Greetings Students!

The beginning of the new academic year is always a busy time at Kalamazoo Valley and this fall is no exception! In addition to settling into a new fast-paced schedule, there are a number of exciting and meaningful college-related events scheduled for learners of all ages.

Learn more about why we celebrate Constitution Day during September when Political Science Instructor Kevin Dockerty provides remarks during presentations at the Texas Township Campus on Sept. 16 and at Anna Whitten Hall on Sept. 19. Check the college calendar on the home page of the website for additional details.

Learn more about the programs and classes at the Center for New Media on Sept. 22 during the "Profs and Pizza" event from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Check out the college calendar on the home page of the website for more information.
 
Earlier this month, "A HeLa Story: Mother of Modern Medicine" mini exhibit opened at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. It chronicles the local connections and fascinating accomplishments of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were involuntarily taken more than 70 years ago and are still used around the globe in experiments to develop cures and therapies. The exhibit and upcoming theatrical production are jointly sponsored by the college and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum  in collaboration with Lacks' nephew, Kalamazoo resident Jermaine Jackson, with support from the KVCC Foundation. The museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater will host the play three times: at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30, and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1.

These and other initiatives are designed to complement the excellent traditional learning opportunities in the classroom and online. Thank you again for choosing Kalamazoo Valley!

Sincerely,

L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President

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

• Student Ambassador - Multiple Locations
• Certified Lifeguards - TTC
• Tutors: Chemistry, Computer Information Science, Accounting, Economics, Writing Center  - TTC
• Brewery Lab Assistant - CAH
• Chemistry Lab Assistant - TTC
• Culinary Lab Assistant - CAH
• Kitchen Assistant - CAH
• Food Hub Tech - FIC
• Groundskeeper - TTC
• Maintenance - Multiple Locatons
• Custodian - Multiple Locations
• Student Services Assistant - TTC

Important Dates for Dropping and Adding Classes

• Last day to add (first half-semester/12/14-week classes) is Sept. 13.
• Last day to drop for a refund (first half-semester classes) is Sept. 13.
• Last day to drop for a refund (first 12-week classes) is Sept. 15.
• Last day to drop for a refund (14-week classes) is Sept. 17.
• Last day to add (second 12-week classes) is Sept. 27.
• Last day to drop for a refund (second 12-week classes) is Sept. 29.

You may drop or withdraw from classes using the self-service registration feature inside MyValley. Watch our how to video to learn how this is accomplished. You may also drop classes in person in the Admissions, Registration and Records office (Room 9140, TTC) or at the Student Service Center in Anna Whitten Hall on the Arcadia Commons Campus. Discontinuing class attendance and/or notifying the instructor is not an official drop. You must complete the paperwork or use the self-service feature. If you fail to officially drop a course, registration is continued until the end of class and the grade earned is recorded on your transcript. Discontinuing course attendance is a very important decision. Consult with appropriate people to accurately assess your current situation and re-evaluate as necessary.

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Havirmill Cafe to Open Sept. 14
Students enrolled in Kalamazoo Valley's Culinary Arts and Sustainable Food Systems programs put their training to work in the 418 restaurant and Havirmill Cafe. Both are located in the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building, 418 E. Walnut St., in downtown Kalamazoo. The Havirmill Cafe will be open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday beginning on Sept. 14. There will be grab-and-go options as well as a hot bar with freshly made entrees. Reservations are not needed for the cafe.

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Constitution Day Observances
History and Political Science Instructor Kevin Dockerty will give a talk on "The Founders and the Constitution" in celebration of Constitution Day on Sept. 16 at 11 a.m. in TTC Room 4230 and on Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. in AWH Room 128.

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Are you looking for volunteer work, an internship or a job? 
Career Coach is Kalamazoo Valley's online job board that lists part-time and full-time jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities. 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 with Student Employment Services. We also help with resume writing and practice interviews.
 
Below are some of the jobs currently posted on Career Coach:
 
Accounting/Business/IT/Marketing
Account Coordinator and Accounts Payable Coordinator- KSS Enterprises
Office Assistant - Charter Township of Kalamazoo
Customer Service Representative - V&A Bootery
Human Resources & Injury Reporting - Residential Opportunities, Inc.
 
