MISSION STATEMENT Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable
opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.
March 1, 2024
Greetings college community,
March is Women's History Month. This monthlong celebration of women's contributions to history, culture and society has been observed annually in the United States since 1987.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College has been well served by talented female leaders and educators during its nearly 60-year history. Kalamazoo leader and activist Anna Whitten joined the Kalamazoo Valley Board of Trustees when the college opened in 1966 and served as secretary until she died in 2016. College trustees named Anna Whitten Hall after her in 2004 in honor of her years of service. Marilyn J. Schlack, after whom the Culinary and Allied Health building was named, was the first woman president of a Michigan community college when she became the second president of Kalamazoo Valley in 1982. She led the college for 37 years until she retired in 2018.
Six of our seven college Board of Trustees members are women. Our current chairperson, Lucinda M. Stinson, is a long-time Kalamazoo administrator, leader and educator. Chairperson Stinson leads alongside five other accomplished women: Julia Buck, Dawn DeLuca, Mary Gustas, Kathy Purnell and Sherry Thomas-Cloud. In addition, the efforts of hundreds of dedicated and talented female staff, faculty members and administrators are a key part of the respected reputation the college enjoys in our community.
Kalamazoo Valley's celebration includes hosting a luncheon for faculty, staff, students and community members on March 29. Four noteworthy women - Sonya Bernard-Hollis, CEO and founder of Merze Tate Explorers; Stephanie Lemmer, superintendent of Pennfield Schools; Susan Miller, Board of Trustees emeritus; and Nancy Young, serials supervisor in the TTC Library - will be honored at the luncheon and will participate in a panel discussion. We hope that you all will attend.
Recognizing the achievements of women in all facets of life, including our homes, workplaces and in our communities, has a huge impact on the development of self-respect and opens new opportunities for girls and young women. Thank you for all that you are doing to help women learn, grow and thrive here at Kalamazoo Valley.
Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
Recent Higher Learning Commission Visit a Success It is with excitement that I announce the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Multi-location Visit to the Groves Campus and Arcadia Commons Campus on Feb. 12 was successful.
The HLC determined that no further review or monitoring is necessary. The college received positive remarks from the peer reviewer in a summary of the review: "The faculty, staff and administrators at Kalamazoo Valley Community College have successfully managed growth to provide new opportunities for students at the Groves and Arcadia locations. The planning, leadership and teamwork have all worked together to promote quality student success and achievement."
The peer reviewer noted student's positive remarks about faculty at both locations, stating that instructors are "responsive and helpful." It was also reported that nearly every student agreed that they would recommend Kalamazoo Valley to their friends. Students expressed that the skills they are learning will help them with their chosen career field.
I would like to thank every person who contributed to the Multi-location Visit and to all of the employees at Kalamazoo Valley. Each of you play a role in our mission to create innovative and equitable opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.
Our work is not complete. The HLC Comprehensive Evaluation will take place March 16 - 17, 2026 and preparation is underway. Learn about the re-accreditation visit here.
Sincerely,
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 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, emailErin Bishop.
Community College Survey of Student Engagement Launches this Month Kalamazoo Valley is participating in the Winter 2024 Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE). Traditional in-person courses are randomly selected to administer the survey. Hybrid courses are excluded from the sample. Students enrolled exclusively online will be sent an electronic version of the survey.
Surveys for in-person courses will be distributed to faculty mailboxes the week after spring recess. The in-class survey administration window will be Monday, March 18 to Friday, April 12. The dean's office will be assisting to distribute and collect completed surveys. Additional instructions for survey administration will accompany paper surveys. If you have questions, please contact Evan Pauken. New Posting Procedures Kalamazoo Valley Community College is committed to respecting and encouraging the promotion of ideas, events and awareness campaigns. The new posting procedures set forth parameters regarding the posting of physical material(s) at the college. These procedures do not apply to posting of digital content. The policy is not intended to censor the expression of ideas; rather it sets forth reasonable restrictions on the time, place and manner of postings. These procedures are established to ensure posting is done in a way that appropriately and safely utilizes available space, prevents defacement of college property and reduces unnecessary expenditures of college resources used to create materials and repair and/or replace college property.
