President’s Letter | Summer 2023
The Yakima Valley College community recently celebrated the graduation of hundreds of students in the Class of 2023. Our commencement ceremony is always a joyful moment for not only our graduates and their families and friends, but also our faculty and staff who supported them during their journey here. There are few things in life that are as rewarding as seeing graduates who persevere through adversity to earn their degree or certificate and take the next step toward achieving their dreams.
There is tremendous opportunity here in the Yakima Valley, in Washington state and beyond for YVC graduates. Our communities need their skills, knowledge, resilience and character. In earning their degree or certificate, our Class of 2023 has proven that they have what it takes to succeed. And, in the years ahead, we look forward to seeing everything that these graduates do to make our community and the world a better place.
In our Summer 2023 edition of YVC Voice you’ll meet some of this year’s graduates — including Abigail Moran, a Running Start student heading to the University of Washington with the goal of becoming a lawyer; Francisco Flores, an engineering student selected for two nationally-selective undergraduate research experiences while at YVC; and Isaac Rivera, an Automotive Service Technology graduate starting a prestigious training program with Tesla. You’ll also learn about a new app the college launched this past year to bolster the support students receive during their time at YVC. And, you’ll want to make sure to read about a new partnership between YVC, Educational Service District 105 and local school districts to support students with intellectual and developmental disabilities make a successful transition from high school to college and the workforce.
These and many more stories in our summer edition demonstrate how the YVC community is helping students flourish. Thank you for reading and being a part of our community and work. Together, we will continue to grow the impact that YVC and its students, faculty, staff and friends make in the world.
Sincerely,
Linda Kaminski, Ed.D.
President
