MISSION STATEMENT Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable
opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.
May 15, 2025
Greetings,
Warm weather appears to have finally arrived! Seeing the sunshine daily boosts my spirits and helps to set the tone for our summer season of community collaborations. Many of you will be out and about in the community at festivals, farmers markets and other events, spreading the word about the excellent education offered at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. We�re proud of the equitable, innovative education our students receive.
Summer semester has begun and we are looking forward to working with the new groups of summer students. I hope that this semester begins a fresh season of growth and learning for all of us. Thank you for the important work that you are doing and for the caring spirit you share with our students, colleagues and broader community.
Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
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:
Girls on the Run | May 17 | 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Texas Township Campus
Kalamazoo Pride Festival | June 7 | Noon - 6 p.m. | Arcadia Creek Festival Site
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
Beyond the Backpack | Aug. 9 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Bronson Park
Volunteers Needed Valley Food Share distribution continues for the summer semester as a drive-thru service alternating between the Food Innovation Center and the Texas Township Campus on Thursdays between 2 - 4 p.m. Volunteers are needed to assemble the shares, unload the truck and distribute shares to students. With supervisor approval, please sign up to help! If you have any questions, please email foodshare@kvcc.edu.
Email Security Hints & Tips
One of the easiest ways the bad guys trick you into falling victim to their fraudulent scams is to exercise a sense of trust by pretending to be someone you know. Spear phishing attacks are email scams that typically target an individual or organization by spoofing or appearing to come from a trusted sender. Don�t blindly trust emails that seem to come from the college cabinet, human resources, IT or another college department or employee.
How Do I Spot a Fake? Does this sound like typical communication?
Pay attention to the context in the body of the email.
Look for spelling errors, grammar errors and odd sentence structure.
Are you being asked to review unfamiliar policies or procedures?
If you�re being asked to download an attachment or click a link to review a policy you�ve never heard of, think twice before you click.
Are you being asked to do something that wouldn�t typically be addressed via email?
Beware of emails containing an attachment for your �paid bonus� or any other matter that seems out of the ordinary for email communication.
Who sent the email?
Does the sender�s email address appear to be from an unfamiliar domain or a third-party company?
If the domain of the sender�s email address is generic, for instance, "humanresources.com," the email may not be from the college�s HR department. Ensure the email is from an address that our HR team typically uses to send mail. But remember, even if the domain is @kvcc.edu, it could still be spoofed.
Does the email signature make sense?
Check the employee directory. Does this person actually work for the college? Ensure the signature in the body of the email matches the name and job role of the sender.
When in doubt, always use the phone number listed in the employee directory to call the person/department from which the email supposedly came to confirm the email is safe and legitimate. In short, stay skeptical!
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. June 10, 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, please go to this link: Campus Tours.
Banner Self-Service Upgrades The Personal Information and Employee sections of Banner Self-Service were recently upgraded, bringing significant changes to the user interface. Please refer to the Employee Self-Service Guide for instructions on navigating the new pages. This is also an excellent opportunity for you to review your personal information and submit any necessary updates to Human Resources using the Employee Change of Information Form. If you experience issues accessing the new Banner Self-Service, use a different browser or clear your cache. Email it@kvcc.edu if that does not work.
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.
Diversity and Bias in the Search Committee Trainings Diversity and Bias in the Search Committee is a required training for all staff and faculty wishing to serve on a search committee. Participants will explore the basics of serving on a search committee and gain insight into how implicit or unconscious bias can influence the decision-making process.
May 29 | 9 - 11 a.m. | Room C1410-1 Groves |Register Here
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 May and 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, clickhere.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, clickhere.
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.
AFLAC Accident Plan
If your medical plan is through Kalamazoo Valley Community College, you also have AFLAC Accident for no additional cost. The AFLAC Accident covers all dependents who are enrolled on your medical plan. For more information on AFLAC Accident, click here.
Fall Summit Planning Underway The Summit planning team has been working hard to create an engaging Fall 2025 Summit event. We want to maintain features that work well and implement a few minor adjustments that will help us connect better with each other. The deadline to submit a proposal is Thursday, May 22.
If you have questions regarding the call for proposals, please reach out to Kimberly Dupree, training and development coordinator.
If you have questions regarding Summit planning, please reach out to Aaron Hilliard, vice president for human resources.
