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Domestic Violence Awareness Month panel discussion with the YWCA West Central Michigan

This Thursday, the Center for Student Life & Leadership will be hosting a panel discussion with the YWCA West Central Michigan to bring awareness to domestic violence and provide the community with valuable information and resources.  Thursday, Oct. 17 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Student Center, Room 234 (behind the Quiet Café) The lunch & learn panel is available for students and staff with boxed lunches for the first 40 guests who arrive. 

October Provost Update

Dear Colleagues, I hope that all of you are having a great week so far.  If you’re like me, you might be finding it hard to believe that we are at the midpoint of the fall semester.  This is always a busy time on campus and now is no different.  Please read below for a few updates and opportunities. From Information Technology: Summary of the Blackboard Course Content Issue As a follow-up to the Blackboard Course Content Issue we experienced at the start of the fall semester, I requested a summary from the Information Technology (IT) department.  You can read the summary on the  Summary of the Blackboard Course Content Issue document.  If you have questions or need additional information, please let me know and I will work with our colleagues in IT accordingly.  Please know that I remain grateful to all faculty and staff as well as everyone in IT and Teaching, Learning, and Distance Education (TLDE) who worked to address course content issues given this unanticipated circumstance.  Additionally, please know that I will continue to work with the President and IT leadership to ensure we continue to examine and improve communication practices and support for faculty, staff, and students when issues arise. Faculty Special Assignment Roles At this time, there are a few faculty special assignment roles that are available.  Please see the  Fall 2024 Available Special Assignments document  for the title and duties for each assignment.  If you are interested in being considered to serve in any of these roles, please complete the  Fall 2024 Faculty Special Assignment Interest Form  by the end of the day on Tuesday, October 22nd.  Reminder: GRCC Cares Network and Basic Needs Referrals In case you missed it, I wanted to share the  September GRCC Cares newsletter with you again . Specifically, please see the section about basic needs referrals.  Additionally, visit the  GRCC Cares website  for details about making a referral.  We know our students greatly benefit from the resources we have available and that helping to meet their basic needs contributes to their success in their classes and in accomplishing their academic goals.  GRCC has also been awarded additional funding from a state grant to provide more basic needs resources to students at this time.  The grant, Barrier Removal - Direct to Student, included $250,000 in funding to our existing emergency grants program.  David Lovell, our Interim Dean of Students, is available if you have any questions about these efforts.  David can be reached via email at  davidlovell@grcc.edu  or by phone at 616-234-3090. Real College Survey This is our final week with the Real College Survey.  Students have through this weekend to complete the survey.   Please share the QR code below with students in your classes.  This information will be used to inform how GRCC can best support student basic needs programming and resources.  Students have received two emails in their GRCC inboxes inviting them to complete the survey and flyers are posted around campus buildings. A third promotion of the survey is going out this week through Navigate.  If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Valerie Butterfield, Director of Student Life and Leadership,  valeriebutterfield@grcc.edu .  Party at the Polls GRCC is one of five community colleges to win the opportunity to host a  Party at the Polls  event sponsored by When We All Vote, MTV, and Showtime.  The event will be held in the Ford Fieldhouse, Gordon Hunsberger Arena, on October 29th from 5pm to 8pm and will be a partner event to the Student Government's Trick or Vote earlier that day.  Both events are focused on promoting early voting–October 29th is Early Voting Day!  To make these events a success, the Center for Student Life and Leadership is looking for volunteers.  If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up  on the Voter Early Day Volunteers form.  If you have any questions about these events, please contact Ashley Fox, Assistant Director of Student Life and Leadership,  ashleyfox1@grcc.edu .  In closing, there are a lot of events happening on campus this month.  The  GRCC Events page  has details about even more activities.  I hope you’ll join me at a performance, game, or lecture soon.  I’m grateful for colleagues such as all of you who continue to provide learning spaces for our students–inside and outside of the classroom–to create such a vibrant community here at GRCC.  Now and always, I hope you find our campus to be a space for learning, reflection, and care for each other. Have a great week and talk to you soon, Sheila    

