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

November 15, 2022

Greetings,

When we express gratitude and appreciation, our brains release specific, marvelous chemicals. These chemicals make us feel good from the inside out because they are associated with feelings of hope, peace and contentment - in short, happiness.

During this season of thankfulness, I am looking for additional ways to share my gratitude and thankfulness with our Kalamazoo Valley community, this includes you.

As our students press forward toward the successful completion of this semester, I see and appreciate your efforts toward helping them achieve their goals. Thank you for your continued commitment to them and to our new mission statement and to the ideals of our shared values.

However you choose to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, I wish you peace and happiness.

Sincerely,

Signature: L. Marshall Washington
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President

Call for Proposals for Winter 2023
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 Winter 2023 Summit. Presentations can be 30 or 50 minutes - your choice! The in-person event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 5 and will include the annual Board of Trustees Breakfast and recognition of employee years of service.

Proposals should support one of the following college values:

Caring and Respect
Integrity
Excellence and Quality
Humor and Well-Being
Teamwork and Stewardship

Submit your proposal here by Nov. 16.

Left to right: Tod Sandy, Statewide Training Director, MRCC and President L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D., Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Kalamazoo Valley and Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights Announce Apprenticeship Agreement

The Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters (MRCC) and Millwrights and Kalamazoo Valley Community College (Kalamazoo Valley) on Nov. 11 signed an innovative articulation agreement that provides college credit toward Kalamazoo Valley's welding certificates or the occupational technical studies associate of an applied science degree to apprentices who successfully complete journeyman certification training with the MRCC.

Kalamazoo Valley President L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D. said, "Kalamazoo Valley works to ensure high academic quality and encourages student achievement. We have found a worthy partner in our shared commitment to this goal in the MRCC. We are pleased to provide this opportunity for apprentices who complete their journeyman certificate." See more here. Photos from the event can be seen on Flickr.

Tonight is the Night!

This is your invitation to join us tonight, Nov. 15, for a special "alumni edition" of Kalamazoo Valley Community College's TAPS ON TUESDAY!

TAPS ON TUESDAY at the college's 418 Restaurant in the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building on the Bronson Healthy Living Campus in downtown Kalamazoo features tasty student crafted beer and food pairings for just $10. Other beverage and food options will also available for an additional cost.

Hosted by the Kalamazoo Valley's Alumni+ group, this special edition of Taps on Tuesday is designed to help you stay in touch with your fellow alumni and college colleagues.

If you completed even one class, you are a part of the Kalamazoo Valley Alumni+ family! Everyone is welcome! Bring your friends, bring your department colleagues, let's have some fun!

Advanced registration is not required. Join us for TAPS ON TUESDAY, special Alumni edition tonight. The fun starts at 4:30 p.m. For more information visit www.kvcc.edu/foundation.

Home Basketball Games Planned for November and December
With several home women's and men's basketball games scheduled between this month and next, there's sure to be a day and time that fits your schedule to check out and cheer on the Cougars!

TUESDAY | NOV. 15 | 5:30 p.m.
Women's Basketball, Valley vs. Trine University J.V.
TUESDAY | NOV. 15 | 7:30 p.m.
Men's Basketball, Valley vs. CBG Prep
WEDNESDAY | DEC. 7 | 7 p.m.
Men's Basketball, Valley vs. Albion College J.V.
WEDNESDAY | DEC. 14 | 5:30 p.m.
Women's Basketball, Valley vs. Mott Community College
WEDNESDAY | DEC. 14 | 7:30 p.m.
Men's Basketball, Valley vs. Mott Community College
WEDNESDAY | DEC. 28 | 5:30 p.m.
Women's Basketball, Valley vs. Detroit Christian Community College
WEDNESDAY | DEC. 28 | 7:30 p.m.
Men's Basketball, Valley vs. Detroit Christian Community College

Games take place in the main gym at the Texas Township Campus. Admission is free. For the full season schedule, click here.

International Education Week Volunteers Needed
In celebration of International Education Week, the college's International Student Services Office is hosting a number of events, including the opportunity to host an international student at your home for dinner either Nov. 18 or 19. If you are interested in participating, please contact contact Kristina Pudasaini.

