Greetings Students!

Welcome back from Spring Break!  However you chose to spend your time last week, we are glad you are back, refreshed and ready to push through to the end of the semester.

As we think about those who have pushed through to achieve great things, we are celebrating March as Women's History Month. This monthlong celebration of women's contributions to history, culture and society has been observed annually in the United States since 1987.

The actual celebration of Women's History Month grew out of a weeklong celebration of women's contributions organized by the school district of Sonoma, California in 1978. A few years later, the idea had caught on within communities, school districts and organizations across the country. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women's History Week. Some years later, the National Women's History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the event to the entire month of March.

Kalamazoo Valley Community College has benefited from women leaders, including Paige Eagan, Ph.D., provost and vice president for instruction and student services; Board of Trustees Chairperson Lucinda M. Stinson; and Jenny Ott, faculty member and chairperson of the academic leadership council. Additionally, nearly 600 women currently serve in roles throughout the college as faculty, staff and administrators.

Recognizing the achievements of women in all facets of life, including our homes, workplaces and in our communities, has a huge impact on the development of self-respect and new opportunities for girls and young women.

Sincerely,

L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President

Matthew Maka, Kayleigh Overhuel, Allison Salgat, Jean Mupupuni

PTK Members Achieve All-Michigan Academic Team Recognition
Four members of Kalamazoo Valley's Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter were recently named to the PTK All-Michigan Academic Team. The winners attended an awards luncheon with Kalamazoo Valley President L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D. on March 13 at the Kellogg Center in Lansing. Hosted by the Michigan Community College Association and member institutions of PTK, the event honored distinguished college students from throughout the state. Recognized Kalamazoo Valley PTK members include:

• Kayleigh Overhuel, Nursing
• Matthew Maka, Automotive
• Jean Mupupuni, Health Sciences
• Allison Salgat, Business Administration

PTK, the international honor society of two-year colleges, is a student organization that provides academic, professional and leadership development opportunities as well as access to exclusive scholarships. Annually, 39 states participate in PTK's All-State Academic Team selection process. Winners are awarded with medallions and are eligible to qualify for selective scholarships. Nominees are chosen from throughout each state's participating colleges and are recognized for their scholarly achievement and merit. More

Submissions Accepted for Ned Foskey Poetry Prize Contest

Entries in the Annual Ned Foskey Poetry Prize Contest are being accepted until March 24. All Kalamazoo Valley students are eligible to enter. Foskey was a tutor in Kalamazoo Valley's Writing Center and the contest was established by his family to honor his memory and the students who he enjoyed helping.

Prizes are: First Place, $150; Second Place, $100 and Third Place, $75.

All winners and honorable mentions will be invited to read at the Ned Foskey Poetry Prize Reading in April. See more details and access the entry form here

International Spring Showcase Tuesday, March 28

• Dental Hygiene
• Emergency Medical Services
• Medical Assistant Technology
• Nursing
• Practical Nursing
• Respiratory Care Practitioner

If you are unsure how you will be able to pay for the upcoming semester or have questions about your financial aid, consider the following: 

1. Apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA. If you have already applied, you may have outstanding financial aid requirements. Please refer to your MyValley account to review any unfulfilled requirements. You can do this by selecting "My Links" and clicking "Financial Aid Information." 
2. Split up your tuition payments by signing up for the payment plan. 
3. Meet with a financial aid advisor to discuss additional options. You can schedule an appointment by calling 269.488.4340. 

If you have additional questions about your account balance or paying your bill, please contact finaid@kvcc.edu or call 269.488.4340.

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.

March 20 | 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.    
 
March 21 | Transfer Tuesday | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Are you unsure of which four-year college or university you'd like to attend after completing your academic goals at Kalamazoo Valley? Would you like the opportunity to network with university and college representatives? If so, please join us for Transfer Tuesday, where guests can connect with admissions representatives from various universities and colleges. Winter 2023 Transfer Tuesday tables are located at the Texas Township Campus from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Student Commons. For more information, contact Ezra Bell.
 
March 24 | Nursing Information Workshop | 3 p.m.
Join us for this informative workshop to learn more about Kalamazoo Valley's Nursing Program and what we can offer you! Discover useful program information, requirements and how to prepare your application. Click here to RSVP. For more information, email nursing@kvcc.edu.
 
March 29 | Western Wednesday | 10 a.m. - Noon
Are you a student interested in transferring to Western Michigan University after goal completion at Kalamazoo Valley? Would you like the opportunity to network with university representatives? If so, then please join us for Western Wednesday, where you will be able to connect with advisors and admissions representatives from Western Michigan University. Join us on the Texas Township Campus from 10 a.m. - noon in Room 4230. For more information, contact Ezra Bell.
 
