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

March 14, 2024

Greetings College Community,

We're seeing many signs of spring - birds returning, weather changes, buds on the trees - and, for us here at the college, the semester mid-point. All of you have been working hard, supporting our students and working with our community. My hope is that you find something during this season that provides you with the break you need to refresh and recharge. Come back ready to help our students finish off the semester strong! Commencement is just around the corner.

Sincerely,

L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President

President to Present at City Commission Meeting
President Washington will join Edward Montgomery, Ph.D., president of Western Michigan University and Jorge Gonzalez, Ph.D., president of Kalamazoo College, at Monday's Kalamazoo City Commission meeting to present and discuss the many ways the three institutions intersect with the Kalamazoo community and how Kalamazoo truly is an Education City. The meeting takes place from 5 - 6:45 p.m. Monday, March 18 at Kalamazoo City Hall's City Commission Chambers (second floor). The meeting is open to the public.

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, email Erin Bishop.

Higher Learning Commission Re-Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission (HLC) re-accreditation is now two years away! Kalamazoo Valley will be visited by peer reviewers March 16-17, 2026. Work groups have been underway since January 2022, identifying evidence and creating an outline for the Assurance Argument. Learn more about the re-accreditation process here.

Leading up to the HLC visit, KV Focus will include a monthly spotlight on the preparation work and an HLC accreditation trivia question. Submit your answer to the trivia question to enter a drawing for college gear! Winners will be announced at the end of each semester.

March Trivia Question:
What year was Kalamazoo Valley first accredited by the Higher Learning Commission?
  • 1969
  • 1970
  • 1979
  • 1980
Submit your answer here!

Kalamazoo Valley Mi-ACE Women's Network
We are pleased to announce that Kalamazoo Valley has joined the Michigan American Council on Education (Mi-ACE) Women's Network. Mi-ACE is a professional network for Michigan women in higher education. The Network's mission is to provide avenues for professional growth, networking, collaboration and engagement. Our participation with the Network demonstrates our commitment to lifting up the women of Kalamazoo Valley. Kalamazoo Valley's Mi-ACE institutional representatives are Gabrielle Vernon and Tracy Labadie. Our institutional representatives will facilitate engagement activities, professional development programming and activities for all women at the college.

A lunch and learn is planned for Friday, March 22 at noon in Room CAH 223 (bring your own lunch) to learn more about the Mi-ACE network. All employees of Kalamazoo Valley are welcome.

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.

Early Employee Registration
Employee registration for the Fall 2024 semester will be March 29 -31. Full and part-time employees may request access to online registration for themselves and/or their dependents through 4 p.m. on Friday, March 29.

To request access:

  1. 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 emails we receive from students. It must be from a "@kvcc.edu" address.
  2. List the name and Valley number or birth date for each admitted person who will be registering.
  3. We will add authorization to each person's record and reply to confirm.
  4. Beginning March 29, 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, April 1. Please email the Admissions, Registration and Records office at arr@kvcc.edu or call x4281 if you have questions.


Phishing Emails on the Rise
Have you received a suspicious looking email that you suspect is spam or phishing? There is no need to forward the email to IT - you can report it right from your Outlook client.
 
Simply click the Report or Report Message button in the ribbon near the top of the window:

 

Alternatively, right-click on the message and choose Report from the pop-out menu:

 
That's all there is to it. There is no need to forward the email to IT. In fact, we prefer that you never forward suspicious emails to anyone  including us. Just report the email as phishing or junk in your Outlook client and we'll take care of the rest.

Payroll Time Sheet Submission and Approval Adjustment The campus will be closed on Friday, March 15 or 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 ext. 4872 or Kaley Newcomer at ext. 4898 or send an email to payroll@kvcc.edu.


Sonya Bernard-Hollins, Stephanie Lemmer, Susan Miller, Nancy Young

Inspiration Celebration: Women's History Month at Kalamazoo Valley
In celebration of Women's History Month, the college is hosting a luncheon for faculty, staff, students and community members. Four noteworthy women will be honored and will participate in a panel discussion: Sonya Bernard-Hollins, CEO and Founder of Merze Tate Explorers; Stephanie Lemmer, Superintendent of Pennfield Schools; Susan Miller, Kalamazoo Valley Community College Trustee Emeritus; and Nancy Young, Serials Supervisor at Kalamazoo Valley Community College Library.
 
