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June 2025 Above & Beyond Award - Dan Sullivan

  Dan Sullivan was nominated by Lisa Radak, Ann Isackson, Kristi Haik and Shelly Richter for June’s Academic and Student Affairs Council’s Above & Beyond Award. They wrote, “It is with great respect that we nominate Dan Sullivan for the Above and Beyond Award. Dan has demonstrated his commitment to GRCC through his dedicated service in multiple roles, and his consistent contributions have had a lasting impact on the college community. Dan has gone above and beyond by serving as the interim associate dean for both the School of Health Sciences (again) and the School of STEM which included service to both schools at the same time for several days. This demonstrates his capacity for leadership, organization, and tireless work ethic. Dan handled the dual responsibilities with grace and professionalism, ensuring that both areas received the attention and support they needed. His ability to balance these high-level roles speaks volumes about his dedication to the college. He has continually stepped up to serve the college in a variety of ways, without complaint and with an exceptional level of dedication. In addition to his leadership as Interim Associate Dean, Dan has contributed significantly to several hiring committees and other committees within the college. Most recently, this has included serving in the associate dean’s role for the assistant professor of Counseling & Well-being, Mathematics, and Psychology searches currently underway. His participation in these committees has been marked by his professionalism, efficiency, and a collaborative spirit. Dan approaches each task with an open mind and a problem-solving attitude. Dan also is very supportive of his colleagues and has served as a mentor to new associate deans at the college. His willingness to share his institutional knowledge, expertise and experience has proved very helpful to many.  Dan’s exceptional service and tireless dedication to GRCC make him a perfect candidate for the Above and Beyond Award. He embodies the values of this award, and his impact on the college will be felt for years to come. We wholeheartedly recommend Dan Sullivan for the Above and Beyond Award. His continued dedication and extraordinary contributions to GRCC are truly deserving of this recognition.” Shelly Richter, Nursing program director, commented, “We were grateful to have someone who was familiar with the role fill in without hesitation and it made for a seamless transition. He has a history of demonstrating effective leadership as an associate dean and this was no different during these last few months. For me personally, it made for an easier end to one semester and start of another. Dan respects and engages in open lines of communication and dependable follow through which made my job easier and less stressful, and our efforts to support our students, colleagues and the college were more effective and efficient.” Congratulations and thank you Dan for your service in multiple programs!  

June 2025 Above & Beyond Award - Lynnae Selberg

  Lynnae Selberg, professor and department head of Academic Advising and Transfer Center, was nominated by Erin Buscher for June’s Academic and Student Affairs Council’s Above and Beyond Award. Erin wrote, “Lynnae deserves the Above and Beyond Award because she developed and implemented an entire Early Middle College advising program and single handedly advises approximately 1400 students alone. Not only does she advise these students one on one, she has developed orientations, BlackBoard resources, worksheets, presentations, lessons, and goes above and beyond to support the High School Partnerships Office with enrolling students, communicating with high school staff and faculty, attending meetings, and developing processes. Lynnae is the Goal 4/ Priority 3 team lead of our Strategic Plan which focuses on forging strong partnerships between GRCC and K–12 educational institutions. She is leading this priority team alone, without a co-champion, and has accomplished a great deal of work for this initiative. Lynnae's Early Middle College advising program has been featured in presentations at NACEP (National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships) and was recognized as one of the central reasons that Kenowa Hills High School had their Middle College Program certified by the Michigan Early Middle College Association (MEMCA). She has developed College Learning Studies (CLS) curriculum for the Middle College Programs, recruited faculty to teach the CLS classes, and shaped the program plans for each school and cohort. Lynnae's leadership has been invaluable in the growth and success of our Middle College Programs and she deserves to be recognized for the way she goes above and beyond each day to ensure its success.” Congratulations Lynnae!

