College Closed January 21st
The college is closed for business January 21st. All campuses including the museum are closed. All classes (regardless of teaching and learning modality: face-to-face virtual or hybrid/blended) and college activities are canceled for the morning afternoon and evening. Employees need not report unless instructed by their supervisor.
Employee Engagement and Wellness

Employee Engagement and Wellness Committee

Upcoming Events

Fun February

The Employee Engagement and Wellness Committee is thrilled to announce a series of exciting events for Fun February, designed to energize our community and build meaningful connections. Our goal is to energize and strengthen connections within our community, and we believe these wellness and engagement opportunities will do just that. Many activities will welcome walk-ins, but some require registration due to limited spots, so don't miss your chance to participate! Join us this February as we come together to celebrate and strengthen our community - we can't wait to see you there!

Fun February Activities

Monday Feb. 3:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Tuesday, Feb. 4:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Taps on Tuesday | CAH 418 Dining Room | 5-7pm | More info

Music Bingo | High Dive located at 214 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49007 | 7-9 pm
Join us for an exciting evening of Music Bingo, where fun and music collide! Don't miss out on the chance to show off your musical knowledge while having a blast at the High Dive.
Register

Wednesday, Feb. 5:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Game Day Dinner | TTC 4240 | 5:30 - 7:30pm
Men's & women's basketball are wrapping up their seasons. Join your fellow colleagues for a special employee dinner and then head over to the gym to support our student athletes as they play Lake Michigan College. Games start at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Seats are limited for dinner and will be available from 5 to 6pm. |
Register

Thursday, Feb. 6:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Friday, Feb. 7:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Yes And! Creative Session | KVM 107 Innovation Lab | 10-11 am
Join the museum staff for a laughter-filled hour of learning basic improv techniques and flexing your communication skills! Together, staff will participate in improv techniques and team-building activities that they can use in any group situation. Whether at home with family, gathering with friends, or settling in for a department brainstorming retreat, improv is a powerful tool that can reduce stress, build confidence, and keep us curious throughout our daily lives. Meet museum staff at the front entrance at 9:45 a.m. for entry.
Register

Saturday, Feb. 8:
Contra & Square Dance | Oshtemo Grange Hall located at 3234 N 3rd St., Kalamazoo, MI 49009 | 7-9 pm
Join us for a fun evening of Contra and Square Dancing! Enjoy live music and easy-to-follow dances, perfect for all skill levels. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your friends for a night of laughter and community.
Register

Monday, Feb. 10:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Basketball Shoot-around | TTC Main Gym | Noon - 1pm
Join us at noon for a basketball shoot around! Whether you're a seasoned player or just looking to have fun with your colleagues, all skill levels are welcome. Bring your sneakers, and let's hit the court for an hour of shooting, passing, and camaraderie. See you there!
Register

Tuesday, Feb 11:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Exclusive Behind the Scenes Collections Tour | KVM 4th Floor| 1-2 pm
Ever wonder where the rest of the museum's objects that are not on daily exhibit live? Visit the museum's newly renovated 4th-floor collections storage with Collections Manager Regina Gorham and discover how these special objects from Kalamazoo's past are cared for. The tour will last 45 minutes and will require participants to either use a set of stairs or ride an elevator to the 4th floor for access. Questions encouraged! But please keep your fingers to yourself. Meet Regina at the front desk lobby 12:50-1:00 p.m. for entry.
Register

Taps on Tuesday | CAH 418 Dining Room | 5-7pm | More info

Wednesday, Feb. 12:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Date Night with a Book | ChocolaTea located at 7642 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002 | 5:30-6:30 pm
Why not get ready for Valentine's Day with a book reading date night? Join us February 12, 2025 at ChocolaTea, 7642 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002 for a one-hour silent book club from 5:30-6:30 pm. Come after work and get your date a cup of tea or hot chocolate! We'll start an hour of silent book reading at 5:30 then spend some time at 6:30 socializing, meeting new people, and talking about our love of books.
Register

