Yavapai Community College provided its perspective on how the ten-year development plan, approved 4-1 in December 2012, has progressed in a memo presented to the Governing Board at the March meeting. Note that it says the College was PRE-COVID about $10 million short of the capital funds to meet existing projects, not counting emerging needs. The memo is reproduced below in full.
Yavapai County residents required to take professional certification tests can get them done by appointment and in person at Yavapai College, which opened its testing centers March 23.
The Centers, which have been closed for nearly a year because of pandemic restrictions, reopened March 23. Depending on the type of testing, County residents can make an appointment today at either the Prescott campus or the Verde Valley Campus in Clarkdale. Exam appointments and testing center schedules are available by accessing the Testing Center website, yc.edu/testing
Among the types of third-party or industry testing available include those for mechanic (ASE), emergency medical service (NREMT) and pesticide-use industries (METRO). Available tests by industry also are listed on the website.
During the pandemic-induced closure of the YC testing center – the only one of its kind in Yavapai County — individuals needing professional certification tests have had their credentials held up, or sometimes waited months to get tested in other jurisdictions, said Norma Ortega, Coordinator of YC Testing Services. “That’s why we need to let people know that we’ll be open by appointment.”
Many industry certifications are directly tied to employment and wages, Ortega said, citing teacher, mechanic and emergency medical technician certifications. Mechanics, for example, have to keep their certifications current. “And that can lead to a pay increase or to be able to actually apply for a job.”
In industries that use pesticides, workers cannot do their jobs without certification, Ortega said, noting that lack of access to professional certifications “has been very inconvenient for a lot of people.”
Area residents are reminded that face coverings are required for in-person testing and other current college COVID-19 protocols will be followed.
Along with the tools to make an appointment for an in-person test, additional information is available on the website. “Contact information is there too in case there is a need for additional assistance. We can sort it out for them,” Ortega said.
The YC Testing Center website address again is: yc.edu/testing.
Yavapai Community College Vice President Clint Ewell delivered a sobering message to the District Governing Board regarding the need to find $14 million over the next three years if it is to properly maintain its facilities County-wide. Well over 50% of the maintenance costs will go to the Prescott Campus.
Dr. Ewell said during his presentation on this topic that “we are really one of the best maintain colleges in the country at this point, which is great because we think that’s the way to lower the total cost of ownership; by not having any system failures that then lead to kind of secondary repairs that cost additional money.”
He also said that he was concerned that so much of the needed upkeep was coming due “right now.” One of the reasons is that a significant amount of the construction on the Prescott Campus goes back to 2000 when a $69.5 million General Obligation Bond was approved. Repairs are needed as some portions of the facilities are coming near the end of their useful life.
The Community College will be cutting some projects in an effort to generate cash to meet the maintenance needs. The video clip below may help explain the financial problem faced by the College. The complete context of this discussion can be viewed on the video posted by the Community College District Governing Board with its March 2021 minutes on its website.
Yavapai Community College Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services, Clint Ewell, reported to the District Governing Board at its March meeting that the College’s bond indebtedness was quickly moving toward total payoff. He said that bonds issued in 2000 were now completely paid off as of this year and bonds issued in 2012 were close to being completely paid off.
He also reported that the College had saved “about $200,000 over the next four years” by taking advantage of low interest rates and reinvesting.
Bonds were used eight years ago to finance the demolition of one residence hall on the Prescott Campus and to renovate and modernize the remaining two. According to Dr. Ewell, since the renovations, the two residence halls have been paying for themselves. “It has been a really good success story,’ he said.
Bonds were also issued to cover the costs of constructing a chiller plant on the Prescott Campus and the central plant on the Verde Valley Campus.
Finally, the General Obligation Bonds issued in the amount of $69.5 million back in 2000 for major County-wide development are now paid off. As the payoff on the bonds over the years has continued, the secondary property tax that Yavapai County taxpayers pay on bond indebtedness has been significantly reduced.
The report was very good news. Sufficient to cause Board Chair Deb McCasland to suggest that “we have a party.”
