March 18, 2025 Alex Tumbling, a Grand Rapids native, graduated from the Water to Work Internship Program through Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) in 2023. He now has a job he loves, in a city he adores and in an industry that matters to him. “This program offered me the opportunity to have a job I really wanted, doing something that gives me a nice feeling knowing that I’m helping the city itself and everyone who lives in it. I’ve lived in Grand Rapids my whole life. I really love it. It’s my hometown and there’s water all around us. And I know that water is key to everything,” said Tumbling. Tumbling first learned about the Water to Work Internship during a tour of the Grand Rapids City Wastewater Plant while attending the Public Works Academy at GRCC . “When this option opened up for me, I jumped on the opportunity,” shared Tumbling. Shortly after completing the program, Tumbling applied for and was offered a job with the City of Grand Rapids Wastewater Plant. Not only did he successfully complete his probationary period, but he was also quickly promoted. Crediting his time in the program, Tumbling recalls the assets he gained through his internship. “I was able to move up quickly. Learning about the infrastructure helped me know how to properly fix many of the things I was working on. The program gave me a leg up by providing me the background knowledge of the inner workings of the equipment and the understanding behind how things ran,” said Tumbling. A key component to the success of The Water to Work Internship Program lies in the strong connection between mentors and students. Mentors consist of current or retired City of Grand Rapids employees who offer invaluable insights into the day-to-day realities of working in the city’s public works sector. Mentors provide guidance on everything from job-specific tasks to overcoming challenges and navigating the industry. “Meeting with my mentor helped me understand the industry better,” said Tumbling. “Since the mentors have working knowledge, they help in really specific ways. My mentor was a lead in the industry and helped me understand a lot of the behind the scenes. I feel more confident with approaching new technologies, and my position as a whole, because I have such a strong foundation from the internship regarding the way the industry works,” Tumbling continued. The internship not only prepared Tumbling for an active career with the city, it provided him with an hourly pay so he could focus on his certification and potential future while still having his needs met. “The paid internship helped me focus on just the program, so I could concentrate on what I was learning and more intently aim for a position in the industry. I was able to get a job with the same company I interned with, which was the ideal outcome,” Tumbling excitedly shared. “I look at other parts of my life and I know I’m helping out everyone, even though no one necessarily knows it. I’m keeping the city alive, keeping everyone safe. With waste water, if it didn’t flow out and get cleaned, it could cause a lot of disease. Everyday at work, I am motivated to keep moving forward knowing what I’m doing is making such a huge difference,” reflected Tumbling on working exactly where he wants to be. As Tumbling continues to excel in his role, he looks forward to further growth within the industry. His passion for problem-solving, combined with the knowledge and hands-on experience gained through the Water to Work Internship Program, has positioned him perfectly for success. The program provided Tumbling with the tools he needed to excel in the industry and opened the door for him to flow directly into his ideal job. Learn more about the Water to Work Internship Program This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell.  

Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is proud to announce a new collaboration with Davenport University (DU), Ferris State University and Grand Valley State University (GVSU) aimed at creating a streamlined pathway for Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) graduates to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at a local, accredited program. The new initiative, named West MI BSN Connect , is supported by grant funding to develop a shared BSN transfer course in partnership with the universities. With nearly 5,000 open nursing jobs in Michigan last year, according to the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, this collaboration comes at a perfect time. DU, Ferris State and GVSU all have established ADN-to-BSN completion programs that will support West MI BSN Connect. GRCC's ADN program prepares students to earn their Associate Degree in Nursing and become Michigan Registered Nurses (RNs) by passing the NCLEX-RN exam. The new pathway includes transfer agreements that allow ADN students to move seamlessly into a partner university’s RN to BSN program. This structure ensures that students do not incur extra time or expense in completing their BSN, with each program's curriculum designed to accommodate the shared course as part of their degree requirements. West MI BSN Connect will also focus on maximizing student success, with the following strategies: Maintaining and delivering a curriculum that transfers into partner BSN programs. Engaging in co-branding and targeted recruitment efforts. Providing enhanced student services, including academic support, coaching, mentoring, financial aid counseling and access to college/university resources. Offering financial relief through scholarships and by waiving application and transcript fees for GRCC students in the ADN-to-BSN pipeline. Monitoring and refining strategies through data analysis of program enrollment, student outcomes and completion rates. In addition, GRCC and its partners will meet regularly to evaluate program effectiveness and discuss opportunities for enhanced employer partnerships. These partnership meetings will focus on areas such as clinical placements, staff diversity and support for ADN graduates, including scholarships and tuition reimbursement. Employers will also collaborate in recruitment efforts aimed at incumbent workers looking to further their education in nursing. This initiative underscores GRCC’s commitment to increasing educational access, reducing barriers to degree completion and helping local employers meet their staffing needs in the healthcare industry. For more information about West MI BSN Connect and upcoming opportunities, please visit GRCC’s website .