Thursday, Feb. 13:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Planetarium Feature The Sky Above Us | KVM 115 | Noon-1 pm
The Sky Above Us blends education and storytelling with stunning visuals, inviting you to explore the seasonal wonders of the night sky above your own backyard. Your presenter-led experience will illuminate the secrets of the cosmos, guiding you to discover the hidden treasures that adorn the heavens. From the constellations that have inspired tales throughout history to the breathtaking panorama of distant galaxies, nebulae and cosmic phenomena, every moment of the show promises to captivate your imagination. Arrive 10 minutes prior to showtime for entry.
Register

Friday, Feb. 14:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Monday, Feb. 17:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Crafting Gratitude | AWH 128, CAH 207, GRV C1410-1, TTC 4370 | 3-4 pm
Looking for a way to unwind and show appreciation for someone? Join us for an afternoon cookie break and an opportunity to craft a personalized card for a colleague. Whether you want to thank them for their support or celebrate a recent achievement, this is the perfect occasion to connect and express your appreciation. Don't miss out on this chance to relax and spread kindness among your coworkers!
Register for AWH
Register for CAH
Register for GRV
Register for TTC

Tuesday, Feb. 18:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Taps on Tuesday | CAH 418 Dining Room | 5-7pm | More info

Trivia | Shakespeare's Pub located at 241 E. Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 | 7-9 pm
Are you a trivia hound or just a fan of a little friendly competition? Join our team for a night of team trivia at Shakespeare's Pub.
Register

Wednesday, Feb 19:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Thursday, Feb 20:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Trivia | Buddy's Pizza located at 5314 S. Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002 | 7-9 pm
Are you a trivia hound or just a fan of a little friendly competition? Join our team for a night of team trivia at Buddy's Pizza.
Register

Friday, Feb 21:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Monday, Feb 24:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Tuesday, Feb 25:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Taps on Tuesday | CAH 418 Dining Room | 5-7pm | More info

Wednesday, Feb 26:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Basketball Shoot-around | TTC Main Gym | Noon - 1pm Join us at noon for a basketball shoot around! Whether you're a seasoned player or just looking to have fun with your colleagues, all skill levels are welcome. Bring your sneakers, and let's hit the court for an hour of shooting, passing, and camaraderie. See you there!
Register

Trivia | Fletcher's Pub located at 3013 Oakland Dr #C, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 | 7-9pm Are you a trivia hound or just a fan of a little friendly competition? Join our team for a night of team trivia at Fletcher's Pub.
Register

Thursday, Feb 27:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Friday, Feb 28:
Employee Group Fitness and Drop-in Classes | TTC Room 6040 | Noon-1pm & 5:15-6:30pm | More info

Employee Engagement and Wellness Committee

Welcome! This committee is dedicated to nurturing employee engagement and wellness with the understanding that these two features are interconnected and vital to a healthy workforce who is prepared to serve our students, one another and the community. The college values guide the committee work including: Caring and Respect, Integrity, Excellence and Quality, Humor and Well-Being, Teamwork and Stewardship. Employee Engagement is promoted and supported by exploring best practices and research-based methods for maintaining engaged teams. Employee wellness will be promoted and supported by focusing on the concepts of healthy mind, body and spirit.

The committee shall limit activities to advising on matters that directly concern its specific purposes, which may include the following responsibilities:

  • Recognize and honor the diverse makeup of our workforce -- understanding that individuals have unique and varying needs and experiences as it relates to engagement and wellness.
  • Identify employee engagement and wellness standards and best practices and recommend and share these methods with the college community.
  • Offer professional development opportunities to present, share, learn and grow in a variety of settings. Some of these formats may include but are not limited to: Summit involvement, assistance with employee presentations, vendor and external community participation, part-time employee celebration, college community events, seminars, small interest groups and mentoring.
  • Celebrate and utilize campus resources and experts in related subject matters.

If you have ideas to share, please reach out to us!

Committee Members:
Bethann Talsma, Business Faculty
Sheila Eisenhauer, Math Faculty
Sara Tanis, Biology/Horticulture Faculty
Renea Peruski, Wellness and Fitness Center Manager
Charles Heidelberg, Director of Recruitment & Outreach
Jessica Potter, Facilities and Events Manager
Renee Martin, Employment Manager
Ashley Bergkamp, Library Circulation Reserve Supervisor
Megan Osetek, Museum Interpretations Manager

Co-Chairs: Cathy Colella (), Aaron Hilliard ().