Name: Kaleidoscope
Start: 2026-09-03T16:00:00-07:00
End: 2026-09-03T19:30:00-07:00
Location: Heritage University

The Scholar and the Teacher – Wings Summer 2026

Photograph of a smiling woman wearing glasses, a gray knit hat, and a blue sweater, accompanied by a text block titled "The Scholar and the Teacher." Text highlights Dr. Gloria Jones-Dance's achievement of earning an Ed.D. in Learning Analytics in Higher Education and her dedication to enhancing Heritage students' learning experience with care and commitment.

Gloria Jones-Dance begins her work every year, welcoming new faculty and students into the Heritage University community.

But she does more than simply introduce campus resources or outline expectations. She invites both populations into a shared journey grounded in belonging, persistence, and possibility.

Jones-Dance approaches education as both a scholar and a practitioner, committed to improving how students experience learning at every stage of the collegiate journey. And, she practices what she preaches. This spring, she earned her Ed.D. in Learning Analytics in Higher Education. For her, education has never existed in the abstract; it is built in relationships, encouragement, and the steady presence of someone who believes in students’ potential.

“I’m rooting for them their whole journey,” she said. “From the moment we meet, through graduation, and even beyond.”

That commitment is rooted in her own experience. As a first-generation college student, Jones-Dance understands the uncertainty that often accompanies entering higher education without a clear roadmap.

When she was young, she moved with her family from Chicago to Tacoma, Wash. She navigated her new environment and expectations with determination.

“My parents wanted the best for me, but they hadn’t experienced college themselves,” she said. “So I think about what support should look like and how I can help create that for my students.”

Her professional path began in early childhood education, where these experiences shaped her understanding of how learning begins and evolves, laying the foundation for her lifelong focus on human development. Alongside her husband, Peter, she also spent more than a decade in ministry, centering her work on the well-being and education of children and families.

These early experiences continue to inform her teaching philosophy that learning is both developmental and deeply relational.

Since joining Heritage University as an adjunct instructor in 2015, Jones-Dance has become a vital member of the College of Education and the Department of Humanities. She advanced to associate professor, teaching courses in early childhood studies and undergraduate and graduate classes in teacher preparation, while advising pre- education majors. Her leadership has extended across the institution, co-facilitating the Center for Intercultural Learning and Teaching (CILT), leading faculty development initiatives, and serving on Faculty Senate. Recently, she was named the director of CILT.

Across each of these roles, her focus remains consistent.

“It’s about creating a space of belonging and meaning,” she said. “That is foundational to teaching and learning.”

Her perspective is also shaped by a critical understanding of the barriers many students face in higher education. She encourages a more thoughtful view of perseverance, one that acknowledges inequities while emphasizing the role of educators in addressing them.

“People say, ‘Pull yourself up by your bootstraps,’” she said. “But not everyone begins with the same resources. As educators, we have a responsibility to recognize that and to design environments that support all learners.

Jones-Dance’s own academic journey reflects the persistence she encourages in her students. After earning her undergraduate degree in Child and Family Studies from Washington State University, she continued as an adult learner, completing two master’s degrees, one in Early Childhood Education and another in Business Administration, before pursuing her doctorate.

Balancing full-time work and family life that included guiding her two adult children, both Heritage graduates, required sustained focus and determination.

“I was tired,” she said. “But I stayed committed to the goal, just as I encourage my students to be.”

She credits mentors such as Heritage faculty members, the late Ed Rousculp and Mary James for their encouragement and steady support throughout this journey, for being reminders of the importance of guidance and community within academic spaces.

Today, Jones-Dance integrates her expertise in learning analytics with her deep commitment to student success, examining how data-informed practices can enhance equitable and meaningful learning experiences in higher education. Whether she’s guiding first-year students, mentoring future educators, or facilitating faculty professional development, she approaches her work with clarity of purpose and a deep sense of care.

Through her teaching, leadership, and continued scholarship, Jones-Dance embodies a commitment to higher education that is both rigorous and compassionate and one that affirms the potential of every student and the transformative power of learning.

“I love this work,” she said. “I love being part of a community that is committed to learning and to each other.”

Closing the Legal Gap – Wings Summer 2026

A promotional poster featuring a grayscale illustration of Lady Justice holding scales, with text titled "Closing the Legal Gap" in bold red font. The poster highlights how Heritage students find mentors, enter law school, and prepare to serve communities in need, using a beige background with a textured design.

Like most people, much of what Heritage graduate Israel Betancourt knew about becoming a lawyer was what he saw on TV.

