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Oct. 6, 2025
Greetings students!
There are so many priorities competing for your time and attention. Don't forget - winter registration opens today. To register, click here. We also hope you are making your mental health a priority, and remember sometimes we need to seek support and access to care to thrive.
If you need support or access to services, you are not alone. At Kalamazoo Valley, we believe in blocking the stigma of seeking mental health services. Click here to learn more about services available to you. Everyone at the college is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals.
Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
Important Upcoming Dates
Winter Registration Opens Oct. 6
Registration for the Winter 2026 semester begins the week of Oct. 6 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 Oct. 6 at 8 a.m.
- For those who've earned 24 or more credit hours, registration opens Oct. 7 at 8 a.m.
- For those who've earned 12 or more credit hours, registration opens Oct. 8 at 8 a.m.
- Winter registration opens for all other students Oct. 9 at 8 a.m.
Log in to your MyValley account to see when your registration will be available. Note that payment for early winter registration is due Nov. 11 by 7 p.m. Upon reopening on Nov. 14, 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.
Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Focused FAQs
What does “accreditation” mean for YOU? Ensuring your Kalamazoo Valley credentials rock!
In this first segment of HLC-focused FAQs, general inquiries about accreditation will be addressed. If you've ever wondered what makes your Valley degree so powerful, here's the inside scoop for you.
Q: What exactly is “accreditation”?
A: Think of HLC accreditation as the ultimate stamp of approval for your education. It's like a quality guarantee that ensures your Kalamazoo Valley degree meets high national standards.
Q: How does this help me personally?
A: Your credits are recognized by other colleges for easy transfer, and your credentials from Kalamazoo Valley assures employers of your strong educational foundation.
Q: How often does this accreditation process happen?
A: Accreditation is like a regular check up that Kalamazoo Valley goes through every 10 years to make sure the college is always delivering excellence for you. Valley's next on-site visit with the HLC for our 10-year reaccreditation review will be in March 2026.
Q: Why should I care about this process?
A: Because it makes your degree more valuable and opens more doors for your future – whether you are transferring or entering the workforce.
Chosen First Name Process
Kalamazoo Valley Community College supports the use of chosen first names for students and employees who prefer a name different from their legal one. Kalamazoo Valley allows the use of chosen first names in college communications, records and systems - except where legal names are required by law. Get an update on the new process for setting up a “Chosen First Name” (formerly “used name”) and how to support students, staff and faculty who wish to make a change.
Click here to choose an in-person or Zoom session below:
Oct. 15 | Room 207 (AWH) & Zoom | 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 29 | Room 4380 (TTC) & Zoom | noon - 1 p.m.
For more information and how to request your chosen first name, click here or visit www.kvcc.edu/chosenfirstname.
Student Spotlight: Travone White
This summer, Travone White graduated with his associate degree in illustration, and he isn't slowing down anytime soon. In Fall 2025, White will return to Kalamazoo Valley Community College to begin his next journey - pursuing a degree in psychology with the dream of becoming a counselor here in Kalamazoo. His goal is clear: to make therapy accessible to everyone, especially underserved populations who need it most.
White embodies perseverance. He makes no excuses and has no “quit.” If transportation isn't available, he will walk for hours to make it to work or class. Nothing slows him down or stands in his way. That same determination has fueled his academic success. Since joining KVAAP, White set his sights on the Dean's List - and he has consistently achieved it, earning recognition in Winter 2024, Summer 2024 and Fall 2024.
Beyond academics, White contributes to the campus community in countless ways. He is an engaged member of Phi Theta Kappa (the international honor society for two-year colleges), participates in thoughtful seminar discussions and is always willing to help his peers. His creativity and talent were recognized in 2025 when he won the Director's Choice Award at an Art Hop. He has also represented both KVAAP and Kalamazoo Valley by serving on several student panels, sharing his voice and experiences with others.
White's story is one of grit, determination and purpose. We are proud to celebrate his accomplishments and look forward to all he will achieve in the future.
Upcoming KVAAP Info Sessions
You can attend these 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 register here. The upcoming sessions to get into the winter semester are:
- Tuesday | Oct. 7 | 5:30 - 6 p.m.
