Student Life Booklet - Yak 101 Your Guide to Student Life

YAK 101: YOUR GUIDE TO STUDENT LIFE

INVOLVEMENT: IT’S UP TO YOU!

One of the most valuable assets you possess is your time. Whether going to class, studying, working or attending events, activities play a key role in your success and enjoyment of college. Becoming involved in activities outside of the classroom leads to many opportunities and benefits.

GET CONNECTED!

This guide will help you find the activities and resources to meet your needs at Yakima Valley College. Here’s how to start matching activities and resources to your interests.

1. Select two or three interest areas. They can be activities you have previously enjoyed or experienced success in, something related to career or academic interests, or just something that sounds interesting and fun.

2. Set goals. Decide what you want to gain from your college activities. Browse through the clubs and programs listed here and select activities that provide opportunities to achieve those goals.

3. Take risks. Join a student club, try a new sport, or apply for a student leadership position. You’ll only know if an activity is right for you if you try it.

4. Have fun. Remember your time is valuable; spend it doing things you like and that benefit your life and college career.

I just love everything about YVC. First of all, the campus. The huge library, the park, I just found the place incredibly inspirational and motivating.

DARLENE MENDOZA ‘24

LEAD: MAKE YOUR MARK!

Student government offices on both the Yakima and Grandview campuses offer students the opportunity to get involved and help ensure that all YVC students have a voice. Help make decisions by participating with Associated Students of Yakima Valley College (ASYVC) through the Yakima or Grandview Student Councils, ASYVC Student Senate and the Student Ambassador Program.

YAKIMA & GRANDVIEW STUDENT COUNCILS

Student Councils represent the collective student voice and provide leadership on both campuses. The groups work with college administration, faculty and state-wide leadership to advocate for student resources and initiatives and help foster success.

ASYVC STUDENT SENATE

The ASYVC Student Senate is comprised of the combined student councils and representatives of all recognized clubs on campus. The Senate allocates funding for clubs and programs and provides recommendations to college leadership on issues affecting the student body. Senate meetings occur Mondays from 12:30 - 1 p.m.

STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

The Student Ambassador Program is a leadership opportunity for students who are dedicated to serving and representing Yakima Valley College. Student Ambassadors provide campus tours, serve as YVC representatives and perform duties at various campus and community events. Student Ambassadors also serve in the Diversity Welcome Center where they act as a first point of contact to visitors.

DIVERSITY SERIES

This unique program offers students the opportunity to lead and work alongside staff and faculty to bring awareness and special programming to campus and the community. By bringing diverse perspectives to everyday topics with a commitment to push the boundaries of the term “diversity” beyond race, gender, social class and sexuality we help make the world a more equitable place for all.

STUDENT CLUBS & PROGRAMS

AGRIBUSINESS & WINE CLUB

Helps students develop leadership skills and prepare for a career in the agriculture industry.

ATHLETICS

Competitive sports programs help students develop leadership, teamwork and discipline and prepares them for career opportunities in teaching and coaching. It also provides a foundation for lifelong recreational interests.

AUTOMOTIVE CLUB

Promotes hands-on learning opportunities for students in YVC’s Automotive Service Technology program through events and participation in regional, statewide and national Skills USA competitions.

CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT CLUB

Encourages study of the Earth’s natural environments, human impact on sustainability and biodiversity, and celebration of Earth’s beauty and abundance.

CONNECTION BRIDGE TO COLLEGE

Helping students navigate the college system and leverage resources for their success.

ENGINEERING CLUB

Educates, mentors and organizes community involvement and activities to broaden engineering students.

FARM WORKER’S AID CLUB

Provides support and resources to the local farm working community and students who come from this community.

DENTAL HYGIENE CLUB

Promotes overall oral healthcare and oral healthcare education at YVC and in the Yakima Valley.

IMAGE MAKERS CLUB

Provides opportunities for students associated with the radiological sciences program to develop leadership skills through educational and community service activities.

NURSING CLUB

Promotes health, nursing and education at YVC and in the Yakima Valley.

PHI THETA KAPPA

YVC’s Honor Society recognizes and encourages academic excellence, promotes leadership development and encourages service both to YVC and the local community.

