Â鶹ĘÓƵ will host its 97th Annual Commencement Ceremony on June 12, 2026 at 6 p.m. in the Yakima Valley SunDome.
2026 Graduating Class
The graduating class of 2026 includes 1,042 students ranging in age from under 15 to 66. Twelve of the graduates are veterans and 274 are Running Start students, simultaneously earning their high school diploma and an associate degree. The college will award a total of 1,106 degrees and certificates including bachelor of applied science degrees, transfer degrees, and professional/technical degrees and certificates.
Student Commencement Speaker
Members of the Class of 2026 will be addressed by graduate Yuleyda GarcĂa.
A physician trained in Venezuela, Yuleyda GarcĂa has devoted her career to health care. GarcĂa graduated from the University of Zulia and completed medical residencies in internal medicine and family medicine, and later earned advanced credentials in psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology, occupational health and safety and other holistic health disciplines.
“I have dedicated 33 years to health care,” said GarcĂa. “My entire career has been focused on treating the whole person, not just the illness.”
GarcĂa immigrated to the United States in 2023, seeking stability amid ongoing social and economic challenges in Venezuela. She chose the Yakima Valley to be closer to family but soon discovered a deeper connection to the region.
“After living here, I fell in love with the Valley, its natural beauty, its strength and especially its people,” she said. “I feel a deep connection to this community.”
GarcĂa enrolled at Â鶹ĘÓƵ later that year, exploring the structure of the American educational system before enrolling in the program. Drawn by the program’s reputation and YVC’s commitment to community-centered education, GarcĂa quickly immersed herself in campus life, sharing her extensive medical background and global perspective with classmates.
Now completing her studies at YVC, GarcĂa plans to continue serving others while beginning a new chapter in her career.
“I am eager to begin my journey as a medical assistant and provide high-quality care to our community,” she said. “This is just the beginning. My mission is to serve our most underserved and vulnerable populations and to combine my years of experience with my new skills to ensure that everyone receives the compassionate care they deserve.”
GarcĂa’s lifelong dedication to healing — rooted in her upbringing, advanced medical training and unwavering commitment to holistic health — will continue shaping the lives of those she serves.
“For me, this isn't just a job; it's a new way to fulfill my lifelong calling,” she said.
Annual Awards
The college also presents honors during the annual commencement ceremony. This year’s honorees are:
- Distinguished Service Award: Yakima Valley Partners for Education
- Distinguished Alumnus Award: Andrea Blodgett, Yakama Nation CEO
For additional details, including complete bios and photographs of the speakers and award recipients visit .