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Nov. 18, 2025
Greetings, students!
During this season of thankfulness, I am grateful that the college continues to make significant progress toward achieving our mission of creating a more equitable environment where every student can learn, grow and thrive.
As you count down to the end of this semester, remember to stay engaged so that you can finish strong. Participate in discussions, do your homework, ask questions if you need clarification and remember to seek help from an advisor or counselor if necessary.
I wish you and your family and friends all the best during the Thanksgiving recess.
Although there are no classes scheduled on Wednesday, Nov. 26, college buildings will be open until 5 p.m. for student services like financial aid, tutoring and libraries. All college buildings, except the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, will be closed beginning on Nov. 27, reopening on Monday, Dec. 1. The museum will be closed on Thursday and Friday, but open Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 29 and Nov. 30. I encourage you to visit it!
Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
Important Upcoming Dates
College Closed for Thanksgiving Recess
Thanksgiving recess is Wednesday, Nov. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 30. Campuses will be open Wednesday, Nov. 26 but there will be no classes. All college buildings, except the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Nov. 30. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27 through Friday, Nov. 28 and will be open Saturday Nov. 29 and Sunday, Nov. 30. Campuses reopen and classes resume Monday, Dec. 1.
Campus Roads are Public Roads: Slow Down
The Kalamazoo Valley Community College Public Safety office would like to remind you that our campus roads are public roads. Slow down! Be extra mindful of pedestrians crossing the road to come to class and of the public, who might be on campus walking, running or enjoying the nature trails connected to campus. Follow all stop signs on campus and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Remember that Public Safety can enforce traffic laws on any of our campus roads. Drive safely!
Higher Learning Commission (HLC) FAQs
Your Your Rights, Your Resources: Policies that Protect and Empower Every Student
Empower yourself by learning more about the policies that keep Kalamazoo Valley Community College fair, transparent and focused on your well-being in this latest addition of HLC FAQs.
Q: What are Federal Compliance Requirements?
A: These are specific rules that ensure colleges like Kalamazoo Valley operate fairly and provide you with clear, accurate information about a wide variety of details from program requirements to costs.
Q: What information am I entitled to know as a student?
A: You have the right to clear information about the college mission, program requirements, student costs, refund policies and transfer agreements.
Q: What if I have a complaint or concern?
A: Kalamazoo Valley has accessible complaint procedures because your voice matters and your feedback helps us improve. You can share concerns safely without any negative consequences by reviewing the grievance procedures outlined in the Student Handbook.
Q: How is my privacy protected when Kalamazoo Valley shares evidence and data with the HLC?
A: Your student information and financial aid details are protected by strict policies and federal laws. The college takes your privacy seriously and has clear guidelines about who can access your information.
Upcoming KVAAP Info Sessions
Interested in KVAAP? Kalamazoo Valley will continue to accept students for the Winter 2026 semester until Dec. 18! You can attend these information sessions via a Zoom meeting link that will be sent to you upon signing up. These sessions will explain how KVAAP can assist students with achieving their educational goals. Interested students can register here.
- Monday, Nov. 24 | 1:30 - 2 p.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 3 | 10 - 10:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 5:30 - 6 p.m.
Next Free Mental Health First Aid Training Offered Dec. 5
Open to staff, faculty and students! Join us for free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training on Friday, Dec. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Room 246 in the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building, located at 418 E. Walnut St. in downtown Kalamazoo. RSVP by Nov. 21 by clicking here. Ten registrants are required or the session is canceled. The training will be led by Integrated Services of Kalamazoo. MHFA is an international, evidence-based program that teaches people to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges. Sixty percent of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health challenge.
In this course, you'll learn:
- The prevalence of mental health issues and the need to reduce stigma
- The importance of early intervention on mental health challenges
- How to apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE)
- How to identify and assist with early signs and worsening signs of mental health challenges
- How to identify and assist with a mental health crisis
- The importance of self-care as we become Mental Health First Aiders
For more information, contact Chris Whitsel at cwhitsel@kvcc.edu.
News From the Libraries
Need Help Now? Ask a Librarian
Librarians can answer your questions about research and citation. Visit us, schedule ahead or use our 24/7 chat service.
- Getting started with research
- Finding scholarly or peer reviewed articles or books
- Citing sources in MLA or APA
Citation Guide
For questions about paper formatting and citation – MLA and APA – check out our online Citation Guide
Study in the Library!
Did you know that the Kalamazoo Valley Libraries are the perfect place to study?
