麻豆视频

鈥淐ollege is not about being perfect; it is about giving yourself permission to grow, to change and to imagine a future you might not see clearly yet. You are worth taking a chance on.鈥�

Degree/Certificate & Anticipated Class Year  
Associate of Arts 鈥�25 

Hometown 
Yakima 

Major 
Public Health 鈥� Population Health Specialization 

How did you decide on a major? 
As a queer, autistic person with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), I have experienced firsthand how gaps in healthcare systems and social services disproportionately affect marginalized communities, especially those who are autistic, have ADHD or are part of the LGBTQ+ community. I chose public health because I wanted to move beyond awareness into action. I want to help build systems that recognize and respond to the real needs of diverse communities and create spaces where people like me are not just included but centered. 

What do you like or find most interesting about your major? 
What I find most meaningful is how it connects science, psychology and real-world problem-solving. I am fascinated by how the body and brain work, but even more by how things like where you live, how much support you have and the systems around you shape your health. This major pushes me to think critically about big issues such as inequality and mental health while also focusing on practical ways to create positive change. 

What does earning your college degree/certificate mean to you as a first-generation college student? 
Earning my degree means more than reaching a milestone; it is a reclamation. I come from a background where higher education, especially for women, was often seen as unnecessary or even discouraged. My decision to pursue college was met with doubt and fear from the people closest to me. In many ways, choosing an education meant choosing to believe in a future bigger than the one I was handed. It means carving out a path where a woman鈥檚 autonomy, critical thinking and personal growth are not just allowed but celebrated. My degree stands for every moment I chose growth over fear, and for the future I am building, not just for myself, but for those who come after me. 

Did you know what academic pathway you wanted to pursue when you started at YVC? If not, how did your advisor or YVC鈥檚 academic pathways help you decide? 
When I first started at YVC, I knew I wanted to help people connect science and healthcare to their everyday lives, but I was not sure how. At first, I thought I might go into research, but I realized I was drawn more to the interpersonal and community side of things. Instructors like Laura Yolo (communications), Devin Lee (psychology), Olivia Hernandez (English) and Jeremy Marion (biology) played a big part in that discovery. Their encouragement helped me realize that public health was the perfect path to combine my love for healthcare, communication and social advocacy. 

What made you interested in studying at YVC? 
YVC gave me the chance to start my education in a way that was both affordable and deeply connected to the community I grew up in. I wanted a place where I could explore my interests, find my voice and build the foundation for bigger dreams. YVC offered the flexibility and support I needed to do that without losing sight of who I am. 

Extracurriculars (e.g., clubs, YVC sports teams) 
Beyond classes, I have been involved in campus events, volunteered and contributed to digital design work for student organizations. These experiences helped me feel more connected to campus life and gave me chances to grow creatively and collaboratively. 

What three words would you use to describe YVC? 
Welcoming, Transformative, Foundational 

What鈥檚 your favorite class? Why? How has it expanded your knowledge? 
My favorite classes were my English courses with Olivia Hernandez. Her projects and readings did not just sharpen my writing; they challenged me to rethink the way I understood myself and the world around me. Through her class, I learned how important it is to create room for different stories, different struggles and different ways of being. It helped me find my own place more fully while learning how to honor the ways others find theirs. 

Who is your mentor on campus? Why do you consider this person your mentor? 
Olivia Hernandez has been one of my most important mentors at YVC. Her classes challenged me to rethink my assumptions, trust my voice and approach the world with more compassion. She helped me see that growth is not about changing who you are but about becoming more fully yourself. Her encouragement made me believe not just in my ability to succeed in school, but in my ability to build a life rooted in meaning and purpose. 

What鈥檚 your favorite spot on campus? 
My favorite spot on campus is the picnic area between Kendall Hall and the HUB. It is where I feel most connected, a quiet space in nature where I can breathe between everything else happening around me. When the weather is cold, I love sitting at the little corner table inside, where the windows face that same view. It is a place where I can gather my thoughts, recharge and stay grounded no matter how busy the day gets. 

