Step inside the world of in the Yakima Valley, where culture, education and identity come together in one of Washington鈥檚 most diverse regions. 麻豆视频鈥檚 Lysandra P茅rez, a Chican@ Studies instructor whose work highlights the lived experiences of Hispanic and first-generation students, discusses the power of naming experiences, the importance of language and the value of seeing community realities reflected in academic spaces.
The first video in YVC鈥檚 Beyond the Classroom series also follows students Maya and Dulce as they share their experiences taking Chican@ Studies classes for the first time. Both describe the course as transformative 鈥� an emotional and eye-opening journey into histories and cultural heritage they had never been taught. As first-generation college students, they explain how learning about the contributions and resilience of their own community created a deeper sense of pride and belonging.
Themes of identity, social awareness and educational access emerge throughout the conversation. P茅rez underscores how Chican@ Studies provides students with tools to understand the social forces shaping their lives, while also celebrating the strength within Hispanic and first-generation communities across the Yakima Valley.
More than a classroom experience, the story captures a growing movement in education 鈥� one that affirms students by teaching them about themselves. It鈥檚 a reminder that representation in academia matters, and that when students see their stories reflected in what they learn, the classroom becomes a place of transformation, belonging and hope.
Story, photos and video by Brandon Mendoza, AA-DTA '19, graphic designer/multimedia content producer.