About 5,000 fewer students than eight years ago
According to Community College data, the current administration is presiding over the continued decline in student enrollment at Yavapai College. In fact, in the last eight years the Community College enrollment has fallen by 4,794 students.
The headcount report for the fall, 2015 showed a decline continuing with a drop from fall 2014 of 416 students. The decline is troubling in view of reports from Northern Arizona University and other colleges of major increases in first-year enrollment. NAU, for example, reported it was breaking enrollment records. NAU’s overall student population is 29,035, up from 27,639, and the university welcomed 5,141 first-time freshman compared to 4,765 last fall. You may view the NAU report by clicking here.
Enrollment at the Flagstaff campus is 20,839, a nearly 5 percent increase from 19,913 last year. “Our commitment to Arizona is represented in this outstanding incoming freshman class,” said NAU President Rita Cheng. “Its diversity and distinctiveness evidence the important and changing nature of our state and the communities we serve. I’m delighted to see that NAU continues to be a university of choice for so many new and returning students.”
According to the College, this year’s event “features Arizona wines and fine foods with a total of over 30 winemakers, restaurant owners and chefs providing tastings of their favorite edibles and drinkables.” 
Deb McCasland is most outspoken in opposition to the tax increase; Al Filardo seems to be sitting on the fence, and Steve Irwin is quiet about his intentions. The Verde Valley Board Advisory Committee has unanimous said it opposes a tax increase at this time.
Sources who the Blog believes are reliable tell it that the College will receive an additional $300,000 from the State of Arizona this coming year. That should be good news for Yavapai County taxpayers.
The executive dean of the Community College Verde Valley Campus, James Perey, reported at the March District Governing Board meeting that a modified film & media arts program is being developed for the fall 2015 semester. This program along with culinary, hospitality and enology certificate programs, will be based at the Verde Valley Campus. He also said that he is seeking to find a way to offer welding and/or automotive programs “in conjunction with Verde Valley academic partners.”