Were there any barriers you overcame to be successful at YVC? 
Housing insecurity, financial stress and managing school as an autistic student with ADHD were major barriers. I got through them by reaching out for help, learning to advocate for myself and refusing to give up. [Counselor] Guadalupe Huitron-Lilly helped me find resources when I needed them most, and [STEM Navigator] Vanessa Tucker and [STEM Director] Cristy Rasmussen, who work with MESA and STEM, helped me stay connected to my goals. The PRIDE Club advisors, [Olivia Hernandez, Margaret France and Kristy Webster], also gave me a space where I felt understood. Having people who believed in me, even when I struggled to believe in myself, made all the difference. 

How has 麻豆视频 changed you? 
麻豆视频 helped me come home to myself. It pushed me to think critically, to trust my voice, and to view being autistic and having ADHD not as something to overcome, but as part of my strength. Through every challenge and every person who believed in me, I learned that I am allowed to take up space and that I can build a future bigger than the one I was taught to expect. 

Do you have a job? How do you work that into your schedule? 
I have a work study position with YVC鈥檚 Community Relations department, where I create graphic design projects for campus information and events. Balancing school and work are not always easy for me, especially with a full course load. I do my best to stay organized with digital planners and carve out focused blocks of time when I can, but it is a constant learning process. Having a job that lets me be creative and feel connected to campus life makes the challenges feel worth it. 

What do you view as your biggest achievement at YVC?  
My biggest achievement at YVC has been learning to trust my own voice. Through every academic, personal and emotional challenge, I kept showing up even when it was hard. I did not just earn credits toward a degree, I built the confidence to believe in the life I am creating for myself.  

Are there any support services or resources that you have taken advantage of? How have you found these beneficial? 
Counseling services, MESA, STEM and the PRIDE Club gave me support when I needed it most. They reminded me that I did not have to face everything alone and that building a future sometimes starts with letting yourself be seen and supported. 

Did you receive any financial aid or scholarship funding to attend YVC? If so, please describe how this helped you on your journey. 
Financial aid made it possible for me to stay in school during times when life felt unstable. Financial aid gave me the breathing room to focus on my classes, advocate for myself and keep building toward a future that often felt out of reach. Without it, I do not know if I would have been able to stay. 

How do you find a sense of belonging at YVC (for example, activities or clubs that help you connect with students who share your interests or background)? 
I found a sense of belonging at YVC through the friendships I built with like-minded students and the encouragement I received from supportive professors and staff. It was not just about joining clubs or programs; it was about finding people who understood where I was coming from and believed in where I was going. Being able to show up fully with my identity, my struggles and my hopes, and being accepted made all the difference. 

What are your educational or career goals after YVC? What are your dreams? 
After YVC, I am transferring to Central Washington University to complete my Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a specialization in population health. My goal is to work in healthcare leadership or community health advocacy, designing systems that are more equitable, inclusive and connected to real-world needs. Long-term, I want to help build a healthcare landscape where no one is overlooked because of who they are. I am passionate about combining critical thinking, compassion and practical solutions to drive lasting change. My dream is to help create communities where care is accessible, human-centered and sustainable. 

What advice would you have for a friend considering whether to pursue college? 
Start even if you are unsure. You do not have to have all the answers to believe in yourself. College is not about being perfect; it is about giving yourself permission to grow, to change and to imagine a future you might not see clearly yet. You are worth taking a chance on. 

Do you have anything else you鈥檇 like to share with us about your experience at YVC? 
YVC was more than just a starting point for me. It was a place where I learned how to think critically, advocate for myself and trust that my future could be bigger than what I was taught to expect. I found mentors who believed in me, friendships that grounded me and opportunities that challenged me to grow. I am leaving with more than a degree; I am leaving with a deeper belief in who I am and who I am becoming.