Clubs provide a place for students to engage
Angel Gonzalez, president of the Farm Workers Aid Club, was inspired to help found the new club by his personal experiences growing up in the agricultural rich Yakima Valley.
“I have been surrounded by field workers and have grown to understand the community’s struggles,” said Gonzalez. “Having this understanding has shaped who I am and inspired me to begin the YVC Farm Workers Aid Club. It has given me the opportunity to provide support to the community which has raised me, a community I cherish and love.”
This winter along with the formation of this club, Yakima Valley College celebrated the return of many clubs and the creation of new ways for students to connect on both the Yakima and Grandview campuses.
“It’s been proven time and time again that when a student feels connected to campus or campus life, they are more likely to stay in school and finish their degree.” — Stacy Wahl, interim student life manager
The college has a rich history of creating a climate that is open and welcoming to students of diverse backgrounds, says Interim Student Life Manager Stacy Wahl, and efforts during the past quarter are a big step toward returning campus offerings to pre-pandemic levels.
“Having ways for students to connect with their peers and engage is critical for their success in college,” Wahl said. “It’s been proven time and time again that when a student feels connected to campus or campus life, they are more likely to stay in school and finish their degree.”
Among the new options are Farm Workers Aid Club, Pharm Club and Video Game Club.
The new Farm Workers Aid Club’s primary focus is to provide support and resources to the local farm working community and students who come from this community. The club is currently working on a project to help raise funds to purchase work supplies for farmworkers to use in the upcoming spring and summer harvests. The club also hopes to provide meals and warm drinks for farmworkers and host food drives for farmworker families in need.
Another club that was reinvigorated this winter was the Pharm Club — which aims to promote the wellness of the community by providing education about health and the pharmacy profession.
Instructor Stephanie O’Brine, who co-advises the club with Instructor Brock Eubanks, says that pharmacology is foundational to many healthcare careers, providing a common ground for YVC students to connect. With options on campus for students to train for careers in medical assisting, surgical technology, sterile processing, phlebotomy, medical billing and coding, care navigation and pharmacy technology, the club can help students decide what course of study is right for them.
“In my advising experience, many students don’t always know what they want to do when they first come to YVC,” said O’Brine. “This [club] might be a great opportunity to explore and educate about different healthcare pathways while having fun with small activities throughout the academic year that promote health and wellness in our community. I’m looking forward to getting to know students a bit better by being an advisor for this pharmacy-focused club.
These new clubs join others including American Sign Language, Climate and Environment, Agribusiness & Wine, Engineering, Connection Bridge to College, STEM, Image Makers, Veterinary Technology and Nursing.
Visit the student life webpage to learn more about clubs on campus or about forming a new club.
