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Updated professional development opportunities for employees

Professional development and LinkedIn Learning Whether you’re new to GRCC or a seasoned member of the employee community, there’s always something new and interesting to learn at the College! Check out the schedule of offerings in the Professional Development tile within your  Online Center  account. After enrolling, you’ll receive a calendar appointment within 24-48 hours to hold that time on your calendar.  Please be respectful and considerate and only register for sessions that your schedule permits you to attend.  Following your participation in an internal session, your attendance will be recorded and automatically inputted in the system and will appear on your Training Summary. You can also access over 20,000 online learning options through the GRCC partnership with LinkedIn Learning. Simply  log into your MyGRCC portal account  using your regular college credentials. For more information or assistance, please visit the  LinkedIn Learning at GRCC webpage .  Reminder: any external professional development or training (not offered through HR) can be  manually added to your Training Summary . If you have any questions or suggestions, please email  arikadavis1@grcc.edu . Winter semester employee learning opportunities There are many virtual options to keep you warm while you learn during this winter season! Tues., Feb. 25 - Developing Team Relationships Mon., March 3 - Managing Worry and Anxiety Wed., March 5 - Multi-Generational Workplaces Tues., March 11 -  Change Management Mon., March 17 - Federal Student Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Tues., March 18 - Implicit Bias Thurs., March 20 - 25Live (Pro) Training Thurs., March 20 - Show Me The Money Fri., March 21 - Supervisor Technology Course Thurs., March 27 - Insights into GRCC Strategic Plan Metrics Tues., April 8 - Dealing with Difficult People Tues., April 10 - Cash Me If U Can-Reimbursement Tues., April 15 - Active Shooter Response Thurs., April 24 - Leading Hybrid Teams

Eleven volunteers spots still open for March 5 Junior Achievement BizTown student learning event

Last fall, we announced a new partnership with Junior Achievement, and now we’re excited to offer GRCC employees a unique volunteer opportunity at BizTown on Wednesday, March 5.  BizTown is a simulated town where fifth and sixth grade students immerse themselves in a full-day, hands-on experience focused on financial literacy, career exploration and understanding how communities grow and thrive. GRCC proudly has its own storefront in BizTown, alongside several other local businesses. As a volunteer, you’ll play a key role in guiding students through this dynamic learning experience. Volunteers will be assigned to a specific storefront on the day of the event, helping to bring the BizTown experience to life.  Eleven volunteer spots are still open! Event details Date:    Wednesday, March 5 Time:    9:45 a.m. - Volunteer Arrival              10-11 a.m. - Volunteer Training              11-3 p.m. - Volunteer* Where: Huizenga Family JA Free Enterprise Center              4090 Lake Drive SE              Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Attire:   Show your GRCC spirit and wear GRCC attire. *There will be a break for lunch. Please bring a water bottle and sack lunch or snack with you. How to volunteer First, get approval from your supervisor to ensure appropriate office coverage, etc. Register to volunteer by using Junior Achievement’s volunteer form .You will be prompted to create an account prior to signing up. Review and sign the Junior Achievement volunteer release form and bring it with you on March 5. Fill out GRCC’s Application for Leave of Absence form indicating “ community service leave”.  The Leave of Absence form must be approved by your supervisor before March 5. To report this time on your timesheet, please indicate the hours you volunteered in the (CF) column on the paybook form and include “community service leave” in the note’s column.  Professional development hours PMA and APSS employees may record up to five hours of professional development for wellness activities, volunteering or community board/involvement related to GRCC work. So, APSS and PMA employees can count this toward PD hours if they haven't already recorded five hours for any of the above activities. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Anne Momany at annemomany@grcc.edu

HR reminder: Pine Rest Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Heart – Mind connection Taking care of your physical health also means caring for your mental well-being. Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, chronic stress, and PTSD are linked to an increased risk of heart disease.  Protect your heart and overall health by proactively addressing mental health concerns with the Pine Rest Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Our EAP is here to help you manage personal challenges that may impact your health and wellbeing. Services are available 24/7, and all counseling is free and confidential. How to Access EAP services Call 800-442-0809 (press 1) and say you are an EAP member with Grand Rapids Community College. You have up to 3 visits per case available at no cost for each individual in your household. If you are referred for additional services, costs may vary. Pine Rest’s staff will help you find the most affordable options. Online scheduling now available Online scheduling is available. An initial session is scheduled online and subsequent sessions for existing patients are scheduled through MyChart or directly with the provider.  Scan the QR code to access online:                                  OR Schedule at our website at: pinerest.org/scheduling.

Professor Keith St. Clair to present on March 6: Deconstructing Central Asia’s Silk Road

IIPD Presentation: Deconstructing Central Asia’s Silk Road - Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan . Thursday, March 6, 2025  ATC Auditorium - Room 168  11-noon  Central Asia has been an enigma for many in the West. It has served as a conduit for the riches of the Silk Road, as a highway for nomadic invaders and as a staging ground for an aggressive Communist empire during the Cold War.  Only after its independence from the Soviet Union has the world been re-introduced to its ancient people and the economic resources the region holds.   Professor Keith St. Clair will examine these newly sovereign states, their titular nationalities and the political dynamics between them as they navigate their modern roles bracketed between Russia and China.    

