College fairs on the web for students
By Sandra Sabin
Collegiate Staff Writer

You can attend an online college fair in the comfort of your pajamas.

One hundred colleges and universities are expected to hold “virtual college fairs” online for future students in the United States.

Last month American University, a private college in Washington, D.C., opened the first “virtual college fair” at http://www.collegeweeklive.com. Ten thousand students registered to participate.

USA Today interviewed Cristan Trahey, the acting admissions director of AU. She said she is holding back judgment on whether this is the wave of the future for colleges and universities.

AU and other schools pay educated recruiters to visit 35 or more states a year, cover travel costs for their recruiters, and pay the college or university they are visiting for the college fair. USA Today estimates the cost is anywhere from $495- $2,000 per school visit. Most of the time, these schools will enroll one or two students from these visits.

Krista Ainslie, a third-year student at GRCC, admits to only going to one college fair.

“I would rather look for a college online. Our nation is worldwide now. Plus, it would save money for colleges and students. I know I don’t have enough time or money to travel out of state to go to a college fair.” Individuals born since 1982 are members of the “millennial” generation.

“They’re completely different in terms of their communication preferences, even more than they were four or five years ago. This really allows us the opportunity to speak with students in a forum in which they’re most comfortable,” Trahey said.

Melinda Middlemiss, a student at GRCC who transferred from Ferris State University this fall, said this is a great idea.

“I’ve been to three to five fairs and tours, but wanted to go on more, but didn’t have the time or money. I’m online all the time; this is very convenient and assessable. I would definitely try this.”

In order to attend a “virtual college fair” a student must submit minimal personal information and possibly their SAT or ACT scores along with academic accomplishments and interests.

Student workers can be star for a month
By Marcus J Reynolds
Collegiate Staff Writer

GRCC‘s Job Placement Office went a step further to acknowledge student employees by creating the Star of the Month Program.

In the past, the Employee of the Year Award, at the annual student leadership banquet, was the only way student workers were recognized.

“We wanted something throughout the year to show how much they are appreciated,” Job Placement Director Luanne Wedge said.

Campus Activities Board contributed $500 to help fund the initiative.

“We believe that student employees work hard; it’s a way to say thank you,” CAB president Dalee Hermenitt said.

So far the honored employees from September to December have been: Blake Spoelman, Printing Services; Kate Settlemyre, Institutional Research Health Division; Erica Tymes, library; and Bruce Garcia, life guard.

The program is modeled after the Raider Spirit Award that honors GRCC employees and staff. Student employees who have been working 60 days and nominated by their supervisor are eligible.

Danielle Sedore, operations manager of printing services, nominated Blake Spoelman.

“People think he’s staff. That’s the level of customer service Blake gives,” Sedore said.

The winnings include a basket full of goods, certificate, and an exclusive free personal parking space in College Park Plaza for one month.

Kenya awards GRCC English professor
By Jeff Kranz
Editor-in-Chief

GRCC English professor Nyambura Mpesha has won two literature awards from her native country of Kenya.

According to the African Publishing Network, the Jomo Kenyatta Literature award is the prime award given for excellence in creative writing and publishing in Kenya.

“I was born and grew up in central Province of Kenya. From my bedroom window I could see the top of Mount Kenya on clear mornings,” Mpesha said.

Mpesha said she won first prize in the Kiswahili Children’s Fiction category for“Hanna na Wanyama (Hanna and the Animals)” and the third prize in the English Children’s Fiction category for ‘Far, Far Away.”

The books can be purchased through her Web site or at any local book store.

According to her Web site, she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree (University of Nairobi, Kenya), a Masters Degree (University of Dar es salaam, Tanzania), and a PhD (Kenyatta University, Kenya.) She has taught English and Literature for over 30 years at Dar es salaam University, Kenyatta University, and Calvin College.

Apart from teaching, she has done a lot of research in oral literature, children’s literature, and African literature and contributed papers in conferences, journals, and magazines.

Mpesha said she has been at GRCC since the fall of 2006. Sometimes she has big college classes, and sometimes small groups of three or five people. In Nairobi, Kenya, she was involved in training a group of 22 boys and girls to write. One of her students published an anthology of short stories at age 14 and then went ahead to write a chapter story.

“I was influenced by my grandmother who was a story teller, Kathlleen Arnott the author of children’s books, and my English teacher in high school,” Mpesha said.

“As an adult I realized that African children did not have a rich heritage of written literature drawn from the African world. I therefore decided to write for children, especially the youngest and most neglected reader”, Mpesha said.

“I have written a lot of stories drawn from my experience and experiences of people I know but these experiences are wrapped in fiction”.

According to her Web site, she is a prolific writer and especially enjoys writing for children in English and Kiswahili. Her works include:“The Happening,” “Kapotei Na Lulu,” “Junior Pilot,” “Nyani Mdogo,” “The Small Cockroach,” “Kemunto, Say Aah,” “Eleo the Chameleon,” “The Frog who Jumped Backwards,” “Mugasha, Kuku Na Mwewe,” “Hare and the Princess,” “Marafiki wa Pela,” “Trouble over Fare,” “Far, Far Away,” “Kamuniak and Ori, Mende Mdogo,” “Hanna Na Wanyama,” and “Chura na Mjusi.”

Mpesha said she writes in English and Swahili/Kiswahili.
She taught Swahili in Nairobi, Kenya, for four years.

“During that time, I wrote ‘Kapotei na Lulu,’” she said. “This play was performed by the school I was teaching before it was aired on television and then published.”

Transfer of classes made easy
By Marcus J Reynolds
Collegiate Staff Writer

The Michigan Transfer Network has been unveiled.

It is a Web-based resource that makes it easier for students to transfer credits from one school to another.

