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April 5, 2021
Greetings Students,
Welcome back from a long weekend recess. I hope that you were able to safely enjoy this wonderful Michigan weather.
The surge in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) positive cases is an important reminder that creating a safe environment both on and off campus is a shared responsibility.
The Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department recently announced that people who are 16 years or older who live in Kalamazoo County are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from the health department. More information about vaccine scheduling is available in the article below.
I urge you to closely review the vaccination information provided and continue to observe all healthy and safety protocols to help slow the spread of disease.
In just a few weeks, winter semester will come to a close. Stay focused on completing your studies and remember to register for summer semester classes!
Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department recently announced that people who are 16 years of age or older who live in Kalamazoo County are eligible to receive a COVID-19 (Coronavirus) vaccine from the health department.
Appointment scheduling process for people over the age of 16 who live in Kalamazoo County:
- Appointments are released on Mondays at 7 a.m., 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
New appointments may be added after Monday and throughout the week as existing appointments are cancelled. Residents with limited internet access are encouraged to call the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Call Center at 269.373.5200 for assistance in scheduling appointments.
- Please note, those under the age of 18 may only schedule a Pfizer vaccine appointment. A parent or guardian must also accompany minors at the vaccination clinic.
Appointment scheduling process for people over the age of 50, people 16-49 years old with disabilities and/or underlying medical conditions, or caregivers of children with special needs:
- Kalamazoo County residents over the age of 50 continue to be prioritized for vaccination as well as people 16-49 years old with disabilities and/or underlying medical conditions and caregivers of children with special needs. The health department reserves special appointment slots at upcoming clinics for this group.
- If you qualify in this group and have not yet received the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) vaccine and wish to do so, call the health department's COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Call Center at 269.373.5200 to schedule your appointment.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has expanded eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations. Under their guidelines, all Michiganders age 16 and up will be eligible to receive a vaccination beginning today.
As vaccine prioritization guidance evolves, and more Michiganders become eligible, the scheduling process and strategy within Kalamazoo County is subject to change.
With our healthcare systems, Ascension Borgess, Bronson Health Care, Family Health Center, and WMed Health, equitable distribution of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) vaccine remains the focus of the joint vaccination strategy in Kalamazoo County. All organizations continue to collaborate to ensure vaccinations are provided in a variety of geographic locations throughout Kalamazoo County and at a variety of community locations including senior centers, churches, schools, homeless shelters, and those in congregate living situations. Vaccination efforts in Kalamazoo County will continue to prioritize residents based on highest risk, including older adults, those with underlying medical conditions, and frontline workers.
Important points: The most up-to-date information is at www.kalcounty.com/covid19 and www.facebook.com/KalamazooCountyHCS. The health department will notify the public via press releases, social media and website updates as information changes.
- If you schedule an appointment but find another option or cannot make it, please remember to cancel your appointment so someone else can schedule.
- Vaccination is by appointment only. Do NOT show up at the health department or any vaccination site without an appointment.
- All eligible residents are also encouraged to explore vaccination through other vaccine providers in the area, including Meijer Pharmacy and Rite Aid Pharmacies.
- Please reserve phone calls for those who cannot easily access online information. The health department's COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Call Center is 269.373.5200.
Though these opportunities are not sponsored by Kalamazoo Valley Community College, we are encouraging all people to access the vaccine when it becomes available to them.
Summer Semester Tuition Due Tomorrow
As a reminder, tuition for summer semester is due tomorrow by 7 p.m. April 6, 2021. If tuition is not received or payment arrangements made, classes will be dropped.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College to Host May 2 Drive-Thru Celebration
To honor its May 2021 graduates as well as those students who attained their degrees last spring, summer, and fall, Kalamazoo Valley is hosting a May 2, 2 p.m. Drive-Thru Celebration in the Texas Township Campus parking lot.
Graduates will be asked to limit themselves to one vehicle and remain in their vehicle for the entirety of the event. Ceremony will include brief remarks from Dr. Washington followed by a drive-thru processional for graduates to receive their diplomas and certificates. Face coverings will be required during portions of the event. The graduate should sit in the front passenger seat whenever possible.
Invitations were emailed to April/August/December 2020 graduates and petitioned May 2021 students on April 1. RSVP is required in order to attend. The deadline to RSVP is April 23. Students will receive instructions on where and when to arrive after RSVP'ing for the event.
Fall Semester Registration
It's not too early to begin thinking about fall semester classes. The schedule will be available May 10, with registration beginning the week of May 17. Classes start Sept. 8.
Looking for a Job?
Visit Kalamazoo Valley's online job board, Career Coach, to view more than 140 positions in many program areas. Opportunities include:
Trades: Auto opportunities at Seelye, Diesel Injection Services, AAMCO Transmission. CNC/Engineering/Machining jobs at Tri-Mation, Eaton, Landscape Forms, City of Portage, Humphrey Products. All level HVAC jobs at Kalamazoo Mechanical and Mall City Mechanical.
