Calendar April 8-May 7: 37th Photo Exhibit
The Larson Gallery presents the 37th National Juried Photo Exhibition. An opening reception will be held April 8 from 5:00pm-7:30pm. For more information: 509.574.4875 or www.larsongallery.org.
April 13: Faculty Lecture Series
YVCC’s Faculty Lecture Series presents English Instructor Dan Peters. He will be presenting The Book is Dead. Long Live the Book: Publishing in the Digital Age. The lecture will be held in Glenn Anthon Hall G119 at 7:00pm. The series continues on May 11 with Art Instructor Rachel Dorn. For more information: 509.574.4646.
April 14: Diversity Series
The 2010-2011 YVCC Diversity Series continues with Youth Ideas on Recycling Our Planet, Our Community, and Our Lives. The event will feature students from Washington Middle School and local area Gear-Up programs. It will be held at 7:00pm in the Parker Room. For more information: 509.574.6800 x 3151 or www.yvcc.edu/diversity.
April 27: Resumeé Writing & Review
YVCC’s Business Club will host a Resumé Writing & Review workshop at 12:30pm in the Parker Room. For more information: 509.574.4904.
May 3: Latin Music Celebration
Join the YVCC Salsa Band in concert with guest artists for the 5th Annual Latin Music Celebration at 7:00pm at The Seasons Performance Hall. Additional activities and events will be held throughout the week. For more information: 509.453.1888.
May 4: Successful Interviews
YVCC’s Business Club will host a Successful Interviews workshop at 12:30pm in the Parker Room. For more information: 509.574.4904.
May 11: Career Fair
YVCC hosts the 2011 Career Fair from 9:00am-1:00pm in the HUB. Local companies and agencies will be available to market job opportunities to students and community members. For more information: 509.574.4904.
May 12: Diversity Series
YVCC’s Diversity Series culminates on May 12 with Rage Against the Machines: The Pacific Northwest and Imperial Oil. Featuring guest speaker Winona LaDuke, the event will take place at 7:00pm at The Seasons Performance Hall. For more information: 509.574.6800 x 3151 or www.yvcc.edu/diversity.
May 14: Tour of Artists’ Homes & Studios
The Larson Gallery presents the 12th Annual Tour of Artists’ Homes & Studios from 10:00am-4:00pm. For more information: 509.574.4875 or www.larsongallery.org.
May 19-22: Molly Sweeney
YVCC Playmasters presents Molly Sweeney. Performances will be held May 19-21 at 7:30pm and May 22 at 2:00pm in Kendall Hall Auditorium. Tickets can be purchased at the YVCC Bookstore. For more information: 509.574.4837.
June 9: Commencement
YVCC celebrates our 82nd Commencement Ceremony at 7:00pm on Parker Field. Join us to honor the class of 2011. Reception to follow.
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www.yvcc.edu/athletics
On the Cover
Contents
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YVCC Women’s Basketball Team celebrates with the NWAACC Championship Trophy after the game at the Toyota Center in Kennewick.
Copyright Photo provided by the Tri-City Herald
President’s Letter Campus News Community Outreach Activities Alumni Feature: Hannah Peterson Larson Gallery - Art Collections & More Exploring Marine Biology Piloting the Honors Program International Student Program Athletics - Women’s Basketball Wins NWAACC Title Athletics - Women’s Wrestling Captures 3rd Consecutive Championship Win Sharing the Good News
Black Box Poetry Slam
YVCC hosted the 9th Annual Black Box Poetry Slam on February 24. Right: Local poet Taylor Southern won the final round with his beat-style poem. YVCC’s own Claire Carpenter, biology instructor, and Lacy Anderson, student, were runners up in this year’s competitive slam.
Produced by YVCC Community Relations Niki Hopkins & Stefanie Menard Published March 2011 If you would like to be added or removed from our mailing list, please contact us: Yakima Valley Community College Office of Community Relations PO Box 22520 • Yakima, WA 98907-2520 email: publications@yvcc.edu / 509.574.4646
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Message from the President The winter quarter has been a time of anticipation, engagement, and celebration. Anticipation: We have watched the transformation of the Grandview Campus as the new library has taken shape. It is exciting to see this important addition to the campus progress from a grassy lot to a state-of-the-art resource center that will serve both YVCC students and community members for many years to come. It is yet another testament to the long-standing partnership and collaboration that has existed between YVCC and the city of Grandview. Engagement: During the winter months, we have been engaged and inspired by many excellent presentations and activities on our campuses. In addition to our student-sponsored activities, we enjoyed the Diversity Series, which brought outstanding speakers who shared their stories. The Faculty Lecture Series was revived and highlighted travel and research, including Dr. Tim Jeske’s sabbatical leave in Turkey and Dr. Brock Eubanks’ talk about the skills needed to launch an entrepreneurial career. Celebration: We have had much to celebrate this winter. We honored two of our students as nominees to the All-Washington Academic Team. Through their academic achievement and evidence of service to their communities, they have qualified for scholarships and have been recognized by the Governor. We also celebrated the accomplishments of our championship athletic teams. YVCC’s Women’s Basketball won the NWAACC Championship Title and the players received individual honors, and for the third consecutive year our women’s wrestling program brought home a National Championship. We celebrate our faculty and staff. The Board of Trustees approved excellence awards for faculty members totaling $10,000 from the YVCC Foundation. An additional $10,000 will be awarded to faculty this spring. We also celebrated the commitment and dedication of one of our outstanding classified employees, Jennifer Townsend, who was recognized with the Classified Employee of the Quarter Award. Finally, we celebrate the accomplishments of a YVCC alumna who earned a degree in medical billing and coding and is now working in our community at the Yakima Heart Center. We hope that you will find this issue of the Campus Update to be informative and engaging as you read about the many ways YVCC students, faculty and staff are making a difference in our valley.
