kalamazoo valley community college

InFocus: news for the kalamazoo valley community college students
MISSION STATEMENT
Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable
opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.
April 22, 2025

Greetings Students!

This Sunday, many of you will experience that feeling of completion and accomplishment when you walk on the stage during our Commencement ceremony. I look forward to shaking your hand! As you celebrate with your friends and family, know that we are celebrating with you, and that we understand how hard you worked and the sacrifices you made for your dream to become a reality. As you go on to your next steps in the community as Kalamazoo Valley Community College alumni, carry with you our values: caring and respect, integrity, excellence and quality, teamwork and stewardship, and, don�t forget, humor and well-being.

For those of you who are still on your educational journey at Kalamazoo Valley, I encourage you to consider taking classes during the summer to help you stay on track for your degree or credential. We have a wide range of courses available, with several start dates staggered throughout the summer, starting on May 12. Registration is now open!

Whether you are ending your time with us by graduating, or just taking a pause at the end of the semester, I hope you enjoy this beautiful spring season and time of fresh beginnings.

Sincerely,


signature: L. Marshall Washington
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President

Three graduates in black caps and gowns walk away with their backs to the camera, raising their caps in celebration. Below the photo is a bright yellow ticket graphic with bold text that reads “Ticket to Tuition” on a teal background, suggesting a program or opportunity related to college funding or scholarships.
The FAFSA is the Golden Ticket to a Tuition Win!
Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), in partnership with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) recently announced that ten students will win $50,000 and 40 students will win $10,000 cash in a Michigan Education Savings Program account. That�s money that can be used for tuition at a community college, university or career training program, as well as room and board, living expenses and more! Enter by May 16 for your chance to win � AND unlock college loans, grants and scholarships (like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship)! Winning a Ticket to Tuition prize does not affect your eligibility for other financial aid. 
Just three steps to enter!
  1. Create StudentAid.gov accounts (both student and parent)
  2. Fill out the FAFSA form together (It takes most families 30 minutes or less to complete)
  3. Text CASH to 855-50K-TICKET (855.505.8425)
Already completed the FAFSA? You�re still eligible. Just text CASH to 855-50K-TICKET to enter.
admissions,registration and records
A joyful graduate in a black cap and gown smiles and raises his fist in celebration on stage. He wears glasses, a white stole with the “Kalamazoo Promise” logo, and a black tie. Stage curtains and a chandelier are visible in the background, and another graduate stands nearby, partially out of frame.
Commencement Takes Place Sunday, April 27
Kalamazoo Valley Community College will hold its 92nd commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 27 at Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium, 2200 Auditorium Drive in Kalamazoo.

More than 250 students are expected to participate. Board Chairperson Lucinda Stinson will speak, along with English instructor Ron Higginbotham and student Katrise Hudson, who is graduating with an associate degree in criminal justice. Hudson was voted captain of the Kalamazoo Valley women�s basketball team during her freshman and sophomore years.

Guests without tickets may view the ceremony via livestream on Public Media Network�s PMN Discover, Channel 187. It will also stream online at publicmedianet.org, as well as on Roku, Apple TV and Firestick apps.
Flyer for “Western Wednesday,” an event for students interested in transferring to Western Michigan University. Attendees can connect with WMU advisors and admissions representatives. The event takes place on April 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the upper level of the cafeteria at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Logos for Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College appear at the bottom.
Flyer for a Kalamazoo Valley Community College summer course titled “Calling All Deadheads.” The course, HUM 150 (CRN 30399): Pop Culture Studies, is taught by instructor Jason Ciluffo and runs from May 12 to June 30, 2025. The theme is in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead. The interdisciplinary course explores topics in contemporary and historical popular culture, with emphasis on how pop culture fits into culture as a whole. The flyer encourages students to sign up now and features psychedelic, colorful circular patterns inspired by 1960s design. Kalamazoo Valley logo is in the bottom right.
Promotional flyer for PHI 209 (CRN 30723), a special topics online philosophy course at Kalamazoo Valley Community College titled “Religions of the World (through the life and music of Bob Dylan).” The course runs from July 1 to August 18. Students will explore various world religions and cultures through the lens of Bob Dylan’s music and life experiences. The flyer features a stylized black silhouette of Bob Dylan’s profile with colorful, abstract, psychedelic swirls forming his hair. The word "DYLAN" appears at the bottom right, and the Kalamazoo Valley logo is at the lower left.
student employment services
Looking for a Job, Internship, Apprenticeship and/or Volunteer Opportunity?
Student Employment Services assists students with job searching, resume writing and practice interviewing. Visit Career Coach, Kalamazoo Valley�s online job board, to see if there is something that interests you. If you are looking for something other than what is listed, we can help. Call 269.488.4040 or email careercenter@kvcc.edu to schedule an appointment.
 
