YAKIMA VALLEY COLLEGE Campus Update, Fall 2020
Board of Trustees: Patrick Baldoz, Board Chair Sara Cate, M.D.
President's Message
Neil McClure
As winter rapidly approaches, we are
Rosalinda Mendoza
pleased to have this academic year well
Custulo 'Cus' Arteaga
under way. With COVID-19 still upon us,
Produced by:
we remain mostly in virtual learning
Dustin Wunderlich
mode with the exception of required
Stefanie Menard
in-person labs for about ten Workforce Education programs. In spite of our “new
Contributing Photographers:
normal,” nearly 5,600 Yakima Valley
Dustin Wunderlich
College students have been steadily
Stefanie Menard
progressing forward in attaining their bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certifcates.
Published: December 2020 If you would like to be added or removed from our mailing list, please contact us:
In this issue of ”Campus Update,” you will learn of our progress on the soon to be completed West Campus facility on the Yakima Campus as well as our remodeling projects on the Grandview Campus. This fall we also
Yakima Valley College
welcomed a new trustee to our Board, Mr. Cus Arteaga. Mr. Arteaga is the
Community Relations
Grandview City Manager and has helped the college successfully complete
PO Box 22520
the many expansions for the Grandview Campus since its inception. You
Yakima, WA 98907-2520 communityrelations@yvcc.edu 509.574.4646 Connect with Us!
will also see our annual report to the community, which includes data regarding student demographics, course completion rates and other information about the college. In addition there are articles about the many Fall Quarter activities and
accomplishments of our extraordinary students, faculty and staf. As we
YouTube
continue to adapt and thrive in our ever-changing environment, please
know that the health and safety of our students, their families and our community are our highest priority. We are grateful to each of you for your
ongoing support Yakima Valley College and your commitment to providing
higher education opportunities in the Yakima Valley.
Yakima Valley College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, genetic information, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. All inquiries regarding compliance should be directed to the Executive Director of Human Resource Services, YVC, South 16th Ave. & Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima, WA 98902; or call 509.574.4670.
Sincerely,
Linda Kaminski, Ed.D. President
Contents 3 Campus News 5 Grant News 7 Program Highlights 9 Annual Report to the Community 11 Athletics 12 Larson Gallery 13 Student Activities 14 YVC's People
Cover Photo:
Coyote and Chickens statue on YVC's South Yakima Campus this fall.
This Page:
Top: YVC's Clock Tower with fall leaves. Middle: from left Veterinary Technology student Julia Williams, Licensed Veterinary Technician Liz Shenyer, and student Shelby Melton during Equine Lab at Pegasus Project. Bottom left: Automotive Service Technology Instructor Murray Ruggles shows student Chris Guinn diagnostic information on the computer in YVC's automotive lab. Bottom right: Dental Hygiene student Alinia Boone evaluates radiographs with Dentist Dr. Robert McCulloch during a lab session.
CAMPUS NEWS From left: YVC's new Allied Health Building, new Conference Center, new Larson Gallery.
