
Wenatchee Valley College | Field Guide 2022
Wenatchee Valley College (WVC) serves the educational needs of students in a large district the size of Massachusetts. In addition to a robust offering of Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, associate degrees and certificates on its two campuses in Wenatchee and Omak, the college has a residence hall, 22 student organizations and seven athletic teams.
By offering affordable and accessible programs, Wenatchee Valley College helps people of every age and background to learn and thrive in today’s economy. Whether students are 16 or 60, just out of high school or working adults, our college prepares them for the next step up in life. As a community college that serves a large number of students of color and students who are the first in their families to attend college, Wenatchee Valley College is key to creating social and economic mobility for people throughout our region.
Key Facts
Highest Enrolled Programs
- Associate in Arts and Science
- Nursing
- Early Childhood Education
- Associate in Science–Transfer
- Associate in Business–Transfer
- Medical Assistant
Enrollment
- Headcount (all sources): 4,937
- FTES (all sources): 2,773
- Headcount (state-funded): 3,862
- FTES (state-funded): 2,001
Students in Selected Programs
- Bachelor's: 47
- Apprentices: 85
- I-BEST: 129
- International: 11
- Running Start: 907
- Worker Retraining: 131
Student Profile
Type of Student
- Academic/transfer: 54%
- Basic skills: 10%
- Other: 10%
- Workforce education: 26%
Race/Ethnicity*
- American Indian/Alaska Native: 6%
- Asian: 3%
- Black/African American: 1%
- Hispanic/Latino: 45%
- White: 60%
Attendance
- Full-time: 56%
- Part-time: 44%
Family and Finances
- Students receiving need-based financial aid: 44%
- Students with children: 47%
Gender
- Female: 65%
- Male: 35%
Median age
21
Points of Interest
Early Childhood I-BEST expansion
Wenatchee Valley College (WVC) received approval for Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) expansion in Early Childhood Education. I-BEST is a program that offers dual enrollment in pre-college and college-level classes. I-BEST courses feature two instructors: one to teach college-level academic or technical content, the other to teach basic skills in reading, math, writing or the English language. The program aims to help underprepared students transition successfully into college classes. The approved expansion is an I-BEST model for a full, one-year Early Childhood Education certificate. Previously, the certificate was a short, 20-credit I-BEST certificate.
Mish ee twie construction complete
WVC finished construction and named a new building in fall 2021. Mish ee twie is named in honor of higher education advocate, respected tribal elder and Wenatchi Advisory Board founding member Mish ee twie (Gloria L. Atkins). Gloria served as Colville Tribes Higher Education Director and worked more than 45 years in the tribes’ education department. She was active in the community up until her passing in 2019. Construction on the new building began in fall 2019. Mish ee twie now houses 25 classrooms and multiple program and instructor offices. In addition, the building houses the Jack and Edna Maguire Conference Center and the Chelan County Emergency Operations Center.
TRIO renewal
WVC’s TRIO Student Support Services grant was renewed for the 2020-25 grant cycle. TRIO SSS is a federally-funded program that supports low-income, first-generation or disabled college students. TRIO SSS has served over 400 students since it began in 2015 and aims to provide individualized support to 140 participants every year in financial literacy, tutoring, academic advising, transfer assistance and more. Nearly 80% of TRIO students complete an associate degree, and 60% of students earn an associate degree and transfer to a four-year university.
Data is from the 2020-21 academic year. Reflects headcount unless otherwise noted.
*May not add up to 100% because students may be counted in more than one race. Percentages calculated on reported value.
President
Dr. Jim Richardson
Trustees
- Phyllis Gleasman, chair
- Wilma Cartagena
- Tamra Jackson
- Paula Arno Martinez
- Steve Zimmerman
Year Founded
1939
Service Area
Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan counties
Legislative Districts
7, 12
Page Manager:
shagreen@sbctc.edu
Last Modified: 2/17/23, 12:27 PM