Relief Fund was authorized as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act

As noted in the April 11 Blog, Yavapai Community College received almost  $2.4 million from  the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.  The   Relief Fund was authorized as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, called the CARES Act.

 President Lisa Rhine announced on April 21 that the $2.4 million  would be used for three purposes. First, students who may have taken face-to-face classes in the spring and were affected by Covid19 may apply for the summer term and they will receive six tuition free credits. A second  portion of the money will be put into the student emergency fund.

 Finally, in her April 21 and 23 updates she made clear that Yavapai Community College leadership decided that the “other half” of funds, which is earmarked for operational losses during the pandemic, will be used primarily as an innovation grant for faculty and staff to support online remote delivery to students.

The decision to apply the money in this fashion is in accord with the Federal Guidelines that the Community College must follow.

You may see the April 21 announcement and explanation and April 23 additional explanation by Dr. Lisa Rhine  in the video below.

Team scholars are Alex Daniels of Chino Valley, Celeena Johnson of Lake Montezuma and Gia Noelle of Prescott

Earlier this year, Yavapai Community College announced that  12 students had earned lucrative All-Arizona Academic Team scholarships. On April 15 it announced that  that  three of the 12 were also named to the 2020 Coca-Cola Academic Team. This qualifies the three  for more scholarship money in addition to tuition-free state university transfers.  The Community College’s  Coca-Cola Academic Team scholars are, Alex Daniels of Chino Valley, Celeena Johnson of Lake Montezuma and Gia Noelle of Prescott.

The trio were selected based on scoring in the All-USA Academic Team competition sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. More than 2,000 students nationwide applied for the All-USA  team. The awards were based on academic success, leadership initiative and community service.

Source:  April 15, 2020 Yavapai Community College news release written by J.J. McCormack.

Minimum of $1,194,96 must be used for student assistance

Yavapai Community College will receive $2,389,592 in Federal stimulus money as a part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.  The   Relief Fund was authorized as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, called the CARES Act.  The act was  signed into law about two weeks ago.

The first influx of money the college  can access should go to students for emergency cash grants, according to the Department of Education.  These grants can be used for things related to education, like course materials and technology, and for other support like food, housing, health care and child care.

So far, Yavapai Community College has not indicated how it will use the funds.

The list of other universities and community colleges in the State of Arizona and the amount each received is listed below.

Arizona State University: $63,533,137 overall, $31,766,569 of which must go to students.

University of Arizona: $30,953,447 overall, $15,476,724 of which must go to students.

Northern Arizona University: $23,577,854 overall, $11,788,927 of which must go to students.

Grand Canyon University: $22,351,397 overall, $11,175,699 of which must go to students.

Glendale Community College: $8,301,836 overall, $4,150,918 of which must go to students.

Mesa Community College: $7,352,103 overall, $3,676,052 of which must go to students.

Estrella Mountain Community College: $4,856,585 overall, $2,428,293 of which must go to students.

Phoenix College: $4,772,192 overall, $2,386,096 of which must go to students.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College: $4,350,989 overall, $2,175,495 of which must go to students.

Gateway Community College: $2,707,626 overall, $1,353,813 of which must go to students.

Paradise Valley Community College: $2,586,404 overall, $1,293,202 of which must go to students.

Rio Salado Community College: $2,531,870 overall, $1,265,935 of which must go to students.

Scottsdale Community College: $2,386,925 overall, $1,193,463 of which must go to students.

South Mountain Community College: $2,098,614 overall, $1,049,307 of which must go to students.

Arizona Christian University: $747,009 overall, $373,505 of which must go to students.

Arizona College: $3,665,308 overall, $1,832,654 of which must go to students.

Arizona Culinary Institute: $209,341 overall, $104,671 of which must go to students.

University of Phoenix: $6,589,433 overall, $3,294,717 of which must go to students.

Phoenix Seminary: $42,117 overall, $21,059 of which must go to students.

Sources:  Rachel Leingana, Arizona Republic newspaper; U.S. Government website, https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/allocationsforsection18004a1ofcaresact.pdf (last visited April 11, 2020).

Goal is to boost ability of students affected by COVID-19 to continue their education

The Yavapai Community College Foundation as set aside Tuesday, April 7 for a special online drive to help students affected by COVID-19.  Money donated to the Foundation that day with go to assist students with emergency grants who are at risk of not completing their education because of COVID-19. 

Celeena Johnson, Ken Froessel and Andre Etien are  featured in Verde Independent article of Sunday, January 26, 2020

Verde Independent newspaper reporter Bill Helm has a great story about the backgrounds and success of the three Yavapai Community College students from the Verde Valley who were named to the Community College’s 2020 All-Arizona Academic Team. The story appears in the Sunday, January 26 edition of the Independent.  The three are Celeena Johnson, Ken Froessel and Andre Etien. Each of them will receive a scholarship that includes tuition-waivers for degree programs at Arizona universities.

Academic team members are selected based on their academic performance and volunteer service at school and in their communities, according to a news release from Yavapai College.

Scholarships provide tuition-waivers for degree programs at Arizona universities

Twelve Yavapai College students  have earned All-Arizona Academic Team scholarships. The students were selected based on their academic performance and volunteer service at school and in their communities. The scholarships provide tuition-waivers for degree programs at Arizona universities.

Yavapai Community College  President Dr. Lisa Rhine commended the students’ achievements. “You have made Yavapai College very proud and I wish you the best success as you pursue your career and educational pathway.”