You may view Dr. Ewell’s report in the video clip below or you may go to the Community College District Governing Board website where the entire meeting is on video.
Dr. Lisa Rhine announced in a March 11 Covid-19 video update (see below) that the Community College is moving forward on its re-entry plan that it adopted to combat the Covid-19 pandemic on Campus. The third phase will have the Community College using its “yellow” phase code immediately after spring break.
This will be the first time the Community College has reached level three since it set up its five-phased re-entry program several months ago. The yellow phase will allow for many more in-person classes. However, a significant number of restrictions remain including mandatory mask wearing in buildings and outside buildings if social distancing cannot be observed.
The Yavapai Community College District Governing Board, led by Representative Chris Kuknyo, commended Dr. Rhine at the March Board meeting on her handling of the pandemic.
You may view all of the details associated with the re-entry plan by going to yc.edu/reentry or clicking here. You may also view Dr. Lisa Rhine’s explanation for moving to the third phase along with all the details associated with it in the video clip below.
As a part of its report to the Yavapai Community College Governing Board at Tuesday’s meeting, the Yavapai Community College administration delivered a detailed, comprehensive 23-page report on its commitment to provide “access to social and cultural opportunities” in the County. This is one of three major goals adopted by Yavapai Community College Administration and its Governing Board.
Third District Community College representative Paul Chevalier took the position that the College was not providing equitable access to social and cultural opportunities throughout the County. In particular, he argued that for a variety of reasons the east side of the County fails to receive “equitable” access to these activities. He provided a list of obvious differences as evidence of his view.
Chair Deb McCasland acknowledged the differences between the two sides of the County but said that history and open opportunities for persons on the east side to visit west side activities support concluding there is sufficient County-wide adequate access to cultural events as provided by the College.
Following presentation of the written report, Mr. Chevalier began to suggest an amendment to what is called the Governing Board’s “ends” statement that was used by the Board to evaluate the “access to cultural activities” report. However, he was ruled out-of-order. He promised to revisit the issue in June when the Governing Board reviews it policies and procedures.
In his written response to the report, Mr. Chevalier stated the following:
“Chevalier: Amend to clarify what we agree should be included here and discuss equity. If I am reading the report correctly, there is continuing inequity by the college between the West and East side of Mingus Mountain. It appears from this report that 176 college performance arts events were scheduled on the west side (mostly in Prescott) with 135 actually occurring but only six such events scheduled on the East side with only four occurring. That is inequality. In addition, all four current college athletic teams are located on the West side, with three more athletic teams being added by the college and all will be located in the West side (Prescott again). These teams are not filled with West side residents. The team athletes (63 or 68 currently) do not come from Yavapai County therefore they could just as well been placed in teams on the East side as the West side and housing could be found or created.
The East side has about 1/3 of the county population, pays about 1/3 of the college taxes but has never gotten anything close to a 1/3 share of social and cultural activities from the college. This is unfair.”
Board Chairperson Deb McCasland’s written response to the report was short. She stated: “An outstanding variety of opportunities for enrichment.”
Representative Ray Sigafoos wrote: “A broad range of cultural activities are part of the heritage of Yavapai College. The College continued that tradition under very difficult conditions last year. The staff and faculty involved in these endeavors deserve our hearty congratulations. This End is an appropriate allocation of our resources.”
The Governing Board’s newest member, Mr. Chris Kuknyo wrote: “COVID has had an effect on this.”
The final vote on the report was 4-1 with only Mr. Chevalier dissenting.
The discussion on this topic at the March 9 meeting can be viewed in full on the video clip below. The entire Governing Board meeting can be viewed at the Community College’s District Governing Board web site.
Dr. Lisa Rhine
Phi Theta Kappa, an international community college honor society, has named Dr. Lisa Rhine a Paragon President in recognition of her “outstanding support of student success” in the first years of her presidency at Yavapai college.
