Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) Lakeshore Campus

For more than a decade, access to pathways for continuing education has been consistently identified as a growing need for the Holland/Zeeland area. Post-secondary education is crucial in creating greater opportunities for career growth, increasing financial stability for area residents, and growing equity in our region.

Community college is often the most accessible pathway for individuals, whether they are recent high school graduates, individuals pursuing workplace training credentials, or adults looking to grow their skillset or transition to a new career. In 2021, the Community Foundation awarded a grant of $20,000 to Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) to assist in the construction of a consolidated campus in Holland.

Jason Schueller, Director of Adult Recruitment and Community Outreach for Grand Rapids Community College, has worked at GRCC for 10 years and in higher education for 17 years. “We’re proud to offer numerous educational programs to residents that can be started and completed right here at the Lakeshore campus,” said Jason. “Our classrooms in many ways reflect the workplace. You can have someone fresh out of high school next to someone who has been working for many years, and they’ll interact in the same way they would in a real-world workplace setting. The diversity is reflective of the community.”

GRCC was intentional about accessibility when determining the location for the Lakeshore campus. They considered visibility and availability of parking, proximity to bus routes and local employers, and access to other services. They decided on the 50,000 square-foot former JCPenney’s space at The Shops at Westshore. The property was purchased in 2019 and underwent extensive renovations to transform it into a state-of-the-art campus that includes both traditional classroom environments and hands-on learning lab space for vocations like welding and industrial technology.

Shown in photo: Lakeshore campus faculty and staff. Jason Schueller, Director of Adult Recruitment and Community Outreach shown second from right.

“Our educational resources develop the great talent that already exists in this community,” said Jason. “We’re always engaging in outreach to corporate partners, chambers of commerce, economic development boards, and the community at-large to make sure we are offering programs and opportunities that will provide meaningful employment pathways for our students.” In addition to gathering feedback, GRCC staff and faculty also engage in outreach to local schools with a particular focus on assisting first-generation college students as they navigate possible enrollment.

In 2021, while navigating a pandemic, GRCC’s Lakeshore campus served over 1,000 students through in-person, hybrid, and fully virtual classes. Students now have the opportunity to obtain 16 certificate and associate degrees on the Holland campus that were previously only offered in Grand Rapids. Jason said, “We want the community to look to GRCC as both a resource and a partner. Our commitment to the Lakeshore is to help it grow by improving access to education and making it more equitable for all.”