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March 9, 2026
Greetings, students!
Welcome back! I hope that you enjoyed your spring break and have come back recharged and ready to tackle the rest of the semester. The halls and classrooms ' in-person and online ' across our campuses were too quiet while you were gone and we're glad you're back on campus.
As you head into the final stretch in these last weeks before the end of the semester, stay strong. If you need motivation, remember your dreams and why you are here. Your hard work will pay off in the future in more ways than you can imagine.
If you need help, don't be afraid to ask for it. That's what we're here for ' to help you attain your goals. Ask your instructors for help when you are stuck or don't understand. Reach out to Student Development Services at 269.488.4040 if you need food or other life resources, mental health support or assistance with planning for the future.
I have observed that Kalamazoo Valley Community College students are among the most determined individuals in the nation. I'm impressed by how hard you work and am looking forward to celebrating your success when you cross the finish line.
Sincerely,

L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
Men's Basketball Team Finish Conference Champs for Fourth Year!
Congratulations to the men's basketball team! They finished their regular season on Tuesday, Feb. 24 by defeating Glen Oaks Community College at a home game with a score of 93-59 (click here for more photos). This win puts them in a tie for first place with Lansing Community College in the Western Conference of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA), with an 11-3 record (overall is 19-9). However, thanks to the men defeating Lansing twice this season in head-to-head conference games, they officially are the winners of the Western Conference for the fourth year in a row!
This earned them a spot in the MCCAA Championship Tournament last week. The team won the championship semifinal game vs. Mid Michigan College with a score of 77-73 on Friday, Feb. 27, but fell the next day to Henry Ford College by one point (79-80). Next, the men went on to compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 12 District A Tournament on March 5 and March 7. Click here to see how the team fared at districts.
Summer Registration Opens March 9
Registration for the Summer 2026 semester begins the week of March 9 and is based on earned credit hours. Click here to view the course schedule. Registration dates are as follows:
- For those who've earned 36 or more credit hours, registration opens March 9 at 8 a.m.
- For those who've earned 24 or more credit hours, registration opens March 10 at 8 a.m.
- For those who've earned 12 or more credit hours, registration opens March 11 at 8 a.m.
- Summer registration opens for all other students March 12 at 8 a.m.
Log in to your MyValley account to see when your registration will be available. Note that payment for early summer registration is due April 7 by 7 p.m., when registration temporarily closes for non-payment cancellations. Upon reopening on April 11 at 7 a.m., 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.
Need Assistance?
Advisors and counselors are available to help students select the correct courses for each degree plan. To schedule an appointment, call 269.488.4040.
Higher Learning Commission (HLC) FAQs:
Student Access to the Kalamazoo Valley's Assurance Argument
Q: What is an 'Assurance Argument'?
A: This report allows the college to explain how it meets HLC's reaccreditation standards. The writing team can upload files that provide 'evidence' of the work Kalamazoo Valley completes and can provide addendums. The HLC reviewers can view the text and files, and they will add notes for the Valley Assurance Argument writing team after completion of the HLC site visit on March 16-17.
Q: How can Kalamazoo Valley students view the Assurance Argument submitted to the HLC review team?
A: To view the Assurance Argument pdf:
- Open a webpage and type kvcc.edu in the address bar to go to the college's homepage.
- Click on the 'MyValley' link to the left of the search box in the upper right portion of the screen. Log in with your username and password.
- Scroll down the MyValley page and look for the header link titled 'MyLinks.'
- If needed, expand the menu under MyLinks by clicking on the triangle next to "MyLinks.'
- In the list of MyLinks, look for the link titled 'Kalamazoo Valley HLC Assurance Argument 2026.' When you click on that link, the pdf file will open.
If you need further assistance to locate the file, a helpful how-to guide video is located here.
GRAD SPOTLIGHT: MERCY WILLIAMS
Hear about the success of Fall 2025 KVAAP Graduate Mercy Williams and how KVAAP helped her:
'I recently passed my NCLEX and officially received my RN license. I'm truly grateful for the support I received through the Kalamazoo Valley Accelerated Associate Program (KVAAP) during nursing school. The check-ins, seminars and financial assistance, especially for the license application fees, books, materials and advisor appointments ' having someone to talk to who listens and continues to believe in your success, really helped ease some of the pressure while balancing classes and clinicals. I sincerely appreciate the encouragement and support along the way. I'm thankful to have been part of the program'. It made a difference. A special thank-you to Ana for being such a professional and supportive advisor since 2022, and throughout KVAAP since 2023, your consistency, encouragement and belief in my journey truly meant more than you know. To current and future KVAAP nursing students, stay encouraged and keep going ' the journey may not always be easy, but it is worth it. Please know that we, as KVAAP nursing alumni, are always willing to support, answer questions and help however we can.'
Upcoming KVAAP Info Sessions
Learn about and become a part of the KVAAP family like Mercy! You can attend 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 sign up here. The upcoming sessions to get into the summer semester are:
- Tuesday, March 10 | 5:30 - 6 p.m.
- Thursday March 19 | 3 - 3:30 p.m.
- Thursday, April 2 | 3 - 3:30 p.m.
Register Now for the 2026 Women's History Luncheon
Kalamazoo Valley Community College invites the community to the 2026 Women's History Month Luncheon, themed 'Leading the Change: Women Shaping an Enduring Future.' The college will honor four women whose leadership strengthens communities, advances equity and builds lasting impact at a luncheon on Thursday, April 2, from noon to 1:30 p.m., at the Texas Township Campus. The event is free and open to the public, but all attendees must RSVP by March 25 by registering here. Watch for details about the honorees and more soon.
Lecture Explores Path to Women's Rights
Join us for the Women's History Month lecture, "For Whom the Liberty Bell Tolls: A Candid Discussion of Freedom in America," on Tuesday, March 10, from 1 to 2 p.m. in Room 128 at Anna Whitten Hall in downtown Kalamazoo. Guest speaker Rebecca Durkee will critically reflect on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. She will trace the delayed acknowledgment of women's freedom after "independence," especially that of Black, Hispanic and Indigenous women and examine the winding path toward full enfranchisement for women in the United States.
Database Spotlight: JSTOR
Start your research with JSTOR, a comprehensive collection of over 12 million journal articles, books, primary sources and images in 75 disciplines, including the sciences and the humanities. Visit the How to Use JSTOR research guide or ask a librarian for an introduction.
Research Resources
Kalamazoo Valley libraries put powerful tools at your fingertips!
Hours and Contact Information
TTC Library Open House: March 17
Visit the Library and Learning Center Open House on Tuesday, March 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Explore our spaces, meet our staff and enjoy some snacks.
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. The Coffee Den is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
This week's Cougar Cafe menu includes:
Monday | March 9 | Vegetable soup; grill station selections
Tuesday | March 10 | Vegetable soup; grill station selections
Wednesday | March 11 | Vegetable soup; goulash, garlic bread, buttered corn
Thursday | March 12 | Vegetable soup; taco casserole



