During their October town hall meeting, student leaders from Grand Rapids Community College Student Government and Campus Activities Board welcomed Interim President Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg to the panel as a special guest.
Dr. Triezenberg was asked about the status of the presidential search, specifically referencing a history of quick presidential turnovers and asking why we “don’t have a permanent president.”
In response, Triezenberg began to explain the reasons a president might leave a college, “There are lots of reasons behind the transitions in presidential leadership at this college and at lots of others,” he said. “Sometimes presidents move to new positions that fit their interests and ambitions. Other times, there are relationships between the president and the board or the president and the community that don’t work out as successfully as folks that hoped. And so either the president or the board or together, they decide, let’s move on.”
Triezenberg then commented on the turnover rate for presidents at colleges in general.
“The average tenure of a college or university president has been getting shorter and shorter over the years,” he said. “It’s now less than six years on average, and there are some who do it for 20 or 30 or 40 years, and there are others who change after one or two.”
Student Government President Eldin Causevic highlighted that, “It’s been sent out in emails, but the Presidential Search Committee is actively looking for another president. If you guys have any questions, we had screening opportunities at the beginning of the semester. I’m a member of the committee. My job here, as student government president, is to represent your voices.” Causevic encourages students to go to him if they have any questions or suggestions regarding the presidential search. Reach out via email at studentgovernment@grcc.edu
Student Government has been busy around the community, doing tabling events and outreach for events including Constitution Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day in collaboration with the Woodrick Center.
Student Government is having an “Early Vote Day” event happening Oct. 28 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., complete with a hot chocolate bar, snacks, and a photo booth. After that, they’re hosting Election Day tabling on Nov. 4.
The Campus Activities Board Secretary position is open and accepting applications. Apply through Raider Connect in the forms section, the application form is titled “2025 – 2026 Campus Activities Board Application.” Contact CAB by email (laceyhendrie@grcc.edu) for more information about this paid position.
Campus Activities Board will be hosting a “Murder Mystery” event on Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. in ATC’s Secchia Piazza with free food and drinks and “Sugar Skull Painting” on Nov. 3 at 12:30 p.m. at the Lakeshore Campus. On Nov. 20, they’re co-sponsoring a “Friendship and Gratitude Dinner” at 5 p.m. in Raider Grille. Student Life is hosting the event.
Valerie Hargraves, Director of Student Life and Conduct, mentioned that an email for a “Real College Survey” went out to all students. The data the survey collects informs funding for emergency aid, our food and clothing pantries, housing, and phone and internet help. Filling out the survey puts students in the running to potentially win a prize like a “swag item” and/or a gift certificate. The last day for students to respond is Oct. 31.
Recently, there was a student leadership retreat hosted by Student Life, Promise Zone, Experimental Learning, and Woodrick Center. Student leaders (including Student Government and CAB) had the opportunity to spend the night at GRCC. Those in attendance felt the retreat brought bonding, practical tools to use as student leaders, and perspective shifts. A few presenters spoke at the event, Precious Miller from the Michigan Community College Association gave a speech about inclusive leadership and bias, Melissa Ware from the Center for Counseling and Well-Being talked about how leaders are also learners, and Dean of Students Dr. Dwayne Jenkins presented about handling conflict.
To sum up the takeaway from the evening, Causevic said, “It’s a great opportunity to develop your leadership abilities. I know we are all leaders here, I know we all have our organizations and our missions that we’re dedicated to, and this is just one way that GRCC provides you guys with bettering those tools in the toolbox to achieve that mission.”
A budget allocation for the Foreign Affairs Club to go to the Model United Nations Conference in Chicago was discussed and approved. The allocation pool remaining for this year was at $45,933, and the Foreign Affairs Club was asking for $3,569.32. They explained that the annual participation in the Model UN Conference in Chicago allows for students to engage in simulated international politics in an academic setting allowing them to develop diplomacy, leadership, and research skills through collaboration, commitment, and academic recognition. Upon voting, the allocation was passed.
The next Student Leaders Town Hall will be on Nov. 19 starting at 4 p.m. in room 108 of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall.
