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World Affairs Council of Western Michigan: Great Decisions Lecture Series begins Feb. 4

As an institutional member of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan , GRCC plays an important role in sponsoring the Great Decisions Lecture Series. Considered the largest discussion series on global affairs, the Foreign Policy Association determines topics for discussion and the Council selects speakers for lectures held once a week in February and March.  The series begins on Tuesday, Feb. 4, with John Austin’s lecture on the “US, Michigan, and the World Economy.” On Feb. 11, GRCC sponsors the distinguished Visiting Geographical Scientist, Miriam Gay-Antaki, who will be speaking on “International Climate Cooperation.” All lectures take place on Tuesday evenings between 6 and 7:15 p.m. at the Gerald R. Ford Museum, 303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.  Receptions are held from 5-6 p.m. before each program. There is no charge to attend the lectures. Parking is free.  2025 schedule Feb. 4 The U.S., Michigan, and the World Economy John Austin, senior fellow, Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College Feb. 11 International Climate Cooperation Miriam Gay-Antaki, geographer, University of New Mexico Feb. 18 NATO from a European Perspective Gert-Jan Segers, former member of the House of Representatives in the Netherlands (leader of the Christian Union) Feb. 25 U.S. – China Relations Ali Wyne, senior research and advocacy advisor, China, International Crisis Group March 4 After Gaza: Reimagining the Middle East Ghaith al-Omari, senior fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy March 11 India: Between China, the West, and the Global South Rick Rossow, senior advisor, CSIS March 18 American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads Emma Ashford, senior fellow, Stimson Center March 25 AI, Cybersecurity, and National Security Dina Temple-Raston, journalist, The Record  

Tech Tip: Peoplesoft troubleshooting

Do you work in Peoplesoft? Have you ever received an error message or noticed missing menus that were there before? It may be an issue with how the browser is communicating with Peoplesoft.  Try to clear cookies and cache following the instructions in the link below. This will help to determine if it is an issue with your browser or with the PeopleSoft application.  Please call the Support Desk if the issue persists after clearing cookies and cache and restarting the browser.   Clearing Cookies and Cache For more information and helpful tips, please visit the IT Support Portal or contact the IT Support Desk at x4357.

ICE or external law enforcement presence on campus

  Dear Colleagues, I want to provide clarity on how the College will respond if the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or another external law enforcement agency appears on campus. We have no indication ICE has been present on any of our campuses, including recently. However, I want to reassure you that the safety, privacy and well-being of GRCC students and employees remain our top priorities.   In support of these priorities and our ongoing commitment to compliance with applicable laws, we will continue to follow certain protocols when ICE or other agencies are present on campus: FERPA Compliance: GRCC will not release education records or protected information to ICE or other agencies unless required by law or with a student’s consent. If a search warrant is presented, the General Counsel’s Office and the GRCC Police Department will review the document to ensure its validity before any information is provided. Interactions with ICE: ICE and other law enforcement agencies have the right to be present in public areas on campus. If ICE agents are encountered on campus, staff and students should remain respectful, but are not obligated to respond to questions, provide immigration status information, or provide information that might be incriminating. What to do: If you see ICE or other external law enforcement agents on campus, please contact GRCC Police immediately at 616-234-4910 or from a campus phone x4910. We will continue to closely monitor changes in applicable policies and laws in order to ensure continued compliance while staying true to our mission of providing equitable access to higher education for all. Thank you for your continued dedication to creating an environment where every member of our community is empowered to thrive. Together, let’s ensure our campuses remain a place where everyone belongs. Thank you, Charles W. Lepper, Ph.D.