Yakima Valley College fnishes work on West Campus Expansion
Join us for a virtual grand opening on January 7, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. The event will be live-streamed via Facebook, YouTube and the YVC Website. YVC is excited to announce the completion of the West Campus Expansion project on the Yakima Campus. The project frst began in the fall of 2017 when the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges approved YVC’s plan to acquire property adjacent to the Yakima Campus. After the purchase, plans were developed to renovate and expand the existing buildings to make them stateof-the-art teaching and learning spaces. The new spaces satisfy many needs — a new facility for the Allied Health programs, a new conference center, an expanded location for the Larson Gallery, and a new wine tasting room for YVC’s Teaching Winery – Yakima Valley Vintners. The expansion also allows the college to provide more parking for students and staf. The classroom spaces include a mock hospital setup and provide a much-needed new home for YVC’s Allied Health technical programs. Those programs — Surgical Technology, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding and Phlebotomy — have for many years shared a small classroom and lab space. The new facility allows for dedicated areas for each program that have never been possible in the past. “Learning that takes place in a simulated environment must be true to life. That is what the new West Campus Allied Health building will do for YVC students," stated Surgical Technology Instructor Libby McRae. "With a space to match our faculty’s instructional expertise, YVC students will learn in an environment that prepares them for excellence working as Yakima Valley’s healthcare providers.” The new exhibition space for the Larson Gallery was designed and built with the public in mind. The new space includes free parking right in front of the gallery, public restrooms, a gift shop and access to the college’s new outdoor sculpture garden. “The new Larson Gallery space is equipped with modern museum standards and will allow us the capacity to show exhibits we could not in the old space,” stated Larson Gallery Director David Lynx. “Its convenient access will create a better experience for students and the community.” Another exciting new addition will be the wine tasting room and educational display space for YVC’s Vineyard and Winery Technology program, which began on the Grandview Campus in 2007. The program provides hands-on training in a teaching winery where students learn all aspects of the wine-making process — from grape to glass. The tasting room’s new location directly adjacent to the Larson Gallery’s exhibition space promises to be benefcial for each. “The tasting room at the YVC Campus in Yakima will give a face to the Vineyard & Winery Technology Program and the award-winning wines that are being crafted by the students,” stated Vineyard and Winery Technology Instructor Trent Ball. The conference space expands the ability for YVC to host large campus meetings and events on campus. The new facility includes a main ballroom, which can accommodate groups as large as 500 people. The facility also includes smaller conference rooms as well as ofce space for Yakima Rotary Trust and all the Yakima Rotary clubs, Downtown, Southwest and Sunrise. “This project has been a great opportunity for YVC to expand capacity in our Allied Health programs, raise awareness of our viticulture and enology programs, as well as build on our community partnerships,” stated Vice President of Administrative Services Teresa Rich. “The realization of this project could not have happened without the vision and support from the entire community.” The renovation and expansion project cost a total of $22.7 million. 3 Yakima Valley College
This fall Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Castulo “Cus” Arteaga to Yakima Valley College’s Board of Trustees. Arteaga currently serves as the Grandview city administrator, a position he has held since 2010. Previously, he served the City of Grandview as public works director for nine years, assistant public works director for fve years and as a public works maintenance technician for 15 years. In his long history with the City of Grandview, Arteaga has been instrumental in the development and ongoing expansion of YVC’s Grandview Campus. In addition, Arteaga has served on many community boards including Astria Sunnyside Hospital, Yakima County Development Association and Lower Valley Credit Union. “I have lived in Grandview for over 60 years and have also worked for the City of Grandview for approximately 48 of those years,” stated Arteaga. “I have been part of the Castulo 'Cus' Arteaga improvements and/or expansions of the Grandview Campus throughout the years. I have also had the opportunity to witness how YVC can improve one’s ability to live the American Dream by securing a good education. I want to continue to help YVC by advocating and supporting programs that will continue to improve the quality of life for those who attend Yakima Valley College.” Arteaga replaces Robert Ozuna whose term ended on September 30, 2020. His term of ofce is efective October 13, 2020 and ends on September 30, 2023.
Upgrades begin on the Grandview Campus In 2021, Yakima Valley College’s Grandview Campus will welcome upgrades to labs serving multiple academic programs as well as its distance learning classroom, fnancial aid ofce, a computer lab and more. Work on the Grandview Main building totaling approximately $3 million kicked of this fall, with completion expected by summer 2021. “Grandview has seen signifcant growth in recent years,” said Marc Coomer, dean of the Grandview Campus and College & Career Readiness division. “Improvements to our facilities allow us to continue providing high-quality instruction and services to our students, as well as expand course oferings as that growth continues. This project strengthens the educational opportunities available in the lower Yakima Valley.” Included in the remodel are updates to lab spaces used for biology, chemistry, geology and art courses. “The renovation will provide modernized lab facilities for our science classes, making them safer for students and expanding opportunities for innovative teaching and learning,” Coomer continued. “In addition, the update to the Financial Aid Ofce will create a more welcoming environment for students and make it easier for staf to ensure student confdentiality." MH Construction is general contractor for the project and BORArchitecture is the architect. Approximately one-third of the Grandview Main Building will be remodeled during the project. Learn more about YVC’s Grandview Campus.