Grandview Campus Construction Construction on the Grandview Campus Library is well underway. Following the groundbreaking ceremony in October, contractor Blew’s Construction, Inc. of Spokane has been ahead of schedule in building the facility. The 12,000 square foot building will serve YVCC students and Grandview community members when it opens next fall. Facility Operations Director Jeff Wood, recently visited campus and toured the construction site. Impressed with how the work is progressing, Wood is pleased with the project. “The roof of the building is complete and the windows and doors have been installed,” stated Wood. “Also recently finished are the plumbing, electrical, and fire suppression systems,” he continued. “Partnering with the city of Grandview has made this project possible,” stated Vice President for Administrative Services Teresa Holland. “YVCC has been working with Grandview city administrators and city council to finalize the operating agreement that will guide the joint library operations,” she said. The joint college/city library was designed by Brockway, Opfer, Raab Architecture of Yakima.
Sincerely,
Linda J. Kaminski, Ed.D. President 3
Board of Trustees: James Carvo • Paul McDonald • Robert Ozuna • Lisa Parker • Patricia Whitefoot
All-Washington Academic Team
Congratulations to Sylvia Juarez & Ashley Wilson YVCC is proud to announce the selection of Sylvia Juarez and Ashley Wilson to the 2011 All-Washington Academic Team. This March they were honored at a ceremony in Olympia and received a $750 scholarship. Sylvia Juarez, a non-traditional student, looked to YVCC to provide further opportunities and career advancement. Juarez, a full-time secretary in the Teaching and Learning Department with Yakima School District, has attended YVCC for the last three years. Taking classes during her lunch break as well as at night, she is truly dedicated to completing her degree and hopes that her dedication will inspire her children. “Essentially, there are three main reasons for making [college] a priority. First, I want to accomplish my goal and feel successful by obtaining a better paying job. Second, I want to model and teach my children that only by staying in school will they fulfill their career dreams and third, because I will be the first in my family of 12 children to graduate with a college degree,” stated Juarez. She hopes to one day earn a degree in business communication from a four-year university and obtain a position in the Human Resources Department with the Yakima School District. Ashley Wilson, a Yakima native, looked forward to attending YVCC to pursue a degree in Dental Hygiene. “Attending a community college gave me an opportunity to stay in my hometown and continue to work while I went to school,” stated Wilson. Now a senior in YVCC’s Dental Hygiene Program, she has enjoyed the opportunity to not only learn about dental care, but also to provide outreach to the community. Most recently she participated in the annual Stand Down event, which provides services to Yakima Valley veterans. “As part of a group of students I educated veterans that attended the event, as well as family and friends, about good oral hygiene, services that are provided in the dental field, and the importance of maintenance to achieve good oral health as well as general health,” she continued. In addition, she made several visits over the past two quarters to provide dental care to nursing home patients. Wilson plans to stay in Yakima following her degree and to provide oral care to residents of the valley. Scholarship funds are provided by Key Bank and the Northwest Education Loan Association. Many four-year universities also offer additional scholarships to recipients.
