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.

May 19, 2025


Greetings students!

Summer weather has finally arrived! Seeing the sunshine daily boosts my spirits and helps to set the tone for our summer season of community collaborations. As you continue to dedicate yourself to your classes, I hope that you will find time to enjoy many of the community events and activities scheduled during the coming weeks. Part of the excitement of attending college is taking advantage of campus activities.

Friday, June 6 marks the opening of the 14th Alumni Art Show featuring submissions from dozens of talented Kalamazoo Valley alumni. This year's show begins at 5:30 p.m. in the college's Center for New Media. The event is free and open to the public.

If you know elementary or middle-school aged students who would enjoy one of Kalamazoo Valley's athletic camps, career exploration events or art camps, refer them to our camp registration site here. We have something for everyone! I wish you a pleasant summer and trust that your time at Kalamazoo Valley is productive and rewarding.

Sincerely,

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


save the date
You're Invited to a Student Breakfast to Share Your Thoughts!
Please join us for the Student Success Breakfast on Thursday, June 19, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., in Room 4240 on the Texas Township Campus. This informal gathering is open to ALL Kalamazoo Valley Community College students. Our purpose is simple � we want to hear from you! Expect lots of opportunities to tell us about your experience with us, as well as to learn about the wide variety of resources available to help students succeed. Just drop in! No registration is required.
Close-up image promoting Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Sustainable Brewing program. On the left side, two round drink coasters display the program’s logo: “Kalamazoo VALLEY Sustainable Brewing” along with icons representing fermentation, agriculture, water, and hops, plus a website link: www.kvcc.edu/brewing. On the right, three glasses of beer—light and dark varieties—are shown with foamy heads, set in a well-lit brewing or taproom environment. The image conveys craft brewing and educational focus in sustainability
Grain to Glass: New Online Program Expands Access to Aspiring Brewers
Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Sustainable Brewing Program has a innovative new online format.

This expansion aims to eliminate geographical barriers, making high-quality brewing education affordable, flexible and available to anyone pursuing a career in the brewing industry. Students can choose between two flexible learning pathways: either fully virtual coursework with lab experience integrated into their brewery-related current place of employment or fully virtual coursework supplemented by weekly in-person lab sessions.

"We have many students who have seen success from their time at Kalamazoo Valley," said Sustainable Brewing instructor Brian Lindberg. "We look forward to seeing how providing this online course option will bring in even more passionate students ready to kick-start their careers." more

Registration for the fall semester is now open. Visit www.kvcc.edu/register.
admissions, registration, and records

Important Upcoming Dates

  • First 14, 12 and seven-week classes began May 12. Last day to drop/add is May 18.
  • Additional summer classes start May 27 and July 1. Register now at www.kvcc.edu/register
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.

Illustration promoting a “Job Quest” workshop hosted by Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The event is scheduled for May 22, from 1 to 2 p.m., in Room 4380 at the TTC campus. The workshop is designed to teach essential job search skills, including career coaching, identifying transferable skills, job search basics, and resume tips. The image features a hand typing “JOB” into a search bar on a laptop, alongside another hand reviewing printed documents and a resume with a pen. The Kalamazoo Valley logo is displayed in the bottom right corner.
learning center
Open House Scheduled for May 28

Kalamazoo Valley's Learning Center and Libraries are hosting an open house for summer semester students on Wednesday, May 28. Join us anytime from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Texas Township Campus in Room 2220 or in Rooms 3210 and 8420. Participants can also join virtually via Zoom links located in MyValley. All open house visitors will be eligible for drawings and giveaways. Snacks will be provided for those who visit in person. For more information, email learningcenter@kvcc.edu.
Colorful promotional graphic for the KVAAP Summer Social at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The event is on May 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the AWH Courtyard and Room 128. Large text reads “KVAAP Summer Social” with a stylized sun and cloud design. Event features include free food, games, and on-site admissions. A QR code is included for registration with a label “Scan Me.” The background is a vibrant gradient from yellow to orange. Kalamazoo Valley logo is at the bottom right
libraries
Summer Reading Challenge
Fight the summer slump with the library! While we can't offer personal pan pizzas, we CAN offer you summer reading logs. Visit any Kalamazoo Valley library and grab a bookmark to track your summer reading, plus check out our book display online or in person at the libraries for recommendations on what to read.
 
Study in the Library!
Did you know that the Kalamazoo Valley Libraries are the perfect place to study?
 
