InFocus: News for Kalamazoo Valley Community College Students

MISSION STATEMENT
Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable
opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.

Jan. 17, 2023

Greetings Students!

As you are settling into your winter semester classes, we thank you for choosing Kalamazoo Valley! My advice for a successful semester includes staying in close communication with your instructors, completing all of your assignments and being an active participant in all of your classes. Keep a close eye on your college email where you will receive important college information and updates. If you need assistance, reach out to your instructors or make an appointment with an advisor or counselor in Student Development Services.

As a reminder, creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment is a shared responsibility. Practicing public health safety recommendations every day, which include seeking out and receiving vaccinations and boosters to help protect yourself and others from disease. Some people may choose to use a face covering and I expect all to respect the choices of others related to health and safety. Please make time to access and reflect on the college values

By continuing to work together, we will create an environment where all can learn, grow and thrive!

Sincerely,

Signature: L. Marshall Washington
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President


student services


Need Assistance? Student Services can Help!
Students who need assistance should contact one of the many student services departments listed here to schedule:

  1. Virtual appointments
  2. In-person appointments
Call or email for an appointment so that we can best serve you.
The Big Chill: January 17 Culinary and Allied Health Building 11 AM - 2PM Lobby; January 18 Anna Whitten Hall 11 AM - 2 PM lobby; January 19 Texas Township Campus 11 AM - 2 PM student commons. Join the winter fun. Kalamazoo Valley's Big Chill is here. Music, food, fun, and all the information you need to make the winter semester 2023 great. Come learn about the resources, student activities, and support available to all Kalamazoo Valley students.
libraries

Kalamazoo Valley Libraries: Library Services Winter 2023
The Kalamazoo Valley Libraries at Texas Township Campus and Anna Whitten Hall are open and available to support you this winter.

Laptops, Hotspots and Calculators
We've streamlined - no more online or paper forms to fill out to borrow computers or hotspots! Laptops and hotspots are available for students who do not have access to a computer or Wi-Fi at home. We also have graphing calculators for loan. You can borrow technology for the entire semester. Visit our website for more information.

Reserves & Textbooks
The Libraries offer access to many textbooks used at Kalamazoo Valley. Check our website to see if we have books for your class available. Most reserve items may be checked out for up to three hours.

Explore MeLCat
The Libraries are now participating in MeLCat, a service that allows students, staff and faculty to borrow items from other participating libraries throughout the state of Michigan. Click here to search for materials available to borrow. Make sure to have your Valley ID ready. Books can be sent directly to the Kalamazoo Valley library location of your choice, and the library will contact you when your item is available for pick up.

Visiting Writers Series Guide
Visiting Writers Series stages events that afford the unique opportunity to interact with professional writers and hear them read their work. Don't miss the upcoming visit by Ada Limón, U.S. Poet Laureate! Consult the Libraries' Visiting Writers Series Guide for event schedules, detailed biographies, samples of each visiting author's work and more. You can also see the authors' books and check them out.

Services and Hours
Library materials are available for checkout and staff are available to assist you. We also offer services remotely through email, phone, 24/7 chat and Zoom. Call us at 269.488.4328 or email us at libraries@kvcc.edu with any questions or requests. See our website for up-to-date hours.


We look forward to connecting with you!

Visit us online
Call 269.488.4328 
Email: libraries@kvcc.edu
Chat with a college librarian 24/7
Zoom: by appointment, please email libraries@kvcc.edu
Follow us on Instagram

student employment services
Student Employment Services assists students with job searching, resume writing and practice interviewing. Visit Career Coach to see if there is something that interests you. If you are looking for a different job other than what is listed, we can help. Call 269.488.4040 or email careercenter@kvcc.edu to schedule an appointment.
 