Art and New Media
Production Designer - Imperial Beverage
Publications Coordinator - First Presbyterian Church of Kalamazoo
 
Culinary/Brewing
Line & Pizza Cooks - Central City Tap House
Dietary Aide - Friendship Village
Dietary Cook - Laurels of Galesburg
Dishwasher/Prep Cook - Fieldstone Grill
Pantry Cook - 600 Kitchen & Bar
Many opportunities for cooks, line cooks, servers
 
Education
Early Head Start Lead Teacher - St. Joseph County ISD
Early Learning GSRP Lead Teacher - YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo
School Age Child Care Staff - YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo
Natural Resource Education Assistant - Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery Visitor Center
 
General Studies
Activities Assistant - Friendship Village
Party and Event Coordinator - Bricks and Minifigs
Thermoforming Machine Operator - Easypak, LLC
Activities Aide - Laurels of Galesburg
Elections Assistant Internship - Charter Township of Kalamazoo
Park Ranger - City of Portage
 
Health Careers
Medical Assistants - Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
Rehab Technician - Alliance Physical Therapy Partners
CNAs, LPNs and Registered Nurses - Laurels of Galesburg
Graduate Nurse - Bronson Healthcare Group
Direct Support Professional - Residential Opportunities, Inc.
Chairside Dental Assistant - Jack M. Hosner, DDS
Homecare Aide - Senior Services
 
Human Services/Public Services
Skill Building Technician - Residential Opportunities, Inc.
Security Officer - KARD Protection Services
Program Facilitator - Prevention Works
 
Skilled Trades
Automotive Technician - Bridgestone Retail Operations
Drafting/Design Internship - Pennings and Sons
Make Ready Maintenance Technician - Edward Rose & Sons
Maintenance Tech - Drive and Shine
Diesel Mechanic - VIP Logistics, LLC

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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 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:
Sept. 12 | KVAAP Information Session | 2 p.m.
Join this virtual information session to learn more about how KVAAP can help you achieve your educational goals. Upon signing up, a Zoom meeting link will be emailed to you. Click here to register. For more information, contact Kendall Walker. 
 
Sept. 13 | Vibe Fest | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Welcome to the new semester! Join us at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building lobby from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. for Vibe Fest 2022, where you will be invited to enjoy lively DJ music, food, games, prizes and good vibes only. For more information, email Ezra Bell.
 
Sept. 13 | Kalamazoo Promise Services Zoom Pop-Up | 5 p.m.
Zoom Pop-Ups are virtual presentations dedicated to the development of skills needed to be successful in college and life. Presentations are led by Kalamazoo Promise Services staff, Kalamazoo Valley faculty and community educators. Click here to join. For more information, contact Beth Brandon.

Sept. 14 | Western Wednesdays | 10 a.m.
Are you interested in attending Western Michigan University Wednesday? Connect with advisors and admission representatives from the Office of Admissions and the College of Arts & Sciences from Western Michigan University.  Register now.

Sept. 19 | 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. For more information, contact Cheryl Almeda.
 
Sept. 20 | Nursing Information Workshop | 6 p.m.

Sept. 21 | Born 2 Succeed (B2S) | 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, Sept. 21 from 3 - 5 p.m. at Anna Whitten Hall in Room 308. For more information, contact Ezra Bell. 
 

Sept. 22 | Profs and Pizza at the CNM | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.                                                         
Center for New Media students are invited to Join us at Profs and Pizza, where they will be able to chat with their instructors, enjoy pizza and socialize with their peers. This event will be located at the Center for New Media from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. For more information, contact Tom Hamann.

Sept. 22 | Volleyball Home Game | 6:30 p.m.                                                                         
Join us for Kalamazoo Valley's first volleyball home game of the season! The game will be on Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. located at the Texas Township Campus Main Gym, Room 6100. Admission is free.

 
 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.

Interested in playing soccer? The Soccer Club is looking for players. Contact Diane Roushangar to learn more.

Do you like to dance? The Dance Club is also looking for members. Contact Allison Deemter for more information.

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!

VOLLEYBALL PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
Player Spotlight is a new, occasional feature highlighting outstanding student-athletes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The honorees have been nominated by their coaches. 

Hannah Callaway, captain
Position: Outside Hitter
Hometown: Portage, Michigan
Major: Biological Sciences
Why outstanding: At the Cougars' first tournament of the season, Hannah was team leader with 44 kills, hitting 3.14 kills/set. She also had 24 digs and four aces on the day.


Madison Lawson, captain
Position: Middle Blocker
Hometown: Lawton, Michigan
Major: Business
Why outstanding: At the Cougars' first tournament of the season, Madison tallied 39 kills with a hitting percentage of .258 and nine blocks on the day. She has earned Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Western Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
*Nominated by Coach Jennifer Buikema

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Assistant Softball Coach Emily VanFleet Promoted to Head Coach

Kalamazoo Valley Community College has named Emily VanFleet as head softball coach, replacing Morgan VanderBor who departed in July to be an assistant coach for Western Michigan University's softball program.

