We still have plenty of summer days ahead of us, but fall semester is just around the corner!
MISSION STATEMENT Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable
opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.
July 15, 2025
Greetings!
We still have plenty of summer days ahead of us, but fall semester is just around the corner! Classes start Sept. 3 and registration is now open.
In a few weeks, the college will be hosting two Get it Done - Get Ready for the Fall Semester events, where students can complete the steps necessary to begin classes in September. During Get it Done, students can meet with an advisor or counselor, receive help with applying for financial aid, learn about scholarships and enroll in classes.
The first event will be held Wednesday, Aug. 6 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Anna Whitten Hall. On Tuesday, Aug. 12, the event will take place at the Texas Township Campus from 2 to 6 p.m.
There is no better time to attend Kalamazoo Valley. State grants and scholarships like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship for recent high school graduates and Michigan Reconnect for those ages 25 and older are opening doors for those who thought they could never afford college. These opportunities, along with traditional forms of federal aid and scholarships from our own KVCC Foundation, are making Valley even more affordable.
Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
Save the Date! March 16 and 17, 2026 is the college's Higher Learning Commission's comprehensive re-accreditation site visit. All staff and faculty are requested to be available for this very important visit. This is our time to highlight all the great work that we have accomplished at Kalamazoo Valley over the past 10 years.
Message from Public Safety High temperatures can lead to heat-related illnesses and injuries like heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps. Kalamazoo Valley Community College Public Safety recommends the following if you are outside for extended periods of time:
Check the weather and wear proper clothing.
Wear sunscreen and hats to protect you from the sun.
Hydrate often.
Plan for breaks often and follow the buddy system for your co-workers.
If you or someone else is having a heat-related illness, call 911 or Kalamazoo Valley Community College Public Safety at 269.488.4911. For more information, click here. Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities Get ready to grow, connect and fuel your potential! We�re thrilled to invite you to a series of stimulating lunch and learn opportunities and professional development events designed to sharpen your skills and inspire new ideas. At Kalamazoo Valley, we encourage and embrace our employees learning new skills for work, finding fun ways to promote personal growth and incorporating wellness into their lives.
A schedule of events is planned throughout the year to offer you several occasions each month to enjoy learning about new topics. Whether you're looking to expand your expertise, network with colleagues or simply enjoy your lunch while learning, these sessions are your chance to level up. Don�t miss out � mark your calendar, bring your enthusiasm (and your lunch) and let's make learning a fun adventure we embark on together!
July 2025 Events An Introduction to Plant Identification Date: Monday, July 28 | Noon - 1 p.m. | Click here to register Location: Food Innovation Center, Room 113 (Zoom option available below)
Let�s dive into the fascinating world of plant identification! Whether you are a nature enthusiast or just curious about the greenery around you, this introductory lunch and learn event will teach you the basics of recognizing different plant species. Enjoy your lunch with friends and colleagues while gaining new insights into the plants in our surroundings.
Essentials of Composting Date: Thursday, July 31 | Noon - 1 p.m. | Click here to register Location: Food Innovation Center, Room 113 (Zoom option available below)
Join us for a lunch and learn where we will explore the basics of composting and how it can benefit both the environment and your daily life. Learn simple, effective ways to turn food scraps and organic waste into nutrient-rich soil while enjoying your lunch with colleagues. Whether you are new to composting or looking to refine your skills, this session will give you practical insights to get started. Let�s dig in and make sustainability second nature!
Can�t attend these events in person? No problem! You can join remotely via Zoom from your office or phone for the 20-minute classroom portion of the event. Click here 10 minutes before the event to join on Zoom.
For both events, please bring footwear appropriate for walking outdoors. The first 20 minutes will be in the classroom and the end of the talk will take place outside.
Note: As with all lunch and learn events and professional development, please check with your supervisor to be sure your work schedule allows you to attend.
