he gave more than a nudge for Tara to apply. “I guess you could say I hounded her a bit because I knew she would be an outstanding candidate,” Mackin said. “I’ve worked with Tara for two years. I’ve seen her work ethic and discipline. I also knew about her tremendous heart for service. She is the epitome of the talent that GRCC attracts.” Now Tara and fellow student Steven Nkurunziza are semifinalists for this prestigious scholarship. Tara has followed Evan’s advice and is dreaming big for her future. “Mr. Macklin told me to cast a wide net,” Mushonga said. “So I am! Winning the scholarship would mean I can go to any university I want, and I want to attend Stanford. It would motivate me to achieve what I dream about achieving.” Regardless of the outcome, Tara knows this for sure. “There are people out there — people I don’t even know — who want to help people like me,” Mushonga said. “Becoming a semifinalist for this scholarship has given me hope. I am on a journey to become a neurosurgeon, an activist and an entrepreneur. I can do it, and I am passionate about empowering others to do it, too.” Learn more about TRIO and financial support options at GRCC . This story reported by Julie Hordyk  

GRCC geography student recognized with Social and Environmental Justice Award

Geography students and faculty from many of California’s 149 community colleges and state universities participated in the annual meeting of the California Geographical Society (25-26 April) at California State University, Stanislaus. For the first time, the society’s esteemed Social and Environmental Justice Award went to a student from outside California.  Sandra Johnson, GRCC geography student and professional tutor, was distinguished with the honor for her presentation, “A Disparate Inheritance: Racism on the Progression of Development in Selected Neighborhoods in Stockton, California.” Also receiving favorable reviews were papers presented by Mike DeVivo and Sara Conner. The 2025 event marks the 11th time GRCC faculty and students have attended the annual conference since 2011.

Upcoming road closure on Fulton St. East starting May 5

Closure information Please be advised that Fulton Street East, between Lafayette Avenue and Prospect Avenue, will be fully closed starting Monday, May 5, 2025, at 7 AM, through Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 6 PM. The closure is necessary to allow for open-cut construction to install a new water service line. Detour information Eastbound traffic: Use Lafayette Ave to Fountain St to College Ave Westbound traffic: Use College Ave to Cherry St to Lafayette Ave We encourage all staff and faculty to plan their commutes accordingly and allow extra travel time during this period. Thank you for your cooperation.  
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