Friday, March 29 | Noon - 1:30 p.m. | Texas Township Campus, Room 4240
 
Marketing Project Manager Earlene McMichael will serve as the emcee for a panel discussion about inspiring women and about how to lift up the next generation of women leaders. Kalamazoo Valley President L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D., and Provost and Vice President for Instruction and Student Services Paige Eagan, Ph.D., will offer remarks. A luncheon featuring lemon chicken, build-your-own spring salad, roasted potatoes and asparagus and assorted dessert bars will be served. Please RSVP here by March 22.

Updates from Public Safety
Public Safety is conducting open Active Violence Training Session on March 26 in Room 4370/80 (TTC)  from 8 - 9:30 a.m. Register now.  Any department that has not taken part in the training can also reach out to Director Sean Gordon at sgordon@kvcc.edu to schedule a department training.
 
Every second counts in a medical emergency. Public Safety is offering training on AED (Automatic Electronic Defibrillator) use as well as One Person CPR Awareness training, if interested. Please reach out to Director Gordon to schedule a session. 
 
Safety Tip of the Month
it is important to plan for your family's safety to help prepare for an emergency like a natural disaster, tornado or even a fire. Below are some helpful tips:
 
  1. Speak with your family about how you all would respond in an emergency.  Develop an evacuation plan for a fire.  For instance, is your children's room on the second floor? How would they escape? What would you do if your exit path was blocked by fire or smoke? Do you participate in the Doors Closed campaign? By sleeping with your door closed at night, you could slow the spread of fire into your bedroom. Placing clothing or a towel at the bottom of the door will slow smoke from entering the room. Teach your children to stay low and near a window for rescue.
     
  2. Make sure you have some basic supplies, including flashlights and batteries for power outages and a first aid kit. First aid kits are available online. Water and non-perishable food are also important. Purchasing a generator for extended power outages is a great idea, just make sure you operate it outside and away from vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
     
  3. Create a communication and reunification plan for if you get separated. FEMA has a template you can use for such a purpose.

Advisor Needed - Global Student Union
We are currently seeking a dedicated and passionate staff or faculty member to serve as the advisor for our Global Student Union club. The advisor's responsibilities include providing guidance, facilitating club activities and promoting an inclusive atmosphere for students to connect and share their cultural interests. This unique opportunity allows you to play a vital role in fostering cultural diversity, international understanding and student engagement on our campus. Monthly club meetings and outings are expected to be planned throughout the year to highlight Kalamazoo and our surrounding areas so our international students can get a taste of what Southwest Michigan has to offer. Examples of previous outings include art shows, movie showings at local theaters, restaurants, Revel and Roll, Lake Michigan, Haunted Houses, etc. If you are interested in this role, please email Miranda McDowell at mmcdowell@kvcc.edu. 

Human Resources Upcoming Training Sessions
Active Violence Training
March 26 | 8 a.m. | Room 4370/80 (TTC)  Register 
Active Violence Training is a session designed to equip staff and faculty with essential knowledge and skills to respond effectively to 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.
 
Diversity and Bias in the Search Committee Process Workshop
April 11  | 9 a.m. | Room 3330 TTC  Register
May 15 | 3 p.m. | Room 3330 TTC  Register
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 the decision-making process. The training is required for those who wish to serve on a search committee.

Employee Assistance Program Available
All 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, legal and financial issues. See more details here.

Kalamazoo Valley Libraries:
Library Egg Hunt, Ask a Librarian, Start Research Here
Library Egg Hunt
Encourage your students to attend the Library Egg Hunt at TTC:
  • Tuesday, March 19 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Students can participate in an egg hunt through the library, learn about the various forms of academic support, win prizes and enjoy free refreshments.  
 
Ask a Librarian
Your students have questions about research and citation. Send them to the Libraries for answers. Copy and paste this helpful information into a Canvas announcement or page.  Start Research Here - Opposing Viewpoints: Gale in Context
You've assigned the final research paper. You want your students to find reliable information to back up their claims. Point students to our Current Issues databases.
 
Opposing Viewpoints: Gale in Context provides information on hundreds of social issues and is a good place to start. Students can "Browse Issues" to find a topic that interests them or enter topic ideas in the search bar.  Opposing Viewpoints offers several different types of articles: overviews, viewpoints, academic journals, magazines and newspapers. Once students find the information they need, they can click the citation icon for an MLA or APA citation and email the articles to themselves. (Remind them to proofread those citations with our Citation Guide).
 
