As 麻豆视频 kicks off the fall quarter, the college is energized by the arrival of 20 new faculty members.
At YVC, faculty are more than instructors says Tu岷 膼岷穘g, dean of art and sciences. They are innovators, mentors and leaders in their fields. Whether guiding students through transformative learning experiences or conducting research, they embody the college鈥檚 mission to empower learners and strengthen communities.
鈥淲e are excited to welcome these experts and scholars of their respective disciplines to our faculty,鈥� said 膼岷穘g. 鈥淓ach of these instructors brings to us a unique perspective on their field as well as personal and professional life experiences. It is in their diversity of background that these instructors will help us advance the college's mission.鈥�
The new faculty members span seven departments and programs, joining more than 140 full-time faculty across YVC鈥檚 campuses. Their arrival reflects YVC鈥檚 continued investment in academic excellence and dedication to preparing students for success in an ever-changing world.
Each new faculty member brings a unique story, shaped by academic achievement, professional experience and a passion for teaching. Here鈥檚 a closer look at the full-time joining YVC this fall.
Biology Department
Cresanna Zintzun
Cresanna Zintzun earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology from the University of Washington, where she studied plant physiology and participated in a Fred Hutch Cancer Center research group focused on the Arabidopsis gene bank project. She later received a master鈥檚 degree in agriculture from Washington State University.
Zintzun spent several years working in the corporate agriculture sector before joining Heritage University in 2010. At Heritage, she served as the chemical hygiene officer while also teaching courses as an adjunct instructor.
After more than a decade in higher education, Zintzun transitioned to the K-12 system in 2022. She earned a master鈥檚 degree in teaching in 2023, with endorsements in biology and English language learners. She has taught science, math and English in underserved school districts on the Yakama Reservation.
Her current interests include science education methodologies and addressing assessment gaps in underserved communities.
Elise Tulloss
Elise Tulloss has assumed a full-time faculty position in the Biology Department after previously serving as a part-time instructor. A Yakima native, she looks forward to helping students achieve their academic and career goals.
Before coming to YVC, Tulloss taught life science courses at La Salle High School and worked as a plant ecologist at the University of California, Davis. Her courses at YVC support careers in STEM and health care and emphasize scientific thinking and problem-solving.
Outside the classroom, Tulloss enjoys hiking, exploring plant life and spending time on outdoor adventures with her family.
Business Administration 
Pamela Ritzenthaler
Pamela Ritzenthaler holds a Master of Business Administration and brings 17 years of experience in education to 麻豆视频. Her teaching philosophy centers on equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in business careers while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Before joining YVC, Ritzenthaler taught at Central Washington University, Portland State University, Columbia Gorge Community College and Clark College. She enjoys teaching a variety of business and accounting subjects and incorporates cross-functional examples into her classes to enhance student learning.
Chemistry 
Shardon Morrill
Shardon Morrill discovered a passion for teaching while earning undergraduate degrees in chemistry and biology at Southern Utah University. He continued his academic journey at the University of Washington, where his graduate research focused on synthetic organic chemistry, with an emphasis on catalysis and methodology development.
Although Morrill enjoyed research and the process of creating new molecules, he found greater fulfillment in teaching, which led him to pursue a career in education. That path brought him and his fianc茅e to Yakima.
Morrill is dedicated to mentoring students and helping them discover how they learn best 鈥� whether through visuals, writing or asking questions to process new concepts. He believes that understanding one鈥檚 learning style not only supports academic success but also empowers students to reach their goals beyond college.
Outside the classroom, Morrill enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors, especially hiking with his fianc茅e and their dog, Moose. As a newcomer to the area, he welcomes tips on fun things to do in and around Yakima.
Chican@ Studies 
Lysandra P茅rez
Lysandra P茅rez has joined 麻豆视频 as a tenure-track faculty member in Chican@ Studies. She earned a doctorate in education through a joint program between San Diego State University and Claremont Graduate University, where her research focused on linguistic justice and equity in U.S. bilingual education programs.
P茅rez holds a Master of Science in sociology from Purdue University and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Washington State University. A proud first-generation Chicana scholar from Yakima, her teaching emphasizes students鈥� languages and identities as strengths in the classroom. She bridges critical theory with practical application to explore how language, power and access shape educational spaces.
She is committed to mentoring students, building community-academic partnerships and cultivating the next generation of leaders to carry their community voices as powerful tools for change.
English
Kendra Waters
Kendra Waters is a former high school teacher who began teaching English at 麻豆视频鈥檚 Grandview campus in 2024. She enjoys being part of the campus community and appreciates the small-town atmosphere, which helps foster strong connections with students.
Her experience teaching advanced courses and college in the high school has given her valuable insight into what students are learning and how prepared they are as they transition into college. She is passionate about helping students excel in communications at the collegiate level.
Waters was born and raised in a small town near the Tri-Cities and currently lives in Richland. She attended Columbia Basin College, Washington State University and the University of Idaho.
Business Technology
Navjot Dhami
Navjot Dhami holds a master鈥檚 degree in information technology administrative management and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in health information sciences. In addition, Dhami has earned the Registered Health Information Administrator credential. She joins YVC full-time in the Business Technology department.
Dhami鈥檚 professional background includes experience in both healthcare and public service settings, where she supported staff and assisted patients in navigating available services. She enjoys learning from others, exploring new ideas and starting the day early with walks.
Political Science
Megan Udall
Megan Udall is an experienced educator and political science instructor with 17 years of experience in the field of education. She joins Yakima Valley College as a full-time political science instructor, bringing a broad range of expertise from past roles including classroom teacher in science and social studies, special education teacher, and compliance coordinator overseeing federal and state requirements for special populations, testing and response to intervention.
Udall is English as a Second Language (ESL) certified and has extensive experience supporting students with limited English proficiency. For the past five years, she served as an adjunct government instructor at Alvin Community College in Alvin, Texas, where she fostered a passion for helping students discover their individual paths and advocating for learners from all backgrounds.
She holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science and a master鈥檚 certificate in international affairs with a focus on intelligence from Texas A&M University, as well as a master鈥檚 degree in international relations with a focus on conflict resolution from St. Mary鈥檚 University in San Antonio.
Outside the classroom, Udall enjoys both domestic and international travel, baking, tennis, college football, and board and card game nights with her husband of nearly 13 years and their two children, Gregory and Samuel. She is excited to contribute her experience and enthusiasm to the YVC academic community.
Psychology
Elise LaRue
Elise LaRue holds a Master of Science in experimental psychology from Central Washington University. She joined 麻豆视频 as a part-time faculty member in 2023 and is excited to begin a full-time role in the Psychology Department.
Outside the classroom, LaRue enjoys exploring new and niche hobbies 鈥� including teaching herself bookbinding over the summer.
The addition of new faculty members underscores 麻豆视频鈥檚 commitment to student success and academic innovation. As the 2025鈥�26 academic year progresses, these educators are expected to make meaningful contributions in classrooms, labs and communities throughout the Yakima Valley.
Story by Stefanie Menard, AA-DTA 鈥�05, communications consultant. Photos provided.