KV Focus Plus - June 15 - Kalamazoo Valley Community College

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

June 15, 2023

Greetings!

Kalamazoo Valley Community College's community collaborations continue to expand and are evident across our campus locations and the region.

Hundreds of students are participating in college summer athletic camps on the Texas Township Campus. The first camp starts this week. Also joining us this month are dozens and dozens of Early/Middle College summer campers. These middle school-aged students are exploring careers and pathway options while visiting a number of our campus locations.

At the Food Innovation Center, high school students are learning about sustainable, urban food practices through Youth Opportunities Unlimited summer placements.

And again this summer, the college is collaborating with the Douglass Community Association offering girl's and boy's basketball clinics at its Northside location in Kalamazoo. Our hope is that this program grows and that even more students will have the opportunity to interact with college basketball coaches, college staff and players during these clinics.

These and other efforts support the college's mission statement: Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive. We are very pleased to be a part of the lives of learners of all ages and look forward to welcoming many of these young people and their families to the college as enrolled students in the future.

Sincerely,

L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President

Interim Dean Announcement

With the recent resignation of Dean Erin Shufro, please see below for interim plans. We wish Erin the best in her next adventure.

Billy Reynolds, Ph.D., will serve as the interim dean for math and sciences focusing on functional matters and term faculty development as he does with the current Liberal Arts Division.

Mark Dunneback, Ph.D., will serve as an interim collaborative operations liaison, including grant partnerships, with the Food Innovation Center.

Both will serve in these interim capacities until the successful hiring of the next Dean of Math and Sciences or an alternate structure is established.

IT Maintenance Project Scheduled for Tomorrow
Kalamazoo Valley's IT center will be undergoing a maintenance project beginning at noon Friday, June 16. This project may impact the availability of IT resources such as Canvas, Virtual Desktops and Banner Self-Service. We expect these maintenance activities to be completed by 7 p.m. the same day.

Director of Wind Energy and Technical Services Tom Sutton, graduates Chase Villani, Dan Givens, Hailey Hudson, lead instructor Tony Parcher (not pictured Forrest Maxwell)

Wind Turbine Technician Academy to Celebrate June 16 Graduation
Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Wind Turbine Technician Academy (WTTA) will celebrate its 27^thgraduating class on Friday, June 16 at 11 a.m. at the Groves Campus. The ceremony will be hosted by Thomas Sutton, director of wind energy and technical training services, and will include welcoming remarks from Craig Jbara, vice president for strategic business and economic development.

The academy's newest graduates include:
Daniel Givens - Kalamazoo, Michigan
Hailey Hudson - Kalamazoo, Michigan
Forrest Maxwell - Elkton, Michigan
Chase Villani - (class speaker) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Developed with input from industry leaders, Kalamazoo Valley's nationally accredited program continues to garner recognition as one of the country's leading academies. Over the years, the WTTA has attracted students from across the U.S. and around the world. more

Aubrey Rodgers at last month's Farmers Market

Join The Fun at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market this Saturday
Be sure to stop by the college's table at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market this Saturday between 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Multiple departments have teamed up to offer themed activities that highlight the college's accredited programs throughout the summer. Community members can meet faculty and staff, learn more about the college and enjoy summer fun. Other upcoming dates include:

July 15 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Aug. 19 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sept. 16 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Volunteer opportunities are available in one-hour increments. Click here to sign up. Kalamazoo Valley's tent will be located in the central courtyard of the market. For questions, contact Rachel Bair.

Photographer at CAH for Headshots
Are you in need of a professional headshot? A photographer will be available between 5:30 and 7 p.m. at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health building's culinary theater to take photos. Appointments are in 10-minute increments. If interested, please sign up here. Questions? Contact marketing@kvcc.edu.

Kyle Mitchell with fresh blueberries at the Food Innovation Center.

ValleyHUB Awarded $3.2 Million Grant to Help Those in Need

The Food Innovation Center at Kalamazoo Valley Community College was recently awarded $3.2 million in federal funding to provide local food to in-need members of the community.

Food will be purchased through the ValleyHUB food hub, building on relationships with more than 30 regional farmers and food makers. more

Cat March in the Student Commons

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Profile: Cat March
Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Trice Batson, launched this Diversity Spotlight feature as a way to elevate and celebrate people, practices and programs modeling the behavior of diversity, equity and inclusion. Watch for these articles in KV Focus Plus and on the website.

Cat March is committed to equity and social justice work. They are particularly interested in cultivating community, representation and engagement for underrepresented students, faculty and staff. They imagine a world where our identities are celebrated with pride and compassion.

March earned a bachelor's degree in English and gender studies from Kenyon College and a master of arts in higher education, student affairs at Western Michigan University. They hope to elevate faculty and staff's familiarity with and expertise in DEI topics through programming and events. They also hope to create more spaces for students to engage with faculty, staff and each other over shared identities and a shared dedication to social justice. more

Staff and Administrator Excellence Awards
Kalamazoo Valley Excellence Awards will be presented to highlight the outstanding work of Kalamazoo Valley staff and administrators. The awards recognize those who have a demonstrated record of exceptional work in support of the college mission. Full-time and part-time employees and paraprofessionals are eligible. Awardees will receive a plaque and award gift and will be honored at the college faculty and staff award ceremony at the 2023 Fall Summit and at a special luncheon. Learn more.