March 30 | 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.
 
Check the college calendar for other upcoming opportunities.
 
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! 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!

Women's & Men's Basketball Teams Close Season at NJCAA Semifinals
Congratulations to the Cougar women's and men's basketball teams for their hard work at the recent National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 12 District C Tournament semifinals. While both teams had highly successful seasons in 2022 - 23, ultimately, they ended their seasons the weekend of March 10 by falling to their respective challengers in the final games. The women lost to Delta College on March 11 by the score of 59 - 43. The men lost to Macomb Community College on March 12 by the score of 71 - 56. 

Both teams still remain champions in each of their Western Conferences in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association by finishing No. 1. The women's team finished with an overall record of 17 - 10 and 10 - 2 in the conference. The men's team finished with an overall record of 23 - 7 and 10 - 2 in the conference as well. 

"I am extremely proud of the student-athletes and coaches from each team and am excited to see how the teams shape up for 2023 - 24," said Athletic Director Russ Panico. 

Spring into Baseball, Softball Seasons on March 21
One sure sign that spring is here is the start of the 2023 baseball and softball seasons at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The first official conference games will be away, with softball at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 21 at Jackson Community College and baseball at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 21 at Kellogg Community College.
 
The first home game for baseball will be 2 p.m. Thursday, March 23 against Lake Michigan Community College. The next softball home game is 3 p.m. Friday, March 24 against Marian University's Ancilla College. Admission is free to all home games.
 
The Lady Cougars are excited to roll into the season with a strong returning sophomore class and a gritty, hard-working freshmen class. The baseball team is looking to bounce back after a difficult 2022 campaign where a very inexperienced Cougar squad came up against a highly competitive conference. Click here for the full article.

Visit athletics.kvcc.edu for the full schedule.

Time to Buy Commencement Caps, Gowns, Honors Regalia
Graduating in April? You can buy commencement regalia up until 5 p.m. Friday, April 28 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, April 30 at 2 p.m. at Miller Auditorium at Western Michigan University.

Looking for Work or Volunteer Opportunities?
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 job that isn't 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:

Free Metal Point Drawing Class
The Art Department is offering a workshop for students on metal point drawing on Friday, April 7, 10 a.m. to noon at the Center For New Media, Room 120. Materials will be provided for those attending. Registration is required and the size is limited to 25 people. Contact instructor Sherran Deems at sdeems@kvcc.edu to sign up.

Metal point was in use through the Renaissance and was traditionally done with silver. With the introduction of graphite and its ease of correction, metal point drawing declined after the 16th century. It is enjoying a resurgence of interest by contemporary artists who appreciate the linear quality and who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

---

---

---

Strengths-Based Multicultural Meet-N-Greet
Your unique perspectives and experiences add value to your strengths! Join us in Room 4230 at the Texas Township Campus on March 30 from 11 a.m - 1 p.m. at this engaging event, hosted by Student Development Services and the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. For more information, contact Ezra Bell at ebell@kvcc.edu or Cat March at cmarch@kvcc.edu.

---

safeTALK
Kalamazoo Valley is hosting safeTALK suicide intervention training on April 7 from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health building. safeTALK training helps participants recognize a person with thoughts of suicide and connects them with resource people who can help them. These resources could include health care professionals, first responders or crisis line workers, among many others who have suicide intervention training.

safeTALK participants will learn to:

• Notice and respond to situations where suicide thoughts may be present
• Recognize that invitations for help are often overlooked
• Move beyond the common tendency to miss, dismiss and avoid suicide
• Apply the TALK steps: Talk, Ask, Listen, KeepSafe
• Know community resources and how to connect people to them

The training is open to faculty, staff and students. For more information or to register, contact Trice Batson, tbatson@kvcc.edu, or Cat March, cmarch@kvcc.edu.

---

Author and Valley Alumna NoViolet Bulawayo Speaks April 7
Kalamazoo Valley Community College alumna NoViolet Bulawayo, the author of "We Need New Names" and "Glory," is returning to the college for special programs on April 7. Her first book, "We Need New Names," was recognized with the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, the Pen/Hemingway Award, the L.A. Times Book Prize Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction, the Etisalat Prize for Literature, the Fred Brown Literary Award, the Betty Trask Award, the Barnes and Noble Discover Award (second place) and the National Book Foundation "5 Under 35" Fiction Selection.

"Glory," her second novel, was published last year to rave reviews. Bulawayo moved to the United States from Zimbabwe and graduated from Kalamazoo Valley in 2003. She completed her education with a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing at Cornell University. There, she was a recipient of the Truman Capote Fellowship. She also was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University, where she formerly taught as a Jones Lecturer in Fiction.

