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Sept. 16, 2024
Greetings students,
It has been a great pleasure seeing so many of you on our college campuses! Again, I welcome you to the start of a new academic year, whether in person, online or any combination, thank you for choosing Kalamazoo Valley.
We are mindful of the many responsibilities you juggle as a college student. In addition to your studies, you balance the demands of family life, employment and, for some, the care of family members and friends. We understand.
Even with a busy schedule, it is important that you devote yourself to your education. My advice to you is to attend and participate in your classes, complete your assignments on time and if you need assistance, do not hesitate to ask for help.
Being a college student can be one of the best experiences of your life! I invite you to take full advantage of all that the college has to offer, such as joining a student club or by attending an athletic contest - currently our volleyball team is competing - or by visiting the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. College-related extracurricular experiences can be an important part of learning. Keep an eye on the events and activities posted on the college calendar and see the information below that highlights upcoming campus events.
I am feeling optimistic about this fall semester and the entire college community is here to assist you in achieving your educational goals. Go for it!
Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
Important Upcoming Dates
- Second 12-week classes start Sept. 18; last day to drop/add is Sept. 24.
You may drop or withdraw from classes using the self-service registration feature in MyValley. Watch our how to video to learn how this is accomplished. You may also drop classes in person at 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. We invite you to discuss this decision with your instructor, Student Development Services, Student Financial Services, the Learning Center and other resources available to you.
College Announces New Campus Shuttle Service
Need a ride between campuses? Catch the FREE Kalamazoo Valley Shuttle! The shuttle runs from 6:50 a.m. - 7 p.m. and travels to the Arcadia Commons Campus (ACC), the Bronson Healthy Living Campus (BHLC) and the Texas Township Campus (TTC).
Pick-Up/Drop-Off Locations:
ACC - Southeast corner of Rose Street and Water Street
BHLC - Walnut Street parking lot in front of the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building
TTC - Flagpole Entrance
View the schedule here.
Downtown Road Closures
Consumers Energy will be conducting underground electrical infrastructure work in the downtown Kalamazoo area.
Eleanor Street between North Rose and North Burdick streets will be closed beginning Sept. 9 through Sept. 28 for infrastructure upgrades. This will impact driving so please follow the posted detour.
Employees, students and visitors will be able to park in the Arcadia Parking Ramp but will need to enter off Kalamazoo Avenue. Entering the ramp from Eleanor Street will be restricted but users will be allowed to exit the ramp onto Eleanor Street and turn left towards North Burdick Street. Street parking within the project location will not be permitted, but sidewalks will be accessible
Constitution Day Celebrated Sept. 18
In celebration of Constitution Day, Sociology and Gender and Women's Studies faculty member Rebecca Durkee will discuss the Equal Rights Amendment and the Constitution on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 1 - 2:30 p.m., in Room 7570 (TTC).
KVAAP Updates
KVAAP recently expanded its eligibility requirements so more students can qualify. Students can now enter the program with up to 30 credit hours earned instead of 15 credit hours. Students are required to take nine or more credit hours per semester, instead of 12 credit hours. Prospective students can learn more about all of the eligibility requirements at www.kvcc.edu/kvaap or they can email KVAAP staff at kvaap@kvcc.edu.
Upcoming KVAAP Info Sessions
- Tuesday, Sept. 17 | 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 10 a.m.
Attending a KVAAP Info Session is a required part of the application process. Interested students can register here.
Connect with Resources at Learning Center and Library Open Houses
Kalamazoo Valley's Learning Center and Libraries are hosting an open house for fall semester students on Sept. 25. Join them anytime from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Texas Township Campus in Room 2220 or in Rooms 3210 and 8420. Participants can also join virtually via Zoom links located in MyValley.
All open house visitors will be eligible for drawings and giveaways. Snacks will be provided for those who visit in person. Come learn about all the useful resources the Learning Center and the Libraries have to offer.
For more information, email learningcenter@kvcc.edu or call 269.488.4397.
Time for 20 Percent Off Tuesday on Sept. 24 at the Bookstore
Get 20 percent off in the Texas Township Campus Bookstore on Sept. 24! The promotion is held on the LAST Tuesday of EVERY month! Come in and get yourself some Cougar clothing, art supplies, a new water bottle (even Hydro Flask) or awesome backpack! Promotion excludes electronics, food and course materials. Discount applies to in-store purchases only. Feel free to take a spin through the Bookstore now to see what you'd like to buy. Or, take a peek online at bookstore.kvcc.edu.
Important Notice About Your Textbooks and Courseware
Students, did you know you automatically get electronic versions of textbooks and other course materials for your classes? It's called Ready Day One! The cost is charged to your tuition bill. E-books tend to be at least 50 percent cheaper than hardcover and paperback textbooks. Please note that electronic materials are ONLY available in classes where the instructor selected the option for the course and many do!
What you need to know:
- Within 24 hours of registering for a class with the electronic materials option, Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Texas Township Campus Bookstore sends an email indicating that you are enrolled in Ready Day One and that e-course materials will be available in your Canvas account on the first day of class. It's important to watch for the email.
- If you wish to opt out and remove the Ready Day One charge from your bill (it will be itemized there), you must act within two weeks from the first day of class. You have three options for doing so: complete the transaction via your Canvas account, email the Bookstore at bookstore.kvcc.edu or call the Bookstore at 269.488.4030.
