Dec. 4, 2023
Greetings Students,
One of the sure signs of nearing the end of the semester is celebrating student success during Commencement!
The college community will commemorate student success during Commencement on Sunday, Dec. 17. We expect great participation and a large crowd of family members and friends at Miller Auditorium beginning at 2 p.m. We hope that you will attend and enjoy the ceremony; graduation is one of life's landmark events and will be a key part of your life's timeline. It's a symbol of change, progression and moving on to a new life.
For those of you graduating, congratulations! You've proven to yourself and to the world that you know how to work hard and that you can see things through to the end. For those of you who continue to press forward, we are cheering for you and can't wait to celebrate you at a future commencement!
Soon we all will be celebrating the end of the fall semester, so until then, stay focused on the goal.
Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
Learn How to Enhance Your Resume at Dec. 6 EmployU Workshop
Are you in the process of updating your resume? Join Student Employment Services for this month's EmployU Workshop on Dec. 6 from 2 - 3 p.m. via Zoom. The event will provide useful tips and tricks for enhancing resumes. Pre-register by emailing careercenter@kvcc.edu with your name and Valley ID number. Those who sign up will be emailed a link to join the event virtually.
EmployU Workshops are designed to equip participants with knowledge and skills that prepare them for entering today's competitive workforce. Email careercenter@kvcc.edu to learn more about upcoming events.
MI ECHO Scholarship Applications Accepted Through Dec. 31
Students who face barriers accessing federal financial aid due to immigration status are encouraged to learn more about the Michigan Equality, Courage, Hope and Opportunity (MI ECHO) scholarship. The program covers the cost of tuition, contact hours and other mandatory fees associated with obtaining a certificate or associate degree in the state of Michigan.
To qualify, students must live in Michigan, be a DACA recipient, have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), asylum pending, Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ) or an immigration status preventing them from qualifying for federal financial aid. Those receiving federal financial aid, the Futures for Frontliners scholarship or who receive awards from the Michigan Reconnect program are not eligible.
"This is a very unique scholarship opportunity for students who typically cannot access federal financial aid," said Kristina Pudasaini, Kalamazoo Valley international student coordinator. "It allows them to have a tuition-free pathway. I would encourage any student who meets the criteria to apply." more
Get Involved on Campus
The Office for Student Life and Engagement is here to connect you with a number of events on campus. From meeting with transfer colleges and 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 more meaningful. For more information, contact Miranda McDowell. Check the college calendar for other upcoming opportunities.
Student Organizations
Did you know Kalamazoo Valley has a number of student clubs and organizations? From Gaming Club to Valley Writers Association, there is something for everyone. Clubs are a great way to meet people! Check out the complete list here.
College Social Media
Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn for all of the latest campus news.
Time to Buy Commencement Caps, Gowns, Honors Regalia
December graduates can buy commencement regalia until 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 at the Bookstore on the Texas Township Campus. Also for sale are diploma frames, graduation yard signs and mortarboard graphics. The graduation ceremony is Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. at Miller Auditorium at Western Michigan University.
No Evening Hours Week of Dec.18
All student services, including Student Development Services, Admissions, Registration and Records, Student Financial Services, Learning Center, Libraries, Testing Center and the Wellness and Fitness Center, will close at 5 p.m. the week of Dec. 18.
AWH Library Closure, Research & Citation Help, Study Spaces & Returns
Arcadia Commons Campus Library Closure: Dec. 18 - Jan. 5
The Arcadia Commons Campus library will be closed temporarily starting the week of Dec.18 through the week of Jan. 1 for carpet replacement. AWH Room 308 will be available for students to return library material and the computer lab in the Center for New Media will be available for computing and printing. The library will reopen Jan. 8.
Research and Citation Help
Those research paper due dates are looming. Do you need some help getting started, finding appropriate research or formatting citations? Visit us in person to talk to one of our reference librarians. From off campus, you can call or email us. For assistance during non-business hours, the Ask a Librarian 24/7 Chat is always available.
There are also research and citation guides online. Access our How-To Videos for short tutorials on searching our ValleyCat online catalog, navigating article databases and more. Our Citation Research Guide will show you why, when and how to cite as well as provide links and instructions for other resources such as Zotero, a free online reference manager and citation generator.
