kalamazoo valley community college

InFocus: News for Kalamazoo Valley Students
MISSION STATEMENT
Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable
opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.
April 7, 2025

Greetings students,

On Sunday, April 27, we will celebrate the success of your fellow students during our commencement ceremony. Many of you have friends and family who will be participating in this important event and I am so proud of their accomplishments. Maybe even you yourself are preparing to walk on the commencement stage in a few weeks!

Many of you are on track to celebrate your own success in an upcoming graduation ceremony in future semesters. My advice to you in the coming month is to keep after your goals. Do not let anyone or anything stand in your way of achieving your dreams. If you're not graduating this month, if your schedule allows, consider taking at least one summer semester class to keep you moving toward completing your credential.

If you need encouragement, watch stories from others who continue to benefit from their Kalamazoo Valley Community College experience. Visit the college's YouTube channel to learn more. Like the people in these videos, we know that you have also been working hard and we congratulate you on your successes this semester.
 

Sincerely,


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

admissions registration and records
Join Upcoming Health Careers Application Workshops
Are you planning on applying to one of our health careers programs? The application period is April 1 - 15. Join the next workshop on Tuesday, April 8, from 5 to 7 p.m., to learn how to navigate the process with confidence. Click here to join via Zoom and read about the workshop here. No RSVP is required to attend. 

Fall 2025 Registration Opens April 7, Class Schedule Available
Registration for the Fall 2025 semester opens the week of April 7 and is based on earned credit hours. Click here to view the Fall 2025 course schedule. Fall registration dates are as follows:
  • Students with 36 or more credit hours | April 7 | 8 a.m.
  • Students with 24 or more credit hours | April 8 | 8 a.m.
  • Students with 12 or more credit hours | April 9 | 8 a.m.
  • Registration for all other students | April 10 | 8 a.m.
Payment is due Monday, July 14 by 7 p.m., when registration temporarily closes for non-payment cancellations. Upon reopening on July 17, 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. Advisors and counselors are available to help students select the correct courses for each degree plan. To schedule an appointment, call 269.488.4040.
 
Flyer for "Western Wednesday" presented by Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Students interested in transferring to WMU are invited to connect with advisors and admission representatives. Event dates:April 9 and April 23 Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Location: Upper level of the cafeteria. Logos of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College appear at the bottom of the flyer.
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.
Graphic promoting Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Shuttle Service. The flyer features an illustrated white shuttle van on a blue background. On the right side, there is a QR code labeled “KV” with the instruction “Scan the code for the survey!” Below the QR code, text reads: “Please take this short survey to help us improve the shuttle service.” The Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo is located in the bottom right corner.

A graphic of three colored pencils—red, cream, and beige—blending into swirling rainbow ribbons in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. The ribbons flow across a white background. In the bottom-right corner, the words "Writing Contest" are displayed, with "Writing" in red cursive and "Contest" in blue cursive font.
English Department Essay Contest
Students, turn your prose into profit and get published! Enter your essays in the Kalamazoo Valley Community College annual essay contest to be eligible to compete for cash awards and publication in the 2024-2025 edition of Winning Essays, which will appear online, not in printed form. The deadline is May 2. This publication becomes part of the Kalamazoo Valley library's permanent collection. Entries should be essays written in English 098, 099, 110, 111 and 160, and in any 200-level English literature class. Winners will be notified by mail during the summer of 2025 as soon as the judges have made their decisions. more 
libraries

Two side-by-side photos of a blue cartoon wildcat mascot cutout wearing a black outfit with the KV logo. Left image: The mascot is placed on a wooden table near tall windows at the Texas Township Library, TTC 3120/8420. Right image: The mascot stands among green plants on a curved wooden desk in the Arcadia Commons Library, AWH 321, with bookshelves and students in the background.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) 
Start Your Research Here � Opposing Viewpoints: Gale in Context
Your paper is due and you�re looking for a topic. Or, maybe you�ve already chosen a controversial issue from the news. Where can you find reliable information to back up your claim? Try one of our Current Issues databases.
 
Opposing Viewpoints: Gale in Context provides information on hundreds of social issues and is a good place to start your research. �Browse Issues� to find a topic that interests you, or enter your topic ideas in the search bar. Choose from different types of articles. Once you find the information you need, click the citation icon for an MLA or APA citation and email the articles to yourself. (Be sure to proofread that citation with our Citation Guide)
 
New Books at the Libraries
Check out the latest arrivals at the library! Our newest books cover a range of topics, from cutting-edge research to bestselling fiction. Visit the library or browse the list online to find your next great read.
 
