Student Services

Student Services

• Academic Advising, Counseling & Transfer Planning
• Disabiity and Occupational Support Programs
• TRiO Programs
• Academic Testing Services
• Acdemic Support & Tutoring Services
  • Tutorial Labs
• Student Life

Academic Advising, Counseling & Transfer Planning

Counseling and Career Center
(616) 234-3900
Room 327, Student Center
www.grcc.edu/counseling

Professionally trained academic advisors and counselors are available to assist students with all aspects of academic advising.   Counselors are also available to assist students with career and personal counseling.  Counseling services are confidential and free of charge to GRCC students.  While attending college, students must make many important decisions regarding course selection, academic program (major) and a choice of a career pathway and we are here to help.

The Counseling and Career Center assists students in achieving academic planning, career exploration, transfer preparation and academic success strategies.  Drop-in services (when available) are designed to answer brief academic questions and can result in longer wait times during peak times. Appointments are strongly recommended and must be made in advance.

• Academic Advising

Students should meet with a counselor or advisor during their first semester and are encouraged to meet at least annually to review their academic plan. At the initial meeting, counselors and advisors are available to help students understand course placement and to help plan their academic programs. Students are responsible for their academic decisions. Examples of these decisions include but are not limited to the following: exploring possible majors, degrees, and programs of study, course prerequisites, course selection and admission requirements of those programs with specific admission criteria. In addition, students desiring to transfer credits to another institution are responsible for verifying transferability of any course taken at GRCC. Students must complete a change of academic program (major) form (http://www.grcc.edu/studentrecords/changeofacademicprogrammajorform ) if they have elected to change their academic program (major).  Students changing into or out of a Health curriculum code must contact the Health Admissions Office at (616) 234-4348. 

• Transfer Planning

There are a variety of opportunities for students who plan to transfer available to them through the Counseling & Career Center.  There are transfer events throughout the year, transfer representatives who come to campus to meet with students, and transfer guides/ equivalencies and the transfer checklist that are available.  Advisors can work with students to help them prepare for transfer.  For more information about transfer resources see http://www.grcc.edu/counselingandcareercenter/generaltransferinformation .

• Career Counseling

Career counseling helps students relate their academic goals and personal interests to career pathways.This service provides an opportunity for students to explore various careers through the use of career assessments, courses, library materials, workshops, multimedia/ online resources and career referrals.Career exploration is the ideal opportunity for those students who are undecided in their career direction or academic focus, and who need some assistance with making these important decisions. For more information about these services see http://www.grcc.edu/counselingandcareercenter/careerexploration .

• Personal Cousneling

Limited, short-term personal counseling is available to assist students in resolving personal issues that may interfere with their academic progress.

• First-Year Experience

The First-Year Experience program at GRCC is designed to provide the services and programs new students need in order to be successful in college. The GRCC First-Year Experience program is designed to help incoming students maximize the first year by offering orientation, workshops, lectures, and a two-credit course, College Learning Studies (CLS 100) . CLS 100  is designed to assist new students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to be successful in college. This course is highly recommended to all new students at GRCC and is mandatory for some. See  www.grcc.edu/fye for more information.

Disability and Occupational Support Programs

Room 368, Student Center

Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) administers programs to provide academic assistance to students who meet certain eligibility requirements:

• Occupational Support Program

http://grcc.edu/occupationalsupport

(616) 234-4155

www.grcc.edu/osp

This program provides advising services and limited financial support for students in occupational curricula who must qualify in one of the following areas: economically disadvantaged, single parents, displaced homemakers, a student who uses English as a Second Language, a person who is a non-traditional gender for a particular occupation, or a student with a disability.

