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MISSION STATEMENT
Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable
opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.

Dec. 1, 2023

Greetings,

Celebrating student success is one of the great joys of our work at Kalamazoo Valley! We will commemorate student success in a big way during Commencement on Sunday, Dec. 17. We expect great participation from our graduates and a large crowd of family members and friends at Miller Auditorium beginning at 2 p.m.

I am looking forward to hearing from student speaker Kayleigh Overhuel, who will be receiving her associate of science degree in nursing. Economics instructor Philipp Jonas will provide inspiring faculty remarks and the campus band is returning for the celebration. I hope that you will be able to make time in your schedule to volunteer behind the scenes or to attend this important occasion as an audience member.

Soon we all will be celebrating the end of the winter semester, so until then, I know that you will continue to support all of our students, every day. Thank you.

Sincerely,

L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President

Celebrating the Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, I encourage everyone to feel welcome to decorate offices and doors in celebration. The holidays are a festive time of year, and decorations and displays add to the fun.

I kindly ask as you prepare decorations to be cognizant of the wonderful diversity of our campus community. Our students, faculty and staff come from a rich mix of cultures, faiths and perspectives. As public servants in education, we have an obligation to be welcoming to all. An inclusive approach to holiday d�cor that focuses more on seasonal themes rather than specific religious symbols can help accomplish this.

Please also keep safety in mind during your celebrations. If you chose to decorate your office, please keep windows unobstructed and refrain from hanging lights, which can cause trip and fire risks. If you choose to gather at a potluck, please keep food safety practices in mind. If you have questions about what is appropriate, reach out to your cabinet-level supervisor.

I wish everyone a joyful holiday season filled with the traditions and beliefs you individually hold dear. Kalamazoo Valley will continue being a place for open, respectful dialogue about both our common purposes and our differences as we educate students.

Happy Holidays!

Guide to Emergency Preparedness
Please take note and familiarize yourself with the yellow Guide to Emergency Preparedness booklets hanging in all classrooms and office spaces. The guide provides important phone numbers as well as steps to take in case of an emergency, including medical, accidents, fire, severe weather, active shooter and bomb threats. If you do not have a booklet in your office space or classroom, please contact Public Safety at ext. 4911.


Employee Assistance Program Available
Kalamazoo Valley employees may take advantage of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The service, available through Uprise Heath, offers confidential, personal and web-based support in a wide variety of topics, including stress management, elder care, nutrition, fitness and legal and financial issues. more

Diversity and Bias in the Search Committee Process Workshop
The next Diversity and Bias in the Search Committee Process workshop is scheduled for Dec. 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Texas Township Campus in Rm. 3320.

Participants will explore the basics of what it takes to serve on a search committee and how implicit or unconscious bias impacts decision-making process. The training is required for those who wish to serve on a search committee.

Register here.  

Commencement Scheduled for Dec. 17
Kalamazoo Valley hold its winter Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. at Western Michigan University�s Miller Auditorium, 2200 Auditorium Drive, Kalamazoo.

To date, 130 students, including those who graduated in August, are planning to participate. Board Chairperson Lucinda Stinson will speak, along with economics instructor Philipp Jonas and student speaker Kayleigh Overhuel, who is graduating with an associate of science degree in nursing.

Graduates will have the opportunity to reserve 10 tickets for the ceremony and will be required to pick tickets up in person in advance.

All guests, including family members and children (regardless of age), must have a ticket to enter Miller Auditorium. Guests without tickets may view the ceremony livestream via Public Media Network on PMN DISCOVER channel 191. It will also stream online at publicmedianet.org, as well as on our Roku, Apple TV and Firestick apps. The ceremony will be rebroadcast throughout the month and will be available on-demand on the PMN website in January 2024.

Please join us in congratulating our graduates and celebrating their success with them!

It�s Giving Season at Kalamazoo Valley
The Kalamazoo Valley Community College invites all faculty and staff to consider including the college in your philanthropic giving. Here are some ways you could give:
 
Give to Our Students � KVCC Foundation
100% of your donations to the KVCC Foundation go to our students. If you would like to help our students overcome financial hurdles like the high cost of child care, transportation and other living expenses, you can give a one-time donation at kvcc.edu/foundation, or set up payroll deduction gifts. Your donations will provide for unrestricted grant and scholarship funding to give our students the boost they need to reach their goals.
 
Give to our Students, Staff and the Community
When you give to United Way, you not only benefit our whole community, you are also giving to organizations that help our students and staff every day.

The campus United Way campaign begins Dec. 4. Watch for a personalized, confidential email that will be sent to you on that day that will take you to a secure United Way website to donate. You can give a one-time gift or set up payroll deduction for 2024. When you receive your email to the giving link, you can use your employee email to log in and the password will be LiveUnited.

The power of uniting is that several smaller gifts can add up to a big impact. Please consider giving this year to help us reach a Kalamazoo Valley collective donation of $10,000.

