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

Feb. 1, 2024

Greetings,

February is always a busy month for our students and the entire college community. This year is no exception. 

I know that many of you are juggling the care of family members along with the demands of your work at the college. Our students also juggle multiple demands on their schedules. However, many students can accelerate the completion of their degree or certificate if they are able to squeeze in just one more class this semester. Additional half semester classes start soon. Please encourage your students to consider this option.

Part of our busyness is associated with keeping up with the information that bombards us daily. For the most up-to-date information about what is happening at the college, I encourage you to check the college calendar and news postings on the homepage of the college website daily. The weekly "Friday Focus" e-publication also provides headlines about important college events and activities. We are doing our part to keep you informed. Please do your part to access the information we provide.

Let's keep pressing forward, together!

L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
Lunch with the President
President Washington invites faculty and staff to join him for a casual lunch gathering in the private dining room of the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health building in downtown Kalamazoo at noon on Feb. 8, March 27 or April 3. Choose only one date, please. Space is limited to 15 attendees for each session and registration is required to attend. If you attended previously, please do not register again. To register, email Erin Bishop.
Call for Nominations for Distinguished Alumni
Do you know a Kalamazoo Valley Community College alum who has earned distinction in his or her career field? Are you aware of a Kalamazoo Valley alum who has modeled exemplary personal growth and accomplishment? Kalamazoo Valley Community College is inviting you to share the names and accomplishments of outstanding Kalamazoo Valley alumni to be considered for the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award. Award criteria, nomination form and submission guidelines can be found here. 

To be considered for the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award, nominations should be received no later than Feb. 1, 2024. Contact Denise Thomas, alumni relations coordinator, at x4314 or dthomas1@kvcc.edu for more information. Take a moment and meet Kalamazoo Valley�s previous Distinguished Alumni.

2024 Building a Culture of Giving
What is a �culture of giving� you might ask. It may not be exactly what you think! Giving can be in many ways and anyone can do it. Time, talent and treasure; everyone has at least one of these.

A culture of giving is one in which giving back and engaging in the community is a habit, an expectation and a way of life. A culture of giving is life with opportunities to participate, build relationships and create a network to support our community together.

The KVCC Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the college, and it is our responsibility to foster the culture of giving. This next year, we will be highlighting individuals who are contributing to building a culture of giving at Valley and in the community at large. We hope you enjoy reading about these acts of kindness and observe a culture of giving that is ever growing and becoming more vibrant at Valley every day!

If you know of someone who should be acknowledged or an event that could be highlighted, send an email to Foundation@kvcc.edu.


MI-ACE Women's Network - Kalamazoo Valley Event Suggestions
Michigan ACE Women�s Network is committed to improving the general climate and professional environment for women by identifying, developing, encouraging, advancing, linking and supporting (IDEALS) women in higher education careers throughout the state. In support of these efforts, different events are being planned across Kalamazoo Valley�s campuses that foster a supportive and encouraging environment. Please fill out this survey to help plan upcoming activities.

Fun February Returns
The Employee Engagement and Wellness Committee has once again planned a number of activities for staff and faculty to enjoy throughout the month. See a complete list of activities here.



College on Social Media
Be sure to stay up-to-date on college activities and announcements by following the college on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X. Check out photos from college events like the Summit and Big Chill on Flickr and promotional videos on the college's YouTube account.

Updates from IT

  • Planning is continuing for the migration of Home drive data to OneDrive. This change is currently planned to take place between winter and summer semesters. Communications and training sessions will be provided well in advance of the actual migration.
  • Cybersecurity attacks are a constant and ongoing threat for all users. Please take a moment to look at the list of cybersecurity tips here.

New Full-time Employees October to December, 2023
The following employees were hired or promoted to full-time positions between October and December, 2023. Join us in welcoming them.

Annette Chapman | KVCC Foundation Officer
Rashawnty Dunning | Texas Township Campus Custodian
John Garwood | Public Safety Officer
Grace Gardziella | Kalamazoo Valley Museum Collections Cataloguer
Sherry Hess | President's Office Administrative Assistant
Gavin Henry | Procurement and Project Manager
Latierrie Miller | Texas Township Campus Custodian
Amy Newday | Food Systems Education Program Manager
Haran Rajaguru | Analytics Specialist
Tyler Roemer | Student Financial Services Representative
Craig Schmitt | Groundskeeper

Employees Promoted to New Full-Time Positions
Shelbey Guarino | Partnership Coordinator, Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Jeremy Smith | Texas Township Campus Custodian
Sarah Thomas | Vehicle and Grounds Manager

Download the Pool App
Do you have medical coverage through the college?  If so, you will want to download The Pool app to your phone. 

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. See more details here.
Find information about upcoming TIAA webinars here.

Warm Clothing Drive Slated for Feb. 1 - 15
Kalamazoo Valley�s Honors Program is conducting a warm clothing collection drive to benefit United for the Unsheltered of Kalamazoo. All community members are invited to donate new or gently used socks, boots, coats, scarves, hats, gloves, blankets, pants, shirts and hand warmers for the unsheltered. The drive takes place Feb. 1 - 15. Collection bins will be located across the Texas Township Campus.
 
"Join our college community in embracing the warmth of compassion,� said Heather Weinert, Kalamazoo Valley Honors Program student president. �Donate to share the warmth, and together, let's wrap our unhoused neighbors in a community blanket of care. Your contribution, no matter how small, can help kindness be the trend that helps keep people warm this winter." more

Kalamazoo Valley Libraries: Music Book Collection
Music Books
From classical to jazz and blues, rap, rock and pop to country, the Libraries have an impressive collection of books about music and musicians. Whether you want biographies or insights into artists, their works or their careers or studied analysis of musical movements and their cultural impact, you can look under M in the shelves and find something good. There�s even sheet music, as well as instructions to learn an instrument and create your own sound. Ask our friendly librarians about ways to browse our music titles and more.
 