GRCC Policies reviewed/updated September 2024

The new/revised policies have been added to the College Policies  webpage. 14.17 Emergency Communication  Update the reason of the policy Updated related documents Updated Policy owner due to role change Grammatical changes Added Clery Act crimes Added additional language to procedures for Emergency Notifications Updated Rave info Added additional language to when Timely Warnings should be issued Updated Methods of dissemination for Timely Warnings Updated Public Safety Advisory dissemination. Emergency Guiding Document Replaced with a user-friendly document Guide to use for reference when key stakeholders are absent       Equity Lens Presentation (NEW) Applying an equity lens to policy review 6.2 EEO & Non-Discrimination Interim policy - no substantive changes 6.5 Title IX Interim policy - no substantive changes  

Announcing the launch of the AI Incubator website and upcoming events

We are excited to announce the launch of our official AI Incubator website! Visit us at  AI Incubator at GRCC  to explore how we’re transforming the future of learning, research, and innovation in artificial intelligence. Join us at one of our upcoming events to dive deeper into the exciting world of AI. Whether you’re a student, faculty, or community member, we have something for you! Events: Top 3 Custom GPTs for College Students + Build Your Own Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 Noon-1 p.m. AI Incubator (CSC 133) All GRCC students RSVP on our GRCC Incubator - Open to all Students Google form Top 3 Custom GPTs for Faculty + Build Your Own Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 10-11 a.m. AI Incubator (CSC 133) All GRCC faculty RSVP on our GRCC Incubator - All Faculty Google form Top 3 Custom GPTs for Everyday Life + Build Your Own Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 Noon-1 p.m. AI Incubator (CSC 133) Open to the public RSVP on our GRCC Incubator - Open to the Public Google form    

Volunteers needed for GRCC Votes tabling events

We are reaching out to rally some volunteers to assist with GRCC Votes and their ongoing voter registration drive! We need volunteers to help with tabling efforts at both the Downtown (Main) and Lakeshore (LK) campuses from now through Election Day on November 5. Being a GRCC Votes volunteer is an excellent opportunity to engage with the campus community and encourage civic participation. Here’s how you can get involved: Tabling shifts are available on both campuses until Election Day. We are especially looking to fill all stations on November 4th and 5th. If you’re interested, please be ready to request space through R25 Live or coordinate with Bayard Brooks for Downtown or Kerry Hayward for Lakeshore. Your participation would make a big difference in supporting voter engagement on campus!  Fill any empty spots on the  GRCC Votes Voter Education & Registration Opportunities  or reach out to Ashley Fox ( ashleyfox1@grcc.edu ) for more information.

Funding boost helps support GRCC student needs

October 15, 2024 Grand Rapids Community College has been awarded $69,850 from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) through its Student Success Grant Program. GRCC will use the grant to expand access to basic needs support and improve services offered to students who plan to transfer to another institution to continue their education.  The Student Success Grant program is part of a new  $45 million student success effort , which marks the state’s first ever grant program aimed at increasing student success rates at Michigan community and tribal colleges and universities.  “We are honored to receive this grant from the State of Michigan, which will help us expand essential support services for our students, thereby removing barriers they face on their academic journey,” said Sheila Jones, provost and executive vice president of academic and student affairs. “This grant will help us create a more equitable and supportive academic environment and ensure that more of our students have the tools and support they need to thrive and complete their degrees.”  GRCC will use the funding to remove financial and logistical barriers for students. These efforts align with Michigan’s ambitious Sixty by 30 goal to have 60% of working-age adults obtain a college degree or skill certificate by 2030. Key initiatives supported by the grant include: Expanding capacity to continue to provide basic needs support to students and to identify and address gaps in service Offering students more robust, transfer support to improve retention and completion “MiLEAP is proud to partner with our state’s institutions of higher education to support innovative programs that improve student success and postsecondary credential attainment, as we work together to meet Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “Grant recipients demonstrated through a competitive process that they are committed to supporting their students on their path to prosperity, and we are eager to see the impact on campuses across the state for years to come.” The Student Success Grants are part of a broader state strategy to fund opportunities for public colleges and universities to change institutional practices that will dramatically increase student graduation rates. GRCC is one of several institutions across the state receiving funding to implement innovative programs that empower student success. This story was reported by Amy Soper.

