Kalamazoo Valley Community College's community collaborations show that we take the "community" in our name seriously.
MISSION STATEMENT Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable
opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.
June 16, 2025
Greetings,
Kalamazoo Valley Community College's community collaborations show that we take the "community" in our name seriously.
Hundreds of students will be participating in college summer camps, which will be starting next week, including a LEGO stop-motion camp and a free superhero drawing camp. Registration is now open for volleyball, baseball, softball and basketball camps. Urban farm explorers will be gathering at the Food Innovation Center. Dozens and dozens of middle school-aged campers will be visiting our campuses to explore careers and pathway options through our Explore Your Future camps.
And, again this summer, the college is collaborating with the Douglass Community Association to offer basketball clinics for girls and boys entering grades five through eight at its Northside location in Kalamazoo. This free program gives students the opportunity to interact with college basketball coaches, college staff and players.
Kalamazoo Valley volunteers will also be out in the community this summer at the Farmers Market, OutFront Youth Pride, the Black Arts Festival and the Beyond the Backpack event. Click here to volunteer. These and other efforts support the college's mission statement: "Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive." We are pleased to be a part of the lives of learners of all ages and look forward to welcoming many of these young people and their families to the college as enrolled students in the future.
Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
Updated Grant Guidelines & Contract Review Process To support greater ease and transparency, our "Grant Process and Guidelines" and the "Contract Process and Guidelines" have been refreshed and are now available on the Employee Portal under the "Grants and Contracts" section. Here, you�ll find the updated procedures and direct links to all required forms and thoughtfully curated checklists to guide you from idea to implementation. These include the "Request to Apply for Grant Funding" form, the "Contract Review Worksheet," the "Independent Contractor Checklist," a "Grant Application Process Checklist," a "Grant Proposal Development Checklist," and a visual diagram of the grant approval process. We encourage you to review the updated materials to ensure alignment with current processes and to feel fully equipped to engage in grant- and contract-related work. Please contact Elizabeth Washington, interim associate vice president of collaboration, compliance & analytics with questions. Sharing the Road Kalamazoo Valley's Public Safety department would like to remind students and faculty that we share the road with bicyclists. Also, move over for safety vehicles, when possible, to give a lane of protection for the emergency vehicle. Do not focus all your attention on the emergency vehicle as you will not be aware of your surroundings and could cause a traffic accident. Lastly, don�t forget to slow down and follow the speed limit. Thank you for keeping yourself and others safe on the road.
Chad Sutton, best of show winner.
Kalamazoo Valley�s Annual Alumni Art Show Winners Announced Last week's 14th annual Alumni Art Show was an opportunity to celebrate our talented alumni. Congratulations to the following artists: Best of show: Chad Sutton, "Connection 1"
Director's choice: Tracy Klinesteker, "Rocky Shoreline"
First place: Erica Bradshaw, "The Guardian"
Second place: Ana Hedberg, "All Good in the Homefront"
Third place: Jacquelyn Dewaters, "Blue Jay #1"
Honorable mention: Heather Boersma, "The Forager's Purse Collection"
Artwork will be on display through July in the Arcus Gallery at the center for New Media in downtown Kalamazoo. 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 | June 21 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Bank Street
OutFront Youth Pride | June 28 | Noon - 6 p.m. | Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan
Black Arts Festival | July 12 | 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Bronson Park
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
Support Student Dreams at the OFE Join us at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 for an evening of community, cuisine and celebration at the 2025Opportunities for Education(OFE) Scholarship Fundraising Event at Kalamazoo Valley Community College�sFood Innovation Center, located at 224 E. Crosstown Parkway in downtown Kalamazoo.
This annual gathering promises an unforgettable night under a big tent where friendship, food and philanthropy come together to support students.
Some of the region's most popular restaurants will be featured, along with student and faculty chefs from the college's culinary and brewing programs. Guests will enjoy a walk-around tasting where they can sample signature dishes plus beer, wine and other beverages. Tours among the vegetables, flowers and herbs growing in the Food Innovation Center's greenhouse will also be available.
Proceeds from the OFE event directly benefit the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Foundation scholarship fund, helping determined and resilient students achieve their educational goals and bring fresh energy to our region. Your support makes a meaningful difference.
Interested in a Flu Clinic? Please Complete Survey Getting your flu shot is a quick and easy way to protect yourself, your loved ones and our campus community during flu season. Kalamazoo Valley Community College would like to host flu clinics for employees, as well as COVID vaccine events. We need your help in determining staff/faculty interest and availability for attending them. Please click here to complete a short survey. Thank you so much for your time.
Campus Tours Now Available for Employees We have developed the structure for again offering campus tours to new employees or anyone else who would like a guided tour of buildings other than the Texas Township Campus. Those interested should register for the specific tour they would like in Power School. Employees must provide their own transportation.