Nominations must be submitted by June 29, 2023.

Call for Proposals
The Fall Summit will be held Aug. 30 and 31 and presenters are needed! Has your department embraced new practices or procedures that others could benefit from knowing? Do you have a skill, talent or activity that others might enjoy? Do you have something to share with the college community? Everyone at the college is invited to submit a proposal for the Fall 2023 Summit. Submit your proposals by July 14.

Summer Reading
Whether you are hitting the beach or hanging around at home, a good book makes summer better. The Libraries have a great selection of recreational reads to choose from. Browse the online ValleyCat library catalog or check out what's fresh on the New Books virtual display. If you are looking for suggestions, explore the ValleyReads virtual display for recommendations from Kalamazoo Valley staff members.

Collection Spotlight: Sports & Recreation
If you are into sports or just looking for some summer activity ideas, you might want to browse the Libraries' sports and recreation collection. There you will find fascinating biographies of influential players and personalities in the sports industry, histories and discussions of your favorite games, and pointers to improve your own. If camping, hiking or swimming are what you are into, there are plenty of recreational activities addressed here as well. Browse all that this collection has to offer in the ValleyCat online catalog.

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 to situate yourself and your belongings. 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.

Research & Citation Help
Remember that library staff are here to help your students with any research projects they might be working on. Don't let them get hung up send them to ask the experts! We can help students find sources in the library and our online research databases, properly format their papers and citations or even help decide what their topics are. They can call 269.488.4328 to get assistance over the phone or to schedule an in-person or Zoom appointment with a librarian. They can also email us at libraries@kvcc.edu or walk in at either Texas Township or Anna Whitten Hall Libraries.

We look forward to connecting with you.

Visit us online
Call 269.488.4328
Email
Chat with a college librarian 24/7
Zoom by appointment, please email
Follow us on Instagram @kalamazoovalleylibraries

Culinary Student Puts Training to Work at Pretty Lake Vacation Camp
Jai Smith started taking law enforcement classes at Kalamazoo Valley before the culinary school was opened, but wasn't as passionate about police work as she was about food. After taking a break from college, she returned to take culinary arts classes. She earned a culinary arts and sustainable food systems certificate and will graduate in December 2023 with an associate of arts degree in culinary arts and sustainable food systems. more

From left to right are PTK chapter officers Jean Mupupuni, Nicholas Burrill, Kayleigh Overhuel,
Kasey Hudon and Christie White with Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes Associate Director Greta Faworski.

PTK Presents Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes with Charity Walk Donations
Kalamazoo Valley's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges, presented Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes with more than $1,300 in donations. The proceeds were gathered from the second annual PTK Charity Walk on May 11. Current and upcoming chapter officers were in attendance for the transfer of funds at the Texas Township Campus on June 12. Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes Associate Director Greta Faworski was present to accept the donation and expressed her gratitude for the contribution. more

Loads of Art Supplies at the Bookstore
Did you know Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Bookstore has one of the best art supply selections in town? From Conté crayons to Cotman brushes, from Prismacolor pencils, markers and pastels to paint, you can create your own masterpiece with materials from the Bookstore. Moreover, everything that our art faculty requires for classes is here! Stop in today or shop anytime online. Remember, online orders can be shipped to any address you choose for $5. Or, if you prefer, pick up your web orders in person at the Texas Township Campus Bookstore or at the Anna Whitten Hall Library at the Arcadia Commons Campus in downtown Kalamazoo.

Get the Buzz about Flyswatters at New Exhibit Opening June 17
A unique exhibit featuring more than 1,000 flyswatters from overseas collector Iza van Riemsdijk opens June 17 at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. "Splat! The Buzz About Flyswatters" tells the history of this household object and how it became an important tool against communicable diseases spread by flies. You can meet van Riemsdijk at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 17, when she delivers a talk about her collection. Entry is free to the exhibit, the talk and to the museum.

Mental Health and Delta Sigma Theta Exhibits Close in June
The last day to experience the "Mental Health: Mind Matters" traveling exhibit is June 18. Through a series of interactive activity stations, visitors explore misconceptions about mental illness, participate in empathy-building exercises and find out how to be kind to their minds. Watch a video tour here. Then "50 Years of Service, Scholarship, Sisterhood & Social Action: The Kalamazoo Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta," a locally-created mini pop-up exhibit, ends June 25. The exhibit celebrates the half century of contributions in the area by the Kalamazoo chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, an international women's service organization founded 110 years ago at Howard University in Washington, D.C., a historically Black college. It features historical photos, articles, proclamations, memorabilia, scrapbooks, members' personal mementos, sorority paraphernalia and more. Admission to the exhibits and to the museum are free. Learn more about both exhibits at kalamazoomuseum.org.

Planetarium Show Shares Queen's Biggest Hits in June
Eleven of Queen's biggest hits, such as "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Another One Bites the Dust" and "You're My Best Friend," have been paired with incredible full-dome graphic visuals to create a memorable planetarium experience. The 38-minute "The Queen Light Show: From Mercury With Love" will be presented every Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in June. Watch the trailer now. The show is intended for grades five and up. The cost is $3, with free general admission to the museum. Click here to buy tickets and to learn more about the show.

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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