After starting his college education at the University of Washington, family reasons brought Luis Lopez back to his hometown of Sunnyside. While working as a lab assistant at a local winery, he learned about Yakima Valley College’s vineyard and winery technology program and he’s now on a path to completing his associate degree in 2026.
Lopez is among the students who are contributing to a surge in enrollment this academic year. At the end of Fall Quarter 2024, overall full-time equivalent enrollment at YVC stood 9% higher than the previous year. And as of early March, winter quarter full-time equivalent enrollment was 7% higher overall compared to the same time in Winter Quarter 2024.
“It is exciting progress we've been making in enrollment, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our team,” said Senaida Lopez, director of student success initiatives.
Among the factors contributing to this year’s enrollment growth: more course offerings at YVC’s campuses and learning centers, prioritizing the college’s outreach and retention efforts along with streamlining of enrollment processes, and strengthened partnerships with community organizations.
One of the big factors behind the higher enrollment has been offering more course options, particularly on the Grandview Campus. The college added a full-time art instructor to its Grandview faculty last academic year, for example, and those classes have quickly proven to be popular. In fact, with so many students taking advantage of those classes, an exhibition featuring artwork created by students was featured in the Grandview Library this March.
TOP: Students work on their drawings in an art class on the Grandview Campus in January 2025. ABOVE: English Language Learning students in class at the college's Toppenish Learning Center in January 2025.
Ramon Cardenas, assistant dean of the Grandview Campus, said other recently introduced and expanded course offerings include American Sign Language, anthropology, English, sociology and criminal justice.
This winter quarter, enrollment on the college’s Grandview Campus was 26% higher than the prior year, demonstrating the importance of the greater variety of available courses, said Cardenas.
“Our goal is to continue expanding our course offerings, providing more opportunities for students in the Lower Valley to complete their degrees on campus,” he said.
Lopez also cited an emphasis on outreach and making changes that ensure a more seamless enrollment experience for incoming students. She noted outreach specialists Al Garcia and Sandra Zesati are making more frequent visits to area high schools and participating in other community events and partnerships to raise awareness about what YVC offers.
“Our collaboration with the University of Washington’s GEAR UP is a great example of these efforts,” Lopez said. “This partnership offers Valley high school seniors the chance to visit campus, apply for admission, explore program offerings and learn about financial aid.”
Sandra Zesati, student engagement specialist, talks to high school students participating in the University of Washington's GEAR UP program during a visit to the Grandview Campus in November 2024.
Another example of ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships with community organizations is the college’s collaboration with Yakima Valley Partners for Education. YVPE has helped boost the college’s free financial aid workshops for community members both last year and this year, providing funds for refreshments to students and families who attend and helping promote the workshops. The organization also provided transportation to help families in the Lower Yakima Valley attend the college’s STEM Day event in February.
Meanwhile, the college’s Pathway Navigators guide incoming students through every step of the enrollment process, ensuring a smooth transition to YVC, and major events such as New Student Orientation and Advising Day have been revamped to better support student success and retention.
In his conversations with prospective students and families, Garcia said he’s noticed more recognition of the value of a YVC education and how the college is responsive to the needs of individual students.
“Value includes not only the cost savings but also the benefits our institution provides as we have improved our infrastructure,” he said. “The variety of our academic offerings and the ease to engage with our academics as technology continues to advance. All while still having access to a caring YVC staff."
Story by Dustin Wunderlich, director of community relations. Photos by Stefanie Menard (AA-DTA ’05), communications consultant, and Tenya Moravec, director of strategic initiatives for equity and organizational development.