First Generation

First Generation Students at YVC

Yakima Valley College is proud to support first-generation students in achieving their educational and professional goals. More than 75% of YVC students are first-generation, along with many faculty and staff members. We hope this page serves as a resource for first-generation undergraduate students and their families.

The term first-generation college student means:

A student is considered first-generation if neither of the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) earned a bachelor’s degree.
A student who lives with and received support from only one parent or guardian who did not earn a bachelor’s degree.
A student who was/is a homeless youth, in the foster care system, or a ward of the state.

Celebrated nationwide every November.

We are honored to join colleges and universities across the nation in the National First-Generation College Celebration this November. Led by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and the NASPA Center for First-Generation Student Success, this event celebrates the success of first-generation college students, faculty, staff and alumni and raises awareness of the support necessary for this important and resilient population to continue thriving.

Please join this celebration by viewing stories of some of YVC’s first-generation students, alumni, faculty and staff, making use of our first-gen social media and Zoom graphics, or learning more about our supports for first-gen students.

“My first year of college was a disaster and I didn't really have any support in such a large school and fended for myself. By the time I got to CWU, I found some programs and clubs that helped me improve my outlook on higher education and what I wanted to do.”

Vanessa Tucker - Pathway Navigator

“To me, it is the recognition that everything my grandparents and parents did for their families that led to the opportunity for me to attend a four year college.”

Jeffrey Smith - Music Instructor

“Being a successful first-gen college student means my parents set me up to grow as a person. They not only challenged me, but they challenged themselves to navigate a complicated, unfamiliar world of higher education.”

Travis Margoni - English Instructor

Being first generation means the world to me. I know that I made my grandma and my angel in heaven my mom proud. Being the first from immediate family to graduate college is a big accomplishment since there was many times I thought I couldn't. Anyone is able to graduate from college you just need follow your dreams and not let no one on nothing stop. It doesn't matter how long it takes you can do it.”

Esmeralda Cruz - Bilingual Office Assistant

To be a first-generation college student meant opportunity for not only myself but also my family. With hard work and the support of my family I was able to obtain a bachelor's degree from WSU and a master's degree from CWU. Now, I am lucky to be able to give back to other students from my community by working at YVC where I absolutely love my job!”

Karla Rabadan - Student Life Manager

“Being a first-generation student is not only important for me, but it is also important to my family. Having an education will give me the opportunity to have a better future.”

Emilse Osorio - First Generation Student at YVC

“Getting this degree means a lot to me because I'm the first one, and it's a stepping stone for my family. My sisters are also interested in going to school. I'm the oldest and I’ve kind of inspired them, because they see how I'm always getting awards and stuff like that. It has helped them realize that they want to do something as well.”

Luiz Lopez - First Generation Student at YVC

"As a first-generation college student, obtaining a college degree was a significant milestone for me. It symbolized my autonomy and displayed my ability to overcome challenges through perseverance, efficient time management and seeking support to comprehend complex concepts. I aim to serve as a role model for my children and family, illustrating that they, too, can attain a college degree by emulating the strategic steps I undertook to secure mine."

Yadira Chavez - First Generation Student at YVC

"Being a first-gen student is kind of exciting, but also it's kind of scary because my parents didn't go through it. Running Start helped me boost my confidence in myself with my education."

Andrew Escamilla - First generation student who transferred to Grand Canyon University

"Honestly, it's kind of scary not knowing. My family doesn't know what it was like, so [I feel like I’m] kind of going in blindly, but it's been working out well. I think just being able to talk to the professors and being able to communicate with them, knowing they will respond and give you the best feedback they can give you [has been helpful].”

Zoe Harrington - First generation student who transferred Eastern Washington University

One of my main goals ever since I was little is going to a four-year school. When I graduate from YVC and transfer to a university I’ll be the first person in my family to go and that’s something that I’ve been holding on for since I was little. I remember when I was little thinking, “I’m going to college.” That was my dream and being here at YVC I am in college and I’m really proud of myself. I really want to make my family proud, but also for myself I really want to be a lawyer and come back to the Yakima Valley and help this community.

Mariah Cornejo - 2024 YVC Graduate

At 15 I was in a car accident. I suffered PTSD and didn’t realize how much it was affecting me until after I graduated. As a first-generation student who didn’t drive I didn’t have a way to get to campus. After a friend from church helped me learn to drive and I overcame my PTSD I’m really grateful to be here.

Lucero Liliana Mendez - 2024 YVC Graduate

Ways to Celebrate First-Gen Students

We invite all members of our community to celebrate the success and presence of YVC students, faculty and staff who are the first in their families to attend college during the month of November. Show your first-gen pride on social media by using the following hashtags, social media graphics and Zoom backgrounds.

2024 First Generation Students Celebration Programming

Event	Date	Location	Info	Event Contact
First Generation Pledge	Oct. 29 - Nov. 8	Yakima/Grandview Campuses	First-gen students are invited to take the pledge to graduate from YVC and complete the educational journey they started.	Cristy Rasmussen crasmussen@yvcc.edu
First Gen Photo Opportunities	Nov. 4 - Nov. 8	HUB (Yakima), Main Building Foyer (Grandview)	Students and employees are encouraged stop in and take pictures in front of YVC First Gen photo backdrops during National First-Gen Week (November 4 – 8).	Tenya Moravec tmoravec@yvcc.edu
Supporting First-Gen Students Workshop	November 4 (Yakima) and November 8 (Grandview)	Yakima/Grandview Campuses	YVC employees are invited to learn how to support first-gen students. Attendees will receive a “First Gen Ally” display card for completing the training.	Tenya Moravec tmoravec@yvcc.edu
UW GEAR UP Days at YVC	November 1 (Grandview) and November 8 (Yakima)	Yakima/Grandview Campuses	The college will host high school seniors, many of which would be first-generation, to help them and their parents prepare for college and learn about YVC resources.	Tenya Moravec tmoravec@yvcc.edu

Celebration Resources

Facebook

I am proud to be a #YVCFirstGen student/faculty/staff because … #CelebrateFirstGen

Every day #YVCFirstGen students, faculty and staff make great contributions to our community. We are proud to join colleges and universities across the country to recognize the National First-Generation College Celebration on November 8! Learn more at https://yvcc.edu/students/first-generation #CelebrateFirstGen

Instagram

I am proud to be a #YVCFirstGen student/faculty/staff because … #CelebrateFirstGen #FirstGenYaks

Thank you to all the #YVCFirstGen students, faculty and staff who make great contributions to our community! We are proud to join with colleges and universities across the country to recognize the National First-Generation College Celebration on November 8! Learn more at https://yvcc.edu/students/first-generation #CelebrateFirstGen #FirstGenYaks

Twitter (X)

I am proud to be a #YVCFirstGen student/faculty/staff because … #CelebrateFirstGen

YVC is proud to participate in the National First-Gen College Celebration on Nov. 8. https://yvcc.edu/students/first-generation #CelebrateFirstGen

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[First & Last Name] [Degree Abbreviation if any] [Position Title] [Department is optional] Yakima Valley College [Area Code.Prefix.Suffix] [email@yvcc.edu]

Resources for First-Generation Students

YVC Guided Pathways Coordinator & English Instructor, Mark J. Fuzie recommends using available resources.

First Generation