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Dec. 1, 2025
Greetings, students!
One of the sure signs of nearing the end of the semester is celebrating student success during Commencement!
The college community will commemorate student success during Commencement on Sunday, Dec. 14. We expect great participation and a large crowd of family members and friends at Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium beginning at 2 p.m. We hope that you will attend and enjoy the ceremony; graduation is one of life's landmark events and will be a key part of your life's timeline. It's a symbol of change, progression and moving on to a new life.
For those of you graduating, congratulations! You've proven to yourself and to the world that you know how to work hard and that you can see things through to the end. For those of you who continue to press forward, we are cheering for you and can't wait to celebrate you at a future Commencement!
I wish for all of you the drive, focus and health you need to finish up the semester strong. Persevere just a little longer and soon we all will be celebrating the end of the fall semester!
Sincerely,

L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President

Important Upcoming Dates
Gradfest is Dec. 3 and 4
Join us for Gradfest! This is a warm-up event prior to graduation on Dec.14. Gradfest will take place Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Anna Whitten Hall Lobby and Thursday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Texas Township Cafeteria Lower Level.
At Gradfest, you can pick up your graduation tickets and receive a coupon for $10 off commencement regalia. You can also pick up honor cords, Kalamazoo Promise regalia, veterans and Phi Theta Kappa regalia.
Plus, decorate your graduation cap, RSVP for commencement, pose for a free professional headshot and enjoy some food! We look forward to seeing you there!
2025 1098-T Issuance
The 2025 1098-T forms will be prepared in Jan. 2026. Notification will be sent in January when the 2025 Form 1098-T form is available for viewing. Printed copies of the 2025 Form 1098-T will be mailed no later than Jan. 31, 2026 to your address on file with Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
Please confirm the college has your current address on file by Dec. 31, 2025 to ensure there is not a delay in mailing the 2025 1098-T form to you.
To confirm your address;
- Log in to your MyValley account
- Select the link for ;Student Self-Service;
- Select ;Student Profile;
- Click on your name underneath your photo. This will display your current address in our system
- If the address is correct, there is nothing more you need to do
- If the address is not correct, select ;Change Personal Information; from the My Links section of MyValley to provide your current address
- Contact the Admissions, Registration and Records office at arr@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4281 if you have any questions about changing your address
If you did not have any activity with Kalamazoo Valley in 2025 or your scholarships and grants were more than your payments, 2025 Form 1098-T may not be generated for you. Please see the 1098-T FAQ documentation on the Kalamazoo Valley website for more information regarding Form 1098-T.
Higher Learning Commission (HLC) FAQs
Strategic Success, Built for You: How Kalamazoo Valley's Strategic Goals Support Your Journey
Want to know what Kalamazoo Valley Community College is planning for your future? Valley;s strategic plan is about making your college journey even better!
Q: What is this ;strategic plan; I keep hearing about?
A: Kalamazoo Valley;s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan is important for Kalamazoo Valley employees but is also an essential blueprint designed with your success in mind! It shows how the college is working to improve the educational experiences of each student and to prepare for future learners.
Q: How does Kalamazoo Valley Community College;s mission connect to my experience?
A: The mission of the college ; "Kalamazoo Valley creates innovative and equitable opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive" ; guides each goal Valley sets and every improvement the college makes.
Q: What specific areas is the college focusing on when making improvements?
A: In following the College's strategic plan, Kalamazoo Valley works to enhance educational programs, expand support services, strengthen community partnerships and ensure students have what they need to succeed.
Q: How do I benefit from this planning?
A: The strategic goals are designed to enhance your college experience, whether that's through improved programs, better support services or more opportunities for your future.
Student Spotlight: Nick Talamantez
Nick Talamantez is a Kalamazoo Valley Community College nursing student and Kalamazoo Valley Accelerated Associate Program (KVAAP) recipient. He started classes fall of 2024 in the hopes of finding a career and skills to help others. Nick was admitted to the nursing program for the Fall 2025 semester and is excited to learn and apply the skills he learns in his clinical experiences and current work at the hospital. ;The program is challenging and rewarding,; he said. ;Our staff and instructors have a lot of knowledge and encouragement to share. It is clear they care about our success.;
Like many students, Nick has a lot to balance. He works and attends classes weekly, trying to make both grades and a budget look good. ;It isn;t easy right now, costs are high and it is a real challenge to decide if I should use my time to study or pick up extra work hours,; he said. This program helps cover the cost of attendance for students in order for them to finish their associate;s program on track and on time. ;If it weren;t for KVAAP, I don;t think I could even be in school right now,; he added. ;It is a blessing that will actually help me get to a better place in life.; KVAAP has ongoing enrollment so students may apply to join the program even if they didn;t start Kalamazoo Valley as a part of it.
The degree track for the nursing program consists of prerequisite courses followed by a strict two-year schedule that prepares these students to be new nurses shortly after graduation. With staff and students working together for success in both KVAAP and Valley;s nursing department, support systems are in place for students' success. ;I feel welcomed and supported in both of these programs,; Nick said. ;There are people looking out for me and rooting for my success. Any student would be lucky to have that.;
Upcoming KVAAP Info Sessions
- Wednesday, Dec. 3 | 10 - 10:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 5:30 - 6 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 18 | 3:30 - 4 p.m.
Commencement Speaker Overcame Obstacles to Achieve Success
Kalamazoo Valley Community College will celebrate its 93rd commencement ceremony Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. Student Alexander Taylor, who is graduating with an associate of applied science in law enforcement and criminal justice, will be speaking at the ceremony.
Taylor was inducted into the college's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges, and led as the chapter's vice president of scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year. He later continued to serve the student organization as a PTK Michigan regional officer. Taylor overcame several obstacles leading up to his time at Kalamazoo Valley. He says his difficult childhood helped inspire him to pursue his degree.
"They say children become products of their environment, and I was almost a part of that cycle. By the age of 12, I had already gotten in trouble with the law," he said. "I know the value of the system and how it helped me to become a better person, so I wanted to be able to give back in whatever way possible." Read more here.

