Kalamazoo Valley Community College

InFocus: News for Kalamazoo Valley Community College Students

October 11, 2021


Dear Students,

We are nearly at the midpoint of the fall semester. There are so many priorities competing for your time and attention. As a result of the pandemic, we can feel isolated, in turmoil and anxious. A growing number of people are experiencing adverse mental health symptoms. We learn through this experience that we all struggle during challenging times. Sometimes we need to seek support and access to care to thrive. Pursuing good mental health is a priority.
 
If you need support or access to services, you are not alone. Click here to to learn more about services available to you. Everyone at the college is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. 

Sincerely,

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


Admissions, Registration, and Records
Winter Registration Opened TODAY
Registration for the Winter 2022 semester opened today, using a tiered registration schedule based on the number of completed credit hours earned at the time of registration and does not include in-progress courses.
 
Monday, October 11             36 Credit Hours
Tuesday, October 12             24 Credit Hours
Wednesday, October 13       12 Credit Hours
Thursday, October 14            Everyone
 

If you need assistance picking out your classes, make an appointment now to meet with an advisor or counselor by calling 269.488.4040. If you see someone in the Office for Student Access, call 269.488.4397. Students who are part of KVAAP should call 269.373.7945. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. Email success@kvcc.edu for additional questions.  

Full payment for registration between Oct. 11 and Nov. 9 is due by 7 p.m. on Nov. 9.

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 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 more meaningful.

Upcoming events include:
Oct. 12 | How to Study English | 6 p.m.

A discussion about prepping for papers and projects. This event will be held via Zoom. For more information, contact Beth Brandon.

Oct. 13 | Western Wednesday | 10 a.m.
Are you interested in attending Western Michigan University? Connect with advisors and admission representatives from the Office of Admissions and the College of Arts & Sciences from Western Michigan University. Western Wednesday sessions are live, interactive presentations designed to answer your frequently asked questions about becoming a Bronco. This event will be held via Zoom. Register now.

Oct. 13 | How to Study English | 6 p.m.

A discussion about prepping for papers and projects. This event will be held via Zoom. For more information, please contact Beth Brandon

Oct. 14 | Volleyball Game | 6:30 p.m.
Home game against Jackson Community College.

Oct. 15 | Strengths and Wellbeing | 1 p.m.

Join us for a conversation about how Strengths discovery, development and application, leads to increased engagement and improvement in overall wellbeing. This event will be held via Zoom. For more information, please contact Sabrina Kooy.

 

Oct. 18 | Valley Future Educators' Club | 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 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 the TTC campus in Room 4230 and will also be available via Zoom as well. For more information, contact Cheryl Almeda.   

Oct. 19 | Job Search Techniques | 10 a.m.
Are you looking for work? Need some help navigating how and where to conduct a job search? If yes, then this workshop is for you. We'll review Kalamazoo Valley's online job board, as well as other job search sites. This meeting will be held via Zoom. For more information, contact Mary McConnell.   


Oct. 19 | 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 virtually with college and university admission representatives at Transfer Tuesday. 
10 - 11 a.m. | Olivet College  
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | U of M-Flint
1 - 2 p.m. | Davenport University  

Oct. 19 | Spanish Club | 4 p.m.
Are you studying Spanish at Kalamazoo Valley? Are you interested in the Spanish language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world? Would you like to meet other students studying the Spanish language in a relaxed, informal and fun environment? Come join us and get to know other members of the Spanish Club in the main courtyard of the Texas Township Campus. For more information, contact Kevin Fuchs.


KVCC Student preparing to transfer are invited to the 2021 independent pathways virtual college fair on tuesday, october 20, 2021 from 12:30 to 2 PM. Join our virtual college fair to meet representatives from Michigan's top private colleges and learn why transferring to a smaller, independent college or university might be the best fit for you. The best part? all of these schools accept the Kalamazoo Promise! Learn more about Michigan's top 14 private colleges and universities! Register by October 20 and attend for a chance to win fun prizes. Register at https://bit.ly/kvcc1026

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. Want to start your own club? Contact Coty Dunten.

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. 


Domestic violence awareness
Domestic Violence Awareness Events

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is hosting a series of events in October and November designed to heighten Domestic Violence Awareness.

