March 3, 2026 Last fall, GRCC’s Psychology department introduced two new programs to help students tailor the community college experience toward their long-term goals. The Pre-Neuroscience program offers an interdisciplinary approach to the field while students in the Pre-Psychology Behavior Analysis program gain valuable clinical experience.  Both programs offer specialized pathways for students to transfer to a four-year institution and then into a variety of careers, including neuroscience, health care, behavior analysis, research and more.  Build Interdisciplinary Connections With the Pre-Neuroscience Program Neuroscience explores the structure and function of the nervous system. By studying small molecular and cellular activity all the way up to complex behavioral processes, neuroscientists learn how the nervous system develops, how it malfunctions and what we can do to improve health and well-being. “A lot of people just think of the clinical side of psychology,” said Julia Carey, who leads the GRCC Psychology department. “But, neuroscience is a fascinating field that combines principles from biology, psychology, chemistry and medicine to understand how the brain and nervous system influence thoughts, emotions and actions.” In addition to standard psychology courses, students in the Pre-Neuroscience program will also take biology and chemistry classes. “We designed a specialized curriculum to help students understand how anatomy relates to our psychological experiences,” said Carey. “Whether it’s hands-on work with brain model puzzles or dissecting a sheep brain in the biology lab, there are lots of memorable learning experiences.” Learn More About the Pre-Neuroscience, A.A. Program Gain Practical Experience With Pre-Psychology Behavior Analysis The field of behavior analysis is all about studying the way people behave and learn. It focuses on identifying and understanding environmental factors that influence behavior and applies this knowledge to bring about positive changes.  Behavior analysts work with both adults and children in a variety of clinical and educational settings. The pre-major program at GRCC includes a practicum, which provides students a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in the field. During the practicum, students work 10 hours a week at local behavioral clinics. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst supervises students as they apply behavior analysis and behavior management principles to improve the social, academic and adaptive behavior of individuals diagnosed with autism or other developmental disabilities.   After the practicum, students are eligible to sit for the  Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) exam. An RBT certification leads to higher-paying jobs and gives students options to work in the field while they continue their education.  “This pre-major is a unique offering for a community college,” said Sophie Rubin, associate professor at GRCC. “We are one of two community colleges with this program and we’re excited to give students a learning experience they wouldn’t normally have until a bachelor’s program.”  Learn More About the Pre-Psychology Behavior Analysis, A.A. Program Experienced Faculty and Easy Transfer Prepares Students for Success Both the Pre-Neuroscience and Pre-Psychology Behavior Analysis programs were developed by experienced GRCC faculty who are passionate about the field of psychology and making education and career opportunities accessible for all students.  Julia Carey led the development of the Pre-Neuroscience program. She earned  Ph.D.s in neuroscience and psychology from University of Colorado Boulder and has been at GRCC for eight years. Sophie Rubin has a Ph.D in psychology from Western Michigan University and is a licensed psychologist in the state of Michigan with clinical experience in behavioral psychology. Rubin has taught at GRCC for 14 years and pioneered the Pre-Psychology Behavior Analysis program. “We’re setting students up for success with these new psychology programs,” said Carey. “It’s a great option for anyone who knows they want to study psychology, but might not have a clear idea of what that looks like. Our programs help learners explore different career pathways and even enter the workforce as a Registered Behavior Technician. By the time they transfer to a four-year institution, they are well-prepared to achieve their long-term goals.”

Feb. 27, 2026 For nearly two decades, adjunct professor Tamera Detrick has taught in the Language and Thought Department at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC). Over that time, she has watched classrooms shift with changes in technology, politics and cultural approaches to understanding humanity. Through it all, she has kept one focus at the center of her philosophy: people. “I went into the humanities for practical reasons,” Detrick said. “I stay in the humanities because I can’t imagine a world that doesn’t utilize that knowledge. It’s right where humans live. It’s right there in the name.” Keeping Humans at the Center Detrick teaches full time at GRCC, leading courses such as Civilizations and Culture, World Religions and Introduction to Humanities. She draws from books, online sources and videos, encouraging students to think critically while emphasizing reading as a lifelong tool. “Humanities touches everything,” Detrick said. “If you focus only on philosophy, you forget why it matters for people who aren’t going to be philosophers. If you focus only on religions, you can end up debating whether one is right or wrong instead of asking how to keep religion from becoming divisive. Humanities covers all of it. It shows why reading is still important and how it continues to develop the brain, even as we get older.” From the start of her career, Detrick set her sights on teaching at the college level. At GRCC, she said, she found more than she expected. “I really enjoy teaching in the community college system,” Detrick said. “We have a good balance of holding students accountable and remaining flexible. Our current climate of thinking tends to be either good or evil, right or wrong. But there’s a sea of gray that our culture is not teaching students. Here at GRCC, we try to provide that in our classrooms.” She said today’s culture often encourages division. “If someone doesn’t think exactly like you, it feels like the culture says to cut them off,” Detrick said. “If someone doesn’t worship like you or look like you, then be afraid. We’ve got to help our community accept the concept of community. I think our classes do a good job of that. I’m proud to be part of GRCC.” Exploring Complex Topics In a tense social climate, Detrick hopes her classroom is a space where complex topics are explored without losing sight of unity. She uses the college’s learning management system, Canvas, and keeps her curriculum flexible. Rather than rushing through material, she prioritizes depth. “I’d rather go deep than wide,” Detrick said. “I’m willing to leave some information out and adjust my tests so they match what we’ve covered. I want to make space for us to ask, ‘What just happened there?’ instead of passively moving on.” She also challenges students to take ownership of their lives and thinking. “Your life is going to start and it’s going to finish,” she said. “Your mind is yours. Are you going to be passive, or are you going to get active in your own life? I try to model good thinking behaviors and give students the objectives to support that.” Building In Compassion and Empathy Detrick’s 16-year tenure reflects her commitment to the humanities and their impact on future leaders. She said the discipline builds compassion and empathy by helping students recognize both differences and shared needs. “I hope students realize our baseline is coming from the same place,” Detrick said. “At our core, people are the same. We have the same needs and concerns. We’re all human beings. That’s the concept of humanities — to be humane. What makes us human, and what makes us a good person? Is it following rules, or is it being kind? I hope students leave my classroom understanding that we’re all human, hoping for the same basic needs.” In a world where conflict and apathy can overshadow understanding, Detrick sees education as foundational. She encourages curiosity, critical thinking and acceptance of others. While students enter her classroom as individuals, she hopes they leave shaped by shared learning. “All that comes from the study of humanities,” Detrick said. “We need to stop the knee-jerk reaction to a new idea or an old idea brought back to the front. Socrates said the unexamined life is not worth living. Epicurus said there are three things you need for happiness: friends, financial freedom and self-evaluation. Everything is about evaluating ourselves. You can always choose kindness and compassion, and that is never the wrong choice.” A lack of self-exploration, she said, can lead to a lack of compassion. “Some people are going to come to a different answer than you, but compassion should drive that interaction,” Detrick said. “Try to understand first. The defining part of being human is protecting the humanness not only of ourselves, but of others.” Each semester, Detrick teaches a variety of humanities classes, reaching about 120 students. Her goal is to challenge them to think independently and to choose to be humane. “My students have become my hope for our future,” she said.  Educators like Detrick make GRCC a place of growth and hope for us all.  Visit the Language and Thought Department web page to learn more about programs and areas of study. This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell.