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Tech tip: Employee separations, transfers or retirements

Do you have an employee who is leaving, transferring positions or retiring and want to make sure their access is removed for the systems they used? Here are some things to know about removing employees' access. Network Accounts To have access removed from an employee’s network account, supervisors should fill out the Employee Separation service form upon separation with the college or retirement. This would include access to systems such as Peoplesoft, Web Editing Access, Document Imaging and shared Network Drives. To submit an Employee Separation, visit the IT Support Portal . Google Groups Each Google Group has one or more managers that controls the member access. If you have someone that needs to be removed from a Group, notify one of the Group managers. If you are not sure who the manager of a Group is, click the Member tab in a Group and the Manager(s) will be listed there. You can add or remove users from your Google Group by following the steps listed in our knowledge base. Google Team Drive IT has empowered managers of Google Team Drives to update access for their employees.  You can add or remove users from your team drive by following the steps listed in our knowledge base .   Google Spaces/Team Chat IT has empowered members of Google Spaces to update access for their own chat spaces. You can add or remove users from Chat Spaces by following the steps listed in our knowledge base .  Email An employee’s email access will automatically be removed when an Employee Separation request is processed. Separations are processed on the effective date which is typically the day after the employee’s last day. Supervisors should coordinate with their employee before the date of separation to transfer important departmental emails. Sharing content Lastly, we strongly encourage managers to have their employees share the content of their Google Drive, J Drive or GRCC email that may be relevant to their position as it becomes difficult to recover after someone leaves GRCC. For more information and helpful tips, please visit the IT Support Portal or contact the IT Support Desk at x4357.

GRCC Barnes and Noble College Bookstore: Winter hours

Financial aid  Available Jan. 2 -24 December Dec. 12              9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Rental due date)  Dec. 13              9 a.m. – 6 p.m.  Dec. 16-19        10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Dec. 20              By Appointment Only (sm8456@bncollege.com)          Campus shutdown          Dec. 21 – Jan. 1 January Jan. 2-3                 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.   (Financial aid opens) Jan. 4                     10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Service Saturday)  Jan. 6-10               8 a.m. – 6 p.m.                                        Jan. 13-16             8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Jan. 17                   8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Jan. 20-23             9 a.m. – 5 p.m.             Jan. 24                   9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Last day for financial aid returns)  

GRCC Ford Rec Center: December construction update

This month's update takes a look at the “inside of the inside” of the building, the bones of the building if you will. Heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing, are the basic amenities that make a building comfortable for its occupants.  Mechanical (HVAC), Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) work is done throughout the design and construction process. The process begins in the design development phase. The Architect puts the MEP details into the blueprints. Once the building structure is in place, MEP installation starts. This is the phase the Ford Rec Center is at right now, called the "rough in" phase. Mechanical, electric and plumbing companies, chosen from the bid process, “rough in” the conduit, piping, duct work, wiring and everything that needs to be done before walls, ceilings and flooring work begins.  The pictures this month show the MEP being put in place, the “inside of the inside” of the building. When the Ford Rec Center is a comfortable temperature, when the toilet flushes, when water comes out of the faucet, when the lights go on and the plugs work, think about all the behind the scenes work that happens to make it all possible. Did you ever stop and think, what’s behind your wall? See the latest photos of the project on the GRCC Ford Rec Center - Coming Fall 2025 webpage.  

Remembering Nikki Giovanni

In 2008, Grand Rapids Community College’s Mursalata Muhammad had the rare privilege of interviewing one of her literary role models, the legendary poet Nikki Giovanni. Although Mursalata admits to being a nervous, starstruck interviewer, the experience became an unforgettable encounter with one of America’s most influential voices in poetry. As Mursalata recalls, she was overwhelmed by both excitement and nerves, her hands sweaty and her heart racing throughout the conversation. Despite her unease, she cherished the opportunity to speak with Giovanni, whose words and wisdom had shaped her own understanding of literature and life. “I was ready to sit across from her in beautiful, poetic awe,” Mursalata reflects. During the interview, Giovanni shared profound insights about writing, particularly about how art can respond to loss. “Sometimes you have to write a love poem,” Giovanni remarked. This powerful statement resonates even more deeply now, as the GRCC community honors Giovanni’s memory following her passing. Giovanni’s impact was undeniable—her poetry, activism, and powerful voice continue to inspire generations. Mursalata’s interview stands as a lasting tribute to a woman who taught the world to write, to love and to resist, leaving an indelible mark on all who were fortunate enough to hear her speak. Watch the full interview, " Diversity Conversation with Nikki Giovanni and Mursalata Muhammad " on YouTube.

