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Welcome Rayvene Farnum and Arika Davis to Human Resources: Meet and Greet sessions offered Feb. 12, 14 and 25

You're invited to stop by and meet Rayvene and Arika! Light refreshments will be provided. Wednesday, Feb. 12  10-11 a.m. ATC Piazza Friday, Feb. 14  3:45-4:45 p.m. ATC Piazza Tuesday, Feb. 25  10:30-11:30 p.m. ATC 122   Rayvene Farnum is GRCC’s new executive director of Human Resources and Talent Development. Additional information about her can be found in the Welcoming Rayvene Farnum as GRCC's new executive director of Human Resources and Talent Development! article.   Arika Davis is GRCC’s new employee events, engagement and onboarding coordinator of Human Resources. She transferred from Training Solutions in Workforce Development.

GRCC carves a new path with FutureTech Careers Program

Jan. 28, 2025 The FutureTech Careers Program sits at the forefront of the advanced manufacturing and tech industries, including the conversation around Artificial Intelligence (AI). With grants from the United States Department of Labor and The National Science Foundation, this new program at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) looks to build the workforce within West Michigan by creating more opportunities for students enrolling in either GRCC’s School of STEM or School of Workforce Training. In a collaborative effort utilizing the services and grants offered through the program, both Schools are working together toward the goal of having each participant in the FutureTech Careers Program employed by the end of their educational journey. “We are focused on the student. From the beginning to the end,” said FutureTech Careers Program Educational Training Specialist Kimberly Tucker. “We want to help students attain the future they hoped for. The students are always the focus.” Tucker aids students participating in the program with their needs ranging from filling out financial aid paperwork to general enrollment. Once students are a part of the program, Tucker helps guide them through their educational journey. As the students get closer to graduating, Job Developer Consuelo White, leads the students through different offerings like resume workshops, internships and potential job placement. Adapting to fast-paced changes in technology One powerful tool the program provides is networking through partnerships and collaborations with local community-based organizations and local employers. “Oftentimes it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” said Program Manager David Pridmore. The FutureTech Careers Program works with regional employers to gather insights and prepare for future needs as new technology like agentic AI becomes increasingly integrated into enterprise use cases across the West Michigan region. This feedback informs GRCC leadership and faculty, enabling them to adapt curriculum to meet evolving industry needs. Due to the fast-paced changes, it is projected that human tasks may reduce from 80 percent to 30 percent while autonomous AI agents and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) are projected to handle 50 percent of functional and production operations by 2029. This positions the FutureTech Careers Program as a conduit between the industry, employers and GRCC faculty to ensure students are prepared for these transformations. The perceived shrinking job market becomes less of a worry and more of an opportunity for students affiliated with the FutureTech Careers Program. The relationships put in place during the program will serve as an incredible asset for potential job placement. In addition to networking, the program actively plans to break down barriers within the tech world. “We’re here to remind you that you’re able and this is an inclusive place for everyone,” Tucker said. “You’re always enough. We’re here to make sure our underrepresented communities know that. We help our students gain understanding of the job market so they can take steps to prepare themselves to be the best candidate possible.” Student Success Coach Linus Kaechele appreciates the invaluable resources the FutureTech Careers Program will bring to the students as it grows. “A big goal is to create a mentoring network for students in the program to connect with industry professionals in the area that share their background, and/or their interest, to help guide them and answer questions they may have,” Kaechele said. “We hope to help students feel more confident in themselves within the tech industry by connecting them with people who can help them directly and personally. It’s truly about walking step by step with each student and taking the steps with them. It’s about helping each student make progress and to realize they’re not alone in the process of getting a job and becoming an emerging tech professional.” Establishing a technology industry hub in West Michigan With a projected vision of West Michigan serving as a hub for the growing technology industry, students who participate in the FutureTech Careers Program will be at the cutting edge of the growth. The program looks to help students become leaders within the industry. “We have job developers that will work with the students. They can review and fine tune resumes. We also network with local companies to understand the types of needs the employers are looking for, allowing us to find what fits best for the student and the employers” Tucker said. “We will be setting up community building events to keep networking going between the Computer Science program and the community. Students will have access to job shadowing and internships, work-based learning opportunities and the ability to learn soft skills that translate in the workplace making our students well rounded in both what they know and how they show up to work.” This new program is part of a consortium with Muskegon Community College and actively partners with West Michigan Works! , The Right Place and many other community and educational organizations. Pridmore excitedly talks about the students within the Program’s vision. “Our entire work centers around the student and how we can make the student’s life easier as well as reduce barriers.” Tucker adds, “We want to work with underrepresented communities to break down those barriers for women and minorities who may not already be a part of the industry. We want everyone to know they belong here.” For more info on the multitude of ways the FutureTech Careers Program can help you start your career in the tech industry, connect with them on Raider Connect . This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell.

David Martin

Teaching himself electric and acoustic guitar at fourteen, David Martin went on to study classical guitar ultimately earning a Masters of Music from the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Throughout his scholastic and professional career, David has performed many styles of guitar music, from lead guitar in both acoustic and electric rock bands to various classical guitar concerts and recitals, holiday events, private parties and weddings throughout the United States. David Martin teaches a wide variety of music, from hard rock, to jazz and classical, and currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Guitar at both Hope College in Holland, MI and Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, MI where he instructs guitar ensemble class and teaches both classical and folk classes, along with private instruction.  When he is not practicing or teaching guitar David enjoys being outdoors fishing, kayaking and hiking. 

