June 5, 2026 Pride Month is a time to celebrate the diversity, resilience and contributions of the LGBTQ+ communities. Each June, we join with the larger community to honor the struggles for equality, recognize progress and reaffirm our collective commitment to inclusion, respect and human dignity.  Join GRCC At Community Pride Festivals GRCC’s enrollment team will host tables at the Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Holland Pride Festivals. Stop by to learn about GRCC’s academic programs, student resources and inclusive campus culture. Don’t forget Pride-themed giveaways that will help you show your support for an education system that welcomes everyone.  Muskegon Pride Festival  Saturday, June 6 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Hackley Park Muskegon’s annual festival is a full day of celebration that brings together local organizations, businesses, families, residents and visitors to celebrate inclusion and show their support for the LGBTQ+ community.  After a morning Pride Parade, festival attendees can shop local vendors, visit food trucks and learn about local LGBTQ+ services and organizations.  Find additional event details on the  Muskegon Pride website .  Grand Rapids Pride Festival Saturday, June 20 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Calder Plaza Now in its 38th year, the Grand Rapids Pride Festival works to create a safe, open and inclusive environment for community members to celebrate who they are. Community members, businesses, organizations and allies gather to celebrate the beautiful and diverse LGBTQ+ community. General admission is free. Donations support the Grand Rapids Pride Center, which is the longest-running LGBTQ+ resource center in Michigan Additional event details are available on the  Grand Rapids Pride Center website .  Holland Pride Festival  Saturday,  June 27  1 p.m.-6 p.m. Kollen Park The Holland Pride festival is presented by Out on the Lakeshore, a non-profit organization that provides programming, resources, support and education to LGBTQ+ people and allies. Festival attendees can expect an afternoon of entertainment, food trucks, local vendors, resource booths and activities for all ages. Find more event information on  Out on the Lakeshore’s website . There’s a Place for Everyone at GRCC At Grand Rapids Community College, we believe every student should feel valued, respected and empowered. GRCC is proud to stand with our LGBTQ+ students, employees and community partners — not just during Pride Month, but all year long. As part of our mission to foster a welcoming and inclusive campus, GRCC supports: LGBTQ+ students with free counseling services and assistance with food, utility costs, housing resources, transportation, healthcare, childcare and more. Educational resources through the GRCC Library, including books, research guides and curated content on LGBTQ+ history and identity. Partnerships with local organizations like the Grand Rapids Pride Center, Grand Rapids Trans Foundation and United Campus Christian Fellowship to build bridges between campus and community. Policies and practices that uphold the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ students, including non-discrimination, gender-inclusive facilities, preferred first name and pronoun support, and access to support services. Pride Month is about visibility, celebration and commitment — values that align closely with GRCC’s vision of accessible, life-changing education. We are proud to celebrate this month with our community and continue working toward a future where all students feel seen, heard and supported. Happy Pride from all of us at GRCC!

June 4, 2026 Expectations are weighty things. Many of us live under them. We feel pressure from so many places, including family, friends and community. Sometimes those expectations fuel us to push harder. Other times, we have to buck them to do what we think is right. Sa San can tell you all about expectations. She is an immigrant from Burma (officially Myanmar), a southeast Asian nation. She came to the United States with her mom and two siblings, and started classes at GRCC in 2018. For Sa, the expectations were clear. “As an Asian immigrant, I was always pushed to be a nurse, doctor or engineer,” San said. “Since my brother had a significant heart condition and was hospitalized many times, I decided to give nursing a try to see if I liked it. I thought healthcare would be a way to give back, and also allow me to be a model for the next generation.” A Challenging Journey Achieving a nursing degree was not an easy road. Sa spent two years on the wait list for the Nursing A.D.N. program at GRCC. By the time she was accepted in 2022, she had a seven-month old daughter, which definitely added to the stress. Her husband and family stepped up to support her on her journey. Sa completed her degree in 2024 and started working at University of Michigan Health-West, but she really wanted to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Davenport University. However, that required money she did not have. “I didn’t know how to find the money for a BSN,” San said. “Then I received an email about the West Michigan BSN Connect Scholarship . I decided to apply, and I was awarded a scholarship!” The scholarship covered three semesters, which is exactly what Sa needed to complete her BSN through Davenport. She started in May of 2025 and finished in May of this year. “This is a milestone for me and a huge accomplishment,” San said. “I am the first in my family to do this. I can see that my siblings and the people in my community are inspired by my achievement and want to pursue more schooling.” Leading By Example Achieving this goal after becoming a mom meant that Sa had to buck another set of expectations. “If you are a mom in my culture, you are expected to be just a mom,” San said. “I am showing people that it is possible to gain an education and have a career, even with a child and a husband. It’s a challenge for the people around me to understand this.” But Sa’s persistent and consistent work is paying off. Her sister has finished cosmetology school but wants to do more. Her brother is still in school. Even one of her aunts, who wanted to become a nurse but wasn’t able to, has decided to go back to school to pursue a career. Resources and People Made the Difference Sa notes that, as a first generation college student, she relied on many of the services GRCC offers. “I am so grateful for GRCC,” San said. “They were my backbone. They were there for me on day one. I had so much help from great advisors, and also from the TRIO program . I am especially grateful for Jamarcus Wiggins, the advisor connected with Davenport, who helped me with the transfer process.” Now that she has completed her BSN, Sa is working at University of Michigan Health-West on the second floor post-surgical unit. She loves nursing and feels that she is both a help and an example to her family. As for GRCC? Sa’s message is simple. “I am here because of you. I achieved this goal because of you. Thank you.” Learn more about the Nursing program or TRIO .