• Disability Support Program

http://grcc.edu/disabilitysupportservices

(616) 234-4140

www.grcc.edu/dss
 

• This office collaborates with students with disabilities to coordinate accommodations and ensure full access to all academic and extracurricular programming offered by the college. In addition, this office consults with and educates faculty members about disabilities, how to implement accommodations in the classroom, and methods to assess accessibility of their course materials.
• This office provides reasonable and effective testing accommodations. You must be registered with the DSS office to qualify for testing accommodations.
• This office is charged with ensuring that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Rehabilitation Act, Section 504, and Michigan Civil Rights laws are respected at Grand Rapids Community College.
• Students who wish to receive accommodations need to follow these steps:
  • Review Documentation Guidelines online at www.grcc.edu/dss/documentationguidelines
  • Submit Documentation of Disability to DSS (fax: 616.234.3622)
  • Call DSS to verify that documentation was received and to set up an initial appointment to discuss accommodation needs with a DSS Counselor/Advisor
  • Meet with Counselor/Advisor and create an Accommodations Agreement
  • Show Accommodations Agreement to each professor and discuss the accommodations listed
  • Renew Accommodations Agreement with DSS Counselor/Advisor each semester

Please note: Arrangements for personal care services are the responsibility of the student (see Regulation 35.135, ADA).

TRiO Programs

Room 368, Student Center

TRiO/Student Support Services has been serving students at Grand Rapids Community College for over 30 years. It is a program designed to work with eligible students by providing support and encouragement for those wanting to earn an associate’s degree and then transfer to a 4-year institution.  Services provided include: professional tutoring, academic planning, personal counseling, career exploration, research opportunities, college visits, volunteering opportunities, and much more!  For more information visit our website at www.grcc.edu/sss.

• Student Support Services Program
  (616) 234-4150
  Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded program that provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements, and serves to motivate students toward the successful completion of their post-secondary education. The SSS program may also provide grant aid to current SSS participants who are receiving Federal Pell Grants. To receive assistance, students must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at Grand Rapids Community College in a degree-seeking program. Low-income students who are first-generation (neither parent graduated from a four-year college/university) and are in need of academic support are eligible to participate in SSS.
• Upward Bound Program
  (616) 234-2190
  This pre-college program is designed for low-income and first generation college students who attend Creston or Ottawa Hills High School. The program assists students in building academic skills needed to successfully pursue post-secondary education or training. The program emphasizes skills in reading, writing, math, and science and provides tutoring to students experiencing difficulties. Upward Bound students also have the opportunity to attend a summer residential academic experience where they participate in various enrichment activities, college visitations, and student leadership conferences.

Academic Testing Services

(616) 234-3413
Room 325, Student Center

The Academic Testing Service is available to students who wish to earn credit by examination or have other assessment needs.

• Testing Services
  Academic Testing Services provide testing services for GRCC students and the community at large. We offer a variety of tests from College Level Examination Programs (CLEP) and Challenge exams for college credit, to professional certification exams for the business community. We also offer Online and special proctored exams for students from other colleges. Disability Support Services (DSS) Testing provides reasonable and effective testing accommodations. You must be registered with Disability Support Services for qualify to testing accommodations.

Academic Support & Tutoring Services

(616) 234-4145
2nd Floor, Learning Center

• Tutoring
  Enthusiastic and encouraging tutors will provide students with academic support. All current GRCC students are welcome, and all of the services are free. We offer a variety of tutorial support to help you become a better learner and to help you achieve your academic and personal goals here at GRCC. The following subject-centered tutorial labs are available on a walk-in basis: Biology; Mathematics; Health; Advanced Math, Physics, and Chemistry; Writing and Language; Business and Accounting; Computers; and Auto CAD/Pro-E/Mechanical Desktop. Locations of the various labs are listed in the Tutorial Labs section. In addition to tutoring and support, all the tutorial labs offer open computing for all GRCC students. If you have questions about our services or want to know more information about anything you see here, please feel free to contact us via the information below, or visit the tutoring office.
• Tutorial Labs
  Many subject-centered tutorial labs are available to GRCC students on a walk-in basis. Professional and student tutors assist students with their coursework in line with classroom instruction, and they answer questions about class lectures or readings assigned in textbooks. A list of the various tutorial labs and locations follows.

Student Life

(616) 234-4160
02, Student Center

The purpose of the Office of Student Life and Conduct is multi-faceted.  First, through exceptional customer service we deliver timely and needed services to help students successfully navigate the college experience, and provide access to tools and resources so they may reach their academic goals.  Second, by developing and empowering student leaders, we promote a wide array of events, activities, and engagement opportunities (both outside the class and in partnership with faculty) that enrich the student experience and improves student learning. To learn more about Student Life at GRCC visit grcc.edu/studentlife