Ask a Librarian
Need help using a database? Evaluating information? Or finding a book on a topic of interest? Ask a Librarian!
Promotional graphic for Kalamazoo Valley Community College's School of Cosmetology & Barbering. A black styling comb and silver barber scissors are shown on the left. The text reads: “Kalamazoo Valley Community College SCHOOL OF COSMETOLOGY & BARBERING is NOW offering discounted services to the community.” A blue arrow at the bottom includes the text: “For more information and to make an appointment visit www.kvcc.edu/haircare.” The Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo is displayed at the bottom right.
cougar cafe
What's for Lunch at the Texas Township Campus?
We have delicious offerings to enjoy over at the Cougar Cafe this week! From April 7 to 10, expect potato soup. Monday, April 7, goulash is the special. Tuesday, April 8, taco salad is on deck. Wednesday, April 9, tater tot casserole returns. Thursday, April 10, enjoy chicken alfredo. The Cougar Cafe is open Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Lunch Options Downtown

Promotional flyer for Havirmill Café at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Decorative watercolor illustrations of vegetables, including a yellow bell pepper, red pepper, and red onion, are featured at the top. The center text reads: “HAVIRMILL CAFE WILL BE OPEN MONDAY – THURSDAY | MARCH 17 – APRIL 17 11:30 A.M. – 1 P.M. LUNCH SERVICE ONLY – NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED” Footer includes the Facebook icon with the handle “KVculinaryeats”, phone number 269.548.3200, and the Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo.
kalamazoo valley youth summer camps
Register Now for Kalamazoo Valley Summer Camps
Looking for some summer fun for your kids or grandchildren? Explore Kalamazoo Valley�s wide variety of youth summer camps. From athletics to hands-on learning, there�s plenty at Kalamazoo Valley to keep kids busy all summer long. Click here to learn more.
Promotional poster for a concert featuring rapper Juicy J, hosted by the Campus Activities Board at Western Michigan University. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 12 at Miller Auditorium. Text states: “Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m.” Image of Juicy J wearing yellow sunglasses, a white outfit, and jewelry is on the right. A "Parental Advisory: Explicit Content" label is in the top-right corner. Social media icons for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Spotify appear at the top, with the handle @wmucab. A note at the bottom reads: “Kalamazoo Valley Community College students can purchase tickets for 50% OFF in person at Miller Auditorium with a valid Valley ID. The discount does NOT apply to online ticket sales.” Includes Kalamazoo Valley Community College and KV logos.
Get discounted tickets (50% off!) with your Valley ID. Tickets must be purchased in person at Miller Auditorium.
 The official kalamazoo valley community college cougar bookstore
Wide photo collage of the Kalamazoo Valley Community College campus bookstore exterior, shown from three angles. The storefront features brick walls, large black-framed windows, and blue window decals with the white "KV" logo. Full-length images of diverse KVCC students are displayed on the window panels, promoting school spirit. One panel includes the website "bookstore.kvcc.edu" and summer hours listed as Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. A folding sign labeled “Bookstore” is visible near the entrance.
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.
get involved on campus at kalamazoo valley community college

Promotional flyer for Kalamazoo Valley Community College Campus Band's semester concert titled "An American Mosaic." The concert is conducted by James W. Roach and will take place on Wednesday, April 9 at 7 p.m. at Dale B. Lake Auditorium. The background features a colorful patchwork quilt design with various fabric patterns. A quote from Jimmy Carter reads: “We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” —Jimmy Carter 1924–2024 The Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo appears in the lower right.

Promotional flyer for a "Clash of the Titans" Movie Mixer event hosted by Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Event details: Sunday, April 13 at 1 p.m. at Mary Jane Stryker Theater, Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Attendees are invited to arrive at Noon on the 3rd floor to explore the Ray Harryhausen Miniature Models of the Silver Screen exhibit and talk about the film. FREE! Tickets are first come, first served. The top features the movie title “Clash of the Titans” in stylized gold lettering. To the right is a vivid illustration from the movie poster, showing a winged horse (Pegasus), a sword-wielding man, and a woman in a fantasy setting. Two QR codes are at the bottom left for more information—one labeled "Ray Harryhausen" and the other "Clash of the Titans." The Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo appears at the bottom right.

Promotional flyer for the “Visiting Writers Series” at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Event Date and Time: Tuesday, April 15 at 10 a.m. Location: Student Commons Lounge, Room 4250, Texas Township Campus. The event launches the “Read Local” initiative, celebrating the work of local writers from Kalamazoo, Southwest Michigan, and across the state. Attendees are invited to meet the authors and learn what inspires them. Featured writers (with headshots shown): – Scott Bade – Robert Haight – Kathleen McGookey – Denise Miller – Jack Ridl Bottom of the flyer includes a QR code and the Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo.

