Â鶹ĘÓƵ has named longtime faculty member and institutional leader Wilma Dulin as its 2026 Faculty Emeritus honoree, recognizing her 34 years of dedicated service and transformational impact on students, colleagues and the Yakima Valley community.
Dulin, who retired in 2024, is widely known for her ability to unite people around shared goals and lead initiatives that strengthened student success across the college.
“Wilma served the college in a role that we don’t label with an appropriate job title,” said Matthew Loeser, YVC biology instructor. “She recognized a need and brought people together who could address it. Even our strategic plan, with its layers of accreditation, state DEI initiatives and college priorities, shows the mind of Wilma Dulin at work.”
Throughout her career, Dulin taught across the college, with primary roles in early childhood education and adult basic education. She later served as a faculty coordinator in YVC’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness, helping guide major initiatives to improve student access, learning and completion.
Among her most influential achievements was leading the development of learning communities that paired English faculty and counselors to support students placing into pre-college math and English. Institutional data showed that students in these learning communities had higher retention, stronger developmental English completion, increased entry into English 101 and higher math enrollment in their first year.
Dulin also played a key role in redesigning the college’s advising model, helping YVC transition to a pathway-based system that better supports students from onboarding through graduation.
Believing that innovation requires investment, Dulin successfully secured more than $30 million in federal and state grants during her career, including six Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution grants. These projects expanded instructional capacity, supported professional development and strengthened services for the college’s diverse student population.
One notable accomplishment was the Universal Design for Equity and Accountability in Learning (UDEAL) grant, which helped faculty and staff implement universal design principles to create more inclusive and effective programs.
Dulin also helped establish YVC’s institutional research office, co-led its Achieving the Dream efforts, and served as the first president of the Research and Planning Commission for Washington’s community and technical colleges. She spent many years as faculty union president, advocating for fair labor practices and equitable working conditions.
Colleagues say Dulin’s impact extended far beyond campus initiatives.
“One of Wilma’s greatest gifts was her talent for connecting people,” Loeser said. “She recognized the strengths of individuals and matched those strengths with projects that benefited the entire college.”
Sheila Delquadri, associate dean of institutional effectiveness, credits Dulin with changing the course of her career.
“She was a mentor to me and was always looking to improve the lives of those around her,” Delquadri said. “Wilma pushed me to get my master’s degree and my Ph.D. I know I would not have done that without her tenacity, support and encouragement. Wilma truly changes lives.”
During her tenure, Dulin helped build many of the systems, programs and practices YVC continues to rely on today. Her work shaped a culture of collaboration, innovation and equity that will benefit students and educators for years to come.
“I am very fortunate to have worked at YVC where I encountered students and colleagues who positively influenced me to work towards providing educational opportunities for others to build lives that matter to them and contribute to the wellbeing of the community,” said Dulin.
For her decades of service, leadership and dedication to student success, Yakima Valley College proudly confers its Faculty Emeritus designation upon Wilma Dulin.
Established in 1981, the Faculty Emeritus award honors retired and retiring faculty with at least 10 years of full-time service who have demonstrated exemplary contributions to the college. A committee overseen by the President’s Office selects recipients from nominations submitted by students, faculty, staff and community members.
The emeritus rank provides use of the library and participation in academic, social and other functions. The Emeritus Faculty Award will be presented during YVC’s Employee Awards Recognition Ceremony on May 28.