Yakima Valley College is pleased to announce Bertha Ortega has been appointed to YVC’s Board of Trustees. Ortega was one of the founders of Heritage University and served as its vice president of academic affairs at the time of her retirement in 2013.
Ortega grew up in Toppenish, Wash., and graduated from Toppenish High School. She holds a master’s in education from Fort Wright College and bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington. Throughout her career, she has focused on improving education and the quality of life in the Yakima Valley. Prior to helping establish Heritage University, she worked as an instructor for health and human services at Seattle Central Community College, director of education transportation and early childhood specialist for the Yakama Nation and as a state bilingual liaison for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Ortega also has a long history of community service having served on boards and commissions including the Washington State Centennial Commission, Washington Association for Bilingual Education, Washington Commission on Hispanic Affairs, Commission Public Lands Advisory Committee, Eastern Washington University, American Red Cross – Yakima Chapter, Public Television KCTS/KYVE, United Way of Yakima and Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce. She currently serves on the board for Yakima Valley Museum and Toppenish Community Hospital.
“I’m honored to serve as a trustee for YVC,” stated Ortega. “Dr. Kaminski has brought a new culture of what a community college can do for education, especially in a rural community. She has advanced the opportunities of a community college education to new heights and I want to be a part of a team of educators that afford those opportunities to our communities!”
Ortega replaces Rosalinda Mendoza whose term ended on Sept. 30, 2020. Her term of office is effective January 27, 2021.