Highlights of the new posting procedures include:
External procedures go into effect Monday, March 18
Requests from external partners/vendors should be directed to fill out the posting request form (in person or electronically) and submit it to Student Development Services. Phone calls should be directed to x4040. The form will be linked within the posting procedures located on the main page of the college website under polices.
Internal procedures go into effect Tuesday, April 23
College affiliates shall submit a proposal of the materials to Marketing for design and approval through WorkZone
A maximum of 30 copies of flyers or posters may be posted across all campuses at any one time and should be posted at locations designated as "internal posting areas."
The person or department who posted the materials are responsible for the posting and removal of their own materials in posting areas
Early Employee Registration Employee registration for the Summer 2024 semester will be March 1 - 3. Full and part-time employees may request access to online registration for themselves and/or their dependents through 4 p.m. on Friday, March 1.
To request access:
Forward this message from your Kalamazoo Valley employee account to arr@kvcc.edu. Enter "Employee Registration" as the subject so we can easily find your request for early access to registration among all of the e-mails we receive from students. It must be from a "@kvcc.edu" address.
List the name and Valley Number or birth date for each admitted person who will be registering.
We will add authorization to each person's record and reply to confirm.
Beginning March 1, each authorized individual may log into MyValley, select "Register or Drop Classes" from My Links and register.
If you miss this opportunity, you may still register following the standard registration schedule for all students beginning Monday, March 4. Please email the Admissions, Registration and Records office at arr@kvcc.edu or call x4281 if you have questions.
Deadline to Petition to Graduate is March 31 The deadline to petition to graduate for winter semester completion is March 31. Students who petition after the deadline may not have their names printed in the April 2024 Commencement program book. The application can be accessed here. Students are encouraged to take part in celebrating their achievements by attending commencement on April 28 at 2 p.m. at Miller Auditorium. Information will be emailed to eligible participants on April 1. Click here to see highlights from the December commencement. For questions, call the Admissions, Registration and Records office at 269.488.4281.
Register Now for Kalamazoo Valley Youth Summer Camps Looking for some summer fun for your children? Explore Kalamazoo Valley's wide variety of youth summer camps. From athletics to hands-on learning, there's plenty at Kalamazoo Valley to keep kids busy all summer long! Click here to register and learn more. Warm Clothing Drive Collects More than 200 Donations for the Unsheltered Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Honors Program recently collected more than 200 clothing donations for United for the Unsheltered of Kalamazoo. Donation bins were located across the college's Texas Township Campus from Feb. 1 - 15. The drive collected a total of 204 items, including 29 coats/jackets, 50 hats, 17 pairs of gloves, 20 scarves, 14 pairs of pants, 24 tops, 33 pairs of socks, three blankets and four pairs of shoes. more Upcoming Training Sessions Diversity and Bias in the Search Committee Process Workshop During this two-hour training, 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.
March 6 | 2:30 p.m.| Room 328 (AWH) Register April 11 | 9 a.m. | Room 3330 TTC Register May 15 | 3 p.m.| Room 3330 TTC Register
Active Violence Training Active Violence Training is a session designed to equip staff and faculty with essential knowledge and skills to respond effectively in the event of an active violence incident. Participants will learn how to recognize warning signs, develop situational awareness, and implement life-saving strategies. This training aims to enhance safety and preparedness across campus.
March 5 | 8 a.m.| Room 223 (CAH) Register March 26 | 8 a.m. | Room 4370-80 (TTC) Register
Payroll Time Sheet Submission and Approval Adjustment The campus will be closed on Friday, March 15, 2024 for spring recess. As a result, time sheet submission and approval deadlines have been modified. Time sheet submissions will now be due at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 18 and time sheet approvals are due at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19. Please note, that if you are a full time hourly employee who is regularly scheduled to work on Friday, March 15, you would record this time on your time sheet at "time off paid" (TOP). If you are not regularly scheduled to work on Friday or are a part-time employee, no hours should be entered for this date on your time sheet.
