Zachary Parker

Associate in Science

Zachary Parker will graduate this June with a high school diploma and his associate in arts degree. Running Start provides students like Zachary the opportunity to complete college-level credits without the cost of tuition. Juniors and seniors can continue to attend high school while also taking courses at YVC.

Parker grew up in the Yakima Valley and attended Riverside Christian School. Knowing he wanted to pursue a degree that would take many years to complete, he saw YVC’s Running Start Program as an opportunity to save time while working towards his degree. “The Running Start Program has allowed me to save the most important resource of time,” stated Zachary Parker. He has also enjoyed the variety of classes and experiences the program has allowed him to gain. “I really like how the Running Start Program has allowed me to get a feel for college. As a high school student I’ve enjoyed the responsibilities that we are given. We are able to complete our school work on our own merits and don’t have to speed-up or slow-down based on our classmates,” he continued.

This past summer Parker was selected to participate in YVC’s undergraduate research projects. These projects are made possible by a science, technology, engineering, and math grant through the US Department of Education. YVC works in partnership with Heritage University to offer this opportunity to students. He worked with YVC Biology Instructor Dr. Meghan Fitzgerald to collect and analyze milkweed plants.

Outside the classroom Parker serves as the Treasurer for the Pre-Med Club, is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and is a former Student Ambassador for ASYVC. He is also involved in the local community volunteering for his church, at Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital, and at the Union Gospel Mission.

He will graduate this June and plans to transfer to Central Washington University and pursue pre-medicine. He hopes to one day work as a primary care physician and medical missionary.