SPRING SEMESTER FOR STUDENTS BEGINS JANUARY 13

By R. Oliphant
Friday, January 10th, 2020

First Governing Board meeting scheduled for January 21

Spring semester began for Yavapai Community College students on Monday, January 13.  It will officially end May 8.  There is a spring break from March 8 – 14. 

The first regular meeting of the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board is scheduled for Tuesday, January 21 at 1:00 p.m. at the Rock House on the Prescott Campus.  That meeting will be preceded by a morning budget meeting at the Rock House that begins at 9 a.m.  Both meetings are open to the public.

Categories : Meeting Notice

NO DECISION AS YET ON SELECTION OF NEW VERDE CAMPUS/SEDONA CENTER DEAN

By R. Oliphant
Friday, January 10th, 2020

Duties and responsibilities are many including preparing budget for Verde Campus/Sedona Center; must be willing to live in the Verde Valley; shows dramatic shift away from total control by Prescott

There has not been a decision as yet about who might become the new Verde Campus/Sedona Center Dean. The search began in late fall 2019 and there are rumors about possible finalists.  However, there have been no official announcements about the position.

For the first time, and a major change, is that the new Dean will be required to live in the Verde Valley.  Another change requires that the new Dean be responsible for preparing a budget for the Verde Campus and Sedona Center.  These changes signal the willingness of the new Administration to move away from the total control that has been exercised by Prescott over the Verde Valley for the past several decades.

The list of duties and responsibilities for a dean candidate were listed in the announcement of the position by the College.  What follows below is a portion of that job opening announcement as found on the College’s job opening web site (emphasis has been added).

The following are examples of typical duties that may be assigned to positions in this job family. It does not imply that all positions within the job family perform all the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned. Other duties may be assigned. Plans, directs, evaluates, and oversees administration of academic affairs for the Verde Valley campus and Sedona center by performing duties personally. Participates on district committees on various issues related to academics, instruction, curriculum, and faculty affairs.

 Directs the planning, implementation, and evaluation of instructional programs based on the Verde Valley campus and Sedona center. Directs and coordinates activities of instructional managers, including program directors/coordinators, and other Plans and implements professional development activities in conjunction with the other academic deans for full-time and adjunct faculty in the department/division.

Supervises the preparation of catalog material for programs on the Verde Valley campus and Sedona center. Works with the Director of Scheduling & Early College Partnerships to determine scheduling of courses and recommends implementation of additional courses for the Verde Valley campus and Sedona center. Communicates and collaborates on a regular basis with Director of Student Affairs & Campus Operations of the Verde Valley campus to ensure a campus atmosphere of consistency and collaboration.

Works to maintain a college wide consistency of student-facing processes and procedures for a seamless experience for students college wide, regardless of the location. Assists in the selection, improvement, and evaluation of instructional faculty; review of credentials, screening of applications, and formulation of recommendations for final interviews with the Vice President of Instruction.

Maintains current knowledge of, and interprets and applies Federal, State, and related legislation. Revises program administration to comply with regulations. Works with the Office of Community Relations to attend community events and meetings in the Verde Valley and Sedona on behalf of the college.

Responsible for budget preparation, monitoring, verification, and reconciliation of expenditure of funds for academic programs on the Verde Valley campus and Sedona center. Minimum Expectations & Requirements Master’s degree Supervisory experience Instructional leadership skills Ability to adhere to deadlines Demonstrated ability to work as a team member. Regular attendance is an essential job function as it demonstrates dependability towards the performance of job duties.

Must live in the Verde Valley.

 Knowledge of Open Educational Resources, Online Education and Instructional Design Preferred Skills & Abilities Academic Administrative experience in class schedule building, budget management and problem-solving and conflict resolution.

Professional experience in a community college/higher education work environment. Experience working with Open Educational Resources, Online Education and Instructional Design Essential Functions. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Categories : ADMINISTRATION

NAU PRESIDENT RITA CHENG AND HUSBAND CHARGED $40,000 OF INAPPROPRIATE TRAVEL EXPENSES

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, January 5th, 2020

Audit claims she didn’t comply with university travel policies and expenses weren’t properly documented

The Arizona Republic reported in its Sunday, January 5, 2020 edition in a story by Rachel Leingang that Northern Arizona University had improperly paid more than $40,000 in travel expenses for President Rita Cheng and her husband. It is alleged that the expenses didn’t comply with university travel policies and weren’t properly documented.

According to the story in the Arizona Republic, the spending included more than $30,000 for airplane tickets to Russia, which represented nearly 62% of the total Cheng and her husband Tom Cheng, who also works at NAU, spent on travel in the 2019 fiscal year.