The announcement was made in a Press release from the College on February 17. A portion of the the press release follows:
Rhine became the Community College’s 10th president in February of 2019 and within about a year on the job she was leading the college’s academic program, career-training and lifelong learning delivery through a pandemic-driven sea of change.
In a congratulatory letter to Dr. Rhine, PTK President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner underscored the significance of the award nomination originating from YC student members of YC’s PTK chapter. “While you were nominated for this award by the highest-achieving students on your campus, this award is really about your commitment to the success of all students… This year you worked to mentor and develop student leaders in completely unfamiliar circumstances. Racial and political unrest and a global pandemic made 2020 the most challenging year in recent history—one that you have worked exceptionally hard to overcome.”
The student-initiated award surprised and humbled Rhine. “It really means a lot to me to be coming from them. Our students continue to amaze me with their persistence and drive toward their intellectual and personal pursuits in the midst of a pandemic. While the college is doing its best to support our students while keeping them safe, it is our students who deserve recognition for their grit and determination,” Rhine said.
Autumn Re, one of the YC PTK members who nominated Dr. Rhine for the Paragon President award, said she was thrilled but not surprised to hear she had won. “I first met Dr. Rhine at the 2019 College Honors Reception and was immediately struck by how remarkable it was to have a college president so actively involved with students on the ground. This was just a few weeks into my first semester and experiencing her genuine consideration filled me with confidence that I had chosen a school which truly listened to and cared about its students. That belief has only grown stronger as Dr. Rhine continued to keep channels of communication open with all of us, even as she stepped up to address unprecedented times of unrest. Throughout last year’s political upheaval and pandemic, it was Dr. Rhine’s ongoing video updates and various student support campaigns that made me feel secure in my educational journey,” Re said. “As a student, I don’t think I could imagine a better college president than Dr. Rhine.”
PTK will fete Dr. Rhine during the general session of its virtual international convention on April 9.
Yavapai Community College has reduced its pandemic operational phase from red to 
orange for the Spring semester that began January 19. It had put the Red operational phase in place Monday, November 30, 2020.
On January 19 President Lisa Rhine issued a special bulletin that welcomed back students to the Community College and explained the reasons for its COVID decision. The Bulletin is reproduced in full below. Of particular interest should be the safety protocols the Community College has put in place for this semester.
Special Bulletin: January 19, 2021
Dr Lisa Rhine
Dr Lisa Rhine, Ph.D.
Dear faculty, staff, and students,
Welcome back to Yavapai College. Whether you are a returning student, employee, or a new Roughrider this semester, YC welcomes you with open arms and warm hearts. This semester’s goal is to do everything we can to guide our students towards their educational goals while also keeping all students, employees, and communities as safe as possible.
Today, I want to share with you what you can expect this semester. Yavapai College is opening the semester in the orange phase of our re-entry plan. I urge you to review the information on the orange phase and all of our required safety protocols on this page.
The Challenges
First, I want to be upfront and honest with you about the challenges we will face this semester.
As you may know, COVID-19 transmission has significantly increased in Arizona and across the country. Arizona has recently been dubbed “the COVID hotspot,” and the state has seen the highest daily rate of COVID-19 cases in the country. Virus transmission is now consistently exceeding levels that we saw in summer 2020.
We are going to face challenges this semester, just as we have throughout all of 2020. “College” certainly “looks” a little different these days. But, the way it “looks” is irrelevant if you invest in your work and take good care of yourself. It is not impossible to overcome the odds and persevere through this semester.
Many of you have done so for the last year and know what it takes to succeed in these tough times.
If you are new to YC, you can do this. Work hard, ask for help when necessary, and when all else fails, believe in yourself. If you do this, you will find success in your endeavors.
The Safety Protocols
With the rise in COVID-19 transmission, Yavapai College must remain vigilant, and we must continue to err on the side of caution to protect everyone’s health and safety. You, your colleagues, fellow students, and peers all have a commitment to protect each other by following YC’s health and safety protocols at all times when you are at a YC Campus or Center.
Protocols include wearing a mask, social distancing, staying home when you are sick, among others.