Renovations to YVC's Grandview Main building began in October.
This project is expected to be completed in summer of 2021.
Fall 2020 4
■
CAMPUS NEWS
YVC welcomes new board member
11 GRANT NEWS
■
New grants advance economic mobility for YVC students Over the next fve years, hundreds of Yakima Valley College students will beneft from three federal grants intended to advance economic mobility for populations historically under-served by higher education. Totaling nearly $7 million, the grants will support learning opportunities and support services for frst-generation, low-income and other disadvantaged students.
UDEAL Grant Over the next fve years, a $3 million Hispanic-Serving Institution grant will help build classes and structures that beneft YVC students by strengthening pathways to economic opportunity. The project, “Universal Design for Equity and Accountability in Learning” or UDEAL, will focus on enhancements to the college’s learning environment that enable students to be more successful in their academic work and life beyond college. The project will draw from principles of universal design — which aim to make environments accessible to all people, regardless of age, disability or other factors — to Lead Cashier Nina Stewart helps a student center the needs of systemically disadvantaged learners in teaching and learning, assessment of student learning and online learning. Extensive professional development will be provided to YVC faculty and staf to support implementation of universal design (UD) in courses and support programs. “If faculty and student services personnel proactively plan instruction and services to be inclusive of all learners, student learning and achievement will improve, leading to greater persistence to degree completion for all students,” said Project Director Maribel Torres Jiménez. Other enhancements include: a simulation lab UDEAL Project Director Maribel Torres Jiménez advises a student for students in the business management, business technology and information technology programs complete with real world experiences and additional internship opportunities; integration of fnancial literacy education and resources in coursework, academic advising and student services to enhance the student experience; and additional faculty to support YVC’s applied bachelor programs. Torres Jiménez said UDEAL will support faculty in building relationships with more businesses and government and non-proft agencies where students can gain professional experience through internships. “Here in the Yakima Valley, we have a signifcant TRIO Director Dustin Shattuck meets with a student opportunity to support the economic mobility we want our students to experience,” Torres Jiménez said. “If we can provide more internship opportunities for our students right here in the Yakima Valley, it will enable them to stay local and give back to our community.” For more information contact Maribel Torres Jiménez at 509.574.4965. Read the full story online.
5 Yakima Valley College
CAMP Grant YVC will help the region’s migrant and seasonal farmworker community achieve their higher education aspirations with support from a $2.1 million grant. The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, provides a range of support to migrant or seasonal farmworkers and their children — boosting their ability to successfully complete the frst year of college. Students receive a stipend, free tutoring, and access to technology, career development support, internship and service learning opportunities, academic success workshops and other support. “CAMP is incredibly successful in opening a pathway to Washington State University's 2007 CAMP student group. Provided by higher education for the migrant farmworker community,” Cecilia Arroyo (pictured 4th from the right in the top row. YVC CAMP Director Ilda Guzmán is pictured sitting in the front row to the left. said YVC CAMP Director Ilda Guzmán. “CAMP enhances the inherited experiences and skills migrant or migrant seasonal farmworking students bring with them to college. With the support of YVC staf, the CAMP program guides students through their pathway towards earning and successfully completing their degrees.” Cecilia Arroyo was born and raised in Yakima, the youngest child of a migrant farmworker family. Being accepted into Washington State University’s CAMP program helped create a bridge to success for Arroyo, who now works for BORArchitecture in Yakima. “My dad lived and worked his entire life in the orchard,” Arroyo said. “My siblings and I were the frst generation to attend college. College was a whole diferent world – I couldn’t ask my parents what college was like because they didn’t have the opportunity. CAMP created opportunities for me to meet people who could help me grow, it taught me leadership skills that I have continued to use in my personal and professional life.” In each of the next fve years, YVC will support and dedicate services to 40 CAMP students in their frst year of study. For more information on eligibility, criteria contact Ilda Guzmán at hguzman@yvcc.edu. Read the full story online.
