Yakima Valley College in Washington State has announced a field of three candidates for president. The candidates will all hold forums on campus in early December.
Yakima Valley College enrolls just over 3,500 students, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Education. Women make up 68 percent of the student body. The three presidential finalists are:
Bonny Copenhaver is the president of New River Community and Technical College in Beaver, West Virginia. She has held this post since 2019. Earlier, she was vice president at Northwood Technical College in Superior, Wisconsin. Dr. Copenhaver holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from East Tennessee State University. She holds a second master’s degree from Western Kentucky University.
Kerry Lynn Levett is the founder of Ascend Higher Educational Partners, a consulting firm that helps college leaders navigate enrollment, strategic planning, and accreditation. From 2018 to 2025, she was vice president for student learning and success at Cascadia College in Bothell, Washington. Earlier, she was dean of students at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. Dr. Levett is a graduate of Westminster College in Pennsylvania. She holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Colorado State University and an educational doctorate from Arizona State University.
Teresa Rich has been serving as the interim president of Yakima Valley College since 2024. Earlier, she served as vice president for administrative services at the college for 18 years. Dr. Rich holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Central Washington University in Ellensburg. She earned a Ph.D. in education and community college leadership from Oregon State University.