Achieving the Dream
Campus News
Sylvia Juarez
Ashley Wilson
YVCC presents at National Conference In February, YVCC administrators, faculty members, and staff traveled to Indianapolis to attend the National Achieving the Dream 2011 Strategy Institute. Selected this year by Achieving the Dream as a Leader College, YVCC was also invited to present three workshops to an audience of representatives from 130 community colleges across the nation. Faculty Director for the Office of Institutional Effectiveness Wilma Dulin, Research Analyst Sheila Delquadri, and Counselor Kathryn Bauer collaborated with other institutions to present on topics including Political, Analytical, and Technical Aspects of Engaging Faculty Members, Welcoming Incoming Students with an Eye on First Quarter and First Year Persistence, and The Role of Institutional Research (IR) in Equitable Access and Success: Data, Power, and Privilege. YVCC earned the honor of Leader College for the extensive work it has done over the past five years to demonstrate sustained improvement in furthering student success. As part of YVCC’s Leader College responsibilities the college is proud to share best practices using data to strategize and assess the effectiveness of student achievement efforts. “The conference provided a valuable opportunity to share our successful strategies with other Achieving the Dream colleges and to learn from their experiences,” stated YVCC President Dr. Linda Kaminski. Reference page 13 for additional information about the Achieving the Dream presentations. 4
Community
Outreach Activities This winter YVCC’s Dental Hygiene Program hosted its 18th Annual Dental Sealant Day. The event allowed children ages 6-21 to receive dental exams, fluoride treatments, and when needed, sealants at no cost. This year, 80 volunteers saw 63 patients and placed over 250 sealants. The annual event is a collaboration among YVCC, Yakima Valley Dental Hygienists and Dentists, the Department of Social and Health Services, and the Yakima Health District. YVCC’s 2010-2011 Diversity Series Ecological Sustainability: Communities of Love, Life, and Diversity continued this winter with several events centered on the theme of sustainability. On January 20, Artist Gloria Gonzáles García spoke on The Tree of Life, a carving she created for this year’s theme. The movie Good Food was shown in partnership with the Yakima Environmental Learning Foundation. Rounding off the quarter’s events, Rosalinda Guillen educated participants on Food Justice: The Real Cost of Food during her lecture on February 10. The Diversity Series, now in its 6th year, continues to provide educational opportunities for students and community members of the Yakima Valley. This winter YVCC’s Engineering Club, in conjunction with the Yakima Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers, hosted the 4th Annual Engineering Day for youth. Held during National Engineers Week, the event featured hands-on activities to help children explore the connections between math, science, and engineering. With a record number of participants, Engineering Day served over 200 kids. Students from Joy Clark’s English class hosted presentations and open dialogue with students and community members to discuss various concepts related to traditional media and social networking. Topics included Facebook addiction, the impact of texting on personal relationships, the shift in programming on MTV over the past 25 years, advertising’s use of violent images in fashion and the effects on women, and the influence on youth as video games become more graphic. The Grandview Student Council (GSC) partnered with the American Red Cross at the beginning of March to host a blood drive. The GSC recognized the need to help the local community by supporting the growing demand for blood donations. GSC met its goal of 24 pints of donated blood from students and community members. The American Red Cross representative said the donation would save 72 lives. Each year the American Red Cross works with more than 50,000 blood drive sponsors like the GSC to hold more than 200,000 blood drives. In February YVCC’s Image Makers Club hosted a Zumba class for students and community members. The Zumba class provided participants with a Latin-inspired workout. “We had a great turnout of 40 people,” stated student Amandeep Johal. “The whole hour-and-a-half workout was full of energy. It was awesome having three Zumba instructors leading the workout. This Zumba class was a fast-paced and exciting workout for everyone. We all had a great time,” she continued. Members of YVCC’s Information Technology Club and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society teamed up to assist seniors in signing up for Facebook. The Facebook for Seniors event was held at the Harman Center. “Both volunteers and trainees enjoyed the time spent working together at this event,” stated Information Technology Club President Carleen Drake. “Seniors were trained on how to sign-up for Facebook as well as how to move around the site and protect themselves by turning on security settings,” she continued. The students have been invited back to host a second event in May.
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Students from YVCC’s Information Technology Program provided an opportunity for students, staff, and community members to attend free workshops. The workshop topics included Windows 7 voice recognition, Photoshop, portable applications, windows media center, home network configurations, and improving computer performance. As part of the course curriculum, which teaches students how to develop and deliver trainings, these workshops provided an excellent opportunity for students to share what they have learned in the classroom. Eighteen Information Technology students taught the workshops to over 90 participants. YVCC’s 6th Annual Interdisciplinary Student Symposium was held March 2. Featuring a new topic each year, the event allows student from various disciplines to showcase their coursework. This year’s theme focused on sustainability and covered topics including sustainability of conventional and organic agriculture, ways to increase sustainability on campus and at home, and the implications of farming practices for agricultural workers. The event was well attended by local community members and students. Throughout winter quarter YVCC’s Outreach and Multicultural Services Office hosted numerous events to help students plan their transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The most recent, held on February 15, provided students the opportunity to meet with representatives from colleges and universities across Washington State. YVCC’s Tech Prep partnered with Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center, the Yakima Chamber of Commerce, the Washington State Center of Excellence for Allied Health, and Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences to bring career awareness to the Yakima Valley. On March 23-25 high school students from around the valley had the opportunity to learn hands-on about careers in construction, healthcare, veterinary medicine, education, engineering, information technology, and public safety. Over 800 students benefitted from this partnership and were able to learn about the many career opportunities available in today’s workplace. YVCC students from both the Yakima and Grandview campuses have organized and gathered donations to help support victims of the White Swan fire. Yakima student clubs Tiin-Ma, Phi Theta Kappa, Brothers and Sisters United, READ/Teach