YVC welcomes Bertha Ortega to Board of Trustees

Yakima Valley College is pleased to welcome Bertha Ortega to YVC’s Board of Trustees. Ortega was one of the founders of Heritage University and served as its vice president of academic affairs' at the time of her retirement in 2013.

Ortega grew up in Toppenish, Wash., and graduated from Toppenish High School. Throughout her career, she has focused on improving education and quality of life in the Yakima Valley. Prior to helping establish Heritage University, she worked as an instructor for health and human services at Seattle Central Community College, director of education transportation and early childhood specialist for the Yakama Nation and as a state bilingual liaison for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“I’m honored to serve as a trustee for YVC,” stated Ortega. “Dr. Kaminski has brought a new culture of what a community college can do for education, especially in a rural community. She has advanced the opportunities of a community college education to new heights and I want to be a part of a team of educators that afford those opportunities to our communities!”

Ortega replaces Rosalinda Mendoza whose term ended on Sept. 30, 2020. Her term of office is effective January 27, 2021.

Bertha Ortega