The beginning of the new academic year is always a busy time at Kalamazoo Valley and this fall is no exception!
KV FocusPlus
MISSION STATEMENT Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable
opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.
Sept. 15, 2022
Greetings Colleagues,
The beginning of the new academic year is always a busy time at Kalamazoo Valley and this fall is no exception! In addition to settling into a new fast-paced schedule, there are a number of exciting and meaningful college-related events scheduled for learners of all ages.
Please join us as we celebrate Constitution Day during September when Political Science Instructor Kevin Dockerty provides remarks during presentations at the Texas Township Campus on Sept. 16 and at Anna Whitten Hall on Sept. 19. Check the college calendar on the home page of the website for additional details.
On Sept. 22, the KVCC Foundation stages its annual Opportunities for Education Scholarship Fundraising event, this year at the Food Innovation Center. Ten area chefs, including two faculty chefs and several culinary program graduates, will serving up signature dishes for your enjoyment. There is still time for you to purchase tickets or one of four special packages, which include gourmet dining at The Cove or Brick and Brine or a personalized Taps on Tuesday at the 418 Restaurant, all for the benefit of students with financial needs. Visit www.kvcc.edu/foundation.
Earlier this month, "A HeLa Story: Mother of Modern Medicine" mini exhibit opened at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. It chronicles the local connections and fascinating accomplishments of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were involuntarily taken more than 70 years ago and are still used around the globe in experiments to develop cures and therapies. The exhibit and upcoming theatrical production are jointly sponsored by the college and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum in collaboration with Lacks' nephew, Kalamazoo resident Jermaine Jackson, with support from the KVCC Foundation. The museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater will host the play three times: at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30, and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1.
Valley Food Share, an initiative designed to meet the immediate food needs of Kalamazoo Valley students, continues. The program provides currently enrolled students with a weekly bag or a "share" that includes food grown locally and sourced through our own Food Innovation Center as well as non-perishable items from Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes. Volunteers are needed. Pease contact foodshare@kvcc.edu to provide assistance.
These and other initiatives complement the excellent more traditional learning opportunities for our students. I am grateful for your continued dedication to our new mission statement, Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.
Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
#GoodVibesOnly Thank you to everyone who participated in Vibe Fest and volunteered their time at Welcome Tables. A special thanks to Aramark, University Center and the KVCC Foundation for supporting the multi-day event.
M-LEAP Completion Ceremony Set for Sept. 15 A completion ceremony is planned for Sept. 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Northside Association for Community Development (NACD) for participants in the Mi-LEAP Medical Billing and Coding course.
Mattie Jordan-Woods of the NACD will be the keynote speaker and Mi-LEAP program manager Charmelle Abdullah will present certificates of completion.
The graduates are Rhonda Allen, Rouchelle Anderson, Christine "Chrissy" Brown, Wanda Brown, Belinda Buchanan, Amber Clark, Cynthia Diaz-Juarez, Paris Fluker, Veronica Garduno, Autumn Haywood, Dhanisha Lockett-Blackeagle, Dana Shaff and Lauren Singleton.
Participants in the 17-week-long training are now qualified to work as medical coding and billing specialists. "I am so proud of all of our students," Abdullah said. "They really worked hard and I'm confident that they're prepared for rewarding careers."
The Michigan Learning and Education Advancement Program (MiLEAP) is a workforce training program made possible by a $17,827,178.11 grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Education Stabilization Fund - Reimagine Workforce Preparation Program (ESF-RWP), provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Securities (CARES) Act of 2020.
A Southwest Partnership consortium including Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kellogg Community College, Michigan Works! Southwest, The Northside Association for Community Development (NACD), Urban Alliance, and The Kalamazoo Promise received a total of $1,163,662 via a competitive Michigan Learning and Education Advancement Program (MiLEAP) grant.
Constitution Day Observances History and Political Science Instructor Kevin Dockerty will give a talk on "The Founders and the Constitution" in celebration of Constitution Day on Sept. 16 at 11 a.m. in TTC Room 4230 and on Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. in AWH Room 128.
Work Out at Lunchtime Free employee fitness classes are returning Mondays and Thursdays from 12:05 - 12:50 p.m. in Rm. 6040 of the Wellness & Fitness Center at TTC. These are "drop-in-classes," so you do not need to sign up. Just come when you can. Please see the description below to learn more.