At 6 p.m. at Anna Whitten Hall, Bulawayo will present a reading from "Glory." At 6:45 p.m., she will be available to sign books at the Center for New Media. Copies of "Glory" will be available in advance at the Texas Township Campus Bookstore and at other local retailers. Copies of the book will also be available for sale on April 7 during both programs.

"We're so proud of NoViolet and her accomplishments. We're pleased that she's returning to share her talents with us. We hope students and members of the community will come out to welcome this amazingly gifted author," said Dean of Instruction for Liberal Arts Billy Reynolds.

Anna Whitten Hall and the Center for New Media are located on the college's Arcadia Commons Campus in downtown Kalamazoo. Parking is available in the Eleanor Street parking ramp.

---

Red Cross Seeking Youth Board Member
The American Red Cross of Southwest Michigan is currently seeking a Youth Member (ages 17-24) to join its Board of Directors. Youth are the fastest growing demographic of volunteers for our organization and it is vital that we ensure their proper representation in the development and implementation of our chapter's strategic efforts. The Youth Board Member will serve in an honorary capacity by providing perspective and input to improve our overall engagement with youth in our community: as volunteers and recipients of Red Cross services. Learn more here. Click here for the application.

---

April 13 Cooking Competition to Pair Culinary Students with Kalsec Food Scientists
The second annual Kalsec Food for Thought cooking competition will be hosted by Kalamazoo Valley Community College from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 13 at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building in downtown Kalamazoo. Culinary arts students have been invited to submit appetizer recipes and explanations of how they relate to food science. Applicants who qualify to participate in the contest will be paired with a research chef or food scientist from Kalsec to create an appetizer to be sampled by guests at the event.

Kalsec, based in Kalamazoo, is a global leader in the development of natural taste and sensory solutions, natural colors, natural food protection and advanced hop products for the manufactured food, beverage, nutritional and pharmaceutical markets.

Event participants will be entitled to a variety of appetizers and two drink tickets. Proceeds from the event will help fund culinary scholarships to provide the highest level of educational opportunities for students. Order tickets for the event here.

---

 

 
 
Folk Music Trio Performs April 1 at Texas Township Campus
Just when you thought the Fretboard Festival was over comes a bonus concert starring an award-winning folk music trio at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 1 at Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Dale B. Lake Auditorium at the Texas Township Campus. Expect a lively performance of music, dance and folk traditions featuring acclaimed artists Jake Blount, Laurel Premo and Nic Gareiss, who've been lauded by the New York Times, MTV and National Public Radio. They'll dive deep into the history of Americana music through a mix of familiar and arcane traditional songs, using their years of experience as performers, educators and scholars. Tickets are just $5. Buy them online at fretboardfestival.com and in person at Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Bookstore in advance, or at the door on the day of the show, which is organized by the college's Kalamazoo Valley Museum. View videos of the performers and read more about them at the website. A pre-concert lecture is planned at 5 p.m.
 

Food and Media Explored at April's Foodways Symposium
Mark your calendars for the 2023 Kalamazoo Foodways Symposium. This annual community celebration of the history and heritage of food and food systems in Southwest Michigan, sponsored by Kalamazoo Valley Community College, will take place in April. This year's theme is "Food and Media." The public is encouraged to attend the free event. Food media authority Emily Contois, Ph.D., will deliver a virtual keynote kickoff address on Monday, April 10, 6 - 8 p.m. An outdoor celebration follows on Saturday, April 15 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in downtown Kalamazoo at Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Food Innovation Center, featuring food trucks, art, demonstrations, youth workshops, planting activities, live music and a special foraging session by Gabrielle Cerberville, a.k.a. @Chaoticforager. For a full list of activities, times and virtual keynote registration details, visit kalamazoofoodways.org. The Foodways Symposium is sponsored by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and its Kalamazoo Valley Museum, with support from the KVCC Foundation.
 

Museum Plans Mind & Body Theme for Spring Break
Tune up your mind and body at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum for spring break. The museum will offer fun, free activities to support mind health for both children and adults, from March 28 through April 1. Enjoy a performance by Crawlspace Comedy Theater and learn some improv skills. Children and their caregivers can learn yoga and breathing techniques. There's also journal making and calming crafts, plus mindfulness games on all three floors. Then drop by the new, interactive "Mental Health: Mind Matters" exhibit while on the third floor to continue the mind-body journey. Participate in empathy-building activities, understand your emotions and more. Visit kalamazoomuseum.org for activity dates and times. Admission is free to these events, all exhibits and to the museum. Planetarium shows are $3.