Please make the necessary arrangements to ensure that your time sheet approvals are completed prior to the deadline. As a reminder, the Banner Self-Service application can also be accessed off campus by logging into the Employee Portal at home.kvcc.edu. Please contact the Payroll Department with questions. You may call Anita Gonzales at x4872 or Kaley Newcomer at x4898 or send an email to payroll@kvcc.edu.
Spring Break Food Service The Cougar Cafe will be open during spring break, March 11 - 15. Grab-and-go items will be available along with coffee and other beverages. Hours are Monday through Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The Coffee Den and Subway will both be closed.
Kalamazoo Valley Libraries: Research and Citation Assistance NEW! Schedule a Research Appointment with a Librarian
Set a one-on-one meeting with a librarian.
Sign into Etrieve Forms with your Valley username and password
Complete the form to tell us about your assignment and availability
Research & Citation Help
Library staff is standing by to help you with any phase of your research, from deciding on and focusing your topic, to finding reliable information in our books, databases and on the web, to properly citing your sources. You can:
Food Innovation Center - 2023 in Review It was a year of growth at the Food Innovation Center, with major growth in food hub operations, rebuilding of key systems on the urban farm, vibrant community events and launch of our new Sustainable Horticulture program. Though 2024 is already well underway - let's look back on the exciting highlights.
The leading story for 2023 is the availability of our USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) grant funding, which has allowed us to scale up the activity in the ValleyHUB food hub. We are one of eight statewide partners on Michigan's LFPA project. We are working with local partners Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes and Sprout BC. more
Automotive Student Excels with Determination Anthony Willmore became a double amputee at the age of two due to a birth defect. Throughout his life, the 29-year-old Kalamazoo native has tackled many tasks with drive and determination. But a tight budget almost derailed his college education. That's why he's so thankful to have received the Maxey Family Industrial Trades Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship assisted in covering the cost of books and tuition. more
Foundation Gives Away Nearly $600,000 in Student Scholarships Did you know that the KVCC Foundation has given more than $585,000 in scholarships so far this year? We make it easy to apply - students complete one application in the Student Financial Services office and then the office matches them to scholarship criteria.
The KVCC Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with its own Board of Directors. Because the overhead for the Foundation is mostly covered by the College, 100 percent of donations go directly to our students. If you would like to know more about how the KVCC Foundation supports our students, contact Alisha Siebers, associate vice president for college advancement and executive director of the KVCC Foundation, or Annette Chapman, foundation officer.
KVCC Foundation - Growing A Culture of Giving How Millennials Impact Philanthropy
A millennial: An individual born between 1980 and 2000. Millennials are changing what philanthropy looks like and engaging in doing good in different ways. According to the 2019 Millennial Impact Report, here are the ways that millennials stay engaged and support charitable and social causes:
They see all of their assets as equal
They are everyday changemakers
They believe in the power of activism
They care about social issues rather than institutions
They use their collective voice
They employ innovative approaches
Millennials are influenced largely by their peers
Whether its time, talent or treasure; if you are a millennial, you can make a difference in many ways. Things to consider: become involved in a club or event you care about, volunteer around campus or within your community, give to a charitable clothing drive i.e., old coat or shoes you no longer need, etc. Doing good can make a difference in someone else's life, including your own. Evidence shows that helping others can also benefit our own mental health and wellbeing. It can reduce stress as well as improve mood, self-esteem and happiness. If you are searching for a way to give, contact the KVCC Foundation today at foundation@kvcc.edu Black History Month Arts Celebration Drew Community Support Almost 100 people enjoyed artwork, storytelling, violin music, singing, dancing, food and a keynote address exploring the history of the arts locally on Tuesday at Kalamazoo Valley Community College's "African Americans and the Arts," a vibrant, multifaceted celebration of the arts held at the Texas Township Campus to close out Black History Month. The event attracted many community members, as well as students, staff and faculty. For more photos, click here. Check out WWMT News Channel 3's story about the eventhere and our college web story here.
Cougar Basketball Teams Head into Post-Season Play
The Kalamazoo Valley Cougars men's and women's basketball teams finished their conference season on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at home versus Glen Oaks Community College.
