Author

Shandra Martinez

Shandra Martinez's Latest Articles

GRCC is testing basketball players weekly for COVID-19 through a partnership with Ferris State.
GRCC-Ferris collaboration keeps student-athletes safe with COVID-19 testing

GRCC basketball players, coaches, and training staff receive weekly COVID-19 antigen tests through a partnership with the Ferris College of Pharmacy. Testing is expected to continue through the end of the season.   

For the second year in a row, GRCC Nursing students posted perfect pass rates on their licensure exams.
GRCC Nursing students pass licensing exams on first try

It’s the second year in a row all GRCC grads passed the exam on the first attempt. A curriculum that increases interactive experiences is one reason for success.

A GRCC student works in a manufacturing pneumatics class.
$9.8M federal grant to fund skills training for workers

GRCC and West Michigan Works! will lead a coalition focused on helping the unemployed and underemployed gain the skills needed for in-demand manufacturing fields.

Students in GRCC's Applied Technology Technical Electricity class.
New state scholarship pays for community college education

The state’s new $30 million Michigan Reconnect scholarship program will pay for an associate degree or skills certification for Michigan residents 25 and older.  

A nursing student in training at GRCC.
Nearly 2,900 frontliners receive state scholarships to attend GRCC

Thousands have been accepted to Michigan community colleges through Futures for Frontliners — nearly 2,900 approved to attend GRCC. 

Koops Automation System in Holland is using the state's Going Pro grants to train employees.
West Michigan companies receive $12M to train the workforce

Businesses use Going Pro Talent Fund grants to “upskill” their employees. This helps companies compete and grow, and prepares workers for in-demand careers.

Jennifer Joseph, a nurse aide at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, received the Essential Service Award in 2017.
Know a frontliner worker who deserves recognition?

West Michigan Works! is accepting nominations for its 2020 Essential Service Awards. The annual awards recognize frontline workers who go above and beyond their daily responsibilities and display integrity, passion, and commitment.

Ed Garner is the Regional Director of the West Michigan Region of Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
SBDC West Michigan Region has tools to help businesses survive pandemic

In a Q&A, Ed Garner shares how the award-winning SBDC West Michigan Region focused its attention in 2020 to help businesses survive the economic challenges of the pandemic.

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