Texas Township Campus

Arcadia Commons Campus

Bronson Healthy Living Campus

Nkenge A. Bergan
Title: Special Assistant to the Provost/Associate Vice President for Student Development Services

Bio: Nkenge Bergan is a career educator with 30 years of experience. She received her BS in Inclusive Elementary Education/Special Education from Syracuse University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. Nkenge serves on the board of directors for various organizations while maintaining active membership with her beloved sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated in the Kalamazoo Alumnae Chapter. Nkenge is committed to the community and believes that the community college is a beacon for life-long learning and development. Nkenge is married to her husband, Sean, and has three children and a granddaughter.

Monteze Morales
Title: Director of Student Well-Being & Thriving

Bio: Monteze Morales currently serves as the Director of Well-Being and Thriving and has been working for Kalamazoo Valley Community College since 2012. In her role, she collaborates with community partners to provide resources for food insecurity, economic challenges, and mental health support. Outside of Valley, Monteze serves on the Kalamazoo Board of Commissioners for District No. 3 and was re-appointed by Governor Whitmer to the Hispanic Latino Commission. In her free time, Monteze enjoys community service, cooking, baking, investing in women, and spending time with family and friends.

Aaron Williams
Title: Assistant Director of KVAAP

Bio: Aaron Williams currently serves as Assistant Director of Kalamazoo Valley Accelerated Associate Program and an Athletic Liaison for student athletes. He has committed 18 years to learning and applying leadership skills in all areas of life while empowering youth and young adults in the area of leadership. Aaron has a bachelor's degree in Ministry Leadership from Spring Arbor University, which has equipped him with the necessary skills to mentor on effective leadership strategies for everyday living. One of his life goals is to greatly impact those that he mentors by giving them a clearer picture of their value, purpose, and ability to lead.

Louis Thomas
Title: Assistant Dean of Student Development Services & Special Programs

Bio: Louis Thomas currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Student Development Services and Special Programs. Prior to his current role, he served as Director of KVAAP at KVCC and as a Director and Lead for various other units in Student Success Services at previous institutions. He is an adjunct faculty member in the EDU department and belongs to several higher education organizations. He has served as a mentor for the MCCA Center for Student Success. Louis has a total of 20 years of experience working in higher education. Louis is an avid music fan who enjoys sports and spending time with family and friends.

Charles Heidelberg
Title: Director of Recruitment & Outreach

Bio: Charles Heidelberg has served as the Director of Recruitment and Outreach since September 2024. Previously, he worked as a Veteran Services Coordinator and Academic and Career Pathway advisor for Kalamazoo Valley from 2020 to 2024. He continues to work with student veterans in his current role. Charles is an Army Veteran who deployed to Iraq in 2008 and Afghanistan in 2012. He is also a former high school social studies teacher and administrator. He received his Master in Education degree from Aquinas College in 2005.

Beth Brandon
Title: Assistant Director of Kalamazoo Promise Services

Bio: Beth Brandon serves as the Assistant Director of Kalamazoo Promise Services with a strong passion for student success and retention. She has a bachelor's degree in Anthropology and a master's degree in Educational Leadership with a focus in higher education and student affairs. Both degrees were received from Western Michigan University, which is also where she got her start in higher education as a student leader for their orientations. Outside of work, Beth loves being outdoors and often goes birding, hiking, fishing, and rock and fossil hunting. She also enjoys playing and writing music as a way to express her creativity.

Miranda McDowell
Title: Coordinator of Student Onboarding & Organizations

Bio: Miranda McDowell works as the Coordinator of Student Onboarding and Organizations, supporting new and returning students with resources, opportunities, and connections. She received a degree in Community Health Education from Western Michigan University, with a focus on Psychology. Miranda loves to spend time with her family, friends and boyfriend in her free time, and additionally enjoys traveling, camping, going to the beach, watching her favorite shows and snuggling with her cats. She also enjoys collecting music memorabilia, especially when it comes to Taylor Swift or anything classic rock.

Sonya Bernard-Hollins
Title: Alumni Relations Manager

Bio: Sonya Bernard-Hollins is the Alumni Relations Manager at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and a proud KVCC alumna dedicated to strengthening alumni engagement and advancing student success. With more than 20 years of experience in education, media, and community partnership-building, she brings a strong commitment to connecting people, stories, and opportunities that elevate the college experience. Sonya is the founder of the Merze Tate Explorers, a nationally recognized youth media and global learning program that has empowered hundreds of young people to discover their voice, build confidence, and develop academic and career pathways through hands-on storytelling and experiential learning. She also leads Season Press LLC, an imprint that supports writers and fosters literacy and creativity. Sonya is married to her husband, Sean, and is the proud mother of four children.

Mary McConnell
Title: Workforce Coordinator

Bio: Mary McConnell has served as the Workforce Coordinator for Kalamazoo Valley since 2017, aiding students with career and employment resources that prepare them for life after college. Mary is a graduate from Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Davenport University, having received her degree in Business Management with a concentration in human resource management. She is a certified CliftonStrengths coach with a passion for working with students on discovering and enhancing their innate talents. Mary received her Professional in Human Resources certification in 2007 and is a member of the Kalamazoo Human Resources Management Association (KHRMA).

James Valliere
Title: Director of Advising & Counseling

Bio: James Valliere is the Director of Advising and Counseling, practicing his passion for student development and success. He also teaches English, focusing mainly on college composition. A native of Mid-Michigan, James attended Central Michigan University and went on to do his graduate studies at The University of Edinburgh, concluding with an MFA from Old Dominion University. He has two cats, Octavian and Poe, is an avid reader, and is passionate about advocating for students as they navigate their academic experiences.