Want your students to have a personalized introduction to library resources? Reach out to Jim Ratliff (ACC/BHLC) or Amy Brandt (TTC) to book an instruction session. 

Student Nurses Association Collection Drive
The Student Nurses Association is sponsoring a collection drive to benefit the women's and children's program at the YWCA from March 18 - April 22. Collection boxes will be set up in all the buildings. Specific needs are diapers (size 3, 4, 5 and 6), baby wipes, gift cards, personal care items like body wash, deodorant, hair care supplies and lotions, linens such as twin bed sheets, blankets, towels, etc. See more details here.

Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit for Working Families
The Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit for Working Families (Michigan EITC) is a tax benefit for working individuals with income below a certain level. Get money back on taxes you've already paid! A tax credit usually means more money in your pocket because it reduces the amount of tax you owe. Even if you do not owe tax, both the Michigan EITC and the federal EITC could lead to a tax refund! This extra income can help Michiganders care for their families, meet living expenses or save for a rainy day. more


Learn about Valley's Used Name Policy on March 29
Registration is underway for "Understanding the Used Name Policy," to be held Friday, March 29, from 9 - 10:30 a.m., in Room 1350 on the Texas Township Campus. All are welcome to attend. Please email Trice Batson at tbatson@kvcc.edu to reserve your spot. Together, Trice Batson and Franki Hand will give an update of Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Used Name Policy and how to support those interested in requesting a used name. The policy supports the college's commitment to creating inclusive and equitable classrooms, campuses and communities. This process allows students, faculty and staff to use a name of their choosing in many places where a legal name is not required, recognizing that people have many reasons for doing so. It also allows for the self-designation of appropriate pronouns.
 
Next Mental Health First Aid Training Offered April 3 at TTC
Open to staff, faculty and students! FREE! Join us for Mental Health First Aid training on Wednesday, April 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the Texas Township Campus (room to be determined). RSVP by March 27 to Trice Batson at tbatson@kvcc.edu. Ten registrants are required or the session is canceled. It will be led by Integrated Services of Kalamazoo. MHFA is the help offered to a person who may be developing a mental health challenge or is in a mental health crisis. There will be light snacks and beverages during the morning and afternoon. Lunch is on your own.

Visiting Writers Series Concludes on April 11 with Kai Harris
Kalamazoo Valley's "About Writing" Visiting Writers series is coordinated by English instructor Julie Stotz-Ghosh, Ph.D., and offers students and community members the opportunity to talk with professional writers and listen to their work. Unless otherwise stated, the visits take place in the Student Commons Theater, Room 4240, at the Texas Township Campus. All events are free, open to the public and include a craft talk and a reading by the author.
 
Kai Harris
April 11 | 10 a.m. Craft Talk | 2:15 p.m. Reading | Student Commons Theater | Texas Township Campus
Harris is a writer and educator from Detroit, Michigan who uses her voice to uplift the Black community through realistic fiction centered on the Black experience. She is an assistant professor of creative writing at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California. Harris's novel, "What the Fireflies Knew," a 2023 Michigan Notable Book, is the college's common read selection for the Winter 2024 semester. After her father dies of an overdose and the debts incurred from his addiction cause the loss of the family home in Detroit, almost-11-year-old Kenyatta Bernice (KB) and her teenage sister, Nia, are sent by their overwhelmed mother to live with their estranged grandfather in Lansing.

Invasive Species Pull Scheduled for April 19
Sponsored by the Kalamazoo Valley Sustainability Committee
Friday, April 19 | 1 p.m. | Meet at the south end of the faculty parking lot
Volunteers will pull garlic mustard from the woods adjacent the south side of the Texas Township Campus. Consider wearing long sleeves and pants and bring gloves and hats. All are welcome.

Recycling Event Planned for April 19
Continuing a partnership with the City of Kalamazoo and Green Earth Electronics Recycling, the college will once again be hosting an Earth Day recycling event on Friday, April 19 from 1 - 4 p.m. at the Texas Township Campus. EPS foam (commonly known as Styrofoam) and electronics will be accepted. The event is open to both the public and the college community. Volunteers are needed to help assist with the collection of the materials. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Facilities@kvcc.edu for more information. A volunteer sign-up sheet will also be released in an upcoming Friday Focus publication.




