President's Inauguration
Questions? Contact Us.
President's Office
Prior Hall (Building 1)
Yakima Campus
President's Office
509-574-4635
YVC Presidential Inauguration
Friday, October 16, 2026
Kaminski Conference Center (Yakima Campus)
You are cordially invited by the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Board of Trustees to celebrate the inauguration of Teresa Rich, Ph.D., as the 17th President of Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ.
The event will feature a formal installation ceremony, followed by a reception and opportunities to explore exhibits highlighting the college's community impact and connections to student learning. Join us as we commemorate this significant moment and celebrate Dr. Rich’s leadership and vision for the future of Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ.
The installation ceremony will be available to attend in person or via livestream.
| Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Installation Ceremony | 11 a.m. | |
| Reception/Exhibits | 12:15 p.m. |
Stay tuned for additional information about the installation livestream and reception exhibits.
About Dr. Rich
Teresa Rich was named the 17th president of Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ in January 2026
after serving as interim president since August 2024. She has more than two decades
of experience in higher education accounting and administrative services, including
24 years at YVC, 18 of those as vice president for administrative services. Her leadership
has been instrumental in expanding student opportunities, strengthening academic programs
and reinforcing YVC’s role as a cornerstone of the region.
Before being named president, Rich’s leadership responsibilities included coordinating all capital planning and budgeting, overseeing administration of facilities operations, and administering auxiliary services including the Student Residence Center and college bookstore. During her time at YVC, she has supervised numerous capital projects, including the $22.7 million West Campus expansion that included the construction of Kaminski Conference Center, Kaminski Allied Health Center, the Yakima Valley Vintners Tasting Room and Larson Gallery. She also has served as a member of the Washington Community and Technical College Strategic Technology Advisory Committee, focused on making statewide recommendations for the use of technology in Washington state community and technical colleges.
Rich has worked extensively in safety, security and emergency preparedness in higher education, is a member of the Association of Government Accountants and Rotary International, and serves on the board for Apprisen, a national non-profit focusing on consumer credit counseling. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Central Washington University and a PhD in education with a focus on community college leadership from Oregon State University.
Questions? Contact Us.
President's Office
Prior Hall (Building 1)
Yakima Campus
President's Office
509-574-4635
