Jasleen Chauhan
“With Running Start you get to be around a variety of people and there’s more opportunities here than at my high school.”
Pronouns
She/Her
Degree/Certificate & Class Year
Business Administration DTA, 2024
Hometown
Yakima, Wash.
High School Attended
East Valley High School
Extracurriculars (e.g., clubs, YVC sports teams)
National Honor Society
What three words would you use to describe YVC?
Diverse, Creative, Welcoming
What’s your favorite class? Why? How has it expanded your knowledge?
I’ve enjoyed a lot of my classes, but my favorite has been the accounting sequence courses taught by instructor Ashley Brown. She did a great job of communicating with us. She didn’t make the content always about accounting but would incorporate her own experiences to make it more relatable.
Who is your mentor on campus? Why do you consider this person your mentor?
Hillary Emerson [Running Start Coordinator]. She’s really fast with her replies and direct with her responses. She will share her thoughts on courses and help guide me to make decisions that are right for me.
What made you want to be part of the Running Start program?
I was interested in Running Start because it helps plan your career better. It also gives you a better idea of what it’s like to be at a university. You get to be around a variety of people and there’s more opportunities here than at my high school.
How did you decide on a major?
I’ve always liked business growing up. My dad is a local business owner, and he would take us to work with him. It helped me become more interested in the major and I realized that I wanted to help him.
Are there any barriers that you’ve overcome to be successful at YVC? Please describe.
The biggest barrier I’ve had to overcome is reaching outside of my comfort zone. I am a really shy person, and I haven’t always liked talking with people. The YVC instructors have been helpful in getting me to communicate in class.
What do you like or find most interesting about your major?
I think it prepares you for the real world because we study markets and understand things like inflation better. We get to learn what causes changes and how to fix them.
Where do you find your community on campus?
Sopho’s Mojo is my favorite spot on campus. I’ll see people I went to school with and am able to reconnect with them. It is such a welcoming place.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Do it. Take the risk. It might be hard at first, but it is worth it in the long run. You’ll meet awesome students and instructors who will help you grow, learn new things or guide you on the right path.
How has Yakima Valley College changed you?
YVC has helped me express myself more. After moving here I was really quiet because I didn’t feel like I fit in. After enrolling in Running Start and meeting new people it helped me realize I didn’t need to change and helped me express myself in a better way.
How do you manage stress?
For me Running Start has been easier than high school and hasn’t made me feel stressed. Instructors here give you the resources to help you do your work. If you have a question, they’ll help you figure out how to get the answer. Assignments are also more spaced out and allow you to take your time instead of feeling pressured to simply get things turned in.
What do you view is your biggest achievement at YVC?
Having all As. Before I started here people would tell me how hard college is. It is a big accomplishment that I’ve been able to keep my grades the same.
What is your ultimate goal? Where would you like to end up?
My goal is to become an international businessperson or business lawyer, but I also want to be a good person. My dad would always tell me that it does not matter what you do as long as at the end of the day you are a good person.
Interested in getting started at YVC? Visit our admissions page or request information.