PLAYMASTERS DRAMA

Produces quality theatre for audiences of all ages and instills in students a lifelong respect and enthusiasm for live theatre. Participants are involved in all aspects of the production process.

STEM

CLUB

Providing educational opportunities for STEM students through speakers, presentations and community activities.

VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY CLUB

Supporting veterinary technology students through education and supports practical knowledge as they prepare for a career in the animal health industry.

WIND & VOCAL MUSIC

Provides quality instruction on a wide range of musical topics. YVC’s program is committed to a student-centered education which emphasizes musical accessibility for all students, promotes self-esteem through musical performance and provides both on-campus and off-campus performance opportunities.

Pathway Key

Find a club or group related to your academic pathway.

Enjoy and find between your life and your school. Don’t about going pace as others. has different Everyone own rhythm.

KYARA ROSAS-ALEJANDRE

RESOURCES

There are many free resources available to YVC students. Reference the information below and visit our website for additional details and locations.

Diversity Welcome Center

The Diversity Welcome Center nurtures a supportive campus environment that is free from prejudice and provides a space that is welcoming to all students.

ASYVC Food Pantries

The pantries provide students who need help with groceries, non-food items, and baby supplies. There are also quick snacks for students who are hungry between classes. Located on both campuses.

Rodeo Drive

ASYVC’s Rodeo Drive, offered in memory of Business Technology Instructor Alen Janisch, provides business casual and professional clothing to YVC students. Students can shop for free each quarter and build their professional wardrobe for when they graduate. On the Yakima Campus Rodeo Drive is located in the Hopf Union Building adjacent to the Diversity Welcome Center. On the Grandview Campus the Student Life office located in the Student Activity Center.

Yak Connect

find a balance your student your life outside Don’t feel bad going at the same others. Everyone different lives. walks at their rhythm.

ROSAS-ALEJANDRE ‘24

YakConnect is an app designed to support your success as a student. YakConnect helps you make a personal academic plan for your time at YVC, schedule advising appointments with faculty, get connected with academic resources and much more!

Handshake

The Handshake app helps students find jobs and internships, connect with 400,000+ employers and explore career options — and it’s free for anyone attending Yakima Valley College (yvcc.joinhandshake.com).

Counseling and Advising

YVC’s Counseling & Advising Center provides academic advising, career planning and personal counseling. Counselors are trained professionals who can help students with personal problems affecting their wellbeing and success. Some common areas of support include balancing school, work and family, coping with stress, dealing with anxiety or depression, relationship problems, managing anger, drug and alcohol counseling and gender or sexuality.

Math Center

The Math Center provide drop-in instruction support for classes from arithmetic through calculus, including mathematics-related courses. Instructors and instructional technicians provide individualized assistance to address students’ questions.

Writing Center

The Writing Center helps students become better writers and provide support at any stage of the writing process, from getting started to final draft. Students may bring an assignment, an idea or a draft to the Center and meet with a trained writing consultant. Feedback is also available through online consultation.

Speech and Language Center

The Speech and Language Center provides support for public speaking and presentations. Students are able to work with tutors on upcoming presentations and speeches. They also have tutors for your foreign language classes who can help you practice your new language acquisition.

Tutoring

YVC’s Tutoring Center offers free tutoring, by appointment, for many subject areas including: accounting, American Sign Language, anthropology, biology, chemistry, economics, mathematics, physics, Spanish and other courses on a quarter-by-quarter basis. If you need extra support for a class check in with the tutoring center on your campus!

Library

Students have access to books, computers and other materials through the college library on their campus. Each library has a separate online catalog, but you can borrow materials from either library. Access to most library databases and the library catalog is available online. Comfortable spaces for individual and group study available!

Media Center

The Media Center allows students to borrow computers, calculators and recording devices to help promote success in their courses. Centers also offer quiet study spaces and the ability to view videos and DVDs. Quiet study spaces are also available.

TRIO Student Support Services

TRIO provides academic support to low-income, first-generation or students with a disability. Services provided include: financial aid workshops, tutoring, educational planning, personal and career counseling, visits to universities, book loans, orientation classes, math supplements and learning skills workshops.

Disability Support Services

Disability Support Services (DSS) provides accommodations to individual students, access to adaptive technology and barrier-free facilities to all YVC-sponsored programs and academic resources. If you need an accommodation, please reach out to DSS on your campus.