Below are some of the jobs currently posted on Career Coach:
 
Business Pathways (Accounting/Business/Information Technology/Marketing/Administrative Assistant)
Tech Intern � Kalamazoo Public Library
Marketing Specialist � Dave�s Glass Service, Inc.
 
Cosmetology/Barbering
Barber � The Waiting Room
 
Culinary/Brewing (Sustainable Food Systems)
Several opportunities � Greenleaf Hospitality Group
 
Education
Multiple opportunities at Portage Public Schools, YWCA
 
Engineering and Skilled Trades
Student Mechanical/Electrical Technician Internship � Western Diversified Plastics
Repair Technician � CareLinc Medical Equipment and Supply
Mechatronics and Robotics Technician � Amazon RME
HVAC Service Technician � Town Center
 
General Studies
Window Cleaning Technician � Fish Window Cleaning
 
Health Careers
Nurse Assistant � Life Care Center of Plainwell
Dental Assistant and Hygienist � Several Opportunities
Graduate Nurse � Ascension Borgess
Homecare Companion � Absolute Homecare and Medical Staffing
 
Human Services/Social Sciences/Public Services
Family Peer Support Specialist � Integrated Services of Kalamazoo
Patient Navigator � Integrated Services of Kalamazoo
Chalkboard-style background with the word “MATH” written in large, bold white letters at the center. Surrounding the word are various mathematical equations and symbols written in chalk, including algebraic expressions, geometric figures, and formulas such as E=mc², a² + b² = c², the quadratic formula, and the value of pi.
Valley Student Takes Second Place at WMU Math Competition
Kalamazoo Valley student Jeremy Kray received second place at Western Michigan University�s Integration Bee, a math competition that is open to high school and undergraduate students in the region.

The event consists of two parts: a qualification round and an elimination round. The integrals increase in difficulty as the rounds progress.

Kray said he felt ready to take on the challenge. His involvement in the college�s math club also helped him prepare.

�In Math Club, we did a few practice competitions, and we got an integral review sheet of different types of integrals to practice as the full competition got closer,� said Kray.

He said the Kalamazoo Valley community played a key role in his preparation.

�Everyone here at Kalamazoo Valley truly wants to be here,� he said. �Between both students and faculty, everyone is invested in learning. The faculty here are high-quality educators and want to see you succeed.� more 
Three team members in matching blue jerseys stand on stage celebrating their victory at the 2025 Sputum Bowl. The person in the center, a man with a red beard, holds a large silver trophy above his head labeled “National Sputum Bowl Championship Teams.” The two women beside him are smiling. Text on the left reads “2025 Sputum Bowl” on a solid blue background.
Valley Students Place at Sputnam Bowl
The 45th Annual Sputum Bowl, hosted by the Michigan Society of Respiratory Care (MSRC), took place on April 7-8 in Lansing, Michigan. This thrilling competition, inspired by the buzzer-style format of "Jeopardy," challenges respiratory therapy students to showcase their expertise in anatomy, physiology, diagnostics, mechanical ventilation and various respiratory care principles. Teams from across the state battle it out, answering rapid-fire questions to claim the ultimate victory.

Originating from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), the Sputum Bowl starts at state-level conferences nationwide, with champions advancing to compete at the prestigious national AARC conference.

This year, 16 student teams from Michigan joined the lively showdown, including four teams from Kalamazoo Valley Community College. With a mix of first- and second-year students, each team brought humor and creativity to the event by crafting playful names inspired by respiratory therapy. more

Flyer for Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Winning Essays Contest. The headline reads: “Essays are due by 5 p.m. on May 2, 2025.” Participants can compete for cash awards and publication in the 2024–2025 online edition of Winning Essays. The contest emphasizes freshness, vividness, and inventive language that transports the reader. Contact Caroline Whiting at cwhiting@kvcc.edu for more information. A QR code is provided to learn more and access the entry form. The flyer features an image of a vintage typewriter with a hand emerging from it, holding a pen. Kalamazoo Valley logo appears at the bottom.
libraries

Library Returns
Remember to return all borrowed library materials by the last day of the semester, Monday, April 28.

