Spotlight on Students: Karyna Bukovtsova

WVC STUDENT SPOTLIGHT // Meet Karyna Bukovtsova. Karyna graduated with her AAS-T in Business Computer Technology this June and works as the administrative assistant for Professional Technical Programs at WVC. As an immigrant from Ukraine, Karyna moved to Wenatchee with her family in 2022 and asked herself, "What can I do here? How can I be myself, do what I love, and still support my family?"

Karyna started by enrolling in ESL classes at WVC to learn English. Before she became a student, Karyna loved to take walks on campus with her family and hoped that one day she would be part of the college.

"I'm so grateful for the college. I really feel like I'm at home here," Karyna shared. "Our students come from all ages and all backgrounds. I was in an ESL class with someone in the 70s and I saw this person trying and thought, what's holding me back from trying too."

Karyna's oldest daughter is also a WVC student and just finished her first year in our Running Start Program. "She has one more year and then she'll graduate with her AA degree. It's amazing! My daughter told me, 'mom, we see how hard you work and you're inspiring us.'"

Since Karyna has graduated, she's heard from other Ukranian community members about how her story and perseverance has inspired them to go back to school. "I was a nurse in Ukraine and at first thought I wanted to go back to medicine. But then I started working at the Welcome Desk at WVC and found the business computer technology program. I'm so happy I chose this program."

Karyna expressed gratitude for her faculty and colleagues who helped her throughout her time as a student. "I really want to thank Professor Sompheng Batch and the Student Grants Center Team. They are so supportive of all students and believe in us." She credited the support she received through the Opportunity Grant and wants students to know there are grants, scholarships, and financial aid available to help them pay for college.

As for her hopes for the future, Karyna is excited to stay in the Wenatchee Valley and is working toward her bachelor's. In her spare time, Karyna enjoys sewing handmade Tilda toys, spending time with her family, and hiking around the beautiful Wenatchee Valley. "This is a very welcoming place. When the war started in Ukraine, our community was so open and helpful. They helped my family find a place to live when we moved here and have become our friends."

She had this advice to give to current and future students, "I was scared and didn't think I was ready to go back to school. But just when you think you're not ready, you're really ready to go. Just try and see what happens! You can do it!"