Yakima Valley College | 2023-25 Budget Requests
- Total headcount: 6,501
- Total full-time equivalent (FTE): 3,514
- Full-time: 58%
- Part-time: 42%
- Students of color: 73%
If the system’s operating budget request of $353 million is fully funded, Yakima Valley College will receive approximately $5.6 million in additional funding.
If the system’s request is fully funded, Yakima Valley College will receive approximately $5,294,000 for operation, maintenance, infrastructure, repairs and minor improvements of its existing facilities, and $28,275,000 for design and construction of the Prior-Kendall Hall.
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Yakima Valley College serves Yakima, Kittitas and Klickitat counties in the agricultural hub of central Washington. YVC’s service district includes over 8,000 square miles, an area larger than the state of Massachusetts. YVC is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) with 61% of its graduates earning degrees or certificates identifying as persons of color and 86% of students being the first generation in their family to attend college. YVC offers a comprehensive curriculum, with Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, transfer degrees, professional-technical degrees, high school completion assistance and courses in English Language Acquisition (ELA).
Meet Gilbert Solano
Gilbert Solano grew up in the Yakima Valley and first began attending YVC’s Upward Bound program before enrolling in the Running Start program. With support from faculty and staff in YVC’s STEM programs, Solano quickly realized his desire to work toward becoming a software engineer.
While completing his associate transfer degree, Solano was awarded the QuestBridge National Match Scholarship to attend Brown University. The prestigious full-ride scholarship provides Solano an opportunity to continue his studies at the Ivy League school.
“I believe that [YVC] provided me with the right experience to tackle a four-year university,” Solano said.
Legislative Priority: Expand Opportunity for Students and Employers
Fully funding our budget requests will have real returns for students like Gilbert Solano and for the communities and employers in our area. Students will learn from competitively-paid experts who choose to work at Yakima Valley College rather than pursue higher paying positions with private employers or K-12 schools. Our students will train for careers in robust workforce programs, with modern equipment and learning spaces that mirror their future work environments. We will be able to expand technology to bring a college education to more people in more ways. And, all our students will benefit from an inclusive environment where they are valued, supported and equipped to reach their goals. Yakima Valley College will also receive funding to operate and maintain existing facilities and to design and build its Prior-Kendall Hall.