Promotional flyer for a Red Cross Blood Drive at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Date: Tuesday, April 22 Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Location: Texas Township Campus, Room 4370/4380 The design features a red background with an illustration of hands connected by a red line to a heart-shaped blood symbol, surrounded by red droplets. A QR code is displayed near the bottom. The Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo appears in the lower right corner.

Promotional flyer for the Harry Potter Club at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Background features a suitcase, a wand, and a Gryffindor crest. Text on a parchment scroll reads: "We will be doing all the Harry Potter things that you wanted to do: crafts, playing Quidditch, discussing theories, Tri-Wizard Tournament, and so much more. Join us! Please take the Harry Potter house quiz at wizardingworld.com/sorting-hat before you come, and email your results to Ariana Schultz at aschultz1564@mail.kvcc.edu." Meeting Dates: Tuesday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 22 Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Location: TTC Campus, Room 3250 Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo appears in the bottom right.

Flyer for Study Palooza at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Aimed at biology and chemistry students preparing for tests. Event includes meeting with instructors, final exam review, pizza, and refreshments. Date and Time: April 10 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Location: Lower Level Library A QR code labeled "scan for more info" is shown on an open notebook. Other graphics include a pencil, cup with pens and ruler, smartphone, laptop, and potted cactus, all on a pink background. RSVP by emailing Cynthia Schauer at cschauer@kvcc.edu. The Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo appears in the lower right.

Promotional flyer for the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Talent Show. Event Date: April 18 at 7 p.m. Location: Dale B. Lake Auditorium Large stylized text on the left says "Show Your Talent" in white over a green layered shape on a blue background. Event details: "Have a talent? Sign up for our Kalamazoo Valley Talent Show! Any Kalamazoo Valley Community College student, faculty member, or alumni can participate in the talent show. Want to tune in? Doors open at 6 p.m." A QR code is included for sign-up, along with contact info: Email amattson8174@mail.kvcc.edu or bmcgruder5086@mail.kvcc.edu. Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo appears in the lower right.
Promotional flyer for the LGBTQ+ Diversity Club at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The background features a rainbow-striped megaphone with colorful gender symbols and doodles on a black backdrop. Bold white text reads: “LGBTQ+ Diversity Club” Meeting Time: Every Monday from noon to 1 p.m. Location: Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Anna Whitten Hall, Downtown Kalamazoo, Room 205 Club Advisor: Misti Mahon, email: mmahon@kvcc.edu A note at the bottom states the college shuttle bus drops off at Anna Whitten Hall at 11:45 a.m. on Mondays. Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo is displayed in the bottom right.
Promotional flyer for the Art and Animation Club at Kalamazoo Valley Community College for Winter 2025. Meeting Time: Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Location: CNM Room 65 Description: Students who enjoy watching, creating, and playing animated drawings in motion are invited to join. The club encourages creativity and inspiration. Contact: Aubrey Jewel Rodgers at arodgers@kvcc.edu Bonus sessions: “Game jam workshops” held Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with Joshua Winters-Brown and Aubrey Jewel Rodgers. Visuals include sketchbooks, a pen, a laptop, a calendar marked “deadline,” and digital drawing devices. Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo is at the bottom right.
Flyer for the Gaming Club at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Design mimics a retro video game with pixelated text, trees, hearts, and a treasure chest. Header: "Gaming Club" in large pixel-style font. A “Score: 18500” label and three red hearts are at the top. Text: "You're invited to play a variety of games, from TTRPGs and board games to video games, and everything in between! We meet on Thursdays from 4–9 p.m., but you don’t have to come the entire time. Drop in when you can! We’ll be in Room 1310 (TTC) all semester, except Feb. 20, when we’ll be in Room 2420. We hope to see you there!" Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo is in the bottom-right corner.
Promotional flyer for “Coffee: Seed to Cup,” a series of educational sessions led by Gary Marquardt from Feedback Coffee & Education, hosted at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Session 1 – April 12, 10–11:30 a.m., $25: Covers coffee’s journey from farm to cup, including bean transformations and flavor differences based on brew methods. Session 2 – April 19, 10–11:30 a.m., $35: Focuses on the historical origins and trends in coffee culture from circa 1300 to present, including its popularity in the U.S. Session 3 – April 26, 10–11:30 a.m., $25: Discusses coffee-buying decisions, labels, price points, grind types, and includes tasting of three coffees. All classes held at Kalamazoo Valley’s Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building, 418 E. Walnut St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Contact: Charmelle Abdullah at 269-353-1268 or visit www.kvcc.edu/community/. A QR code and the Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo are also included. Image shows whole coffee beans and ground coffee in wooden and metal scoops on a rustic surface.
Flyer for the Sustainability Committee Recycling Event at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Date and Time: Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: Texas Township Campus parking lot. EPS foam (Styrofoam) and electronics will be accepted, in partnership with Green Earth Electronics Recycling. Television recycling costs $20; display monitors and Freon units cost $10 to recycle. The event is open to the public and college community, with no limit on the amount of recyclable material. For more information, contact Kalamazoo Valley Facilities Services at 269-488-4540. Visuals include a blue recycling symbol, Green Earth logo with a green tree, and white Styrofoam blocks. Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo is displayed at the bottom.Flyer for a class titled “Like Beer? Intro to Home Brewing” at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Date and Time: April 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $130 Location: Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building. A large illustrated beer tap pours into a foamy mug on the right side of the flyer. A QR code in the upper right corner is labeled “Register Here.” The Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo is displayed at the bottom.

