MISSION STATEMENT Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable
opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.
July 31, 2024
Greetings!
August can be an in-between month. Some of us are in-between summer vacations and preparing for fall semester. Some are in between wrapping up chores related to outdoor projects and preparing for the change of seasons. Many of us are waiting in anticipation for the new school year.
I invite you think deeply about your future during this in-between time. Instead of just passing time, consider how you will prepare for something new. That could mean deciding to pursue additional professional development opportunities or finally completing an advanced degree or additional certifications. Maybe there is an upcoming change in your household - a family member heading off to college or someone moving out or in that will require some adjustments. Alternatively, maybe it is time to find a cause or activity you really care about in which you can invest your time and effort.
My advice is to take advantage of in-between times. Imagine what you want to accomplish and work to make it happen!
Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
State Announces Michigan Community College Guarantee Many Kalamazoo Valley Community College students are eligible for free tuition this fall thanks to Michigan's new Community College Guarantee program and other existing scholarship opportunities. These funds are not loans, do not need to be repaid after college and eligibility is not tied to family income.
The free college funds are available to Kalamazoo Valley students from the class of 2023 and 2024 who enroll in classes for the Fall 2024 semester. To qualify, students must complete the FAFSA form and list "Kalamazoo Valley Community College" as the "first college of choice" on the form. more
New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Four new electric vehicle charging stations have been installed at the Texas Township Campus and will be ready to use starting on Monday, Aug. 5. The new stations are located in the southeast corner of the main parking lot and are free to use on a first come, first served basis. These are in addition to the four stations on the south side of the building near the entrance to the ATC wing, bringing the total of charging stations on campus to eight. Any questions or issues with these stations can be directed tofacilities@kvcc.edu.
Brewing Students Place at College Beer Championship Kalamazoo Valley Community College's sustainable brewing students continue to earn national recognition for their award-winning beer and outstanding craftsmanship. The 2024 U.S. Open College Beer Championship, was hosted in June in Oxford, Ohio where the sustainable brewing students took home third place.
The U.S Open College Beer Championship is for student brewers enrolled at schools, colleges and universities that teach brewing courses. The U.S. Open College Championship is the only competition of its kind focusing on student brewers. more
Winning Essays Announced
Every year, the English department showcases the talents of students who submit their work to the Winning Essays contest. This year, for the first time, the contest winners' essays appear in an online format, making the submissions available to a wide audience. All of the essays, which reflect a range of genres, were written in English courses at Kalamazoo Valley. Congratulations to the talented student writers who made this publication possible. See the winning entries here.
Title IX Updates New Title IX regulations go into effect tomorrow, 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 be providing 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 on attendance and proper coverage in your department.
Summer Hours End Aug. 3 Kalamazoo Valley Community College's summer hours conclude Saturday Aug. 3. Regular hours resume the week of Aug. 4. Click here to view building hours for each campus. Updates from the Libraries Library Returns
Don't forget that it is time to return borrowed library materials.
Please return any items that are due.
Contact the library if you would like to request a renewal.
To return books and media, please drop off materials at any book drop or library service desk.
A convenient 24/7 book drop is located outside the tower entrance at the Texas Township Campus.
Laptops and hot spots should be returned to the circulation desk at either library location.
Study Spaces
The Libraries are great student hot-spots for keeping cool this summer. Both libraries feature quiet, cozy air-conditioned study spaces in unique environments. We have tables, computers, comfy armchairs, and isolated study cubicles with plenty of room for students to situate themselves and their belongings, relax, and have a drink or snack. The Texas Township library has closed study rooms for extra privacy - interested students should ask about availability. The Anna Whitten Hall library features a unique scenic lookout over downtown Kalamazoo, and the TTC library offers a panoramic two-story view of the surrounding nature preserve.
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. Sessions take place from 4 - 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays.
Updates from KVAAP New Eligibility Requirements and Fall Enrollment Goal
KVAAP recently expanded their 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 kvcc.edu/kvaap or they can email KVAAP staff at kvaap@kvcc.edu. KVAAP's Fall 2024 goal is to accept 75 new students into the program. We are currently at 19% of our goal!
Upcoming Event - KVAAP College Experience (KCE)
The 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, 2024. 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. 6, 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 14, 10 a.m.
Attending a KVAAP Info Session is a required part of the application process. Interested students can register here. Photographer on Campus Are you in need of a professional headshot? A professional photographer will be available to take employee photos Aug. 5 in the lower level area of the Student Commons on the Texas Township Campus. Appointments are available in 10-minute increments from 9 - 10:50 a.m.Sign upnow.
Fall Books Available Beginning Aug. 12
Students can start buying FALL textbooks at the Texas Township Campus Bookstore beginning Aug. 12! Shop in person from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or anytime online at bookstore.kvcc.edu
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 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? Emailmarketing@kvcc.edu.
Picture Yourself Here: Theresa Elliott Schoolcraft High School graduate Theresa Elliott knew she wanted to train to work in the health care field and she was able to hone in on her interests as a student in Kalamazoo Valley's Medical Assistant Technology program.
She is already employed full time in the Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic at Bronson Methodist Hospital in downtown Kalamazoo. Her job responsibilities include calling the patient back to the exam room, recording their vital signs, asking relevant questions about their pregnancy as well as medication and allergy information, putting in orders for ultrasounds and making sure everything is documented properly. more
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 5 and up.
Exhibit Exposes Youth to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math
The newest exhibit at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum brings to life New York Times best-selling children's book series "The Questioneers," which centers on five fearless, problem-solving second graders who dream big, persevere and aspire to science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) careers. The free traveling exhibit "The Questioneers: Read. Question. Think. PLAY!" is open now through Sept. 1. The exhibit poses questions, identifies challenges and sparks creative problem-solving. Admission is free to the exhibit and the museum. Visit kalamazoomuseum.org for more details.
