Large drop in Verde Valley students this year from past several years should be of major concern
The LEAD program at Yavapai Community College has just completed its fifth year in offering an eight-week campus experience for students. This year 21 students completed the program, however, only six of the students were listed as from the Verde Valley
There should be concern with the drop in the number of students attending from the Verde Valley over past years. In 2015 the program enrolled 12 students on the Verde Valley Campus, according to Executive Dean Dr. James Perey. In 2016 there were 14 students enrolled on the Verde Valley Campus for the LEAD program. President Penelope Wills reported to the District Governing Board at its June 13, 2017 meeting that 11 students had enrolled in the program on the Verde Campus. (Yes, the Board once used to meet in June.) The Blog was unable to obtain the number of Verde Valley students enrolled in the 25 students who completed LEAD in 2018.)
The program this year began May 29 and ended July 25, 2019. The program is an introduction to college designed to prepare first year students transitioning from high school to college. Students with social, academic or financial need may qualify for this program. The program is offered on both the Prescott and Verde campuses.
Once accepted, a student’s tuition is free and two college courses are offered for eight weeks. Books are included. According to the College announcement made in the spring 2019, “LEAD students will stay in the Yavapai College Residence Halls and experience living on campus.” It is unclear from this announcement that the residence hall requirement applied to Verde Valley students. In the past it has not. (Program requirements can be found here https://www.yc.edu/v6/enrollment-services/lead.html.)
The program was originally created in 2015 by former Community College Vice President for Instruction and Student Development, Dr. Stuart Blacklaw. When asked about the program, he explained that “the LEAD seeks to create an environment that leads to a successful start in college. Some students have no trouble moving from high school graduation in the spring to college matriculation in the fall. Others find those intervening months filled with distractions. The LEAD program is designed to move college-minded students directly to campus after high school graduation, before life elements deter them from their college aspirations.”
The Blog remains concerned that all 48 possible seats, the historic goal, have never been remotedly filled in any of five years of the program. This is a concern because the program can apparently provide the kind of educational lift that may be of significant benefit for many in the underserved population of students. This is a group that former president Penelope Wills and others claim they are particularly concerned about.
Following is a list of the Yavapai Community College early-college LEAD program completers and their hometowns. Congratulations for a job well done!
Alex Cyr, Prescott Valley
Anahi Fuentes, Chino Valley
Candelydia (Yanelli) Mayorga, Paulden
Christopher Grgurich, Rimrock
Christopher Saluski, Black Canyon City
Emilia (Skye) Wurtz, Prescott Valley
Erin Razo, Prescott
Faye Richey, Cottonwood
Gabriel Esparza-Baker, Prescott Valley
Grace Mullins, Cottonwood
Hanna Burress, Cottonwood
Helena Molina, Cornville
James Hanson, Chino Valley
Jaren Bond, Prescott
Jonathan Umali, Prescott
Laura Hernandez, Chino Valley
Lily Angel, Prescott Valley
Maria De La Luz Soto, Paulden
Morgan Hermanson, Chino Valley
Olivia Williams, Sedona
Rachel Stickles, Mayer