GRCC welding program grad returns to assist with Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp

Dec. 17, 2024 Brianna Lampe-Sedgwick joined the Grand Rapids Community College Metallica Scholarship Welding Bootcamp as an instructor in 2021, just a couple of years after graduating from GRCC’s welding program in 2019. Thanks to her skills and training, she landed a job right after completing the program and is now sharing her knowledge with GRCC welders in training.  “I am a very hands-on person, I hated school,” Lampe-Sedgwick recalls from her high school days. “I was never good at school. I wanted to build things with my hands. I learned about the welding program here at GRCC and decided to try it. Nick Pinckney, the welding professor really helped make it all feel accessible. It all clicked very naturally, and I ended up falling in love with it. I was fortunate enough to find a job immediately after graduating.”  After working in the industry for a couple of years, Lampe-Sedgwick was excited to be called by Professor Pinckney to assist in the classroom with the bootcamp. In partnership with GRCC, Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, offers the Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp to anyone interested in gaining knowledge and hands-on experience in welding.  “The bootcamp is great because this course gives people a chance to get their foot in the door and removes the barrier of companies not being able to train you.“ Lamp said. “The course sets them up with the skills they need to get hired.”  Lampe-Sedgwick knew finding a job immediately after graduating was an incredible accomplishment since she didn’t have any on the job training. As one of two females in the entire company working in the welding department, Lampe-Sedgwick was aware of the hurdles the industry can sometimes present when you don’t have the experience a company may need.  “This course costs a small amount of money and gives you everything you need,” Lampe-Sedgwick said. “You get all of the experience to get you started so you can walk straight into the industry if you decide to build a welding career. The course is spot on.” Lampe-Sedgwick finds the classroom aspect of the bootcamp incredibly valuable to her professional experience.  “I’ve been working for six years and teaching for four years. It’s a wonderful experience for my own career,” Lampe-Sedgwick said. “It’s helped me grow socially. I keep in contact with many of the students I’ve taught. Hearing their stories and helping them as a reference to get a job in the industry is incredibly rewarding. It also helps me grow in my own confidence as a welder. As I help students problem solve and learn the techniques of the trade, I gain more insights and sharpen my own techniques.”  Lampe-Sedgwick shared the invaluable process of the class.  “The first 30 minutes to an hour, Professor Nick does a lecture and shows slides to explain welding and the mechanics behind it,” Lampe-Sedgwick said. “Then it’s three hours of hands-on experience. It’s fast paced and after you get the foundations, we focus on projects that are laid out across the course. From night one to night 15, you start to feel like you’ve been welding for years. Once it clicks, you can see the spark everyone gets to pursue the career. The bootcamp gives you that confidence and the opportunity to enter the industry with the foundational skills you walk away with after the course.”  After four years of teaching with the Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp, Lampe-Sedgwick continues to get excited for each new set of students. “Metallica as a band is a very cool connection to the welding industry. They’ve helped so many people find a new career path and get introduced to the trades. It’s been great and a wonderful thing to have a part in,” Lampe-Sedgwick said, adding her thoughts on being a woman and a female instructor in an industry that tends to be heavily male, “There’s not too many women in my current company. At first, it was very intimidating. Now, I see more women in the class than men and I love being one of the people who can show them that it’s not only possible to be in the field and succeed, but now I’m helping lead students to their potential future.”  Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation partners with GRCC to help make the trade of welding more accessible to those who apply and attend the Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp. It continues to be an extremely successful and rewarding experience for all involved. The Foundation’s generosity makes the bootcamp accessible to anyone. Lampe-Sedgwick appreciates the ability to be involved with such a wonderful organization and GRCC. “GRCC has one of the best welding programs in Michigan, in my opinion,” Lampe-Sedgwick said. “The instructors are amazing. Having Professor Pinckney and myself as a team teaching in the Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp has been an incredible joy to watch students of all backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, and opportunities learn the basics and potentially walk into a career in welding.”  The next session of the Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp starts January 9. Learn more about the  Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp .  This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell.

