Director's Message Last month I attended my first Kalamazoo Valley commencement ceremony and I was touched by the determination of our graduates. At one point in the ceremony, our president Dr. Washington asked the graduates to stand if they worked 30+ hours a week while they attended our college. Nearly every one stood! When I look back to my days as a student and how I could barely handle working my 12 work study hours each week, I am so impressed by the Kalamazoo Valley students' grit. During this season of fresh starts and goal setting, take inspiration from our hardworking students. If they can reach their goals, so can we!
Alisha Siebers
Associate Vice President for College Advancement
and Executive Director for the KVCC Foundation asiebers@kvcc.edu
269.488.4821
2024 Building a Culture of Giving
What is a "culture of giving" you might ask. It may not be exactly what you think! Giving can be in many ways and anyone can do it. Time, talent and treasure; everyone has at least one of these.
A culture of giving is one in which giving back and engaging in the community is a habit, an expectation and a way of life. A culture of giving is life with opportunities to participate, build relationships, and create a network to support our community together.
As a KVCC Foundation donor you have contributed to our "culture of giving" and made an impact on students' lives through your generous donations or the establishment of a scholarship. You demonstrate the true essence of giving and serve as a role model to others here at the college and in the community.
As the philanthropic arm of the college, it is our responsibility to foster the culture of giving. This next year, the Foundation will be highlighting individuals who are contributing to building a culture of giving here at Valley and in the community at large. We hope you enjoy reading about these acts of kindness and observe a culture of giving that is ever growing and becoming more vibrant at Valley every day!
Time and Talent
Kalamazoo Valley students put their compassion into action during a community service project that was designed to spread holiday cheer. Honors Program participants and other students, including those from the Kalamazoo Valley Accelerated Associate Program (KVAAP) and other student organizations, gathered to create holiday cards for Residential Opportunities Inc. clients who are transitioning to independent living.
Honors student Audrey Mattson came up with the idea for the project. "At first, this project simply started as an idea in my head to help spread holiday cheer. I've always carried a deep passion for the arts," Mattson said, explaining that she graduated from high school with an Academic Excellence in the Fine Arts distinction. She started making holiday cards and then enlisted the help of her peers. more
Scholarship Award Update Through your generous giving, the KVCC Foundation awarded $49,000 in named scholarships and $293,000 in unrestricted Foundation Assistance totaling $342,000 in financial assistance for the 2023 fall semester. This financial assistance impacted 735 individual students. Thank you!
NEW-The Susan McKinney Scholarship A new endowed scholarship has been created at the KVCC Foundation. Retiring Valley Computer Support Technician, Kevin McKinney, established the scholarship in memory of his late wife Susan, who passed away unexpectedly in 2020.
Susan graduated from Lakeview High School in Battle Creek in 1984, Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 1999 and Western Michigan University in 2005 with a degree in accounting. She worked as a quality review coordinator for PNC Bank in Oshtemo.
The Susan McKinney Scholarship was established to support tuition and personal expenses to qualifying students in the accounting program at Valley. If you would like to help Kevin grow this scholarship, you can donate here. Just indicate "McKinney Scholarship" on the online form.
Valley Launches 2024 MLK Day Events Online Calendar Kalamazoo Valley Community College will coordinate the digital community calendar for MLK Day 2024 events. Every year, the community has enjoyed the convenience of going to a central webpage to learn about Martin Luther King Jr. Day programs and service opportunities in the Kalamazoo area. Visit MLK Day. Please share the URL - https://www.kvcc.edu/mlkday/ - with your contacts, and keep checking the landing page as it will be continually updated as items are received. Also, save the date for Valley's MLK Day celebration on Feb. 1. more
(L to R) Senator Sean McCann, Senator Sarah E. Anthony, Appropriations Chair,
L. Marshall Washington, Kalamazoo Valley Community College President, and State Representative Julie Rogers
Kalamazoo Valley Receives $19.5 Million to Renovate Skilled Trades Facilities Kalamazoo Valley Community College has received a state appropriation of $19.5 million to renovate its Skilled Trades Wing at its Texas Township Campus. These funds, along with an additional $19.5 million match that the college plans to raise from multiple sources, will enable Kalamazoo Valley to meet changing technology needs and the ever-growing demand for trained workers in the skilled trades.
In addition to renovating its 68,000 square foot wing, the college aims to add a 20,000 square foot expansion to accommodate a new automotive program. This expansion will provide new opportunities for program offerings such as hybrid and electric vehicle technology training, renewable energy storage systems and autonomous vehicle diagnostics and repair. The continued growth in electric vehicles will lead to a greater need for workers skilled in computer programing, engineering, installation and repair. The new space will also better equip Kalamazoo Valley to offer customized training for automotive employers who are looking to provide industry recognized credentials for their staff.
Stay tuned for updates about this exciting opportunity for our community!
Kalamazoo Valley Receives Grant for Unmet Transportation Needs and a College Completion Coach Kalamazoo Valley Community College is receiving a grant from the state for $58,850 to address "unmet transportation needs of adult learners as part of a wider effort to support adult student and immigrant student success." Kalamazoo Valley is also receiving $150,000 to support a "Completion Coach" for wraparound support services to immigrant, refugee, and first-generation students. The grants are among $1.5 million being awarded to increase completion rates at community and tribal colleges in the state. It is coming from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity's Office of Sixty by 30, Global Detroit, and Michigan College Access Network. Twelve other institutions are also receiving funding.
The Societal Role of Philanthropy in Higher Education LILLY FAMILY SCHOOL OF PHILANTHROPY
What does society need to know about the role of philanthropy in higher education as it evolves in the future? The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy offers some insights:
The Demographic Cliff - The year 2026 will bring a peak in high school graduates and then an aggressive decline, marked also by a decline in international student demand.
The Diversity and Inclusion Imperative - Universities struggle to close a double digit achievement gap, while the next 10 years will bring increasingly diverse students.
Increasing Mental Health Needs - Mental and emotional health issues such as anxiety and depression have been on the rise and increased even more sharply in the Covid-19 period.
The Future of Work is Now - Automation is expected to impact 30% of tasks in 60% of roles. While STEM enrollment is increasing, more technical skills are needed now.
Non-degree Offerings are Growing Rapidly - As employers look more for skills than degrees, non-degree offerings are proliferating.
NOW OPEN � Furniture Exhibit Featuring Two Centuries of History
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum's new "Off the Shelves: Exploring the Kalamazoo Valley Museum's Furniture Collection" exhibit treats the public to a rare peek at its furniture collection that spans over 200 years of history, from one-of-a-kind items to mass-produced pieces. See Dobbin the horse, which was used to train cavalry officers; a reproduction of King Tut's throne that was on display at Gilmore's department store for years; the neon Hoekstra Hardware sign that graced the back entrance of the store for several decades; and other pieces that all tell stories. Check out the promo video here! The exhibit runs through Jan. 21. Entry to the museum and exhibit are free.
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