Study Spaces
Both libraries feature quiet, cozy and convenient study spaces in unique environments. We have tables, computers, comfy armchairs and isolated study cubicles with plenty of room to situate yourself and your belongings. The Texas Township library has closed study rooms for extra privacy-ask about availability. The Anna Whitten Hall library features a unique scenic lookout over downtown Kalamazoo, and the TTC library offers a panoramic two-story view of the surrounding nature preserve.
Returns
In all the end-of-the-semester hustle, don't forget that it is time to return borrowed library materials. Please return any items that are due. To return books and media, please drop off materials at any book drop or library service desk. A convenient 24/7 book drop is located outside the tower entrance at the Texas Township Campus. Laptops and hotspots should be returned to the circulation desk at either library location.
Hours and Contact Information
Wind Turbine Technician Academy to Celebrate Graduation on Dec. 15
Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Wind Turbine Technician Academy (WTTA) will celebrate its 28th graduating class on Friday, Dec. 15 at 11 a.m. at the Groves Campus. The ceremony will be hosted by Thomas Sutton, director of wind energy and technical training services, and will include welcome remarks from Craig Jbara, vice president for strategic business and economic development.
The academy's newest graduates include:
- Anna McClurkan - Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Matthew Prentice-Sao - Plainwell, Michigan
Developed with input from industry leaders, Kalamazoo Valley's nationally accredited program is one of the country's leading academies for aspiring wind turbine technicians. Over the years, the WTTA has attracted students from across the U.S. and around the world. Graduates experience active careers and travel internationally to accommodate employer needs. more
Volleyball Team Awards Banquet Celebrated Players' Dedication
Volleyball team members and their families and friends took a moment to reflect on the hard work of the recently completed season at an awards banquet held on Nov. 16. A big highlight was honoring players who had achieved two years on the team. The recipients of the Second-Year Awards were sophomores Raine Atherton and Rylie Glass. Congratulations to the team, the honorees and the coaching staff! A special shout-out to Rhonda Sturgeon on the completion of her first season as head coach.
Check out Pre-Season Women's & Men's Basketball Home Games
Conference play officially begins on Jan. 13, but there are opportunities to see the players at non-conference home games in December. Cheer on the women's basketball team at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8; and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. The men's team will play at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4; 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 8; and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. All home games take place in the main gym at the Texas Township Campus. Admission is free. Find the full season schedule at athletics.kvcc.edu.
Museum Launches Adult Discovery Series and Retro Café
Join the Kalamazoo Valley Museum for its new monthly adult series. The next session is Tuesday, Dec.12 at 2 p.m. Cost is $3. This month's two-hour long program will explore the museum's charming General Store exhibit. It includes a Mystery Artifact demonstration and ends with light refreshments. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required at kalamazoomuseum.org or 269.373.7990. Registered guests are encouraged to bring an artifact to share. The series will be offered the second Tuesday of the month through March 2024.
Closing Dec. 30: 'Wonder Media' Exhibit that Builds News Literacy
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum's "Wonder Media: Ask the Questions!" exhibit invites pre-teens, teens and adults to engage in critical thinking about news and media literacy topics by interacting with 14 highly interactive activity stations, providing a fun and hands-on way to build skills to better spot misleading news and information. It'll be ending a 1½-plus year run on Dec. 30. Admission is free to the exhibit and the museum. Click here for more details about the exhibit.
NOW OPEN - Furniture Exhibit Featuring Two Centuries of History
For a limited time, the Kalamazoo Valley Museum provides a rare peek at its unique items in storage, some never seen publicly at any point since the museum's founding in 1881! The FREE, "Off the Shelves: Exploring the Kalamazoo Valley Museum's Furniture Collection" exhibit showcases the museum's furniture collection spanning over 200 years of history, from mass-produced to one-of-a-kind pieces, like a replica of King Tut's throne! Also see Dobbin the horse, which was used to train cavalry officers; the neon Hoekstra Hardware sign that graced the back entrance of the store for several decades; and other pieces that all tell stories. The exhibit runs through Jan. 21. Entry to the museum and exhibit are free.
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