The twelve 2020 All-Arizona Academic Team Scholarship winners are:

Andre Etien of Camp Verde.  He is studying business. He volunteers with his church, raising money for the church’s charitable endeavors and cooking for church luncheons, as well as personally conducts a food drive for the needy. He plans to continue his studies at NAU and pursue a career as a hospitality consultant.

Kenneth Froessel of Sedona is a social sciences student. He is a PTK member who plans to continue his education at NAU, earn a master’s degree in social work and launch a career as a counselor. He volunteers with a crisis team and with a homeless shelter.

Celeena Johnson of Lake Montezuma is an aspiring first-grade teacher and library program coordinator planning to continue her education at NAU. At Yavapai Community College she serves as a Student Ambassador and is a member of both PTK and the College Honors Program. She also volunteers at her hometown library, for the high school theater program and with Special Olympics, among other volunteer activities.

Kellsie Guinn of Flagstaff is a visual and performing arts student. She plans to study forensic psychology at ASU, eventually earning a medical degree and becoming a psychiatrist. In addition to serving as a PTK officer and participating in philanthropic endeavors on behalf of PTK, Kellsie has volunteered with the Verde Valley Humane Society.

Isabella Adams of Prescott, a member of the Yavapai Community College College Honors Program. Her volunteer pursuits include Stepping Stones Women’s Shelter and Teen Maze. Immediately after earning a bio medical engineering degree at Arizona State University, she has plans to join the Peace Corps.

Zachary Chamberlin of Prescott is a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member and an aerospace science student. He plans to continue his science studies at Northern Arizona University. A youth hockey coach, Zachary  aspires to a career in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems or drone industry.

Brittany Thomas of Prescott Valley. A College Honors student, Brittany is studying political science. She is a member of PTK and a volunteer with PTK community activities such as Teen Maze and with her church. She plans to study environmental policy at an Arizona university enroute to a career in government service or wildlife management.

MaKenna Snyder of Tucson, is an agriculture technology student. She  plans to continue her studies at ASU, working toward a career in agribusiness – specifically a sustainable food production business. Her volunteer service has been focused on Future Farmers of America and Yavapai Community College  educational activities and projects such as Agripalooza and career education.

Alex Daniels of Chino Valley. Alex is a computer science student,  Roughrider Ambassador, PTK member, Honors student and technology enthusiast. He plans to continue a cybersecurity career after continuing his studies at NAU. His volunteer pursuits focus on hunger abatement with three different organizations, including YC’s emergency food pantry.

Madeleine Cherry of Prescott. Madeleine is an Honors student and an aspiring nurse. She plans to continue her education at the University of Arizona. She is an officer with PTK, is president of the  I AM YC Club, is a big sister with Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters and is vice president of the Philosophy and Religion Club. The I Am YC Club raises money for and operates an emergency food bank and emergency assistance fund for students.

Gia Noelle of Prescott is an ASU-bound future clinical dietician or nutritionist. She is a PTK member who earned a GED at YC and maintains a 4.0 gpa. She is active in multiple student clubs, including the English, Poetry and Health in Prevention clubs.

Hanna Hovelsrud of Prescott Valley is a PTK member studying criminal justice. The mother of two  plans to continue her college journey at ASU and hopes to earn a law degree. She is the secretary of the YC Law Club, has volunteered with Teen Maze and the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce.

More than 100 scholarships available for both traditional and non-traditional students; event runs from 5 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.

The Yavapai Community College Verde Campus in Clarkdale, Building “M”, first floor Community Room, is the site of the  fifth annual College Scholarship Awareness night on December 3 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

The Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County and the Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona will provide students and their families information about more than 100 scholarships that are available for both traditional and non-traditional students. Experts will discuss with the families and students application requirements and other information in the effort to increase community awareness about the availability of these scholarships.

The event is free and open to all students and the public who are interested in attending college in 2020-2021. High school seniors, current college students, and potential college students are encouraged to attend.  No registration is required.

The Campus is located  601 Black Hills Drive,  Clarkdale, AZ 86324.

Scholarship will benefit students enrolled in the Yavapai College Viticulture and Enology program

Yavapai Community College has established a memorial scholarship to honor Neal Baltz.  Mr. Baltz was one of the 34 victims who died in the deadly fire on a dive boat off the California coast several days ago.  Baltz, lived in Ahwatukee with his girlfriend Patricia Beitzinger, who also died in the fire.

In an interview with Fox10 News Phoenix, Michael Pierce said that “The tragedy is too hard to think about. I’d rather think about Neal and think about him being right here with us and having wet shoes with all of us and enjoying it and doing something goofy. That is what I’d rather be thinking about.”

The College Foundation wrote on its web site that Neal Baltz was  “an engineer from Phoenix, loved wine, and loved making it. After years of experimenting at home, fermenting grapes in his bathtub, he enrolled in the Enology program at Yavapai College in Northern Arizona’s Verde Valley wine region. He made the hour-and-a-half drive to Yavapai’s Clarkdale campus from his home in Ahwatukee, working in the vineyards and cellars, and sometimes sleeping overnight in his Ford F-150. Neal graduated from the Viticulture and Enology program in 2017.”

Your contribution to the Neal Baltz Memorial Scholarship will benefit students enrolled in the Yavapai College Viticulture and Enology program. The permanently endowed scholarship fund will honor Neal’s memory in perpetuity at Yavapai College.