Read more about recent news and achievements of YVC and the college community.
Foundation receives grant to support future public health workers
The 麻豆视频 Foundation recently received a $35,000 grant from the Yakima Valley Community Foundation in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health. The award helps the Foundation provide scholarships, up to $5,000, to students enrolled in YVC programs offering pathways into public health careers.
"We are thrilled to receive this generous grant,鈥� said Stacey Kautz, executive director of YVC Foundation. 鈥淭his funding will enable us to help the college train the next generation of healthcare professionals for the Yakima Valley and beyond."
驰痴颁鈥檚 healthcare pathway offers hands-on training in direct patient care programs, including nursing, dental hygiene and veterinary technology as well as training for high-demand, well-paying roles such as medical assistants, billers and coders, pharmacy technicians, phlebotomists, surgical technicians and more.
Employees recognized for years of service
Employees are served food by Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Tenya Moravec, right, and Upward Bound Assistant Director Liliana Rutz, left, during a BBQ event in May.
Under a blue sky and the warm May afternoon, 麻豆视频 paused to celebrate the heart of the institution: its people.
The Years of Service Employee Recognition event brought together faculty, staff and administrators for a festive barbecue, heartfelt ceremony and reception honoring dozens of employees whose dedication has shaped the college鈥檚 legacy.
Five-year honorees pictured with YVC Interim President Teresa Rich, right, during the recognition event. Pictured from left, Josefina Garza (Coordinator Workforce Programs), Alex Bazan (Re-Entry Corrections Navigator), Lynn Hennessey (Director of Title V Grant), Stephanie Gutierrez (Secretary Senior), Bertha Gonzalez (Program Specialist 3), Karina Andrade (Credentials Evaluator 2), Cheryl Mills (Grant & Contract Specialist), Jennifer Hopper (Tutoring Center Coordinator) and Anna Pascoe (Mathematics Instructor). Lower row, Margaret France (English Instructor) and Andrew Lee (Maintenance Mechanic 2).
From five years to an astonishing 45, honorees were recognized for their enduring commitment to student success and educational excellence. Laughter and applause echoed as names were called and milestones celebrated.
Employees were recognized in five-year increments, with special acknowledgment for those reaching 20, 25, 30 and 45 years of service. The crowd cheered loudly for the longest-serving honoree, Roxanne Baca, who works in the Student Life Office, whose four and a half decades of service drew admiration and awe.
Interim President Teresa Rich hugs 45-year honoree Roxanne Baca after Baca accepts her award.
In addition to service awards, the college spotlighted its Employees of the Month across three categories: classified staff, exempt/administrative professionals and faculty. Each recipient was celebrated for their outstanding contributions and embodiment of the college鈥檚 mission.
The afternoon also served as a bittersweet farewell to a remarkable group of retirees whose collective impact spans generations. Among those honored were:
John Olson, Emma Sandoval, Thomas Mount, David Cozby, Marie Kennedy, Sabino Ramos, Mary Fishback, John Evanson, Carol Schneider, Debbie Mahre, Teresa Lewis, Maria Lund, Chris Kinzell, Kelley DiBenedetto, Ben Mayo, Linda Kaminski, Maria Cuevas, Antonio Lopez, Susan Tillet, Marc Coomer, Lance Myler, Shawn Underwood, Timothy Jeske, Cheri Podruzny, E'Raina Hatch and Stephen Kenney.
Each retiree was recognized with a personalized tribute, many of which drew tears, laughter and standing ovations. Their stories 鈥� of mentorship, innovation and unwavering service 鈥� painted a vivid portrait of a college community built on care and collaboration.
Interim President Teresa Rich earns national recognition for student-centered leadership
YVC Interim President Teresa Rich, right, speaks at a September 2024 event with Yakima School District Superintendent Trevor Greene, left, and Central Washington University President Jim Wohlpart, not pictured.
Interim President Teresa Rich was recently named a recipient of the prestigious Paragon Award for New Presidents by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK), a national recognition that honors college leaders who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to student success.
Rich was one of just 25 college presidents selected from across the country to receive the award during PTK Catalyst 2025, the society鈥檚 annual convention held April 3 鈥� 5 in Kansas City, Mo. The award is reserved for presidents who have served in their role for less than three years and have shown exceptional support for high-achieving students and leadership development on campus.
鈥淭hese new college presidents have demonstrated, right from the start, that student success is at the heart of their leadership,鈥� said PTK President and CEO Lynn Tincher-Ladner. 鈥淭his award is especially meaningful because it comes directly from the students, reflecting their appreciation for leaders who prioritize their growth and achievement.鈥�
Since stepping into the role of interim president, Rich has championed initiatives to strengthen academic pathways, improve relations between the college and its faculty and staff unions and elevate the student experience at YVC. Her leadership has been marked by a collaborative approach and a deep commitment to equity and access.
The Paragon Award is a one-time honor, and honorees are selected from among thousands of eligible college presidents and CEOs. Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing academic achievement at associate degree-granting institutions, with more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters worldwide.
Story by Stefanie Menard, AA-DTA 鈥�05, communications consultant. Photos by Menard and Juan Padilla, public relations student assistant.