 

athletics

Team photo of the 2025 Kalamazoo Valley Community College Women’s Softball Team. The players are wearing black jerseys with teal and white stripes on the sleeves and the word “COUGARS” across the front. Pictured from left to right, top row: Maggie Sheets, Isabella Zamora, Kendra Wallenfang, Selah Miller, Brooklyn Bowen, Tristin Hyland. Bottom row: Karlie Knisely, Hailey Kessler, Caley Kerwin, Lanie Glass, Aylin Davila, Megan Cox. The background features a black and blue gradient with diagonal lines and a glowing border. The Cougars logo, a blue wildcat head with bold “COUGARS” text, appears in the bottom right corner.

Team photo of the 2025 Kalamazoo Valley Community College Men’s Baseball Team. The players are wearing gray pinstriped jerseys with teal and black “COUGARS” lettering and matching hats. The team is arranged in two rows with the following names labeled above or below each player: Top row (left to right): Tate Wesbecker, Daniel Ornelas, Nathan Murphy, Max McPeek, JJ Manion, Gerrit Lyyski, William Lowery, Kyle Lingbeek, Alec Krogel, Payton Knoll, Max Herter, Nolan Haygood, Tyler Harris. Bottom row (left to right): Ryder Wolnik, Aiden Warn, Ty Trosen, Kadyn Stalhood, Brett Reed, Antonio Parsayar, Joseph Gutierrez, Bennie Goslawski, Curtis Ellis, Jack Crittendon, Tommy Clarey, Joel Botardo, Max Baumer, Drew Atkinson. The background features a blue and black gradient design with diamond outlines and the Cougars logo (a stylized blue wildcat head) in the lower right.Yes, 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 12 vs. Ancilla College (double header)
  • 1 p.m. | Saturday | APRIL 19 vs. Kellogg Community College (double header)
  • 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
  • 3 p.m. | Friday | APRIL 11 vs. Marian University�s Ancilla College (double header)
  • 1 p.m. | Saturday | APRIL 12 vs. Lansing Community College (double header)
  • 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.

 

Promotional graphic for Statewide Astronomy Night. The word “ASTRONOMY” is stylized: the letter “O” is replaced by a glowing solar eclipse, and the letter “M” is shaped like a crescent moon. The background features a starry night sky in hues of deep blue, purple, and black, with specks of white stars scattered throughout.Save the Date for Statewide Astronomy Night on April 12 
Enjoy space science activities and special free planetarium shows for all ages at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum on Saturday, April 12, from 5 to 8 p.m., as part of the annual Statewide Astronomy Night, also known as SWAN. Registration is not required. For more details, go online to kalamazoomuseum.org.

Movie poster for Clash of the Titans. A muscular man with curly hair, wearing a red cape and bronze armband, holds a sword raised in front of him. Behind him, storm clouds and lightning fill the sky. In the lower left, the mythical creature Medusa with snake hair is poised to strike. A white winged horse, Pegasus, flies near rocky terrain. The movie title "Clash of the Titans" appears prominently in metallic font across the center.
See Iconic Stop-Motion 'Clash of the Titans' Film for Free
Celebrate the legendary artistry of Ray Harryhausen, the master of stop-motion animation, at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum! Enjoy a FREE movie screening of his iconic 1981 film, �Clash of the Titans,� on Sunday, April 13, at 1 p.m. The screening ties in with the traveling exhibit �Ray Harryhausen: Miniature Models of the Silver Screen,� on view at the museum through April 27. While there is no cost to see the movie, tickets will only be available at noon on the day of the show at the front desk, or online. Due to limited seating, it is first come, first served. Guests are invited to return for 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 collections at the kalamazoo valley museum
Two New 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