GRCC and the City of Grand Rapids Create a Pipeline to Purpose

June 12, 2025 Automation may be replacing people in many industries, but water is not one of them. According to Hillary Caron, Water Education & Programs Coordinator for the City of Grand Rapids, there are hundreds of careers behind every drop of clean water. “We have technical jobs, like operators, engineers, chemists and mechanics,” Caron said. “We also have marketing, customer service, billing and more. This is a fulfilling career field in which you can serve the public and find meaningful work suited to your skills.” Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) has partnered with the City of Grand Rapids since 2023 with the Water to Work internship program.  It’s a crucial service for West Michigan. “A report from 2018 predicted that up to one-third of water and wastewater operators would be eligible for retirement by 2028,” Caron said. “That’s a huge number. The City identified the need to recruit and train new people in this field as part of our strategic plan. I found an EPA grant for water workforce infrastructure and development that provided us with resources to take action.”   The City partnered with GRCC and Bay College to create a highly successful program. Applicants are accepted in cohorts of six. Students work Tuesday through Thursday as paid interns at both the City of Grand Rapids Lake Michigan Filtration Plant and the Water Resource Recovery Facility. They also take classes to supplement their hands-on learning, with the course fees and tuition covered by the EPA grant. Hillary says it’s easy to measure success. “We’re filling positions,” Caron said. “All 15 people who have come into the program now have jobs in the industry. In fact, most students have jobs before completing all 52 weeks of the official program. And that’s great! The goal is to have students find meaningful careers and to fill the career pipeline. If they learn enough to secure a full-time position with benefits before the 52 weeks are up, that’s a win for everyone. We get the people we need to support public health. The students find a career they love with a living wage. And they are still eligible to continue their education, and benefit from all the supports that GRCC offers.” The “secret sauce” to this success, according to Hillary, comes from understanding each participant’s core values and interests, and helping them explore the options through hands-on learning. “I keep the cohort very small so that I can get to know each person,” Caron says. “This program involves a lot of career exploration. I love helping people discover the best fit. Someone with integrity who wants to work can choose their own water adventure.” That understanding helps her get people to exactly the right role within the water industry. “I had one intern come through the program who just loved to move dirt,” Caron said. “So now he’s employed fixing water mains. It fills an important need for the City, and he loves his work.” Based on the success of the original grant funded program, GRCC applied for continued funding under a second competition for EPA funds to expand the program, and was selected, along with several other organizations around the country. That’s exciting to Hillary because it means new opportunities for more students. That’s exciting to Hillary because it means new opportunities for more students.   “Our future cohorts can be more regional in nature,” Caron said. “We are increasing our partnerships to include Wyoming, Plainfield Township, Holland and Muskegon Heights. Students will still be paid to work as interns, and their course fees will still be covered by the grant. It’s a fabulous deal.” The next cohort begins the week of August 25. The application process opened June 2 and will close July 15. Anyone over the age of 18 with a high school diploma or GED can apply. Applicants must also pass a background check and have reliable transportation to get them to the various water treatment facilities. An emotionally-charged Hillary is passionate about helping people explore career opportunities in water. “We are helping people escape dead-end jobs and find fulfillment,” Caron said. “I know we’re impacting lives because our participants always ask, ‘How can I pay it forward?’ They want others to find the joy and success they have found. That means everything to me.” Learn more about the Water to Work program and apply .  

Boosting Your Mental Wellness Series: All Are Invited!

The Pine Rest Telehealth Clinic is pleased to invite the community to a free virtual series focused on mental wellness and resilience, led by licensed clinicians. This ten-session series features 30-minute conversations offering practical tools and expert insights on topics including stress management, burnout, mindfulness, self-care, substance use, online safety for children and more. Sessions will take place online over a two-week period, from June 9 to June 18. Participants are welcome to attend any or all sessions based on their interests. This event is open to everyone—not just employees and their household members—and is completely free of charge. Feel free to share the link below with anyone who might be interested. Telehealth Clinic Hosts Free Virtual Mental Wellness Series

Retirement Bio of Jennifer Borrello

Jennifer Borrello began working at GRCC 30 years ago. Throughout her time at the college, she served as a professor in the Mathematics department. She has also served on hiring committees, IRB, AGC, portfolio reviews, peer reviews and authored an Instructor's Manual for Intermediate Algebra.  Along with those committees, she has also made a lasting impact on the curriculum offerings in the mathematics department. She shared, “When I came to GRCC in 1995, the math department did not offer a course in statistics. With the encouragement of our department head Dave Steinfort, I was able to join Paul Hess and Sang Lee in developing MA 215 Statistics. This year, we had 58 offerings of the course, and I’ve been fortunate to be able to focus on this subject during my career. I’m especially proud that three of my former statistics students (Curt Baragar, Brian Hadley and Wayne Hsieh) became my colleagues in the math department and math tutoring lab.”  A kind gesture can go a long way when creating a sense of belonging. Borrello’s memorable moment was about 9 years into her work here. “I had a personal situation arise that left me at a loss for how I would continue to care for my daughters while keeping my teaching schedule. The department head at the time, Nickie Alexander, said ‘I’ve got this – you go do what you need to do.’ Behind the scenes she arranged for a part-time family leave that allowed me to focus on my kids while keeping my job. A person and an institution that would care for me in that way made me feel valued and helped cement my lifelong commitment to this college”  While reflecting on her accomplishments, she shared, “My dad was an electrical engineering professor at Kettering University (formerly GMI) and I remember him saying, ‘I don’t know what I’d do if I had to work for a living.’ Even on Sunday nights, as he sat in his chair grading papers, he always loved what he did. My mother managed the household so that all five of their daughters were able to go to college and pursue professional careers. They were very proud of all of us. Mom would introduce me to people around town – ‘This is my daughter Jennifer – the math professor.’ If they were here now, I’d say, ‘Look Mom and Dad! I did it! Thirty years of a career that I loved while also providing for my daughters – just like you did.’” During retirement, Borrello plans to continue learning by taking classes in writing, flower arranging and art. She’ll travel with her sister on her work trips across the country, travel to major league ballparks with her husband and will visit her daughter in NYC! She says, “I’ll have more time to spend with my kids and grandchildren without having to say, ‘I just need to check on my online students.’” Jennifer, we’re so thankful for all you’ve done during your time here. We wish you the very best as you embrace all that retirement has to offer!   

