Together@GRCC

In this episode of Together@GRCC, the host interviews Sondra Davis, support professional in Student Retention Services at GRCC. Davis shares her path from more than two decades as a creative entrepreneur to a career in student success, and what it was like to become a GRCC student herself while working on campus. She discusses what students are often feeling but not saying when they come in for support, and what one conversation can change when a student is deciding whether to stay or go. Now pursuing a master's degree in higher education administration and social justice, Davis also reflects on why colleges can't expect students to know the right questions to ask. She offers one small step anyone at GRCC can take tomorrow to help more students stay and finish.

Welcome to Together@GRCC, the podcast created for GRCC staff. Hosted by Ryan Nausieda, each episode features interviews with staff, students and community members, highlighting the people and projects that make our campus thrive.

In this fourth and final episode of the series, Ryan concludes his conversation with Dr. Kathryn Rogalski, president of Grand Rapids Community College. After several months of listening, learning and building relationships, Dr. Rogalski reflects on what she has come to appreciate about GRCC and what excites her most about the college’s future.

Dr. Rogalski discusses the important role GRCC plays in West Michigan and shares how the region has been getting to know her as she has settled into her new role. She also talks about some of her favorite discoveries so far and what she has learned about the college, the community and the people who call West Michigan home.

The conversation also offers a more personal look at Dr. Rogalski’s interests outside of work. She reflects on how her experiences with horses, triathlons and staying active influence her leadership style and describes what her perfect Michigan summer day might look like.

As the four-part series comes to a close, Dr. Rogalski shares a message with the GRCC community about the college’s next chapter and the work ahead. Her reflections highlight a sense of optimism, momentum and shared purpose as GRCC continues moving forward together.

Don’t miss this final conversation in the series. Be sure to subscribe and share it with colleagues who want to stay connected to the GRCC community.

Welcome to Together@GRCC, the podcast created for GRCC staff. Hosted by Ryan Nausieda, each episode features interviews with staff, students and community members, highlighting the people and projects that make our campus thrive.

In this third episode of a four-part conversation, Ryan continues his interview with Dr. Kathryn Rogalski, president of Grand Rapids Community College. As Dr. Rogalski moves from listening and learning into strategy formation and partnership development, she reflects on how priorities begin to take shape and how the college can move forward with purpose.

Dr. Rogalski discusses how she is thinking about what rises to the top, how progress can be measured and what it looks like when shared governance is working well for faculty, staff and students. She also shares how GRCC can protect the strengths already in place while continuing to improve, adapt and prepare for the college’s next chapter.

Looking ahead, Dr. Rogalski identifies key areas of focus that may help shape GRCC’s future and reflects on what she has already learned from the campus community. Her comments offer insight into how listening, trust, collaboration and shared responsibility are beginning to inform the work ahead.

Don’t miss this third conversation in the series. Be sure to subscribe and share it with colleagues who want to stay connected to the GRCC community.

In this episode, the host interviews Crystal Morris, director of financial aid at Grand Rapids Community College. Morris discusses her approach to student funding, drawing on her extensive leadership experience in administration, compliance and student advocacy. She explains how her work focuses on understanding student vulnerabilities, reducing financial barriers and building clear processes that support student persistence and completion. Morris also addresses the importance of transparency across departments, the role of empathy in financial services and how institutional systems can contribute to a more equitable student experience. Her perspective underscores the role financial aid plays in helping students navigate college costs and maintain a sense of security.

Welcome to Together@GRCC, the podcast created for GRCC staff. Hosted by Ryan Nausieda, each episode features interviews with staff, students and community members, highlighting the people and projects that make our campus thrive.In this second episode of a four-part conversation, Ryan continues his interview with Dr. Kathryn Rogalski, president of Grand Rapids Community College. Dr. Rogalski reflects on alignment, relationship building and the early moments of momentum she is seeing across the college.As she continues listening and learning, Dr. Rogalski shares the patterns and themes beginning to emerge, including how people across different roles and departments work together to support students. She discusses what trust and transparency look like in day-to-day leadership and highlights the conversations, collaborations and small wins helping her better understand GRCC’s culture and priorities.Dr. Rogalski also reflects on moments that have reinforced her purpose as president, including interactions with students, faculty and staff that show the impact of GRCC’s work. Her observations offer a closer look at how connection, clarity and shared commitment are shaping the next phase of her leadership.Don’t miss this second conversation in the series. Be sure to subscribe and share it with colleagues who want to stay connected to the GRCC community.

In this episode, the host interviews Amy Huntington, associate dean of advising and student support at GRCC. Huntington discusses her approach to student success, drawing on more than a decade of experience in advising, mentoring and program leadership. She explains how her work focuses on understanding student needs, reducing barriers to access and building coordinated systems that support student persistence and completion. Huntington also addresses the importance of collaboration across departments, the role of empathy in advising and how institutional systems can contribute to a more equitable student experience. Her perspective underscores the role advising plays in helping students navigate college and develop a sense of belonging.

Welcome to Together@GRCC, the podcast created for GRCC staff. Hosted by Ryan Nausieda, each episode features interviews with staff, students and community members, highlighting the people and projects that make our campus thrive.

In this first episode of a four-part conversation, the host interviews Dr. Kathryn Rogalski, president of Grand Rapids Community College. Focusing on her first 30 days, Dr. Rogalski reflects on listening, visibility and building trust across the GRCC community. She shares what she’s learning through conversations with staff, faculty and students, and what is beginning to define GRCC’s culture and identity from her perspective.

Drawing on a career in student affairs, academic leadership and workforce development, Dr. Rogalski discusses how she approaches leadership in a new environment, emphasizing the importance of understanding before acting. She also highlights early moments that stand out as uniquely GRCC and worth preserving, and offers insight into the values and experiences that shape how she shows up as a leader.

Don’t miss this first conversation in the series. Be sure to subscribe and share it with colleagues who want to stay connected to the GRCC community.

Welcome to Together@GRCC, the podcast created for GRCC staff. Hosted by Ryan Nausieda, each episode features interviews with staff, students and community members, highlighting the people and projects that make our campus thrive.
In this episode of Together@GRCC, the host interviews D’Wayne Jenkins, dean of students at GRCC. He discusses his approach to student success, drawing on years of experience in advising, mentoring and leading student support initiatives across higher education. Jenkins shares how his work focuses on understanding student needs, building partnerships across campus and creating systems that help students persist and succeed. He also reflects on leadership, community and the role every employee plays in
supporting students both inside and outside the classroom.
Don’t miss this insightful conversation! Be sure to subscribe and share it with colleagues who want to stay connected to the GRCC community.

In this episode of Together@GRCC, the host interviews GRCC trustee Daniel Williams — president and CEO of the Steelcase Foundation — about putting community voices at the center of philanthropy and education. Williams reflects on lessons from co-founding Grand Rapids University Prep Academy and leading the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology, explaining how those experiences inform his
push for equitable access to learning. Tune in for a concise, insider look at how his board perspective and advocacy are helping GRCC amplify opportunity for every student.

In this episode of “Together@GRCC,” the host interviews Haley Kozal, program manager for GRCC’s Kellogg Pathways grant at the Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC. She dives into her workforce‑development initiatives, explaining how her passion for equity and community partnerships drives the grant’s training programs. Kozal unpacks what the Kellogg Pathways grant and M-TEC mean for students and employers, the systems she’s built to keep the program running smoothly and the success stories that remind her why this work matters.