TRIO Grant After Jaren Wallulatum graduated from high school in 2014 he enrolled in college, uncertain what career path to pursue. And like many frst-generation students, he wasn’t sure where to go for support. Wallulatum eventually left school to enter the workforce. Two years later, he gave college another try — only this time with the support he had earlier lacked. That help came from YVC’s TRIO Student Support Services, which provides low-income and frst-generation students with academic support services such as tutoring, Jaren Wallulatum at YVC's Commencement Ceremony in 2019. assistance with education plans, personal and career counseling, and book loans. In each of the next fve years, 200 YVC students will beneft from access to TRIO’s services thanks to a new $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. TRIO helps students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education said Program Director Dustin Shattuck. And in taking down those barriers, TRIO ultimately helps increase students’ academic success, graduation rates and likelihood of transferring to four-year institutions. “Finding TRIO made a huge diference for me in navigating the higher education system,” said Wallulatum, who graduated from YVC in 2019 and is now majoring in economics and public policy at Central Washington University. “It helped build a network of peers, instructors and college staf who I can reach out to for help.” Read the full story online. Fall 2020 6
GRANT NEWS
11
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
■
Biology team explores ocean acidifcation YVC Instructor Jerred Seveyka’s Biology 223 course provides students the opportunity to develop a research project with a faculty mentor. During the spring of 2018, students Kathy Cousins and Brandon Beskow approached Seveyka with an idea for a joint project. “Kathy and Brandon met with me to discuss a project that I had been working on for many years, the development of a model of ocean -0.12 .I acidifcation using a living calcifying organism,” stated Seveyka. “One of A diagram showing current ocean surface pH the major problems associated with climate change is the acidifcation of compared to pre-industrial surface levels the ocean that is occurring due to elevated atmospheric CO2 levels.” The team used a calcifying alga and grew it under diferent pH conditions to see if it would calcify at diferent rates. The students found success on an early version of this lab by adding drops of acids or bases to the solution that the algae were growing in. Cousins continued to work on the project through a summer research project before transferring to Washington State University. “For the next couple of years we continued to collaborate, modify and test the lab using diferent equipment and solutions. Ultimately, we developed a simple setup for teachers and wrote a manuscript to guide teachers on how to use this living organism to explore ocean acidifcation,” continued Seveyka. This year the team submitted the completed manuscript to the American Biology Teacher journal for review and it was accepted for publication. The work, titled “Hands-On Exploration of Ocean Acidifcation with a Living Calcifer,” is expected to be published in early January 2021.
YVC continues to adapt during global pandemic Faculty and staf have continued to make adjustments and modifcations to oferings to help students be successful while facing the COVID-19 pandemic. With limitations on group gatherings still in efect, YVC along with other community and technical colleges continue to ofer most courses online with a handful of in-person labs for a small portion of students enrolled in workforce education programs. Some of YVC’s eforts are highlighted below.
STEM Academic Intervention Coordinator Cristy Rasmussen is helping make sure STEM students move toward successful, prepared matriculation. To help identify interventions for students who are at-risk of attrition, Rasmussen Student Derek Bryant meets with Cristy Rasmussen looks at contributing factors that lead to poor academic performance. Rasmussen has moved what were previously face-to-face conversations with students to individual online meetings and check-ins with students from various STEM disciplines. She has also worked to provide online coordination of the Finish Strong program, as well as STEM advising and new student orientation. Biology Instructor Amanda Gall has worked to improve her students’ online learning experience. “I really wanted to create a supportive learning environment for the students,” states Gall. “To help my students feel like they get to engage with an instructor, I have recorded all of my lectures using Panopto so that the students can listen to me lecturing on the topics and follow along on slides that I have made accessible to print out.” In addition, every Friday she runs a Q&A session via Zoom so that students can ask any questions before their homework and quizzes are due. She’s also created a variety of learning tools such as lecture worksheets, practice problems and quizzes, links to helpful YouTube videos and lab kits that students pick up from campus and experience at home.