Other events include:
Nov. 15 | Taste of Culture: An International Thanksgiving Dinner | 5 - 7 p.m.
Join us for an International Thanksgiving dinner at the Texas Township Campus from 5 - 7 p.m. in the Student Commons Theater, Room 4240. During this exciting event, guests will be able to enjoy a variety of tasty dishes from around the world.

Nov. 16 | International Student Panel | 1 - 2 p.m. | Room 4240
The panel will feature Kalamazoo Valley international students. They will be asked questions from the audience about their culture and their experience as an international student in the United States. Light refreshments to be served.

Nov. 17 | International Cultural Showcase | 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Student Commons
Join us in the Student Commons to celebrate the diversity of cultures within our campus community. During this exciting event, students, faculty and staff will take part in showcasing their cultures with interactive welcome tables.

As we prepare for the winter season, the following six closing announcements will be used to notify students, employees and media outlets when the college closes for a portion or full day.

College Closed

The college is closed for business. All classes, (regardless of teaching and learning modality: face-to-face, virtual or hybrid/blended) and college activities are canceled for the morning, afternoon and evening. Employees need not report unless instructed by their supervisor.

Morning Classes Canceled: Classes starting before 12 p.m. are canceled

Regardless of teaching and learning modality: face-to-face, virtual or hybrid/blended, morning classes are canceled. However, the college is open for business; employees should work from their assigned location.

Afternoon Classes Canceled: Classes starting between 12 p.m. and 3:59 p.m. are canceled

Regardless of teaching and learning modality: face-to-face, virtual or hybrid/blended, afternoon classes are canceled. However, the college is open for business; employees should work from their assigned location.

Evening Classes are Canceled: Classes starting between 4 p.m. through the remainder of the evening are canceled

Regardless of teaching and learning modality: face-to-face, virtual or hybrid/blended, evening classes are canceled. However, the college is open for regular business; employees should work from their assigned location.

"Specific" Campus/Locations are Closed, i.e. Arcadia Commons Campus, Bronson Healthy Living Campus, Groves Campus, Texas Township Campus, Kalamazoo Valley Museum

The college or one or more campuses or facilities will be closed for business. Classes, regardless of teaching and learning modality: face-to-face, virtual or hybrid/blended, are canceled for the day and/or evening activities. Employees assigned to the campus/facility in question are not to report to work. All other campuses/facilities will be open and employees should work from their assigned location.

Delayed Start: College Closed until 10 a.m.

The college will open for business at 10 a.m. Morning classes (regardless of teaching and learning modality: face-to-face, virtual or hybrid/blended), are delayed. Classes will begin at 10 a.m. or their regularly scheduled time.

Adjusted Operating Hours

In the event hours of operation are adjusted (NOT closed or delayed start) facilities will remain open for all employees to report to work. Employees are encouraged to use discretionary judgment in their decision to report to work. Additionally, public meetings/events/activities scheduled during affected hours may be rescheduled.

Dannie Alexander
Vice President for Campus Planning and Operations
dalexander@kvcc.edu

COVID-19 At-Home Test Kit Pickup
Did you miss the COVID-19 At-Home Test Kit distributions? No fear. As-needed availability is here. Facilities Services and the college Libraries are partnering to provide free COVID-19 at-home test kits to students and employees on an as-needed basis. On-site registration is required to help keep supplies on hand. To ensure access to all, quantities are limited to one test kit (containing two tests) per week. Test kits may now be picked up as needed during service hours at both the Anna Whitten Hall and Texas Township Campus libraries. Questions can be directed to the Facilities and Event Services office at x4540.

Monthly Update from Public Safety
If you have not yet signed up for the Rave messaging system, please do so. The Rave system will notify you of several types of timely announcements. These messages may include inclement weather conditions, school closures and delays, as well as emergency situations associated with the college community. Please be informed!

With the holiday season approaching, crimes of opportunity tend to increase. Please make sure to secure your vehicle and valuables. If you remove the motivation for criminal activity, you are less likely to become a victim.

Cougar Cafe to Source Produce Locally via ValleyHUB
You will soon be able to find locally sourced produce at the Cougar Cafe provided by ValleyHUB. ValleyHUB is a food hub that operates out of the Food Innovation Center.

It sources produce, dairy, meat, eggs and value-added items from around 30 farms and producers. In addition, ValleyHUB coordinates the logistics, storage and billing to make it easy for cafes, restaurants, schools, early childcare centers and hospitals to help them meet their local sourcing goals.