Circle K, and ASYVCC Student Government, with the support of Kelly Robbins and Bonnie Labbee, raised over $1,500 and delivered two truckloads of canned food, clothing, hygiene supplies, and furniture. The Grandview Student Council has also contributed their efforts in collecting donations in support of the White Swam community. Students from YVCC’s Wine Marketing course and Vineyard and Winery Technology Program hosted the 2nd Annual Taste, Tour and Teach event this March. The event provides the opportunity for community members to learn about wines produced in the Yakima Valley from crushing grapes, to the barrel, and most importantly to the glass. The event features wines made by YVCC’s Teaching Winery, Yakima Valley Vintners, and is a great way for participants to learn about YVCC’s growing wine program. For the past nine years, YVCC has participated in V-Day, a global movement to help end violence against women and girls. Throughout the course of a week, YVCC hosts lectures, workshops, and events along with the production of Eve Ensler’s, The Vagina Monologues to help raise awareness. V-Day raised nearly $4,000 this year with proceeds benefiting Epic’s Mariposa Treatment Center. The center is an inpatient behavioral rehabilitation service for teenage girls, age 12-17. Patients learn how to prepare for a more permanent placement in the foster care or to live on their own. 6 66
Hannah Peterson
YVCC’s Medical Billing & Coding Program YVCC’s Medical Billing and Coding Program continues to turn out qualified graduates who are ready to tackle a new career and give back to the community. Combining online instruction, laboratory simulations, and supervised practice, the program prepares students for a career as a billing and coding specialist. Hannah Peterson is one of these students. Graduating from YVCC in fall 2010, she immediately began working at Yakima Heart Center, the only cardiovascular clinic in the Yakima Valley, as a vascular assistant. Included in her duties are keying in pre-coded vascular charges and correlating those with medical necessities. She also works with medical insurance companies on the collection of pending claims. In addition she spends part of her day working with medical records where she files patient records and faxes necessary patient information to doctors and medical facilities. “I love the challenge that medical billing and coding provides,” stated Hannah Peterson. “It fits my skills with the requirements of math and being detailed and precise in my work,” she continued. Hannah Peterson Like so many students, Hannah’s road to success was often challenging. Spending much of her adult life as a stay-at-home mom, she had little job experience and few employment options when her personal situation changed. Looking to DSHS and WorkSource for help, Hannah learned of a program that provides tuition assistance to single mothers who attend YVCC. Balancing her class schedule and schoolwork, with the duties of being a single parent, she credits some of her success to YVCC’s program and its staff, particularly those who work in YVCC’s Worker Retraining program. “It is a miracle I was able to get into YVCC’s Medical Billing and Coding Program, and to succeed at it. I feel like I had a family of people helping me reach my goals. People like Carol Wilson, Carol Mosebar, Kathy DeGooyer, and Ignacio Romero were very helpful to me,” she continued. Needing to be able to provide for her family, she was drawn to YVCC’s Allied Health Department for its many certificate and two-year degree options. “As a single mother, I needed a career now. I didn’t have the flexibility to spend four years in school,” stated Peterson. “The Medical Billing and Coding Program allowed me to go straight into the medical field with a wide variety of knowledge,” she continued. “I would definitely recommend this program to others. I feel like my dreams have come true. Now as a graduate, I look forward to rising to the top in my specialty and spending more time with my children,” she concluded. This June, she will participate in YVCC’s 82nd Commencement Ceremony. She plans to continue to develop her skills through continuing education courses, and is currently studying for her Certified Professional Coder Apprentice (CPC-A) exam. Hannah has a love for learning and also hopes to one-day continue her education.
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Larson Gallery
Tips for both beginner and experienced art collectors:
Art Collections & More
1. Buy art because you like it; because it moves you, and because you think it will enhance your life.
Valley Spring by Delma Tayer. Larson Gallery collection.
Leo Adams Studio
Most people during their lifetimes have found a desire to collect things, be it an insect collection created during one’s early school years, or a stamp collection, antique furniture, china, rare books, cars, vintage clothing, and of course artwork. The Larson Gallery has made artwork collecting a major priority since 1957 with the creation of the Gallery’s support group - the Larson Gallery Guild (LGG). This collection is actually owned by the Guild and now numbers over 300 pieces, including paintings and drawings, prints, photographs, assemblages, mixed media works, sculpture, and textiles. Why do people collect? Why harbor objects and put them in safe keeping? Perhaps people might posture some of those questions during the Larson Gallery’s forthcoming 12th Annual Tour of Homes & Studios being hosted by the Larson Gallery Guild on Saturday, May 14. In addition to the featured artists’ homes and studios, the art collections of John Gasperetti, Brad Patterson, and Ed Marquand will be shared with the public. Tour participants will also have the opportunity to visit the homes and studios of Leo Adams, John Barany, Sally Fitch, Sara Gettys, and Sharon Strong. The bulk of the Larson Galley collection is currently “on display” on the YVCC campus in student classrooms, faculty offices, and building hallways. Unlike most museum collections that are often hidden in vaults and go unseen for years, the LGG collection is what Director Cheryl Hahn calls a “populist” collection – one that is part of people’s daily lives. This method of “storage” is not conducive to the usually strict museum guidelines that require work to be stored in secure temperature controlled environments. However, by “putting the work out there,” Hahn states that: “The work has a chance to impact students, visitors, faculty and staff in more direct and personal ways, thus affording opportunities to improve the quality of life for all concerned on YVCC’s campus.” For the art collector, be it an institution or an individual, art and its appreciation is a way of life. It is part concept, part process, and part belief - both being emotional and intellectual. Art is a visual language that we use to understand the world around us, to explore new ideas, and ultimately to define our humanity. When we become interested in collecting art, we become committed to this life-changing process. We see artworks as part of who we are. Many people feel this way when they are impacted by a work of art which really speaks to them. For more information about the Tour of Homes & Studios event or the Larson Gallery Guild’s Permanent Collection and a possible tour, call Cheryl Hahn at 574.4875 or email gallery@yvcc.edu. The Gallery is open to the public during exhibitions Tuesday-Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Visit the gallery online at www.larsongallery.org or the Larson Gallery blog at lggartists.blogspot.com.