Contact Alisha Siebers if you have questions about the KVCC Foundation or United Way.

No Evening Hours Week of Dec.18
All student services, including Student Development Services, Admissions, Registration and Records, Student Financial Services, Learning Center, Libraries, Testing Center and the Wellness and Fitness Center will close at 5 p.m. the week of Dec. 18.

Payroll Due Date Reminder
Due to the upcoming holiday break, the dates have been adjusted.

12/29/23 Payroll:
  • Employee time sheets are due Friday, Dec. 15 at 5 p.m.
  • Manager approval of time sheets is due Monday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.
  • This pay covers the period 11/26/23 - 12/16/23 (this is a three-week period)
1/12/24 Payroll:
  • Employee time sheet submission due date is TUESDAY, Jan. 2, 2024 at 5 p.m.
  • Manager approval of time sheets is due WEDNESDAY, Jan. 3, 2024 at 5 p.m.
  • This pay covers the period 12/17/23 - 12/30/23; full-time hourly employees should enter TOP (time off paid) for the college holidays of Dec. 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29.
If you will not be on campus when time sheets are due, please ensure that your time sheet is completed and submitted prior to leaving campus. If you normally approve time sheets and will not be on campus on the due date, please ensure you have a proxy set up to approve your time sheets, or approve your time sheets before you leave campus. Alternatively, if you are off campus and have internet access, you can log in to your MyValley account by going to www.kvcc.edu to access the Banner Self-Service application to submit and/or approve time sheets.

Any questions may be directed to the Payroll Department. You may call Anita Gonzales at ext. 4872 or send an email to payroll@kvcc.edu.

Live Music Tonight at CNM
Enjoy live music on Friday at the Center for New Media from 6 to 8 p.m. with the The Bahar Ensemble. Founded in 2017, Bahar performs repertoire spanning centuries and originating from Arabic, Kurdish, Turkish, Persian, North African, Andalusian and related traditions. Members include founder Ahmed Tofiq, violin; Liz Youker, cello; Beau Bothwell, oud; and percussionists Dede Alder and Carolyn Koebel.

The group will be sharing information about the community Arab Orchestra, Bayati. To learn more about how you could get involved with this music culture, please stop by to talk with group members. Their new sessions begin Jan - May, 2024. 



Time to Buy Commencement Caps, Gowns, Honors Regalia
Please spread the word to December graduates that they can buy commencement regalia until 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 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, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. at Miller Auditorium at Western Michigan University.

MI ECHO Scholarship Applications Accepted Through Dec. 31
Students who face barriers accessing federal financial aid due to immigration status are encouraged to learn more about the Michigan Equality, Courage, Hope and Opportunity (MI ECHO) scholarship. The program covers the cost of tuition, contact hours and other mandatory fees associated with obtaining a certificate or associate degree in the state of Michigan.
 
To qualify, students must live in Michigan, be a DACA recipient, have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), asylum pending, Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ) or an immigration status preventing them from qualifying for federal financial aid. Those receiving federal financial aid, the Futures for Frontliners scholarship or who receive awards from the Michigan Reconnect program are not eligible.
 
"This is a very unique scholarship opportunity for students who typically cannot access federal financial aid,� said Kristina Pudasaini, Kalamazoo Valley international student coordinator. �It allows them to have a tuition-free pathway. I would encourage any student who meets the criteria to apply." more

Kalamazoo Valley Libraries: JSTOR, Research & Citation Help
Database Spotlight: JSTOR
Brand-new to our collection of research databases is JSTOR, a comprehensive collection of over 12 million journal articles, books, primary sources and images in 75 disciplines. Visit the How to Use JSTOR research guide or ask a librarian for an introduction. The Libraries also subscribe to JSTOR Daily, an award-winning digital magazine that gives context to current events by highlighting research found on JSTOR.
 
Research and Citation Help
Paper and project due dates are fast approaching. The Libraries can help your students:

  • Use scholarly sources from library databases
  • Find statistics to back up your argument
  • Cite sources in correct MLA or APA format
  • Study in a space with minimal distractions
  • Print your paper or presentation
  • Take a study break with a game, magazine or comfy chair by the windows
  • Eat a healthy snack
Encourage your students to drop by one of our service desks or email libraries@kvcc.edu for assistance today!
 
