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GRCC’s New Otter Mascot Debuts With a Splash

Jan. 6, 2026 Our new mascot is here and ready to slide down a snowy riverbank into some GRCC school spirit! The River Raider is inspired by GRCC’s location, energy and commitment to helping students navigate their educational journey and reach their goals. Otters are curious, clever and quick, just like GRCC students. They adapt to change, face challenges with grit and explore new paths with a playful and determined spirit. Our kind of Raider! The process for choosing a new mascot was based on student, employee and alumni feedback. GRCC Raiders voted on their favorite mascot finalist during the last week of September. After a week of fierce competition and 2,388 votes, a clear winner emerged! The otter received 54% of votes, with 60% of overall votes coming from students. Meet the River Raider The River Raider is a curious and social creature who grew up along the banks of the Grand River. As a pup, the River Raider tumbled and played in the cascading river rapids for which the city of Grand Rapids would be named. The challenging flow of the river current taught the River Raider resilience and how to adapt to quickly changing environments. Values Resilient Agile, Swift Our Raider is adept at navigating life’s challenging currents, adapting quickly to new educational paths and overcoming setbacks through patience and persistence. Community-Focused Social, Supportive Otters live in “rafts” or communities to stay warm and keep from drifting apart. The River Raider views the entire GRCC community as their raft, emphasizing inclusion and collective success. Clever Resourceful, Quick The River Raider is drawn to GRCC because of our focus on career readiness, practical knowledge and the ability to use tools — literal and metaphorical — to achieve a goal. Energetic Playful, Cheerful The River Raider uses their high energy to keep spirits up, encourage engagement in campus life and celebrate every victory, large or small. Fun Facts Favorite food: sushi, of course. Hobbies: swimming and diving in the summer, sliding on snowy riverbanks in the winter. Special skills: using polished river stones to open shells and solve small puzzles. They also give special stones to their friends. Favorite color: blue…maybe yellow…maybe both? Tip: never challenge the River Raider to a breath holding competition. They can hold their breath for eight minutes! The River Raider Is Ready to Dive Into Campus Life With a playful and persistent spirit, the River Raider embodies the GRCC promise of helping every student thrive and find their community. And just like our students, our mascot is ready to tackle the constant flow of life and learning and adapt to new challenges. The Marketing and Communications team will be out and about the first week of winter semester classes with free mascot t-shirts, stickers and keychains for students. We’re also collaborating with the Bookstore and GRCC Athletics to create exclusive swag. Get ready to see the River Raider all over campus!

GRCC Players’ perform “Orion” January 22-24

  January 22-24, 2026 7:30 p.m. Spectrum Theater, Lab Theater (Room 201)* By Matthew McLachlan When Sam and Gwen's relationship comes to an abrupt end, Sam is guided through the wreckage with the help of his friends Scott and Abby to find his place in Gwen's life, while a part of Gwen may not be ready to let go of Sam either. Orion tells a story of love’s complexity at the start of our adult lives and those love relationships that end, but never really leave us. This play about relationships, far beyond an ordinary breakup drama, uses honesty, charm, and humor to dig deeply into the reasons why we love and make the sacrifices we do. The first full-length play of a rising star in the playwriting world, Matthew McLachlan provides a knockout debut in which fans of great contemporary plays are sure to love. $18 General Admission  $12 GRCC Faculty and Staff  $5 GRCC Student Buy  Tickets . For more information, email jonathanwheeler@grcc.edu or call (616) 234-3946.

Faculty and Administrators: Cap and Gown Orders Due Feb. 6

As we prepare for this year’s commencement ceremony, we want to remind faculty and administrators who are processioning that the deadline to order your academic regalia through the GRCC Bookstore is  Friday, February 6 If you do not have a cap and gown, please be sure to place your order before the deadline. Pricing may vary depending on the customization of your academic hood.  To place an order, you may visit the GRCC Bookstore and speak with Patti Toth, or you can reach her via email at patriciatoth@grcc.edu.