The college conducted a search for a head coach to lead its historically successful softball program, but ultimately didn't have to look far and made the decision to elevate VanFleet, who had been serving as assistant coach under VanderBor.

VanFleet has a long history with Kalamazoo Valley. She started as a student-athlete, playing softball with the college from 2012 to 2014. She was part of back-to-back Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Conference Championships in 2013 and 2014, and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA ) National Tournament runs in 2013 and 2014. more

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Kalamazoo Valley Libraries:
Library Services and Database Spotlight
The Kalamazoo Valley Libraries at the Texas Township Campus and Anna Whitten Hall are open and available to support you this fall. We are offering a mix of in-person and online services including reserve textbooks, laptops and hotspots for loan, and assistance with your research and citations. 
 
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. See our website for up-to-date hours.
 
Laptops, Hotspots and Calculators
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 and an online request form.  
 
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. 

Study Spaces
Both the TTC and AWH libraries have quiet study space with computer and printer access available on a walk-in basis; no appointment necessary. The TTC Library has two computer workstations in the study rooms with webcams, so you can attend a Zoom class, or take a test in the library.
 
Research & Citations
If you are looking for help finding/citing sources and researching for class projects, the Libraries have multiple ways to assist you. Visit us in person to talk to one of our reference librarians. From off campus, you can call or email us. Zoom appointments are available on request. For assistance during non-business hours, the Ask a Librarian 24/7 Chat is always available.
 
Database Spotlight: Bloom's Literary Criticism
Bloom's Literary Criticism contains a wide range of reference essays and scholarly criticism examining great authors--from Shakespeare to Toni Morrison--and their works. Access over 1,000 different electronic books, and download them to your phone or tablet. Click here  to see the available titles. If the database prompts you to log in, use username: kalamazoo and password: facts.
 
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
Follow us on Instagram

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Kalamazoo Valley's Campus Band is Returning!
Musicians who've missed playing that instrument that's gathering dust in the closet are welcome to join the campus band.

The group will meet from noon to 1:10 p.m. in Dale B. Lake Auditorium on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning on Sept. 21. Jim Roach, retired Loy Norrix High School band and orchestra director, is serving as the director.

Kalamazoo Valley students can enroll in MUS 110 and community members are welcome to participate on a drop-in basis without registering for the class. Roach said he expects to welcome participants with a wide range of abilities and ages. "Even if it's been a long time, get out your instrument and come join us," Roach said. "For beginning college students who've been playing for six or seven years, this is no time to quit."

Roach said playing music is a pastime in which one can participate at any age. "You probably can't play football when you're in your 60s, but you can continue playing an instrument for as long as you can carry it around," he said. "It's a lifelong skill."

The band is expected to play at Kalamazoo Valley's winter and spring commencement ceremonies and a holiday concert is also planned. For more information, contact Jim Roach at jroach@kvcc.edu. 

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Fall 2022 PTK Induction Ceremony
Kalamazoo Valley's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges, will be conducting its Fall 2022 Induction Ceremony for new members on Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Texas Township Campus Theater, Room 4240. New inductees who are planning to attend should arrive at 5:30 p.m. in Room 4230 for new member orientation. Dr. L. Marshall Washington, president of Kalamazoo Valley Community College, will be the event's guest speaker.
 
Each term, eligible students are sent invitations with information on how to become a member. New inductees interested in joining the ceremony are required to RSVP to indicate their attendance and are allowed to invite up to four guests each. Joining the ceremony is optional and is not required to maintain membership.
 
To learn more about PTK, new member orientation, or Fall 2022 Induction, email ptk@kvcc.edu. 

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SAVE THE DATE! Sept. 30-Oct. 1! Did you know we can thank one woman with family ties in Kalamazoo for many of the major medical breakthroughs over the last 70 years, including the COVID vaccine? A FREE play and mini exhibit coming to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum pays homage to Henrietta Lacks whose cells were used in experiments without her consent. The museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater will offer the play three times: at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1. Seating will be limited. It will be first come, first served. Registration is not required. The exhibit runs Sept. 1 through Feb. 27, 2023.
 
The "A HeLa Story: Mother of Modern Medicine" theatrical production and exhibit are sponsored by the museum and Kalamazoo Valley Community College, in collaboration with Jermaine Jackson, a nephew of Henrietta Lacks. An interview with Jackson and the play's author, Buddy Hannah, can be found here. For an article about the event, click here. Check out the promo here.