First Generation

If neither of your parents or your guardians has a bachelor’s degree, YOU are a First Generation student.

Welcome, Yakima Valley College Yaks! Yakima Valley College is proud to support first-generation students in achieving their educational and professional goals. More than 80% of YVC students are first-generation, along with many faculty and staff members. We hope this page serves as a resource for first-generation undergraduate students and their families.

What is a first-generation student?

The term first-generation college student means

  • A student is considered first-generation if neither of the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • A student who lives with and received support from only one parent or guardian who did not earn a bachelor’s degree.
  • A student who was/is a homeless youth, in the foster care system, or a ward of the state.

First-Generation College Celebration

We are honored to join colleges and universities across the nation in the National First-Generation College Celebration this November 2022. Led by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and the NASPA Center for First-Generation Student Success, this event celebrates the success of first-generation college students, faculty, staff and alumni and raises awareness of the support necessary for this important and resilient population to continue thriving.

Please join this celebration by viewing stories of some of YVC’s first-generation students, alumni, faculty and staff, making use of our first-gen social media and Zoom graphics, or learning more about our supports for first-gen students.

Meet some of our First Generation Students and Staff

Ways to Celebrate First-Gen Students

We invite all members of our community to celebrate the success and presence of YVC students, faculty and staff who are the first in their families to attend college during the month of November. Show your first-gen pride on social media by using the following hashtags, social media graphics and Zoom backgrounds.

Sample text for personal or departmental social media posts

Facebook

  • I am proud to be a #YVCFirstGen student/faculty/staff because … #CelebrateFirstGen
  • Every day #YVCFirstGen students, faculty and staff make great contributions to our community. We are proud to join colleges and universities across the country to recognize the National First-Generation College Celebration on November 8! Learn more at https://www.yvcc.edu/students/first-gen #CelebrateFirstGen

Instagram

  • I am proud to be a #YVCFirstGen student/faculty/staff because … #CelebrateFirstGen #FirstGenYaks
  • Thank you to all the #YVCFirstGen students, faculty and staff who make great contributions to our community! We are proud to join with colleges and universities across the country to recognize the National First-Generation College Celebration on November 8! Learn more at https://www.yvcc.edu/students/first-gen #CelebrateFirstGen #FirstGenYaks

Twitter

  • I am proud to be a #YVCFirstGen student/faculty/staff because … #CelebrateFirstGen

Hashtags: #CelebrateFirstGen #YVCFirstGen

Facebook & Instagram Graphics

Twitter Graphics

Facebook Cover Graphics

Facebook and Instagram Story Graphics

Zoom Backgrounds

Email Signature icons

Sample Email Signatures

[First & Last Name] [Degree Abbreviation if any] 
[Position Title] [Department is optional]  
Yakima Valley College 
[Area Code.Prefix.Suffix]
[email@yvcc.edu]
yvcc.edu

[First & Last Name] [Degree Abbreviation if any] 
[Position Title] [Department is optional]  
Yakima Valley College 
[Area Code.Prefix.Suffix]
[email@yvcc.edu]
yvcc.edu

Add an icon to your email signature

  1. Copy the signature to the clipboard. (Ctrl + C)
  2. In Outlook, click File to go to the Backstage view.
  3. Go to Options.
  4. Click the Mail tab and then Signatures in the Compose messages section.
  5. Create a new signature by clicking the New button.
  6. Paste the copied signature into the Edit signature section (Ctrl + V).
  7. Click OK.

Facebook & Instagram Filters

Resources for First-Generation Students

Student Services Resources

YVC Guided Pathways Coordinator & English Instructor, Mark J. Fuzie recommends using available resources, “I was a first-generation college student. I’ve often thought of what I’d tell my 17-year-old self if I could go back in time. I’d tell myself to visit with my instructors during office hours, take advantage of the writing center, tutoring center, library group study areas, study groups in classes and all the other opportunities to bring out my social self. I thought I had to do it all by myself. Turns out I was wrong. My redemption is to pass this message on to you. All of these offerings YVC makes out of love for their students. Welcome to YVC. I wish you a wonderful experience.”

Visit YVC Services – We provide a wide range of student services.

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