2. Visit as many art galleries as you can. Gallery staff can be helpful in guiding you to art that suits your style, or can help you understand a new one! 3. Get on gallery mailing lists so you’ll be invited to openings and special events. Missing an opening could mean missing new artwork from an unknown artist. 4. Visit and join art museums and other not-for-profit art galleries and centers. Curators sometimes give lectures on collecting art which could prove useful in your future art collecting. 5. Attend upcoming national expos and art fairs whenever possible. You can usually find dates and times for these on the internet. 6. If you know art collectors, talk to them and find out what they know and what they have learned about art collecting. This will help you discover your individual style and what you’re interested in collecting. 7. Read all the art and art history books that you can find, or books on collecting. 8. Subscribe to art magazines that look interesting to you. 9. Read reviews by local and national art critics, but keep in mind that reviews usually just reflect one person’s opinion. 10. Once you have educated yourself and have fallen in love with a piece of art - buy it, take it home and enjoy it!
Submitted by the Larson Gallery
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Marine Biology
As springtime approaches, YVCC Biology Instructor Jerred Seveyka prepares for another adventure to the Puget Sound. The marine biology course Seveyka teaches is designed to provide students the opportunity to put their classroom knowledge to work in the field. After a successful trip exploring the tide pools of the Puget Sound with last year’s class Seveyka has decided to repeat this hands-on experience. The marine biology students had the unique opportunity to study sea life in the classroom, the lab, and in the field. After learning how to identify marine life from chitins to copepods and cyanobacteria to giant bull kelp, the class traveled to Tacoma’s Salmon Beach to apply their knowledge. On the trip students climbed over rocks and combed the beach to find and identify the animals and plants they learned about in class. Students also discovered many species they had not seen before. Once familiar with the specimens, they ran transect lines across the rocks and collected data on the patterns of distribution of animals and seaweeds that live in the intertidal zone where life can be harsh and the environment changes every hour. As the water started to flood the beach, the group gathered its data and traveled Lucia Borrello north to the Seattle Aquarium to view marine life from around the Pacific Northwest. “The field trip to the tide pools of Puget Sound allows students to see the plants and animals that they read about, studied and, in some cases, dissected, living in their natural state,” stated Seveyka. “The field trip also allows students to collect data and get a taste for what it’s like to be a field biologist, while experiencing the pleasure of finding all kinds of odd creatures that make their living in one of the harshest, unstable environments on earth,” he continued. The class will again be offered this spring. Students will study global ocean patterns, the diversity of ocean life, and current marine issues.
Honors Program
YVCC pilots new program for students Over the past two years YVCC faculty members in the Arts & Sciences Division, led by Psychology Instructor Dr. Heidi Shaw, have been working to develop an Honors Program for the college. The Honors Program will create opportunities across diverse disciplines for intellectually motivated students to challenge themselves. Faculty members have been working on various components of the Honors Program, including determining eligibility requirements, developing processes for student admission into the program, and drafting criteria for honors-level work. To date, the Arts & Sciences curriculum committee has supported the development of an Honors Program and has endorsed the criteria for honors-level work. This past fall, Philosophy Instructor Jason Gooch piloted the program with two students in his Philosophy 101 class. Michael Kemper and Jason Rowley excelled in their honors coursework and currently plan to submit papers to the Northwest Community College Philosophy Conference in May. “As a pilot program, this was obviously a new experience,” states Gooch. “Ideally we would like to have classes available for honors credits throughout the academic year. This would allow an incoming student to plan for a particular sequence of honors classes in advance, ultimately culminating in an honors degree,” he concluded. Now that the program components have been drafted, faculty will be fine-tuning and revising as needed throughout the coming year. Students who enjoy being challenged should consider participating in the Honors Program. A student taking a course for honors will, most commonly, negotiate an honors contract, with the instructor, which will establish the agreed upon terms for earning honors credit. Students who apply will be considered based on their proficiency in college-level math and writing, grade point average, and statement of intent. As a community college, YVCC serves a diverse student body. The Honors Program recognizes this diversity and allows for faculty to sponsor promising students who may not meet all of the eligibility requirements. A full range of honors opportunities is planned for fall 2012. For more information, contact Dr. Heidi Shaw at hshaw@yvcc.edu or 574.4812. 9
photo courtesy of Jerred Seveyka
Students discover sea life in the Puget Sound
International Student Program Reception
A look inside Momoka Kobayashi’s experience at YVCC The YVCC Foundation in collaboration with the International Student Program (ISP) hosted its third annual reception. Brady Mugleston, ISP manager takes this opportunity to showcase his program and give YVCC international students a chance to share their stories. The event, designed as a meet-and-greet, is an important venue to assist in the integration of visiting students to the college environment and the Yakima Valley community. Arriving in Yakima from all around the world, YVCC currently hosts international students from South Korea, Japan, Macau, Afghanistan, Guyana, and Ethiopia. These students have chosen to pursue degrees in nursing, general studies, business, and radiologic sciences. The reception provides an opportunity for them to share their experiences about going to school in the United States. Each of them expressed how the opportunity has opened doors to future endeavors and encouraged personal growth as they adapt to a new culture. Momoka