Backbone & Partners

Our Backbone: Heritage University

Heritage University (HU) is the backbone of YV Partners for Education. Our mission is closely aligned with the purpose of this initiative and as an institution of higher education, many HU alumni are working in the Valley. In addition, one of our strategic priorities is community partnerships in which we extend our support to join others to improve the Valley’s educational outcomes.

Suzy Diaz is serving as the collective impact director on behalf of Heritage University.

School District Partners

We recognize that school districts are centrally located and valued in each community, we invite cross-sector partners to join together to work to help students and families across this cradle-to-career initiative. What results is a network of partners who share a population-level goal and hold the students at the center of their work.

Henry Strom, GSD Superintendent

Henry Strom, is the Executive Director for the Office of Native Education at OSPI. He leads YVPE’s local Native/Indigenous educational arm titled “Hearts and Minds for a Brighter Future” a multi-state, multi-Tribe collaboration with Yakama, Warm Springs, Klamath, and Yurok in Washington, Oregon, and California. This work is powered by Strive Together, collectively moving 4 million youth towards economic progress in the US.

“The Sunnyside School District is committed to partnering with local districts so that we can collectively make an impact on the youth and families of the valley. This partnership will accelerate the ability to equitably support families by providing the necessary resources.” – Ryan Maxwell, Superintendent

“Our valley is rich with aspiring youth. YVPE is an exciting force with the spirit to unlock our kids’ aspirations into perpetuity!” – Joey Castilleja, Superintendent

“Granger School District is excited to partner with Yakima Valley Partners in Education (YVPE) and local school districts to support us in providing our students with the necessary resources to be successful. Collaborating with local districts and YVPE helps us inform and align our systems of support and resources to better meet the needs of each student. This is an exciting partnership that will benefit the families and students of Granger School District.” – Brian Hart, Superintendent

“The West Valley School District is committed to collective impact in our region to ensure that our systems provide access, opportunities, and equitable outcomes for all students. We are stronger together. ¡Más fuertes juntos!”

-Dr. Peter Finch, Superintendent