Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is scheduled to visit Grand Rapids Community College’s Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC on Wednesday at 10:15 a.m.
This visit is Whitmer’s first as governor to any community college in Michigan since she took her position as governor earlier this year. During her time at the M-TEC, Whitmer plans on touring the facility and talking to faculty, staff and some students privately prior to the press conference.
GRCC President Bill Pink is enthusiastic about Whitmer’s visit on Wednesday and pleased that she chose GRCC for her first community college stop.
“We’re honored that GRCC is the first community college she is visiting as governor of the state of Michigan,” Pink said. “So it’s really cool for us that we get to be the first in that regard, so we’ll welcome her on Wednesday.”
Pink also emphasized the significance of Whitmer’s visit not only at GRCC but in West Michigan just after her State of the State address on Tuesday evening.
“What makes this visit also really significant, not just for GRCC but for West Michigan, is that this will come on the heels of her State of the State address,” Pink said. “So for her to Tuesday evening give her State of the State, her first one… for her to then the next day be in West Michigan is a really good compliment to our region. I think even a stronger compliment to our college that this will be one of her first stops in West Michigan.”
During her campaign, Whitmer emphasized her “Better Skills, Better Jobs” campaign to create more jobs in Michigan and get Michiganders higher-paying jobs based on their skills. Her tour at the M-TEC will focus on the training ground GRCC offers its students and the programs offered at the center.
The Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC houses spaces for workforce training like automotive services and metal forming and welding.
