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Last chance to give to United Way campaign is Nov. 22

This is your last chance to get involved as our annual United Way campaign closes on Nov. 22! Together, we have the power to make a significant impact and support those who need it most in our community. West Michigan is a wonderful place to live, yet one in three residents struggles to meet basic needs. It could be your child’s teacher, your mail delivery driver, or your favorite coffee barista. Let’s come together to ensure everyone in our community has the resources they need to succeed. Remember, every dollar donated stays right here in the community where you live. How you can get involved Give What You Can : Every dollar counts and stays in the community where you live. Spread the Word : Share the love and encourage your coworkers to join in! Prizes will be awarded to individuals and departments  These will be based on participation, not gift amount. Individual prizes One year of free parking (courtesy of the FinAdmin) GRCC sweatshirt (courtesy of Marketing and Communications) United Way swag Department prize The department with the highest percentage of employees who give over the two-weeks will win a pizza lunch sponsored by the President’s Office. How to give Give directly via the  GRCC United Way Campaign webpage  or  email Grace Blanchard  to request a paper form.  Still not convinced? Check out this  United Way video on YouTube  to learn more about the impact your donation will have in your community. 

GRCC recognized as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting

Grand Rapids Community College has been recognized by the  ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting. The  ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation. GRCC is proud to join a group of 471 colleges and universities recognized by ALL IN for completing four core actions: Participating in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Sharing 2022 NSLVE Reports with campus voting data with ALL IN Developing and submitting a 2024 democratic engagement action plan with ALL IN Having a current signatory to ALL IN’s  Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation .  “The research is clear: colleges and universities that make intentional efforts to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement have higher campus voter registration and voter turnout rates. This year we saw more colleges than ever before step up their efforts to ensure that their students were registered and ready to make their voices heard at the ballot box,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “These Most Engaged Campuses are setting the standard for nonpartisan civic engagement work for colleges and universities across the country.”  The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. Campuses that join the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge complete a set of action items, with the support of ALL IN staff, to institutionalize nonpartisan civic learning and voter participation on their campus. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge currently engages 10.8 million students from more than 1,075 institutions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Campuses can join the ALL IN Challenge . 

Lisa Thomas

Dr. Lisa Thomas is a dedicated compliance professional serving as the Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX Coordinator at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC). She ensures institutional adherence to federal, state, and institutional policies related to equal opportunity, Title IX, and civil rights compliance. With a strong commitment to fair and impartial processes, she works collaboratively to uphold legal and policy standards while fostering a culture of accountability and respect. Before joining GRCC, Dr. Thomas served as Human Resources Manager at Lansing Community College, where she specialized in labor relations, organizational development, and employee Title IX compliance. She also held roles as Title IX Coordinator at the University of North Georgia and Equal Opportunity Specialist at the University of Northern Iowa, developing expertise in civil rights investigations, policy enforcement, and regulatory compliance. Her career has been defined by a commitment to ensuring that institutions meet their legal obligations while providing fair, consistent, and transparent processes for all individuals. Through her leadership, Dr. Thomas continues to guide institutions in maintaining compliance with evolving regulations, ensuring that policies and procedures align with legal requirements and best practices. Degrees and certifications Doctor of Education: Higher Education Leadership, Maryville University Master of Science: Human Resources Management, Western Carolina University Bachelor of Arts: History and English, King College Associate of Business: Legal Studies, Lansing Community College Master of Studies in Law: Human Resources, Wayne State (In Progress)

The Angela Zainea Salinas Memorial Scholarship

  Recently the Angela Zainea Salinas Memorial Scholarship fund was created by Angela’s husband, Mo. This scholarship will benefit students enrolled at GRCC who have financial need and have been impacted by cancer in some way. The fund goal to fully endow it - to live forever - is $25,000. So far, all gifts collected amount to $16,580! Many of you have expressed an interest in supporting this, so here are the details to do so. Ways to support the scholarship Online Making a gift online is flexible, with options for a one-time gift or recurring donations on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis.  Visit:  grcc.edu/donate Select or type in amount of donation. In the designation section there is a drop down, Select:   Angela Zainea Salinas Memorial Scholarship.  In the tribute section, check the box, This gift is in honor, memory, or support of someone ,  you will then be able to type in: Angela Salinas. Continue through the form for completing donation. Payroll deduction For GRCC employees, there is also an option to contribute through a payroll deduction. This can be easily set up by completing the  Foundation Contribution Payroll Deduction Form . Personal check For those that don't want to make a gift online, you can also send in a personal check made payable to: GRCC Foundation.  In the memo section of the check write in scholarship name: Angela Zainea Salinas Memorial Scholarship. The mailing address is:  GRCC Foundation 143 Bostwick Ave NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Stock, appreciated assets, etc. Anyone interested in utilizing stock, appreciated assets, or similar gifts to support this fund, please contact the GRCC Foundation directly at foundation@grcc.edu . In-person Stop by the Custer Alumni House, 473 E. Fulton St.

Campus Common Reading: Book Talk

Come join us for a book talk! There will be guided discussion, food, and free books. The talk will center ideas from the Campus Common Reading book  Braiding Sweetgrass,  and include attendee participation –But don’t worry! You are welcome to join the conversation even if you have not read  Braiding Sweetgrass. The discussion will be held in the Student Hub (Room 2), on the 1st floor of the Student Center building on the Main Campus, on November 21, 12:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Learn more at grcc.edu/CommonReading

November's Above & Beyond Award

Mary Jo Chisholm, Director of Administrative Enterprise Applications, was nominated by Valerie Butterfield and awarded November's ASA Council's Above and Beyond Award.   Valerie states, "Mary Jo has given so much to this College. She supports the foundations of our college operations overseeing and supporting the system and her colleagues in using the College Enterprise System. She puts the team first. She supports her staff, recognizing their hard work and their humanity and celebrating it. She is a wealth of knowledge, a problem solver, and a creative thinker. She works with others to find solutions that work and are sustainable.  The College is so lucky to have had Mary Jo work in a variety of capacities at GRCC over the years, and in her final years here, she led important work by stepping into the Director role and solving compliance issues and mapping business process as well as creating a roadmap for the future of this institution's core business system. She has maintained the course of progress for the work we needed to do, as well as stabilize the knowledge base in IT during a time of evolution. She has been a wonderful colleague to work with, to face challenges with, and to share wins with. She has been a friend to so many, and honestly, as great as she is at all the things I've listed, perhaps this is what she is best at."   Congratulations Mary Jo and thank you for your 37 years of service at GRCC.

It's time for the semi-annual bakers market!

Don’t want to make Thanksgiving dessert? We’ve got you covered.  The Secchia Institute for Culinary Education Retail Baking Class is hosting the semi-annual bakers market!  Grab a bag and fill it with fall themed cheesecakes, pies, bread, cupcakes, and more. Grab a hot chocolate or cider as you leave for three dollars! All baked goods are five dollars and cakes are available for fifteen. All sales are card ONLY!   Join us Thursday, Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon or while supplies last in the Secchia Piazza.  All proceeds from the market get put back into the culinary program. Thank you for supporting GRCC Culinary students! 
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