New student services office at Grand Rapids Community College aims to reduce barriers, provide streamlined access

Students at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) can now access multiple student services in a single location, highlighting an effort by GRCC to reduce barriers to accessing post-secondary education. An article published by School News Network provides details of the changes which brought together many departments including admissions, enrollment, financial aid, and student records into one office located in Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall on GRCC's main campus in Grand Rapids, MI.

Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, formerly known as the Main Building, recently underwent renovations that included the new office for student services, along with lab space, dining areas, and places for students to gather. The changes to accessing student services is part of an effort to reduce barriers to post-secondary education. As Associate Director of Enrollment Services at GRCC, Kristi Welling, said to School News Network, "We have developed a one-stop shop. It used to be that students would go to different places on campus to get these services. Now it's all in one place. We've really invested in students."

Welling continued, emphasizing the impact of the move on first-generation college students, "When I was younger I was the first in my family to get a degree, and I didn't know where to go on campus and what to do. We find a lot of the students much like myself who are first in their family to go to college and aren't really sure of the services available –what they need to do, how they need to do it to get to the part where they are actually getting their degree."

Angelique Nyarwaka, GRCC student, shared her reaction to the changes to student services with School News Network as well, saying, "I think it's very helpful for new students. I have a sister coming from New York and she is going to be coming here. It will be very nice for her to have all of the services in one space."

The renovations to Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall focused on improving student experience while maintaining historical details about the building. According to GRCC President Bill Pink, "We are preserving what made these buildings special, but making sure they are able to meet the needs of the students of today and tomorrow."