Health Careers: Dental Hygienist jobs all over the state of Michigan. Medical Assistant jobs at Bronson, WMU Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine. RN jobs at Friendship Village, Integrated Services of Kalamazoo.
Art and New Media: Graphic designer jobs at LifeStory Network and Imperial Beverage. Art Instructor at MRC Industries and Photographer/Special Events Internship at WMU Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine
Chemistry/Science: Lab technician jobs at Charles River Labs, Pfizer and Zoetis
Culinary: Numerous restaurant opportunities all over Southwest Michigan.
Education: Teaching and paraprofessional jobs at KRESA, Little Tykes Learning Center and EDUStaff.
Additionally, there are many more general entry level jobs such as seasonal work, production associates, direct care workers and landscaping/grounds keeping.
If you need assistance, email careercenter@kvcc.edu or call 269.488.4046.
 Get Involved on Campus (Virtually)
The Office for Student Life and Engagement is here to connect you with a number of events in our new virtual space. From meeting with transfer colleges, to making a budget, to learning about your strengths - our office offers learning opportunities outside the classroom. Meet new people and connect with campus contacts to make your college experience count.
Upcoming events include
April 6 | Transfer Tuesday: Olivet College | 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Are you interested in transferring to Olivet College after goal completion at Kalamazoo Valley? Meet with admission representatives to learn more about the transfer process.
April 6 | Sister2Brother | 3 - 5 p.m.
S2B events are for students looking to network, discover and develop leadership skills.
April 13 | Transfer Tuesday: U of M - Flint | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Are you interested in transferring to U of M - Flint after goal completion at Kalamazoo Valley? Meet with admission representatives to learn more about the transfer process.
April 13 | Transfer Tuesday: Olivet College | 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Are you interested in transferring to Olivet College after goal completion at Kalamazoo Valley? Meet with admission representatives to learn more about the transfer process.
April 13 | Transfer Tuesday: U of M - Flint | 4 - 5 p.m.
Are you interested in transferring to U of M - Flint after goal completion at Kalamazoo Valley? Meet with admission representatives to learn more about the transfer process.
April 20 | Transfer Tuesday: Olivet College | 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Are you interested in transferring to Olivet College after goal completion at Kalamazoo Valley? Meet with admission representatives to learn more about the transfer process.
Student Organizations
Did you know Kalamazoo Valley has a number of student clubs and organizations? From dance club to anime there is something for everyone. Clubs are a great way to meet people virtually! Check out the complete list here. Want to start your own club? Contact Coty Dunten at cdunten@kvcc.edu.
College Social Media
Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on both Instagram and Twitter for all of the latest campus news. Check out the college calendar for a complete list of upcoming events and activities at the college and in the community.
Celebrate National Poetry Month
The Ned Foskey Poetry Prize virtual reading takes place on Friday, April 23 at 4 p.m.
Listen to winners of the Ned Foskey Poetry Prize read their poems during this online event. Kalamazoo poet and contest judge Margaret DeRitter introduces the winners and reads from her own work.
See the Kalamazoo Valley Libraries article below for additional poetry events.
Supporting Someone Through Grief and Loss
Helping someone through grief and loss can be difficult. Here are some practical steps to support someone who is going through a difficult time.
- Be a good listener by allowing them the space to talk about the reality of the situation without offering advice on how to make it better.
- Respect the person's way of grieving, as it may differ from your own experience of grieving.
- Accept their mood swings.
- Avoid giving advice.
- Refrain from trying to explain the loss.
- Help out with practical tasks like making meals, lawn care, babysitting and running errands.
- Stay connected and available by checking-in via texts and phone calls or inviting them to do activities.
- Offer words that touch the heart.
Green Earth Electronics Recycling Event
Community members, businesses and residents from surrounding communities are encouraged to recycle their unwanted electronic items at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The event will be located at 6767 W O Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 on Friday, April 23, 2021 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Green Earth Electronics Recycling will be operating the event. Accepted items include:computers, laptops, monitors (fee), TVs (fee), telephones, cameras, DVD players, cords/cables, printers, toner cartridges, cell phones, refrigerators, air conditioners,appliances, and any other electronic items or items with a cord. A handling fee will be collected for ALL monitors of any size ($10 per monitor) and ALL televisions of any size ($20 per TV). Additionally, a handling fee will be collected for any items containing Freon ($10 per item). Visit www.greenearth1.com/fees for more information about the fees. All other items are recycled free of charge. Hard drives are wiped to Department of Defense specifications or shredded.
Industrial Trades student Harmony Bock
Student Profile: Harmony Bock
It took Kalamazoo Valley Community College student Harmony Bock a while to figure out her career aspirations, but she couldn't be more pleased with the path she's on today. The Portage Community Education Center graduate said she didn't do well when she first started college because she didn't have clear goals.