Recap of October 2024 Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) Meeting

GRCC’s SLT met on Friday, October 4. Here is a recap of the meeting. Welcome and Update From President Lepper President Lepper welcomed everyone to the Lakeshore Campus and talked about the impressive growth at this location. He shared his interactions with students at the recent  Lunch with Lepper  event. He described the positive feelings and appreciation that students shared about the support provided by GRCC. SLT Bylaws SLT Exec proposed revisions to the SLT Bylaws regarding membership on and leadership of the SLT Funding Committee. This change was endorsed by the SLT membership and later approved by the President. Annual Strategic Plan Review SLT Exec provided a very broad overview of the feedback that was received on the proposed updates to the Strategic Plan.  Generally, the changes were supported. SLT Exec will provide a more indepth review at the November meeting. Get to Know a GRCC Department or Office - Lakeshore Campus Cameron Buck and Jackie Araiza gave a presentation on the history, staff and faculty, course offerings, and growth at the Lakeshore Campus. SI Update - Goal 4/ Priority 2: Lakeshore Academic and Student Services Optimization Cameron Buck and Jeff VanderVeen provided an update on the team's work including information about an upcoming Labor Market Study and the team's next steps. SI Update Goal 3/Priority 2: Student Basic Needs  &  Wraparound Funding and Services David DeBoer and Valerie Butterfield provided an update on the current state of available resources that support GRCC students and their future work that includes seeking grants and using data from the Real College Survey. Announcements The Finance and Administration Office has a new newsletter that provides information on everything from new construction updates to process improvements that are rolling out soon.  Check your email. The recent migration carried out by IT was recapped and was reported to have happened successfully.  This is great work by our IT Department. A number of recent  Athletic and  Homecoming  events were highlighted. An update was shared on recent Student Government activities including their work on sharing information on voting and how to find information on candidates.  Next Steps Please share the following  information with your department colleagues: Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) October 2024 Meeting Google slides   Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) October 2024 Meeting recording I am looking forward to learning more about the work and progress of the Strategic Initiative Teams. We have 3 presentations planned for our November meeting.  And, again, thank you for your continued support of our strategic planning work.   Jennifer Batten

Interviews for the associate director of the Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs will be held on Oct. 16 and 18

We would like to invite our campus community to attend. The open forum is where we invite all GRCC staff, students, and faculty to come meet the candidates, ask questions, and hear a brief presentation. Also, please encourage students to attend interviews and provide feedback on candidates. Candidate 1 - Byron Brooks  Wednesday, October 16   Open Forum - GRCC Stakeholders 2 p.m. SCIE 348 45 minutes Student Panel Q&A 3 p.m. Location: SCIE 348 Length: 30 minutes Candidate 2 - Brittani Staley Friday, October 18 Open Forum - GRCC Stakeholders 10 a.m. ATC 168 45 minutes Student Panel Q&A 11 a.m. ATC 168 30 minutes  