  A cardboard cutout of the Kalamazoo Valley Community College cougar mascot, depicted in blue with a fierce expression, wearing athletic gear and a shirt featuring the KV logo. The cutout is placed on a wooden table in a spacious, sunlit room with large floor-to-ceiling windows and a view of snowy trees outside. Tables and chairs are arranged throughout the room, suggesting a study or lounge area.                  A cardboard cutout of the blue Kalamazoo Valley Community College cougar mascot is displayed on a wooden bookshelf in a library setting. The mascot is wearing a black shirt with the KV logo and appears in a running pose. A green leafy vine and a decorative glass teapot sit next to the cutout. In the background, bookshelves, students studying, and tall windows letting in natural light are visible
 Texas Township Library, TTC 3120/8420            Arcadia Commons Library, AWH 321
 
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)
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!
Flyer for Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Tennis Club. The left side features a stylized logo with the word "Tennis" and a green tennis ball with dynamic paint strokes. The right side provides details: Meetings are on Mondays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., held at the outdoor tennis courts at TTC, running through the summer semester. All skill levels are welcome. Some rackets will be available, but participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible, along with water. Contact club advisor Steve Ott at sott@kvcc.edu to be added to the Canvas course for weather updates. Note: Play is weather permitting. Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo is displayed at the bottom

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 for 20 Percent Off Tuesday on May 27 at the Bookstore
Get 20 percent off in the Texas Township Campus Bookstore on May 27! The promotion is held on the LAST Tuesday of EVERY month! Come in and get yourself some Cougar clothing, art supplies, a new water bottle (even Hydro Flask) or awesome backpack! Promotion excludes electronics, food and course materials. Discount applies to in-store purchases only. Feel free to take a spin through the Bookstore now to see what you'd like to buy. Or, take a peek online at bookstore.kvcc.edu.
 
Bookstore Now Accepting Summer Financial Aid
Students can currently use summer financial aid to make purchases at the Texas Township Bookstore. Both in-store and online purchases are eligible. Note that the Bookstore has transitioned to summer hours. It will be open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday, through July 31. Shop in person or online 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 shipped for $5.

Blue background graphic promoting Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Ready Day One program. At the top, bold white text reads, “Welcome to Ready Day One.” Centered in the image is an illustrated e-book with a yellow label marked “E-BOOK” and a small blue circle labeled “KV.” At the bottom, black bold text reads, “Save money on textbooks!” The image promotes the availability of e-books to help students reduce textbook costs
Electronic Textbooks and Courseware Available for Classes 
STOP! Read this before buying any textbooks this summer. Students, did you know you automatically get electronic versions of textbooks and other course materials for your classes? It's called Ready Day One! The cost is charged to your tuition bill. E-books tend to be at least 50 percent cheaper than hardcover and paperback textbooks. Please note that electronic materials are ONLY available in classes where the instructor selected the option for the course and many do!

What you need to know:
  • Within 24 hours of registering for a class with the electronic materials option, Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Texas Township Campus Bookstore sends an email indicating that you are enrolled in Ready Day One and that e-course materials will be available in your Canvas account on the first day of class. It's important to watch for the email.
     
  • If you wish to opt out and remove the Ready Day One charge from your bill (it will be itemized there), you must act within two weeks from the first day of class. You have three options for doing so: Complete the transaction via your Canvas account, email the Bookstore at bookstore.kvcc.edu or call the Bookstore at 269.488.4030.


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. 

athletics

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 6 - 12, while the volleyball camp is open to grades 4 - 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.

 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.

Celebrate Juneteenth at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum
On Tuesday, June 17 at 5 p.m., the college will celebrate Juneteenth with a free screening of "Mr. SOUL!" 
a documentary that explores the first nationally broadcast all-Black variety show on public television. The screening, which will be held at the Mary Jane Stryker Theater in the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, will be followed by a panel discussion with professionals from Black Magic Media and other young Black creatives.
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
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 & GromitTM and Shaun the SheepTM: Shear Genius!" was created by Minnesota Children's Museum and Aardman AnimationsTM Limited � 2025. It runs May 17 to 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. Beginning May 31, tours will take place every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and every Wednesday starting June 11 at the same times (no tours on Wednesday, June 4). These family-friendly tours will be available through Aug. 30. Each lasts about 20 to 25 minutes. Register now online at kalamazoomuseum.org, or sign up on the day of at the front desk.

colorful collections of 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.

 

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