MISSION STATEMENT Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable
opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.
Dec. 15, 2025
Greetings,
Kalamazoo Valley values excellence and quality. You have demonstrated those values by all that we have achieved together in 2025. I am impressed by how you have pursued innovation, embraced change as an opportunity and expanded the boundaries of knowledge in your various areas of expertise. Thank you for all of the passion and hard work you have dedicated to our students and guests throughout the year. Your creativity and perseverance have truly sustained our mission to create innovative opportunities.
As you step away from the college for a winter break, I hope you find ways to rest and recharge. When we return refreshed in 2026, let our shared mission to create innovative and equitable opportunities inspire us to continue on our path to the Valley Dream. May all of us, not just our students, find opportunities to learn, grow and thrive in the new year.
Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
Bravo to the KVAAP Talent Show Performers! For the second year, the Kalamazoo Valley Accelerated Associate Program hosted the KVAAP Talent Show! Thank you to all who attended. Current and past KVAAP students showed off their talents with poetry, singing, instruments, video production and artwork during the lunch hour on Friday, Dec. 5 in Dale B. Lake Auditorium on the Texas Township Campus. In all, there were 14 performances, followed by refreshments in the cafeteria for the performers and guests. Clickhere for 169 photos! Learn more about the KVAAP program here.
SPECIAL NOTICE: College Closed Dec. 24 - Jan. 2 All Kalamazoo Valley Community College buildings will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24 - Friday, Jan. 2 for winter break. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum will be closed Dec. 24 - 26 and Dec. 30 - Jan. 2, opening Dec. 27 - 29 for special winter-break programming. Click here to learn more. The college resumes regular hours Monday, Jan. 5. Note winter semester begins Monday, Jan. 12. Many services are available online at www.kvcc.edu.
REMINDER: Remove Food and Unplug Heaters Before Winter Recess The Office of Campus Planning and Operations requests everyone clean out refrigerators, dispose of any food that could attract pests and unplug space heaters prior to leaving for winter recess.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Winter Semester Welcome Tables Volunteers are needed for wayfinding tables! Please help our students navigate the start of the Winter 2026 semester smoothly. Clickhereto sign up for spots at the Texas Township and downtown Kalamazoo campuses. Contact Miranda McDowell, coordinator for student onboarding and organizations, if you have questions.
Register Now for the Winter 2026 Summit! Please register for the Winter 2026 Summit before you head out for winter recess. You are required to register with this link by Monday, Jan. 5 at 5 p.m. The Summit takes place Thursday, Jan. 8. Note all staff must register to attend the large-group presentation of Anthea Sweeney, Ph.D., vice president of accreditation relations at the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), during Breakout Session One. All faculty will hear Dr. Sweeney at the start of their faculty-only Summit at 1 p.m. that afternoon. As our HLC liaison, Sweeney brings deep expertise in the reaccreditation process and federal compliance. As we prepare for this important milestone, she will share valuable best practices to help ensure our upcoming peer review site visit on March 16 and 17 is a seamless process.
Upcoming Employee Wellness and Engagement Events Did you know there are wellness events for employees in December? Get ready to relax, laugh and connect, all for FREE!
Scan the QR code below to register for these and other engagement and wellness eventshappening now through February, or click here.
From massagestomovie nights tobowling fun with food, there is something for everyone! Don't miss out ' spots are filling up fast.
Employee Benefits Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Do you still have money in your FSA account? Check out the FSA store where you are able to purchase items using your Flexible Spending Account. Click hereeligible items to purchase.
Employee Assistance Program Need better sleep? Interested in tools to improve your focus and productivity? Do your managerial skills need polishing? Want help with legal documents like estate planning? Kalamazoo Valley's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential work-based program that offers more resources than you might think. For more information, click here.
Use access code: worklife
Or call 800.386.7055 anytime
You Are Not Alone 'Community Resources Available Some of our students, coworkers, friends, relatives or even ourselves may need assistance from time to time. The college has a list of community resources on ourwebsite. We encourage you to share the list with others.