Championing student well-being and tackling food insecurity

In a significant step towards combating food insecurity among college students, State Representative Carol Glanville (D-Walker) proudly gave $125,000 to Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) on Oct. 8. This funding comes as part of the state budget’s one-year pilot Hunger-Free Campus program, designed to address the pressing issue of hunger among students in Michigan's higher education institutions. A Statewide initiative   The Hunger-Free Campus program, which allocates a total of $500,000 in funding, has awarded grants to four Michigan colleges: GRCC, Michigan State University , Northern Michigan University , and Macomb Community College . Each institution will receive $125,000 to enhance their resources and support systems for students grappling with food insecurity. This initiative highlights a growing recognition of the challenges many students face when it comes to accessing sufficient and nutritious food. According to surveys conducted in 2020, about 39% of students at Michigan State University reported experiencing low food security, while roughly 30% of students at the University of Michigan faced similar challenges. The importance of the Hunger-Free Campus designation   The program is anchored by House Bill 5097, which aims to create a Hunger-Free Campus designation for colleges that actively work to alleviate student hunger. This bill outlines a set of responsibilities and standards that institutions must meet to be designated as “Hunger Free Campuses.” These include: Establishing a hunger task force that includes student representatives and campus administration. Designating staff to inform students about SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and other assistance programs. Providing options for using SNAP benefits on campus or directing students to local retailers that accept them. Hosting awareness campaigns to educate the student body about available resources. Maintaining at least one physical food pantry on campus. Developing a meal credit donation program or free food voucher system. Conducting annual surveys to assess hunger among students. Addressing the issue head-on   Food insecurity is a critical issue affecting student performance and well-being. Many students are often unaware of the resources available to them or face barriers in accessing assistance. By implementing the Hunger-Free Campus program, GRCC and its peers aim to not only provide immediate support but also build sustainable solutions to address basic needs on campus. A nationwide movement The Hunger-Free Campus initiative is part of a larger national effort to tackle college student hunger. Currently implemented in ten states and with efforts underway in nine others, this movement seeks to raise awareness and create sustainable food programs across colleges and universities. Nonprofits like Swipe Out Hunger are leading the charge, encouraging students to donate unused meal swipes and advocating for community awareness and support. Moving forward As GRCC prepares to receive this vital funding, the college is poised to take significant strides in enhancing support for its students. With the backing of the state and a clear framework provided by House Bill 5097, GRCC is committed to making its campus a hunger-free environment. By addressing the issue of food insecurity head-on, we can empower students to focus on their education without the stress of where their next meal will come from. The Hunger-Free Campus program represents hope and a path forward for students across Michigan, ensuring that hunger is one less barrier to their academic success.

I belong here: Joel Reyes Hernandez

November 14, 2024 Joel Reyes Hernandez was studying and working hard, with no plans to leave his native Dominican Republic. But a vicious late night assault by two men on a motorcycle changed everything. “I was knocked to the ground, and I couldn’t understand why this was happening to me,” he said. “It was the worst day of my life. I felt so vulnerable, so fragile, so unprotected, just for being gay.” Hernandez, deciding he was no longer safe in the country he’d lived in for almost three decades, arrived in the United States in August 2020 seeking asylum. After more than a year of hard work adjusting to a different language and culture, he decided he was ready to return to the classroom. “I decided to continue my education, even though I knew it would not be easy for me,” he said. “I started the process, and from the first time I walked into GRCC, I felt I belong here.” Hernandez’s new start meant challenges in the classroom and hard work the rest of the time – all without any family guidance or support. “I knew the experience could be a little bit more complicated for me because I was not eligible for financial assistance due to my immigration status,” he said. “So I started to work more hours, and there was a moment when I was working three part-time jobs and attending school full time.” But just as he wondered whether he could keep going, help arrived. Sarah Rose, director of the college’s Occupational Support program, told him about scholarship opportunities with the GRCC Foundation. “Receiving the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation Scholarship gave me a feeling of relief,” Hernandez said. “This has been a huge plus in my life. I feel powerful and able to achieve everything I want in life.” After receiving his associate degree, Hernandez plans to transfer to the University of Michigan and pursue a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Serving on GRCC’s Student Advisory Council increased an interest in mental health. “We’re so excited to work together and develop programs and tools to create awareness about mental health,” Hernandez said of the council. “It’s OK to not feel OK, but sometimes we can’t solve the situation by ourselves, and it is time to ask for help. “I want to be supportive to anyone who is struggling in life and let them know that hope is at the end of the way.” This story was republished from GRCC’s 2022-23 Foundation Annual Report.
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