Technology Services In addition to equipping faculty, staf and students with technology to work and learn remotely, YVC’s Technology Services department worked to improve automation and remote support over the summer. They accomplished this by upgrading the college’s management systems to securely manage laptops remotely over the internet, while also improving the VPN. 7 Yakima Valley College
As the greater Yakima Valley and country at-large recover from the fallout of COVID-19, Yakima Valley College is participating in “Moving Ahead with Adult Ed,” a national campaign to raise awareness of adult education as an essential economic catalyst. “Millions of Americans are out of work or underemployed and need to reskill or upskill to re-enter the workforce or pursue their education,” said Marc Coomer, dean of College & Career Readiness. “Adult education A former adult education student in class provides on-ramps to not only get people back into the workforce but get them into better jobs than they had before the pandemic.” The #MovingAheadWithAdultEd campaign focuses on re-engaging the millions of Americans who are in need of additional skills to compete in the workforce and obtain jobs with family-sustaining wages. In addition to providing industry skills training, YVC’s adult education programs teach literacy, numeracy and digital literacy, as well as ofer high school equivalency classes. Know someone who could beneft from adult education? Learn more about YVC's Adult Education courses online, call 509.574.6860 or email ccr@yvcc.edu.
YVC's Choir releases second video concert YVC Choral Director Steven Slusher continues to provide opportunities for music students to engage and create despite the limitations of being in a virtual environment. For his latest project, Slusher transformed practice rooms in YVC’s Kendall Hall into individual recording studios. He then worked with the college’s director of occupational health and safety to develop a plan to bring choral students onto campus for individualized recording sessions, while maintaining physical distancing guidelines and meeting public safety requirements. YVC Choir members record a portion of their performance of “The Candle is a Symbol” on Nov. 30. “For the mental health of YVC students and community members who are signed up for community service credit, I had to provide an opportunity to belong to something musical this quarter,” stated Slusher. “We all need to exercise that portion of our brain during this rough time. Singing ‘together’ provides us with the feeling of peace, hope, love and joy! I hope our journey does the same for you! Happy Holidays!” The fnished product, “The Candle is a Symbol,” is available online. Click here to view the concert.
Virtual FAFSA/WASFA workshops held fall and winter quarters This fall and winter YVC is hosting virtual FAFSA/WASFA workshops to help students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). Each year, the U.S. Department of Education provides more than $150 billion in grants, loans and work-study funds to students in need. Sessions include volunteers who are available to help students and answer questions. Virtual breakout rooms are used to review personal information and all workshops are open to the community free of charge. “Given the remote environment we are all in, it’s important that we continue to engage students where they are,” stated Financial Aid Director Oscar Verduzco. “Financial planning for college, which includes completing the FAFSA or WASFA application, is a key part of succeeding with a college education. Completing these applications early helps students make an informed decision about where they will go to school as well as help secure limited resources. We support our community with these events so that applications are accurately completed regardless of where they plan to enroll.” Additional workshops will be held January 13 and 27 as well as February 10 and 24, 2021. Preregistration is required. Fall 2020 8
■
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
YVC joins national campaign to bolster economic recovery through adult education
11
Annual Report • Academic Year 2019-2020 Enrollment
Operating Resources Total $34,075,374
State Operating Funds $20,097,357 59%
$25,000,000
8,138 Annual Headcount 4,526 Full-Time Equivalent
$20,000,000
Graduating Class 1,005 Graduates 1,044 Total Degrees and Certifcates Earned
$15,000,000
Tuition $9,807,026 29%
Employees 366 Full-Time Employees 38% Faculty 40% Classifed 12% Administrative 10% Exempt/Professional
$10,000,000
$5,000,000
Reserves $3,693,991 11%
Local Funds $477,000 1%
0
Financial Aid
State & Federal Grants & Contracts
Total $25,516,631
Total $15,597,052
$8,000,000
Federal Grants $7,983,423 47%
$20,000,000
Local Grants & Contracts $5,532,079 42%
$7,000,000 $6,000,000
Grants and Waivers $19,188,343 75%
$15,000,000
$5,000,000 $10,000,000
$4,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,000,000
State Grants $2,081,550 11%
$5,000,000
$1,000,000 0
0
Student Loans $4,413,302 17%
Scholarships $1,432,798 6% Work Study Outside Agency $423,840 $58,348 2% <1%
Data for this report provided by the Ofce of Institutional Efectiveness, Budget Ofce, Grant Ofce, Financial Aid, Annual Report, Data Warehouse, and Financial Aid Management. Published: December 2020.