Below are some of the jobs currently posted on Career Coach:

Accounting/Business/IT/Marketing
Accounts Payable Clerk - Harding's Markets West Inc./Plainwell, MI
Night Audit Radisson Plaza Hotel - Greenleaf Hospitality Group
Retail Supervisor - MRC Industries
Administrative Assistant - Human Resources - Kalamazoo Public Schools
Technical Support Assistant - Fetzer Institute

Culinary/Brewing
The Morning Dish Cook - Greenleaf Hospitality Group
Kitchen Manager - Warner Vineyards

Education
Special Education Paraprofessional - Portage Public Schools
Math Push-In Tutor - Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo

Health Careers
Clinic Nurse - RN or LPN - InterCare
Dental Hygiene - several postings
Assisted Living Assistant Director - Friendship Village

Human Services
Assistance Payments Worker - Department of Health and Human Services
Full-Time Firefighter - Oshtemo Charter Township

Trades
Automotive Embedded System Test Operator in MI - Total Computing Solutions of America, Inc.
Automotive Technician - Bridgestone Retail Operations
Automotive Lead Technician - Bridgestone Retail Operations
Maintenance Worker - Plumbing and Heating - Portage Public Schools


The official Kalamazoo Valley Community College Cougar Bookstore

Financial Aid Can Be Used for Book Purchases

Jan. 25 is the last day that students can use their winter financial aid to make book and supplies purchases at the Texas Township Bookstore. Authorizations end on that date. Both in-store and online purchases are eligible. Either purchase items in person from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, or online - your choice! Online orders may be picked up at TTC or the Anna Whitten Hall Library at the Arcadia Commons Campus in downtown Kalamazoo, or mailed to any address you want. Shipping is $5.

 
Purchase your metro transit bus pass. $240 unlimited rides for the winter semester. Financial aid students, use your voucher. Financial aid students pick up a voucher from the pay station and take it to the Kalamazoo transportation center at 459 N. Burdick Street by January 31. the pass costs $240 for unlimited rides during the winter 2023 semester. Cash and credit card accepted. Valley ID required for purchase. $50 replacement fee if lost. Call 269-337-8222 for more information.
 
  student life and engagement 
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 Ezra Bell.

Upcoming events include:
Jan. 17 | How to Build a Plan for Success this Semester | 5 p.m.
Join Kalamazoo Promise Services staff to learn how you can build a plan for success this semester! This engaging event will be in Room 207 at Anna Whitten Hall located downtown. Make sure you bring your syllabi and a calendar - either paper or virtual - that you would like to use. You can also join via Zoom or Instagram Live. For more information about joining virtually, please email promiseservices@kvcc.edu.
 
Jan. 18 | Born 2 Succeed | 3 - 5 p.m.
Are you a male student looking to connect with others pursuing a degree? Are you interested in networking with successful individuals from within the community? If so, you are encouraged to join the Born 2 Succeed (B2S) program. B2S provides mentoring, leadership development, career exploration, strength/talent identification, peer support, tutoring, workshops and chill nights for male students. Join us on Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 3 - 5 p.m. at Anna Whitten Hall in Room 128 downtown. For more information, contact Ezra Bell at ebell@kvcc.edu.
 
Jan. 18 | EmployU Workshop | 3 p.m.
EmployU Workshops are events designed to equip participants with knowledge and skills that prepare them for entering today's competitive workforce. Event topics range from useful tips to elevate your resume to advice on navigating job search sites. Join us on Jan. 18 in Room 128 at Anna Whitten Hall located downtown. This month's workshop will be a collaboration between Student Employment Services and the Born 2 Succeed (B2S) program. During this event, topics will include soft skills, hard skills and keys to living a successful life. For more information, contact Mary McConnell at mmcconnell@kvcc.edu.
 
Jan. 19 | Valley Food Share | 2 - 4 p.m.
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 bag, or a "share," which includes food grown locally and sourced through our own Food Innovation Center as well as non-perishable items from Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes. For more information, visit kvcc.edu/foodshare.
 
Jan. 23 | Valley Future Educators' Club (VFEC) | 1 p.m.
Are you a student interested in pursuing a career in education? Valley Future Educators' Club provides a great opportunity to network with Kalamazoo Valley faculty and peers interested in the field of education. Join us at our next meeting for some informal learning, conversation and fun! This event will be held in-person at 1 p.m. on the Texas Township Campus in Room 4240 and will also be available via Zoom. Click here to join virtually. To learn more, contact Cheryl Almeda.    
 