 
Visit the Libraries for:
- Peaceful atmosphere
- Excellent views
- Individual and group-study furniture
- Computers and printers
- Help from librarians
- Access to books and electronic databases
- Study rooms (TTC)
Hours and Contact Information
Food Service on the Texas Township Campus
Looking for a quick snack or something for lunch while on the Texas Township Campus? The Cougar Cafe offers a wide variety of grab-and-go items, including sandwiches, salads and soup. Subway is also located inside the Cougar Cafe. The Cougar Cafe on the Texas Township Campus is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., serving breakfast items from 7:30 - 10 a.m.
Monday | Nov. 17 | Chicken vegetable soup; grill station selections
Tuesday | Nov. 18 | Chicken vegetable soup; grill station selections
Wednesday | Nov. 19 | Chicken vegetable soup; taco salad
Thursday | Nov. 20 | Chicken vegetable soup; goulash
Food Service Downtown
 
Time to Buy Commencement Caps, Gowns, Honors Regalia
December graduates can buy commencement regalia up until 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 at the Bookstore on the Texas Township Campus. The graduation ceremony is Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. at Miller Auditorium at Western Michigan University. Students can also shop online. Online orders may be picked up at TTC or the Anna Whitten Hall Library at the Arcadia Commons Campus in downtown Kalamazoo, or shipped for $5.
Get $10-Off Commencement Attire Coupon at Gradfest
Attention December graduates! Be sure to attend Gradfest to pick up the Campus Bookstore's $10-off coupon for commencement attire. Gradfest is Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Anna Whitten Hall in downtown Kalamazoo in the main lobby, and Thursday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Texas Township Campus Cafeteria, where you can RSVP for commencement, pick up graduation tickets, decorate your graduation caps, get free professional headshots, enjoy food and more. At the Anna Whitten Hall Gradfest, caps and gowns will be available for on-site sales. No worries if you can’t make that. Commencement attire can be bought anytime at the Texas Township Campus Bookstore during business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or online. Note that coupons can only be used for in-person commencement attire purchases.
Are You Ready for Some Basketball?
Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s women’s and men’s basketball teams are gearing up for a great season! Conference play officially begins on Jan. 10, but you can see the players in action for FREE at their non-Conference home games now through December in the main gym at the Texas Township Campus! See partial home schedule below. Click here for the full schedule of home and away games.
WOMEN'S TEAM
- Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 5:30 p.m. | vs. St. Clair County Community College
- Wednesday, Dec. 17 | 5:30 p.m. | vs. Wayne County Community College
- Saturday, Dec. 20 | 1 p.m. | vs. Kirtland Community College
MEN'S TEAM
- Saturday, Nov. 15 | 3 p.m. | vs. Joliet Junior College (IL)
- Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. St. Clair County Community College
- Wednesday, Dec. 17 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. Wayne County Community College
- Saturday, Dec. 20 | 3 p.m. | vs. Kirtland Community College
Visit the Museum after Holiday Parade for Winter Workshop Activities
Celebrate the season with festive fun for the whole family on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.! Explore hands-on winter craft activities, enjoy free planetarium shows,and test your skills in our playful Reindeer Minute-to-Win-It Games. Whether you’re creating, discovering, or competing, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
‘Dancing With Life: Mexican Masks’ Exhibit Now Open
Explore the rich festival culture of Mexico through historic and contemporary masks at the “Dancing With Life: Mexican Masks” traveling exhibit at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, now through Jan. 4. Watch the promo video here! The museum is the first in the nation to show the exhibit. It centers around the work of the mask makers and dancers themselves through written and recorded interviews, including bilingual Spanish and English texts.
Have You Seen the 'Am I An American or Am I Not?' Exhibit?
The thought-provoking "Am I An American or Am I Not?" traveling historical exhibit opened this month at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and will be on view through Jan. 4. It asks visitors to think about examples of unfair treatment from our country’s past and present in order to protect the American promises of life, liberty and justice for all. It is named after a quote from Fred Korematsu, who famously challenged the mass imprisonment of 125,000 Japanese Americans during WWII.
Fall Honorable Lecture Series Continues Through Nov. 18
Enjoy weekly talks this fall examining ways we restore the tenets of reciprocity with the natural world as a community and as individuals. Organized by Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s ValleyHub in partnership with the museum, the sessions are held every Tuesday, now until Nov. 18, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This drop-in lecture series takes place at the college’s Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health building, located at 418 E. Walnut St. in downtown Kalamazoo. View the list of topics at valleyhub.kvcc.edu/events.
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