A Look at Our Students Continuing Education College & Career 2% Readiness 20% Academic Transfer 60%
Developmental Education 24%
Course Type
Professional/Technical Training 47%
40 or Above 13%
Under 20 30%
30-39 16%
25-29 14%
Age
20-24 27%
Black/African Not Asian Reported 1% American 1% 3%
Two or More Races 19%
Hispanic/Latino 46%
White 29%
Ethnicity
College Infrastructure Projects
YVC Yakima Campus Skills Center building #32 & 33 To help increase energy efciency and environmental performance of state-owned facilities YVC received a $600,529 matching grant from Department of Commerce to support the remodel of the HVAC and electrical infrastructure of the Skills Center building. The project will be a total upgrade of the HVAC systems and electrical infrastructure of the Skills Center buildings (#32 & #33). The Yakima Valley New electrical service in YVC's Skills Center building on the Yakima Campus College Skills Center is primarily used as ofce and classroom space. The classroom spaces are served by a single-duct variable air volume system with hot water reheat and direct expansion (DX) cooling with all equipment operating beyond its useful life. The ofce spaces are served by a constant volume air handling unit with DX cooling and electric duct heaters that are also at the end of their useful life. The controls system is a failing and obsolete pneumatic control system. Upgrades to the mechanical system will also trigger several electrical code upgrades that will require new switchgear, branch panels, and feeder and disconnection and demolition of feeders from the adjacent shop building. Total cost of the project will be $1,292,529.
, Human Resource Services, and the Vice President for Administrative Services. Sources include, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
I
ATHLETICS
■
Student-athletes, coaches contend with challenges of pandemic Since sports activities were abruptly canceled last winter, Yakima Valley College’s student-athletes and coaches have been forced to contend with uncertainty. Without knowing when competition or even practices might resume, the Yaks sports teams have worked to maintain their conditioning while coping with the mental and emotional challenges brought on by the pandemic. Below, athletes and coaches share their experiences during this unprecedented time.
“We have a workout program we’ve been following from home and that’s been really helpful in keeping us in shape and motivated. Getting together as a team via Zoom to talk about what’s going on in our lives — what we’re struggling with and the positive things — that’s really helpful to support each other.” - Maggie Hutto, Volleyball
“Something that’s defnitely helping me, and I’m sure many of my teammates, with morale is the constant communication with each other, but also with Coach Bodeen. He’s done his absolute best to
communicate what he can about our upcoming season and also just inspirational messages each week to keep us motivated.” - Alexis Lokeni, Softball
“During quarantine it’s been pretty difcult to workout. I have been doing basketball workouts on outdoor courts and hoops. It's a weird time because we don’t even know if we’re going to play, but it’s pretty motivating to know that they could fnd a vaccine and we could start practice tomorrow, so I need to make sure I’ll be ready to play at any time.” - Callie Delp, Women’s Basketball
“I’m encouraging my players to have an attitude of gratitude. If we don’t have hard times we can’t get stronger, and as difcult as things are right now, I try to remind my players they still have so much to give. They have kindness to give. They can make a positive impact on the people in their lives.” - Chuck Bodeen, Head Softball Coach “Our athletes’ mental health is of huge importance to us. The NWAC conference has virtual freside chats led by a doctor where all student athletes can discuss complex topics anonymously with the doctor and other athletes. Our team has regular Zoom meetings and we message/email each other all the time. It has really helped our team stay together and get the support they need in athletics and beyond.” - Darci Dekker, Head Volleyball Coach “Throughout the pandemic we’ve remained in contact via Zoom and group chat. The Lady Yaks were presented with an 8-week workout program during the summer and another 4-week plan for the fall. Now we’re patiently waiting for a safe return to the court.” - Adam Strom, Head Women’s Basketball Coach
11 Yakima Valley College
LARSON GALLERY
■
Artwork included in the Larson Gallery's 65th Annual Central Washington Artists' Exhibition pictured from top left: Mountain Motion by Kathryn Kaye, Breaking Free by Karen Starkey, Manastash by Bob Fisher, Owl Song by Kat Green, Hope by Patrick Fleming, and Masquerade of Attacus by Kristen Michael.