Retirement Services Would you like tips for working with a financial professional? Click here to register for this or other upcoming webcast sessions offered for TIAA members.
Save More for Retirement in 2026 Interested in saving more towards retirement? Kalamazoo Valley offers a Supplemental Retirement Plan for employees that lets you save more towards your retirement. After-tax Roth contributions are available for employees. To find out more information on after-tax contribution, click here. If interested, complete the Supplemental Retirement Plan Salary Reduction Agreement and turn into Human Resources Department.
Welcome New Employees This list of new employees and employees in new roles was provided by the Human Resources department and is a quarterly feature in this newsletter. All full-time employees who were hired October through December 2025 are included. Join us in welcoming these new colleagues.
NEW EMPLOYEES Allen Bernstein | IT Support Analyst (Computer Lab) Stephanie Cooper | Senior Office Specialist (Dental Hygiene) Sonya Hollins | Alumni Relations Manager Elizabeth Orgeron | Academic Development & Instructional Technology Anthony Sprow | Utility Maintenance Specialist Sathya Ramesh | Developer (Computer Services) Robert Ritchie | IT Support Analyst (Computer Lab) Dennis Waters | Instructional Manager (Technical & Industrial Trades)
EMPLOYEES IN A NEW ROLE Kathy Barnes | Interim Specialty Accreditation Compliance & Improvement Manager Heather Brown | Program Coordinator (Health Careers) Wade Doty | Network Analyst (Computer Lab) Eliseo Guerra | Computer Support Technician (Computer Lab) Sarah Hubbell | Associate Dean for Student Records Registration & Youth Pipelines Anna Koenig | Museum Interpretations Assistant Manager (KVM) Kelly Naatjes | Curriculum Operations Manager Avery Stressman | Youth Pipeline & Dual Enrollment Coordinator
Kalamazoo Valley Employee Reimbursement Quick Guide Our employee reimbursement is now fully digital. Need a quick refresher on how to submit an employee reimbursement? Here are the basics. (Watch a step-by-step, how-to video here.)
Meal Reimbursement
No receipts are needed for meals or mileage. Receipts are required for all other expenses. Regular commuting miles cannot be reimbursed.
Nonreimbursable costs Alcohol, entertainment, late submissions (over 60 days), undocumented expenses, companion travel, laundry for trips under four days, personal items and any traffic or parking fines.
Think FAST
File receipts (except per diems/mileage)
Apply the correct per diem
Submit within 60 days
Track what's reimbursable
How to Access the Form
Go to "MyValley"
Under "Workplace Resources," click on "Etrieve Forms"
Select "Forms," then choose "Employee Reimbursement" under "Business Services"
Reminder: Upcoming Payroll Due Dates Due to the upcoming winter recess, we wanted to send a friendly reminder of the due dates for payroll so you have time to make any necessary adjustments to ensure your reports are properly completed and approved in a timely manner.
Dec. 31, 2025 Payroll:
Employee time sheets are due Friday, Dec. 12
Manager approval of time sheets is due Monday, Dec. 15
Jan. 15, 2026 Payroll:
Employee time sheet submission due date is MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2026
Manager approval of time sheets is due TUESDAY,Jan. 6, 2026
This pay period is a three-week pay and covers the period Dec. 14, 2025 - Jan. 3, 2026;full-time hourly employees should enter TOP (time off paid) for the college holidays of Dec. 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31 and Jan. 1, 2.
If you will not be on campus when time sheets are due, please ensure that your time sheet is completed and submitted prior to leaving campus. If you normally approve time sheets and will not be on campus on the due date, please ensure you have a proxy set up to approve your time sheets or approve your time sheets before you leave campus. Alternatively, if you are off campus and have internet access, you can log in to your MyValley account by going to www.kvcc.edu to access the Banner Self Service application to submit and/or approve time sheets.
