Graduates Lauded during Dec. 15 Commencement Ceremony

Kalamazoo Valley’s 84th commencement ceremony was held on Sunday, December 15 at Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium. The graduates totalled nearly 500 students who completed their studies in both December and in August. The Kalamazoo Valley Accelerated Associate Program (KVAAP) also graduated its first participants, Miya Jordan and Paige Ehrmann.

Cheryl Almeda was the faculty speaker for this year’s ceremony. Dr. Almeda earned her Ph.D. in The Theory and Teaching of English from WMU in 2010. She earned her master's degree in English Literature with a concentration in Creative Writing from Wright State in 1999 and her BA in English and Vocal Music Education and Performance from Albion College in 1991. She is currently serving as the Transitional Studies Chair and coordinates the First Year Experience program. She has enjoyed 28 years in education and was honored to have been asked to share a few thoughts with Kalamazoo Valley’s graduates.

Misty Maina was the student speaker. She received an associate of arts degree in English and is transferring to Western Michigan University to pursue a teaching degree. Maina is an Anaheim, California native who moved to Michigan in 2012 with her husband and four children to help launch a church affiliated with her home church in Anaheim, The Rock.

“I have always wanted to become an English teacher but had put my education on hold shortly after my second son was born to focus on raising my family,” Maina said. “Fifteen years later, my kids were attending Kalamazoo Valley and my husband had worked on his general education classes at Valley prior to nursing school, so it was an easy decision for me to attend here as well.”

Maina admits it was a challenge to apply and enroll. “Getting my high school transcripts sent over, meeting with an academic counselor and figuring out what classes I'll need to take, going through the financial aid process, getting the books and supplies - all of this was so daunting to me. But with each step of the process, the admissions and counseling staff were so helpful and supportive.”

Erhmann echoed Maina’s sentiments. The Portage Northern High School graduate earned an associate degree in psychology and is transferring to WMU. “KVAAP helped me in so many ways,” she said. “I’ve learned how much the faculty and staff want to assist students in their success. There are so many opportunities to get experience in the career you’re interested in, scholarship programs, and a general care for each and everybody that attends Kalamazoo Valley. It’s not always easy, but don’t give up.”

Jordan, a Coloma High School graduate who earned a liberal arts degree, agreed. “Joining KVAAP pushed me to work harder and trust myself more to face challenges,” she said. “Not every challenge you face is going to be solved and all the ends tied up. But you can choose to see these challenges as learning experiences. So even if you don't overcome it, you will have learned from it and grown as a person.”