Heritage University to begin $2.5 million remodel of Kathleen Ross Center adding STEM Learning Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Heritage University to begin $2.5 million remodel of Kathleen Ross Center adding STEM Learning Center

 

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University will soon embark on an ambitious remodel project of the Kathleen Ross, SNJM Center to begin on December 16, 2024. When finished, the building will also be the home of a STEM Learning Center to include new math and computer science classrooms, a maker space, and study rooms complete with new furniture. The total cost of the project is $2.5 million, with $1.5 million provided by a grant titled Adelante STEM from the U.S. Department of Education, and $1 million from a private donation.

This remodel project offers several key benefits, with enhanced STEM education opportunities being the first. The new Adelante STEM Center will significantly improve the university’s offerings in STEM fields, providing state-of-the-art math and computer science classrooms with the latest teaching technology. These upgrades will foster a more conducive learning environment for STEM students, helping them gain practical skills and hands-on experience.

Another benefit to students will be the proximity of the new STEM Learning Center to the Academic Skills Center (ASC). With the two being next to each other, students will have access to the ASC’s tutoring services, the ASC’s collaborative workspaces, and technology offerings.

The remodel project will also improve the library and campus experience. While the Donald North Library, located in the Ross Center, will be temporarily affected during construction, the long-term result will be an enhanced library experience for all users and visitors. The remodel will create a more modern, functional space for academic work, research, and community engagement, improving the overall campus environment and student experience.

Adriana Villafan, the Director of TRIO & Adelante STEM Program at Heritage, is confident the upgrades will contribute to the growth and success of the university by better supporting STEM education. “Students will benefit from a learning environment crucial for success in today’s competitive job market,” said Villafan. “The STEM center will help students be better prepared to enter industries that demand technical expertise and innovation.”

During construction, the Don North Library will continue to be accessible to students, faculty, and staff.  Construction is scheduled to be completed in mid-April. For more information, contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-6084 or Mance_D@heritage.edu.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University honors Native American elders and welcomes Indigenous actor Adam Beach as part of Native American Heritage Month celebrations

 

Toppenish, Wash. – November is Native American Heritage Month, and Heritage University is celebrating with a variety of events that honor Native Americans in our communities, including the Honoring Our Elders ceremony, taking place on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. During this event, we celebrate four Yakama Nation elders for their lifetime contributions to the Yakama people and their community. This year’s recipients are Warren Cloud, Luxkulkist, Carol Craig, Nukshay Xwaami,  Taleets Esther Moses-Hyipeer and Elmer Schuster, Tomiith.

Warren Cloud Luxkulkist dedicated his life to hard work, using his hands to get the job done. As a trucker, logger, and heavy equipment operator, he provided food, homes, and water essential for life. When called to serve as a Yakama Nation leader, he accepted wholeheartedly. Now, as General Council Chairman, Warren leads with respect for tradition and commitment to the 1855 Treaty, inspiring his community to honor heritage and build a brighter future together.

Carol Craig, Nukshay Xwaami is a storyteller and educator dedicated to sharing Native truths about the environment and treaty rights. Her work at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and Yakama Nation Fish and Wildlife highlights efforts to restore salmon runs and educates non-tribal communities on Yakama fishing rights from the Treaty of 1855. As a Yakama Nation Review reporter, she ensures her community receives honest information on key issues, fostering understanding of their heritage and rights. Carol’s commitment empowers her community and inspires future generations to protect these connections.

Taleets, Esther Moses-Hyipeer grew up deeply connected to her culture, learning from her elders the importance of traditional foods and community care. Her dedication to the Yakama people is evident in her work with the Yakama Nation Tribal School, Language Program, Gaming Commission, and Tribal Council. She has championed initiatives honoring veterans, providing housing for homeless families, and addressing addiction. Additionally, she advocates for unified tribal healthcare to support holistic well-being. Guided by the wisdom of her ancestors and the Treaty of 1855, Taleets inspires others to uphold their heritage and support their community.

Elmer Schuster, Tomiith has left a lasting impact on the Yakima Valley and its people. A skilled carpenter since the 1960s, he’s constructed vital infrastructure, including highway overpasses and irrigation dams that support both transport and agriculture. He also helped build longhouses for cultural ceremonies and youth camps that provide meaningful experiences. As leader of the Yakama Nation Housing Authority, he directed teams that built homes for tribal members, supporting community resilience. His contributions are more than structures; they are symbols of strength, tradition, and hope for future generations.

