Advising and Counseling

Mission Statement

The Kalamazoo Valley advising and counseling office utilizes a developmental approach to engage students in an intentional, collaborative, supportive and meaningful partnership. This multi-dimensional process considers and respects the students' diverse backgrounds, interests and abilities and facilitates the identification and achievement of educational, career and life goals.

Learning Outcomes:

• Clarify personal, educational and career goals by creating a career academic plan to support persistence, retention and completion of goals. This involves self-awareness and identifying personal strengths, interests, talents and values.
• Understand the association between your selected major and career plans (access information and develop a strategy to make decisions based on knowledge to move forward with your educational and career plans)
• Know how to obtain your transcript and read your degree audit
• Know how and when to contact a counselor (know when and how to collaborate or seek help and when to be independent)

Advisor and Counselor Responsibilities:

• Interpret test scores for proper course placement.
• Understand and communicate curriculum requirements, policies and procedures.
• Listen to your concerns and respect your individual choices and values.
• Compare and contrast programs of study and program requirements.
• Assist with creating an educational plan that aligns with your goals.
• Act as support and refer you to appropriate college resources.
• Recommend class selections, update program plan (DegreeWorks).
• Counselors provide short-term personal counseling and make recommendations for long-term counseling.
• Be accessible via phone, email and appointment.
• Assist you through completion of goals, such as graduation and/or transfer process.
• Administer and interpret career assessment.
• Provide guidance with your career decision making and use of career online resources.
• Consult with students about appropriate individualized accommodations.
• Serve as an advocate for students with disabilities.

Student Responsibilities:

• Schedule and keep appointments each semester or as needed.
• Be prepared for appointments: bring your program plan (if your major is declared), transcripts or transfer information (if available).
• Participate in counseling appointments by sharing issues, concerns, celebrations and challenges.
• Follow through on recommendations made during your appointment.
• Access your DegreeWorks audit to keep track of your progress at least once per semester.
• Read your college email and respond as necessary.
• Provide appropriate documentation for relevant services.

Advising and Counseling Appointments

Texas Township Campus: Scheduled 60-minute appointments are available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Tuesdays we offer a limited number of same-day appointments between 8:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. for quick questions. These sessions last 30 minutes and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Advisors and counselors are located in Student Development Services, Room 9300. Call 269.488.4040 and please have your Valley ID number available when scheduling an appointment.

Appointments for students who require counselors and advisors specializing in accommodations and removing academic barriers are available Monday-Friday , 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. in Room 2220. Call 269.488.4397.

Arcadia Commons Campus: Scheduled 30-minute appointments are available Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Tuesday night appointments are available until 6:30 p.m. Advisors and counselors are located in Student Success Services in Anna Whitten Hall, Room 109. Call 269.373.7800.

Bronson Healthy Living Campus: Scheduled 30-minute appointments are available in Room 211 in the Culinary and Allied Heath Building. Call 269.584.3200 for specific days and times.

Counseling Office Locations

TTC Counseling Hours

Have a quick question? Need to confirm your classes? Advising and counseling offer same day appointments on Tuesdays. Call 269.488.4040 on Tuesdays only to reserve your spot.

ACC Counseling Hours