- Thursday | Oct. 16 | 3:30 - 4 p.m.
Kalamazoo Valley Mascot Scholarship Application Now Open
Want to be Kal, the Kalamazoo Valley mascot? Apply now for the Kalamazoo Valley Mascot Scholarship. The award is $1,200 per semester and includes agreeing to represent the college as Kal during various appearances. Activities include, but are not limited to, community festivals, local K-12 school appearances, campus athletic events and student engagement events of any kind at the discretion of the college. Requirements include:
- Enrolling in a minimum of six credit hours at the college
- Availability for on and off campus events
- A reliable form of transportation
- Completing the scholarship application form linked here
- Turning in the completed application to Student Financial Services
Students should be aware that they may be asked to perform mascot responsibilities in the summer semester as well. For questions, email development@kvcc.edu.
Need Help Now?
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! Librarians can answer your questions about research and citation.
- Getting started with research
- Finding “scholarly” or “peer reviewed” articles or books
- Citing sources in MLA or APA
Schedule a Research Appointment with a Librarian
Meet one-on-one with a librarian in person, by phone or over Zoom.
Get Help in Person
Ask a friendly librarian for help at the Reference Desk during our open hours.
Chat Online with a Librarian
- Receive live 24/7 chat assistance from an academic librarian
- Visit our Ask a Librarian webpage to start a chat session today!
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 | Oct. 6 | Corn chowder; grill station selections
Tuesday | Oct. 7 | Corn chowder; grill station selections
Wednesday | Oct. 8 | Corn chowder; chicken parmesan
Thursday | Oct. 9 | Corn chowder; taco casserole
Food Service Downtown
Bookstore Now Accepting Fall Financial Aid to Buy School Supplies
If you are new to Kalamazoo Valley Community College, you may not know that your fall financial aid can be used to buy books and school supplies at the Bookstore on the Texas Township Campus, starting right now. Either purchase your items in person or online at bookstore.kvcc.edu – your choice! Online orders may be picked up at TTC or the Anna Whitten Hall Library at the Arcadia Commons Campus in downtown Kalamazoo, or mailed to any address you want. Shipping is $5.
NEW! 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.
Enjoy Free Home Volleyball Games in October!
Volleyball 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 in the main gym at the college's Texas Township Campus. Bring friends and family! Below are the home games in the month of October:
- 6:30 p.m. | Tuesday | Oct. 7 vs. Glen Oaks Community College
- 6:30 p.m. | Thursday | Oct. 9 vs. Lansing Community College
- 6:30 p.m. | Thursday | Oct. 16 vs. Southwestern Michigan College
- 6:30 p.m. | Tuesday | Oct. 28 vs. Lake Michigan College
Click here for the full schedule of both home and away games, and read a story about the season here. For regular team updates, be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook @kvccvb.
‘Dancing With Life: Mexican Masks' Exhibit Now Open
Explore the rich festival culture of Mexico through historic and contemporary masks at the “Dancing With Life: Mexican Masks” traveling exhibit coming to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, from Sept. 27, 2025 through Jan. 4, 2026. The exhibition centers around the work of the mask makers and dancers themselves through written and recorded interviews, including bilingual Spanish and English texts.
'Am I An American or Am I Not?' Exhibit Debuts Oct. 12
A thought-provoking new traveling exhibition opens Sunday, Oct. 12 at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. "Am I An American or Am I Not?" 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. The free exhibit will be on display through Jan. 4, 2026.
Bring the Kids to Chemistry Day on Oct. 18
It's Chemistry Day time at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum! Explore the chemistry of spices through fun experiments on Saturday, Oct. 18, from noon to 4 p.m. Free seeds will be given away, so you can continue the joy of the science of spices in your own garden! The event is free, and pre-registration is not required. Visit kalamazoomuseum.org for details.
Fall Honorable Lecture Series Continues Through Nov. 18
Enjoy weekly talks this fall examining ways we restore the tenants 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 Sept. 23 to Nov. 18, 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.
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