KV FocusPlus

October 3, 2022

Greetings!
 
In person, online or a combination of both, thank you for all you are doing to make Fall Semester 2022 great for our students! As I travel to our four campus locations, I see your dedication to helping our students achieve their educational goals. I am proud of the adaptations you are making to your work, based on learning from the past two years. 

On Sept. 28, Kalamazoo Valley's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges, welcomed 68 new members during its Fall 2022 Induction Ceremony. On Sept. 29 and Oct. 1, close to 450 people visited the Kalamazoo Valley Museum for the worldwide premiere of the theatrical production, "HeLa: Mother of Modern Medicine." A mini-exhibit about the amazing life of Henrietta Lacks continues through Feb. 27, 2023.    
 
We are pressing forward with a multitude of additional fall activities and events that further complement traditional learning. Examples include author Tom Montgomery Fate, as a part of the Visiting Writers' Series, on Thursday, Oct. 6 at the Texas Township Campus.
 
The October art exhibit at the Center for New Media features the "Marvelously Creative and Unbridled Art of Austin Rounds." An opening reception for the exhibit begins at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 7 during the City of Kalamazoo's monthly Art Hop event. Rounds, a Vicksburg resident, and his father, Joe, will also participate in a 2 p.m. presentation on Oct. 29 at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum to discuss the process of making the "WICKED HARVEST" book, illustration and his art processes. Rounds's unique neurodiversity as a person with autism is inspiring.

Also at the museum, the 36th Annual Chemistry Day is scheduled on Oct. 15. This communitywide collaboration includes the Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society, chemists from Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College and area companies such as Pfizer, Kalsec, Perrigo and Kalexsyn. Activities are planned to explore the use of chemistry in our everyday lives.

Also for learners of all ages, community and life enrichment classes continue at the Food Innovation Center and on our Groves Campus.

I know that your schedules are busy! Thank you to those who are able to attend these and other important and varied college-related events. Please remain resilient and positive. Our work is very important to our students, their families and all the communities we serve.

Sincerely,


L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President

'A HeLa Story: Mother of Modern Medicine' Play Draws Big Crowds
We had packed houses at all three performances this past weekend of "A HeLa Story: Mother of Modern Medicine" at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, and, due to the high interest, provided overflow viewing space at every show. Audience members traveled from as far as New York, Illinois, Wisconsin and Nevada. A big thanks to our museum and college community and the public for the support.
 
The theatrical production chronicles the accomplishments and local connections of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells, taken without her consent in 1951, is still leading to major medical breakthroughs today. Zanita ("Zaynee") Miller, a senior office specialist at Anna Whitten Hall, starred as Lacks (see link at the end of this story for the full cast list). Earlene McMichael, a marketing projects manager at the college, helped coordinate the project. Alecia Cross, design assistant at the KVM, spearheaded the assembly of the associated Henrietta Lacks mini-exhibit.
 
Click here for more photos from the weekend.
 
Watch the video for the behind-the-scenes making of this important historical, educational and public awareness initiative here. If you missed the play, screenings of a film version will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Nov.13, 2022 and Jan. 15, 2023 at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Be sure to stop by the exhibit about Lacks, on display at the museum through Feb. 27, 2023.
 
The "A HeLa Story: Mother of Modern Medicine" play and exhibit was organized by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum in collaboration with Lacks' great nephew, Kalamazoo resident Jermaine Jackson, and funded in part by the KVCC Foundation. More details can be found at kalamazoomuseum.org.
 
If you're free, please join us at 7 p.m. today at the Kalamazoo City Commission meeting, where Mayor David Anderson will declare Tuesday, Oct. 4, the day of Henrietta Lacks' death in 1951, as Henrietta Lacks Day in Kalamazoo. Read more here.

Security Incident Update
On May 16, we learned that the college was a victim of a security incident related to our network systems. Since that time, our Information Technologies team, together with many of you, have worked diligently to restore all affected services.

An audit provided by a digital consultant has revealed that there is no evidence of compromised personal identifiable information because of the incident.

The college continues to work proactively to help prevent any future unauthorized access to our network systems. It is everyone's responsibility to abide by the Cabinet Member Operating Policies: "Acceptable Use Policy for the Internet and College Computer Network" and "Information Security." This information may be accessed on the employee portal.

Regardless of the challenges placed in our way, this college community continues to demonstrate resilience and ingenuity as we work together to meet the promise of our mission statement Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.

Student Services Thursday Hours
For the academic year 2022-23, our student services areas will open to serve students at 9:30 a.m. (instead of 8 a.m.) on Thursdays. This will allow for some dedicated professional development, training and team-building time on a regular basis. 

