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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.

GRCC and United Way Stuff the Sled campaign a success

  GRCC and United Way (UW) Stuff the Sled 2024 drive closed on Dec. 13. Below is an email sent by them to GRCC.  You made the holidays brighter for Head Start kids! Dear GRCC Team, We did it—thanks to YOU! Because of your team’ generous support, our Stuff the Sled campaign was a tremendous success. Together, we were able to fill the sled and bring holiday gifts to Head Start students across Kent County. Your gifts helped us show these children and their families that they are not alone this holiday season—that our community cares. For many of the children we serve, this may be their only gift this holiday season. But because of you, it’s more than just a toy or a book. It’s a moment of joy, a smile, and a precious memory that will last long beyond the holidays. Here’s the impact you helped make: With your support, we were able to provide gifts for 1,195 children in total across the county.  Your kindness and generosity are what make our community so special. We are incredibly grateful for your support and the difference you made in the lives of local families. Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season filled with joy and peace. The Volunteer Center team P.S. Stay tuned for more updates on the impact of your gift. We’ll be sharing stories from the classrooms you supported—stories that wouldn’t be possible without you. Thank you!

Winter 2025 semester employee exercise class registration is open!

  Register Please take a moment to  complete the required registration form/waiver  for the Winter 2025 semester, and you’ll receive calendar appointments to hold that time on our schedule.  Winter 2025 semester classes will meet weekly Monday-Thursday. Beginning Monday January 6, 2025, ending Thursday April 24, 2025. You do not need to sign up every week. This waiver will apply to the entire semester.  If you haven’t already become a member of the Ford Fieldhouse, please complete the  online membership form  in order to get access to the Fitness Center and the locker rooms. Professional development credit Please manually track your Wellness via your Training Summary in your Online Center, under Professional Development. GRCC employee participants can earn up to five hours of PD credit for wellness. Schedule Mondays Spin & Sculpt with Kelly 5:15-6 p.m. Room 213 FFH Tuesdays Strength Blast with Lannie Noon -12:45 p.m. Room 213 FFH Wednesdays Strength Blast with Lannie Noon -12:45 p.m. Room 212 FFH Thursdays Fitness Fusion with Lannie Noon -12:45 p.m. Room 213 FFH Thank you and we can’t wait to see you there!

Scholarship removes financial barriers, creates connections

Jena Buttery had always planned on attending college. During her senior year in high school, Buttery mapped out her future alongside her friends. She researched programs for film and video production, applied to colleges and universities, got accepted, toured campuses and made plans to move away from home. She even received scholarships. But when it came time to commit to a program, Buttery hesitated. Something just didn’t feel right. “It was set in my head, but not in my heart,” she said. “I had worked for this my whole life, but it wasn’t what I wanted. I didn’t want to move away from my family. And even with scholarships, college would be difficult to afford. I was paying for college on my own and my biggest worry was drowning in student loans.” Despite this change of plans, Buttery knew that college was in her future. She applied to GRCC and declared marketing as her major. And, thanks to GRCC Foundation scholarships, Buttery was able to continue her education without worrying about finances. “I was able to stay at home with my family, take classes at the Lakeshore Campus, and even try doing classes online,” Buttery said. “Receiving scholarships allowed me to feel confident and comfortable continuing my academic career.”  Despite being an introvert, Buttery was determined to make the most of her college experience. She was invited to join the GRCC Honors Program and attended the National Collegiate Honors Council Conference in Chicago. After sharing her interests and passions with Experiential Learning Director Michael Schavey, she was given the distinguished position as social media marketing intern. She also joined another academic-based group, Phi Theta Kappa, where she attended leadership conferences and served as the social media and communications officer.  “I learned that making strong and positive connections with others and getting involved in your community can boost your self-confidence and be the driving force for your success,” said Buttery. “You are not alone in this world, and you do not have to do it all alone. Confide in those around you, be with and engage with others, and you will succeed.” In March 2024, Buttery was named a 2024 New Century Workforce Scholar — the first national scholarship of its kind to support community college students entering the workforce after completing their degree or certificate.  Buttery graduated from GRCC in April with an associate degree in marketing. She plans to use her passion for storytelling to pursue a career in social and digital media marketing. “I began my GRCC journey thinking only about my education and opportunities for success,” said Buttery. “Now that I’ve graduated, I can confidently say I will never forget the connections I’ve made here. GRCC is an amazing school because we are a community. I have made life-changing friendships, gained real-world experiences that directly relate to my career path and learned leadership skills that will benefit me in all aspects of life.” This story was republished from GRCC's 2023-24 Foundation Annual Report.

Volunteers needed for information stations Jan. 6-8

The Center for Student Life & Leadership is pleased to announce we are continuing to offer information stations the first three days of Winter 2024 semester! These stations assist students with finding their classes and answering any last minute questions. Please share your time and welcome our students to the new academic year! Sign up is available on our W 25 information stations sheet. A resource document to help you answer any questions is linked in the header of the sign-up. If you have any questions about helping out or the resources, please contact the organizer, Ocrea Collier, student resource coordinator at  ocreacollier@grcc.edu .

December's ASA Council Above & Beyond Award

Ryan Nausieda, communication systems specialist, was nominated by Amanda Kruzona for December's Academic and Student Affairs Council Above and Beyond Award.   Amanda wrote, "Ryan has been supporting all communications efforts internally, from required updates to helping communicate surveys. He is always beyond helpful, approachable, responsive and enjoyable to work with. I think there are times we forget how much he coordinates to get messages to students, and it wouldn't happen as effortlessly without his attention to detail and planning skills. He is a true asset for GRCC."   Congratulations Ryan!

Welcoming Rayvene Farnum as GRCC's new executive director of Human Resources and Talent Development!

Rayvene Farnum will join GRCC as our new executive director of Human Resources and Talent Development, effective Jan. 6, 2025. With 13 years of experience in Human Resources, Rayvene has held key leadership positions, including director of Human Resources and Labor and Employee Relations manager at Mary Free Bed, as well as Human Resources manager and generalist at Network180, among other important roles. She brings extensive expertise in negotiation, labor relations, legal compliance with union representatives, federal regulations, and employee benefits.   As executive director of Human Resources and Talent Development, Rayvene Farnum will report directly to Dr. Nygil Likely, vice president for People, Culture and Equity and collaborate directly with faculty, staff, and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to drive the college’s strategic priorities related to talent management, employee engagement and organizational development forward. She will also play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of inclusivity and excellence across the institution. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Rayvene as she begins this exciting new chapter at GRCC. We are confident she will make significant contributions toward advancing our mission and vision. After the winter semester commences, there will be opportunities for all employees to meet and engage with Rayvene. More details will be shared after the semester break.    
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