Grand Rapids Community College Athletics Department launched newly redesigned official website

  The Grand Rapids Community College Athletics Department is proud to announce the launch of its newly redesigned official website, developed in collaboration with Sidearm Sports, a leader in digital platform solutions for collegiate athletics. The revamped site, accessible at  www.grccraiders.com , offers fans, recruits and supporters a dynamic, user-friendly experience that highlights the achievements of GRCC’s student-athletes and teams. Redesign improvements This redesigned website features streamlined navigation, mobile-responsive design and enhanced multimedia integration, including live event coverage, real-time statistics and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Fans can now easily access game schedules, news updates and athlete profiles, all while enjoying improved accessibility features to ensure inclusivity for all users.     “This partnership with Sidearm Sports represents a significant step forward in our commitment to showcasing the excellence of GRCC Athletics,” said Lauren Ferullo, who is entering her fourth year as GRCC’s director of Athletics. “Our new website not only elevates the digital experience for our fans but also reinforces our mission to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes. We’re excited to provide a platform that reflects the pride and tradition of the Raiders while connecting our community to the stories that matter most.”  Key features of the newly designed website Live event streaming - Fans can watch games in real time through the department's  YouTube channel , with integrated stats and social media updates. Latest updates- See most recent  game recaps, like the men’s basketball team’s school-record 53-point performance by  Marshaun Flakes  and the volleyball team's  Taylor Kik  who was named the programs 16th All-American this past season. Donor engagement -  A dedicated section for supporting GRCC’s Athletic Scholarship Fund, including options to contribute to specific scholarships like the Hofmann Scholarship. Compliance and academic resources - Enhanced tools for student-athletes to track eligibility and academic progress, aligning with GRCC’s focus on holistic development.  About GRCC Athletics With over 100 years of tradition, GRCC Athletics emphasizes excellence both on and off the field, fostering values of respect, integrity, discipline and excellence. The department supports 10 nationally competitive programs and student-athletes like  Anna Tubbergen , a two-time All-American runner, who embodies the Raiders’ team-first philosophy.    

Tech tip: Alumni Online Center trigger

Do you work directly with students and alumni? Alumni that haven’t taken a class in over ten years may not have an Online Student Center account.  You can assist them by updating either their email address or phone number in Peoplesoft. This will trigger their account to create. Within an hour, the user will be able to click the First Time User option on the MyGRCC portal to create their MyGRCC account.  Once signed in, they can access their Online Student Center. If they are unable to access their account after that time period, please direct them to the IT Customer Support Desk and we will be happy to assist them. First Time User Instructions For more information and helpful tips, please visit the  IT Support Portal  or contact the IT Support Desk at x4357.

Campus Race to Zero Waste 2025 Competition update

  On Monday, Feb. 2, GRCC began the Campus Race to Zero Waste competition, which ends March 29.  This is a friendly competition between colleges in the United States and Canada to reduce waste on campuses.   GRCC will be participating in the Per Capita Recycling Category.  GRCC will report the weights of glass, plastic, aluminum, paper and cardboard collected from all campus locations for the next eight weeks.  GRCC also added Electronic Recycling, and more information will be coming soon. Do you recycle?  There are trash, recycle and paper bins all over campus.  GRCC Facilities Department provides these bins to make it easy for employees and students to recycle.   GRCC’s waste management company takes the recyclable materials to the Kent County Recycling & Education Center.  For more information or for a tour of the Kent County Recycling and Education Center check out their website at:  Accepted Material - ReimagineTrash Please make sure that everything put into the recycling bin is clean (i.e., no coffee cups with a couple swallows of coffee left) or it could contaminate the entire container and have to be put in the trash. Please see  Recycling on Campus for more information. The Facilities Department provides the containers for recycling, but recycling is up to each individual and department.  Please share any recycling tips that you or your department do to prioritize recycling at GRCC.  Send to  jlacy@grcc.edu Check the Campus Race to Zero Waste  Scoreboard over the next six weeks to see how GRCC is doing!  Click on “Per Capital Classic” every Friday for an update.  And, remember to recycle!  

Chance Colter shares his journey from Middle College student to GRCC instructor

Feb. 19, 2025 Chance Colter grew up at Grand Rapids Community College. Well, sort of. Now a 28-year-old math instructor at GRCC, Colter began his association with the community college 13 years ago as a Wyoming High School sophomore enrolled in the community college’s all-new  Middle College Program . The program allows students to dual enroll and simultaneously earn a high school diploma and up to 60 GRCC credits and/or an associate degree or technical certificate while in high school. The Wyoming Public Schools Middle College launched in 2012 and was the first of its kind in West Michigan. The first cohort consisted of 50 students, including Colter. “I really liked the GRCC professors who came to my high school to teach us,” Colter said. “The Middle College Program allowed me to graduate high school and earn an associate degree in liberal arts in a total of just five years.” Because the cost of GRCC classes is covered by the school district’s per-pupil allowance from the state, middle college students don’t have to pay tuition to earn their associate degree.  “It was a big money-saver for me and part of the reason my student loans aren’t as big as some of my siblings, for example,” Colter said. He went on to Grand Valley State University and completed his bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.  He returned to GRCC to work in the  Mathematics Tutorial Lab and teach FastTrack and Bridges to College. FastTrack is a three-week summer learning lab where students can strengthen their math and English skills in hopes of testing out of those classes when they start at GRCC. Bridges to College is a seven-week summer program to help graduating high school seniors prepare for college.  Teaching is a great fit for Colter. “I had some experience tutoring at Grand Valley, so I worked as many hours as I could as a math tutor at GRCC until I eventually became an adjunct instructor at GRCC in 2023,” he said. Colter teaches a range of math courses and continues tutoring as his schedule allows. He enjoys teaching – especially for the college that’s been part of his life for so many years. “I think it’s probably given me a unique perspective on how a GRCC student or a community college student thinks, which is different than how some of the other professors who maybe went straight from high school to a four-year college or a private college probably think,” he said. Colter said he plans to continue teaching and hopes to one day earn a master’s or doctorate degree, perhaps in applied mathematics, statistics or data science. “I’ve always enjoyed learning and envision myself learning and teaching for years to come,” he said. This story was reported by Beth McKenna.
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