Hours and Contact Information


Valley Hosts Celebration of the Arts Feb. 27 for Black History Month
Join Kalamazoo Valley Community College at a special program, �African Americans and the Arts,� on Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. in Room 4240 at the Texas Township campus, in observance of the national theme for Black History Month 2024. Lunch is provided. Please RSVP with Trice Batson at tbatson@kvcc.edu. The event will feature performances of local African American actors, artists, musicians and provide a shared connection to the rich African American cultural heritage in Kalamazoo.  
Welcome New Head Softball Coach Lisa Karau
Kalamazoo Valley Community College has named Lisa Karau as the new head softball coach, replacing Emily VanFleet. She started Dec. 5. Karau has played softball at the high school, community college and university levels. Out of high school, she was recruited to play softball at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa. After a year at Ellsworth, she transferred and played at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for three additional years, where she earned a degree in physical education as a major and health education as a minor. She has coached in numerous capacities in the K-12 setting in Wisconsin and Michigan. more
 
See the Valley Basketball Teams in Action!
Love basketball? Come out and cheer on the Cougar women's and men's basketball teams! Below is the February schedule of home and away games. Home games are in bold. Remember, home games are always free in the main gym at the Texas Township Campus. Find the full season schedule at athletics.kvcc.edu.
 
Men�s Team
  • SATURDAY, FEB. 3 | 3 p.m. (@ Glenn Oaks Community College)
  • WEDNESDAY, FEB. 7 | 7:30 p.m.  (@ Lake Michigan College)
  • SATURDAY, FEB. 10 | 3 p.m. (@Lansing Community College)
  • WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14 | 7:30 p.m. (Home vs. Kellogg Community College)
  • SATURDAY, FEB. 17 | 3 p.m.  (Home vs. Southwestern Michigan College)
  • WEDNESDAY, FEB. 21 | 7:30 p.m.  (Home vs. Marian University�s Ancilla College)
  • TUESDAY, FEB. 27 | 7:30 p.m. (Home vs. Glenn Oaks Community College)
Women�s Team
  • SATURDAY, FEB. 3 | 1 p.m. (@ Glenn Oaks Community College)
  • WEDNESDAY, FEB. 7 | 5:30 p.m.  (@ Lake Michigan College)
  • SATURDAY, FEB. 10 | 1 p.m. (@ Lansing Community College)
  • WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14 | 5:30 p.m. (Home vs. Kellogg Community College)
  • SATURDAY, FEB. 17 | 1 p.m.  (Home vs. Southwestern Michigan College)
  • WEDNESDAY, FEB. 21 | 5:30 p.m.  (Home vs. Marian University�s Ancilla College)
  • TUESDAY, FEB. 27 | 5:30 p.m. (Home vs. Glenn Oaks Community College)  

Featured Item: Hewlett-Packard Laptop, $646.79
Looking for an inexpensive, thin laptop with long battery life? Employees and students alike might be interested in knowing that Hewlett Packard 15.6� laptops are sold for $646.79 at the Texas Township Bookstore. This model has a drive capacity of 256 GB. Payment can be made using financial aid, credit card, cash or a combination thereof. The Bookstore also sells a number of computer accessories, such as keyboard protectors and laptop sleeves, carrying cases and chargers. Buy in person at the Bookstore between 8 a.m.-5 p.m., or online anytime. Web orders may be picked up at TTC or the Anna Whitten Hall Library at the Arcadia Commons Campus in downtown Kalamazoo, or mailed to any address. Shipping is $5.

  

 
Exhibit About Acclaimed Author Bonnie Jo Campbell Opened Jan. 20
Award-winning local author Bonnie Jo Campbell brings her history, as well as many personal items from her writing world, to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum in a mini-exhibit that showcases "What It Means to Be a Hometown Writer." The exhibit features photos, awards, souvenirs from her travels, personal items from her writing world and an extended video interview with Campbell, all to showcase her work and inspirations for writing. It ends June 30. Admission is free to the exhibit and the museum.
 
165-Year History of Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital Explored
Did you know that Michigan�s longest-operating mental hospital is in Kalamazoo? Learn the fascinating history of the Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital at a new exhibit at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, on display from Feb. 3, 2024 through Jan. 19, 2025. �Kalamazoo State Hospital: 165 Years of Psychiatric Care� examines the history of its patients, employees and buildings on its Oakland Drive campus. The free exhibit features a range of items, from life-size versions of historical photos to patient artwork and original furniture, such as rocking and dining-room chairs, and recreations of patient and employee sleeping quarters; at one time, employees were required to sleep at the hospital.


Interactive Exhibit Illuminating the Wonders of Skin Opens Feb. 10
Explore the shape-shifting, color-changing and adaptable nature of skin and the technological innovations it inspires in the exhibit �Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity,� available from Feb. 10, 2024 through June 2, 2024 at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. The free exhibit aims to inspire wonder and curiosity about this uniquely complex organ, illustrate the incredibly adaptive properties of skin across all organisms, and spark dialogue and reflection about skin�s role in shaping human culture and identity. Expect a range of collections and engaging interactive experiences.


Museum�s Next Adult Discovery Series and Retro Caf� is Feb. 13
Join the Kalamazoo Valley Museum for its new monthly adult series. It starts at 2 p.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Guests on Feb. 13 will enjoy engaging cosmic chemistry demonstrations. It includes a $3 presenter-led planetarium experience, and concludes with light refreshments. Pre-registration is required at kalamazoomuseum.org or 269.373.7990. 
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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