The annual Honoring Our Elders ceremony will be held in Heritage University’s Smith Family Hall on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. This event is by invitation only. Also, their stories are featured in a series of full-page ads, each dedicated to a specific elder, that are running in the Yakama Nation Review through November. Framed copies of these ads are being added to the permanent display of honorees at the university in the Violet Lumley Rau Center.

Other events Heritage is holding in November in observance of Native American Heritage Month as designated by President George H. W. Bush in 1990 include:

Native American Heritage Month Flag Raising Ceremony
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 8:00 a.m.
Location: Heritage University main entrance
Description: Heritage University will raise the flags of the Yakama Nation, the state of Washington and the United States during a ceremony featuring the Yakama Warriors.

Honoring Our Elders (Invitation only)
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 9:00 a.m.
Location: Smith Family Hall
Description: we celebrate four Yakama Nation elders for their lifetime contributions to the Yakama people and their community. This year’s elders are Warren Cloud, Luxkulkist, Carol Craig, Nukshay Xwaami,  Taleets Esther Moses-Hyipeer and Elmer Schuster, Tomiith.

MMIW Event by Heritage University Native American Club (HUNAC)
Date & Time: Friday, November 8, 2024, 12:00 p.m.
Location: Smith Family Hall
Description: HU student club HUNAC is organizing a program aimed at increasing awareness on the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

Native Flute Music by Jeremy Garcia
Date & Time: Friday, November 8, 2024, 1:00 p.m.
Location: Smith Family Hall
Description: Jeremy Garcia (Yakama) will perform Native flute music during a noontime concert in Smith Family Hall

Roc Your Mocs Week
Date & Time: November 10-16, 2024
Location: Campus
Description: Rock Your Mocs is an expression of tribal identity where we invite people to wear moccasins the week of November 10-15 to celebrate Indigenous traditions and culture around the world.

Indigenous Beading Workshop
Date & Time: Thursday, November 13, 2024, 11:00 a.m.
Location: Patricia Wade Temple Room
Description: Participants will learn how to create beaded artwork while learning more about the Orange Shirt Society and Redress Project.

Rez Ball Mini premiere
Date & Time: Friday, November 15, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
Location: Smith Family Hall
Description: Heritage University will host a Hollywood-style showing of the movie “Rez Ball” currently playing on Netflix. The cast includes Devin Sampson-Craig (Yakama) of White Swan, WA.

Frybread Cooking Class
Date & Time: Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
Location: Eagle’s Cafe
Description: Student club HU Masterchefs will teach participants how to make frybread.

AIBL Holiday Bazaar
Date & Time: Thursday, November 21, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 2:-00 p.m.
Location: Patricia Wade Temple Room
Description: The Holiday Bazaar presented by the American Indigenous Business Leaders Chapter at Heritage University will be held in the Patricia Wade Temple Room.

Jeremy Garcia & Students Flute Concert
Date & Time: Thursday, November 21, 2024, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Smith Family Hall
Description: Native musician Jeremy Garcia (Yakama) and his students will perform a concert of flute music in Smith Family Hall.

Heritage University welcomes actor Adam Beach
Date & Time: Friday, November 22, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Smith Family Hall
Description: Actor, advocate and motivational speaker Adam Beach will share stories of growing up on the Dog Creek First Nations Reserve in Manitoba, Canada as part of his presentation at Heritage University. Beach is a member of the Saulteaux (Plains Ojibwe) nation and was raised near Ashern, Manitoba. Beach began his career at 16 when he attended the Manitoba Theatre for Young People in Winnipeg. Since then, Beach has appeared in over 60 films and television programs including Dance Me Outside(1995), My Indian Summer (1995), Smoke Signals (1998), Windtalkers (2002), Flags of Our Fathers (2006), Cowboys & Aliens(2011), Suicide Squad (2016), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999), and Big Love (2006).

All Native American Heritage Month events at Heritage University are free and open to the public. For more information on these events, contact Valerie Sampson at (509) 865-5000 ext. 1741 or Sampson_V1@heritage.edu. For help with interviews, contact Davidson Mance at (509) 969-6084 or Mance_D@heritage.edu.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University adds six new members to its board of directors

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University has announced the addition of six new members to its board of directors. The six are leaders in their respective fields and join 24 other directors who generously volunteer their time and resources to ensure the University’s success.