Please contact the Payroll Department with questions. You may call Anita Gonzales at ext. 4872 or Megan Collins at ext. 4898 or send an email to payroll@kvcc.edu.
Help Available for Multi-factor Authentication Connection Troubles Are you having multi-factor authentication connection issues? Click hereto send an IT ticket for 'MFA help' and explain what you are experiencing. An IT staff member will work with you to find the right solution, such as setting up a six-digit code that doesn't require an internet connection or issuing a USB security key to carry with you.
Be on Alert for New Malware Scheme We want to make you aware of yet another active social-engineering attack campaign designed to trick Windows users into installing malware. Attackers are displaying a full-screen fake Windowsupdate page, imitating a legitimate system update. This campaign encourages users to press keyboard combinations that silently paste and execute malicious commands.
Never paste or type commands into Run, PowerShell or Command Prompt because onscreen instructions direct you to do so
Close any full-screen 'update' or 'security check' immediately andreport it to IT
HLC FAQs - Criteria for Reaccreditation (Criterion No. 4) Q: Which key areas of the college are evaluated under Criterion No. 4? A: This is where the college has the opportunity to provide evidence that it has the resources, structures and planning processes necessary to fulfill its mission, maintain high-quality educational programs and adapt to future challenges and opportunities.
Q: How does the college demonstrate effective administrative structures? A: Kalamazoo Valley will show effectiveness through collaborative processes such as shared governance, data-informed decision-making and engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
Q: As part of Criterion No. 4, what does 'resource base and sustainability' mean? A: It refers to Valley's ability to maintain financial and personnel resources that support current operations, while balancing short-term needs with long-term commitments to ensure ongoing sustainability.
Q: How does the institution 'plan for quality improvement'? A: The college will illustrate that it engages in systematic, strategic planning that uses data from enrollment forecasts, financial capacity, student learning assessments, institutional operations and external environmental factors to drive continuous improvement.
Q: How does the college show that it employs 'data-informed decision-making' emphasized in Criterion No. 4? A: Kalamazoo Valley will show that it employs data-informed decision-making practices to help ensure that planning and resource allocation are aligned with institutional goals, improving efficiency, accountability and responsiveness to future opportunities and challenges.
HLC Reaccreditation ' Website Lockdown Process As part of the institution's HLC review, Kalamazoo Valley has locked down the college's website and all official web pages associated with the college in order to limit changes made prior to the college's review and visit. The date chosen for this closed access period began on Dec. 1, 2025. A special IT helpdesk ticketing system must be used by employees who need to request an update to any Valley web page (a short instructional video on how to use the helpdesk ticketing system is located here).
A special review team, comprised of IT personnel and HLC leaders, has been reviewing and documenting each change made from the lock-down date until Valley's HLC visit on March 16 - 17, 2026.
Look for more HLC FAQs in upcoming newsletters or visit theweb page.
Active Violence Response Training This session is designed to equip staff and faculty with essential knowledge and skills to respond effectively in the event of an active violence incident. Participants will learn how to recognize warning signs, develop situational awareness and implement life-saving strategies. The training aims to enhance safety and preparedness across campus.
January 2026 Events Advance registration is required for the sessions below. In January, get ready to brush up on customer service skills, sensible tips and strategies to help you get your finances off on the right track and new workplace tools to boost your organizational abilities.
Customer Service 101 Friday, Jan. 16 | 11 a.m. - Noon | Register | TTC, Room 4380or Zoom
Join colleagues for an engaging session exploring the essential role of customer service in higher education, emphasizing how both external and internal customers shape the student experience and institutional success. Topics will include communication best practices, service excellence, equity and inclusion, internal collaboration and strategies for handling challenging interactions. Attendees will gain practical tools to enhance service delivery across departments and foster a culture of responsiveness, respect and continuous improvement.
