Announcements
APSS Contract Ratification Vote:
Thank you to everyone who participated in the contract ratification vote.
The tentative agreement was ratified by the membership, with 68 members participating. Of those, 54 (79.4%) voted to ratify and 14 (20.6%) voted against.
The agreement will now be voted on by the GRCC Board of Trustees on Monday, September 21.
Thank you for your engagement and participation in this important process.
For more updates and resources, stay tuned to our website and make sure to stay involved with the Union!
Updates:
We are happy to introduce our newest board members who started their terms July 1, 2026!
Vice President: Carrie Magnanti carriemagnanti@grcc.edu & (616) 234-2598 Office: 130 Sneden Hall (Devos Campus)
Secretary: Kaitlyn Verhulst kaitlynverhulst@grcc.edu & (616) 234-3544 Office: 330 RJF
Comm. Director: Tyler Henderson tylerhenderson@grcc.edu & (616) 234-3820 Office: MTEC
Representative: Sarah Derylo sarahderylo@grcc.edu & (616) 234-2206 Office: 221 ATC
Important Dates
Board Meetings (RJF 315 or Virtual):
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
No Meeting - Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Social Gatherings:
After Work Social Meet-Ups:
Margarita Friday: TBD
The 2025 Holiday Party:
As usual the party was decorated beautifully and it went by super fast! We had 47 APSS members/retirees attend the casino themed event. Thank you to the Sunshine Committee for spending so much of their time making sure our members felt appreciated. This year we had David Lovell (Associate Director of Institutional Research) join the fun as our Black Jack dealer. There were various gift cards and gift baskets to choose from and fifteen large gifts like hotel stays, $100-$150 gift cards, a printer, a free day off work, free employee parking for a year, car washes, multi-guest golf passes, free subs for a year, and a 10-guest tasting tour at Founders.
The 2025 Summer Party:
Thank you to the Sunshine Committee for organizing this family friendly event! We had about 75 attendees attend this fun summer event at Johnson Park. There was a taco truck and lots of fun events for the kids (face painting, pinata, duck pond, and more)! See more photos here!
Join the Union - There Is Strength in Numbers:
If you know an APSS that is not yet a union member, feel free to share this website and encourage them to reach out to the board with any questions about the benefits of joining! The form is on our documents page.
Get Involved With Union Work & Join a Committee:
Some of our committees allow extra members to serve as support and back-up. Read about them in our by-laws. If you are interested in joining one, reach out and we can let you know if there are openings!
Employee Corner
APSS Comings & Goings:
New APSS Employees:
Jessica Colby, Nursing programs
Victoria Hanna, Financial Aid One Stop Specialist
New Union Members:
Employees on the Move:
2025 Retirements:
12.11.25 - Laura Devries, English Department SP
10.31.25 - Amy Brandstatter, SP to Dean of Stem
7.3.25 - Janis Qualls, SP Nat. & Phy. Sciences
Alliance of Professional Support Staff
An Independent Union of the Professional Support Staff at Grand Rapids Community College
Contact Us
Do you have something special you’d like to share (birthday, award, new baby, etc.)?
Do you have a new program you want to highlight?
Or do you have other news you would like to share with our members?
Fill out the form to the right and we will reach out!