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MVAA Awards College Gold-Level Status for Second Year in a Row
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) once again named Kalamazoo Valley Community College a Veteran Friendly School, with gold-level status and certified the college as an official Veteran Connector school, a program that connects veterans to benefits and resources in all areas of life, including education, employment and health care. The Michigan Veteran-Friendly Schools Program recognizes academic institutions committed to supporting the needs of veterans and military-connected students. These institutions are awarded gold, silver and bronze-level status based on their veteran-centric services and programs. More

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PTK Celebrates Fall 2022 Induction
Kalamazoo Valley's Alpha Rho Nu chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges, conducted their Fall 2022 Induction Ceremony for new members on Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Texas Township Campus Theater. The student organization not only inducted new members, but also swore in three new student officers who will serve as the chapter's president, vice president of communications/leadership and vice president of scholarship for the 2022 - 2023 academic year. More

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PTK Presents Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes with Donations from Aug. 11 Charity Walk
Kalamazoo Valley's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of the two-year college (PTK), presented Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes with a check of over $1,000 in donations on Sept. 27. The proceeds for the donation were gathered from the Aug. 11 inaugural PTK Charity Walk that the group conducted at the end of the summer semester.  
 
The transfer of funds was presented by the chapter's former president, Khadijah Kabbani, and former vice president, Megan Smith. Both led the planning of the charity walk event and recently completed serving their terms at the end of the 2021 - 2022 academic year. Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes' Development and Communications Coordinator Erin Lowe expressed the organization's gratitude for the donation. More

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Taps on Tuesday is Back!
Taps on Tuesday social events have resumed at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building. These happy hours are hosted by culinary and brewing students and staff and run from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. A $10 fee includes beer and food pairings. Appetizers and wine are also available.

Walk-ins only, no reservations required. The fall Taps on Tuesday schedule follows:

Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25
Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Dec. 6 and 13

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COVID-19 At-Home Test Kit Distribution
On Oct. 4 and Oct. 5, the college will once again be hosting free COVID-19 at-home test kit distribution events. Faculty, staff and students are welcome to register and receive one COVID-19 at-home test kit (containing two tests). 
 
Visit the Texas Township Campus outside of the library on the main level on Oct. 4 between 1 - 2 p.m. to get your free kit or stop by the lobby of Anna Whitten Hall on Oct. 5 between 3 - 4 p.m. Registration is required. Please complete the registration form prior to the event to ensure supplies are available for you.

Styrofoam Recycling Event: Saturday | Oct. 22 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m | Texas Township Campus
Save the date! In collaboration with the City of Kalamazoo and DART Container Corporation, the college will once again be hosting a Styrofoam recycling event at the Texas Township Campus on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. All members of the college (students and employees), as well as the general public, are encouraged to donate any collected Styrofoam they may have. More information to come as the date approaches. If you have any questions, please contact the Facilities and Event Services office at x4540.

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DEI Profile Amy Brandt | Faculty Librarian, TTC
Director of Diversity and Inclusion Trice Batson initiated this Diversity Spotlight column as a way to elevate and celebrate people, practices and programs modeling the behavior of diversity, equity and inclusion. Watch for these regular features in KV Focus Plus and on the website.

Describe your efforts as they relate to the college's DEI strategic plan.
Education is a major focus of the college's DEI strategic plan, and I am intentional about educating myself about DEI and incorporating what I've learned into my work. I also enjoy sharing what I'm learning with colleagues, and often send emails that link to "an article/book I thought you might find interesting." I try to think creatively about how the Libraries can include the entire campus community, whether it's through collaborative programming or diverse book purchases or accessible videos and research guides. 

What about the college's DEI strategic plan inspires your work?
I am inspired by the work toward greater awareness of equity and inclusion, and feel that the Libraries have an important role to play. Students come to Kalamazoo Valley with diverse experiences that are often the result of inequities in our educational systems. Often, students haven't had the opportunity to use library resources or learn how to do research. I work with faculty to incorporate library services and information literacy into classes such as EDU 104 or ENG 110, so that students have access to resources and skills that will benefit them both academically and personally. I also build partnerships with student success services, such as KVAAP, Kalamazoo Promise and the Office of Student Life, so that I can introduce students - who may not have experienced library instruction - to the benefits of library resources. 

What does using the "lens of DEI" mean to you in your work?
"Lens" is such an apt word because I do try to see library spaces, programs and services through students' eyes. Our students represent diverse cultures and identities, and I hope that students see the library as welcoming and inclusive of their life experiences, whether that's in an information literacy session or in our book collections and displays.

Share any struggles or challenges you've faced in relation to DEI and how you've worked to overcome them.
I care deeply about diversity, equity and inclusion, and welcome one-on-one conversations about opportunities and challenges in our community. However, speaking up in groups can be challenging; sometimes using DEI language feels awkward or imprecise, or I don't want to take the floor from people whose voices may often be marginalized. I realize though that, as a white woman, my silence might sometimes be misinterpreted as an unwillingness to engage with these important issues. I am being more intentional about adding my voice to larger conversations, when appropriate. Accepting the invitation to write this profile is one more way of speaking up. 

