President’s Letter | Spring 2023
At Yakima Valley College, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to pursue a better life — for themselves, for their families and for their communities. That belief drives our work because we know that education unlocks human potential. While each of our students has their own individual goals and dreams, they all share the desire to engage in meaningful work that enables them to support themselves and their families.
As a community college, we’re open to everyone in the Yakima Valley region striving to improve their lives. From high school students to senior citizens, from those looking to enter the workforce for the first time to those interested in changing careers, from those working toward their GED to those whose ultimate goal is to earn a doctoral degree — YVC is here to support the educational journeys of our community members.
In this Spring 2023 edition of YVC Voice, our stories explore some of the ways in which our college is unlocking human potential. We take a deep dive into how YVC is partnering with various communities and providers to strengthen our region’s early education workforce. In another story, we spotlight how our Engineering Department is preparing graduates to fill essential roles in local land surveying and civil engineering industries. You’ll also get to meet several individuals who were on the verge of not completing high school but found the support they needed to graduate — and get on a track to pursue post-secondary education — through YVC’s Step up to College program.
Through these and other stories in this edition, I hope you’ll better understand how committed our college’s faculty and staff are to the success of our students. From the teaching that goes on in the classroom to supporting the activities of our student clubs, the education and services we offer are about empowering students to achieve the life they desire.
As a member of the Yakima Valley College community, I’d like to thank you for being a part of this essential work. Through our collective efforts, we’re making the Yakima Valley an ever more thriving community.
Sincerely,
Linda Kaminski, Ed.D.
President