Connie Falon, CEO of Compass Financial Network LLC, has been involved with Heritage University for the past 20 years in volunteering for different projects and is proud to join the board of directors.  Connie’s expertise in the world of investing and finance will be an added value to the University.

Allison Parker joined the board of directors in January 2024. Allison Parker is a seasoned social impact strategist with nearly 25 years of experience, focusing on channeling flexible, long-term capital to under-resourced communities. As the principal of Peake Impact, she advises individuals and foundations in strategy, impact investing, and complex asset gifts. Prior to founding Peake Impact, she spent over 16 years at Seattle Foundation, where she most recently served as Managing Director of Philanthropy Strategies, leading a team responsible for creating new funds and launching a donor-advised impact investing program. Her career began as a staffer to U.S. Senator Patty Murray, specializing in federal funding, where she first encountered Heritage University.

Derek Red Arrow is an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe and serves as Litigation of Counsel for the law firm Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton and its Native American affairs unit. Red Arrow advises tribal governments, enterprises, nonprofits and businesses on matters involving treaty rights, land-back projects, inter-tribal trade, taxation, and other aspects of Federal Indian Law. Prior to joining his current firm, he co-founded the American Indian Law practice group at a Yakima-based firm, served as a staff attorney for the Yakama Nation, and clerked for Chief Judge Brian M. Morris of the U.S. District Court for Montana. He has been recognized as one of “America’s Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” in Native American Law, he has received the NCAIED National 40 Under 40 award for his leadership and contributions to Indian Country and named a “Successful Indigenous Role Model” for Nez Perce Tribe’s Lapwai School District.

Raul Sital is the Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Supports for the Pasco School District, a role he has held for three impactful years. His leadership in this capacity has contributed to the effective functioning of the district’s operations and support systems. While at Pasco School District, Sital has also served as a teacher at McLoughlin Middle School, a program teacher and manager at Discovery Middle School, and as Principal of New Horizons High School and Pasco High School. He earned his teaching credential at Central Washington University, and holds a Master’s in Teaching and Learning degree from Heritage University. He is passionate about education because he believes in providing the opportunity for every child to reach their dreams and goals.

Dr. Maria Verduzco is the Clinical Medical Director for the Yakima Valley Farm Workers clinic in Yakima, Wash. Dr. Verduzco was born and raised in Yakima. She earned a BA in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Central Washington University in Ellensburg and went on to obtain her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Verduzco completed her residency at the Central Washington Family Medicine Residency program in Yakima. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and has dedicated her career to enhancing patient health, especially within underserved communities.

Elmer Ward is an Associate Judge of the Yakama Nation Court. Ward has worked in Native law for his entire legal career in a variety of roles for several tribes. Ward received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University, and a Juris Doctorate from the UCLA School of Law. He has served as a board member for People for People, the Yakima Valley College Board of Trustees and the Providence Foundation Board.

Heritage University President Andrew Sund, Ph.D. is grateful for the valuable perspectives and skills these individuals will bring to guide and strengthen our organization. “In our efforts to recruit board members for Heritage University, we prioritize representation from diverse sectors of the economy and education. This approach ensures a well-rounded and effective governance structure that supports our mission and strengthens our operations,” said Dr. Sund. “By engaging leaders from various fields, we are better equipped to address the needs of our community and drive forward our vision for educational excellence.”

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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Seattle University School of Law to expand access to legal education in central Washington with  ‘Hybrid Hub’ at Heritage University

Toppenish, Wash. – Aspiring lawyers in central Washington will have a new way to earn a law degree while remaining in their communities thanks to a partnership between Seattle University School of Law and Heritage University to establish a “Hybrid Hub.” The hybrid hub addresses the critical need for legal professionals in underserved regions known as ‘legal deserts’ where there are not enough lawyers to meet community demand. This partnership will allow local students with aspirations to pursue legal careers, especially those with work and family commitments, to complete law school without leaving the Yakima Valley.

The Hybrid Hubs initiative builds on the success of Seattle U Law’s Flex JD program, which offers an innovative, part-time, hybrid-online legal education. By opening a hybrid hub at Heritage, central Washington students will have a pathway to study law, pass the bar exam, and practice law locally. The hub at Heritage allows students to study in an academic setting by utilizing study spaces and other campus resources, such as internet and library access. Students will also enjoy intellectual life and in-person networking events to build community among fellow Flex JD students, Seattle U Law alumni, the local legal community, and other aspiring law students.