The men defeated Glen Oaks with a score of 108-90. They finished their regular season 12-0 (conference) and 23-5 (overall). Due to winning the Western Conference, the men will next compete at the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Championship. It will be hosted by the Northern Conference Champion, Bay College, in Escanaba on March 1 and 2. At the MCCAA Championship, the men's basketball team will first play the Eastern Conference Champion, Macomb Community College on March 1 at 7:30 p.m. If they prevail in that game, they will go on to play the North Champion for the overall MCCAA Champion on March 2 at 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, the women's basketball team on Tuesday finished the regular season 4-8 (conference), and 8-16 (overall) by defeating Glen Oaks 48-38. With that win, the women finish fourth in the Western Conference and have earned a spot in the NJCAA Region 12 Tournament. Their first game, a quarterfinal, will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, at Lansing Community College. Should they win this game, they will go on to a semifinal contest on Thursday, March 8, at 9 a.m., with the opponent to be determined.
In addition, the men have qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA ) Region 12 District B Tournament, being hosted at Mott Community College on March 8 and 10. Due to winning the Western Conference they have earned a bye in the quarterfinal round. Their next game will be the semifinal on March at 8 p.m. versus Cuyahoga Community College (Ohio). Should they win this game, they will then play in the District B Championship on March 10 at 4 p.m. For scores and other updates, visit athletics.kvcc.edu.
Save Money at the Bookstore Starting in March Get 20 percent off in the Texas Township Campus Bookstore on the LAST Tuesday of every month, starting in March. Feel free to take a spin through the Bookstore now to see what you'd like to buy. Or, take a peek online at bookstore.kvcc.edu. You'll find college-branded items like clothing and mugs, as well as computers, backpacks, binders, pens, markers, art supplies, calculators, snacks, water bottles (even Hydro Flask) and more. Books are excluded from the promotion.
Free Viewing Glasses at Museum to Count Down to April's Solar Eclipse Prepare for the solar eclipse happening on April 8, 2024, by visiting the Kalamazoo Valley Museum for a free pair of solar eclipse glasses. Get one per person while supplies last, starting March 1. It is important to note that looking directly at the sun can seriously damage your eyes. For your protection, use solar eclipse viewing glasses or a viewing device. Check out kalamazoomuseum.org to learn how to create a pinhole viewer to safely view the eclipse.
Enjoy Live Music at Free Fretboard Festival March 1 - 2
For the 19th year, the Fretboard Festival returns to downtown Kalamazoo to celebrate the city's stringed-instrument legacy and musical heritage. Enjoy FREE live performances, fascinating talks and workshops on Friday, March 1, from 5:30 - 9 p.m., and Saturday, March 2, from 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Anna Whitten Hall. The festival kicks off Friday with El Ballet Folklórico Estudianti Mariachi taking the stage at 7 and 8 p.m. See the full lineup and how to view virtually at fretboardfestival.com.
African Cuisine Explored at 2024 Foodways Symposium April 5 - 6 The public is invited to a free culinary and performing arts experience showcasing African cuisine and culture on April 5 and 6 in downtown Kalamazoo, as part of Kalamazoo Valley Community College's 2024 Kalamazoo Valley Foodways Symposium focused on African Heritage Foodways. Festivities open with Kenyan land steward Akoth Ambugo delivering a keynote address, "Healing Soils and Souls," on Friday, April 5, from 7 - 8 p.m., at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, with Nigerian fusion food served afterward. The Foodways Symposium will culminate with a day of culinary exploration and musical performances from the African continent on Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building, located at 418 E. Walnut St. in downtown Kalamazoo. Also expect youth activities, a community organization showcase, tours of the building and a brewery open house. Lunch will be available for purchase at the Havermill Café. Visit kalamazoofoodways.org to view the full schedule and register for cooking classes.
New Interactive Exhibit Illuminates the Wonders of Skin Explore the shape-shifting, color-changing and adaptable nature of skin and the technological innovations it inspires in the interactive, traveling exhibit "Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity," available through June 2 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.
Exhibit About Acclaimed Author Bonnie Jo Campbell Now Open 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.