Smart Money Habits: Budgeting and Reducing Debt Friday, Jan. 23 | 11 a.m. - Noon | Register | TTC, Room 4230 orZoom
Plan, save and thrive! Grab your lunch and join coworkers for a practical session on getting budget-ready. Learn how to fill out a budget form, discover some smart money-saving strategies and explore ways to pay off debt faster. It's OK if you're a novice or have been budgeting for years. This session will help provide you with new insights into your finances.
Unlocking the Secrets of Your Credit Score Friday, Jan. 30 | 1 - 2 p.m. | Register | TTC, Room 4370or Zoom Join this lunch-and-learn with others for a brief session where your credit score is demystified. If you want to know ways to get your score, where the number comes from and how to build/maintain a better score, this session is for you!
Note: Please check with your supervisor to be sure your work schedule allows you to attend. Also, please plan to bring your own lunch. Questions? Contact Kimberly Dupree, training and development coordinator at kdupree@kvcc.edu.
Wellness and Fitness Center Adjusted Hours The Wellness and Fitness Center, including the free weight room, will follow the college's adjusted building hours from Dec. 15 - 23, closing early at 5 p.m., and will be closed during the winter recess. It will reopen Jan. 5, with adjusted hours of 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. until classes begin Monday Jan. 12. Note that the pool will remain open through Dec. 19, with adjusted evening hours. Hours are Monday to Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Monday to Thursday, 3 to 5 p.m. Visit the Wellness and Fitness Center web page for more or call ext. 4184 with questions.
News from the Libraries Library Returns
Don't forget that it is time to return borrowed library materials.
Please return all borrowed materials.
Contact the library if you would like to request a renewal.
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.
Need Help Now? Ask a Librarian! Librarians can help Kalamazoo Valley students with questions about research and citation. Encourage your students to visit the Libraries.
Visit us in person during our open hours (including evenings and Saturdays)
Bookstore Accepts Winter Financial Aid on Jan. 5 Monday, Jan. 5 is the first day that students can use winter financial aid to make purchases at the Texas Township Bookstore. Both in-store and online purchases are eligible. The Bookstore is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. However, online orders can be placed anytime at bookstore.kvcc.edu. Online orders can be mailed to ones home or other address, or held for pickup at the Texas Township Campus Bookstore or at the Anna Whitten Hall Library at the Arcadia Commons Campus in downtown Kalamazoo. Shipping is $5.
What's for Lunch at the Texas Township Campus? Cougar Cafe is open Mondays through Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Coffee Den is open Mondays through Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This week's menu includes:
Monday | Dec. 15 | White chicken chili; grill station selections
Tuesday | Dec. 16 | White chicken chili; grill station selections
Wednesday | Dec. 17 | White chicken chili; taco bar
Thursday | Dec. 18 | White chicken chili; fried chicken, mashed potatoes and vegetables
Kudos to the Lady Cougars softball team for collecting donations as Salvation Army bell ringers! Altogether, the players volunteered for eight hours outside the Harding's Market in the Woodbridge Shopping Village in Portage on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Women's Volleyball Banquet Concludes Strong Season The women's volleyball team's stellar finish this season was celebrated at their Dec. 3 banquet. With a record of 9-3 and 22-10 overall, the Lady Cougars ranked second place in the Western Conference of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association at the time of their final game on Oct. 30. That strong performance earned them a spot at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 12 District A Tournament, which was held in November in Grand Rapids.
Come out to the museum this winter break for Creative Culture, a series of hands-on art activities for kids! They will be offered from 1 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 20, 23, 27, 28 and Jan. 3. Each program explores world traditions through creativity. Children will design masks, create textile-inspired art, tell stories through symbols and imagine mythical creatures from around the globe. All activities are drop-in, family-friendly and free!
'Dancing With Life' and 'Am I An American or Am I Not?' Exhibits Closing Soon 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! It centers around the work of the mask makers and dancers themselves through written and recorded interviews, including bilingual Spanish and English texts. Also ending on Jan. 4 is the thought-provoking "Am I An American or Am I Not?," a traveling historical exhibit. 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.