The establishment of the hybrid hub at Heritage capitalizes on the achievements of the Law School Admission Counsel (LSAC) Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Program, an innovative partnership between the law schools at Seattle University, the University of Washington and Gonzaga University and Heritage with the goal of boosting the numbers of people of color serving as lawyers in central Washington.

Under the leadership of Heritage University President Dr. Andrew Sund, HU has expanded its academic programs to include the LSAC PLUS, which puts legal education within reach of students in the Yakima Valley while also increasing student enrollment and strengthening community partnerships. “I am honored to have helped central Washington students envision themselves serving communities as lawyers,” said Sund. “We welcome the hybrid hub as a catalyst for cultivating homegrown legal talent and expertise.”

“The opening of this new Hybrid Hub at Heritage University marks a significant milestone in Seattle University School of Law’s ongoing efforts to make legal education more accessible and to cultivate a new generation of diverse legal professionals in underserved areas. This need is urgent in Central Washington, and we are excited to work with Heritage University because of its ongoing commitment to educating people in this region,” said Seattle U Law Dean Anthony E. Varona.

Seattle U Law and Heritage University will sign a memorandum of understanding to establish the hybrid hub during a ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at 5 p.m. in the Barnhill Fireside Room, located in the Gaye and Jim Pigott Commons at Heritage University. For more information and for help coordinating interviews, contact David Sandler at (206) 291-6271 or sandlerdavid@seattleu.edu or Davidson Mance at (509) 969-6084 or Mance_D@Heritage.edu.

About Seattle University School of Law
Seattle University School of Law is a mission-driven, diverse, and civically engaged law school based in the heart of Seattle, offering a comprehensive legal education that goes beyond the classroom. Our students become lawyers and leaders with the practical skills, the knowledge, and the drive to make a real difference for their clients and their communities. Our practice-based curriculum features a renowned Legal Writing Program, a highly ranked clinical program, the Pacific Northwest’s only hybrid-online part-time program, and hundreds of learning opportunities around the globe. Seattle University’s Jesuit tradition infuses our students’ legal education with a sense of purpose and a drive to action to cultivate leaders in law who serve justice.

About Heritage University
Heritage University is an accredited, private institution offering a wide variety of academic programs and degrees. At Heritage, we believe that a college education should be accessible to anyone with the talent and drive to pursue a degree — regardless of economics, culture or geographic locations.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University’s Master’s in Social Work program granted candidacy status

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University announced that its Master of Social Work (MSW) program has been granted candidacy status by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This significant milestone marks the completion of Benchmark 1 and moves the MSW program towards accreditation, expected in 2026. This achievement ensures that all students who commence their studies at Heritage will graduate from an accredited program retroactively once accreditation is achieved.

Achieving candidacy status is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the MSW program faculty and staff. Last November, faculty submitted a comprehensive 225-page document detailing the program’s adherence to accreditation standards and outlining the curriculum. Following a virtual site visit by CSWE this past January which identified only four areas requiring further clarification, faculty promptly addressing those points. The CSWE Board of Accreditation reviewed the document, site visit results and responses in June, and voted to grant candidacy status. This approval allows the program to move forward to Benchmark 2 while admitting its first cohort of students.

The MSW program must complete two additional benchmarks. The second benchmark will be submitted in November 2025, followed by the final benchmark in 2026. Corey Hodge, vice president of Student Affairs and the chair of the Social Work department at Heritage is pleased with the progress of the accreditation process and says its success will allow the university to offer a uniquely designed program to serve the rural communities of our region. “We emphasize culturally responsive service, particularly focusing on indigenous, Latinx, and agricultural populations. Our curriculum is tailored to address the specific needs of our communities, exemplified by courses such as “Culturally Tailored Interventions” offered in the specialized practice year,” said Hodge. “We have a strong team in place and are confident in completing the accreditation process on schedule.”

The inaugural cohort of the MSW program will begin classes in August 2024. Heritage will begin accepting applications for the fall of 2025 in November. Hodge says starting the program after Benchmark 1 approval will allow faculty to collect crucial data on program outcomes which will ensure the university remains on the right track and well-prepared for the final benchmark submissions.

For more information, please contact Corey Hodge at (509) 865-0411 or hodge_c@heritage.edu. For help with arranging interviews, please contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-7084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

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