MISSION STATEMENT Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable
opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.
Jan. 15, 2026
Greetings!
I enjoyed the time we spent together at the Winter Summit 2026. Your commitment to continuous learning and dedication to our shared mission are evident. Thank you!
Although our campuses will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I hope that you will consider it a "day on" to contemplate his messages and legacy. As your schedule permits, consider attending the 40th Annual Community Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. at Mt. Zion Church in Kalamazoo or the Commemorative Walk and Wreath Laying Ceremony on Monday, Jan. 19 at 3:45 p.m., starting at Metro Transit. Another option is participating in the city of Kalamazoo's MLK Day of Communitywide Service on Jan. 19, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Our college will be hosting our annual MLK Beyond the Dream Celebration: Protecting Freedom, Justice and Democracy luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Come out and hear from our seven outstanding honorees about how and why they serve the community.The event is free and open to the public, but everyone must RSVP by Jan. 21 by registering here. Read more here.
I am so proud of how we make Kalamazoo Valley an inviting, celebratory space for learning. Please continue to look for ways to welcome all students to winter semester. Students need to know they belong so they can learn, grow and thrive. Remember that simply acknowledging a student with a greeting or by sharing a kind word can have a significant impact on the success of that person.
Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
Winter Summit Evaluation Thank you to everyone who participated in Winter 2026 Summit. In the spirit of continuous improvement, please be sure to fill out the evaluation form hereby Jan. 30 to provide feedback to the planning committee. Click here for all 171 photos to remember the day! If you would like a copy of the presentation from our Higher Learning Commission liaison, Anthea Sweeney, Ph.D., the slides are available here. Direct questions about the upcoming accreditation visit to officeofreview@kvcc.edu.
College Closed for MLK Day on Monday, Jan. 19 All college buildings will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Watch for Wellness Gift Email We're pleased to share some good news. As part of the generous wellness grant from the Stryker Johnston Foundation, every employee has the opportunity to select a free wellness-related gift from an online catalog. Be on the lookout for an email from our gift vendor inviting you to select a gift. It will come from this address: Kalamazoo Valley Community College<ServiceAwards@spihq.com>. Please do not delete it. The email will contain instructions and a link to make your selection. If you have questions, contact Amy Reynolds, director of human resources, at areynolds2@kvcc.edu or at ext. 4576.
Valley Food Share Volunteers Needed Valley Food Share returns Thursday, Jan. 22 and volunteers are needed throughout the winter semester to help pack, unload and distribute shares. With supervisor permission, please volunteer to help. You can sign up by clicking on the linkhere. Departments interested in packing shares as a team-building activity should reach out to Hristina Petrovska, program coordinator at the Food Innovation Center. Learn more here.
NEW: Building Hours Calendar Available To support campus planning, a downloadable 2025-2026 Kalamazoo Valley Community College Building Hours Calendar has been created. The tool was made to provide a visual reference for building hours to help align events, activities, office hours, etc., with building hours and availability. The calendar runs through August 2026, including visual indicators for semester hours, adjusted hours and special hours. Please note the building hours are subject to change in response to operational changes and other demands. Updates will be made as soon as possible whenever there is new information. This calendar is intended to complement ' not replace ' the building hours posted online at www.kvcc.edu/about/hours.php. Direct questions to Jessica Potter, facility and events manager, at jpotter@kvcc.edu or ext. 4204.
Spread the Word! Students May Use Financial Aid for Bus Passes Please let students with available winter financial aid know that they can use their funds to pay for a Metro Transit bus pass, but they must submit a Financial Aid Bus Pass Authorization form by Jan. 31. The bus pass provides unlimited access to rides for the entire semester.
KV Circle Now Open for Students KV Circle Center is now open for students to obtain free fresh and nonperishable food, plus hygiene products, at the Texas Township Campus. Students complete a simple application that allows them to shop once weekly with a reusable shopping bag. The center opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. on Mondays, 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. Tuesday's hours are 4 to 6:30 p.m. Contact Monteze Morales at mmorales@kvcc.edu for more information.
Upcoming Employee Wellness and Engagement Events Did you know there are wellness events for employees in January and February? Get ready to relax, laugh and connect, all for FREE!
Scan the QR code below to register for these and other engagement and wellness events, 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 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.
NewEmployeeOrientation Dates for January to December 2026 Below are the dates for New Employee Orientations for January through December 2026. Adhering to these dates which are closely aligned with the payroll schedule has brought consistency to the hiring process. We ask that department heads and supervisors continue using these dates in filling their vacant positions. The process has allowed us to be more intentional about new employees' first experiences with regards to knowledge of the college's culture, services, supports, policies and procedures. Thank you to all for working with us to make that happen and a special thanks to all our presenters from the various departments for their contributions as part of New Employee Orientation.
