Register Now for the Fall Summit
Registration for the Fall Summit is now open. The Summit takes place on the Texas Township Campus Wednesday, Aug. 28 starting at 8 a.m., with check-in beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the Gallery Hallway. The college will reopen at 1 p.m. The faculty Summit continues from 1 - 5 p.m. and all day Thursday, Aug. 29. Register by August 22 at 5 p.m. to be included in the lunch order.

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Jenny Ott Receives Outstanding Faculty Award from MCCA
Kalamazoo Valley Community College communications instructor Jenny Ott received the Outstanding Faculty Award from the Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) during the organization's summer conference on Aug. 1. 

She was nominated for the award by Kalamazoo Valley President L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D. He said Ott deserves the recognition because of her infectious enthusiasm and her passion for teaching. "In every situation, you can count on Jenny to be positive and to put the focus on students," he said.                                           

Ott started teaching full time at Kalamazoo Valley in January 2002 and is currently teaching interpersonal communication and communication theory. Ott reflected on how rewarding teaching can be: "As a faculty member, it is incredibly rewarding to support students as they strive to reach their personal and professional goals because not only are their lives changing, but so are all those who are impacted by their achievements." more

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Pictured L to R: Web Focus Programmer Michelle Schultz, Systems Analyst/Developer Sirri Bearss,
Systems Analyst/Developer Aaron Barsy

Employees Recognized with Staff Enablement Award for Higher Education
Members of our college's Information Technology team recently attended the BRIDGE 2024 Process Automation summit, a two and a half day-long workshop in New Orleans, where they were awarded the Staff Enablement Award for Higher Education. The award recognized the college's implementation of new Softdocs software used to help streamline forms and automate business practices more efficiently. Among the college's recognized employees were:

• Aaron Barsy, systems analyst/developer
• Sirri Bearss, systems analyst/developer
• Michelle Schultz, web focus programmer

Barsy and Schultz originally nominated Bearss for the recognition, though were later acknowledged in addition to their colleague. The two credit Bearss for the skills and work that earned the award. Bearss also praised Barsy and Schultz while noting that their help was instrumental to complete her work.

"I really feel like it's an example of what can be accomplished when all the different teams within the college work together," Bearss said. "It took a lot of interdepartmental work to make it happen, including different teams within IT. Everyone brings a different skill set to the table."

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Extended Advising and Counseling Services
To prepare for the start of the fall semester, no appointment is necessary to see an advisor or counselor Monday, Aug. 19 - Friday, Sept. 6. Students can stop by Room 9300 on the Texas Township Campus or Room 109 in Anna Whitten Hall or call 269.488.4040 to get in a virtual line.

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Record Turnout for Get it Done Events
Thank you to everyone who participated in the two Get it Done events. We served more than 325 students, including 82 drop-ins at Anna Whiten Hall at the Aug. 7 event.

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Volunteers Needed for Welcome Tables
Help welcome students back to campus in September by volunteering at one of the many welcome tables. There are a number of  locations with varying days and times when support is needed.

1. Follow this link to check out the opportunities to help.
2. Log in and select your preferred volunteer opportunity, date and time(s).
3. Click SAVE under each section that you clicked a box in. You will receive a confirmation email for each time slot.

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New Employee Orientation
Kalamazoo Valley will implement a newly revised New Employee Orientation program for staff and faculty. This enhanced orientation is designed to provide our new team members with a comprehensive and welcoming introduction to our organization.

Starting immediately, all new employees will begin their journey with us on a designated orientation day. This ensures that each new hire receives the necessary support and information to smoothly transition into their new role as a member of our team. We appreciate your support in making this transition seamless.

Designated orientation days:

•       Monday, Aug. 19
•       Wednesday, Sept. 4
•       Wednesday, Sept. 18
•       Wednesday, Oct. 2
•       Wednesday, Oct. 16
•       Monday, Nov. 4
•       Monday, Nov. 18
•       Wednesday, Dec. 4

Title IX Updates
New Title IX regulations went into effect Aug. 1. Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

The updated regulations advance Title IX's promise of ensuring that no person experiences sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment or sexual violence, in federally funded education. The regulations also restore and strengthen protections for students and provide schools with information to meet their Title IX obligations while offering appropriate discretion and flexibility to account for variations in school size, student populations and administrative structures. The regulations also require schools to take prompt and effective action when notified of conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination in their education programs or activities, and reaffirm the importance of fundamental fairness for all parties as well as respect for complainants' autonomy.
 
The college has been preparing for these new regulations and will provide training regarding the regulations and modifications to college policies on Aug. 29. There will be two training sessions for staff at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. and a session for faculty at 1 p.m. Please work with your supervisor to schedule attendance. 

• 10:30 a.m. Registration Link (Staff)
• 1 p.m. Registration Link (Faculty)
• 3 p.m. Registration Link (Staff)

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Time to Breathe: An Eight-Week Offering (Hybrid Format)
Join Director of Operations & Instructional Support Services Cathy Colella at Anna Whitten Hall or via Zoom from wherever you may be. We will briefly introduce a topic to contemplate (15 minutes) and then meditate together (10 minutes guided, five minutes silent). Please bring a notebook. The last session takes place today from 4 - 4:30 p.m.

