11 CAMPUS NEWS
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YVC Engages Community in Strategic Planning
In February, YVC took the frst public steps towards development of its new Strategic Plan by sending survey questions to a wide swath of community members throughout the college’s service district. The Strategic Plan is the document used to guide the college through its next fve years of growth. “YVC’s strategic plan is a refection of the ideas of all stakeholders,” says Director of the Ofce of Institutional Efectiveness Sheila Delquadri. “An important stakeholder is our community, through which YVC can gain valuable information that we could not know without their feedback. Our community is YVC’s Yakima Campus essential to YVC’s strategic planning process as we plan for the future, identify priorities, and work together to respond to community needs.” In addition to the online surveys, the college conducted focus groups on both the Yakima and Grandview campuses, gathering input from students, faculty, staf, and administrators.
Accreditation Renewal Granted by NWCCU On January 9th, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) reafrmed accreditation for YVC, based primarily on the fndings of an evaluation committee’s site visit last October. The commission found the college in compliance with its standards, and its report included commendations in the areas of college culture, commitment to inclusion, and upkeep of facilities and grounds. In commending the college’s eforts in promoting diversity, the evaluating committee placed “particular emphasis on the ESCALA program and diversity education series, as well as to students through implementation of its Diversity Welcome Center.”
Students in Chicano Studies Class
West Campus Expansion Continues On-Schedule
YVC’s West Campus Construction
YVC’s West Campus Expansion project continues to progress on-schedule at the southwest corner of 16th Avenue and Nob Hill Boulevard in Yakima. With architectural design from BORArchitecture, and the construction expertise of GH Moen, both local frms, the project is already drawing attention, largely from its graceful and dramatic roof-lines. The new classroom and meeting spaces are expected to be in use for Convocation in fall of this year, with completion of the new Tasting Room and Larson Gallery exhibition space following soon after. The classroom spaces will form the new home of YVC’s Allied Health technical programs.
YVC Awarded Grant to Help Combat Homelessness YVC was recently awarded a grant from the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges to help students who are struggling fnancially so they can stay in school and complete their degrees. The Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness Pilot Program created six pilot projects across Washington State for students who are homeless or were in foster care. YVC is one of four community and technical colleges and two universities selected to participate for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years. Colleges can use the funds to help students with short-term housing or housing assistance; laundry facilities, storage and showers; food cards; technology; and case-management services. YVC was awarded $110,000 for this two-year grant. In addition, this spring the grant was able to help several students living in the Student Residence Center on the Yakima Campus. “National studies indicate a substantial level of homelessness amongst college students,” stated Counselor Esther Huizar. “YVC will use the grant to focus on improving identifcation and prioritization of students experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. The plan is to ensure identifed students receive direct service to address basic needs on campus and referrals to housing resources with our community partners.” 15 Yakima Valley College
