COUGAR ROAR! Newsletter

February 2018

Alumni Hall of Fame Induction

Genesee Community College is proud to honor the following into the Alumni Hall of Fame on Wednesday, March 28, 2018:

2018 Inductees

Georgann Carrubba, President and CEO Tencar - GCC 2003

Scott Gardner, President and CEO Wyoming Chamber of Commerce - GCC 1998

2017 Inductees

George Walker IV, SVP of Creative Development for Dynamic Attractions - GCC 1998

James Branciforte, CEO Lifetime Assistance, Inc., GCC 1980

Alumnus Spotlight

Alumni Community Member Spotlight: Michelle Grohs, Nursing Class of 1993

Michelle Grohs is the director of Surgical Services, Maternity and Women's Health at Wyoming County Community Health System in Warsaw, New York.

She launched her career path at Genesee Community College, earning an AAS degree in Nursing 1993. She went on to take classes at Daemen College in Amherst in 1999 and then attended Cornell University Johnson School of Business, and is a 2012 graduate of HANYS Academy for Healthcare Leadership Advancement. Grohs constantly pursues opportunities for further learning through college level courses and administrative seminars to improve her personal and leadership skills. Her goal is to complete her Bachelor's and Masters Healthcare Administration Program in which she is currently enrolled.

Grohs credits the GCC Nursing Program for providing the foundation and rigor to ensure her success from the time she sat for her board exams, to the success she has in the leadership role she holds today.

"I am truly grateful for the foundation and preparation I received as a GCC Nursing program graduate. I have had the great fortune to experience a wide variety different nursing specialties in my career. When I look to hire new staff, I always seek out GCC graduates first for interview. They are very well prepared, and ready to face the challenges in rural health care," says Grohs.

In addition to a fulfilling career, Grohs is an active member of her community. She has served on the Warsaw Central School Board of Education for nine years, two of which she spent as president. She is a member of the Grace Baptist Church in Batavia.

When she does have some time to herself, Grohs enjoys reading, gardening, camping, and spending time with her family. She and her husband of 24 years, Karl have identical twin daughters, Kara and Kristen, age 21.

Become a Cougar Connect Mentor!

As alumni, you can play a major role in guiding students toward being successful both academically and professionally. Cougar Connect is a mentor network program supported by the Career Services and Alumni Affairs offices. This program connects students to professional alumni to provide educational experiences which promote intellectual and social growth. This is accomplished by:

Facilitating networking opportunities for current students and alumni
Providing a database of mentors as a resource for career planning and educational needs

Program Outcomes:

To facilitate greater access to professional resources
To reduce social distance and provide exposure to different community and workplace cultures
To allow alumni to maintain or increase engagement with the college
To impart professional and/or alumni knowledge, experience, and expertise to current GCC students
To increase student retention by developing a student's intrinsic motivation to achieve

Our goal is to create a mutually beneficial relationship for all parties involved in Cougar Connect in order to further our institution's goal of educating the community. Go to genesee.edu/career. Click on the Purple Briefcase Banner. Create an account as a "new employer." Complete the on-screen instructions. Become a Mentor today!