The Cougar Cafe will feature many locally grown items on the salad bar. Initially, you will find microgreens and carrots from Crisp Country Acres in Holland and beets from Birdsong Organic Farm in Bangor. You will also find locally made "tasty, nutrient-dense, convenient food for busy, active people" from DoughChicks, including its locally famous MI Bar.

When you see the ValleyHUB logo, you know it is from a local source and that you are helping create a more sustainable and resilient local food system.

Are you curious to learn more? Visit www.valleyhub.kvcc.edu or email valleyhub@kvcc.edu.

Flu Shot Clinic Scheduled for Employees
Flu season is coming! Kalamazoo Valley Community College is hosting flu shot clinics for all employees. The next clinic will be held at the Texas Township Campus on Friday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Room 5740. In order to reserve your spot, you will need to click on this link and complete the required information.
Another flu shot clinic is being held on Friday, Dec. 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. in Room 128 at Anna Whitten Hall. Use this link to reserve your spot.

Space is limited, so please sign up as soon as possible. Once you sign up and pick your appointment time, it is important to keep that time to ensure that everyone signed up is able to receive their flu vaccine. If employees have the college or other medical coverage, bring a copy of your insurance card for billing purposes. If you have questions, contact Becky Craft, employee benefit manager.

Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Trice Batson, is launching 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 monthly articles in KV Focus Plus and on the website.

Cynthia Schauer, Biology Instructor

Describe your efforts as they relate to the college's DEI strategic plan.
In the early 2000s, a grassroots working group of faculty and staff collaborated to advocate for DEI policy at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The group worked closely with community organizations and developed a plan to formally incorporate DEI into the strategic plan at Kalamazoo Valley. The plan was nurtured and supported by (former college President) Marilyn Schlack and it led to the hiring of our DEI director. Marilyn's vision of and connections to the greater Kalamazoo community were reflected in the strategic plan led by our new director.

Early efforts focused on educating our colleagues about the importance of DEI through workshops, seminars, conferences, working groups and book club discussions. Our work was awarded the Regional Organizing for Anti-Racism (ROAR) Award by the community organization Eliminating Racism and Creating and Celebrating Equity (ERACCE).

What about the college's DEI strategic plan inspires your work?
The proposal states that for inclusion to be achieved, "all members of the Kalamazoo Valley Community College community deserve to feel included, respected and valued." It is inspiring that this statement distills the efforts and communicates the importance of the work.

What does using the "lens of DEI" mean to you in your work?
It means I am always working to find the historic influence of culture as I present concepts in science. The lens of DEI allows me to focus on the science experience of marginalized groups and consider ways to bring honest conversation about their interactions with the scientific community. Through these conversations, I have come to understand the power of representation and advocacy.

Share any struggles or challenges you've faced in relation to DEI and how you've worked to overcome them.
Having an official DEI office and strategic plan may shift of the onus of responsibility from every person engaging in the work to the impersonal "office" being responsible for DEI; this is an unintended consequence. I strive to consider this challenge each time I attend a committee meeting, interact with my colleagues, develop curriculum and teach my classes.

Who inspires you?
The early leaders in this effort (Marilyn Schlack, Marie Rogers, Denise Miller, Daniel Cunningham, Nancy Taylor, Trice Batson, Byron Foster) with the vision, passion and courage to enact change remain my inspiration.

What's happening at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its board of trustees

Santa and Missus Claus at the kalamazoo valley museum

Museum Offers Crafts and Santa Visit Day of Holiday Parade
Are you planning to attend the Maple Hill Holiday Parade on Nov. 19 in downtown Kalamazoo? After the parade, bring the kids to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum! Find them in front of the special display of a spare outfit that Santa wore during his days at the Gilmore department store in downtown Kalamazoo. The museum will also have free craft activities for kids starting at 10 a.m. There are other fun exhibits on display too! Check out our promotional video here. Enjoy more hands-on holiday fun from the museum at the Tree Lighting in downtown Kalamazoo's Bronson Park on Friday, Nov. 25, from 5 - 7 p.m.

Commencement Caps, Gowns, Honors Regalia Ready for Purchase
Did you know that December graduates can buy commencement regalia up until 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 at the Bookstore on the Texas Township Campus? Also for sale are diploma frames, graduation yard signs and mortarboard graphics! Congratulations to those receiving their degrees and certificates at the graduation ceremony scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. at Miller Auditorium at Western Michigan University.