Mondays
STRENGTH AND MORE
Low-impact but high intensity, your whole body will get stronger! In this class, every movement plane is attacked using weights and body weight.
Thursdays
BARRE STRENGTH
Barre is the immensely popular fitness format that combines ballet-inspired moves with powerful elements from dance, yoga and strength training. Instructors will challenge you with a low-impact, high energy class.
Please contact the Wellness & Fitness Center with any questions at x4177 or Renea Peruski, WFC program manager at rperuski@kvcc.edu.
Hello from the KVCC Foundation This is your personal invitation to attend the Opportunities for Education Scholarship Fundraising event on Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Food Innovation Center.
Signature dishes from 10 area restaurants including Brick and Brine (with culinary graduate Chef Andrew Carpenter at the helm), WL Socialhouse, Bell's Eccentric Cafe, West Michigan Pasta and Provisions and Cove Bistro will be provided.
The event will also feature tasty creations from Kalamazoo Valley's own Chef Lucas McFarland and Chef Stephanie Hughes-Winfrey AND culinary program students Anessa Tolbert and Jennifer Burnett!
Bell's beer and two kinds of wine will be available. Tickets are $100. Student tickets are $35. Purchase tickets online at www.kvcc.edu/foundation. Please remember to bring your tickets and ID.
To help us reach our $125,000 goal for students with financial needs, how about purchasing one of these packages:
Brick and Brine Chef's Table Experience: $2,000
Experience a unique six-person, interactive chef experience with beverage pairing and dining at The Kitchen Table at Brick and Brine. This private room is located right off of its open-concept kitchen and allows exclusive sneak peeks into the inner workings of the culinary team. The experience goes beyond the location of the space. Guests can expect one-on-one interactions with the Chef throughout the meal.
Cove Lakeside Bistro Waterfront Dining Experience: $2,000
Enjoy a fabulous five-course lakeside Wine Pairing Dinner for six people. Take in the scenic views of West Lake while enjoying the gourmet talents of the Cove Lakeside Bistro culinary team. If timing is planned right, you can make this a Sunset Dinner overlooking West Lake! Indoor or guaranteed outdoor seating (weather permitting). Available Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Expires Sept. 1, 2023. Excludes holiday bookings.
Your Own Taps on Tuesday Event: $2,500
Hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine for up to 24 people in Kalamazoo Valley's 418 Restaurant on a mutually agreeable Tuesday. Join Chef Lucas McFarland and culinary students for this happy-hour type activity featuring student crafted beer and food pairings.
The OFE starts at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 22 and is a go rain or shine. However, severe weather may cause a cancellation. Keep an eye on www.kvcc.edu/foundation for announcements. If you have questions, please contact ldepta@kvcc.edu.
Let's have some fun and do great things for our students.
Community Culinary and Nutrition Classes
The Community and Continuing Education Department non-credit classes at Kalamazoo Valley emphasize personal enrichment, professional development and community outreach. See the full course list and register at www.kvcc.edu/community and go to the CampusCE Registration site link.
All classes are taught at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary Allied Health Building on the Bronson Healthy Living Campus in downtown Kalamazoo. more
New Practical Nurse Program Expands Training Opportunities Beginning in the Fall 2022 semester, Kalamazoo Valley Community College will offer a new health career program with the launch of the Practical Nurse Certificate Program. Upon successful completion of all coursework, the graduate will receive a Certificate in Practical Nursing and will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam for the Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN).
In partnership with healthcare institution leaders, including both Bronson Methodist Hospital and Ascension Borgess Hospital, the Practical Nurse students will have the opportunity to apply for employment as a LPN intern/extern while enrolled in the certificate program.
The Practical Nurse Certificate Program uses hybrid learning modalities. The courses are offered in the evenings to accommodate the nontraditional student. Prerequisites for the program include 12 credits of science, math and liberal arts courses. In addition to the prerequisites, the Practical Nurse program is organized in three semesters that include theory, lab, clinical and simulation learning experiences.
"The creation of the Practical Nurse Certificate Program was in close collaboration with our nursing faculty, community stakeholders and advisory committee members. This new program promotes affordable, accessible, and quality nursing education," said Kalamazoo Valley's Director of Nursing Patrick Joswick, DNP, AGNP-C, RN.
