��ý announces new Knights Athletics leadership

September 8, 2025

Media Contacts:

Dr. Diana Garza, Vice President, Student Affairs, 509-682-6805, dgarza@wvc.edu

Marcine Miller, Executive Director, Public Information Office, 509-682-6582, mmiller2@wvc.edu

��ý has announced new leadership for the Knights Athletics program as the teams start a new school year and new seasons. Levi Vega will serve as acting director, and Aaron Vaughn will be the acting assistant director. Together, they will support WVC students, coaching staff, and partnerships on campus and in the community.

Levi Vega previously served as the program director of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), which was recently suspended due to lack of federal funding. Vega led the program’s recruitment efforts, student success initiatives, and engagement efforts while reaching 95% retention for the participants of 2024-2025. Additionally, he stepped in during the 2024-2025 season to help women's soccer as interim head coach. He, alongside the men’s soccer head coach Lenin Guzman Sanchez, and other coaching staff, made transformative changes while providing stability and forward momentum for the team.

Vega also helped to recruit Jennifer Ouelett, the new women’s soccer head coach, whose season began in August.

Aaron Vaughn has been the Knights baseball head coach since 2021 and has led a strong team. Vaughn has provided crucial support to different events across campus and the community, including graduation, an FBLA conference, the Mariachi Northwest Festival, the Native American Classic, and a Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony. He has also served as the Student Recreation Center (SRC) manager, where he has worked to provide a positive, secure, and welcoming environment.

“Levi and Aaron have helped Athletics through this transition with great teamwork, encouragement, and support to our coaching staff and students. We appreciate their willingness and service to help our sports programs be successful as we enter the new school year,” Dr. Diana Garza, vice president of WVC Student Affairs.

WVC will launch a national search this fall for an athletic director who brings strong leadership, empowerment, and guidance to WVC’s coaching staff, and, with a collective approach, aids in the recruitment, development, and retention of student athletes. The new director will serve as a bridge between WVC Athletics and the community, and they will be charged with advancing the college’s mission and vision through active community engagement, fundraising, ensuring compliance with NWAC standards, and revitalizing the Knights Athletics program.

WVC has also welcomed new coaches and staff members to the Knights community: volleyball head coach, Carrie O’Donnell; men’s basketball head coach, Jordan Highland; and women’s soccer head coach, Jennifer Ouelett. Karina Lahti is the certified athletic coordinator and trainer. Prior to joining WVC, Lahti worked with the Wenatchee Wild WHL hockey team for two seasons, assisting them in transitioning from the BCH League to the WHL league as their head athletic trainer. Originally from British Columbia, Lahti received a bachelor's degree in Human Kinetics from Trinity Western, Langley, followed by a master's degree in Science in Athletic Training from Whitworth University Spokane in 2022. While receiving her master's degree, she had internship opportunities with Colorado University's D1 football program, semi-professional basketball with the Vancouver Bandits, and the Spokane Chiefs WHL hockey team.

The Athletics director position has been posted to . Applications will be open through September 25.

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The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:

To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu.

To request disability accommodations: Student Access Manager, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.

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