History of Kalamazoo Valley
Kalamazoo Valley Community College was established in 1966 by the overwhelming approval of voters in nine local school districts. It is a comprehensive, fully accredited, public, two-year college with enrollment of about 10,000 students. Kalamazoo Valley offers certificate programs in more than 20 areas of study and associate degrees in 25 others. In addition to associate degree and certificate programs in art and new media, business, education/human service/social science, English/humanities/liberal arts, health careers, industrial trades, public service, science and engineering, and sustainable food systems, the college also provides a quality experience for students preparing to transfer to four-year institutions following graduation.
Currently, Kalamazoo Valley has four campuses:
- Texas Township Campus
- Arcadia Commons Campus
- The Groves Campus
- Bronson Healthy Living Campus
Designed by Alden B. Dow, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, the Texas Township Campus is located near the I-94 and U.S. 131 interchange on 185 acres of rolling woodland west of Kalamazoo. Expanded several times over the last 45 years, the 430,000-square-foot complex features modern classrooms, comprehensive library and computer capabilities, two gymnasiums, a swimming pool, ball fields, tennis courts, a running track, an auditorium, food services, free parking in expansive lots, and fully equipped labs for science, industrial, and manufacturing technologies.
Located in downtown Kalamazoo, the Arcadia Commons Campus includes Anna Whitten Hall (built in 1994), the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, and the Center for New Media. The campus serves as a hub for a community, business, and education partnership that renovated and revitalized a significant portion of the historic downtown area.
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum, which spotlights the history, culture, science, and technology of Southwest Michigan, was opened in February 1996 and recently celebrated its 2 millionth visitor. Its construction was financed entirely by $20 million in private contributions. Governed by the college, the museum houses an interactive planetarium, the Mary Jane Stryker Theater for films and performances, a Children's Landscape for preschoolers, hands-on exhibits, and the best available nationally traveling exhibits. The museum's history gallery, “Kalamazoo Direct to You,” was dedicated in December 2011 and a new science-focused Innovation Gallery opened in 2017. The museum provides a unique learning environment for students of Kalamazoo Valley Community College, as well as the general public.
The Center for New Media is located in the historic W. S. Dewing Building in the heart of the city. It offers career-based, industry-standard instruction for all aspects of digital media. Three floors of state-of-the art classrooms, two drawing studios, a photography studio, and five art galleries comprise this innovative and exciting building.
Creating an educated workforce skilled to meet the demands of a changing economy is the focus at The Groves Center on Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s third campus, The Groves Campus. Originally opened in 2001 as one of 18 M-TEC facilities across the state, the Groves Center was financed by a $5 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, plus $6 million in matching funds provided by area companies and foundations.
The Groves offers fast-track training programs that are designed with input from local employers. Available career academies include the wind turbine technician academy, which was initially launched in 2009 and has quickly earned a reputation as the premier training source for wind industry professionals. Other career academies offered at The Groves include cell tower technician academy, corrections officer academy, CNC operator academy, mechatronic systems technician academy, patient care academy, phlebotomy academy, and the police academy.
The Groves also offers customized workforce development training for area employers. Staff there works closely with businesses to ensure that services align with the employment needs of the region. Business and community leaders turn to the Groves Center for state-of-the-art education and training.
In cooperation with Bronson Healthcare and Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Kalamazoo Valley developed a campus focused on wellness and food sustainability.
The Bronson Healthy Living Campus opened in 2016 and is located on 13.3 acres of land donated by Bronson Healthcare, where Kalamazoo Valley has expanded its curriculum to include brewing and training in culinary arts, sustainable food production and safety; all part of the college’s efforts to increase community understanding of and access to healthy food and nutrition.
Many special services and programs are available on all of the college's campuses -- a thriving Honors Program; comprehensive learning, tutoring, and testing centers that offer one-on-one assistance; and the International Studies Program that includes more than 130 courses emphasizing the global aspects of everything from accounting to wellness.