Gabriel Garcia earned his associate of arts and sciences degree through Wenatchee Valley College in 2018, and says he chose the school for many reasons.

“As a Wenatchee resident, the campus was close to me and tuition was drastically lower than a 4-year university,” he said. “Some quarters I only enrolled in one class so I could work full time. WVC flexible class schedules were very beneficial for me in my academic journey.”

Some of Gabriel’s fondest memories at WVC involved the personal relationships he made with his professors. “The conversations I had with them before and after class, and during their office hours is what I remember the most at my time at WVC,” he said. “Sometimes we would go grab a coffee together.”

Gabriel’s favorite classes he took were any communications class instructed by Dr. Karen Alman. “I had an interest to pursue communications as a degree and career and she helped mold the vision and confidence I had for myself to do so,” he stated. “We still keep in touch.”

He also explained that Dr. Alman was his academic advisor and helped him create an academic pathway to a four-year degree.

After graduating from WVC, Gabriel took time to work and save money before attending Washington State University where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication and public relations.

Gabriel is now a narrative and communication strategist for a community organization in North Central Washington, empowering rural workers and communities to advocate for better policies that impact the communities.

When asked for advice he would offer WVC students, Gabriel said they should get to know your professors, as well as going to their office hours, even if it’s just to chat.