Double majoring in criminal justice and history, Betancourt had discussed law school with his parents, but he couldn’t see his path.

Then he heard about Heritage’s 2022 LSAC Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars Program, now called the Pre-Law Summit, a multi-week information and preparatory workshop for students wanting to learn about the legal profession and how to get there.

“It was the information and the help I needed,” Betancourt said. “It cemented my decision to pursue law school.”

Betancourt has just finished his second year at Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Wash. He interned with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project last fall and is currently interning with the Yakima County Prosecutor’s Office.

With meaningful experience under his belt and an ever- expanding list of lawyers and judges among his personal connections — many of which he gained during the Heritage sessions — Betancourt is actively considering his career options.

“I’m thinking about getting some experience within the criminal court system,” Betancourt said. “If I do that, I can help individuals and help the community. I can make a real impact.”

MEETING STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE

More than 60 students are registered for this summer’s Pre- Law Summit. For those preparing to apply to law school, the new JD Academy offers a comprehensive, multi-session program, that continues through April 2027, in which participants receive individualized support throughout the admissions process, including mentorship, application workshops, LSAT planning, and court and legal profession experiences.

The ever-evolving program — originally conceived of by Heritage, Seattle University School of Law, University of Washington Law, and Gonzaga School of Law — is now called the Central Washington Hybrid Hub Pipeline Initiative. Key to its success for students, it all happens right here at home on the Heritage campus.

“We meet students where they are and guide them as they navigate their way,” said Kim Bellamy-Thompson, chair of Heritage’s department of social science. “Law school and being a lawyer have become a possibility for these students.

“More than a dozen Heritage graduates have now matriculated to law school, most of them getting full rides. The Yakima Valley is what we call a legal desert. We need these students back here to represent our most marginalized communities.

“It’s started. It’s working.”

DIVERSIFYING THE LEGAL COMMUNITY

Freddie Garza, Jr., a criminal justice major with 25 years of military service, had never found his purpose. A job in law enforcement seemed the logical path.

“But my advisors, especially Kim, saw a different ‘future Freddie,’” he said. “They saw me as a potential law school student.”

Garza attended the Pre-Law Summit and found all the information and guidance he’d hoped to get. He worked two law-related internships during his last year at Heritage, a plan that both kick- started his legal education and will likely aid his chances of getting into law school. He completed a six-month internship for Yakima County Judge Sonia Rodriguez True, then did a full-time internship for the State of Washington in Olympia in early 2026.

Garza graduated in May. He’s spent the last few months applying to law schools.

His goal is to be the first Latino federal judge appointed in Yakima.

“We’re talking about diversifying not just in a racial or ethnic way but ensuring that people from rural communities are represented, that everyone has advocates,” said Attorney Bree Black Horse, who served as the 2023 LSAC Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars Program Director — the precursor to the current program — and is the Director of the Seattle University School of Law’s Central Washington Hybrid Hub, which operates in collaboration with Heritage.

She looks forward to the day when Heritage graduates join the legal profession, bringing greater diversity to the Valley’s legal community.

Both Black Horse and Marthy Hernandez, her co-director on the initiative, work as attorneys at the law firm of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton in the Native American Practice Group in Yakima. Both were once where many Heritage students are today, but without the preparation and advice from legal professionals.

They made their way to law school, graduated with honors, and following work in Seattle and beyond, returned to the Valley. Both were drawn to the possibility of making a difference for people back home.

Black Horse and Hernandez relate to the challenges students face.

“The program is for students who might not see the legal profession as accessible to them or know how to get there,” said Black Horse.

“I’m involved because I’ve seen first-hand how difficult it can be to access the legal profession if you don’t have exposure or mentorship.

“This initiative is about closing the gap. It’s about making that path to law school and becoming a lawyer visible, practical, and achievable.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Heritage rising junior Camilla Quintero has never forgotten the attorney who helped her mom become free of her abuser.

“The excitement she had for helping my mom made me feel like I wanted to do the same someday,” Quintero said.

She is majoring in criminal justice and has interned with Justice Rodriguez True and with Central Washington Legal Aid last year, working as an interpreter at events and community legal clinics, among other duties. She’s enrolled in this summer’s JD Academy.

“I used to be too nervous to speak up, but this year I’m ready,” Quintero said. “I found my voice through this experience.”

“I’m looking forward to learning about the application process, getting my letters of recommendation, and connecting with mentors.”

Local attorneys are very excited about the program, said Hernandez.

