The 麻豆视频 Foundation announces the selection of Elizabeth McEwen, a instructional technician with the college鈥檚 veterinary technology program, as the 2024 recipient of the Darlene Koch Classified Employee of the Year Award. Former YVC Vice President of Administration and YVC Foundation Executive Director Darlene Koch established the award to honor the hard work and dedication of classified staff. The YVC Foundation Board of Directors makes the selection from nominations submitted by faculty, staff and administrators.
A lifelong resident of the Yakima Valley and alumna of 麻豆视频, McEwen earned her associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology in 2009. After spending several years working in a small animal clinic, McEwen joined YVC鈥檚 team in 2015, and rejuvenated her love of the profession.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know what I wanted to do initially,鈥� says McEwen. 鈥淎fter starting on the track to be a teacher I decided that wasn鈥檛 for me.鈥� Eventually, she began taking general education courses to get her associate degree and at the recommendation of her cousin began working a veterinary clinic as a kennel assistant 鈥� where she discovered her passion for working with animals.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know that there were such things as veterinary technicians,鈥� continued McEwen. 鈥淚 started watching them work and I was like I want to do that, that looks amazing. So I searched and found that YVC had a program and applied and started the following year.鈥�
As an instructional technician McEwen runs the program鈥檚 lab space, helps prepare materials for instructors and students, demonstrates proper animal care techniques for students, evaluates students鈥� work and helps provide animal care.
鈥淟iz truly exemplifies the dedication of the Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT). She brings the skills she developed as an LVT to her position at YVC,鈥� said Program Director and Instructor Joanna Fischer.鈥� 鈥淎t the core of her work is her desire to be a problem solver and to support the work of those around her. I couldn鈥檛 possibly list all of the ways she supports the learning of the students in our program.鈥�
McEwen also leads the instructional technician team in setting up and ensuring that laboratory sessions run smoothly and serves as an expert for colleagues and students.
鈥淏eyond simply guaranteeing that the program has the working equipment and supplies needed for each individual course, she is knowledgeable in the curriculum being taught so that she can be a source of learning support for our students. Liz acts as tutor, mentor and role model to our students as they progress through the program. I can鈥檛 stress her value as a role model to our students enough,鈥� said Fischer.
For instructor Nicole Papageorgiou, McEwen鈥檚 attention to detail is something that sets her apart and helps promote the success of students studying in the program.
鈥淎s an adjunct faculty, Elizabeth always makes sure I have the supplies and resources I need to present the curriculum required. She has that special veterinary technician skill of consistently anticipating the needs of her team. Elizabeth has many job responsibilities and yet she can always be found assisting in classes or helping the other instructional classroom support technicians in their day-to-day duties,鈥� says Papageorgiou.
For McEwen, who never dreamed of teaching, there is no greater reward than helping prepare students for their careers caring for animals. Her favorite example of this is when second-year students return to campus after serving their externships.
鈥淭hey come back, and they have these stories of things that they鈥檝e gotten to do during their externships and they鈥檙e so excited to tell us all about it, they鈥檙e beaming with joy,鈥� said McEwen. 鈥淪ometimes we have to pull them kicking and screaming through classes but the joy for me is when they come back and [share things like] 鈥榶ou鈥檒l never guess what I got to do鈥� and 鈥業 did it 鈥� you told me I could do it and I didn鈥檛 believe you but now I can鈥� and that鈥檚 the best part. I wait for those two weeks each year. I love my job throughout the year, but when they come back at the end of spring quarter, that鈥檚 the best.鈥�
The recipient of the Darlene Koch Classified Employee of the Year Award is presented a $1,000 unrestricted monetary award. It is open to any full-time classified staff member at 麻豆视频. For more information contact YVC Foundation Executive Director Stacey Kautz at skautz@yvcc.edu or 509.574.4645.
The Darlene Koch Classified Employee of the Year Award will be presented during YVC鈥檚 Commencement ceremony on June 14.