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.

June 16, 2025

Greetings students!

This stretch of wonderful summer weather is one of the reasons we live in Michigan! As we enjoy all that this season has to offer, continue to finish what you started.

You can do this! I urge you to stay focused on completing your studies so that you can achieve your goals. If you need assistance, reach out to student services.

As you look to the future, I remind you that registration is open for fall semester which begins on Sept. 3.

We applaud your determination and will continue to do all we can to help you be successful.

Enjoy the summer and the warm weather!

 

Sincerely,

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


admissions, registration, and records

Important Upcoming Dates

You may drop or withdraw from classes using the self-service registration feature in MyValley. Watch our how to video to learn how this is accomplished. You may also drop classes in person in the Admissions, Registration and Records office (Room 9140, TTC) or at the Student Service Center in Anna Whitten Hall on the Arcadia Commons Campus. Discontinuing class attendance and/or notifying the instructor is not an official drop. You must complete the paperwork or use the self-service feature. If you fail to officially drop a course, registration is continued until the end of class and the grade earned is recorded on your transcript. Discontinuing course attendance is a very important decision. We invite you to discuss this decision with your instructor, Student Development Services, Student Financial Services, the Learning Center and other resources available to you.
Promotional flyer for "Bronco Bound: Drop-In Transfer Resource Tables" featuring Western Michigan University (WMU) and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. WMU admissions representatives will be on campus to help students transfer after their time at Kalamazoo Valley. They will assist with questions and the application process. The resource tables will be located in the Cougar Cafe at the Texas Township Campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 15 and August 12. No appointment necessary. For questions, contact Mary Cox at mcox@kvcc.edu. The image includes the Western Michigan University logo and Kalamazoo Valley branding.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.
Reminder: Bookstore Closed June 18 and 19 to Conduct Inventory
The Texas Township Bookstore will be closed Wednesday, June 18 and Thursday, June 19 to conduct inventory. It will reopen for normal business on Monday, June 23. Remember, you can shop online anytime 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, if you prefer, shipped to you for $5.

cougar cafe
Food Service on 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, pizza 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. - 1:30 p.m., serving breakfast items from 7:30 - 10 a.m. 

libraries
News from the Libraries
New! Research Basics Online Guides
Your instructor has assigned a paper requiring original research and you are not sure what that is or how to find it. The Libraries� Research Basics study guides can answer your questions quickly and thoroughly. 
  • Finding Scholarly Journal Articles details how to find and sort out sources suitable for academic assignments from those which are not, and helps you approach reading them. 
  • Identifying Research Studies teaches the crucial skill of discerning between primary research and meta-analysis, and helps you interpret the sources you have found.
  • Understanding Peer-Review is your go-to guide when your instructor calls for refereed studies.
  • Using Library Databases enables you to search the libraries� curated electronic article collections with confidence. 
The Research Basics guides are conveniently interlinked to make navigation seamless.
 
Summer Reading Challenge
Read five books from five categories by the end of the summer for a chance to win a prize! Stop by the libraries for a Summer Reading Challenge bookmark to track your progress, plus check out our book display online or in person for recommendations on what to read. Turn in a completed bookmark to enter the prize drawing and earn a summer reading pin.
 
Ask a Librarian
Did you know that librarians can help with research and citation? Evaluating information? Or finding a book on a topic of interest? Ask a Librarian

Promotional flyer for Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Tennis Club. The club meets Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. throughout the summer semester at the outdoor tennis courts at the TTC campus. All skill levels are welcome. Some rackets will be available to use, but participants are encouraged to bring their own racket and water. Contact club advisor Steve Ott at sott@kvcc.edu to be added to the club’s Canvas course for weather updates or to ask questions. Participation is weather permitting. The flyer features a graphic of a green tennis ball and stylized text reading "Tennis Club" with Kalamazoo Valley branding.
Promotional flyer for Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s “Summer Showdown” event. The event offers friendly sports competitions to encourage community engagement, teamwork, and physical activity. It takes place in TTC Room 6500. Volleyball games are scheduled for June 17 and 24 from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Basketball games are scheduled for June 19 and 26 from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Popcorn and sweet treats will be provided. The background features stylized images of a volleyball and basketball in gray and red tones. Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo is displayed at the bottom.
Flyer for the “Student Success Breakfast” at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Large text reads: “What’s on your mind? Tell us at the Student Success Breakfast.” Event is open to all students and no registration is required. It will be held on Thursday, June 19, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in Room 4240 at the Texas Township Campus. The flyer encourages students to share feedback about their experiences—both challenges and successes—with campus staff, and to connect with campus support services and resources. Design features bold black and yellow colors with speech bubble and quotation mark graphics. Kalamazoo Valley logo appears at the bottom.
Promotional flyer for a Disney Pixar “Elio” movie mixer event hosted by Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The movie will be shown at KP Cinemas, located at 180 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. The showing is scheduled for Saturday, June 22, starting at 11:30 a.m. Tickets cost $8 each, and the screening will be closed captioned. The background features the character Elio being pulled up into a beam of light against a night sky. For questions, attendees are encouraged to contact Aubrey Rodgers at arodgers@kvcc.edu. Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo appears in the bottom right
  athletics
Promotional flyer for free youth basketball clinics run by Kalamazoo Valley Community College men's and women's basketball coaches and players for 5th to 8th graders. The clinic for girls is scheduled for Saturday, August 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The clinic for boys is on Saturday, August 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both events take place at the Douglass Community Association, 1000 W. Paterson Street, Kalamazoo. No registration required; all are welcome. Participants must bring basketball shoes and gym clothes. For questions, contact the Douglass at 269-343-6185. The flyer features a basketball graphic in the bottom-right corner.

