After stepping away from school in 2018, I returned to Yakima Valley College in the spring of 2024 because I realized I needed more than temporary jobs to build a stable future. Community college felt like the right step to improve my qualifications and open the door to long-term career opportunities. Today, I am working toward a degree in IT with the goal of entering the cybersecurity field.
But cost remains one of the biggest barriers for me and for many others. Financial aid exists, but the process can feel intimidating, especially for students with complicated circumstances. Too often, that discourages people from even trying. Free community and technical college would remove that barrier and allow more students to focus on their goals, or even to explore new opportunities without fear of debt.
I also believe that wraparound support services matter. At YVC, I’ve heard of career advising and mental health counseling, but those services are not well promoted. Students often don’t know what’s available until it’s too late. For mental health especially, it’s not enough to just have an office on campus—students need spaces where they feel a sense of belonging, where they can connect with peers, and where reaching out for help feels normal.
If Washington invests in free college and stronger wraparound supports, students like me will not only be able to access higher education—we will also have the chance to finish, to thrive, and to give back in careers that strengthen our communities.