Read about the exciting things going on with our current students and alumni. Learn about job changes, professional achievements, a marriage or new addition to their families, gatherings with other YVC alumni or other significant news.
Do you have news to share with your classmates? Submit your news and photos by emailing communityrelations@yvcc.edu.
From student to mentor Rachel Villanueva takes on financial literacy role
Rachel Villanueva during the January Club Fair event in the HUB.
Rachel Villanueva, a 2023 graduate of YVC’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management program, is now whipping up financial success for students as the new financial literacy coordinator. When she's not on campus, Villanueva is busy running her own business, The Mac Mix, where she blends her passion for baking with the business skills she learned in YVC’s program.
“Financial wellness is the foundation of our success regardless of your bank account,” said Villanueva. “It starts with financial, social, inner and physical life values. Once we understand life values with wants versus needs, we can break the stigma associated with building and supporting our finances.”
Her experience as a student is one that she feels will help her relate to students.
“YVC’s BASM program taught me to be disciplined, set small goals, have organizational skills and budget,” she said. “I have a personal testimony of creating and supporting a small baking hobby that provided me with extra income with the skills I learned while being a student at YVC. Having this background will help me in my role by providing students with the right tools and resources to succeed in their daily lives and future careers.”
Visit our website to learn more about Villanueva’s work and campus resources related to Financial Literacy.
Student Ryan Vasquez runs to raise awareness about missing and murdered indigenous women
Ryan Vasquez of Wapato is shown here on his run from Yakama Reservation to the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon. The red handprint on his face recognizes missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Ryan Vasquez of the Colville and Yakama Nations, a finance student at YVC, recently made local news for running from the Yakama Reservation to the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon.
He started his journey in October on U.S. 97 at the boundary of the Yakama Nation. His run was part of an effort to raise awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous people.
Vasquez was running for himself and to show his 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter "that what others perceive as difficult or impossible" is possible, he said in the phone interview with the Yakima Herald Republic. "When things seem impossible, they're really not. You chip away at it one step at a time."
During his run, Vasquez wore buttons from Cissy Strong Reyes in memory of her sister, Rosenda Sophia Strong, who disappeared in the fall of 2018. Her body was found just outside Toppenish on July 4, 2019.
He also had a shirt from Myrna Cloud with the names of more than 20 Indigenous women and people who have gone missing, have been found murdered or who have died mysteriously in recent decades. Cloud's young relative, Destiny Lloyd, was murdered the day after Christmas 2017.
Vasquez has also completed other long distance runs from the Yakama Reservation to the Muckleshoot Reservation, the Nez Perce Reservation, and the Umatilla Reservation.
In November, Vasquez was a featured speaker as part of YVC’s Diversity Series.
Alumni MarJon Beauchamp headed to the Big Apple
MarJon Beauchamp is pictured during the Los Angeles Clippers’ game against the Utah
Jazz on February 8. Photo courtesy of Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images.
Beauchamp, who grew up in Yakima and starred at Yakima Valley College before the Milwaukee Bucks selected him with the 24th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, was recently traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for former high school opponent Kevin Porter Jr. but was waived on March 1. He signed a two year contract with the New York Knicks in early March.
Milwaukee declined Beauchamp's option for the 2025-26 season.