Kobayashi from Ise, Mie, Japan has been attending YVCC for one-and-a-half years. Originally studying English at a university back home, she was interested in the challenge of immersing herself in another country, allowing her to learn the language and understand the culture more quickly. “I was interested in studying internationally because it allowed me to develop my English language skills and experience different cultures in the United States,” stated Kobayashi. Momoka set out to find the right city. Knowing that the education Momoka Kobayashi system in Washington was strong, she decided to look for an area in the state that might fit her needs. With the high tuition costs associated with studying internationally at a university, she decided that it would be more cost effective to attend a community college. From there her decision was very simple, as she wanted to attend a school with student housing and YVCC is one of the Washington community colleges which offers this opportunity to students. This winter she will graduate from YVCC with an associate of arts degree. “I’ve enjoyed my time at YVCC. I have made many friends and have learned how to better communicate with people,” she continued. “I would definitely recommend studying internationally to others. It allows students to experience new things. Every day provides something exciting,” she concluded. After completing her degree, she plans to return to Japan and finish her bachelor’s degree. She hopes to one day work as a Japanese/English interpreter either in the United States or Japan. “Studying internationally provides students the opportunity to positively impact their personal growth, make new and lasting friendships, and experience a range of professional opportunities. Very few experiences in life have such a long-standing impact on students,” stated Mugleston. Realizing the benefits of the International Student Program to students as well as the YVCC campus community, efforts are underway to help the program grow. “Our hope is to help even more students realize their dream of studying internationally,” he concluded. Shown from left: YVCC’s International Student Program Manager Brady Mugleston, and International Students Yae Takimoto, Momoka Kobayashi, Shion Taki, and Norimasa Saidera all from Japan, and Khushboo from Afghanistan 11 10
Women’s Basketball NWAACC Champions
photo courtesy of Tracy Swisher
Athletics
Entering the history books, YVCC Women’s Basketball won the 2011 NWAACC Title at the Championship Tournament in Kennewick. The team set out to win the championship just a week after losing their teammate, Hannah Cordova, in a tragic car accident. Undecided whether or not to Women’s Basketball with coaches center court after winning the NWAACC Championship Tournament Title compete, the Yaks decided to play for Hannah, for her family, and for themselves, exhibiting an incredible performance over the four-day tournament. The team opened the first-round against Bellevue College, winning 60-48. They went on to beat Clackamas Community College 73-59 and in the semi-final topped Community Colleges of Spokane with a 60-41 final score. The Yaks advanced to the final game in a match up with Eastern Region rival and defending NWAACC Champs Walla Walla Community College. Yakima won 53-40, earning Head Coach Cody Butler his first NWAACC title. “With only one returning player from a team that played in the championship the previous year, our goal at the beginning of our season was to have this group of 14 new individuals come together as a team as quickly as possible,” stated Butler. “Early in the year we struggled to a 10-6 record. It was then that Hannah Cordova’s influence began to emerge. Hannah was late joining the team because she also played soccer. However, once she became comfortable, her positive attitude and work ethic became contagious to the team,” he continued. Due largely to the impact Cordova created, the Yaks were able to win 13 of their last 14 games and the last nine straight on the road to the championship. “The teamwork, work ethic, and camaraderie inspired by Hannah will be felt by everyone associated with this team for the rest of their lives,” he concluded. Overcoming the emotions of losing a friend and teammate, YVCC’s Desquise Hammick scored 21 points and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Brittney Newcomb earned the tournament’s Most Inspirational Player award and AJ Yarlott and Aliyah Green made the All-NWAACC Tournament First Team. Newcomb and Mariah Roe were also named the Eastern Region All-Stars First Team and Second Team respectively.
In Memory
Hannah Cordova For the Yaks, this year’s 2011 NWAACC Basketball Championship is dedicated to the memory of YVCC Women’s Basketball player Hannah Cordova, who died tragically in a car accident on Monday, February 28, 2011. A graduate of Wapato High School, Hannah was a popular student who was actively involved in community service as well as being a two-sport athlete at YVCC, also playing on the women’s soccer team. “Hannah’s passing is a heartbreaking loss to the YVCC and Wapato communities,” said Head Coach Cody Butler. “Her unselfish character was demonstrated daily by being the ultimate team player, and her infectious smile and work ethic made everyone around her a better player and person.” Hannah’s death serves as a reminder of other NWAACC student-athletes who were taken before their time. It is a somber reminder of the frailty of life and how important it is to treasure those who enrich our lives. Hannah loved to play basketball and she loved being part of a team. The most fitting tribute the YVCC Women’s Basketball team could give her was to play the championship tournament games with joy, with intensity, and most of all, as a team. 11
Women’s Wrestling Captures National Title
For the third year in a row, head coaches Mike Schmitt and Tito Pimentel have lead the YVCC Women’s Wrestling Program to a National Championship. This year the team walked away with the National Collegiate Wrestling Association’s Title. The championship, which hosts 26 women’s wrestling teams from across the nation, was held at Mercer University in Georgia. Five of the nine wrestlers competing for YVCC were individual champions; Chel-C Bailey (112 lbs), Stephanie Geltmacher (139 lbs), Chantelle Bailey (159 lbs), Faith Wasmund (176 lbs), and Kendra Cremeans (heavyweight). Also contributing to the National Title was second place finisher Maura Tynanes (heavyweight). Teammates Samantha Lovelace (112 lbs), Ricarda Garcia (121 lbs), and Amber Rodriguez (130 lbs) placed third in their respective weight classes securing the title for the Yak’s.
