This November, Yakima Valley College joined thousands of colleges across the United States in celebrating the success of first-generation students during the National First-Generation College Celebration.  

“Since our founding in 1928, YVC has been a place where first-generation students know they can build a better life,” said Interim President Teresa Rich.  

Approximately 75% of YVC students are first-generation students, along with many of the college’s faculty and staff.  

One of those students, Yesenia Espinoza, said completing her degree is an achievement that is important for her entire family.  

“I can show my mom and my dad that all the years they spent working in the fields and coming home late was worth it,” Espinoza said. “That means the world to me.” 

Holly Dixon-Almond is a first-generation student who decided to pursue higher education as an adult learner. 

“Being able to show my kids I'm going to work hard and I'm going to make a better future for us, even though you're halfway through your growing life I'm still going to chase that dream,” she said. 

As part of YVC’s First-Gen Celebration this year, the college hosted multiple activities for students, employees and future college students and their families, including:  

  • First-gen students were invited to take a pledge to graduate from YVC and complete the educational journey they started. Pledges signed by students were displayed in locations on the Yakima and Grandview campuses during National First Gen Week, November 4 – 8.  
  • First-gen themed photo backdrops were set up in Hopf Union Building and Grandview Main for students and employees to take their pictures and share them on social media to raise awareness of first-generation students and celebrate their success. 
  • College employees participated in professional development workshops, held on both the Yakima and Grandview campuses, designed to strengthen their ability to support first-gen students. Attendees received a “First Gen Ally” card to display in their offices so first-generation students recognize them.  
  • The college hosted approximately 50 local high school seniors in the University of Washington’s GEAR UP program, many of whom will be first-generation college students, to help them and their parents prepare for college and learn about YVC resources. The events, which took place in Yakima and Grandview, featured a YVC first-gen student panel sharing insights from the panelists’ personal experiences. 

Rich noted the college’s celebration this year provided an avenue to raise awareness of the resources available to first-generation students. 

“Being first-generation comes with many challenges and barriers, and this celebration was an important opportunity for us to honor these students’ resiliency and raise awareness of how we can all support these individuals in achieving their goals,” said Rich.  

Allyson Maddock, a first-generation student who hopes to become a dentist, said the support of YVC faculty and staff has been essential to her journey.  

“I asked a lot of questions and I got connected to the right people,” Maddock said. “Any faculty member, any staff member that I've talked to about any question, even if I was nervous to ask, they've always pointed me in the right direction on who to go to and where to go to.” 

Story by Dustin Wunderlich, director of community relations.