“We typically pair students with a community mentor however the mentor and mentee think is best,” she said. “Many mentors offer internships at the courthouse or within their firms. They’re very committed to mentoring.”

Contacts made during the JD Academy have developed into meaningful relationships, including potential job contacts for students, both during law school and upon graduation.

“Students from our first years are still connected with their mentors two and three years later,” said Black Horse. “They get truly integrated into our legal community. We are their access points, and now they have other connections beyond us.”

“A counselor told me that once you decide you want to be a lawyer, no one can get that out of your head,” Quintero said. “I want to be a lawyer. I want to make a difference.”

PRE-LAW SUMMIT AND JD ACADEMY

Students attending Heritage University’s Pre-Law Summit participate in a one-day immersive introduction to the legal profession and the path to law school. Designed for college students and graduates from Central and Eastern Washington, the Summit helps participants explore whether a legal career is right for them, while providing practical information about law school admissions, legal education, and the many ways lawyers serve their communities.

Throughout the day, participants hear from practicing attorneys, judges, law students, and legal educators about their career paths, professional experiences, and the impact lawyers can have through public service, private practice, business, government, and advocacy.

They learn about the structure and expectations of law school, the admissions process, and the skills necessary to succeed in legal education and the profession. The Summit also features a mock first-year law school class led by faculty from Seattle University School of Law, giving participants firsthand exposure to the Socratic method, case analysis, and the classroom experience they can expect in law school.

Participants have numerous opportunities to interact with local attorneys and judges, current law students, and visiting faculty, including Seattle University School of Law Dean Anthony Varona, helping them build relationships and envision themselves as future legal professionals.

For many participants, the Summit is their first opportunity to engage directly with members of the legal community and gain a clearer understanding of the pathways available to them.

More than 60 students — a record number in the program’s four-year history—are registered to participate in this summer’s Summit.

Providing the financial support that makes the pipeline program possible is AccessLex Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to helping students get to law school, and the Law School Admissions Council, whose funding provides students with tutoring, classes, and fee waivers. LSAC Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars Program provided funding for the program’s first three years.

JD ACADEMY GUIDES APPLICATION

Students who attend the Pre-Law Summit and plan to apply to law school for fall 2027 admission are encouraged to apply for the JD Academy 2027 Law School Cohort. The JD Academy is a comprehensive, multi- session program that begins with the Pre-Law Summit and continues through April, providing participants with individualized support throughout the law school admissions process.

The program combines in-person and virtual sessions focused on every stage of preparing a competitive law school application. Participants receive guidance on developing application timelines, preparing for the LSAT, drafting personal statements, refining resumes, securing letters of recommendation, and navigating financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

Students also participate in a mock LSAT, individualized feedback sessions, and small- group progress meetings designed to keep them on track throughout the application cycle.

In addition to admissions preparation, the JD Academy introduces participants to the legal profession through mentorship and experiential learning opportunities. Participants are paired with attorney mentors and engage with judges, law students, public interest attorneys, government lawyers, in-house counsel, and private practitioners. The program includes visits to Yakima County Superior Court and the U.S. District Court, as well as opportunities to observe and participate in mock legal proceedings.

To maximize individualized support and meaningful engagement, enrollment is limited to a small cohort of participants. Priority is given to college juniors, seniors, and graduates from Central and Eastern Washington who intend to apply to law school in the upcoming admissions cycle.

Heritage University advances student success and faculty excellence through new leadership

Heritage University advances student success and faculty excellence through new leadership appointments

TOPPENISH, Wash. — Heritage University President Dr. Chris Gilmer has announced the appointment of two educational leaders who will play key roles in advancing research and best practices for strengthening students’ success and teaching excellence.

Dr. Latara Lampkin

Dr. Latara Lampkin has been appointed director of the Ross Institute for Student Success, and Dr. Gloria Jones-Dance has been appointed director of the Center for Intercultural Learning and Teaching (CILT). Together, the appointments position Heritage to build on its longstanding commitment to serving first-generation, rural and historically underserved students while enhancing faculty development and expanding the university’s national profile in higher education research.

The appointments reflect Heritage’s strategic focus on leveraging its expertise in serving “New Majority” students and sharing those proven practices, internally and with educators and institutions across the country.

Advancing Research and Innovation Through the Ross Institute

According to Dr. Kathleen Ross, founding president and President Emerita at Heritage University after whom the institute is named, the Ross Institute will help take to national scale the teaching methodologies on which Heritage has built its reputation. “We have built a model that is successful for first-generation, rural students and for students who have been historically underserved in many ways. The Ross Center will expand its efforts to share our research and best practices by supporting and collaborating with other colleges and universities nationally in their efforts to help students from similar backgrounds succeed,” said Dr. Ross.