There is a misconception that “college-aged” students are less likely to contract or face severe symptoms of COVID-19. This is not the case. In fact, nearly 50% of the current cases of COVID-19 in Arizona are ages 20-44 or “college-aged,” and almost 1,500 of those are in the hospital with medium to severe symptoms.
The YC community has done a great job so far following the protocols in place, but that does not mean we can soften those efforts. If you see someone ignoring the protocols, gently remind them. Most of us want to do the right thing and keep others safe.
Classes and Services
While everyone’s health and safety is our number one priority, we also have an obligation to educate and train our workforce.
With that in mind, this spring semester will begin with a blend of class modals. Most classes will be 100% virtual in either online or WebLive formats.
There will be some hybrid classes in the crucial fields of allied health, nursing, and career and technical education. These classes will only be in-person for required hands-on learning portions of the curriculum.
This is very similar to how classes operated last fall and proved to be effective in mitigating COVID spread when accompanied by our safety protocols.
All student services are still available, mostly in a remote format through phone or Zoom videoconferencing. I urge all students to take advantage of these services and ask for help when it is needed.
In Closing
I want to thank you all in advance for all of the different requirements placed upon you this semester. Last year was surreal, and I think we all can agree we are glad to see 2021 on the calendar. While there is hope that the light at the end of the tunnel is approaching, we will not get there unless we all do our part. Together.
I wish you nothing but the best this spring semester. Please stay safe and stay well.
Sincerely,
Lisa B. Rhine, Ph.D.
President
Dr. Diane Ryan
Yavapai Community College announced December 9 that it has appointed Dr. Diane Ryan to the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs. Since 2019, Dr. Ryan has served as the College’s Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and, in January 2020, was named Interim Vice President of Instruction.
According to the news release posted on the College’s Facebook, “the decision was made by Yavapai College President, Dr. Lisa Rhine . . . after careful consideration of Dr. Ryan’s progress in the interim role over the last year.” Prior to the appointment, there was staff feedback conducted through a 360-evaluation process and small group discussions.
“Dr. Ryan has demonstrated the ability to work with many different constituent groups to diplomatically address challenges and successfully implement new ideas. She is a conscientious and thoughtful leader that is already making positive strides in many areas in the Academic Affairs Division,” said Dr. Rhine.
Dr. Ryan vacates the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives position, which will be reallocated within the College.
Dr. Ryan has over 30 years of higher education experience, beginning her career as a professor in Communication Studies and English and working her way up as the Dean of Engineering, Science, and Mathematics. Dr. Ryan came to Yavapai Community College from Tidewater Community College in Virginia, where she was named Administrator of the Year in 2018.
Dr. Ryan earned a Ph.D. in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in Communication from Western Illinois University and graduate hours in English from Old Dominion University.
Dr. Lisa Rhine
Yavapai College President, Dr. Lisa B. Rhine, has been selected to serve on the inaugural Aspen Presidential Fellowship Alumni Advisory Council. Dr. Rhine will be one of 12 community college presidents from across the country who will serve on the advisory council. Dr. Rhine was a member of the inaugural class of the Aspen Presidential Fellows College Excellence Program in 2018.
The Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program aims to advance higher education practices and leadership that significantly improve student learning, completion, and employment after college—especially for the growing population of students of color and low-income students on American campuses.
“The Aspen Presidential Fellowship helped me learn and grow into a professional candidate, and I am honored to serve on the inaugural alumni advisory council,” said Dr. Rhine. “Connecting other leaders from around the country through the Aspen Alumni Fellowship will only further improve student lives by leveraging the capacity of our colleges to improve learning, access, equity, and labor market outcomes.”
The Aspen Presidential Fellowship Alumni Advisory Council will:
Assist in the recruitment and selection of future classes of rising presidents and new president fellows.
Serve as a bench of experts and advisors for Aspen to receive feedback on ongoing activities with the alumni network, new curriculum development, and needs of the network.
Coordinate touchpoints with cohorts, including virtual and in-person networking events.
For more information on the Aspen College Excellence Program, click here.