Online Financial Aid Portal Now Available What is Financial Aid Self-Service?
Banner Financial Aid Self-Service is a new online portal that provides each student with real-time financial aid information.
In this portal, students can:
View your financial aid status and requirements
Accept or decline awards
Monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Access notifications and messages
Access general links
Accessing Financial Aid Self-Service
1. Log in to MyValley using their single sign-on credentials
2. Under the "Tuition & Financial Aid" section, click on the "Financial Aid Self-Service" link.
Home
Once logged in, students will see the "Financial Aid" home page. This section provides a dashboard overview of their financial aid status, holds and special messages for individual award years at Kalamazoo Valley.
For more information, click here. If you have questions, please email finaid@kvcc.edu. Major Grant Will Aid Campus Wellness Activities Kalamazoo Valley has received a generous gift from the Stryker Johnston Foundation for the wellness and engagement of faculty and staff. This opportunity will allow us to invest in activities and experiences that promote connection, health and engagement across the campus community. The intent of the gift is to help support faculty and staff in prioritizing self-and community-care and to enhance the overall well-being of our teams � physically, mentally and emotionally. Plans are underway and you can look forward to hearing more about upcoming events and wellness-focused initiatives soon. If you have any questions regarding this initiative, please email Renee Martin, employment and training manager, at rmartin@kvcc.edu.
Volunteers Needed to Welcome Students to Campus We're looking for volunteers for our way-finding stations! Way-finding stations are one of the college's ways of welcoming new and returning students to campus at the start of the semester and assisting them with locating their classes and services on campus. We are seeking enthusiastic volunteers who are excited about the opportunity to engage in this student experience. Please sign up for one or more time slots to help our students navigate the start of the semester smoothly. Spots are available Sept. 3, 4, 8 and 9. You can also help by spreading the word to your fellow coworkers and encourage them to volunteer with you.
If you have any questions, please contact Miranda McDowell, coordinator of student onboarding and organizations, at mmcdowell@kvcc.edu.
Volunteer Opportunities Available for All The college will have a presence at a number of festivals and events this summer in an effort to recruit students for the fall semester. Upcoming events include:
Kalamazoo Farmers Market | July 19 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Bank Street
Beyond the Backpack | Aug. 9 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Bronson Park
Kalamazoo Farmers Market | Aug. 16 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Bank Street
Kalamazoo Farmers Market | Sept. 20 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Bank Street
Employee Benefits Employee Assistance Program
Did you know that all employees at Kalamazoo Valley have access to our Employee Assistance Program? This is a confidential work-based program that offers resources to employees. For more information, click here.
You Are Not Alone �Community Resources Available
Some of our students, co-workers, friends, relatives or even ourselves may need assistance from time to time. The college has a list of community resources on our website. Click here. We encourage you to share the list with others.
College Savings Plan (529) What is it? This is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for future education costs. Learn more about this by attending a webinar for more information. Click here for more information or to sign up for a webinar.
Retirement Services and Voya
For those who have a MPSERS and/or a Voya account, Voya offers one-on-one virtual appointments and webinars. To sign up for a session or to view dates and times, click here.
TIAA
Do you have an account with TIAA? A listing of webinars for July, August and September 2025 can be found by clicking here. Would you like to schedule to meet with a TIAA financial consultant? Participants can use the one-on-one meeting linkto schedule their meeting.
Essentials by TIAA is a reimagined financial education program to empower you, the employee, with practical insights for confident financial planning.
Would you like to save more for retirement? A supplemental retirement plan gives you the opportunity to continue to save towards retirement. Kalamazoo Valley Community College offers three plans through TIAA. The deduction can either be a percentage of your check or a fixed dollar amount. To learn more on the different plans click here. These options are for employee only contributions.
The Pool App
Is your healthcare coverage through Kalamazoo Valley Community College? Have you downloaded the app for The Pool? On the app, you will have access to pain management, diabetes management, health management, diabetes and heart health and virtual second opinions. To learn more, click here.