As director of the Ross Institute for Student Success, Dr. Lampkin will lead Heritage’s efforts to research and promote effective practices for serving “New Majority” students—first-generation, low-income and historically underrepresented learners who make up nearly the entire Heritage student population.

Located on the Heritage campus, the institute supports faculty in enhancing teaching practices, conducts research into successful student-centered approaches, and welcomes visiting scholars whose work contributes to the advancement of educational excellence. The institute builds upon decades of pioneering work in this field by Dr. Ross and others at Heritage and has attracted significant philanthropic support, including a $1 million leadership gift from Jim and Gaye Pigott dedicated to its continued growth.

Lampkin brings extensive experience in educational research, policy and collaborative partnerships. She recently served as Senior Research Associate at the Florida Center for Reading Research at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, where she led research, training, and dissemination initiatives focused on research knowledge and utilization, policy implementation for systems changes, educator pathways and development, and student success. Prior to joining the faculty at FSU, Lampkin served as a research associate with the National Center for Scaling Up Effective Schools and an assistant professor at the University of North Florida, respectively.

A widely published scholar, Lampkin’s work has appeared in leading academic journals, including Journal of Negro Education, American Educational Research Journal, Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, and Educational Administration Quarterly, among others. Her research spans both PreK-12 and higher education and is grounded in partnerships with educators, policymakers, Minority-Serving Institutions and nonprofit organizations.

As a lead methodologist and project principal investigator/co-principal investigator for the U.S. Department of Education’s Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Southeast, she directed more than 30 multi-year, interdisciplinary research and technical assistance projects including major initiatives at Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). Notably, she co-founded and led REL Southeast’s Postsecondary Success at HBCUs Partnership, one of IES’s first and longest-standing REL-HBCU partnerships (2017–2026). Her service on the SUS Futures Commission, which was established by the Southern University System to develop a strategic plan for Southern University and A&M College and its sister institutions and advisory board member and Chief Research and Innovation Officer for the National Institutes for Historically Underserved Students is a testament to her commitment to MSIs and the students they serve.

“Through our work with the Ross Institute, we will build partnerships and facilitate networks committed to culturally responsive inquiry and the dissemination of evidence-based strategies to improve outcomes for New Majority students. We will also position ourselves to train and cultivate the next generation of scholars who will not only carry forward relevant, rigorous research to address the educational needs and challenges of these students but also drive innovative approaches to meet those needs. Simply put, it’s about our students, the partnerships we build, the scholars we train, and the research, innovation, and dissemination that follow, are all to ensure they excel, says Lampkin.”

Dr. Gloria Jones-Dance

Building on a Legacy of Faculty Development

Jones-Dance assumes leadership of CILT after serving seven years as the center’s co-facilitator, contributing extensively to faculty professional development with a strong focus on culturally responsive teaching and equitable teaching practices. Her current research focuses on learning analytics and technology integration in higher education, emphasizing institutional data governance, privacy protections and the development of ethical, context-sensitive frameworks for the use of student data. Her previous research examined human learning across the lifespan, with particular attention to sociocultural influences on education.

Jones-Dance also redeveloped University 101, Heritage’s foundational course designed to support student success and reflect the university’s inclusive mission. She earned a bachelor’s degree in child and family studies from Washington State University, a Master of Science in early childhood studies from Walden University, a Master of Business Administration from Colorado Technical University and a doctorate in learning analytics from National University.

Since its founding in 2003, CILT has served as a cornerstone of Heritage University’s commitment to teaching excellence. The center supports faculty development and well-being through workshops, classroom observations, individualized consultations and other professional development opportunities grounded in research-based, student-centered practices designed to enhance student learning.

CILT’s influence expanded significantly in 2010 through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The funding brought nationally recognized scholars to campus to share expertise in Native American and Hispanic cultural studies. More importantly, the project preserved those presentations in digital formats, creating a lasting educational resource that faculty continue to integrate into their courses and that remains available to the broader university community. What began as a lecture series evolved into a permanent repository of knowledge that continues to enrich teaching and learning across campus.

Positioning Heritage for the Future

Gilmer said the appointments reflect Heritage University’s continued investment in educational excellence and its mission of transforming lives through higher education.