Tuesday, Jan. 20 Monday, Feb. 2 Monday, Feb. 16 Thursday, March 2 Wednesday, March 18Wednesday, April 1 Monday, April 20 Monday, May 4 Monday, May 18Wednesday, June 3 Wednesday, June 17Wednesday, July 1 Thursday, July 16Monday, Aug. 3 Monday, Aug. 17 Wednesday, Sept. 2 Thursday, Sept. 17Thursday, Oct. 1 Monday, Oct. 19 Wednesday, Nov. 4 Wednesday, Nov. 18 Wednesday, Dec. 2
Reminder: Upcoming Payroll Due Dates Due to the campus closure on Monday, Jan. 19 for the Martin Luther King holiday observance, we wanted to make you aware of the modifications to the normal time sheet completion and approval deadlines to assist you in ensuring accurate and timely completion of the time sheet submission.
Jan. 30, 2026 Payroll:
Employee time sheets are due Friday, Jan. 16
Manager approval of time sheets is due TUESDAY, Jan. 20
This pay covers the period 1/4/26 ' 1/17/26
Feb. 13, 2026 Payroll:
Employee time sheets are due Friday, Jan. 30
Manager approval of time sheets is due MONDAY, Feb. 2
This pay covers the period 1/18/26 - 1/31/26; full-time hourly employees should enter time off paid (TOP) for the college holiday of Jan. 19
Please make the necessary arrangements to ensure that your time sheet approvals are completed prior to the deadline. As a reminder, the Banner Self-Service application can also be accessed off-campus by logging into your My Valley account atwww.kvcc.edu. 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.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"
Ethical Recruiting and Admissions Practices and Guidelines What are these guidelines about? Kalamazoo Valley Community College has created a clear framework for how we recruit students and handle admissions and financial aid. These guidelines ensure we follow federal laws and maintain high ethical standards in all our work with prospective and current students.
Key points to remember:
Honesty first. Always provide accurate information about our programs, costs and services. Never exaggerate or mislead prospective students about what Kalamazoo Valley offers or what outcomes they can expect.
Open access matters. We welcome students of varying backgrounds and abilities who are ready to learn. Our admissions practices reflect our commitment to serving our diverse community.
No incentive payments. Kalamazoo Valley does not pay bonuses or commissions based on enrollment numbers. This ensures our focus stays on what's best for students, not on hitting recruitment targets.
Protect student information. Keep all student data private and secure. Follow our information security policies to protect personal information from unauthorized access.
Avoid conflicts of interest. Don't accept gifts worth more than $100 from vendors or use your position for personal gain.
Who does this apply to? Anyone involved in recruiting, admissions or financial aid activities ' whether you work directly with prospective students or support these functions.
Questions or concerns? If you see something that doesn't align with these ethical standards or if you have questions, please report it to officeofreview@kvcc.edu. Kalamazoo Valley prohibits retaliation against anyone who raises concerns in good faith.
Black History Month Events Planned Celebrate Black History Month with us at several events as we connect and honor the profound contributions that continue to shape our world. The Black Artists Exhibit opens with a reception on Friday, Feb. 6, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at our Center for New Media's Arcus Gallery in downtown Kalamazoo. Next, learn about local Kalamazoo history in a fun and interactive way at 'Black History Trivia' on Thursday, Feb. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Anna Whitten Hall, also downtown. The 'Reclaiming History as a Tool for Liberation, Identity and Action' lecture takes place Thursday, Feb. 26, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Room 4240 on the Texas Township Campus. Advance registration is requested for the lecture here, but walk-ins are welcome. Finally, scroll down for the 'Black Cowboys' exhibit coming to the college's Kalamazoo Valley Museum. HLC FAQs ' What to Expect During the HLC Mock Site Visit Q: What are the essential details of the HLC mock site visit everyone should know? A: A mock HLC site visit is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at Kalamazoo Valley's Texas Township Campus. (In the case of inclement weather, a backup date for the mock site visit is scheduled for Feb. 5, 2026.) This will be a practice session for the HLC planning team and selected essential members of the Valley community to interact with a group of external reviewers.
Q: Why is the HLC mock site visit important? A: The HLC mock site visit is a valuable opportunity for Kalamazoo Valley to engage in an important self-study prior to the true site visit in March. The HLC mock site visit external reviewers will share feedback with the HLC planning team so that the planning team can adequately prepare for, and make adjustments prior to, the actual HLC site visit on March 16-17, 2026.
