4/7/2025 You can turn on the tap any time to get a drink of clear, refreshing water. But did you ever think about where that water comes from, or how it gets there? Bring the whole family to Water Pool-ooza on the Lakeshore to have fun and find out! This free event is sponsored by the City of Grand Rapids and GRCC, with funding provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It’s a great way for students and adults to learn about and become water champions. There will be guided tours, hands-on activities and more to engage students, particularly those in grades K-12. Why is GRCC involved? Haley Kozal, W.K. Kellogg Empower Program Manager, explains that professionals who can help prepare and preserve drinking water are critically important. “This event is designed to engage young people in thinking about water as a resource and a career,” Kozal said. “Fresh drinking water is a precious resource. We need people to enter this career because it directly impacts public health and environmental sustainability. Water Pool-ooza is a fun way to see what happens behind the scenes at a water treatment plant. It will help students think about conservation as well as careers in water management.” Clean drinking water is an essential resource, but most people don’t think about it as a career choice. “GRCC’s Water to Work program allows students to earn a certificate in water technology,” Kozal said. “Students who are accepted into this program enjoy a free education, including tuition, books, fees and support services — thanks to the partnership between GRCC, Bay College and local municipalities. They are also paid for working at a partnering municipality during their education. All of this is funded by the EPA. ” Students who graduate from this one-year program earn a certificate in Water Technology. Then they need to pass a licensing exam in November that is administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). After that, they are authorized to work in a variety of water-related careers. “All of our Water to Work certificate earners have passed the EGLE licensing test,” Kozal said. “They are also all employed in full-time positions.” The Water to Work program currently offers six positions in partnership with the City of Grand Rapids, but GRCC has plans to expand to four more municipalities. The application period for fall of 2025 will open later this spring. The classroom portion of the program is offered fully online, so students do not need to come to campus for classes. They just need to travel to the municipality where their internship is offered. “This one-year program fills up very quickly,” Kozal said. “If you are interested in applying, please visit our website and join the mailing list ." Water Pool-ooza on the Lakeshore will be held at the City of Grand Rapids Water Treatment Facility on Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The address is 17350 Lake Michigan Drive, in West Olive (approximately 30 miles from downtown Grand Rapids). This indoor event is fully accessible, with sidewalks and elevators that allow everyone to enjoy the activities. Registration is not required for general admission, but it is highly recommended if you want to participate in a guided tour. Tours will be offered every 30 minutes starting at 10 a.m. and running through 2 p.m. You can learn more and register here . Our sincere thanks to the EPA and the City of Grand Rapids for making this event possible. Learn more about the Water to Work program on GRCC’s website This story reported by Julie Hordyk  

April 3, 2025 The GRCC Foundation presents Scholarfest on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at the  Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, Secchia Piazza. Scholarfest highlights the direct impact scholarships have on student recipients. These life changing moments are made possible through the generous donations from community members who believe in the potential of GRCC students. Celebrating lives changes by scholarships Scholarfest is more than just an event — it’s a celebration of the incredible journeys of GRCC students and the ways scholarships have helped shape their futures. Each year, the GRCC Foundation funds over $1.3 million in scholarships, supporting more than 1,600 students. “The proceeds from Scholarfest directly help us provide support year after year,” said GRCC Foundation Vice President of College Advancement and Executive Director Erin Van Egmond. “For many of our students, even a $200 or a $500 scholarship can make all the difference. It can be what allows them to persist and stay in school. We hear so many stories of perseverance and success, and these scholarships are often what make it possible.” A reflection of the community “We are the community’s college,” said Mary Reed, GRCC Foundation Associate Director. “Our students come from all walks of life — single parents, returning learners and those who’ve decided to return to their education after life circumstances change. For many, scholarships are the key to fulfilling their dreams. At GRCC, we celebrate that diversity because it strengthens who we are as an institution.” The direct impact of scholarships Riley Brooket, Scholarship and Event Coordinator, highlights the impact scholarships have on the students who receive them. “Scholarfest provides a unique opportunity for everyone to hear directly from our students about their experiences. This year, we’ll feature the story of a student graduating this April, offering a glimpse into their daily life. The generosity of our donors touches many aspects of a student's journey, from tuition fees to parking costs, and every contribution uplifts them on their path toward success.”  Even the smallest donation can ignite a student’s journey. Knowing someone believes in their dreams is often all it takes for a student to find the path to conquer the challenges they’re experiencing.  “When our students share their stories, our donors see firsthand why their donations make such a difference,” said Reed. “Our students overcome adversity in their lives and the scholarships can be the difference maker in that journey,” she continued.  Reed shared her personal connection to the cause, reflecting on her own experience as a GRCC student: “I’m so grateful for the scholarship that helped me afford my textbooks. It made an impact in ways I never imagined. I often joke that I started here as a student and never left. Now, I’m honored to work at GRCC, helping students secure scholarships while fully understanding how life-changing they can be.”  Make a difference: attend or sponsor Scholarfest If you want to make a tangible impact in the lives of GRCC students, consider purchasing a ticket to attend Scholarfest or becoming a sponsor. Every dollar raised goes directly to student scholarships, making a real difference in their ability to succeed.   Learn more about attending Scholarfest and/or becoming a sponsor This article was written by Anjula Caldwell  

April 1, 2025 Monika Martinez is the first to admit she had a rocky start at Grand Rapids Community College. But she’s never given up. “I was a bit too confident my first year at college and took four classes including biology, which also had a lab,” said Martinez, 24. “I focused on biology because it was harder and then my grades went down in my other classes; I ended up having to retake some of them. It was tough, but I learned a lot from it — like I should only take two classes at a time.” Now Martinez is on track to graduate from GRCC this spring with an associate degree in  Nursing . One day she hopes to work in a neonatal intensive care unit. The Holland native worked hard to get to this point and had some great support along the way. No. 1 is the convenience of attending nearly all her classes at GRCC’s  Lakeshore Campus in Holland . The 52,000-square-foot satellite campus opened in 2021 providing programs and student services in one convenient, state-of-the-art location. It has nine classrooms, four computer labs and five unique labs for biology, chemistry, electronics, automation, welding and machine tooling, housing programs for students working toward an associate degree or a career-focused certificate. Many West Michigan students have found the Holland satellite a time-saving alternative to attending classes at GRCC’s main campus in downtown Grand Rapids. “Transportation has sometimes been an issue for me, so I’m so glad I live just five minutes away from the Lakeshore Campus,” Martinez said. Her academic journey had its share of twists and turns. After a rough freshman year, Martinez was placed on academic probation. She took a year off school to regroup before returning to the Lakeshore Campus with a smaller class load and a new determination to complete her degree. Martinez is the first person in her family to attend college in the United States. While her parents are always supportive, they were unable to help her navigate the world of academia. She found the allies she needed among GRCC’s  academic advising and support staff. “My academic advisor knows how badly I felt like a failure after my first year. She was my No. 1 supporter, though, pushing me and guiding me to get back on track,” Martinez said. Martinez also worked with a success coach in the  College Success Center . Coaches walk alongside students as they navigate their college journey. For some, this includes helping students establish a time management routine, enhance their study skills, or communicate with their professors. Other times it’s being a good listener and a source of encouragement. “My success coach helped me weave through the obstacles I had in my life. But she was never judgmental and always knew I was in a safe space to talk with her,” she said. With each new term, Martinez worries she’ll again struggle with classes.  Nevertheless, she persists. “New classes are still a little bit scary for me,” she said. “But every semester, I feel more accomplished and just keep pushing through.” This story was reported by Beth McKenna.