A smiling young man wearing a black basketball jersey with blue trim that reads "COUGARS" in large white and blue letters. The jersey also features the Adidas logo. The man has short, light brown hair and a stubble beard. He is standing in front of a plain white background
Men�s Basketball Standout Earns Major State Award

Kalamazoo Valley basketball phenom Joey Liedel has been named Michigan Community College Athletic Association Dick Shilts Male Student-Athlete of the Year for 2024-2025. The award honors the legacy of the late Dick Shilts, a revered figure who served as Valley�s athletic director for many years and was MCCAA�s longest-serving president. The news of the award comes on the heels of the announcement a few months ago of Liedel�s selection as MCCAA Western Conference Defensive Player of the Year for the same time period. During the past basketball season, Liedel, a guard, reached the rare career college milestone of 1,000 points scored over the course of his time at Valley. He also distinguished himself by shattering the college�s 44-year-old record for the most points scored by a player in a single game. He scored 51 points in a non-conference home game on Dec. 4, 2023. The recent Valley graduate will be attending the University of Detroit Mercy this fall, where he will play basketball.

Summer Youth Sports Camps Registration Now Open
Attention parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and caregivers! Kalamazoo Valley Community College offers half-day summer youth sports camps at its Texas Township Campus. The boys and girls basketball, softball and baseball camps serve students entering grades six - 12, while the volleyball camp is open to grades four - 12. The four-day camps are in July (except the special baseball showcase, which is one full day on Aug. 4). To register, visit athletics.kvcc.edu/camps, where you can find camp dates and descriptions, deadlines, fees and equipment requirements. A limited number of scholarships are available; contact Athletic Director Russ Panico at rpanico@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4393.

 Banner graphic reading “What’s Happening at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.” The image includes the Kalamazoo Valley Museum logo with the "KV" in a blue circle and a tagline below stating that the museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and governed by its board of trustees. To the left are three small images: a smiling couple, a modern building, and children observing an exhibit.

Promotional graphic for the Juneteenth Black Film Festival at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum featuring a screening of the documentary Mr. SOUL! and a panel discussion. The event is free and takes place on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 230 N. Rose St. The film explores the first nationally broadcast all-Black variety show on public television. A panel with local Black creatives will follow, curated by Soul Artistry LLC. The image features a black-and-white photo of the show's host, with the text "Mr. SOUL!" in bold colorful letters. The event is hosted by Kalamazoo Valley Museum, operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Promotional image for "Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep: Shear Genius!" exhibition or event. The image features claymation characters Wallace (a smiling man in a green vest), Gromit (a silent dog with a concerned expression), and Shaun the Sheep (a sheep with a confident stance and raised eyebrow). The title "Shear Genius!" is prominently displayed in large, bold blue letters with a light bulb icon symbolizing a bright idea. The background is white with yellow accents and cartoon-style effects
Free Wallace & Gromit-Themed Summer Program Begins June 19
Looking for free activities for a young child this summer? The Kalamazoo Valley Museum will be hosting hands-on fun centered around the beloved claymation characters of Wallace, Gromit and Shaun the Sheep from the TV, film and book series! Expect creativity, laughter and interactive exhibits, as kids embark on whimsical journeys with the animated characters. Activities will be offered every Thursday � June 19 through July 24 � from 1 to 3 p.m., except July 10, when the start time will be 11:30 a.m. Registration is not required. The museum�s �Inventive Adventures� summer break program is inspired by the museum�s new traveling exhibit, �Wallace & Gromit� and Shaun the Sheep�: Shear Genius!�


Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep Exhibit Now Open 
Step into the environments of Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep to explore their contraptions, antics and escapades through dramatic play and interactive opportunities, as part of a new traveling exhibit at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Designed for children ages three through nine, the exhibit encourages playfully solving STEM-based and social-emotional problems in fun and engaging ways. �Wallace & Gromit� and Shaun the Sheep�: Shear Genius!� was created by Minnesota Children�s Museum and Aardman Animations� Limited � 2025. It runs now through Aug. 31. Find more details at kalamazoomuseum.org.

Outdoor garden area next to a red brick building with large rectangular windows. The garden is filled with a variety of tall green plants and neatly trimmed bushes. A concrete semi-circle sundial with hour markings is partially visible in the foreground, along with a large flowerpot containing colorful blooms. An informational sign on a black stand provides educational content about the garden. In the background, a multi-story building with arched windows is visible across the street.

Enjoy Free Rain
 Garden Tours Wednesdays & Saturdays

Take a free guided tour of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum�s rain garden to learn how such gardens play a vital role in improving water quality and supporting local wildlife. From now through Aug. 30, tours will take place every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and every Wednesday at the same times. These family-friendly tours last about 20 to 25 minutes. Register now online at kalamazoomuseum.org, or sign up on the day of at the front desk.
 

colorful collections at the kalamazoo valley museum

Two Fun Exhibits Highlight Items from the Museum�s Archives

Have you seen the new �Colorful Collections� and �The Art of Advertising� exhibits at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum? �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. The exhibits will be on display until Aug. 31.


Texas Township Campus
6767 West O Avenue
PO Box 4070
Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4070
269.488.4400