 
 
 

PTK Members Awarded All-Michigan Academic Team Acknowledgment
Three members of Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter were recently named to the PTK All-Michigan Academic Team, one of whom was awarded a Coca-Cola Silver Scholarship and named to the Coca-Cola Academic Team. The chapter's winners attended an awards luncheon with Kalamazoo Valley President L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D., March 11 in Lansing, Michigan.

Recognized Kalamazoo Valley PTK members include:

Abigayle Minger - Liberal Arts

Dusti Morton - Administrative Assistant

Heather Weinert - General Studies, Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar
More




Spring into Baseball, Softball Seasons on March 19
One sure sign that spring is here is the start of the 2024 baseball and softball season at Kalamazoo Valley Community College! The first official conference game for men's baseball will be home at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 19 versus Kellogg Community College. All home games are free. The Lady Cougars softball team's first conference game is away at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 19 at Marian University's Ancilla College in Plymouth, Indiana. Read a season preview article here. Below are the other games planned for March. Home games are bolded. Visit athletics.kvcc.edu for the full schedule and scores.
 
Baseball
  • THURSDAY, MARCH 21 | 2 p.m. (@Lake Michigan College)
  • SATURDAY, MARCH 23 | 1 p.m.  (@Lansing Community College)
  • MONDAY, MARCH 25 | 2 p.m.  (@Concordia University JV)
  • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27 | 2 p.m. (@Davenport University JV)
  • THURSDAY, MARCH 28 | 2 p.m. (Home vs. Glen Oaks Community College)  
  • SATURDAY, MARCH 30 | 1 p.m. (@Marian University's Ancilla College)
Softball
  • FRIDAY, MARCH 22  | 3 p.m. (Home vs. Jackson Community College)
  • SATURDAY, MARCH 23 | 1 p.m. (Home vs. Glen Oaks Community College)  
  • TUESDAY, MARCH 26 | 3 p.m. (Home vs. Cornerstone University)  
  • FRIDAY, MARCH 29 | 3 p.m. (@Lake Michigan College)
  • SATURDAY, MARCH 30 | 1 p.m. (@Lansing Community College)
 
Free Spring Break Activities Planned for Kids from March 26 - 30
Looking for something free to do with the kids for spring break? The Kalamazoo Valley Museum will offer a mix of entertainment and learning experiences for all ages, from March 26 - 30. Explore exhibits, participate in art or science activities, attend themed events and enjoy fun, educational days. All events are connected with the newest exhibit, "Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity," which illuminates the wonders of skin, the body's largest organ. Preregistration is not required for activities, and admission to the museum and exhibits are also free. Find the schedule of events, including times and dates, at kalamazoomuseum.org.
 

African Cuisine Explored at 2024 Foodways Symposium April 5 - 6
Enjoy free African cuisine and culture on April 5 and 6 at the 2024 Kalamazoo Valley Foodways Symposium, an annual food celebration sponsored by Kalamazoo Valley Community College. This year focuses on African heritage foodways. Festivities open with a keynote address and exploration of the gardening of some delicious plants of Africa on Friday, April 5, from 6 - 8:30 p.m., at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Expect hands-on cooking classes, lectures, African dancing, youth activities, a brewery open house and more on Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary & Allied Health Building, located at 418 E. Walnut St. in downtown Kalamazoo. Visit kalamazoofoodways.org to view the schedule and register for cooking classes.
 

Free Viewing Glasses Available for April's Solar Eclipse
Prepare for the April 8 solar eclipse by picking up a free pair of solar eclipse glasses at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum or the Texas Township Campus Bookstore. Get one per person while supplies last. You're also invited to come to the museum on the day of the eclipse to participate in indoor and outdoor viewing opportunities. Witness the solar eclipse in totality as a live feed in the museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Or, join the crowd just behind the museum from 1:45 - 4:30 p.m. to safely observe the phenomenon (weather permitting). 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.
 

Join Statewide Astronomy Night April 12 at the Museum
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum will participate in Statewide Astronomy Night (SWAN) Friday, April 12, from 5 - 8 p.m., with free astronomy-related activities for all ages, including games, crafts and interactive demonstrations. The evening will also feature free planetarium experiences. Interactive games in the planetarium begin at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m., visitors can go on a sky tour in the planetarium to explore the beauty and wonder of the night sky and learn what noteworthy stars and constellations are visible in the evening skies of early April. Admission is free to this event and to the museum. SWAN is coordinated by Michigan State University's annual Science Festival.
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Kalamazoo Valley Community College
6767 West O Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4070






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