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Nov. 3, 2025
Greetings students!
Expressing gratitude is linked to mental and physical benefits such as improving sleep, mood and immunity. Our minds are wired to problem-solve, rather than to focus on the positive, so it’s important to deliberately look for the good in our lives. During this season of Thanksgiving, I urge you to notice what you are grateful for and to share your appreciation for others. Expressing your gratitude will lead to feelings of hope, peace and contentment — in short, happiness.
During this season of thankfulness, I want to share my gratitude for you.
We all know that you have many college options. I am so pleased that you made the decision to join us here. Thank you! It is our great hope that you will continue to learn, grow and thrive with us here and that you will have a strong finish to the fall semester.
Again, thank you for selecting your favorite community college — Kalamazoo Valley Community College!
Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
 Winter Registration Tuition Due Nov. 11
Payment for early winter registration is due Nov. 11 by 7 p.m., when registration temporarily closes for non-payment cancellations. Upon reopening on Nov. 14, classes that are not paid for, on a payment plan, covered by financial aid or covered by a third-party will be dropped after five business days of registration.
Higher Learning Commission (HLC) FAQs
Strategic Behind the Scenes: How Kalamazoo Valley Proves Its Quality to HLC (and to YOU)
Think of this phase of the college’s HLC review as Valley’s “show and tell” project to prove how dedicated Kalamazoo Valley Community College is to your success. All departments at the college are in the process of gathering the pieces of data and documentation needed to assure the HLC that Valley is committed to educational excellence.
Q: What is an "Assurance Review"?
A: It's where Kalamazoo Valley gathers various pieces of information to show the Higher Learning Commission that Valley meets each HLC standard. The college creates a detailed "story" (called an Assurance Argument) with diverse types of evidence highlighting the actions the college takes.
Q: What kind of evidence is the college including during Kalamazoo Valley’s HLC review?
A: Everything from student success data to examples of what Valley’s innovative faculty do in your courses is compiled. The college also includes documentation from teams that provide support services to data about Valley’s financial stability. Each of these bits of evidence provide proof of Kalamazoo Valley’s ongoing commitment to your education.
Q: Why is this important for me?
A: This thorough process ensures that your whole experience at Kalamazoo Valley Community College is designed and maintained with your success in mind.
Q: How long does this accreditation process take?
A: It is an ongoing process which spans 10 years. The comprehensive review, which is occurring at Kalamazoo Valley in March of 2026, happens on a 10-year cycle to make sure the college is always meeting the highest standards for you.
Student Spotlight: Abigail Diebold
Hear from current KVAAP student Abigail Diebold on her academic journey and why KVAAP helps her:
"I started KVAAP in the Winter 2024 semester. I am a first generation college student and I am the oldest of three in my family. I was raised in Michigan and moved to Wisconsin for high school. I moved back to Michigan for college and to be back with my family. I am in school for an English degree with the goal to pursue further education and eventually study to be an immigration lawyer. KVAAP has helped me stay motivated to continue college and helped me understand what I need to do to reach my goals and be successful. KVAAP helps keep me in check and get what I need to get done on time and with my best effort. Joining KVAAP has been super helpful to me on my college journey."
Upcoming KVAAP Info Sessions
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. The upcoming sessions to get into the winter semester are:
Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 10 - 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 11 | 5:30 - 6 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 20 | 3:30 - 4 p.m.
What You Told Us at the Student Success Breakfasts
Thank you for attending the two Student Success Breakfasts in October! We asked students what belonging means to them, what concerns them or gives them anxiety, how we can better serve them and what brings them joy. Most students had positive things to say about their experiences at Kalamazoo Valley, citing the helpful staff and availability of resources. For example, one student said: “Being in college has been a major positive change in my life. I’ve found resources for food, job searching, tutoring that fits my needs and a referral for therapy at the YWCA that’s been incredibly helpful.”
Students said they feel a sense of belonging when they can make positive connections with their peers, instructors and campus staff. Meeting new people is both a source of anxiety for students and a source of joy. Students worry about how their performance in school will impact their career prospects post-graduation as well. Students also feel lost in knowing how to navigate graduation requirements and how to schedule courses. Students would love more opportunities to showcase what they are learning and celebrate their successes. They would also like more casual social events that help foster connections and build a shared campus identity.
For more photos from the Student Success Breakfasts, click here for pictures from Oct. 7 at Anna Whitten Hall and click here for pictures from Oct. 8 at the Texas Township Campus.