Meet the People Who are “Here With” Our Students

If you’ve heard the phrase  Here With You popping up lately, it’s more than a campaign — it’s a reflection of how many of our colleagues show up for students every day. As part of that ongoing effort, we’re introducing three relatively new leaders whose work plays a critical role in helping students navigate college, find their footing and keep moving forward: Crystal Morris, Amy Huntington, and Dr. D’Wayne Jenkins. While their areas span financial aid, advising and support, and student life, they share a common commitment — meeting students where they are and walking alongside them. Crystal Morris: Helping Students Find a Way   As executive director of financial aid, Crystal Morris understands that financial aid can feel overwhelming and stressful for students. Her message is simple and reassuring:  there is almost always a way forward. Crystal and her team spend a lot of time helping students understand the “why” behind financial aid decisions, whether it’s FAFSA verification, appeals, or what happens when life disrupts a semester. They don’t just explain the process, they guide students through it, step by step. Crystal often reminds students that completing a FAFSA doesn’t mean taking out a loan, and that many students don’t realize how much aid, including scholarships and state funding, they may be eligible for. Her team works hard to help students minimize debt and focus on persistence and success. In her words, Financial Aid isn’t here to say no, they’re here to show students how. Amy Huntington: Helping Students Figure It Out (One Step at a Time)   If you’ve met Amy Huntington, associate dean of student advising and support, you know her approach is refreshingly honest and student-centered. She’s quick to tell students they don’t need to have everything figured out and that trying something is often the best place to start. Amy leads a broad portfolio that includes academic advising, disability support, counseling and the Center for Career and Professional Readiness. Together, these areas support students as whole people, not just course schedules. Advisors in Amy’s areas help students save time and money by choosing the right classes, but they also help students navigate work, family responsibilities and moments of uncertainty. Amy is especially proud of the college’s Center for Counseling and Well-Being, noting that free, confidential support and opportunities for connection are essential to helping students persist. Her philosophy is simple: keep the momentum going, meet students without judgment and help them take the next step forward, whatever that looks like. Dr. D’Wayne Jenkins: Creating Belonging and Building Trust   For Dr. D’Wayne Jenkins, dean of student life, student support is deeply personal. His own college experience lacked the guidance and connection he now works to provide for others. “I want to be someone that I did not have,” he often says and that mindset shapes how Student Life approaches its work. Dr. Jenkins and his team focus on engagement, leadership, belonging and retention. From student organizations and leadership development to advocacy and basic needs support, the goal is to help students feel connected and supported early, before challenges become barriers. Listening to student voices, building trust and creating welcoming spaces are central to the work. As Dr. Jenkins puts it, success isn’t always quantifiable, sometimes it’s about relationships, confidence and helping students feel like they belong at GRCC. More Stories Coming Soon Crystal, Amy and D’Wayne are just the beginning. The Here With You campaign will continue to spotlight employees from across the college — advisors, navigators, coaches, frontline staff and others who meet students where they are and help them move forward. Stay tuned for more stories and more opportunities to get to know the people who are here with our students every step of the way.

Andrew Martin

Andrew Martin, a choral conductor, clinician, and arranger, is in demand as a choral clinician and adjudicator and his arrangements are performed by choirs throughout the country. Martin currently serves as Director of Choral Activities at Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, Michigan after previously serving in the same role at the University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, Tennessee. Martin has also directed the choirs at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois and was a graduate teaching assistant at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana where he conducted the University Choral Union and was the assistant conductor of the Ball State University Singers. From 2006-2016, Martin served as the Director of Choral Activities at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. At Lawrence North, he directed as many as six choirs, including two competitive show choirs and an advanced concert choir. His concert choirs consistently earned Gold ratings, with distinction, in ISSMA Organizational and State Qualification events and his show choirs received numerous awards in competition including Best Vocals, Best Choreography, Best Band, Best Male and Female Soloists, and Grand Champion. Martin also taught courses in music theory, musical theater, music technology, and group piano. From 2003-2005, Martin was the assistant director for "The First Edition” from Lafayette Jefferson High School in Lafayette, Indiana, where he directed the show choir’s back-up band and arranged music for performances. Under his direction, Andrew’s bands earned numerous Best Band awards at competitions throughout the state. Martin holds a doctoral degree in Choral Conducting from Ball State University where he studied with Andrew Crow and Kerry Glann. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Ball State and a master’s degree in Music Technology from Indiana University, Purdue University, Indianapolis. Degrees and Certifications D.A, Choral Conducting Music Technology, M.S. Bachelor's in Music Education (B.M.E.)

Bee School Returns to GRCC on Jan. 24, 2026, for a Day of Pollinator Education

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.
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