Mental Health
Balancing work and family are important. Your mental health is as important as your physical health. That support is just a click or call away. As a member of The Pool, you have access to a variety of resources for support:
Behavioral health �On the back of your BCBSM ID, you�ll find the number for a mental health line. This is 24/7 help that will connect you with a professional that will assist you in finding the right support.
Virtual care � From the comfort of your home through Virtual Care, access mental health services like therapy sessions and consultations with board-certified psychiatrists.
Blue Cross well-being� Browse through your various online tools that offer personalized health assessments, trackers and content to support your overall well-being, all for free. Learn more here.
Maven � Maternity and Postpartum Support
Employees who are covered under the Kalamazoo Valley Community College medical plan now have additional support. Whether you�re an expectant parent or excited partner, Maven can support you in answering questions, connect you with qualified professionals and more. Maven support includes: ?
Welcome New Employees This list of new full-time employees and full-time employees in new roles was provided by the Human Resources department and is a quarterly feature in this newsletter. Below are all full-time employees who were hired between April to June 2025. Join us in welcoming these new colleagues.
NEW EMPLOYEES Michael Bellew | Maintenance Specialist Danielle Mercier | Educational Professional - Sciences Jason Meyle | Program Coordinator, Industrial Electricity Cedri Mosley | Custodian Matthew Ryan | Academic & Career Pathway Advisor Chris Rasmussen | Utility Maintenance Specialist Sarah Stallings | Retention & Completion Coach Suprotik Stotz-Ghosh | Foundation Officer Stacie Vezeau | Senior Office Specialist Elizabeth Washington | Interim Associate VP for Collaboration, Compliance & Analytics Martinee Williams | Retention & Completion Coach Joseph Zilka | Instructional Manager, Technical Training Services
EMPLOYEES IN A NEW ROLE Chad Cunningham | Senior Developer Computer Services Thomas Hunt | Culinary Storeroom & Procurement Coordinator Leena Mergen | Program Coordinator, Continuing Ed & Life Enrichment James Valliere | Director of Advising & Counseling
NewEmployeeOrientation Dates for 2025 Every new hire attends a New Employee Orientation. Below are remaining dates through December 2025. Sessions run from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for full-time employees, and until 1:30 p.m. for part-time employees.
Tuesday, July 16Wednesday, Oct. 1 Monday, Aug. 4 Thursday, Oct. 16 Monday, Aug. 18Monday, Nov. 3 Wednesday, Sept. 3 Monday, Nov. 17 Tuesday, Sept. 16Wednesday, Dec. 3
The Libraries Have a Database for That� The Libraries subscribe to over 100 databases, so that students have access to high-quality information for free. If you assign a research project of any kind, chances are we have a database for that. Reach out to Mark Walters, director of libraries, at mwalter@kvcc.edu to schedule an introduction to library resources for your students.
Research paper in the humanities or social sciences? - JSTOR
Ask a Librarian
Feel free to copy and paste the following information into your Canvas course:
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!
Inaugural Student Success Breakfast was a Success Thank you to everyone who joined us for the inaugural Student Success Breakfast on June 19. We loved connecting with students and hearing about their Kalamazoo Valley experience. This event was all about them � sharing their voices with us, accessing helpful resources and meeting the faculty and staff who are here to support their success every step of the way. Watch for details for the next Student Success Breakfast in the fall. It is expected to take place in early October at both the Texas Township Campus and at Anna Whitten Hall in downtown Kalamazoo.
Get Breakfast and Lunch in the Cougar Cafe The Cougar Cafe�s summer hours are Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. They will be serving a variety of breakfast sandwiches from $2.79 � $3.79 and quiche from .99 cents � $2.29 from 7:30 - 11 a.m. Monday - Thursday.