Please note: While these events are valuable and important for the enrichment of our campus, they are not suitable for all audience members. Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence will be discussed in detail, which will be difficult for some people. Self-care should always be your top priority. Kalamazoo Valley counselors are present at all events, and referrals are available for anyone in need of help.

October 13
Healthy relationships Zoom discussion, 1 - 2:30 p.m., with representatives from the YWCA. Pre-registration is required.

October 19
Lived experience talk with domestic violence survivor Mollie Peterson, 2 - 3:30 p.m. in Room 128 at Anna Whitten Hall. Pre-registration is required. Register now here.

November 5
Trauma expert Dr. Mays Imad of the Gardner Institute will visit campus for sessions with students and staff. Dr. Imad serves as a professor of Genetics, Biotechnology and Bioethics at Pima Community College. Her research focuses on stress, self-awareness, advocacy, and classroom community, and how these relate to cognition, metacognition, and, ultimately, student learning and success.

She’ll be on hand for a breakfast with students in Rooms 4370 and 4380 from 10 - 11 a.m. at Texas Township. Pre-registration is required. Register now here.

Also on Nov. 5, from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Room 4240 at TTC, Dr. Imad will present, “Trauma-Informed Education: How Trauma Impacts Learning and What We Can Do to Help.” Registration and Zoom link TBA.

The Kalamazoo Valley libraries will promote awareness of domestic violence through curated collections of books, podcasts, and other resources.


College Night 2021 on monday october 18 from 6 to 7:30 PM. www.kvcc.edu/collegenight

Kalamazoo Area College Night will be held on Monday, Oct. 18 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Representatives from nearly 60 different public and private colleges and universities, including several Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are expected to attend the Greater Kalamazoo Area College Night at the college’s Texas Township campus Oct. 18. Representatives from each institution will be available from 6 - 7:30 p.m. to speak with students and their parents about post-secondary educational opportunities, their programs and campuses. Additionally, representatives from the U.S. Armed Forces will be on hand to discuss military opportunities and how military service can help pay for a college education.

Given current pandemic guidelines, the route has been changed to offer more space for social distancing and for guests to visit college tables. Contact tracing information is being collected from all guests using forms found on www.kvcc.edu/collegenight or in-person upon arrival. Face coverings are required, regardless of vaccination status.


Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony Slated for Oct. 19
Phi Theta Kappa, the International honor society of the two-year colleges, will induct new members at a formal induction ceremony set for Tuesday, Oct. 19 in the Dale B. Lake Auditorium at the Texas Township Campus, at 7 p.m. Dr. Washington will offer remarks. All new Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society inductees should meet at 6 p.m. for a brief orientation in Room 4240 by the Student Commons. Participation in this ceremony is optional. Each Inductee will be allowed to bring a maximum of two guests to the ceremony. RSVP to ptk@kvcc.edu by Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021 to participate in the induction ceremony.


financial aid


Apply Now for Valley CARES Funding
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented both the college and our students with unprecedented challenges. In consideration of this, the college created the Valley CARES Emergency Assistance Fund. The Valley CARES Emergency Assistance Fund provides limited emergency financial support to students who have experienced unexpected expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic.

The Valley CARES Emergency Assistance Fund application can be found in your MyValley account, by selecting Valley Cares Application, under "My Links". Students can receive up to $1,200 for personal expenses for this current semester.

Please email the Financial Aid office or call 269.488.4340 with any questions.


Kalamazoo Valley Work Study Positions now AVAILABLE!
Gain work experience while attending college! Work study opportunities provide flexible work hours at all campus locations. Opportunities are available at the Food Innovation Center, International Student Services, the President's Office and several other areas of the college. For more information, click here or contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@kvcc.edu.

Kalamazoo Valley Celebrates the Skilled and Professional Trades

Kalamazoo Valley’s emphasis on the skilled trades continues now through the month of October by drawing attention to the benefits of a skilled trades career. Wages for professional trades occupations are 45 percent higher than other occupations, $51,000 is the median annual salary for these jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Today’s skilled trades offer an array of opportunities that are both challenging and rewarding. High-tech manufacturing and skilled trades employers all across the state are nearly desperate for students looking to embark on a high-paying job with benefits, close to home. The college provides training, apprenticeships, credit for prior learning and other services to help students access the exciting world of the skilled and professional trades. Visit www.kvcc.edu/skilledtrades for more information.