Gear up, Cougars!
Classes are now in full swing, making it a great time to pick up new Cougar swag to wear at home games, or at college and community events! From T-shirts to hoodies, decals and water bottles, the Texas Township Campus Bookstore has many Cougar items. Come in and show off your Cougar spirit, or shop our online store.
Bookstore Sells Cold Drinks and Snacks
Need something to eat or drink after the cafeteria closes? The Texas Township Bookstore now carries refrigerated items, including yogurt, overnight oats, Gatorade and soda.


Spring into Baseball and Softball Season!
Softball and baseball season is underway at Kalamazoo Valley Community College! You're invited to drop in at any time at the home games, which are always free at the college's Texas Township Campus. Below are home games in March. Visit athletics.kvcc.edu for the full schedule of home and away games, plus scores.
BASEBALL
- 2 p.m. | Tuesday | MARCH 10 vs. Jackson Community College
- 2 p.m. | Tuesday | MARCH 17 vs. Lansing Community College
- 2 p.m. | Thursday | MARCH 19 vs. Marian University's Ancilla College
SOFTBALL
- 3 p.m. | Friday | MARCH 20 vs. Glen Oaks Community College
- 3 p.m. | Friday | MARCH 27 vs. Jackson Community College
- 1 p.m. | Saturday | APRIL 4 vs. Lansing Community College
BASKETBALL PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
Player Spotlight is an occasional feature highlighting outstanding student-athletes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The honorees have been nominated by Head Basketball Coach Jim Horn.
LEBRON CAMPBELL
Position: Point guard
Hometown: Battle Creek, Michigan
Major: Business
Why outstanding: Campbell has really embraced the role as a leader on the team this second half of the season. He has always lead by example, but now he is being more vocal along with his steady play. He is a big reason for our success this year.

GERALD CRAWFORD
Position: Forward
Hometown: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Major: Liberal arts
Why outstanding: Crawford's energy and effort are contagious, and he has the natural ability to make his teammates better. He has improved his scoring to match his dominate rebounding ability and has become a complete player.

MATT SWANWICK
Position: Small forward
Hometown: Centreville, Michigan
Major: Business
Why outstanding: Swanwick has developed into an impactful player. Not only is he scoring the ball more, but his rebounding and defense has stepped up in this second half of the season. He is also a team-oriented player who makes his teammates better.
Have You Seen the 'Black Cowboys' Exhibit at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum?
Did you know that one of four cowboys who went on the Western trail was Black? Learn more fascinating facts about the Wild West from the Kalamazoo Valley Museum's newest traveling exhibit, 'Black Cowboys: An American Story,' open now through July 26. Admission is free to the exhibit and to the museum. Read more here.

'SHAPE SHIFTING' is a Treat for Electric Guitar Lovers
Explore 40 instruments that embody the art of the guitar, displaying it as both an instrument and as a physical canvas for artists and builders, in the "SHAPE SHIFTING: The GUITAR As Modern ARTifact" traveling exhibit. The museum hosts the exhibit now through April 26. Admission is free to the exhibit and to the museum.
Spring Honorable Harvest Lecture Series 2026 Starts March 10
Enjoy weekly talks 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 March 10 to April 21, 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.
Kalamazoo Valley Museum Makes Spark Magazine's February Cover
Check out the February edition of Spark Magazine! The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is the lead story, with a two-page spread detailing its history and current and future exhibits and programming. Pictured on the cover, from left, are Julie Bunke, manager of exhibits and interactive experiences, and Bill McElhone, museum director. Read the story here. Spark is a free monthly mature lifestyles publication.
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