For the summer, the lunch menu includes Subway, salad and pizza entr�e options. The Cougar Caf� will continue to serve hot coffee and snacks. The Coffee Den is closed for the summer.
Student Spotlight: Tyesha Powe Meet Tyesha Powe, a current KVAAP student pursuing an associate degree in psychology. Her academic journey began in general studies and she explored several different programs before discovering her true passion � understanding people and building interpersonal connections through psychology.
She appreciates that KVAAP gave her the opportunity to explore different academic pathways with the support and guidance of her advisor. She describes KVAAP as �a program that encourages students to take bold steps in their education, transform those risks into opportunities and helps students bring their dreams to life.�
Outside the classroom, Powe is deeply committed to giving back. Over the past 15 years, she has volunteered at more than 300 events with various organizations, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to community service.
Upcoming KVAAP Info Sessions Students can attend these information sessions via a Zoom meeting link that will be sent to them upon signing up. These sessions will explain how KVAAP can assist students with achieving their educational goals. Interested students can registerhere.
Thursday, July 24 | 3:30 p.m.
Monday, July 28 | 1:30 p.m.
July Special! 40% Off Hydro Flask Water Bottles! Get 40% off any Hydro Flask water bottle at the Texas Township Campus Bookstore for the entire month of July! Stay hydrated this summer with a new Hydro Flask water bottle � healthy for you AND the planet. Shop in the store or shop online at bookstore.kvcc.edu. No promo code needed.
Time for 20% Off Tuesday on July 29 at the Bookstore! Don't miss the great deal in the Bookstore on Tuesday, July 29! 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 Bookstore's summer hours are Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Promotion excludes electronics, food and course materials. Discount applies to in-store purchases only.
Innovative Group Sketching Events Held at the Museum this Summer! Calling all artists and those who desire to be! The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is hosting a series of group sketching events like none other on Friday afternoons this summer � all for free! No registration or ticket is needed. The �Illustrated Muse(ings)� sessions take place Fridays, July 18, July 25 and Aug. 1, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Bring your sketchbook or drawing tablet for an energizing hour of drawing musicians or dancers, and sometimes both! The program will be led by the artists of Kalamazoo Valley Community College�s Center for New Media and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Seating will be on a first come, first served basis, as space is limited in the museum�s Mary Jane Stryker Theater. Learn more at kalamazoomuseum.org.
New! QR Codes Allow Museum Visitors to Enjoy Music, Poetry at Exhibits Kalamazoo Valley Museum patrons can now hear original music and poetry custom-tailored for first-floor exhibits thanks to an exciting partnership with the local arts community! Simply scan the QR codes at each exhibit with your personal device to enjoy works inspired by objects in the installation on display. �The Ripple Effect� project is a collaboration with the Friends of Poetry, Connecting Chords Music Festival and the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Visit kalamazoomuseum.org and search �The Ripple Effect� for more information. Admission is free to the exhibits and the museum.
Last Chance for Wallace & Gromit-Themed Summer Program Only two more Thursdays are left in the Kalamazoo Valley Museum�s free hands-on summer program centered around the beloved claymation characters of Wallace, Gromit and Shaun the Sheep from the TV, film and book series. Activities will be offered Thursdays, July 17 and July 24,from 1 to 3 p.m. Registration is not required. The museum�s �Inventive Adventures� summer break program is inspired by the museum�s new traveling exhibit, �Wallace & Gromit� and Shaun the Sheep�: Shear Genius!� Designed for children ages three through nine, the exhibit encourages playfully solving STEM-based and social-emotional problems in fun and engaging ways. The exhibit runs now through Aug. 31. Find more details at kalamazoomuseum.org. Watch for exhibit promo video here.
Enjoy Free RainGardenTours Wednesdays and 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. From now until Aug. 30, tours will take place every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and every Wednesday at the same times. These family-friendly tours last about 20 to 25 minutes. Register now online at kalamazoomuseum.org, or sign up on the day of at the front desk.