Libraries
Kalamazoo Valley Libraries: Zoom Rooms, Hotspots and Resource Display for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
We now offer Zoom Rooms for students to attend Zoom classes while on campus. You can use one of two private study rooms in the TTC Library equipped with a desktop computer and a webcam. Rooms are first come, first serve. You may also check-out a laptop and headphones from either TTC or AWH Libraries for three hours at a time and Zoom from anywhere on campus.

Hotspots:
More hotspots are now available for check-out. Take advantage of this great resource, and click this link to request one today.

Resource Display for Domestic Violence Awareness Month:
Our new virtual resource display for Domestic Violence Awareness Month is ready to view. Learn about events being hosted by the college this October, get connected with local, state and national resources for survivors, and view many other resources, including books and podcasts, in our virtual guide. We also have a number of books and other resources on display on the upper floor of the TTC Library.

 

*We appreciate you following the college's safety protocols and practicing social distancing when you visit us.

Visit us online
Call 269.488.4380 (TTC) and 269.737.7848 (ACC)
Email: libraries@kvcc.edu
Chat with a college librarian 24/7
Follow us on Instagram: @kalamazoovalleylibraries

Mission statement feedback

Insight Needed
Kalamazoo Valley Community College is embarking on a review of its mission statement and is asking you, our students, to complete a questionnaire as a part of the review of the existing mission statement.

“The mission statement is a snapshot of who we are as an institution,” said Tracy Labadie, Ed.D., Associate Vice President of Collaboration, Compliance and Analytics. “It serves as a guide for institutional decision-making and keeps the college focused on our core purpose and goals. We are asking all college stakeholders to participate in this process by completing a short questionnaire.”

The questionnaire can be accessed here. The mission statement is an institution's formal, public declaration of its purposes.

Mission statements generally remain in effect for long periods and should contain specificity providing an easily recognized definition. The mission statement should also provide the flexibility necessary to respond to the needs of the community. The current mission statement – adopted in June 1994 and last modified in December 2016, reads:

We are committed to enriching the lives of our students and communities through quality educational programs and services.
To accomplish these ends, we will:

  • Support student goal achievement through access to learning experiences and assessment.
  • Support a balance between a comprehensive curricular base and innovations in education, personal development and technology by strategically utilizing resources.
  • Provide curriculum and supportive services relevant to the needs of individuals, enterprise and government.
  • Maintain a learning environment built upon the inclusivity of ideas of all cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
  •  Support economic vitality and stability through development of a skilled local workforce.
  • Integrate the components of campus-based instruction, the Groves and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum to support student and community needs.

We appreciate your participation in our ongoing self-analysis and self-improvement efforts. Please respond by Nov. 12.


Kalamazoo Valley Museum

Kalamazoo Valley Museum to Stage Digital Chemistry Day
Local chemists will put on a digital reenactment of the Wizard of Oz with a chemistry twist during the Kalamazoo Valley Museum’s Chemistry Day celebration on Oct. 16.

The story will follow Dorothy and her faithful dog, Trout, from Kalamazoo to Oz and back. The 35th annual Chemistry Day is co-sponsored by the Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. more


Dr. Joshua Diehl Presents “Kaleidoscope Eyes: A Different Perspective on Autism, Art and the World"
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is hosting "Kaleidoscope Eyes: A Different Perspective on Autism, Art and the World" presented by Dr. Joshua Diehl on Thursday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m. This online program compliments the museum's exhibit "Expanding Scott's World: A Journey of Autism Through Art," which is on display through Jan. 2, 2022. Join Diehl as he explores the nature of autism, not from the perspective of disability, but from the perspective of ability. He will present how autism represents a different way of processing the world, and how that difference leads to both talent and areas in need of support. While the program is free, registration at kalamazoomuseum.org is required. The Zoom link will be emailed to those who register by 2 p.m. on the day of the program.


The official Kalamazoo Valley Community College Cougar Bookstore
Bookstore Update
Save time – avoid the lines - order everything you need for class online at bookstore.kvcc.edu. Easy pickup at any campus location or shipped to your home for only $5. Pay with financial aid, credit card or voucher. Simple returns or exchanges. We have everything you need for a great semester at bookstore.kvcc.edu.

Please note the only college bookstore is located on the Texas Township Campus, all other campus locations are for book pick up only.


protect yourself and loved ones. get your flu vaccine today.

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