“The combination of these two dynamic educational leaders will be a force for good at a critical time in higher education and an important moment for Heritage University as we prepare to implement a new strategic plan,” Gilmer said. “One appointee is internal, and one is external, one uniquely prepared to carry forward the successful work of CILT which has been so important on our campus for a long time and one uniquely prepared to bring enhanced research capacity and a national network of higher education colleagues to position the Ross Institute as a national calling card for what makes Heritage University so special in service to first-generation, rural, new majority students.”

Dr. Lampkin and Dr. Jones-Dance will begin their new assignments in the summer of 2026. For more information, contact Davidson Mance at (509) 969-6084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

# # #

Heritage University names new Vice President for Academic Affairs

Beth Durodoye

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University Names Dr. Beth Durodoye Vice President for Academic Affairs

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University has named Dr. Beth Durodoye as its next Vice President for Academic Affairs as part of the institution’s ongoing strategic growth and commitment to academic excellence.

Durodoye currently serves as Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education at Montana State University-Northern, a public institution with a mission and scale like Heritage University. She will join Heritage on July 20, 2026, and serve as the university’s chief academic officer, overseeing academic programs, faculty development, accreditation, and strategic academic initiatives.

“Dr. Durodoye brings an exceptional combination of academic leadership, scholarship, and commitment to student success,” said Heritage University President Dr. Chris Gilmer. “Throughout the search process, she demonstrated a deep understanding of and belief in Heritage’s mission, along with the experience and vision needed to help lead the university into its next chapter.”

Since 2021, Durodoye has led Montana State University-Northern’s College of Arts, Sciences, and Education, where she has worked closely with Native American tribes and students. Previously, she served as professor and chair of the Department of Leadership, Technology, and Human Development at Georgia Southern University and was a tenured full professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Durodoye earned a doctorate in counselor education with a specialty in multicultural counseling from the University of Virginia and is a National Certified Counselor. An accomplished scholar, she has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed national and international publications, three books, and numerous book chapters. She has also presented extensively at professional conferences and held leadership roles in faculty governance and national professional organizations.

Her appointment follows a national search that attracted 60 applicants. A committee representing faculty, staff, students, administration, and the Heritage University Board of Directors reviewed candidates and identified three finalists. Gilmer thanked the search committee for its work, including co-chairs Mary James and Laura Orozco-Zamudio and former co-chair Martin Valadez. He also expressed appreciation for the Heritage community members who participated in candidate forums and provided feedback throughout the process.

“Community feedback consistently highlighted Dr. Durodoye’s commitment to Heritage’s mission, her breadth of academic leadership experience, and her collaborative, thoughtful approach,” Gilmer said. “We are excited to welcome her to Heritage University and look forward to the impact she will have on our students, faculty, and future growth.

For more information, please contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-6084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

# # #

Heritage University’s annual scholarship fundraiser reaches more supporters, breaks records

40th Annual Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner Reveal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University celebrates 40 years of Bounty of the Valley
with events that reach more supporters across Washington state

Toppenish, Wash. — Heritage University celebrated the 40th anniversary of its signature fundraising event, the Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner and Paddle Raise, by expanding the tradition beyond the Yakima Valley for the first time in its history. Through two separate celebrations, the first in Seattle and the second in Toppenish, the university reached more supporters across Washington state while commemorating four decades of scholarship impact. Together, the events raised a record $1,941,096 for student scholarships at Heritage University.

The first event was held Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Georgetown Ballroom in Seattle. More than 150 guests from across western Washington gathered for an evening that brought together longtime friends of Heritage University and many new supporters eager to learn more about the university’s mission and the students it serves.

The event provided guests with the opportunity to meet Heritage students, hear firsthand stories of perseverance and achievement, and gain a deeper understanding of the transformative impact of higher education. Throughout the evening, attendees discovered what has inspired generations of supporters to invest in Heritage’s mission of expanding educational opportunity for students who might otherwise be left behind. The overwhelming enthusiasm and generosity of those in attendance demonstrated that communities throughout Washington state are eager to support meaningful work that changes lives and strengthens families for generations to come.

The second celebration took place Saturday, June 6, 2026, on Heritage University’s campus in Toppenish. More than 220 guests attended the milestone event, enjoying a gourmet dinner prepared by longtime restaurateurs John Gasparetti and Brad Patterson while hearing firsthand from students whose educational journeys have been transformed through scholarship support. Students shared powerful stories of perseverance and achievement, illustrating how scholarships are creating brighter futures not only for themselves, but also for their families and communities.