Men’s Wrestling
National Champions Top; left to right: KaLia Burnett, Mercer University; Chantelle Bailey, YVCC; Faith Wasmund, YVCC; Kendra Cremeans, YVCC; Stephanie Geltmacher, YVCC Bottom; left to right: Kendra Nelson, Southwestern Oregon Community College; Chel-C Bailey, YVCC; Kelli Rasussen, Winona State University; Sophia Veiras, Northeastern University.
Teagan Franco earns All-American honors YVCC’s Men’s Wrestling competed at the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament hosted in Spokane, Washington. YVCC’s Teagan Franco (184 lbs) lead the Yaks as their top finisher placing eighth in his weight class. The freshman from Spanaway earned All-American honors at the competition. Franco won his first two matches, then was pinned by the eventual national champion in the quarterfinals. After this loss, he rallied back from the consolation bracket and finished 3-2 in the tournament. Seven other teammates joined Franco, including Gustavo Lopez (125 lbs), Brian Bitney (133 lbs), Sean Baker (157 lbs), Dillon Ford (165 lbs), Ryan Campbell (174 lbs), Jack Calvert (149 lbs), and Tito Gonzales (197 lbs). The event hosted 250 wrestlers representing 36 community colleges across the country.
photo courtesy of Tracy Swisher
Men’s Basketball For the fourth consecutive season, YVCC Men’s Basketball has placed at the NWAACC Championship Tournament. The team finished the season with an overall record of 18-11 and 8-6 in Eastern Region play. After a hard fought first-round loss by four points to eventual tournament champion Peninsula College, the men’s basketball team reeled off three straight wins en route to a fifth place finish. With only eight players, the Yaks displayed grit, determination, and toughness as they willed themselves to victories in the consolation bracket. “I couldn’t be more proud The Men’s Basketball Team at the NWAACC Tournament. of these guys,” stated Head Coach Ray Funk. “They handled a lot of adversity throughout the season and refused to let their season end until the final day of the tournament,” said Funk. “The highlight of the season probably had to be the final game against Whatcom Community College. We started down 12-0 after the first few minutes but because of this team’s will, we battled all the way back and won the game in the closing moments,” he concluded. For his tournament efforts, sophomore Terrell Evans was named to the First Team All-NWAACC Tournament Team and for his regular season efforts, sophomore Willie Blodgett was selected for the Second Team All-Eastern Region squad. In addition, sophomores Ryan Dornik, Blodgett, and Evans were chosen to play in the NWAACC Sophomore All-Star game. 12
People
Congratulations to Jennifer Townsend on her award as the Fall 2010 Classified Employee of the Quarter. Townsend works in YVCC’s Disability Support Services Office. Her duties include assisting students, helping with the application process, scheduling and proctoring exams, and helping to arrange special accommodations for students. “Being honored as employee of the fall quarter is very special to me. It tells me that my co-workers recognize and appreciate what I do for our disabled students here at YVCC,” stated Townsend. Counselor Kathryn Bauer presented at the Achieving the Dream (ATD) 2011 Strategy Institute in Indiana in February. She joined colleagues from Big Bend Community College to present Welcoming Incoming Students with an Eye on First Quarter and First Year Persistence. The two colleges incorporated an orientation and advising strategy into their ATD projects to assess its impact on persistence and achievement gaps. Bauer focused on YVCC’s New Student Orientation process that discontinued the practice of late registration and mandated orientation for incoming students.