"Then I came back to Kalamazoo Valley a year or two later and started to take classes for tool and die, before I got scooped up for maintenance," she said. Today she works in maintenance at Benteler Automotive. At her previous job in a small factory in Kalamazoo, she was the only technician on her shift. "I wanted to work with more automation, so now I am. I'm training with robots every day," she said. more
Black Women's Roundtable Honors Kalamazoo Valley Student
Kalamazoo Valley student Shona Espinoza and her daughter Tyarra were recently honored by the Black Women's Roundtable: Metro Detroit for helping people get registered to vote. The women received the 2021 Community and Leadership Award.
Espinoza will graduate in May with an associate degree in general studies. She plans to transfer to Western Michigan University to continue building on her experience in youth and community development activities. She's passionate about helping young people and those in need. "Those are the ones that struggle the most," she said. "Those in need are the most vulnerable." more
Friday Virtual Employer of the Day Events for ANM and ART Students
These events are meant to give students an opportunity to learn about Art and New Media and Art career paths from local employers.
April 9 | Newhall Klein Brands | 1 p.m.
This is a great opportunity to learn about your career path from a local employer. Newhall Klein has been in business for more than 30 years offering clients branding, media, packaging, photography, print and web design services.
April 16 | LKF Marketing | 1 p.m.
LKF Marketing has offered Intelligent Marketing Solutions since 1989. Our work hard, play hard team specializes in full-service advertising, marketing, public relations, and website design and development. While Kalamazoo is our home, we thrive on holistically partnering with clients - or family as we prefer to call them - across the country and worldwide. To learn more about the company, click here.
Join via Zoom.
Kalamazoo Valley Libraries: Follow Us on Social Media
Have you checked out Kalamazoo Valley Libraries on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube? Now is a great time to follow us.
Throughout the month of April, on Instagram @kalamazoovalleylibraries and Facebook @kalamazoovalleylibrary, read poetry by classmates and staff members from Kalamazoo Valley in honor of National Poetry Month. Join our community in celebrating Valley's own poets!
Also, our YouTube channel features helpful tutorial videos on topics including library use, database research, and general technology skills. Explore it for quick lessons on how to get things done in Word, Google Docs, article databases and other library resources.
Follow us and keep current on future Valley Libraries happenings!
Virtual Hours:
Monday - Thursday | 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Chat with a college librarian 24/7
Library Open Hours:
Texas Township Campus Library (TTC)
Monday - Friday | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.*
Arcadia Commons Campus Library (ACC) (located in Anna Whitten Hall, Room 321)
Monday - Friday | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.*
Curbside Assistance:
Texas Township Campus Library (TTC)
Monday - Friday | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.*
* Beginning April 13, the libraries will be closed on Tuesdays from 8 - 9 a.m. for staff training.
Need Food? Valley Food Share Can Help
Valley Food Share is an initiative designed to meet the immediate food needs of Kalamazoo Valley students. Through the program, currently enrolled students can pick up a box, or a "share" which includes food grown locally and sourced through our own Food Innovation Center as well as nonperishable items from Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, to take home. The college has provided students with shares once a week for the last year.
Valley Food Share distribution is currently a drive-thru service on Thursdays between 2 - 4 p.m. alternating between the Food Innovation Center and the Texas Township Campus. You will receive an email each Thursday afternoon with a link to sign up for a box of food for the next week. If you come by car, we ask that you remain in your vehicle and the share will be placed in your trunk by college employees. If you come on foot or on a bicycle, please wear a face mask.
If you have any questions, please email foodshare@kvcc.edu.
Need Assistance? Student Services can Help!
Students who need assistance can schedule:
- Virtual appointments
- In-person appointments (by appointment only)
Click here for a complete Student Services contact list.
Call or email for an appointment so that we can best serve you. You can also self-schedule your appointment through MyValley. Click on "Schedule an Appointment with Student Services" under My Links.
All students and guests who schedule in-person appointments are required to adhere to strict safety measures.
- Face coverings must be worn properly at all times.
- When possible, proper social distancing of a minimum of six feet must be observed.
- Frequent hand washing along with the use of hand sanitizer.
- Completion of a daily health assessment prior to arriving on campus.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College follows the guidance of the Kalamazoo County Public Health Department related to COVID-19 testing. Access the most up-to-date information about testing locations and appointments on its website.
Watch Recorded Versions of Women's History Presentations
If you missed the Women's History talks, you can still watch recorded versions of each session. Here's a link to Rebecca Durkee's March 18 presentation, "Are We There Yet? Recognizing 100 Years of Imperfect Progress."
Durkee is in an instructor of gender and women's studies (GWS) and sociology at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. She leads the GWS concentration and teaches several classes on gender, including Introduction to Gender and Women's Studies as well as Media and the Sexes. Her research has included gender disparities in higher education and LGBTQ issues.
The March 25 talk, "Kalamazoo Valley Community College Women: Reflections on the Pandemic," featured a blend of speakers, media and experiences. The presentation was recorded here's a link.
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