Heritage University was honored to welcome acclaimed American opera singer Ann McPhail as a performer at both Bounty of the Valley celebrations. Her powerful and inspiring performances complemented the evening’s student testimonials, underscoring the life-changing impact that scholarship opportunities made possible through the generosity of donors have on Heritage students and their families.

David Wise, Senior Vice President for Advancement and Marketing at Heritage University, said the decision to expand the Bounty of the Valley reflects the university’s belief that Heritage’s mission resonates far beyond the Yakima Valley. He noted that people from all walks of life are inspired by the determination of Heritage students and eager to support their success once they learn about the university’s impact.

“For 40 years, Bounty of the Valley has connected our supporters with the incredible stories of determination, perseverance, and achievement that define our students,” Wise said. “We know that Heritage’s mission of expanding opportunity through education speaks to generous people wherever they live. Once they meet our students and learn about the challenges they have overcome and the dreams they are pursuing, they want to be part of that journey. By bringing the Bounty to Seattle, we’re making it easier for more people to experience that inspiration firsthand and join us in transforming students’ lives.”

The Toppenish celebration was also livestreamed through the Heritage University website, allowing supporters across the country to participate in the event. Those who were unable to attend can still support Heritage students by viewing program highlights and make a gift at Heritage.edu/bounty.

For more information, contact Davidson Mance, Media Relations Coordinator, at (509) 969-6084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

# # #

Heritage University to Celebrate 40 Years of Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner and Paddle Raise

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University celebrates 40 Years of Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner and Paddle Raise

TOPPENISH, Wash. — Heritage University is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its signature fundraising event, the Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner and Paddle Raise, a tradition that for four decades has transformed lives by raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for student scholarships and opening doors to educational opportunities.

This year’s milestone celebration will take place Saturday, June 6, 2026, on the Heritage University campus in Toppenish, Wash. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for an evening bringing together alumni, community leaders, donors, supporters, and students to celebrate the impact of scholarship support and invest in student success. As always, a delicious dinner will be created by John Gasparetti and Brad Patterson of Yakima leads the evening, with dinner starting at 5:00 p.m., followed by the evening program at 7:00 p.m.

Guests will hear directly from Heritage students whose lives have been changed through scholarship opportunities. Students will share personal stories highlighting how financial support has helped create opportunities not only for themselves, but also for their families and communities.

David Wise, Senior Vice President for Advancement and Marketing at Heritage University, said the event’s 40-year legacy reflects the community’s long-standing commitment to helping students achieve their educational goals. “For 40 years, Bounty of the Valley has represented the power of a community coming together to invest in students and change lives,” Wise said. “Every scholarship awarded through the generosity of our supporters creates opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom, impacting families, strengthening communities, and helping students achieve their dreams. Celebrating this milestone reminds us how meaningful that impact continues to be.”

The 40^th Anniversary of the Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner and Paddle Raise in Toppenish will be livestreamed at 7:00 p.m. at heritage.edu/bounty for those who cannot attend in person but still wish to hear the students’ stories and support student scholarships.

For more information, please contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at 509-969-6084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

Heritage University to hold Class of 2026 Commencement at Yakima Valley SunDome

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University to hold Class of 2026 Commencement at Yakima Valley SunDome

Yakima, Wash. – Heritage University will celebrate the Class of 2026 at Commencement on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Yakima Valley SunDome. Undergraduate and graduate degrees will be conferred upon students graduating from the Heritage Toppenish campus and the Tri-Cities regional site. Overall, 249 students earned their degrees at Heritage this year.

This year’s Commencement address will be presented by Helena Lourdes Donato-Sapp, a 16-year-old activist, youth poet laureate and artist recognized globally for disability advocacy and educational leadership. Donato-Sapp is a prolific writer with numerous peer-reviewed publications and is also a nationally regarded, award-winning poet and sought-after keynote speaker who addresses thousands of educators annually across the United States and internationally.

Heritage University will present the 2026 Violet Lumley Rau Outstanding Alumnus Award to Dr. Nayeli Berenice Aranda Hernandez (B.S.W. Social Work, 2016). Dr. Aranda is a dedicated educator, advocate, and community leader whose work embodies the spirit of the Violet Lumley Rau Alumni of the Year Award. A graduate of Heritage with a bachelor’s in social work, she has gone on to earn both a master’s degree in clinical social work and a Doctorate in Education, demonstrating extraordinary perseverance and commitment to lifelong learning.

