Jan. 9, 2025 Tyler Conger has a lot more on his plate than most 18-year-olds.  He’s finishing up his final year in the Middle College program at Grand Rapids Community College while juggling two jobs and being a father to a 7-month-old son he adores. When asked how he balances it all, he laughed and said, “I don’t get a lot of sleep!” And if the lack of rest is affecting him, it certainly doesn’t show, said Lynnae Selberg, professor, counselor, and academic advisor at GRCC. “He’s just the best dad and such a joy to have in the program. He even brought his baby to the year 13 orientation,” she said. “It’s really refreshing to see someone so young with that level of motivation.” In the Middle College program, students like Conger can complete high school and college at the same time. They apply during their freshman year and start taking GRCC courses alongside their regular classes at their high school during sophomore year.  After a 13th year spent completely at GRCC, they graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree or technical certificate, a year earlier than a more traditional educational route. Conger, who grew up in the Kentwood area and attended East Kentwood High School, was already in the program when he and his girlfriend Alli welcomed their son Jaxon in May, just before the end of senior year. Now, the pair both work full-time – with an additional part-time job for Conger – and take full loads of college courses, all while caring for their son. The extra responsibility can be taxing, Conger admits, but he and Alli are determined to provide the best possible life for their family which, for them, includes earning their college degrees. “I want to do it while I’m young and I have the energy. Fortunately, we have opposite schedules, so I’m able to take care of him at night, and she takes care of him during the day,” he said. Conger added that the ability to finish at GRCC a year early, as well as work his online classes into an already busy schedule, have been crucial to completing his education. “Being Middle College has already helped so much,” he said. “Being able to graduate that year early especially makes a huge difference; I probably would’ve taken a gap year this year if I wasn’t already in the program.” Since the program covers tuition and regular college course fees through per pupil state funding from six partner school districts – Wyoming, Cedar Springs, East Kentwood, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Kent Intermediate School District, and Kenowa Hills – Conger doesn’t have to worry about whether he can afford his education either. “That was one of the bigger things for me too, being able to get through college without having to stress about money while taking care of my son. I’m just lucky for that,” he said.  Conger’s future is looking bright, thanks in large part to the Middle College program. “I’m thinking about using my accounting degree either as an accountant or somewhere else in the business world. I really just want to see what’s out there,” he said. And, no matter where he goes, Conger has no shortage of motivation to get there. “He keeps saying, ‘I’ve got to set a good example for my little man,’” Selberg said.  Learn more about the  Middle College program at GRCC. This story was reported by Alissa Griffin.

Jan. 8, 2025 It’s Saturday night in January, a brisk 15 degrees, and your furnace suddenly conks out. Who are you going to call? Certainly not an overseas help desk! You want a qualified, local person at your house immediately, if not sooner. That’s just one reason why heating, ventilation and air conditioning/refrigeration (HVACR) specialists will always be in demand. “You can’t call China or India to get your furnace or air conditioner fixed,” said Don Steeby, professor of HVACR at Grand Rapids Community College. “Good service technicians are highly valued and greatly in demand.” But that’s just one of the many opportunities open to people with a degree in HVACR.  “I get calls every week from companies that need HVACR experts,” Steeby said. “Some of them might surprise you. For example, Founders Brewery needed 12 certified boiler operators to keep their operations running 24/7. Wholesalers like Johnstone Supply need people who can design entire HVAC systems. Pretty much any business or property manager needs some element of HVACR.” GRCC has put together an excellent  certificate program for students who want to get up and running quickly in this field. The required 13 classes can be completed in about eight months, or two full-time semesters. Most of the lecture-style courses are offered online, and the rest of the work is hands-on in the Main Campus lab. An HVACR certificate qualifies you for an entry level position.  “This field is very high tech,” Steeby said. “No one can know everything about everything. We teach the fundamentals so that you can grow to be an expert in your area of interest. The exciting thing is that you will always have something new to learn.”  Many students earn their HVACR certificate and go to work for a few years. Then they decide to get further education in the area that interests them, such as boilers or commercial refrigeration. That’s because the real money is in design.  “Many employers are so desperate for people that they will pay for your education if you sign an employment agreement,“ Steeby said. “Our HVACR  associate degree transfers fully to Ferris, where students will learn to think like engineers and design systems as they earn a bachelor’s degree. That’s where the high-paying jobs can be found.”  Why is this career experiencing such high demand?  “It’s much the same story as with many other trades,” Steeby said. “Twenty years ago, parents were pushing their kids to get a four-year college degree. During the ensuing decades, people kept getting older and retiring. Now there’s a shortage of qualified, experienced people who can do HVACR work.” At the end of the day, HVACR is a career field with unlimited potential, constant learning and no risk of being outsourced. “Students are finding they can get a great job without spending money on a four-year degree,” Steeby said. “You can specialize in any area that interests you. And no matter what you choose, no matter how long you do it, you’ll run into things you’ve never seen before. It’s never tiresome and never boring.”  Learn more about HVACR and other programs in the Manufacturing and Applied Technology Academic Pathway at GRCC.  This story was reported by Julie Hordyk.