IT Support Portal: Service Catalog and Knowledge Base available

Did you know IT has a self-service Support Portal where you can easily and quickly report issues, submit service requests, and search for knowledge articles? Two major components of the Support Portal are the Service Catalog and the Knowledge Base. The Service Catalog provides easy access to a large variety of services that the IT department offers. Placing a service request through the portal is helpful in that it guides you through questions we will need to fulfill the request, saving you time! The Knowledge Base includes answers to common questions that we receive in the IT department as well as how-tos on common processes and procedures specific to GRCC technology. Please visit the IT Customer Support Portal or click on the links below for helpful guides. How to Search the IT Knowledge Base How to Search the IT Service Catalog How to Submit a Ticket from the Portal View Your Submitted Tickets from the Portal For more information and helpful tips, please visit the IT Support Portal or contact the IT Support Desk at x4357.

Become a support person for a Study Away trip: Respond by Feb. 7

We are excited to offer an opportunity for faculty to become a support person for a  Study Away  trip this summer. Study Away at GRCC provides students with the unique opportunity to engage in immersive, short-term educational travel experiences that enhance their academic and personal growth. These experiences are designed to integrate academic learning with real-world exploration, often including visits to historical sites, cultural landmarks, and professional environments.  Travel experiences are offered in the summer as part of a course. As a support person, responsibilities include actively engaging in the preparation of the Study Away proposal, supporting the faculty leader in reviewing student applications and assisting in marketing the trip. The support person will also help with logistical coordination, including managing communications with students and travel providers, attending pre-departure orientations and being fully involved during the trip, providing support to students, the faculty leader and travel providers. To be eligible, the support person must be in good standing with the College, have a valid passport (if international), must commit for the entire duration of the travel experience, have substantive travel experience (preferably to the destinations being visited) and demonstrate experience in coordinating or supporting college-sponsored travel (class or field trips). A strong understanding of GRCC policies and the ability to collaborate effectively are essential.  Preference is given to full time classroom faculty seeking to engage more with Study Away and possibly develop a future trip. If you are interested in this opportunity or would like more information, please reach out to the director of Experiential Learning, Michael Schavey, at  mschavey@grcc.edu  by Friday, Feb. 7 .

Together@GRCC podcast: Jonathan Wheeler

Welcome to Together@GRCC, the biweekly podcast created for GRCC staff. Hosted by Ryan Nausieda, each episode features interviews with staff, students and community members, highlighting the people and projects that make our campus thrive. In this episode, Nausieda interviews Jonathan Wheeler, a support professional and theatre manager. He discusses his journey to the theater department, the logistics of balancing two roles, how the theater brings people together, the technology development in theatre and how all the moving parts come together to put on memorable shows. Don’t miss this engaging conversation! Be sure to subscribe and share it with colleagues who want to stay connected to our GRCC community. Available on  YouTube ,  Spotify  and  Apple .

Payroll notification: January has a third pay date

Did you know that twice a year there's a third pay date in a month on our biweekly pay schedule?  GRCC follows a biweekly pay schedule, which is not the same as bimonthly. Bimonthly is twice a month, which would be 24 pay dates. We are biweekly, which is every two weeks, so that's 26 pay dates.  January is one of the third-pay-date months this year — on Jan. 31, 2025! The other one will be in August 2025. Keep in mind that items like health insurance premiums are not deducted on third pay dates, so your pay amount may be somewhat different than what you normally see. That's the reason why!  You can always reference the  Payroll Schedule  to keep on top of the dates. And don't forget to review your pay stubs in your Online Center so you can compare the pay breakdowns.

Feb. 5 workshop : Am I Being Clear? A Crash Course in Boundary Setting

Workshop by Dr. Lori Bednarchik On Feb. 5, from 3 - 4 p.m., Student Life will be hosting Dr. Lori Bednarchik to present this workshop on creating and setting healthy boundaries. This topic is a crucial piece of education and support that students have not only been asking for, but have been reflecting in their everyday interactions.  Staff are welcome to attend this workshop as well!  We hope to see you there! Description Setting boundaries isn’t easy—so what does it actually look and sound like in practice? Am I Being Clear is a dynamic and empowering program that helps participants identify the key characteristics of healthy relationships and navigate both the internal process of defining boundaries and the external communication needed to express them effectively. This program takes a deep dive into setting boundaries across all areas of life—relationships, consent, digital (social media/sexting) communication, and beyond – guiding students through reflecting on their personal values, defining non-negotiables and deciding how to respond when their boundaries are being pushed or crossed. Participants learn how to navigate difficult conversations clearly and with confidence. Combining self-reflection with interpersonal skills, this program prepares students to build healthier relationships based on trust, mutual respect and open communication. The Am I Being Clear program helps prevent unhealthy dynamics in relationships—including sexual, emotional and digital abuse—overall contributing to broader campus goals of supporting student wellbeing and meeting Title IX guidelines for primary prevention education. Learning Outcomes As a result of attending this program, participants will: Identify the qualities of healthy relationships, including mutual respect, open communication and shared support. Explore how boundary-setting applies across relationships, consent and digital spaces. Reflect on personal values, needs, and non-negotiables to clarify expectations for relationships. Practice defining, articulating and communicating boundaries with clarity and confidence. Develop strategies to respond when boundaries are pushed, challenged or crossed.  

Rachel Lutwick-Deaner selected for the 2024 Story Sanctum Editors' Choice Award for Best Nonfiction

  Rachel Lutwick-Deaner's published essay "Nursing Mother" was selected for the 2024 Story Sanctum Editors' Choice Award for Best Nonfiction. According to their website, "Story Sanctum is a shrine for sacred storytelling, where writers and readers can unite around what makes us human. We curate compelling fiction and nonfiction stories with a clear point of view that captures the truth and beauty, sacredness and strangeness, heartbreak, horror and hope of the human condition." "For us, sacredness transcends any one religion and does not have to be religious at all. Our stories honor the sacredness of life found in the human experience." Read her essay on Story Sanctum's website at: Nursing Mother .
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