Before joining Yakima Valley College as director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Tenya Moravec had already made a significant impact as the associate director for the University of Washington's Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) program. Inspired by this experience, Moravec sought to create new engagement opportunities for historically underrepresented students in the Yakima Valley.
“During my interview and shortly after starting at YVC, I discovered a strong interest in re-establishing a collaborative partnership with the GEAR UP program,” says Moravec.
With her in-depth knowledge of the program, which helps low-income students prepare for and access college, Moravec approached Interim Vice President of Student Services Pedro Navarrete to explore the potential for collaboration.
Initial conversations focused on how YVC's College and Career Readiness programs could meet the needs of GEAR UP parents. However, as discussions continued, they expanded to include bringing GEAR UP students and their parents to the campus.
“Events like this allow students to explore giving them a deeper understanding of what the college offers.” – Irwin Godinez Cruz, UW GEAR UP
In the fall, YVC hosted approximately 60 students and a handful of parents from various school districts within the GEAR UP grant region, including East Valley, Wahluke, Wapato and Toppenish.
For UW, YVC’s central location made it an ideal choice for creating partnerships and showcasing options in the community.
“Our goal with this event is to highlight the endless opportunities in higher education in the Yakima Valley,” said Irwin Godinez Cruz, program services manager for UW GEAR UP. “We aimed to give students firsthand experience of the campus, its career programs and student culture, helping them make informed decisions about whether this campus is the right fit for their academic journey.”
According to Godinez Cruz, this full-day event gave students a unique opportunity
to dive into campus culture and student life — something many had never done.
“By providing early access to the YVC campus, this event gives students valuable information
to help them decide where to start their higher education journey,” said Godinez Cruz.
“It also demonstrates that high-quality resources and opportunities are available
right here at home, which can help students feel more confident in their decision
to enroll in a local institution.”
The event featured workshops and a mock classroom experience for students, as well as workshops for parents. Attendees enjoyed lunch on campus, and future first-generation students were celebrated. They also had the opportunity to hear from a panel of first-generation students at YVC.
TOP: Student Guillermo Verdin talks about his experience as a first generation college
student. ABOVE: First generation college student Allyson Maddock, center, speaks UW GEAR UP students
during an event in October 2024.
"We know we have students from these high schools enrolling at YVC," said Moravec. "Engaging with students while they are still in the GEAR UP program gives us a unique opportunity to start building relationships with them much earlier than day one of orientation or the first day of their first quarter."
Since GEAR UP also supports parents through their child's educational journey, YVC can extend that relationship to the entire family.
"We need to make sure we are communicating with parents, guardians and families that YVC will take care of their child while enrolled at our institution," Moravec emphasized.
Additional events for GEAR UP students are being planned for spring quarter and beyond.
“The support and hospitality provided by the YVC staff in organizing this event has been exceptional,” said Godinez Cruz. “We look forward to collaborating again in the future to further engage students in these valuable experiences.”
Story by Stefanie Menard, AA-DTA ’05, communications consultant. Photos by Matt Barton, graphic designer/multimedia content producer.