News From the Libraries
Library Returns
In all the end-of-the-semester hustle, don;t forget it is time to return borrowed library materials.
- Return all borrowed materials by the last day of the semester, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
- Drop off books and media at any book drop or library service desk.
- Return laptops and hot spots to the circulation desk at either library.
- Use the convenient 24/7 book drop outside the Tower entrance at the Texas Township Campus to return books and media.
- The Libraries will assess student account holds and replacement fees for unreturned material.
Study Spaces
Both the Texas Township Campus (TTC) and Anna Whitten Hall (AWH) libraries have quiet and scenic study spaces with computer and printer access. Stretch out and enjoy a drink or snack. The TTC Library has study rooms available on a walk-in basis, and the lower level study room has a computer workstation with a webcam, so you can attend a Zoom class in the library.
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.
This week;s menu includes:
Monday | Dec. 1 | Black bean soup; grill station selections
Tuesday | Dec. 2 | Black bean soup; grill station selections
Wednesday | Dec. 3 | Black bean soup; pulled pork sliders
Thursday | Dec. 4 | Black bean soup; mac-n-cheese bowl
Food Service Downtown


Dec. 5 Art Hop Features Three Kalamazoo Valley Locations
Stroll through three Kalamazoo Valley Community College downtown Kalamazoo venues at the December Art Hop on Friday, Dec. 5! Enjoy a live performance by the Kalamazoo Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, with free performances at 6 and 7:15 p.m. Next door at Anna Whitten Hall, hear true stories on stage at the first annual Valley Voices Story Hour at 6 p.m. with special musical guest, Hopie Jo. From 5:30 to 8 p.m., check out the opening night of the High School Art & Design exhibit at the nearby Center for New Media.

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 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.
Enjoy Free Basketball Home Games in December!
The men's basketball season officially begins Jan. 10, but you can see the players in action now at their non-Conference home games in December in the main gym at the Texas Township Campus ; and admission is always FREE! See the dates below. Click here for the full schedule of home and away games.
MEN'S TEAM
- 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
Women's Basketball Season Canceled
The 2025-2026 women's basketball season has been canceled. Please contact Athletic Director Russ Panico at rpanico@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4393 for more information.
;Dancing With Life: Mexican Masks; Exhibit Continues
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 will be on view through Jan. 4 at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. 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.
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