History of Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College was established in 1966 by the overwhelming approval of voters in nine local school districts. It is a comprehensive, fully accredited, public, two-year college with enrollment of about 10,000 students. Kalamazoo Valley offers 50 certificate programs and associate degrees in 60 areas of study. In addition to associate degree and certificate programs in business, health care, human and public services, technical and industrial occupations, the college also provides a quality experience for students preparing to transfer to four-year institutions following graduation.

The college provides educational and support services on four Kalamazoo area campus locations:

Designed by Alden B. Dow, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, the Texas Township Campus is located near the I-94 and U.S. 131 interchange on 185 acres of rolling woodland west of Kalamazoo. Expanded several times over the last 55 years, the 430,000-square-foot complex features modern classrooms, comprehensive library and computer capabilities, two gymnasiums, a swimming pool, ball fields, tennis courts, a running track, two auditoriums, food services, free parking in expansive lots, and fully equipped labs for science, industrial and manufacturing technologies.

Located in downtown Kalamazoo, the Arcadia Commons Campus, build in 1994, includes Anna Whitten Hall, the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, and the Center for New Media. The campus serves as a hub for community, business and education partnerships that renovated and revitalized a significant portion of the historic downtown area.

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum, which spotlights the history, culture, science and technology of Southwest Michigan, opened in February 1996 and has welcomed more than 2 million visitors. Its construction was financed entirely by $20 million in private contributions. Governed by the college, the museum houses an interactive planetarium, the Mary Jane Stryker Theater for films and performances, a children's landscape for preschoolers, hands-on exhibits and nationally traveling exhibits. The museum provides a unique learning environment for students of Kalamazoo Valley Community College, as well as for the general public.

The Center for New Media is located in the historic W. S. Dewing Building in the heart of the city. It offers career-based, industry-standard instruction for all aspects of digital media. Three floors of state-of-the art iMac and PC classrooms, two drawing studios, a photography studio and five art galleries comprise this innovative building. Student and community art is featured monthly in the galleries as part of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo’s Art Hops.

Creating an educated workforce skilled to meet the demands of a changing economy is the focus at Kalamazoo Valley’s Groves Campus. Originally opened in 2001 as one of 18 M-TEC facilities across the state, the Kalamazoo Valley Groves Campus was financed by a $5 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, plus $6 million in matching funds provided by area companies and foundations.

The Groves Campus offers fast-track training programs that are designed with input from local employers. Available career academies include the Wind Turbine Technician Academy, which was initially launched in 2009 and has quickly earned a reputation as the premier training source for wind industry professionals. Other career academies include Corrections Officer Academy and Police Academy.

In cooperation with Bronson Healthcare and Integrated Services of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley developed a campus focused on wellness and food sustainability in downtown Kalamazoo in 2016. The Bronson Healthy Living Campus, located on 13.3 acres of land donated by Bronson Healthcare, includes the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building as well as the Food Innovation Center. The campus also incorporates a mental health services facility operated by Integrated Services of Kalamazoo.

In the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building, Kalamazoo Valley has expanded its curriculum to include brewing and training in culinary arts. Culinary students run the building’s restaurant and café. The college’s nursing, emergency medical technology and respiratory care programs are housed on the third floor.

The campus also includes the Food Innovation Center, which is home to ValleyHUB, and offers practical hands-on training in food safety, horticulture and urban farming; all part of the college’s efforts to increase community education and access to healthy food and nutrition.

The BHLC also includes a mental health services facility operated by Integrated Services of Kalamazoo.

Many special services and programs are available on all of the college's campuses – a thriving Honors Program; comprehensive learning, tutoring and testing centers that offer one-on-one assistance; and the International Studies Program that includes more than 130 courses emphasizing the global aspects of everything from accounting to wellness. Learn more at kvcc.edu.