Kalamazoo Valley's Practical Nursing and Registered Nursing programs are also utilizing a holistic admissions review model. The admission criteria directly align with Kalamazoo Valley's mission and values. "The holistic admissions will ensure that the college admits and graduates top-tier nurses. Students now have the opportunity to genuinely promote themselves as a person. Although GPA metrics are important, we also want to learn about the life experiences and attributes of our applicants." Joswick said.
The Practical Nurse and Registered Nurse Program applications for the Winter 2023 semester will be accepted online October 15-31. For more information about Kalamazoo Valley's nursing programs, information workshops and to access the health careers application, click here. Fall 2022 PTK Induction Ceremony Kalamazoo Valley's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges, will be conducting its Fall 2022 Induction Ceremony for new members on Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Texas Township Campus Theater, Room 4240. L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D., president of Kalamazoo Valley Community College, will be the event's guest speaker.
To learn more about PTK and how you can help, email ptk@kvcc.edu.
October Art Hop and Panel Discussion Feature Artist Austin Rounds 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 is a 20-year-old artist who has used his art as an outlet and a way to express himself when the world around him may feel off kilter, beautiful and even challenging. Being autistic has not always been easy, but it is a part of who Rounds is, and it adds to his creativity.
He recently finished working as the sole illustrator for author Jerrod S. Smelker's book of scary short stories, "Wicked Harvest: Michigan Monsters & Macabre - 2," which was published in August by Wicked Harvest Books.
Rounds continues to work on commissioned pieces of art, and enjoys working with a variety of styles and mediums. He has been participating in the Kalamazoo Art Hop since June of 2021, and has been the feature artist in many venues, including the Kalamazoo State Theatre.
The 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 development of the "Wicked Harvest" book, illustration and his art processes. Rounds will host a book signing after the talk, and the book will be available for purchase.
The museum will also host a small exhibit representing some of Rounds' work. The focus will be on his Halloween illustrations and to promote the Oct. 29 panel discussion. "We're excited that a more comprehensive representation of Austin's work will also be included in a second exhibit running simultaneously at the Center for New Media during October," said Kalamazoo Valley Museum Director Bill McElhone. "Together, these two exhibits and the program will be an amazing way to learn more about Austin's unique neurodiversity as a person with autism, his process for developing the 'character' in his art and his ongoing journey in mastering his gifts as an artist and illustrator."
Admission to the museum and Rounds' talk and book signing event are free.
For more information about Rounds, see his social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and his website.
Kalamazoo Valley Libraries: Library Services and Database Spotlight
The Kalamazoo Valley Libraries at the Texas Township Campus and at Anna Whitten Hall are open and available to support you and your students this Fall. We are offering a mix of in-person and online services including reserve materials, information literacy instruction and reference assistance.
Services and Hours
Library materials are available for checkout and staff are available to assist you. We offer services remotely through email, phone, 24/7 chat and Zoom. Call us at 269.488.4328 or email us (libraries@kvcc.edu) with any questions. See our website for up-to-date hours.
Laptops & Hotspots
Laptops and hotspots are available in the Libraries for students who do not have access to a computer or Wi-Fi at home. Students can borrow technology for the entire semester. Visit our website for more information and an online request form.
Course Reserves
Textbooks and other course materials are placed on reserve each semester at the request of faculty and students. Instructors may submit personal copies for the reserve collection or request a library purchase for reserve.
For more information on course reserves, including a list of all items currently on reserve, visit the library's Course Reserve Guide.
To reserve materials for your course, contact Ashley (TTC) at extension 4313 or abergkamp@kvcc.edu or Franki (ACC) at extension 7848 or fhand@kvcc.edu.
Instruction
Requests for library instruction in the Library Instructional Lab (LIL) are now submitted through Astra. From the Events tab, click on "Request Event" and choose "Library Instructional Lab" from the drop-down menu. For instruction outside of the LIL, please email Libraries (TTC) (libraries@kvcc.edu) or Franki Hand (ACC/BHLC) (fhand@kvcc.edu) with your instruction request and we will work with you to meet your learning goals.
Study Spaces
Both the TTC and AWH libraries have quiet study space with computer and printer access available on a walk-in basis; no appointment necessary. The TTC Library has two computer workstations in the study rooms with webcams, so students can attend a Zoom class or take a test in the library.
Research & Citations
If your students need help finding/citing sources and researching for class projects, the Libraries have multiple ways to assist them. They can visit us in person to talk to one of our Reference Librarians. From off campus, they can call or email us. Zoom appointments are available on request. For assistance during non-business hours, the Ask a Librarian 24/7 Chat is always available.