GRCC IT Team Joins Kent County’s Styrofoam Recycling Effort

With summer deliveries bringing a wave of new computers and monitors, GRCC’s IT Desktop team is turning packing waste into a sustainability win. In partnership with Kent County’s  new Styrofoam recycling initiative , the team is collecting large foam packaging from tech shipments and delivering it to the county’s new compression system — keeping it out of the already overburdened landfill. The effort is being led by Antonio Aguillon and the Desktop Support team, including IT Media’s Shawn White (pictured), and supports the college’s broader sustainability goals. The team expects to completely fill the designated storage area by summer’s end. Small actions, big impact — great work, team!

Metallica Scholar Juané Lancaster Sets an Example for the Next Generation

June 10, 2025 Juané Lancaster, a Chicago native, moved to Grand Rapids to help raise her younger sister — a choice driven by love and commitment. While Chicago offered plenty of opportunities, Lancaster’s heart was with her family.  “I wanted to be closer to my sister,” she said. “I wanted to be present in her life in a personal way.” Once she moved to Grand Rapids, Lancaster worked a series of temporary jobs through a staffing agency. But once those assignments ended, Lancaster found herself searching for a new direction.  “I went to Urban League and they asked me if I was interested in furthering my education,” said Lancaster. “I said, ‘If the opportunity is available, then yes!’” Her time at the temp agency gave her a front row seat into a variety of industries. It sparked a desire to build a career with lasting value.  “When the pandemic hit, it made me refocus and make some changes,” said Lancaster. “I also knew I needed to find a job that was essential. Everything needs welding. I didn’t have the knowledge or skills to enter into the welding industry, but I do now after taking the bootcamp. With these new skills, I know I can find a stable and essential job.”  Lancaster had been exposed to welding through one of the companies she previously worked with. That exposure stayed with her, and eventually led Lancaster to Grand Rapids Community College’s Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp — a workforce training program funded by the legendary rock band Metallica through their nonprofit foundation, All Within My Hands.  The three-month program offers focused, hands-on training in all aspects of welding. Upon completion of the program, students earn a welding certificate that opens doors to careers in the skilled trades. “I had a slight interest in welding from the temp agency I worked with prior to coming to Urban League,” said Lancaster. “The class was amazing in how quickly you felt proficient. It was very hands-on. From day one, you can ask questions about anything and you immediately start learning how to weld, even if you’ve never held a welding gun before.”  Founded in 2017, the All Within My Hands Foundation supports career and technical education programs like the one Lancaster completed. For her, the opportunity was life-changing.    “This is a blessing from God,” she said. “Life can be hard and stressful. I want to thank Metallica. They are so amazing for giving us this opportunity to succeed and try something new at the same time. I changed a lot through this program. I started knowing very little about welding and finished with my certificate. This is how you know Metallica has a good heart. They are choosing to help and give us all an opportunity. It’s a huge blessing.”  No prior experience is required to enroll in the welding bootcamp. Students gain both the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in the industry.  “The program set me up to be competitive in the industry,” said Lancaster. “I had someone tell me they don’t usually see women as welders. That lit a spark in my head because we need more women in an industry that is seen as male-dominated. I want to show my sister that hard work and dedication pays off no matter what gender you are.”  Lancaster graduated from the boot camp in April 2025 and is now focused on finding a stable position where she can become a part of the team and grow with the company. This opportunity gave her the confidence and skillset to build a future for herself and her sister. Learn more about the Metallica Scholars Bootcamp . This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell  
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