MTN is a response to the recommendation by Lt. Gov. John Cherry that transfer between Michigan colleges and universities be facilitated through the establishment of a centralized course transfer equivalency system.

The development of the statewide transfer network is a result of the partnership between the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars& Admissions Officers and Michigan State University. MACRAO is providing the hardware and software system. MSU developed the Web-based system and is providing ongoing technical support.

So far 51 Michigan schools are participating with over 550,000 courses in the MTN database. The database has had 85,000 visitors and a number of other schools committed to participating.

“The database was created with the intent of saving students time, money, and helping them make the right decisions,” MACRAO president and GRCC registrar, Howard Shaken, said.

“The best thing about the Web site is that the student gets a clear understanding of who offers what and how it will transfer,” GRCC Enrollment Center student assistant Francisco Ramirez said.

On Nov. 8, MTN was announced to the public at the MACRAO annual meeting held at the Amway Grand Plaza, in Grand Rapids. Students can go to MACRAO.org to access the Web site.

GRCC students avoiding pitfalls
By Jeff Kranz
Collegiate Staff Writer

GRCC, like other community colleges across the country, struggles to keep students engaged.

According to the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) Web site, community colleges are being asked to rise to new challenges. Key among those expectations is that colleges should emphasize assessment and improvement of student retention and student learning.

“Faculty best know the needs of their students and the development that will help support their teaching,” associate professor of business law and Faculty Development Coordinator Garret Brand said.

According to the CCSSE survey, research shows the more actively engaged students are with college faculty and staff, other students, and with the subject matter they study, the more likely they are to learn, stick with their studies, and attain their academic goals.

The CCSSE survey report also says,“engagement… is a valuable yardstick for assessing the quality of college educational practices and identifying ways they can provide more successful results.”

“GRCC is doing a good job of making sure students don’t fall through the cracks.” Sam Scheltema, a first year student at GRCC said. “The College cares about each student.” Renee Comer, GRCC student, said,“GRCC is doing a good job in making sure all students stay on track.”

GRCC English professor Ann Marie Nickel said, “Using technology in the classroom is a great way to make information more accessible and interesting to students. Technology can transmit information in a form this iPod generation is used to.”

According to the CCSSE survey, there are no shortcuts to student success at community colleges. In fact, many students experience long detours in their educational paths unless their colleges help them stay on track.

Volunteering opportunities
By Amy Rosloniec
Collegiate Staff Writer

As the holiday season approaches, there is a growing need for volunteers.

As a student, if you are questioning how you can give back to the community, here are some volunteering opportunities.

The Kent County Humane Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping pets in need of a home. Animal shelters and donations are almost non-existent; therefore the need for volunteers is crucial.

As a volunteer for the Humane Society, your duties would consist of helping to process adoptions, adoption counseling, feeding, bathing, and coordinating donations.

In addition to helping the facility, you can also help increase community awareness of shelter activities and adoption programs that are currently available.

D.A. Blodgett offers a Big Brothers Big Sisters program to help juveniles from the ages of 5-18 years in need of guidance, attention, or a little help on some homework.

The program is designed to enhance the well-being of each child.

“The Big Brothers Big Sisters program is a self esteem builder that gives children a sense of future. It is an all around support for their lives,” D.A Blodgett worker Katie Kiel said. Kiel also said that aside from working directly with children there are many opportunities for volunteer work such as filing, word processing, phone calling, and other miscellaneous tasks.

For more information on volunteering at other places such as Arbor Circle and The Children’s Museum go to the GRCC web site, type‘volunteer’ in the search engine and you will be directed to the GRCC volunteer Web site.

Stress buster offers a break for students
By Nathan James Wood, Lonnie Allen & Ben Roosein
Collegiate Staff Writer; Editor-in-Chief; Copy Editor

With a plethora of studying for mid-term exams and essay due dates just around the corner for students the GRCC Campus Activities Board (CAB) offered relief with the Stress Buster event.

“This year, CAB’s goal was to have things that the students could really get their hands on and take with them.” David Selmon, CAB’s advisor, said about changes from last year’s event. “Last year we had a band come in and play for the students to enjoy, this time around our focus was giving the students what they wanted.”

Indeed, there was much for the students to take hold of and keep for themselves. Smoothies, Pucker Powder straws, and caricatures were a few of the new additions provided for students and with each new activity added since last year only doubled the overall turn out of the day.

Cheryl Lamb, head of the Student Stress Buster remained within her budget for this event, even sacrificing some extra treats for students so she would stay under the $5,000 allotted for the event.

“The event would have cost CAB more, so I decided not to provide the bakery treats from the culinary program I had planned earlier in the year,” Lamb said.

One new addition officially added this year was the four-hour block where the activities were put on for a 2nd time, starting around five p.m. This time was set-aside specifically for students who attended evening classes who might have missed the earlier festivities Selmon said.

“Last year was the first time we ever did anything for the night students. It was a great reception, the night students loved it!” Lamb said. “Unlike last year where we just gave out popcorn, doughnuts, and coffee or hot chocolate, we now will be giving out popcorn, smoothies, a chance at the airbrush tattoos and the caricatures as well.”

To pull off this event, CAB received help from students that volunteered their time as well as the CAB team Lamb said.

“I got there early to make sure setup went well and stayed the whole event,” Lamb said.

Another new activity was a chance for students to rock out on Guitar Hero and challenge fellow peers in a variety of Wii Sports on the Wii consoles..

The first session of the event featured a performance by DJ’s Composition and Omega Supreme. DJ Composition, also known as Damien Allen, said they also performed for the Black Student Union Open Mic Night.

“It’s what we love to do,” Allen, a GRCC student, said.

The event was, for all attending students, a great way to relax about the upcoming finals ahead.

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