By LJ Nicholson
A large part of college is the social life students have on campus with each other. That aspect has been heavily impacted by the pandemic in recent years. Opportunities to network and socialize with other students are hard to come by.
The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is a part of Student Life and looking to get students engaged at Grand Rapids Community College. The student organization plans events for the students to help enhance their college experience. Focusing on the social aspect and helping students network and interact with each other and the school is CAB’s goal and purpose.
Every student funds CAB activities with a portion of their tuition, so they have to make sure students have events to attend and a way to grow as a community.
Sherry Sokolowski is the current CAB president. She’s been a part of the organization for the past two years, but has been working actively at GRCC since the summer of 2019.
Additionally, she works with the Honors Program and is the assistant for GRCC’s New Student Orientation Department.
Sokolowski was also the recipient of the Student Employment Services’ Impact Award last year from all the work she does around campus to help students enhance and improve their experience at GRCC.
Her goal for CAB this semester is to reach out to as many students as possible, and provide great events and opportunities for everyone.
“I’m looking forward to doing anything,” said Sokolowski when talking about her hopes for this semester. “With COVID-19, it’s been super hard to have large events, so I’m excited to do anything to reach out to more students.”
Only a few CAB events have been announced for this semester so far.
Homecoming events are a huge part of what the CAB organizes regularly. Sokolowski said she would love to host an additional event to draw in as many students as possible.
“I am hoping we could plan a job fair,” she said. “Something to help students get connected with different employers around the area, and make it a large-scale event. Maybe have a town hall or open meetings to allow students to share their ideas on what they would like CAB to do.”
This month they have two events planned for students, staff, and faculty for Homecoming.
On Wednesday, Feb. 16, they are running a bingo night at the Raider Grill from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Following on Friday, Feb. 18, there will be open ice skating at Griff’s Icehouse from 5 to 10 p.m.
They also co-run the annual Student Leadership Awards with Student Alliance. This year, they are taking place Thursday, March 17 from 3 to 6 p.m.
If you are looking for more information and announcements for future events, the best place to look would be CAB’s Instagram (@grcc.campusactivities). Students are welcome to reach out to CAB leadership with any questions, interest in events, or to simply get involved.