Database Spotlight: Bloom's Literary Criticism
Bloom's Literary Criticism contains a wide range of reference essays and scholarly criticism examining great authors--from Shakespeare to Toni Morrison--and their works. Access over 1,000 different electronic books and download them to your phone or tablet. Click here to see the available titles. If the database prompts you to login, use username: kalamazoo and password: facts.
Assistant Softball Coach Emily VanFleet Promoted to Head Coach Kalamazoo Valley Community College has named Emily VanFleet as head softball coach, replacing Morgan VanderBor who departed in July to be an assistant coach for Western Michigan University's softball program.
The college conducted a search for a head coach to lead its historically successful softball program, but ultimately didn't have to look far and made the decision to elevate VanFleet, who had been serving as assistant coach under VanderBor since 2016.
VanFleet has a long history with Kalamazoo Valley. She started as a student-athlete, playing softball with the college from 2012 to 2014. She was part of back-to-back Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Conference Championships in 2013 and 2014, and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA ) National Tournament runs in 2013 and 2014. more
VOLLEYBALL PLAYER SPOTLIGHT Player Spotlight is a new, occasional feature highlighting outstanding student-athletes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The honorees have been nominated by their coaches. Hannah Callaway, captain Position: Outside Hitter Hometown: Portage, Michigan Major: Biological Sciences Why outstanding: At the Cougars' first tournament of the season, Hannah was team leader with 44 kills, hitting 3.14 kills/set. She also had 24 digs and four aces on the day.
Madison Lawson, captain Position: Middle Blocker Hometown: Lawton, Michigan Major: Business Why outstanding: At the Cougars' first tournament of the season, Madison tallied 39 kills with a hitting percentage of .258 and nine blocks on the day. She has earned Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Western Conference Offensive Player of the Week. *Nominated by Coach Jennifer Buikema
Support the team at their season opener Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. when they take on Southwestern Michigan College. Admission is free!
'Mother of Modern Medicine' Henrietta Lacks Play Opens Sept. 30 SAVE THE DATE! Sept. 30-Oct. 1! Did you know we can thank one woman with familial ties in Kalamazoo for many of the major medical breakthroughs over the last 70 years, including the COVID-19 vaccine? A FREE play and mini exhibit coming to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum pays homage to Henrietta Lacks whose cells were used in experiments without her consent. The museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater will offer the play three times: at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1. Seating will be limited. It will be first come, first served. Registration is not required. The exhibit runs Sept. 1 through Feb. 27, 2023.
The "A HeLa Story: Mother of Modern Medicine" theatrical production and exhibit are sponsored by the museum and Kalamazoo Valley Community College, in collaboration with Jermaine Jackson, a nephew of Henrietta Lacks. An interview with Jackson and the play's author, Buddy Hannah, can be found here. For an article about the event, click here. Check out the promo here.
'Forgotten Fighters' Reception Draws Big Crowd Lots of hugs, reminiscing and moments of deep appreciation took center stage as former fighters and trainers from the famed Kalamazoo Boxing Academy and admiring members of the public, some coming from as far as Texas, gathered during the Sept. 10 reception at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum to honor the academy and to unveil "The Forgotten Fighters of the Kalamazoo Boxing Academy" documentary detailing the organization's history. Check out more photos here.
Remember to visit the exhibit about the boxing academy before it closes on Sept. 18. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon - 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more, visit kalamazoomuseum.org. The museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees.
Chemistry Day Celebrates 'Fabulous Fibers' on Oct 15 Mark your calendars! It's time once again for hands-on experiments! The 36th Annual Chemistry Day will be Oct. 15 from noon to 4 p.m. at our Kalamazoo Valley Museum! The museum and the Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society invite visitors of all ages 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.
Diversity and Bias in the Search Committee Process Workshop The next Diversity and Bias in the Search Committee Process workshop is scheduled for Sept. 30 from 9 to 11 a.m. This session will be in person. Participants will explore the various types of implicit and unconscious bias, what they look/sound like during a search committee process, and how to mitigate their potential for negative impact. Also, learn what it means to serve on a search committee including the "dos and don'ts" while serving on the committee. Please contact Trice Batson or Scott Hall to register.
Mental Heal 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, 2022
8:30 a.m. to 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.