The Yakima Valley SunDome is located at 1301 South Fair Avenue in Yakima. Parking is free. Additional information is available online at heritage.edu/commencement. For more information, contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-6084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

# # #

News Briefs – Wings Spring 2026

Leadership restructuring reflects commitment to diverse and inclusive executive team

President Chris Gilmer has announced a series of leadership promotions and administrative updates that both strengthen university operations and reflect a clear commitment to diversifying Heritage University’s senior leadership team.

Four of the five individuals elevated into senior leadership roles are women, and several represent communities that have historically been underrepresented in executive leadership. The restructuring signals an intentional effort to ensure that the university’s upper management more fully reflects the diversity of the students and communities Heritage serves.

Joining the leadership team is Sagrario Armenta Jimenez as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. With deep regional roots and a distinguished career in public education, she brings both expertise and cultural connection to the university’s financial operations.

Among the promotions, Crystal Sampson was promoted to Chief of Staff to the President and Vice President of Operations. A respected leader with experience at Costco and within the Yakama Nation, she becomes the first enrolled member of the Yakama Nation to hold the title of Vice President at Heritage.

David Wise was promoted to Senior Vice President of Advancement, Marketing, and Admissions in recognition of significant institutional achievements, including more than doubling annual giving and securing transformative philanthropic investments.

SaraBecca Martin was promoted to Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, expanding her leadership role across the academic portfolio. Adriana Villafan is now the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, broadening her oversight of student success initiatives and wraparound support services. Both are alumni of Heritage.

With the exception of the new CFO, these changes recognize and elevate existing internal talent. The restructuring not only strengthens operational effectiveness but also advances Gilmer’s commitment to building a leadership team that is more representative, inclusive, and reflective of the Heritage community.

Five with Heritage Ties Named to Yakima Herald’s “39 Under 39”

Five Yakima Valley leaders with connections to Heritage University have been recognized in the Yakima Herald-Republic’s annual “39 Under 39,” which highlights young professionals making a meaningful impact across the region.

Each year, the recognition celebrates individuals who demonstrate leadership, service, and a commitment to improving the Yakima Valley through their work and community involvement. This year’s honorees connected to Heritage include current students A Hunter and Anany Scott; staff member Ezra Salinas; and alumni Felisa Gonzalez and Mayra Quintero.

Mayra Quintero, a Heritage graduate, serves as grants and programs associate for the Yakima Valley Community Foundation. In that role, she helps lead the foundation’s Youth Leadership Council, a group of teens who distribute $100,000 in community grants each year, while supporting projects focused on education, health, and civic vitality.

Felisa Gonzalez, who earned her degree in psychology from Heritage, works as the office manager for La Casa Hogar, a Yakima nonprofit supporting Latino families. She also serves on the Yakima City Council, tutors at Heritage, and volunteers as a mediator and mental health advocate.

A Hunter, an environmental studies student, is active in Yakima’s music community as a multi-instrumentalist who brings musicians together through collaborative jam sessions and performances while studying the relationship between land, culture, and identity.

Anany Scott, a criminal justice and history student, leads the Heritage Native American Club and organizes the university’s annual All Nations Student Powwow. She is also an advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People.

Ezra Salinas, Heritage’s Native American Student Support Coordinator, mentors students and helps them navigate academic and personal challenges, drawing on his own experiences as a Heritage student and graduate of the university’s Behavioral Health Aide program.

In Memoriam – Wings Spring 2026

Photograph of an elderly person standing outdoors in front of blooming pink flowers and green leaves. The person wears a patterned shirt with geometric shapes in black and white.

John “Jack” Bloxom Jr.

Philanthropist, business leader, and longtime supporter and friend to Heritage University, John “Jack” Bloxom Jr., passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 92.

Bloxom’s commitment to Heritage University and its students goes back more than 40 years. In the early 1980s, when he first heard about Heritage, he thought of the people who worked for his family businesses, Washington Fruit and Produce and Mount Adams Orchards, and their children. He recognized the limited opportunities they faced without an education.

“I started to get involved with Heritage because of the opportunities they presented to the children of the farmworker families with whom I was so familiar,” said Bloxom during an interview a few years ago.

Bloxom’s impact on the university touched nearly every aspect of the institution. He served on the Board of Directors for 10 years, starting in 1989. During his tenure, he led the university through its first capital campaign, raising $5 million and, ultimately, the construction of the first permanent building on campus, now called the Kathleen Ross SNJM Center, which allowed the university to open a full college library. Over the years, his support helped build many of the university’s cornerstone facilities, including the Arts and Sciences Center, the Gaye and Jim Pigott Commons, the Martha B. Yallup Health Sciences Building, and the Violet Lumley Rau Center, which houses the Jack and Connie Bloxom Classroom.