Jan. 24 | Kalamazoo Promise Services Skills Pop-Up | 5 p.m.
Students, please join us for a tour of the Texas Township Campus Library and learn about all of the amazing services you can use. Librarians Amy Brandt and Jim Ratliff will lead students through the session and will discuss library spaces across Kalamazoo Valley's campuses. Students can attend in person as well as virtually via Zoom or via the Promise Services' Instagram. For more information on attending virtually, please email promiseservices@kvcc.edu.

 
Check the college calendar for other upcoming opportunities.


 

Student Organizations
Do 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! Check out the complete list here.

College Social Media
Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn for all of the latest campus news. And every Tuesday, you can check us out on TikTok!


Transfer Tuesday: Are you unsure of what four-year college or university you want to attend after you complete your academic goals at Kalamazoo Valley? Connect with college and university admissions representatives at Transfer Tuesday. Look for transfer tables in the student commons between 9 AM to 2 PM in February 14, February 28, March 21, April 4, April 18
athletics

Free, Free, Free - Check out a Basketball Game in January

Basketball season is underway at Kalamazoo Valley Community College! You're invited to drop in at any time at the men's and women's basketball games, which are always free in the main gym at the college's Texas Township Campus. The second half of the season restarts this month, and we're so excited that there are several home games in January. The next one is Saturday, Jan. 21 against Kellogg Community College, with tipoff at 1 p.m. for the women and at 3 p.m. for the men.
 
Here's the other January home basketball games:
  • Wednesday | Jan. 25 | Women at 5:30 p.m. | Men at 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday | Jan. 28 | Women at 1 p.m. | Men at 3 p.m.
For the full season schedule, click here.
american red cross
American Red Cross to Hold Blood Drive on Campus Jan. 19
Kalamazoo Valley Community College and its chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges, will be collaborating with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive at the Texas Township Campus on Jan. 19. The event will be held in the Student Commons with appointments available throughout the day.  If you'd like to donate, please register by going to redcrossblood.org and entering the sponsor code "KVCC" in the appointment search box. Appointments are required for blood donations during this event. more

center for new media
CNM to Host February Black Artists Exhibit

In collaboration with the Black Arts and Cultural Center, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and the Metropolitan Kalamazoo branch of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Center for New Media will host an exhibition of works by local Black artists in February 2023. Entries are due by Jan. 27. Kalamazoo Valley students are encouraged to apply. more

health careers
Upcoming Information Sessions for the Health Careers
Emergency Medical Services:  Tuesday, Feb. 7 | 6 p.m. | Room 223 CAH
Dental Hygiene:  Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 6 p.m. | Room 4550 TTC
Respiratory Therapy:  Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 5:30 p.m. | Room 1310 TTC
Medical Assistant Technology:  Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 5:30 p.m. | Room 4550 TTC
 
 What's happening at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its board of trustees

KIA Jan. 17 Lunchtime Event Featured Museum's Photo Exhibit
The community learned about the nearly 40-year-long "Moments in Time: The Kalamazoo County Photo Documentary Project" at a free lunchtime talk today from noon to 1 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S. Park St. in downtown Kalamazoo. The guest speaker, Regina Gorham, collections manager at Kalamazoo Valley's Kalamazoo Valley Museum, shared about the museum's current exhibit of approximately 100 of the history project's thousands of images of Kalamazoo County life collected since 1984.
 
Later in the week, please join us for the public reception on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum to celebrate the immense achievement of the "Moments in Time: The Kalamazoo County Photo Documentary Project." Be sure to visit the photo exhibit while there. It is on view at the museum through June 4.

Murphy Darden, Sr.

Local Historian Murphy Darden's Pop-Up Exhibit Opens Jan. 12
In celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, our Kalamazoo Valley Museum opened a new pop-up mini-exhibit on Jan. 12 that showcases Kalamazoo-related items collected by longtime local civil rights historian Murphy Darden, Sr.
 
The "Kalamazoo Through the Eyes of Murphy Darden" exhibit will be on display through March 19. It also highlights pieces Murphy created representing people, places and events in Kalamazoo history.
 
Admission is free to exhibits and to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit kalamazoomuseum.org.

 

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Texas Township Campus
6767 West O Avenue
PO Box 4070
Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4070
269.488.4400