Larson Gallery hosts 65th Annual Central Washington Artists’ Exhibition Celebrating its 65th year at the Larson Gallery, the Central Washington Artists’ Exhibition is now on display and showcases the most current and innovative artwork being produced right here in our region. The gallery received over 200 submissions from 91 artists. Juror Lauren Lessing had the difcult task of selecting just 87 pieces for this year’s show. Lessing, an art historian and educator with more than 25 years of experience working in museums, currently serves as the director of the University of Iowa’s Stanley Museum of Art. Her previous appointments included positions at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. She holds a bachelor’s degree in fne art from Earlham College, as well as master’s degrees in library science and art in history as well as a PhD in history of art from Indiana University. She also serves on the curatorial advisory panel of the Gund Gallery at Kenyon College and on the editorial board of the journal Panorama. The show runs November 14 - December 12, 2020. A virtual opening event was held on November 14. The Larson Gallery is abiding by the State of Washington rules regarding COVID-19 safety precautions. View the exhibit online.
YVC's new Larson Gallery Exhibition Center is opening soon! Join us for a virtual grand opening on January 7, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. The event will be live-streamed via Facebook, YouTube and the YVC Website. Read more about the expansion project on page 3 of this publication.
Fall 2020 12
11 STUDENT ACTIVITIES
■
Creating a Unifed Government ASYVC Student Life has worked this past year to create a more unifed student experience. Student councils on the Yakima and Grandview campuses have worked together to improve communication and provide virtual resources for students. “Our focus this quarter has been less on actual events and more on building connections,” stated Student Life Coordinator Laura Yolo. “These eforts have helped us embody our mission of creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all Yaks to achieve excellence.” A large focus of their work this fall has been to share student voices on the Yak Blog, with several student-authored posts shared on the blog over the course of the quarter. A highlight was the work of Grandview Student Council Programmer Esmeralda Cruz who wrote two posts one on Breast Cancer Awareness Month and another on Dia De Los Muertos. Lastly, to help support the mental health of students, the student councils collected songs that help those struggling with depression and then curated these songs into a playlist which was posted for all students to access.
Disability Awareness Month YVC celebrated Disability Awareness Month in October. With the help of the student councils in Yakima and Grandview and Disability Support Services, resources were shared throughout the month on the college’s social media and website to help bring awareness to the importance of the month as well as help others understand some of the struggles that YVC students face on daily basis. In addition, an article and video were posted to the Yak Student Blog highlighting Deaf-blind student Kevin Sampson. Sampson was born with Usher syndrome and depends on hand touching through hand-signing translations. Sampson has overcome his barriers to communications with support from Tactile ASL interpreters who have been his advocate. Read the story online. Kevin Sampson utilizing Tactile ASL
Indigenous People’s Day and Fry Bread Demonstration Yakima and Grandview student councils celebrated Indigenous People’s Day with a Fry Bread Demonstration and conversation with Yakima Student Council President Penny Tahmalwash. Tahmalwash shared the process of making native fry bread, while chatting about Indigenous People’s Day and what it means to be part of the Yakama Nation Tribe. “Making food that is made from love and good thoughts, is what my people love to do. Even during sorrowful times, you can hear the laughs and joy through food,” stated Tahmalwash. “Learning to make fry bread is a recipe that you will learn for life and never go hungry with these staple items in your pantry.”