Q: What happens during the HLC mock site visit? A: A team of peer reviewers ' administrators and faculty from other institutions of higher education ' will visit Kalamazoo Valley's campus to assess how well the college follows the criteria for reaccreditation set forth by the HLC. During the HLC mock site visit, the external review team will meet with Valley's cabinet members, administrators, faculty, staff and students. Collective participation in this process will highlight the college's commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.
Q: How can employees be prepared for the HLC mock site visit? A: The participation of the Kalamazoo Valley community is vital to the success of the mock site visit. Be prepared to answer questions. If approached by a member of the review team, be ready to discuss your role at Valley and how the college supports your work. Stay informed by following updates from the college about theHLC reaccreditation process and familiarize yourself with Kalamazoo Valley's mission, values and strategic plan.
Look for more HLC FAQs in upcoming newsletters or visit theweb page.
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.
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.
News from the Libraries TTC Library Open House: Jan. 28
Let your students know that they are invited to visit the Library and Learning Center Open House on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They can explore our spaces, meet our staff and enjoy some snacks. Staff are welcome, too!
Request Library Instruction
Bring your students to the library for research instruction or assignment-based exploration. Or, invite a librarian to visit your classroom to introduce information literacy concepts. We are ready to collaborate with instructors to meet the unique needs of your students. Ready to schedule or need more information? Contact Jim (ACC/BHLC) (ext. 7867 or jratliff@kvcc.edu) or Amy (TTC) (x4489 or abrandt@kvcc.edu).
Reserve Textbooks
Textbooks and other course materials are placed on reserve each semester at the request of faculty and students. Instructors may submit personal copies for the reserve collection or request a library purchase for reserve. Most reserve requests for library purchase are approved. To reserve materials for your course, contact Ashley (TTC) (ext. 4313 or abergkamp@kvcc.edu) or Jim (ACC/BHLC) (ext. 7848 or jratliff@kvcc.edu).
Technology Loan
Students can borrow a laptop computer, Wi-Fi hot spot and/or a graphing calculator. Technology is available on a first come, first served basis; a Valley ID is required for checkout. Borrowing begins on the first day of classes. All laptops have webcams and microphones and access to Canvas, Zoom, Microsoft Office and Respondus Lockdown Browser.
Visit us in person during our open hours (including evenings and Saturdays)
Time for 20% Off Tuesday on Jan. 27 at the Bookstore! Don't miss the great deal in the Bookstore on Tuesday, Jan. 27! Get 20% OFF! It's a STANDING discount on the LAST Tuesday of every month at the Texas Township Campus Bookstore. Have your eye on something? Now's the time to buy it! The promotion excludes electronics, food and course materials. Discount applies to in-store purchases only.
Bookstore Now Accepting Winter Financial Aid Please let students know that winter financial aid is now being accepted 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 one's 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. Note: The college is closed on Monday, Jan. 19.
Are You Ready for Some Basketball? Kalamazoo Valley Community College's men's basketball season is now underway! Cheer the players on at their January home games. They are Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. (vs. Grand Rapids Community College) and Saturday, Jan. 31 at 3 p.m. (vs. Glen Oaks Community College) in the main gym at the Texas Township Campus. Remember, home games are FREE! Invite your friends and family. Clickhere for the full schedule that includes both home and away games.
Student Spotlight: Jasmine Nash
Hear from current student Jasmine Nash on her journey at Kalamazoo Valley and why KVAAP is helpful to her
"While attending Kalamazoo Valley, I'm proud of the progress I've made both academically and personally. Life has thrown challenges my way, but I've continued to stay focused and keep my grades up through hard work and determination. One of the biggest reasons I've been able to succeed is because of the supportive community at Valley ' from classmates to faculty ' who encourage me to keep going. I'm especially thankful for the KVVAP program, which helps me stay on track and focus on my goals. It's such a blessing to have my tuition and books covered ' that kind of support really takes the pressure off! Plus, I can't lie, getting that $75 every two weeks is a nice little bonus. It keeps me motivated ' and my snack drawer fully stocked! I'm also proud of how I've learned to manage my time and stick to my schedule, balancing school and life in a way that keeps me moving toward my goals."
Upcoming KVAAP Info Session
Students can attend this information session via a Zoom meeting link that will be sent to them upon signing up. The session will explain how KVAAP can assist students with achieving their educational goals. Interested students can register here. Learn about the program here.
Thursday, Jan. 22 | 3 - 3:30 p.m.
Major 'Black Cowboys' Exhibit Opens 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,' opening this month on Jan. 24. The free exhibit will be on view through July 26. Read more here.
New 'SHAPE SHIFTING' Exhibit Explores Instruments 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 Jan. 24 through April 26.