Arcadia Commons Campus | 60 min. | 2 p.m.
July 8 | Sept. 9 | Nov. 11
Bronson Healthy Living Campus | 90 min. | 8:15 a.m.
June 24 | Aug. 26 | Oct. 28
Kalamazoo Valley Groves Campus | 30 min. | 11 a.m.
Aug. 12 | Oct. 14
Tour participants should work with their supervisors in scheduling tours, so that the work of the department is minimally impacted. To sign up for any of our campus tours, click here.
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.
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 in June can be found by clicking here. Would you like to save more for retirement? The supplemental retirement plan gives you the opportunity to continue to save toward 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: ?
Recruiting Great Talent Like You � Can You Help? Please help us recruit more great talent like yourself by sharing the Kalamazoo Valley Community College jobs website with your networks. Currently, we have openings in IT; technical training services; public safety; building maintenance; continuing education and life enrichment; and diversity and inclusion, to name just a few areas. Direct your networks to https://jobs.kvcc.edu/ for details and more job listings.
News from the Libraries New! Research Basics Online Guides
Your instructor has assigned a paper requiring original research and you are not sure what that is or how to find it. Libraries� Research Basics study guides can answer your questions quickly and thoroughly.
Finding Scholarly Journal Articles details how to find and sort out sources suitable for academic assignments from those which are not, and helps you approach reading them.
Identifying Research Studies teaches the crucial skill of discerning between primary research and meta-analysis, and helps you interpret the sources you have found.
Using Library Databases enables you to search the libraries� curated electronic article collections with confidence.
The Research Basics guides are conveniently interlinked to make navigation seamless.
Summer Reading Challenge
Read five books from five categories by the end of the summer for a chance to win a prize! Stop by the libraries for a Summer Reading Challenge bookmark to track your progress, plus check out our book display online or in person for recommendations on what to read. Turn in a completed bookmark to enter the prize drawing and earn a summer reading pin.
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!
Reminder: Bookstore Closed June 18 and 19 to Conduct Inventory The Texas Township Bookstore will be closed Wednesday, June 18 and Thursday, June 19 to conduct inventory. It will reopen for normal business on Monday, June 23. Remember, you can shop online anytime 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, if you prefer, shipped to you for $5. KVAAP Summer Social was a Success Thank you to everyone who attended and to those who helped spread the word about this event! Over 40 people attended, and everyone enjoyed ice cream, yard games, video games and crafts. To view additional photos of this event, click here.
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.
KVAAP is currently considering applications for the Fall 2025 semester. Interested students can register for an information session here.
Thursday | June 19 | 3:30 p.m.
Monday | June 23 | 1:30 p.m.
What's for Lunch on the Texas Township Campus? The Cougar Cafe has adjusted its menu for the summer semester. They will be serving Subway, salad and pizza as well as hot coffee and snacks. Breakfast sandwiches are available until 11 a.m. Monday - Thursday. The Cougar Cafe's summer hours are Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The Coffee Den is closed for the summer.
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 x4393.
Men�s Basketball Standout Earns Major State Award Kalamazoo Valley basketball phenom Joey Liedel has been named Michigan Community College Athletic Association Dick Shilts Male Student-Athlete of the Year for 2024-2025. The award honors the legacy of the late Dick Shilts, a revered figure who served as Valley�s athletic director for many years and was MCCAA�s longest-serving president. The news of the award comes on the heels of the announcement a few months ago of Liedel�s selection as MCCAA Western Conference Defensive Player of the Year for the same time period. During the past basketball season, Liedel, a guard, reached the rare career college milestone of 1,000 points scored over the course of his time at Valley. He also distinguished himself by shattering the college�s 44-year-old record for the most points scored by a player in a single game. He scored 51 points in a non-Conference home game on Dec. 4, 2023. The recent Valley graduate will be attending the University of Detroit Mercy this fall, where he will play basketball.
Free Wallace & Gromit-Themed Summer Program Begins June 19 Looking for free activities for a young child this summer? The Kalamazoo Valley Museum will be hosting hands-on fun centered around the beloved claymation characters of Wallace, Gromit and Shaun the Sheep from the TV, film and book series! Expect creativity, laughter and interactive exhibits, as kids embark on whimsical journeys with the animated characters. Activities will be offered every Thursday � June 19 through July 24� from 1 to 3 p.m., except July 10, when the start time will be 11:30 a.m. Registration is not required. The museum�s �Inventive Adventures� summer break is inspired by the museum�s new traveling exhibit, �Wallace & Gromit� and Shaun the Sheep�: Shear Genius!�
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 & Gromit� and Shaun the Sheep�: Shear Genius!� was created by Minnesota Children�s Museum and Aardman Animations� Limited � 2025. It runs now through Aug. 31. Find more details at kalamazoomuseum.org.
Enjoy Free RainGardenTours 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. 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.
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.