Valley Voices Story Hour: True Stories. On Stage.
We are looking for your water stories! Write about a moment that features water in some way, or in which water becomes a part of the story. Your story can touch on water in any of its forms: lakes, rivers, clouds, snow, ice, fog, in a fountain or pool, etc.
Open to writers of all levels: all students, faculty and staff of Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 21. Click here to see guidelines and a submission form.
Request a Book through MeLCat
The Kalamazoo Valley Libraries participate in MeLCat, a resource-sharing service that allows students, staff, and faculty to borrow items from other participating libraries throughout the state of Michigan. Click here to search for materials available to borrow. Make sure to have your Valley ID ready. Books can be sent directly to the Kalamazoo Valley library location of your choice, and the library will contact you when your item is available for pick-up.
The Libraries Have a Database for That…
The Libraries subscribe to over 100 databases searchable online collections of articles - so that you have access to high quality information for free. If you have a research project of any kind, chances are we have a database for that.
- Argumentative research paper?
- Marketing plan?
- Career research?
- Peer-reviewed scientific study?
- Poster presentation with illustrations?
- Research paper in the humanities or social sciences?
Ask a Librarian
Need help using a database? Evaluating information? Or finding a book on a topic of interest? Ask a Librarian!
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.
This week’s menu includes:
Monday | Nov. 3 | Beef chili; grill station selections
Tuesday | Nov. 4 | Beef chili; grill station selections
Wednesday | Nov. 5 | Beef chili; walking tacos
Thursday | Nov. 6 | Beef chili; chicken fajita with rice
December Graduates: Buy Commencement Caps, Gowns, Honors Regalia
December graduates, you can buy commencement regalia up until 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 at the Bookstore on the Texas Township Campus. Also for sale are diploma frames, mortarboard graphics and more. The graduation ceremony is Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. at Miller Auditorium at Western Michigan University. You can also shop online at bookstore.kvcc.edu. 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.
Volleyball Team Ends Season Headed to Districts
Congratulations to the women's volleyball players! The Lady Cougars ended their regular season on Oct. 30 by defeating Glen Oaks Community College, three sets to zero. They rank second place in the Western Conference of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association with a record of 9-3 and 21-8 overall.
The team has qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 12 District A Tournament, hosted by Grand Rapids Community College Nov. 6-8. Their first match will be 2 p.m. Nov. 6 against Lakeland Community College (Ohio). Click here for more tournament information.
A highlight of the season was Sophomore Night, at their final home match on Oct. 28, as pictured above. Departing sophomores Alicyn Arevalo, Olivia Dennis, Havilah Fitzgerald, Arabella Mangold and Kiara Wisdom-Preston were recognized for their accomplishments that night. Click here for all 233 photos!
Volleyball Player Spotlight
Player Spotlight is an occasional feature highlighting outstanding student-athletes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The honorees have been nominated by Head Volleyball Coach Rhonda Sturgeon.
HAVILAH FITZGERALD
Position: Libero
Hometown: Portage, Michigan
Major: FBI/international criminal court/international affairs
Why outstanding: Fitzgerald is a sophomore captain who has played a vital role in our success this season. She has over 745 career assists and leads our team in digs with 783. Not only does she take care of business on the court, she is also an academic standout as she is enrolled in the honors program at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Fitzgerald is a dynamic defensive player and a strong leader.
OLIVIA DENNIS
Position: Outside hitter
Hometown: Otsego, Michigan
Major: Business administration
Why outstanding: Dennis is a sophomore captain who has played a major part in our success this season. Dennis has over 450 career kills with 307 digs. She is a dedicated athlete and student. Dennis is a positive team-player with a great work ethic. She is a natural leader and has a positive impact on those around her.
AVA VANLERBERGHE
Position: Middle hitter/blocker
Hometown: Richland, Michigan
Major: Nursing
Why outstanding: As a freshman, Vanlerberghe has earned a starting spot on our 2025 roster as middle hitter from Gull Lake High School. She has become an integral part of our offense with 147 kills this far in our season. She has put up 47 blocks and accumulated 58 digs. Vanlerberghe has shown what a strong leader she is by playing consistently and being a great support to her teammates. She is a strong attacker and smart server who has a level of energy that is contagious.
‘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 is on view at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 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, from Sept. 23 to 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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