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Michigan Community College Association's (MCCA) Annual Student Success Summit: Supporting Learning and Celebrating GRCC's MCCA Leadership Academy Graduates

  Last Thursday and Friday, several members of the Academic and Student Affairs team attended the Michigan Community College Association's (MCCA) annual Student Success Summit .  The group went to learn and engage with presentations on this year's conference theme, "More Essential than Ever."   The attendees in the picture below heard a keynote from the authors of the updated guided pathways text, More Essential than Ever: Community College Pathways to Educational and Career Success ."   They were also on hand to celebrate GRCC's MCCA Leadership Academy graduates, Lakisha Beck and Cameron Buck.  Congratulations to Lakisha and Cam and many thanks to our GRCC attendees for participating in these important conversations! Pictured, right to left: Erika Purcell Williams, Christian Frazier, Morgan Hannah, Denise Jones, Lakisha Beck, Sheila Jones, Lisa Radak, Cameron Buck, David Selmon, Moraima Cortes Figuereo, and Sondra Davis

GRCC’s Water to Work Program Honored with National Award for Workforce Innovation

Sept. 24, 2025 Grand Rapids Community College’s Water to Work Program has been selected to receive the Exemplary Credit Program Award from the National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE), a prestigious national recognition honoring innovative workforce development programs. The award celebrates programs that exemplify strong partnerships and collaboration, create economic impact, advance inclusion and equity, demonstrate measurable outcomes, and provide models that can be replicated across the country. “Water to Work is changing lives while also meeting a critical community need,” said John VanElst, dean of the School of Workforce Training for GRCC. “We’re proud of this recognition, but even more proud of the students, employers and partners who are working together to create a sustainable, diverse workforce for the future.” The program, launched by GRCC in partnership with the City of Grand Rapids , Bay College , municipal water systems, and nonprofit partners, addresses an urgent challenge: replacing retiring water professionals while building a pipeline of highly skilled, diverse talent for Michigan’s water utilities. Funded by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Program, the initiative combines paid internships, industry-aligned coursework, and wraparound support services. Students work 24 hours per week at municipal water departments while completing online, credit-based courses that lead toward the Water Technology Certificate from Bay College. Participants prepare for Michigan’s F-4 and S-4 licensing exams, creating direct pathways into family-sustaining careers in water and wastewater operations. The program has already produced powerful results: 100% job placement rate for graduates. 90% internship retention rate. More than 1,000 community members engaged through outreach events. As the program expands to include additional municipalities, colleges and community partners, it offers a scalable, replicable model for regions nationwide facing workforce shortages in environmental services.    

GRCC Employee Interest and Eligibility Survey for Tri-Share State Program Open Until Oct. 1

To better support our staff, we are exploring a partnership with the State of Michigan's child care assistance program, Tri Share. This program can help eligible families with the cost of licensed child care. To gauge interest and help us understand potential eligibility, we're asking a few anonymous questions. Your responses will be kept confidential and will only be used to determine if we should move forward with this program. Please fill out the GRCC Employee Childcare Needs Survey - Fall 2025 . Thank you for your time and feedback.  

Join One of Our Orientation Sessions if You’re Interested in Leading a Study Away Trip: Oct. 3- 17!

    Session Details Are you interested in taking your teaching beyond the classroom and creating transformative learning opportunities for students? If so, I invite you to attend a  1-hour orientation session on leading a  Study Away trip. In this session, you’ll learn: How GRCC defines study away. What makes a trip successful (with a real example). Faculty expectations and responsibilities. Common questions and concerns. The proposal and approval process. What support is available to you. Next steps if you’d like to get started. This session is designed to give you a clear picture of what’s involved in leading a trip, from recruitment to risk management, and to help you determine if this opportunity is the right fit for you. Session Dates  Sign up via the  Online Center Friday, 10/3 9-10 a.m. (virtual) Friday, 10/3 1-2 p.m. (in-person) Friday, 10/10 9-10 a.m. (virtual) Friday, 10/10 11 a.m.-noon (in-person) Friday, 10/17 9-10 a.m. (virtual) Friday, 10/17 11 a.m.-noon (in-person) Proposal Timeline Reminder The proposal cycle for  Summer 2027 trips begins Nov. 1, 2025 . Faculty will first submit a pre-proposal for feedback and support. With approvals, the final pre-proposal is then emailed to the Director of Experiential Learning by  Dec. 1, 2025.   GRCC can support up to five trips per year. If you’re unable to attend the orientation but would like more information, please contact me directly. We look forward to exploring your ideas and supporting you in creating safe, enriching, and memorable study away experiences for our students. Michael Schavey

Save the Date: Annual Benefit Fair and Flu Shot Clinic Oct. 29!

Annual Benefit Fair and Flu Shot Clinic Wednesday, October 29, 2025 11 AM – 3 PM ATC Banquet Rooms 118, 120, 122 and 124 Mark your calendars—you won’t want to miss this important event! Benefit Fair  This is a one-stop opportunity to: Connect with knowledgeable representatives from our benefits vendors Learn more about available products and signature services Get support from HR staff on Open Enrollment and benefit questions Take advantage of this chance to explore the full range of benefits available to you as a GRCC employee! Flu Shot Clinic for GRCC Staff  Protect yourself this flu season! Flu shots will be administered on-site by Corewell Health Visiting Nurses. FREE with your BCBS or WMHIP insurance card No insurance? No problem! Cost: $20 (payable by cash or check to GRCC) Fall Treats for GRCC Employees Swing by the fair to grab some tasty autumn snacks while you explore your benefits! We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, October 29!

GRCC Team Participation Results from Active Commute Week

  The GRCC Raider Riders who participated in Active Commute Week were Jesse Crandall, Bill Faber, Jim Van Dokkumburg, Shawn White, Klaas Kwant, Brad VandenBosch, Todd Torrey, Monica Bliss and Matthew Ippel. Results: Bike Trips: 3rd place with 54 trips Walk Trips: 2cd place with 14 trips Miles Not Driven: 3rd place with 242 miles GRCC's Sustainability Team Invites employees to participate in Active Commute Week every year. It's free, fun and a fundamentally good thing because it reduces your carbon footprint!

Open Enrollment is Coming Soon: Oct. 27–Nov. 7

We’re excited to remind you that Open Enrollment for employee benefits is just around the corner! This is your once-a-year opportunity to review, update or make changes to your benefits for the upcoming calendar year. Changes made during Open Enrollment will take effect on January 1, 2026. During Open Enrollment, you can: Compare Plans – Review premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs to choose the best option for you and your family. Make Coverage Changes – Add or remove dependents, switch plans, or adjust your coverage levels. Explore Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) – Learn how an HSA can help you save on healthcare expenses. Attend Informational Sessions – Get the details you need from benefit vendor presentations and HR-led meetings. Review Voluntary Benefits – Including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Short-Term Disability, Group Aflac, and LegalShield. Ask Questions – Connect with the Open Enrollment Call Center or HR Benefits Team for help understanding your options.    
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