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Ana Abendschein, Josh Bartz, Amy Brandt, Allison Boerema, Tyann Brydges, Brittany Clark, Annie Colburn-Janes, Megan Collins, Yvonne Cooley, Erin Dominianni, Shelley Deleeuw, Michelle Demeritt, Mike Failing, Brady Ferguson, Carol Fillenworth, Rosie Florian, Christine Gearig, Emily Johnson, Gretchen St. John, Khadijah Kabbani, Dawn Kemp, Dorinda Loucks, Martha Lull, Terri McDonald, Stephanie Moats, Elizabeth Mwangi, Saundra Nicholson, Jane Otten, Lisa Peet, Renea Peruski, Hristina Petrovska, Molly Riley, Carlos Salinas, Kara Smith, Isaac Turner, Conor Whitchurch, Austin Wertheimer and Nancy Young.

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Upcoming Event - KVAAP College Experience (KCE)
The Kalamazoo Valley Accelerated Associate Program (KVAAP) College Experience (KCE) is a free one-week experience that prepares incoming KVAAP students for college success. During this week long program, students will learn about college resources, receive advising assistance and learn college success strategies. Students must complete a KVAAP application in order to participate in KCE. They can visit kvcc.edu/kvaap to apply. KCE will take place from 1:30 - 4 p.m. on Aug. 26 - 30. Participants have the opportunity to earn a free laptop upon successful completion of the program. Students can apply for KCE here.
 
Upcoming KVAAP Info Sessions

• Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. 
• Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 10 p.m.

Attending a KVAAP Info Session is a required part of the application process. Interested students can register here.

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Fall Books Now Available in the Bookstore
Please let students know that fall textbooks began being stocked in the Texas Township Campus Bookstore, as of Aug. 12. They can shop in person from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or anytime online at bookstore.kvcc.edu.

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Neurodiversity Workshops Planned for Sept. 23 and Oct. 24
You are invited to attend one of two FREE training sessions about neurodiversity. The "Introduction to Neurodiversity" workshop will last two hours with activities exploring the diversity of human brains and minds. Preregistration is required by Sept. 18, regardless of session date. Reserve your spot here. Trainings are available Monday, Sept. 23, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., at the Groves Campus in Room B-1100, and Thursday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Texas Township Campus in Room 4240. Light snacks will be served. Facilitated by the Disability Network Southwest Michigan, the workshop will cover how neurodiversity contributes to sensory, movement and communication differences; how ableism impacts people with brain-based disabilities; and how you can support neurodivergent individuals.

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Tickets for September Opportunities for Education Event Available Now
The 2024 Opportunities for Education Scholarship Fundraising event will take place on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the Food Innovation Center at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 224 E. Crosstown Parkway in downtown Kalamazoo. The event will feature some of the region's most popular restaurants, along with student and faculty chefs from the college's culinary and brewing programs. Guests will enjoy a walk-around tasting under a large tent where they can sample signature dishes. Students in the Sustainable Agriculture program will offer tours among the vegetables, flowers and herbs growing in the Food Innovation Center's greenhouse and grounds. more

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Picture Yourself Here is a new monthly feature that highlights Kalamazoo Valley students who are excelling in their field of study. Know of a student we should highlight? Email marketing@kvcc.edu.

Picture Yourself Here: Derick Waters, Sustainable Brewing
Derick Waters earned an associate degree from Kellogg Community College and had planned to transfer to Western Michigan University. When the coronavirus pandemic caused nationwide shutdowns, he switched gears - and that led to his career as a brewer.
 
"I worked as a server and bartender while living in Kalamazoo until 2022 when I decided to open my own food business, Dirty Vegan," he said. "I ran Dirty Vegan for two years making vegan comfort food until one day I decided to brew a home brew batch of beer. I was hooked and wanted to learn everything I could about beer. I discovered that Kalamazoo Valley Community College had a brewing program and I signed up right away." more

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Planetarium Show of Pink Floyd's Music Coming in August
Calling Pink Floyd fans (and rock music lovers)! Enjoy a light show set to the band's progressive eighth album, "Dark Side of the Moon," every Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in August at our Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Tickets are $3 for the planetarium show, with free general admission to the museum. Get your tickets here. The show is suitable for grades five and up.
 
Youth Exhibit Exploring Science, Technology and More Ending Soon
Be sure to stop by the Kalamazoo Valley Museum over the next two weeks! this exhibit brings to life New York Times best-selling children's book series "The Questioneers" closes Sept. 1. "The Questioneers: Read. Question. Think. PLAY!" exhibit centers on five fearless, problem-solving second-graders who dream big, persevere and aspire to science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) careers. It poses questions, identifies challenges and sparks creative problem-solving. Admission is free to the exhibit and the museum. Visit kalamazoomuseum.org for more details.
 
Free, Interactive Rain Garden Tours Offered Through Aug. 31
Explore the museum's Rain Garden with free interactive tours available at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays through Aug. 31. The 20-minute tours are designed for all ages. Preregistration is encouraged. Tours will be canceled or moved inside in cases of inclement weather. Visit kalamazoomuseum.org for more information.