  • Drop off books and media at any book drop or library service desk.
  • Return laptops and hotspots to the circulation desk at either library.
  • For books only, use the convenient 24/7 book drop outside the Tower entrance at the Texas Township Campus.

Summer Reading
Consider reading a good book this summer! We have books to support your academic and personal interests. Students enrolled in Summer semester can borrow books beginning May 12. 

  • Find reading suggestions by browsing our New Books and displays.
  • Search for a book by genre or theme in the NoveList Plus database.
  • If we don�t have a title you�re looking for, you can request books through MeLCat and have it delivered to either campus library.
  • Taking a break from classes this summer? Check out your local public library. 
Ask a Librarian
Need help using a database? Evaluating information? Or finding a book on a topic of interest? Ask a Librarian!
cosmetology and barbering
Flyer for “Timeless Trends,” a spring showcase presented by Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s School of Cosmetology and Barbering. Event details: Monday, April 28, from 1 to 3 p.m. in Room 4240 at the Texas Township Campus (TTC). The event features hairstyles, makeup, and fashion trends from various decades, presented as a class project. The flyer includes stylized black-and-white portraits of four individuals with vintage hairstyles from different eras, framed in bold colors. A hair comb and scissors graphic appears on the right. RSVP by April 21 using the QR code provided. Kalamazoo Valley logo is at the bottom.
cougar cafe
What's for Lunch at the Texas Township Campus?
Menu for April 21 - 24
  • April 21 - 24 | Corn Chowder
  • Monday | April 21 | Orange Chicken
  • Tuesday | April 22 | Tacos
  • Wednesday | April 23 | Spaghetti
  • Thursday | April 24 | Lasagna

The Cougar Cafe is open Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

 The official kalamazoo valley community college cougar bookstore
A wide-angle composite image showing the exterior of the Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) Bookstore. The storefront features large glass windows decorated with full-size images of diverse students and the KVCC logo in blue and white. The left section displays the bookstore hours, website (bookstore.kvcc.edu), and a freestanding sign. The center section includes the entrance door and students pictured in KVCC apparel. The right section continues the window graphics and includes a brick wall with signage for Kalamazoo Valley Community College above.
Time to Buy Commencement Caps, Gowns, Honors Regalia
Attention April graduates! Commencement regalia is available until 5 p.m. Friday, April 25 at the Bookstore on the Texas Township Campus. Also for sale are diploma frames, mortarboard graphics and more. The graduation ceremony is Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m. at Miller Auditorium at Western Michigan University. You can also shop online at bookstore.kvcc.edu.
Flyer for Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Winter 2025 Textbook Buyback event. Students can sell back used Winter 2025 textbooks from April 28 to May 2, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Texas Township Campus Bookstore. For questions, call 269-488-4030 or visit bookstore.kvcc.edu. The left side of the flyer features a vertical stack of blue-outlined books with bookmarks, and the KV logo appears in the lower right corner.
get involved on campus kalamazoo valley community collegePromotional flyer for Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Tennis Club. The club meets on Mondays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., starting April 21, throughout the summer semester at the outdoor tennis courts on the Texas Township Campus (TTC). All skill levels are welcome. Some rackets will be available, but participants are encouraged to bring their own racket and water. Play is weather permitting. To be added to the club's Canvas course for weather updates or questions, contact the advisor, Steve Ott, at sott@kvcc.edu. The flyer features a large yellow tennis ball and stylized Tennis Club logo. The Kalamazoo Valley logo appears at the bottom.

Flyer for the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Harry Potter Club. The event takes place on Tuesday, April 22, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Room 3250 at the Texas Township Campus (TTC). Activities include crafts, playing Quidditch, discussing theories, participating in a Tri-Wizard Tournament, and more. Attendees are encouraged to take the Harry Potter house quiz at wizardingworld.com/sorting-hat and email their results to aschultz1564@mail.kvcc.edu. The flyer features parchment-style text overlayed on a magical-themed background, with Hogwarts-related items and the Harry Potter logo in stylized font. Kalamazoo Valley logo appears at the bottom right. Flyer for a Red Cross Blood Drive hosted at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The event takes place on Tuesday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Texas Township Campus, Room 4370/4380. The flyer has a red background and includes an illustration of three hands connected by a bloodline forming a heart shape with droplets, symbolizing donation. A QR code is provided for more information or to register. Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo is at the bottom.