Reminder - GRCC Campus Common Reading panel discussion: "Braiding Sweetgrass" Jan. 30

Thursday, Jan. 30 5:30-7:30 PM Grand Rapids Community College Applied Technology Center (ATC) Room 120 & 168 Open to the Public  Join us for an engaging panel discussion on "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer, featuring perspectives from local Indigenous leaders. Our esteemed panelists: Angie Sanchez Kara Wilson Julie Dye Lisa Carlson These incredible speakers will share how the book’s themes—Indigenous knowledge, reciprocity and our connection to the natural world—resonate within their communities and lived experiences. This is a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of Indigenous wisdom and ecological teachings. Event Schedule: 5:30 PM - Food & refreshments (ATC 120) 6:15 PM - Panel discussion (ATC 168) Book Summary: "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a beautifully written book that blends Indigenous wisdom with scientific knowledge to explore our connection to the natural world. As both a botanist and a member of the Potawatomi Nation, Kimmerer shares personal stories, ecological insights and traditional teachings that encourage us to see nature not as a resource to be used, but as a relationship to be nurtured. She invites readers to practice gratitude, reciprocity and care for the earth, offering a hopeful and inspiring vision for living in harmony with the land. If you care about climate change and are interested in sustainability, Indigenous perspectives or simply seeing the world in a new way, come check out the panel discussion and read the book.  Plus on March 20,  you can meet the author.  Virtual Author Talk with Robin Wall Kimmerer March 20- 5:30-7 PM ATC 168 & Online Meet the author of "Braiding Sweetgrass" and ask your questions in this special virtual event!    

Christopher Belland

Adjunct faculty at Grand Valley State University. Awarded a graduate assistantship and studied with the renowned guitar pedagogue Clare Callahan at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Teaches a full roster of private guitar students. Recitalist and has been a featured soloist with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. Specializes in baroque plucked strings and regularly performs baroque guitar and theorbo with the ensemble Grand Valley Baroque and has played in venues across the midwest. Regularly plays in pit orchestras for musical theater productions.

Position yourself for an exciting career in marketing

Jan. 29, 2025 When was the last time you saw an advertisement? Odds are, you’ve recently passed one on a billboard or seen one on a commercial break for your favorite television show. For many, these are what comes to mind when they think of marketing. But, according to Felix Pereiro, who heads the Business Department at Grand Rapids Community College, advertisements are just one small part of a much bigger picture. “Marketing people are creative problem solvers,” Pereiro said. “They look at issues that customers, or potential customers, have and ask if there’s a better way to do it.” With a marketing degree from GRCC , you’ll learn the fundamentals of operations, strategy, and customer relations. You’ll dive deep into the 4Ps of marketing: product, price, place and promotion. And you’ll study the marketing process whereby goods, services and processes move from concept to adoption by the customer. Expand your career horizons All of this will give you a head start on the path to solving problems in sales, retail, advertising and a whole host of other fields.  According to Forbes , marketing is an essential component of every business, because all companies rely on marketing strategies to develop marketing plans, determine pricing, implement advertising campaigns and gather analytical information to evaluate their efforts. Choosing to study marketing at GRCC means opening yourself up to a wide variety of excellent career options. There really is something for everyone in the world of marketing, says Pereiro, no matter your personality or interests.  “It’s all very entrepreneurial. You have some people who are the inside engines, some who like to go out and talk to people, some who like to stay back at the office and really work the data and analytics. You could go into marketing for 40 years and I guarantee you, you could switch areas every two to three years, and you’ll never run out of opportunities,” Pereiro said. Explore emerging industries According to Pereiro, some of the most exciting opportunities for using your marketing degree lie in the world of digital marketing and content creation. “Massive amounts of content are being created online every day, whether that’s through social media platforms like TikTok and X or in other places. It’s a whole new world,” said Pereiro. In fact, data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that jobs within digital marketing are set to witness a  6% increase in growth by 2032, higher than the average rate for any other profession. This wealth of opportunity is being fueled by another industry that Pereiro is excited by – artificial intelligence. “We’re not afraid of AI; we embrace it. We’re asking how we can use it, to the best of our ability, to help our customers solve problems,” Pereiro said. Get ahead of the competition When it comes to the world of marketing, the sky really is the limit, and the strength of your education at GRCC will leave you well positioned to get there.  “What we do with our marketing degree is prepare our students to go out and get jobs right now,” said Pereiro. “There’s never been a more exciting time to be in marketing.” Learn more about the  Marketing degree from GRCC. This story was reported by Alissa Griffin.

