Luz Herrera

Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene

Luz Herrera was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, and moved with her family to the Tri-Cities when she was eight years old. After graduating from Connell High School, she took some courses at Columbia Basin College before transferring to Central Washington University and earning a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer studies. She spent the next seven years working as a dental assistant. Wanting to expand her knowledge, she decided to enroll at YVC to pursue a degree in dental hygiene.

“I’ve always been fascinated by dental hygiene,” stated Herrera. “The first thing I notice when I meet someone is their teeth. Being able to help someone eat or smile is very rewarding and has motivated me to want to do more,” she continued.

Herrera was able to overcome personal challenges and still succeed in a rigorous program. “YVC’s program has been really hard. The program covers everything from patient care to techniques. When I was doing research into other programs I felt like some programs only covered what’s required for the test. YVC’s program covers everything I’ll need to know to be successful and has really helped me prepare for my career,” she continued.

Reflecting on her time at YVC, Herrera is thankful for the dedication shown by her instructors and is glad she made the jump to advance her skillset. “I’ve really enjoyed all of my instructors and how much they care about the students and want to help us succeed. They truly love what they do and it shows,” she concluded.

Herrera graduates this June with a bachelor of applied science in dental hygiene. She hopes to work as a dental hygienist and provide outreach to promote good oral hygiene.