Flyer for Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Invasive Species Pull event. The event takes place on Friday, April 25 at 1 p.m. at the Texas Township Campus (TTC). Hosted by the Kalamazoo Valley Sustainability Committee, the event encourages participants to help remove invasive plant species. Long sleeves, pants, gloves, and hats are recommended. All are welcome to participate and support forest sustainability efforts. The image shows hands pulling a weed from the soil, with text overlaid on a green and white background. Website listed: www.kvcc.edu. Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo appears in the bottom right.
Promotional flyer for a Kalamazoo Valley Community College movie event featuring Marvel’s Thunderbolts. Bold white text on an orange background reads "THUNDERBOLTS*" above an image of seven characters from the film. Event details: Date: Sunday, May 4 Location: KP Cinemas, 180 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Lobby mixer: 10–11 a.m. for Kalamazoo Valley community members Movie time: 11 a.m. Admission: $8 (ticket only) Closed captioned showing Contact: Aubrey Rodgers at aroddgers@kvcc.edu Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo appears in the bottom right corner.

athletics

It's That Time � Softball and Baseball Season!
Enjoy some fresh air and support the softball and baseball teams at the same time! You�re invited to drop in at any time at the home games, which are always FREE at the college�s Texas Township Campus. Here's the remaining home games now through May. 

BASEBALL

  • 1 p.m. | Saturday | APRIL 26 vs. Lake Michigan College (double header)
  • 3 p.m. | Tuesday | APRIL 29 vs. Grand Rapids Community College (9 innings)
  • 2 p.m. | Thursday | MAY 1 vs. Glen Oaks Community College (double header)
SOFTBALL
  • 1 p.m. | Saturday | APRIL 26 vs. Glen Oaks Community College (double header)
Click here for the Athletics website to find the away games.

 what's happening at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. the kalamazoo valley museum is operated by kalamazoo valley community college and is governed by its board of trustees.

Outdoor view of a native plant garden alongside a red brick building with large windows. In the foreground, there is a concrete sundial bench with numbers engraved along the edge and a round planter filled with flowers. A mounted informational sign titled "Kalamazoo Valley Biodiversity" stands in front of the garden, which features tall green plants and wildflowers. Another brick building with arched windows is visible in the background.
Earth Day Rain Garden Tours Offered Saturday, April 26
Celebrate Earth Day with a free guided tour of the museum�s rain garden at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Saturday, April 26 to learn how simple landscaping changes can have a significant positive impact on the environment in urban settings. These family-friendly tours will last about 20 to 25 minutes. Register at kalamazoomuseum.org.

Color photograph of special effects artist Ray Harryhausen animating a small skeleton warrior model. He is leaning on a tabletop, looking closely at the articulated figure posed with a sword and shield. The scene is lit with dramatic red lighting, and the image appears framed like a film reel with "Kodak Safety Film" printed vertically on the left edge.
Ray Harryhausen Exhibit Closes April 27
Celebrate the legendary artistry of Ray Harryhausen, the master of stop-motion animation, at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum! The �Ray Harryhausen: Miniature Models of the Silver Screen,� exhibit is on view at the museum through April 27. Guests are invited to a special in-depth panel discussion exploring Harryhausen�s enduring legacy led by Connor Heaney, curator for the Harryhausen Foundation, at 1 p.m. April 27.

colorful connections of the kalamazoo valley museum
Two Fun Exhibits Highlight Items from the Museum�s Archives
Check out the new �Colorful Collections� and �The Art of Advertising� exhibits on view through Aug. 31! �Colorful Collections� features items from the Kalamazoo Valley Museum�s permanent collection displayed in a rainbow of hues. Delve into the color spectrum like never before as you enjoy some of the brightest and boldest examples from the KVM's collection. �The Art of Advertising� showcases nostalgic signs and advertisements from area businesses from the museum�s archives, offering up an eclectic mix of advertising paraphernalia from bygone eras. 
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Texas Township Campus
6767 West O Avenue
PO Box 4070
Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4070
269.488.4400