Joel Betts is a lifelong explorer.  He is a justice seeker.  He is a thoughtful neighbor.  A creative solution finder, and a disciple of Christ.  Joel Betts is the portrait of a GRCS graduate.

Joel Betts graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 2010.  And since then, he hasn't stopped learning.  He graduated from Calvin College in 2014 with majors in biology and international development studies. He also minored in environmental studies and chemistry.  He was awarded a U.S. Student Fulbright Award for Nicaragua, joining Calvin history professor Bruce Berglund and senior education major Micah Warners as recipients of scholarships through the Fulbright Program in 2017.  

He is currently a Lyman Briggs Graduate Teaching Assistant at MSU and is finishing up his research for his master's degree Fisheries and Wildlife at MSU under Dr. Jerry Urquhart. His research assesses the impact of illegal deforestation on the river resources of the forest reserves of Southeast Nicaragua. 

You can read a current update about Joel from the MSU Lyman Briggs College here, and check out this 2017 article from Calvin College before his time Nicaragua.

We hope to bring more updates from Joel about the important and impactful work he is doing!