Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees held its first meeting, with newly appointed Chairperson Salvador Lopez leading his first board meeting.
Lopez’s family was in attendance, which brought a lot of smiles and applause from those in attendance. It was a full-circle moment for Lopez, that his fellow trustees didn’t want to get overshadowed by the meeting’s agenda.
“Going from GRCC student to GRCC Chair is a big deal in my family and in my community,” Lopez said. “So we wanted to make sure that we recognized that, and be part of it. So very thankful to be in this role. I look forward to continuing the work that has been done in the past.”
Former Chairperson, Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, shared her thoughts on the magnitude of Lopez now being the new chairperson.
“Sometimes when you talk about a pioneer, or a first, it can at times take away from the attributes of a person, but I do think it’s important to amplify the story of an immigrant family coming to GRCC, and now being the Board Chair,” Mitchell said. “It’s a big deal to have your kids want to see the first brown, Spanish-speaking person in the Board Chair seat, along with all of the great things you bring to the table. I’m so glad that we continue to showcase our inclusivity, with your skill and everything else.”
Lopez’s new position on the board wasn’t the only worthy news from the proceedings; the meeting also marked interim President Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg’s last board meeting before new President Kathryn Rogalski begins her presidency with the college.
Members of the board expressed their appreciation to Triezenberg for his patience and commitment to the college throughout the presidential search.
“We pulled you out of retirement, and not at any point during your tenure had you acted like this was too much for you, or asked, ‘why am I doing this?,’ Mitchell said. “In fact, I think you stepped in boldly, with compassion, and have given great care and diligence.”
Chairperson Lopez added his sentiments.
“I want to thank Dr. Triezenberg for his work,” Lopez said. “It could have really been an uncertain time period for GRCC, but thanks to your care, passion, dedication, and patience, made things incredibly helpful and smooth.”
Rogalski will begin her term on March 2, with Triezenberg’s work with the college concluding on March 31.
In other news, Vice President of Finance & Administration, John Globoker, provided updates and presented an ask of continuation of the next phase of the remodeling of the Library & Learning Commons project. Significant progress has been made with the construction of the project, and now the state needs approval from the board to move on to the next steps.
Along with seeking that approval, Globoker also notified the board that once the work is done, the school will be transferring the deed of the building to the state. That will be temporary, as the college will wait until the state pays the debt of the building off to the State Building Authority. Once paid off in full, the deed will be transferred back to the college.
According to Globoker, it could take up to 40 years for the state to pay the debt off. The board unanimously approved of the agreement, continuation, and completion of the project.
Dean of GRCC Lakeshore campus, Cameron Buck, shared updates with the board about the growth they’ve seen in Lakeshore.
Lakeshore has seen a 53% increase in enrollment since the Fall of 2021. With that being an increase of 357 students. Despite the constant upward trend in enrollment, Beck still believes there is more opportunity for the Lakeshore campus to encourage more students to think about taking classes there.
“Obviously we’ve heard enrollment is everyone’s job, that is a focus for the relationship of our campus to sustain our growth,” Beck said. “We surveyed our K-12 partners, our students, and employers to ask for gaps to help us determine the future direction of our campus.”
GRCC Police Chief, Rebecca Whitman, asked for approval from the board on this year’s public safety advisory committee. This year’s slate is Grant Snyder, Wesley Fox, Nikki Smith, and Hillary Haney.
The board unanimously approved the appointment of the 2026 public safety advisory committee.
Triezenberg delivered his last president’s report to the board in which he shared campus updates, including the new GRCC River Otter mascot, steady enrollment percentages between GRCC and MTEC, and fall to winter retention numbers.
Triezenberg expounded upon GRCC’s commitment to helping students not just enroll at GRCC but stay until their desired post-secondary education goals are met.
“It takes all of us to ensure that students know what their next steps could be and encourage them to sustain their education,” Triezenberg said.
Campus Activities Board President, Lacey Hendrie, shared updates with the board about campus events and the current pulse surrounding the student body.
“We are continuing our mission to increase the sense of community at GRCC,” Hendrie said. “In the past month, we have refined, clarified, and updated our vision, values, and goals as an organization that would better our work to the outcomes that are important to us.”
Hendrie continued on.
“As the keystone to our vision, CAB aims to create a tight-knit community at GRCC,” Hendrie said. “We do this through planning and hosting free welcoming events for students where everyone feels included, and all students feel like they belong at GRCC. We aim to create spaces through engagement, where people can go to feel safe, respected, and at home on campus.”
The next GRCC Board of Trustees meeting will be on Monday, March 16, at 4:15 p.m. on the fifth floor of the RJF building.