January reminder: Help us tell GRCC's story

Thank you for all you do for GRCC! This is your monthly reminder to think about what’s happening in your school or department and share your successes with GRCC’s Marketing and Communications team so we can decide how best to promote your great work.  What story ideas should I share?  As you’re thinking about ideas to share, consider the following: What are we doing that’s exceptional or out of the ordinary? Is it the first time we’ve done this, are we the best at this, or are we the only one that does this? What are we doing that demonstrates the value of a GRCC education? Would a prospective student, alumnus, community organization or employer see this story and be inspired to apply to GRCC, give to our institution or partner with us? How does this align with the  mission, vision, values and goals of GRCC ? What do you need to know about my story idea?  You’ll receive a reminder once a month asking for your ideas. Be sure to include a brief description of the story including the following information: Names and contact information including emails and phone numbers. If a student is to be featured, be sure to include their academic program of study. When will it happen? If it’s an event, please include the date and time.  Where will it happen? If it’s an event, please include the location. Are photos available? Please share photos you’d like considered for use. Please keep in mind that providing advance notice helps us plan for and share your story. Giving us at least two weeks prior notice (or more) before an event is a good rule of thumb to follow. If you want to see some of the stories we’ve already shared check out our web stories at  grcc.edu/about-grcc/news . How do I submit my story ideas? You can send your story ideas to Amy Soper at  amysoper@grcc.edu . You can also reach out to the Marketing and Communications team at  marcomm@grcc.edu .   Thank you for your help. Go Raiders!  

Volunteers needed for 42nd Annual GIANT Awards Feb. 1

We're looking for a few more volunteers for the 42nd Annual GIANT Awards this Saturday at the Devos Place Ballrooms!  There are 3 shifts available: Shift 1 Setup  Noon-3 p.m. This would just be assisting with setting up the registration table, banners and decorations Shift 2 Registration and wayfinding  5-7:30 p.m. This shift would be assisting with registration/check in, coat check, direct guests to tables and some volunteers would be placed within the space holding directional signage for the table numbers. Shift 3 Teardown and nametag collecting 8:30-10 p.m. This shift would assist in gathering nametags and packing away everything used for this event. All are welcome to volunteer for any combination of these, or just one depending on what works in your schedule. There will be light refreshments available. Dinner will be provided for those working multiple shifts.  Sign up on our 42nd Annual GIANT Awards and Banquet Volunteer Sign-Up sheet.

GRCC supports Region 2 HOSA Competition at East Kentwood High School

    On Jan. 25,  East Kentwood High School hosted the Region 2 HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Competition, bringing together students from across southwest Michigan to compete in a variety of health career and leadership events. The competition, which serves as a gateway to state finals, is part of HOSA’s global initiative to empower future healthcare professionals. HOSA is a student-led organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to foster leadership in the health community through education, collaboration and hands-on experience, ultimately improving the quality of healthcare worldwide. The event saw participants engaging in multiple competitions, including Dental Science Skills, Clinical Nursing Skills, Health Career Displays and Research Posters, among others. Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) students, faculty and the Dean of the School of Health Sciences were among those who volunteered to judge events, presentations and proctor tests, helping make the event a success. Students showcased their skills and knowledge across a wide range of health-related fields, from Family Medicine Physicians to Respiratory Therapy Presentations and Public Service Announcements. HOSA aims to inspire students to pursue careers in healthcare and encourages active participation in the HSE-HOSA Partnership to further enhance education and career opportunities in the health industry. You do not need to be a health professional to participate in the HOSA competitions. Please contact Lisa Radak, Dean of the School of Health Sciences at lisaradak@grcc.edu if you would like to participate in future HOSA events. 
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