Time Sheet Submission Reminders Due to the start of summer hours and the Memorial Day holiday, your Payroll Department wanted to send a friendly reminder of how to process these events on your time sheets:
Summer Hours
Full-time hourly staff who work in buildings that close on Fridays during summer hours should record four hours of TOP (time-off paid) on each Friday of their time sheet during summer hours which start on May 5 and go through Friday, Aug. 1.
Additionally, during summer hours, the increment for full-day leave use is nine hours. You would follow regular increment guidelines per the handbook for leave of less than a full-day. Staff who do not work a regular Monday - Friday shift, or who work in buildings that are open on Fridays during the summer should follow the same procedures as in prior years for recording time worked.
Memorial Day
Full-time hourly staff should recordninehours of TOP on their time sheet for the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 26. If a full-time hourly employee worked on the Memorial Day holiday, please refer to the employee handbook (Section 30 - Holidays) for assistance on how to record your time worked on the time sheet.
If you are unsure if or how you should record TOP time for summer hours or the Memorial Day holiday, please check with your supervisor or Human Resources for assistance.
Any questions may be directed to the Payroll Department. Call Anita Gonzales, payroll accountant, at x4872, Megan Collins, payroll accountant, at x4898 or Molly Riley, senior staff accountant, at x4239; or you may send an email to payroll@kvcc.edu.
Thank you for your continued effort to ensure proper and timely completion of your time sheets.
2025 Ned Foskey Poetry Prize Winners Announced Kalamazoo Valley is excited to announce this year's Ned Foskey Poetry Prize winners. Congratulations to the following poets:
First Prize: "Pandora's Memories" by Katherine Basch
Second Prize: "Nothing and Everything (A Sestina)" by Giuliana Bush
Third Prize: "Ode to Brook Farm Bats" by Max Orlando Cosier
To read more, click here. Student Planner Information and Promotional (Swag) Item Ordering Due June 5 Now through June 5, departments can submit events and important dates for inclusion in the college's 2025 - 2026 Student Planner. This printed piece will serve as a compass for campus engagement as students navigate through the academic year. The call for entries period closes Thursday,June 5 by 5 p.m.
Prior to submitting information for inclusion in the planner, event requests must be submitted to Event Services via Astra Schedule for review. Once your events have been approved, please click here to submit your information for inclusion in the planner. If you need promotional items for your event(s), please click here to request the items that are needed for fiscal year 2025 - 2026 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026).
Note that non-event information, such as important academic calendar or application dates, do not require an Astra Schedule review.
For questions about the call for entries form for the Student Planner, contact Khadijah Kabbani, marketing coordinator.
For questions about Astra Schedule, contact Jessica Potter, facility and events manager.
For questions about promotional item ordering, contact Allison Lay, office manager.
Updates from KVAAP KVAAP Student Highlight - Fatima Saidali
Meet Fatima Saidali, a current sophomore in the general studies program. She is a 4.0 student, Phi Theta Kappa member and one of the first cohort of students to complete the Valley Advantage program in Summer 2023. Saidali hopes to transfer to Western Michigan University to complete a bachelor's degree in nutrition and dietetics after graduating from Kalamazoo Valley.
When asked about her experience in KVAAP, Saidali said it kept her motivated.
�Starting my college journey in a new country, where everything was unfamiliar, was one of the biggest challenges I�ve ever faced � but it taught me strength, patience and the beauty of growing outside my comfort zone. I couldn�t have done it without the support of the KVAAP team,� Saidali said. �Being part of such an amazing program truly made a difference in my journey, and I�m so grateful for the support and guidance it gave me along the way. Knowing that I could reach out to my advisor anytime I needed help, kept me focused and motivated, and having that kind of support meant everything to me."
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 | May 22 | 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday | May 27 | 1:30 p.m.
Summer Reading Challenge
Fight the summer slump with the library! While we can�t offer personal pan pizzas, we CAN offer you summer reading logs. Visit any Kalamazoo Valley library and grab a bookmark to track your summer reading, plus check out ourbook display online or in person at the libraries for recommendations on what to read.
Laptops, Hot Spots, Calculators from the Libraries
Borrow a laptop computer, Wi-Fi hot spot and/or a graphing calculator. These items are available on a first come, first served basis; bring your Valley ID 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.
Reserve Textbooks
The Libraries offer access to many textbooks used at the college. Check our Course Reserve Guide to see if books are available for your classes. Most reserve items may be checked out for up to three hours.
Print and Electronic Resources
Come browse our book collection, in person or online. We have titles to support both academic learning and personal interests. We also subscribe to several electronic book and journal databases for student research needs. If we don�t have what you�re looking for, request books through MeLCat, a statewide interlibrary loan consortium.
