WVC Spotlights

Alum: Jessi Mendoza
Jessi Mendoza attended Wenatchee Valley College and graduated with a Business Transfer Degree in 2009. He is currently a Business Banking Relationship Officer III at Numerica Credit Union.
Why did you choose WVC?
I decided on WVC because I wanted to save money and stay close to home while I worked
to pay for my education. I was determined to avoid taking on debt, so I decided to
obtain a business transfer degree before attending the Washington State University
Business School. I succeeded and graduated with my business degree from WSU with $0
in student loan debt.

Alum: Maria Agnew
Agnew started her WVC journey on an athletic scholarship with the women’s basketball team in the 1980's. Agnew was on the women’s basketball team as they won their 5th championship under Coach Dr. Sellers in 1981-82. She completed her education with a Law and Justice Degree and a Master’s in Organization from Bastyr University.

Board Member: Beverly Jagla
It's not often we grow up in a home with many people that shape us in our life. As Beverly shares with me who inspired her growing up to become the amazing teacher she is today till this day. For my interview project I was able to personally get to know a beautiful woman by the name of Beverly. Right from the get-go, I found her inspiring and optimistic. She was also very sweet. I had the pleasure to share her narrative.

Board President: Don Gurnard
The 1900’s was a century were a lot happened both good and bad. But some of the good events were people interacted with each other in person, great music, people were hardworking, there was a lot of dancing, and many other joyful practices, Donald Gurnard, a sixty-five-year-old, born during the mid-1900’s shared with me what his life and experiences were like throughout his early years. He lived his childhood and adolescence during the years when there was a lot of problems in the world. The world and country were going through a difficult crisis, but he managed to live his life in a joyful manner, worked hard, and explored life and to this day continues to do so.

Faculty: April Tedder
April Tedder’s path as a part-time adjunct faculty member can be compared to a long winding road, full of stops and different scenery but laser focused on the designation.
Although Tedder is a newer addition to the Wenatchee Valley College faculty, beginning in October 2021, she is not new to WVC.

Staff: Greg Franz
Greg Franz Athletic Director from 2011-2018 shares how the WVC has influenced his career and life.

Student: Adrian Carrillo
Wenatchee Valley College at Omak student Adrian Carrillo is pursuing his goals to make a meaningful impact on the older generation and their families.

Distinguished Alumni 2020: Jaime Ramirez
Announcing Distinguished Alumni 2020, Jaime Ramirez for his exemplary service to the students and families of Cascade Elementary School and for his dedication as an instructor and coach.

Student: Rylei Franks
Rylei Franks said he was looking for a career that would allow him to settle down and have a family. After his first year in the nursing program at WVC, he said this might be it.

Faculty: Heather Ryan
Heather Ryan, English faculty and faculty professional development coordinator, said she focuses on big-picture questions on how to improve WVC for everyone.

Faculty: Dr. Karen Alman
Dr. Karen Champagnie Alman is the Communication Studies Faculty & Department Lead at Wenatchee Valley College. Dr. Alman offers a unique and culturally rich perspective to her students and peers at WVC.

Student: Elizabeth Ferrell
Elizabeth Ferrell currently serves as the Director of Health and Wellness of the WVC Student Senate. Her passion for higher education and her determination to make a positive change in the world is inspiring.

Student: Ellen Ferrell
Ellen Ferrell is the Director of Admin Affairs in the WVC Student Senate. Ellen’s perseverance and willingness to be “pushed out of her comfort zone” have paid dividends in developing her leadership skills.

Student: Luz Estrada
Luz Esbeidy Estrada is the President of the WVC Senate and the Vice President of QSA. Luz is committed to helping others find their voice within a safe community here at WVC and beyond.

Student: Nikolai Kostka
Nikolai Kostka is the Director of Legislative and Campus Activities and enjoys sharing about his transformation from a shy, withdrawn teen to a confident and outgoing college student. In his words, “There is just so much you can get involved in here and meet some amazing people while you are at it."

Staff: Lisa De Vera
Lisa DeVera manages the WVC Service Center, where all the printing and copying for the college takes place. She enjoys interacting with every department on a regular basis and provides excellent customer service to the faculty and staff of Wenatchee Valley College.

Faculty: Bob Greiner
Bob Greiner is the WVC Auto Technology Program Director. He has personally been involved in every facet of the auto industry, which equips him to help guide WVC Auto Tech students in whatever career path they choose.

Faculty: Patrick Tracy
Patrick Tracy is the WVC MLT Program Director. Patrick's dedication to the success of the MLT program extends beyond educating college students. In his words, "I enjoy the fact that we serve students and we serve the community."

Staff: Michelle Cannaday
Michelle Cannaday is the WVC Student Leadership and Engagement Coordinator for the Campus Life Office and also a graduate of WVC, class of 2007. She is actively involved with all WVC students and the ASWVC on a regular basis.

Staff: Danny Zavala
Danny Zavala is the manager of the Student Recreation Center at WVC. The interaction with students and staff and helping them accomplish their fitness goals is why he loves this position.

Student: Lynn Mutschler
After nearly 40 years as a nurse, Lynn Mutschler is back in school for nursing at Wenatchee Valley College. She received her associate in nursing from Tacoma Community College and is now pursuing a Bachelor in Nursing degree from WVC.

Staff: Laura Murphy-Belser
After almost 15 years of working at Wenatchee Valley College, Laura Murphy-Belser, Veteran Education Program Specialist, continues to make meaningful connections with hundreds of student veterans and their families

Alumna: Karissa Harle
Karissa Harle will be inducted into the Wenatchee Valley College Athletics Hall of Fame on Jan. 31, 2020 at the WVC Athletics Hall of Fame and Scholarship Auction. Karissa played for the Knight Women’s Basketball Team from 1999-2001 and was a regional MVP and two-time all Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) women’s basketball athlete.

1971 Knights Football Team
Paul Seale proudly recalls the year the Wenatchee Valley College Knights football team took the championship title proudly. Seale was the head coach of the 1971 WVC Knights football team. The team will be inducted into the WVC Athletics Hall of Fame on Jan. 31, 2020.

Athletics contributor: Dalton Thomas
Dalton Thomas, longtime WVC Athletics contributor and community booster will be inducted into the WVC Athletics Hall of Fame on January 31, 2020.

Staff & WVC Alumni: Rob Villa
Rob Villa is one of the three staff members that greet and help new students when they arrive on campus. Now, a lot of that greeting takes place online, and things haven’t slowed down for Rob and his teammates.