Grants advance economic mobility

Over the next five years, hundreds of Yakima Valley College students will benefit from three federal grants intended to advance economic mobility for populations historically under-served by higher education. Totaling nearly $7 million, the grants will support learning opportunities and support services for first-generation, low-income, and other disadvantaged students.

UDEAL Grant

Over the next five years, a $3 million Hispanic-Serving Institution grant will help build classes and structures that benefit YVC students by strengthening pathways to economic opportunity. The project, “Universal Design for Equity and Accountability in Learning” or UDEAL, will focus on enhancements to the college’s learning environment that enable students to be more successful in their academic work and life beyond college.

The project will draw from principles of universal design — which aim to make environments accessible to Lead Cashier Nina Stewart helps a student all people, regardless of age, disability or other factors — to center the needs of systemically disadvantaged learners in teaching and learning, assessment of student learning and online learning. Extensive professional development will be provided to YVC faculty and staff to support the implementation of universal design (UD) in courses and support programs.

Lead Cashier Nina Stewart helps a student

"If faculty and student services personnel proactively plan instruction and services to be inclusive of all learners, student learning and achievement will improve, leading to greater persistence to degree completion for all students,” said Project Director Maribel Torres Jiménez.

Other enhancements include: a simulation lab for students in the business management, business technology and information technology programs complete with real-world experiences and additional internship opportunities; integration of financial literacy education and resources in coursework, academic advising and student services to enhance the student experience; and additional faculty to support YVC’s applied bachelor programs.

UDEAL Project Director Maribel Torres Jiménez advises a student

Torres Jiménez said UDEAL will support faculty in building relationships with more businesses and government and non-profit agencies where students can gain professional experience through internships.

"Here in the Yakima Valley, we have a significant opportunity to support the economic mobility we want our students to experience,” Torres Jiménez said. “If we can provide more internship opportunities for our students right here in the Yakima Valley, it will enable them to stay local and give back to our community."

For more information contact Maribel Torres Jiménez at 509.574.4965. Read the full story online.

CAMP Grant

YVC will help the region’s migrant and seasonal farmworker community achieve their higher education aspirations with support from a $2.1 million grant. The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, provides a range of support to migrant or seasonal farmworkers and their children — boosting their ability to successfully complete the frst year of college. Students receive a stipend, free tutoring, and access to technology, career development support, internship and service learning opportunities, academic success workshops and other support.

Washington State University's 2007 CAMP student group. Provided by Cecilia Arroyo (pictured 4th from the right in the top row. YVC CAMP Director Ilda Guzmán is pictured sitting in the front row to the left.

"CAMP is incredibly successful in opening a pathway to higher education for the migrant farmworker community,” said YVC CAMP Director Ilda Guzmán. “CAMP enhances the inherited experiences and skills migrant or migrant seasonal farmworking students bring with them to college. With the support of YVC staff, the CAMP program guides students through their pathway towards earning and successfully completing their degrees."

Cecilia Arroyo was born and raised in Yakima, the youngest child of a migrant farmworker family. Being accepted into Washington State University’s CAMP program helped create a bridge to success for Arroyo, who now works for BORArchitecture in Yakima.

"My dad lived and worked his entire life in the orchard,” Arroyo said. “My siblings and I were the first generation to attend college. College was a whole different world – I couldn’t ask my parents what college was like because they didn’t have the opportunity. CAMP created opportunities for me to meet people who could help me grow, it taught me leadership skills that I have continued to use in my personal and professional life."

In each of the next five years, YVC will support and dedicate services to 40 CAMP students in their first year of study. For more information on eligibility, criteria contact Ilda Guzmán at hguzman@yvcc.edu. Read the full story online.

TRIO Grant

After Jaren Wallulatum graduated from high school in 2014 he enrolled in college, uncertain what career path to pursue. And like many frst-generation students, he wasn’t sure where to go for support. Wallulatum eventually left school to enter the workforce. Two years later, he gave college another try — only this time with the support he had earlier lacked.

That help came from YVC’s TRIO Student Support Services, which provides low-income and frst-generation students with academic support services such as tutoring, assistance with education plans, personal and careercounseling, and book loans. In each of the next fve years, 200 YVC students will beneft from access to TRIO’s services thanks to a new $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

"TRIO helps students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education," said Program Director Dustin Shattuck. "And in taking down those barriers, TRIO ultimately helps increase students’ academic success, graduation rates and likelihood of transferring to four-year institutions."

Jaren Wallulatum at YVC's 2019 Commencement Ceremony

"Finding TRIO made a huge difference for me in navigating the higher education system,” said Wallulatum, who graduated from YVC in 2019 and is now majoring in economics and public policy at Central Washington University. “It helped build a network of peers, instructors and college staff who I can reach out to for help."

Read the full story online.