Penny Tahmalwash making fry bread
Diversity Series
0q warenessf~"flfiiv
YVC’s Diversity Series worked this fall to create a line-up that presented important topics and would work in a remote environment. The series kicked-of with a virtual conversation hosted by writer, educator and poet •Alliance• Actio, Clint Smith. Smith presented on "How to Work Toward Equity & Justice in Our Schools," and his talk addressed themes centered on racial equity and inclusion in the K-15 and higher education systems. The series continued with a virtual conversation with Kessie Alexandre, a leading scholar on the subject of water insecurity and assistant geography professor at the University of Washington. Her talk, “Water Justice as Social Justice,” focused on the history of water activism, specifcally activists’ eforts to keep their water system public and why that’s important today. A Q&A followed the presentation. Lastly, a special flm series was scheduled that explores dismantling racism in society. Each event will provide one week of free access to viewing a flm, followed by a virtual discussion on that flm. Fall flms included “Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement” and “13th.” The series continues in 2021 with “Selma,”“Freedom Riders,”“If Beale Street Could Talk” and “I Am Not your Negro.” Visit the Diversity Series website for more information on upcoming events. 13 Yakima Valley College
11
Congratulations to James Combs, recipient of the Summer 2020 Classifed Employee of the Quarter Award. Combs is a Warehouse Operator 1 in Central Receiving. Debra Pottenger
Congratulations to YVC English Instructor Kristy Webster-Gonzalez whose poem, Heretic, was published in the last edition of Into the Void Magazine. Staf in YVC’s Facility Operations and Security departments engaged in professional development over the summer and all are now First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defbrillator (AED) certifed. In addition, staf in Facility Operations became Overton Lift Certifed for fork lifts and aerial platforms.
James Combs
YVC says goodbye to Tye, Childress, Peters YVC’s campus community mourned the loss of three valued friends of the college this fall. Verla Jean Waterbury Tye worked in YVC’s Human Resource Services Department for 38 years before retiring in 2016. She will be remembered for her sweet smile, sparkling eyes and a wicked sense of humor. An alumni of YVC, Norman Wayne Childress was elected to the Grandview City Council in 1993 and served as a councilman until 2005 at which time he was elected Mayor of Grandview, a position he proudly held until 2018. During this time he worked hard to support the expansion of YVC’s Grandview Campus including the joint city-college library. Doug Peters was dedicated to making Selah, Yakima, Washington State and the world a better place through his work in the community. His particular focus was on education and the environment. He was a former board chair for the YVC’s Board of Trustees as well as being a past member of the Yakima Valley College Foundation board.
Yakima Valley Vintners earn honors Congratulations to YVC’s Vineyard & Winery Technology program, which recently earned honors at the 2020 Seattle Wine Awards and 2020 Cascadia International Wine Competition. A panel of prominent wine professionals judged all submitted YVC wines blindly alongside those produced by commercial wineries. At the Seattle Wine Competition YVC’s 2018 Research Paper Roussanne received a double gold. The 2019 Easy A Chardonnay and 2017 Dean’s List Reserve Tempranillo each garnered gold medals; silver medals were awarded for the 2019 Study Skills Chardonnay and 2019 Study Break Semillon. Lastly, the 2017 Cap N Gown Cabernet Sauvignon earned a bronze medal. At the Cascadia International Wine Competition YVC’s 2017 Late Registration Petit Verdot and 2017 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Primitivo each earned gold medals and the 2017 Graduates Last Hyrah Syrah garnered a silver medal. YVC’s hands-on learning program produces between 400-700 cases of wine per year. Produced by the students of the Vineyard & Winery Technology Program, the college’s award-winning wines have garnered more than 149 awards over the last ten vintages. These award-winning wines are available for purchase on the Yakima Valley Vintners website, with curbside pickup available at the Tasting Room. For more information about Yakima Valley Vintners and the Yakima Valley College Vineyard and Winery Technology Program visit our website or call 509.882.7007.
YVC award-winning wines from the 2020 Seattle Wine Competition
YVC award-winning wines from the 2020 Cascadia International Wine Competition
Fall 2020 14
■
PEOPLE
Congratulations to Debra Pottenger, recipient of the Spring 2020 Classifed Employee of the Quarter Award. Pottenger is a Program Assistant in Housing and International Students.
Get hands-on training in YVC's bachelor of applied science in dental hygiene program