Who inspires you?
I am inspired by members of my family who share their authentic selves every day, living in ways that might not always fit prevailing notions about gender or race or ability. They inspire me to build genuine relationships with others, which is my small part in creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive community.

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Faculty, Staff Invited to We Talk Series
We Talk and the Fetzer Institute are excited to host a conversation with national civic leaders, Eboo Patel, author and president of Interfaith America, and Manu Meel, CEO of BridgeUSA, at the Bernhard Center South ballroom on the campus of Western Michigan University. Kalamazoo Valley faculty, staff and students are invited Oct. 6 to a 5:30 p.m. reception and inspiring conversation at the 6:30 p.m. presentation. Learn more here.

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Visiting Writers Series
Kalamazoo Valley's "About Writing" Visiting Writers series is coordinated by English instructor Julie Stotz-Ghosh, Ph.D., and offers students the opportunity to talk with professional writers and listen to their work.

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 10 a.m. craft talk and a 2:15 p.m. reading by the author.

THURSDAY, OCT. 6
Tom Montgomery Fate
Memoir - "The Long Way Home & Cabin Fever: A Suburban Father's Search for the Wild." Tom Montgomery Fate is a professor emeritus at College DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where he taught creative writing and literature courses for more than 30 years. He is the author of six books of creative nonfiction, including "The Long Way Home: Detours and Discoveries," a travel memoir (Ice Cube Press, 2022); "Cabin Fever," a nature memoir (Beacon Press); and "Steady and Trembling," a spiritual memoir (Chalice Press).

THURSDAY, NOV. 3
Nancy Eimers
Poetry - new chapbook: "Human Figures"
Nancy Eimers is the author of four previous poetry collections, "Oz," "A Grammar to Waking," "No Moon" and "Destroying Angel." Her poems have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, and she has been the recipient of a Nation "Discovery" Award, a Whiting Writers Award and two NEA Fellowships. She lives in Kalamazoo. More

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You're invited to join the Campus Band!
Practice sessions will be held from noon - 1:10 p.m. in Dale B. Lake Auditorium on Mondays and Wednesdays. Sign up for MUS 110 or simply bring your instrument and drop in.

Jim Roach, retired Loy Norrix High School band and orchestra director, is serving as the director. For more information, email him at jroach@kvcc.edu.

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Celebrating Indigenous People Day
Gathering in the Park
Saturday | Oct. 8 |  2 - 4  p.m.
Join us for refreshments, open mic, traditional drumming by Southern Strait, dancing, Native presenters and giveaways.
Milham Park
607 E. Kilgore Rd.
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
 
Panel Discussion
Monday | Oct.10 | 6 - 7:30 p.m.
WMU Homer Stryker M.D.
School of Medicine
UPJ Auditorium - 1st floor
300 Portage St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Join us for a panel discussion and smudge and traditional drum ceremonies, sponsored by WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, WMU Native American Affairs Council, WMU Native American Student Organization & Kalamazoo County Native American Family Support Network.

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Questions: Contact dee.sherwood@wmich.edu or tbatson@kvcc.edu.
 

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Starbucks is Ready to Serve You!
Need some caffeine? Great news! Starbucks is open again at the Texas Township Campus. Hours are 7:30 a.m -12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
 
The Cougar Café is also open from 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday - Thursday. Offerings include Subway, coffee/tea, breakfast pastries, grab-n-go items, Coke fountain drinks, variety of canned & bottled drinks.

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Anna Whitten Hall Bookstore is Closed
As a reminder, there is no longer a bookstore at Anna Whitten Hall in downtown Kalamazoo at our Arcadia Commons Campus. Students can purchase books and supplies at the Texas Township Bookstore or order online at bookstore.kvcc.edu. Books ordered online can be delivered for free to the downtown campuses for pickup (library of Anna Whitten Hall and front desk of the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health building) or delivered to their home for $5. The Bookstore on the Texas Township Campus is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education
Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This training - which focuses on the unique experiences and needs of college students - gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.
 

Friday, Oct. 21 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building
Bronson Healthy Living Campus

There is pre-work associated with this event. To register, please contact Trice Batson by Friday, Oct. 14 at 488.4119 or tbatson@kvcc.edu.

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Hands-on Experiments Planned for Chemistry Day on Oct. 15
Visitors of all ages are invited to our Kalamazoo Valley Museum for the 36^th Annual Chemistry Day on Oct. 15 from noon to 4 p.m.! The museum and the Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society offer hands-on opportunities to explore how chemistry is a part of everyday life with this year's theme of "Fabulous Fibers, the Chemistry of Fabrics!" The KVM and the Society are excited to be back in person after two successful digital programs in 2020 and 2021. Read the full story here. For more information, visit kalamazoomuseum.org.

Henrietta Lacks to be celebrated in Kalamazoo through performance, proclamation
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