Specific Library Resources
Consider adding these resources to your Canvas courses every semester:


Hours and Contact Information


MIPSA Statewide Award Recognizes Four Valley Honors Program Students
Four of Kalamazoo Valley Community College�s Honors Program students were recently recognized as the finalists and winner of the Michigan Political Science Association�s (MIPSA) statewide Undergraduate Student Paper Award. The news was announced on Oct. 20 at MIPSA�s annual conference at the University of Michigan - Flint. The students include:
  • Ariadne (Aria) Markou | winner | "An Examination of the Work-for-Hire Doctrine in Copyright Law"
  • Janet Cencer | finalist | "Jury Nullification as a Constitutional Right"
  • Sadie Ferguson | finalist | "White Flight in Kalamazoo, Michigan"
  • Heather Weinert | finalist | "The Polarized Mind: The Psychology of Ideological Polarization"
�Saying that I am honored to win this award is an understatement,� Markou said. �My topic was extremely personal to me, primarily because I wrote this paper for my sister and all her fellow educators who want [property] rights over what they create.� more



From left to right is Parchment School District�s Social Services Coordinator Sasha Hoyle and PTK Alpha Rho Nu Chapter Co-President Christie White
PTK Donates Hats, Mittens and Scarves to Parchment Students
Kalamazoo Valley Community College's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges, recently completed a donation drive to collect hats, mittens and scarves for Parchment School District students ages K-12. The drive concluded Nov. 3 and initially collected 185 items. Additional collections received after the drive�s conclusion increased the total to nearly 200 donations.
 
PTK chapter Co-President Christie White presented Sasha Hoyle, Parchment School District social services coordinator, with the donations on Monday, Nov. 14. more

October Recycling Collaboration Recap
The Oct. 28 Styrofoam recycling event at the Texas Township Campus was the most successful event since the college began collaborating with the City of Kalamazoo and Dart Container Corporation in 2022. More than 100 community members stopped by during the three-hour window to donate their collected Styrofoam which will be repurposed into picture frames, crown moulding and many other useful products. Collections from this event were nearly double that of any previous collection.

The next college-hosted recycling event will take place Friday, April 19 at the Texas Township Campus from 1 - 4 p.m. This event will be associated with Earth Day 2024 and the college will be partnering with Green Earth to collect electronics as well as Styrofoam. A call for volunteers and more information will come at a later date.


Volleyball Team Awards Banquet Celebrated Players� Dedication
Volleyball team members and their families and friends took a moment to reflect on the hard work of the recently completed season at an awards banquet held on Nov. 16. A big highlight was honoring players who had achieved two years on the team. The recipients of the Second-Year Awards were sophomores Raine Atherton and Rylie Glass. Congratulations to the team, the honorees and the coaching staff! A special shout-out to Rhonda Sturgeon on the completion of her first season as head coach.

Check out Pre-Season Women�s & Men�s Basketball Home Games
Conference play officially begins on Jan. 13, but there are opportunities to see the players at non-conference home games in December. Cheer on the women�s basketball team at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8; and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. The men�s team will play at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4; 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 8; and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. All home games take place in the main gym at the Texas Township Campus. Admission is free. Find the full season schedule at athletics.kvcc.edu. 
  

 

Kalamazoo Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra Performs Free Holiday Concerts
Indulge in the sounds of the season when the Kalamazoo Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra performs holiday music at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum during the Friday, Dec. 1, Art Hop, all for free. Performances are 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., featuring festive tunes old and new, along with other traditional audience favorites. Seating is first come, first served in the museum�s Mary Jane Stryker Theater. The orchestra is a plucked string ensemble consisting of mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos, guitars and bass. Admission is free to the concerts and to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.
 

Museum Launches Adult Discovery Series and Retro Caf�
Join the Kalamazoo Valley Museum for its new monthly adult series. The next session is Tuesday, Dec.12 at 2 p.m. Cost is $3. This month's two-hour long program will explore the museum�s charming General Store exhibit. It includes a Mystery Artifact demonstration and ends with light refreshments. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required at kalamazoomuseum.org or 269.373.7990. Registered guests are encouraged to bring an artifact to share. The series will be offered the second Tuesday of the month through March 2024.
 

Closing Dec. 30: �Wonder Media� Exhibit that Builds News Literacy
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum�s �Wonder Media: Ask the Questions!� exhibit invites pre-teens, teens and adults to engage in critical thinking about news and media literacy topics by interacting with 14 highly interactive activity stations, providing a fun and hands-on way to build skills to better spot misleading news and information. It�ll be ending a 1�-plus year run on Dec. 30. Admission is free to the exhibit and the museum. Click here for more details about the exhibit.

 

NOW OPEN � Furniture Exhibit Featuring Two Centuries of History
For a limited time, the Kalamazoo Valley Museum provides a rare peek at its unique items in storage, some never seen publicly at any point since the museum's founding in 1881! The FREE, "Off the Shelves: Exploring the Kalamazoo Valley Museum's Furniture Collection� exhibit showcases the museum�s furniture collection spanning over 200 years of history, from mass-produced to one-of-a-kind pieces, like a replica of King Tut�s throne! Also see Dobbin the horse, which was used to train cavalry officers; the neon Hoekstra Hardware sign that graced the back entrance of the store for several decades; and other pieces that all tell stories. The exhibit runs through Jan. 21. Entry to the museum and exhibit are free.
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Kalamazoo Valley Community College
6767 West O Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4070






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Kalamazoo Valley Community College · 6767 W O Ave · Kalamazoo, MI 49009-7402 · USA