August 1, 2024 

Media Contacts:  
Vanessa Saldivar, Title V director, 509-682-6720, vsaldivar@wvc.edu 
Dr. Jennifer Korfiatis, interim public information officer, 509-682-6650, jkorfiatis@wvc.edu 

Wenatchee Valley College is inviting new students and their families to attend Puente to Excellence: New Student and Family Orientation. Attendees may select a morning session to attend on Sept. 5 or 18 on the Wenatchee campus, and Sept. 12 on the Omak campus.  

A Student Readiness Fair will also be held on Wed., Sept. 18, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses. 

Orientation sessions will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a simultaneous family workshop for students’ parents, family, and any other members of their support network. The orientation sessions for students will feature content intended to help students successfully navigate their first year at WVC. Students will learn about advising and navigation support available at WVC and explore college expectations and common challenges first-year students experience. 

The family workshops will provide information on academic and non-academic resources available to students, and tips and strategies for supporting students throughout their educational journey. The family workshops will be held in Spanish with English interpretation.  

At the Student Readiness Fair on Sept. 18, faculty and staff will be available to connect with students and guide them through various tasks aimed at preparing them for their first day of classes, such as acquiring the correct textbooks, finding their classrooms, getting their student ID card, and logging into their student email account.  

Vanessa Saldivar, director of WVC’s Title V program, said, “This student and family orientation proudly centers our first-generation and Latine students. Through intentional content and an emphasis on cultural affirmation and connection, we aim to de-mystify college and ensure students leave knowing that they are welcome, and they will be supported at WVC.”  

The orientations will include food, music, and giveaways. 

The Puente to Excellence orientation is supported by the Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions grant (Title V), aimed at expanding educational opportunities for and educational outcomes of Latine, low-income, and first-generation students.  

For more information and to register, visit www.wvc.edu/orientation.  

For students who would like to receive additional in-depth preparation for college and college credit at the same time, WVC is also offering SDS 112: College Readiness Summer Bootcamp from Sept. 9-19. The WVC Foundation will cover the tuition for students enrolled in this course. In this three-credit bootcamp, students will learn basic college readiness skills, including college navigation, study skills, and reading, writing, and math fundamentals. Students will have the opportunity to strengthen their English and math foundations and receive assistance with correct placement in writing and math. SDS 112 meets Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Wenatchee campus. Students may enroll or apply at www.wvc.edu/GetStarted.  

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Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington by serving educational and cultural needs of communities and residents throughout the service area. The college provides high-quality transfer, liberal arts, professional/technical, basic skills and continuing education for students of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Visit our website, wvc.edu. 

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses: 

To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu. 

To request disability accommodations: Student Access Manager, Wenatchi Hall 2131, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.