Voices that Echo: A Panel Discussion

About the event

Join first-generation WSU Alumni who have gone on to make a difference in our communities and share their experiences: including working in the fields, forging new paths as activists at WSU, and using their education to create a more just society.

After the panel, we will congratulate the 2022 Latinx Heritage Essay awardees,  and enjoy the closing reception and heavy hors d’oeuvres.

About Our Panelists

Berta Herrera Trejo

• B.A K-8 Elementary Education WSU 2005
• B.A. Foreign Language WSU 2005
• Masters Leadership and Administration at Gonzaga 2009
• Masters K-8 Education Literature Grand Canyon 2012
• Currently pursuing National Board Certification

I was born in the state of Michoacan Mexico. I have three brothers. Both of my parents, Maria and Donaciano, have passed to better life. At two years old we moved to Tijuana B.C. close to the border so my father could continue working in the U.S. as a brazero. My family migrated undocumented to the Quincy area in 1978. I had my first job as a apple picker at Columbia River Orchard. Me, my mother, my little bother had never worked before, but we did it anyway. In 1979 we moved to Bridgeport Washington and lived there until 1997. I worked harvesting and packing apples, pears, cherries.

In 1997 I graduated with a GED diploma, through the program at Pullman. The same year we moved to Pullman I enrolled in WSU and my children attended middle school and high school. My children and I participated in Savor de la Raza folkloric dance group. I was involved in as a member and cochair for MEChA, CASH and Mujeres Unidas. A way to stay grounded with my roots, I took Foreign Language classes; because I took so many classes I was able to obtain my second B.A emphasis in Spanish. I am very proud to be the person who drew the logo for Mujeres Unidas.

Today I have four children, Julio 38, and triplets are Ricardo 35, Armando 35, and Bertha 35. I have taught grades K-2 for 5 years. Currently I teach dual first grade in Kennewick School district.

Dina Ibarra

• BA Humanities Minor in Spanish 2002
• Master’s Educational Leadership 2015

What She Does Now: Director of TRIO educational Talent Search (working with first generation and low-income students)

Dina Ibarra was an undergraduate student at Washington State University (WSU) from1998-2002, from Grandview, WA. During her years at WSU she was involved in many service and activism organizations across the WSU campus. As a high school student, her participation in the first C.A.S.H.E conference at WSU Tri-Cities, was her first WSU and higher education experience. As an undergrad, Ibarra joined Mujeres Unidas and M.E.Ch.A. and later took leadership roles in those organizations. Through her involvement in these two groups, she then became involved with the MSS community, and joined the Coalition for Women Students (CWS) as Chair. Her advocacy work to positively impact and serve underrepresented students did not go unnoticed. Through staff and faculty nominations, Dina received the President’s award two consecutive years. She was also one of the two graduation speakers for the MSS 2002 Raza graduation ceremony. Dina received her Master’s in Educational Leadership from WSU Tri-Cities in 2015, but her advocacy work continues to play are role in her professional life working with migrant, first-generation and low-income families and students pursuing their higher education dreams and goals. Dina has two children Jael (WSU student) and Ezra (WSU Tri-Cities Student Running Start Program). #SiSePudo #GOCOUGS #VamosCougs.

Service: CASHE Committee lead, MEChA Member, Mujeres Unidas Member/Chair, ELLA Conference Chair, Sabor de La Raza member (folklore dance group), ChiLASTAL Rep, GAO member, FASA member, NAWA Member, and CWS Chair.

Activism: Working on getting the CASHE and other conference institutionalized, representative of the MSS community at the state capital for support for DACA students.

Noelia Hernandez Valdovinos

• B.A. Business Administration (minor Ethnic Studies)
• M.A. Public Health

Noelia Valdovinos came to the United States at the age of 8, when her parents immigrated to Washington State. By the age of 8 while living in Mexico, she had already absorbed the culture of Indigenous Mexicana/os where health care is integrated with spiritual and cultural practices. Ms. Valdovinos attended Washington State University, receiving a BA degree in Business Administration with focus on International Business, and a Minor in Ethnic Studies. While at Washington State University she was involved in Mujeres Undidas, MEChA and the Coalition of Women Students. As a first-generation Migrant Farm worker was passionate to increase the number of Latino/a students in higher education. She empowered herself and connected with other mujeres, como Chicanas, Chingonas y que? As a McNair scholar had opportunity to travel to Tijuana to interview trabajadores en las Maquiladoras.

Moving to Oregon, Ms. Valdovinos completed a Master’s Degree in Public Health at Portland State University while working full time. Her work experience includes coordinating the evaluation of the Mental Health, Addiction, and Domestic Violence systems in Multnomah County, Oregon.  Most recently she serves as the Oregon Needs Assessment Assessor for Multnomah County Intellectual and Developmental Services. In her free time, she is the Oregon Coordinator for the Love Peace Harmony Foundation; she coordinates spiritual support for the homeless.