The GRCC family is saddened by the loss of former professor and Faculty Emeritus Award winner James D. Skidmore

The GRCC family is deeply saddened by the passing of former accounting professor, James D. Skidmore , who passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024. His family writes,  “Grand Rapids has lost one of its heroes of education.” “…Jim got his teaching certificate and later his master’s degree from MSU. In fall 1958, Jim began working at Godfrey Lee and discovered that teaching was his passion. He taught bookkeeping, accounting, and office practice. He was an excellent classroom instructor – young, energetic and fun. He served as the faculty advisor for the Echo yearbook, Arial student newspaper, and the National Honor Society. He saw potential everywhere.” “…After an idyllic decade at Godfrey Lee, Jim moved to Grand Rapids Junior (later Community) College, where he taught accounting to thousands of students over the years, mentored countless young people (consulted about job interviews, he invariably advised “get a haircut and buy a suit”), and served as chair of the Business Department and then chair of the Faculty Forum.”  “…In 1999, Jim retired from GRCC. In 2000, the College awarded him the Faculty Emeritus Award and established a scholarship fund in his and Sally’s names. Jim’s grandchildren were born in 2000 and 2002, and he and Sally eagerly volunteered to provide child care so that their daughter-in-law could return to work part-time. He was a fun and attentive grandpa and adored his grandchildren. In his retirement, Jim ran a booth in an antique store near his cottage, making a surprising amount of money which he added to his GRCC scholarship fund.”  

Tech tip: Requesting new or additional network access for employees electronically

Are you still filling out a paper Application Access or Network Access Provisioning form to request access for your new or transferring employee?  We have great news for you! IT has made this process simpler by moving all of our IT services into the Support Portal . Using your MyGRCC account credentials to log in, you can report issues and submit service requests, including new access for employee’s on the move!  To get started, visit the Submit a Network Provisioning Form service! Remember, you no longer need to use the paper form. By logging into the ticketing system, your request is authorized.  Please note that only supervisors or APSS staff may request new or additional access for employee’s. Employees may not request new or additional access for themselves.  For more information and helpful tips, please visit the IT Support Portal or contact the IT Support Desk at x4357.  

Lisa Freiburger announces her retirement

After a distinguished and impactful career in both public accounting and education, Lisa Freiburger, vice president for Finance and Administration, has announced her retirement effective May 15, 2025. Lisa will be stepping down after an incredible 14 years of service to the college and over 35 years of leadership in the West Michigan community. In her role at GRCC, Lisa has provided outstanding leadership overseeing the college’s Finance, Human Resources, Student Financial Services, Purchasing, Field House Operations, the Grand Rapids Promise Zone and Facilities departments, as well as the GRCC Police. Under her guidance, these departments managed a budget exceeding $112 million, ensuring that students and employees alike had a safe, inclusive environment and the facilities needed to deliver a high-quality education. Lisa’s career began in public accounting with the Lansing-based Maner Costerisan and Ellis in 1989. She then transitioned to education, where she worked for the Grand Rapids Public Schools, holding positions ranging from internal auditor to deputy superintendent and chief financial officer. She brought her extensive experience to GRCC in 2011, and under her leadership, the college has grown stronger, more efficient and more responsive to the needs of its students and community. Lisa has been a recognized leader both in West Michigan and the educational community. In 2016, she was honored with the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence, a prestigious national recognition for her transformative leadership. She has also served on numerous boards, including the GRCC Foundation Board, the Grand Rapids Smart Zone Authority Board and the West Michigan Health Insurance Pool Board, among others. Her commitment to both financial stewardship and educational excellence has left an indelible mark on GRCC and the broader community. As Lisa prepares to retire, GRCC’s leadership team is actively working on forming a search committee to identify a successor for this critical role. The position will be posted in January, and more information regarding the search process and the members of the committee will be shared in the near future. On behalf of the entire GRCC community, we extend our deepest gratitude to Lisa for her years of service, dedication and leadership. Her contributions have shaped the future of GRCC, and she will be greatly missed. We wish Lisa all the best as she embarks on this next chapter of her life.
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