Treat Your Cougar Alum to a Bookstore Gift for the Holidays!
Get everything from comfy college-branded sweatshirts, pants, socks, T-shirts and hoodies, plus mugs, backpacks, baseball caps, water bottles and more for your favorite Valley alum at the Texas Township Bookstore. These items are also suitable for that current Cougar student or employee in your life! For your convenience, you can shop online at bookstore.kvcc.edu. Shipping is $5. Those wishing to buy in person can do so from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Wellness and Fitness Center Updates

Employee fitness classes take place Mondays and Thursdays from noon - 1 p.m. in Room 6040. Water aerobics will be taught in the pool on Dec. 9 from noon - 1 p.m.
The pool on the Texas Township Campus is for faculty and staff open during the following days and times:

	Open	Close
Monday	11:30 a.m.	1:30 p.m.
Tuesday	11:45 a.m.	1:15 p.m.
Wednesday	11:30 a.m.	1:30 p.m.
Thursday	Coming Soon
Friday	11:30 a.m.	1:30 p.m.

The Wellness and Fitness Center will close at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

Volunteers Needed
The host site for the 2023 Michigan Academic Advising Association (MIACADA) Conference has been determined. Based on rotations around the state, the conference this year was scheduled to be hosted on the west side of Michigan. It was recently confirmed that the 2023 MIACADA Conference will be held at Kalamazoo Valley Community College on Friday, May 5, 2023! MIACADA is an organization of professionals from colleges and universities concerned with the intellectual, persona and career or vocational advising needs of students within the State of Michigan. MIACADA was founded to foster the personal and professional development of its members by promoting quality academic advising in the state. It is a forum for discussion, debate and the exchange of ideas regarding academic advising and related areas of higher education.

Kathy Stewart (Davenport University, University Center) and Erin Busscher (Grand Rapids Community College) are the 2023 conference co-chairs. They are working to spread the word to create a list of people interested in volunteering to help plan the conference and/or volunteer their time during the conference. Before putting out a call for volunteers to all of MIACADA, the co-chairs are first asking for support from Davenport, Grand Rapids Community College and Kalamazoo Valley. The co-chairs will have several conference-related committees that will be formed in the near future.

If you are interested in volunteering or want to learn more about the volunteering opportunities, please contact Stewart at kathy.stewart@davenport.edu by Friday, Nov. 18.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and support!

The Legacy of Merze Tate: Merze Tate Explorers
The Merze Tate Explorers are on the move and are once again joining Kalamazoo Valley this academic year. Merze Tate Explorers is a local organization dedicated to providing educational, career, life enrichment and travel opportunities to girls in Michigan, grades three - 12. more

Kalamazoo Valley Community College's High School Art and Design Competition Exhibit opens on Dec. 2 at the Center for New Media. More than 62 area high school art students from 15 different schools submitted work for consideration in the new juried show. The opening reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 2. An awards presentation starts at 6:30 p.m. We hope you will attend! For the complete list of upcoming Art Hop exhibits go to www.kvcc.edu/artexhibits.

Stress Less with Mindfulness: Be Kind to Your Mind
Instructor: Georgina Guzman
Groves Campus
Friday, Dec. 9, 2022
12 - 1 p.m.
Mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Research has shown that practicing mindfulness is effective in reducing stress-related symptoms like worry, depression and physical tension, and may be helpful in managing chronic conditions like cardiac disease and diabetes. "Be Kind to Your Mind" explores techniques to learn to be a detached observer of your thoughts using the power of acceptance and gratitude. Feel free to bring your lunch.

Class fee is $20. Sign up through the CampusCE registration site on the Community Education page.

For more information, contact Program Coordinator Charmelle Adbullah at 269.353.1268.

Are You Ready for the 60th Rendition of the Maple Hill Kalamazoo Holiday Parade?
Annual Holiday Tree Lighting set for Thanksgiving Weekend in Kalamazoo
Two Incumbents Reelected as KVCC Trustees
Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights to Announce Apprenticeship Agreement
Kalamazoo Valley Museum Opens Photo Exhibit Documenting Nearly 40 Years of Local Life
Bronson Healthcare Adds Four Members to Board of Directors

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
6767 West O Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4070

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