Faculty Director for the Office of Institutional Effectiveness Wilma Dulin and Research Analyst Sheila Delquadri also presented at the ATD Strategy Institute. The workshop, Political, Analytical, and Technical Aspects of Engaging Faculty Members, discussed how faculty members from across the YVCC curriculum are engaged in using data to analyze student performance and strategize interventions. “As a result of attending this workshop, participants identified some faculty concerns related to the gathering and use of data, practiced delving deeper into an area of concern by using more and more Jennifer Townsend discrete data sets and pathway analyses, and learned about different approaches to putting data in the hands of faculty members, departments, and their administrators,” stated Dulin. Wilma Dulin also joined colleagues from Highline Community College, Tulsa Community College, and Trident Technical College to present The Role of Institutional Research (IR) in Equitable Access and Success: Data, Power, and Privilege. The panel shared growing understanding of how their roles as institutional researchers are skewed by their own perceptions of the world and how they attempt to address their own biases. Each presenter shared a specific example of a “lesson learned,” including the need to determine the most appropriate individuals to facilitate focus groups and interpret feedback so that all voices are heard and understood. Art Instructors Robert Fisher and Carol Hassen presented a new body of work in the Larson Gallery this February with a show titled Reflections of Italy. The mixed media work reflects their three-month stay in Italy during Fisher’s sabbatical study. The show provides a visual window into their journey with Fisher’s primary focus on architecture and Hassen’s on the landscape. English Instructor Dan Peters was selected as the new publisher and editor of Blue Begonia Press. Taking over the reins from founder Jim Bodeen, Peters hopes to expose readers to a new wave of poets alongside more established writers. Peter’s wife, Amy, will also be a full partner, helping with everything from selecting manuscripts and editing, to book design, and marketing. They are currently working on publishing Seattle poet Elizabeth Austen’s book, which is due out in April. Miguel Alvarado, a student of Psychology Instructor Dr. Heidi Shaw, recently had a research poster accepted for presentation at the 2011 Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention this May in Washington, DC. The student poster, Certainty of Language Corresponds to Latency of Response in Human Adult Pointing, is based on the research conducted with Dr. Shaw. Custodian Eugene Trevino recently received the Golden Plunger Award. The Golden Plunger is an award given annually by the Facilities Operation Department to a deserving staff member. Trevino was recognized for being the first among the custodial team to offer his time and to assist when needed. His positive attitude is applauded. Trevino represents the true spirit of the award. Congratulations! Governor Gregoire proclaimed 2011 is World Veterinary Year in Washington State in recognition of the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association’s 100th anniversary and the 250th anniversary of the first veterinary school founded in Lyon, France. YVCC’s Veterinary Technology Program began in 1997. In its 14-year history the program has graduated over 176 students and boasts over a 98% pass rate on the Vet Tech National Board Exam. 13 14
photo courtesy of Carol Hassen
Exceptional Faculty Awards In January, the YVCC Board of Trustees granted $10,000 to fund the first round of Exceptional Faculty Awards for the 2010-2011 academic year. Faculty members from art, business administration, English, and dental hygiene had the opportunity to pursue professional development in their respective fields. Rachel Dorn, Art - Attended the 2011 National Council on Education in the Ceramic Arts Conference in Florida in March. Brock Eubanks and Carol Schneider, Business Administration - Attended the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2011 HSIAC Conference in February in Monterey, California to learn about expanding access to entrepreneurship education opportunities at YVCC. They were also granted money for membership fees and subscriptions to entrepreneurship-related magazines and journals for the work they are doing focused on YVCC’s new initiatives around entrepreneurship. Cheri Podruzny, Debbie Mahre, and Debbie Gould, Dental Hygiene - Attended the 2011 American Dental Education Association Annual Session and Exhibition in San Diego, California in March. Sandra Schroeder, English - Attended the Conference on College Composition and Communications in Atlanta, Georgia in April. She participated in conversations about how best to help basic writers succeed, particularly from student populations similar to YVCC. The English department and Adult Basic Education have been working together in an attempt to help students become college ready. The Exceptional Faculty Awards began in 1991 when the Washington State Legislature appropriated funding for an endowment to support faculty development. These funds allowed the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) to establish a system-wide trust fund to augment existing faculty development resources. The SBCTC awarded endowment funds to the YVCC Foundation, which raised private matching fund donations. Awards are made from the earnings on the endowment managed by the YVCC Foundation. The YVCC Exceptional Faculty Awards are intended to enhance teaching and learning, and support the professional responsibilities of the faculty involved in the projects. Awarded semi-annually, the second group of faculty will be announced this spring.
Larson Gallery Arts Award Honors YVCC’s Robert Fisher
Robert Fisher
An early interest in architecture and the work of Frank Lloyd Wright launched Robert Fisher on his creative journey that includes an exhibition record dating back to 1974. Fisher came to YVCC in 1983 and has spent much of his professional life in the classroom and studio inspiring students with knowledge about the art making process as well as art history. Robert received his MFA degree in painting from Central Washington University, a BFA in painting from the University of Washington, and a BA in art history also from the University of Washington. The artist’s exhibition record is quite extensive and includes participation in major shows such as the 1999 exhibition Mt. Rainier Paintings: 100th Anniversary of Mt. Rainier National Park. He has won numerous awards for his work including the “Excellence in Drawing Award” for his work in the 2005 Central Washington Artists’ Exhibition. In addition to his 2009 sabbatical sojourn to Italy, Fisher has completed other artist residencies including a residency at Fallingwater (Bear Run, PA) in 1993 which was awarded through the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. He was the only instructor from the Western US to be chosen for this residency. In addition to teaching and his own studio work, he has served as a juror for numerous other galleries and organizations throughout the state. Fisher also has applied his excellent design skills to such projects as YVCC’s Helen Jewett Shields Millennium Clocktower in 2001, and visualization renderings for Yakima main street renovations in 1982. Fisher has served on the Larson Gallery Guild Board of Directors and was part of a team of advisors to the Yakima School District for the architectural preservation of the Franklin Middle School replacement project. Lastly, Fisher has also devoted many hours to the Washington State Arts Commission’s “Art in Public Places” program as a member of the selection committee. The Larson Gallery Guild was pleased to present the 2011 Arts Award to Robert Fisher - a man of many talents whose passion for art, architecture, and design, art history and art education has made a positive impact on our community and state. Submitted by the Larson Gallery
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