In addition to his support of the university campus, Bloxom was committed to helping students directly. He and his wife established two endowed scholarships, which will provide funding to students in perpetuity. He also provided support to establish student service projects, including the development of Student Life.

Heritage was only one of many Yakima-area nonprofit organizations supported by Bloxom. He was a third-generation Rotarian who served on 27 different committees within the organization, and he was a benefactor of many Yakima organizations in the areas of education, the arts, social services, healthcare, and the environment.

In recognition of his lifelong service to the Yakima Valley, Jack and his wife, Connie, received the 2018 Ted Robertson Community Service Award, and in 2025, United Way of Central Washington renamed its annual honor the Jack and Connie Bloxom Community Service Award.

At Jack’s request, his celebration of life was held at Heritage. His family requested that contributions made in Jack’s memory be directed to Heritage or organizations that continue his legacy of strengthening the Yakima Valley.

A Campus Without Hunger – Wings Spring 2026

Growing up in rural Mississippi, Heritage University President Chris Gilmer knew people who experienced hunger. He learned from his mother that it was important to do something about it.

“Folks would come by seeking donations for their church, and my mother would greet them at the door,” Gilmer said. “She’d always ask one question: ‘Do you feed the people?’” If they said no, she’d smile and let them know there wouldn’t be a donation from her that day. But if they said yes, she’d always contribute.

That experience was perhaps the earliest seed of HUFeeds, a program kicked off by Gilmer at his inauguration last fall, with the aim to eradicate hunger on the Heritage campus. With an ultimate goal of $1 million, the earned interest from the endowed fund will pay for the program in perpetuity.

“My mother instilled in me the belief that a good organization meets people’s most basic needs first,” Gilmer said. “So here at Heritage, if a student didn’t have breakfast, how can we expect them to sit in algebra at 9:00 in the morning and operate at their highest level? “The hierarchy of needs — food, shelter, safety — really does need to be attended to before students can learn.”

FOOD INSECURITY IS REAL

There’s significant food insecurity among Heritage students, said Corey Hodge, vice president of Student Affairs.

“We’re in the middle of one of the greatest agricultural centers of the country, yet food insecurity is a big issue in our community,” said Hodge. “In terms of grocery stores or lack thereof, we have a lot of ‘food deserts’. Added to that is the fact that income overall in the county is lower than the state median by quite a bit.”

Food deserts are described by the USDA as areas where a significant percentage of the population is low-income and live more than 1 mile (for urban communities) or 10 miles (for rural communities) from a supermarket. Moreover, the food most frequently available in these communities is low in nutritional value and comes from fast-food restaurants or convenience stores. In the lower Yakima Valley, the communities surrounding the university are among the most affected.

In 2023, with support from a gift from Kwik Lok Corporation and an anonymous donor, Heritage took its first steps toward helping students impacted by hunger by opening its on-campus food pantry, Eagles Market. It is an important source of food for students, supplying grocery items free of charge.

The market is popular and well-used, providing students with fresh and frozen produce, meat and other proteins, as well as non-perishable food items that they can take home to feed themselves and their families. However, it doesn’t address the needs of students when they are on campus.

“Students have busy, complicated lives. They are traveling to and from the campus, juggling families, working, classes, studying, and homework. We needed a way to take away the worry about where and how they will get their lunch and keep them focused on their academics,” said Hodge.

The solution came via a small voucher program initiated by Eagles Café staff. It provided a few dozen meals a week for students who couldn’t afford to eat. Gilmer quickly saw the need to expand this effort and create a more formalized program to serve even more students. He and his spouse, David Creel, pledged a personal commitment of $25,000 to support the voucher program.

The day Gilmer announced his and Creel’s donation, a friend attending the inauguration celebration matched their pledge. Since then, with additional donors contributing, the fund has grown to more than $100,000 in donations toward its $1 million goal.

NOURISHING STUDENTS’ SUCCESS

“We raise money for scholarships, infrastructure, so many important things,” said Gilmer. “But I wanted to take this on personally right from the beginning because it’s so foundational.

“Hunger weighs heavily on my spirit as a human being, and it weighs on my sense of responsibility as a leader.

“I want to get this to a point where there are no students experiencing hunger on the campus of Heritage University.

“We need to make sure that it’s a problem we alleviate, so students can focus on their studies and their success.”

If you are interested in supporting HUFeeds, visit heritage.edu/giving to make your gift online or contact the Heritage University Advancement Office at (509) 865-0700 to learn about other giving options.