Lead with Your Strengths Our strengths-based journey continues. We are committed to helping every team member explore and leverage their unique talents through the CliftonStrengths Assessment, developed by Gallup. Whether you are new to the assessment or simply looking to revisit your results, now is a great time to engage. These sessions are open to everyone, not just our newest employees.
Haven�t taken the assessment yet? Join us to discover your Top 5, and other reports, to learn how to invest in your strengths.
Already have your Top 5 report and still curious about your full 34? Let�s explore.
Just want a refresher or to re-engage with your strengths? You are welcome to join as well.
Wherever you are on your strengths journey, these sessions are designed to help you focus on what you do best. Sign up today and keep leading with your strengths.
Here is how to get started:
With supervisor approval, register to attend one of the Explore Your Strengths sessions below:
Wednesday | May 28 | 11 a.m. | AWH Room 128 | Register Here
Thursday | June 26 | 3 p.m. | TTC Room 4520 | Register Here
Tuesday | July 29 | 9 a.m. | CAH Room 223 | Register Here
Then, if needed, you will receive a code from one of the Strengths coaches before the session. This code will allow you to complete the CliftonStrengths Assessment. The assessment will take approximately 45 minutes.
Next, attend the session to learn more about how to read your report, dive into your top strengths and truly invest in your strengths.
Bookstore Now Accepting Summer Financial Aid May 5 was the first day that students could start using summer financial aid to make purchases at the Texas Township Bookstore. Both in-store and online purchases are eligible. Note that the Bookstore has transitioned to summer hours. It will be open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday, through July 31. Shop in person or online 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 shipped for $5. Electronic Textbooks and Courseware Available for Classes Please share this information with students. Did they know they automatically get electronic versions of textbooks and other course materials for their classes? It's called Ready Day One! The cost is charged to their tuition bill. E-books tend to be at least 50 percent cheaper than hardcover and paperback textbooks. Please note that electronic materials are ONLY available in classes where the instructor selected the option for the course and many do!
What students need to know:
Within 24 hours of registering for a class with the electronic materials option, Kalamazoo Valley Community College�s Texas Township Campus Bookstore sends an email indicating that they are enrolled in Ready Day One and that e-course materials will be available in their Canvas account on the first day of class. It�s important to watch for the email.
If they wish to opt out and remove the Ready Day One charge from their tuition bill (it will be itemized there), they must act within two weeks from the first day of class. They have three options for doing so: Complete the transaction via their Canvas account, email the Bookstore at bookstore.kvcc.edu or call the Bookstore at 269.488.4030.
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 Coffee Den is closed for the summer. The Cougar Cafe's summer hours are Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Dale B. Lake Award Winners Announced Sophomores Caley Kerwin, an exceptional dual-sport athlete in softball and women�s basketball, and JJ Manion, an outstanding right-handed baseball player, have been selected this year�s winners of Kalamazoo Valley Community College�s highest honor for student-athletes, the coveted Dale B. Lake Award. Kerwin upheld a 3.6 GPA and Manion had a 3.5 GPA during their college career. Kerwin graduated with two associate degrees this past year, one in education in the fall and the second in liberal arts in April. She was an outfielder on the softball team and a guard on the women�s basketball team. She was voted Defensive Player of the Year by the women�s basketball team. Manion pursued liberal arts and nursing at Valley. He plans to transfer to Grand Valley State University in the fall to study nursing and play baseball. He was a starter for the last two years, and this year was made team captain. He�s earned multiple athletic accolades at the state and regional levels, including Michigan Community College Athletic Association 2025 Pitcher of the Week two times. Read the full story here.
Softball, Baseball Teams Wrap up their Seasons Congratulations to the softball and baseball teams for their hustle this season, both earning fourth place in the Western Conference of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association. The softball team wrapped up the season with a 7-17 conference record and 11-21 overall record on May 2. The baseball team finished with a 13-12 conference record and a 24-20 overall record on May 3. Read the full story here. To see the teams in action, click here for photos of the softball team and here for photos of the baseball team at their April 11 home games against Marian University's Ancilla College.
Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep Exhibit Opens May 17 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 May 17 to Aug. 31. Find more details at kalamazoomuseum.org.
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. Beginning May 31, tours will take place every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and every Wednesday starting June 11 at the same times (no tours on Wednesday, June 4). These family-friendly tours will be available through Aug. 30. Each lasts about 20 to 25 minutes. Register now online at kalamazoomuseum.org, or sign up 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.