Havirmill Cafe Now Open
Students enrolled in Kalamazoo Valley's culinary arts and sustainable food systems programs put their training to work in the Havirmill Cafe. The cafe offers grab-and-go options, as well as a hot bar with freshly made entrees. It is located in the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building, 418 E. Walnut St., in downtown Kalamazoo.
Havirmill Cafe hours are Monday - Thursday from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. through Oct. 15 and Oct. 29 - Dec. 5. Please follow the Havirmill Cafe Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KVculinaryeats.
Taps on Tuesdays is Back
Taps on Tuesday is a happy hour-style event hosted by Kalamazoo Valley's brewing department, Sept. 17 - Dec. 10 from 5 - 7 p.m., except Oct. 29. Beer and food pairings, appetizers and wine are available for purchase. Students, alumni, faculty and staff receive 50 percent off their purchases. Walk-ins only; no reservations required.
Study Tips Session Offered for Valley Athletes
Valley athletes from all five sports attended the Student-Athlete Study Table Kickoff on Friday, Sept. 6, where they heard from President L. Marshall Washington and other top administrators at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, plus representatives from departments with resources to assist academic success, including the Learning Center, Office of Student Access, the Libraries, University Center and Valley Food Share. The event is held every semester, and is coordinated by Aaron Williams and Jeff Stone, academic and career pathway advisors in Student Development Services. New was a Q & A session with faculty and staff members who themselves once played sports in college, featuring Kevin Dockerty, David Lancaster, Natalie Lovely, Monteze Morales, Renea Peruski, Ashleigh Quinones and Carl Ross. The keynote presentation focused on "Born to be Resilient," delivered by psychology instructor Meredith Holland. Click here for more photos.
 Volleyball Season is Underway!
The Lady Cougars Volleyball Team had the honor of opening their conference season with a home match, complete with a DJ! They played Lansing Community College on Thursday, Sept. 12. Click here for more photos! Congrats to LCC, winning 3-to-1. Our next home match is Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m., this one against Lake Michigan College, in the main gym on the Texas Township Campus of Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Remember home games are always free, and feel free to bring your friends and family! Below are the rest of the home games:
- 6:30 p.m. | Tuesday | SEPT. 24 vs. Southwestern Michigan College
- 6:30 p.m. | Thursday | SEPT. 26 vs. Macomb Community College
- 6:30 p.m. | Tuesday | OCT. 1 vs. Glen Oaks Community College
- 6:30 p.m. | Thursday | OCT. 3 vs. Marian University's Ancilla College
- 6:30 p.m. | Thursday | OCT. 10 vs. Kellogg Community College
- 2 p.m. | Saturday | OCT. 12 vs. College of Dupage
- 4:30 p.m. | Saturday | OCT. 12 vs. Highland Community College - Illinois
- 10 a.m. & noon | Sunday | OCT. 20 vs. Muskegon Community College
- 1:30 p.m. | Saturday | OCT. 26 vs. St. Clair County Community College
Find the full schedule here. Read an article about the volleyball season here.
Volleyball Player Spotlight
Player Spotlight is an occasional feature highlighting outstanding student-athletes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The honorees have been nominated by Head Volleyball Coach Rhonda Sturgeon.
HOLLAND DEVRIES
Position: Outside hitter
Hometown: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Major: Cosmetology
Why outstanding: As a freshman, DeVries has earned a starting spot on our 2024 roster as an outside hitter from Kalamazoo Christian High School. She has become an integral part of the Cougar offense with 145 kills in preseason play. Devries is a natural athlete who is an outstanding, powerful hitter and serves as a team captain.
LAUREL BARNO
Position: Defensive specialist
Hometown: Macomb, Michigan
Major: Dental hygiene
Why outstanding: Barno is a sophomore from Lutheran High North High School. She shows tremendous hustle and aggressiveness on defense and serving. She is a great teammate and has a tremendous love for the game. The energy she brings is contagious!
LILLIAN FERRIS
Position: Middle hitter
Hometown: Delton, Michigan
Major: Elementary education
Why outstanding: Ferris is a sophomore from Delton Kellogg High School. She is a hardworking, versatile player who is willing to take on any role. Ferris has become an important piece to both our offensive and defensive sides of the game.
Murphy Darden Exhibit Opening Events Were Huge Success
The community support was wonderful for the Sept. 5 panel discussion and reception celebrating the life of the late Kalamazoo historian Murphy Darden, whose body of work our Kalamazoo Valley Museum honors with its newest mini exhibit, "Collecting Black History: Murphy Darden's Legacy." Click here for more photos, including many of Darden's relatives. At Art Hop the following day, the museum showed a Murphy Darden documentary and our Center for New Media hosted its own Darden exhibit. See the photos here and more here. Darden died in 2023. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is keeping his dedication to preserving African American history alive, thanks to this year acquiring just over 200 items from his collections. About two dozen of those pieces form the mini exhibit, which will be on view until March 2. Admission is free to the exhibit and museum. Learn more about the 95-year-old trailblazer here. Also visit kalamazoomuseum.org.
Enjoy Poetry Celebrating Asylum Lake on Sept. 21
Friends of Poetry will present selections from the book of poems, "Asylum Lake: A Tribute," on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m., at our Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 230 N. Rose St. in downtown Kalamazoo. Area writers wrote the pieces in response to Asylum Lake Preserve in Kalamazoo, paying homage to the rich history of this natural space that our community shares. While at the museum, learn more about the preserve site by visiting the "Kalamazoo State Hospital: 165 Years of Psychiatric Care" exhibit currently on display. Admission is FREE to both the poetry reading and exhibit. Find more details at kalamazoomuseum.org.
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