The  audit was released Friday, January 3 by the Arizona Auditor General.

The audit report stated that NAU didn’t follow university and Arizona Board of Regents’ travel policies properly, which “put public monies at potential risk of misuse” and “set an unfavorable tone that policies do not need to be followed.”

Source:  Arizona Republic, January 5, 2020, https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-education/2020/01/03/northern-arizona-university-president-rita-cheng-inappropriate-travel-expenses-audit/2809094001/.
Categories : Allegations

COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOD PANTRY SUPPLIED 3558 MEALS SINCE OPENING IN 2017

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, January 4th, 2020

Expanded to Verde Campus and Sedona Center in April 2019

The Yavapai Community College Governing Board received a report on the student food pantry project at its November 2019 meeting.  Since opening in October 2017 it has received  and served about 297 requests for food assistance and delivered over 3,500 meals. The program was expanded to the Verde Campus/Sedona Center  in April 2019.

Meal requests from the Verde Campus/Sedona Center  are packaged on the Prescott Campus and sent to the Verde Campus.

The report by the students to the Governing Board may be viewed in the video below.

Categories : FOOD PANTRY

FRACKING PROGRAM JANUARY 13 AT COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S SEDONA CENTER

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, January 4th, 2020

Program from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Room 34

The program, which is scheduled for January 13, 12:30 to 2 p.m.  at the Yavapai Community College Sedona Center, is focused on fracking.  The program will be held in room 34 at the Center.

The lecturer for the program, Kevin Gibson,  will describe what fracking is and  current leasing and drilling activities with a particular emphasis on Northern Arizona. His lecture will also cover issues such as  what occurs when fracking goes wrong, financial matters, and health effects.  An audience discussion and questions and answers will follow the presentation.

Kevin Gibson holds  a B.SC and PhD from the Mining Department, University of Nottingham United Kingdom.  He has worked worldwide in the extraction industry, the last 20 years of his career was with Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company.  Now retired, he  lives in Snowflake, Arizona.

The program is free, open to the public and is co-sponsored by League of Women Voters Greater Verde Valley,  OLLI at Yavapai College – Sedona/Verde Valley,  and Keep Sedona Beautiful.

The Yavapai Community College Sedona Center is located at 4215 Arts Village Drive, Sedona AZ, 86336.

Categories : Event

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES BIG NAME ATTRACTIONS FOR 2020 AT PAC

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, January 4th, 2020

ABBA, Texas Tenors, Chicago among 12 major productions/shows scheduled for spring

Categories : Performing Arts Center

NORTHER ARIZONA CLIMATE CHANGE: WHAT HAS GENDER GOT TO DO WITH IT?

By R. Oliphant
Friday, January 3rd, 2020

Lecture on Verde Campus, Room “M”, 11:30, Jan 16

A lecture will be held January 16 at 11:30 on the Verde Campus on the topic, “Northern Arizona Climate Change: What’s Gender Got to Do with?” The lecture will be held in Room “M” on the Campus.

The lecture by Frances Julia Riemer will explore the issues of social justice and gender inequity in a changing climate.  She is professor of educational foundations and associate faculty/former director of Northern Arizona University’s women’s and gender studies program.

The mission of the Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance – NAZCCA – is to educate and empower people to take action now against the negative impact the climate crisis is having on Earth.  NAZCCA is a grassroots, non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

The Verde Campus is olocated at 601 Black Hills Drive, Clarkdale, Arizona.

Categories : Event

TWELVE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SCHOLARS EARN TUITION-FREE TRANSFERS TO ARIZONA UNIVERSITIES

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, December 29th, 2019

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.

Categories : Scholarships

SEARCH COMMITTEE SET UP TO SELECT NEW MARICOPA COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHANCELLOR

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, December 29th, 2019

Seek an experienced and visionary leader

The Maricopa County Community College District has begun a search for a new chancellor after Maria Harper-Marinick resigned in September.  It has set up a search committee to help with the selection.  In a statement issued by the Board, it said it was “in the search for our next chancellor, we seek an experienced and visionary leader who will build upon our system’s past success and shepherd the colleges toward a future with an abundance of opportunities,”

The board has hired the  search firm Diversified Search to recruit for the position. It named 21 people to the search committee, which will  select candidates as finalists. The board will make the final hiring decision.

Categories : Politics

CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO OFFER FREE TUITION AND FEES

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, December 28th, 2019

Starts next fall; Yavapai Community College experimenting with somewhat similar program

It was announced December 20, 2019 that incoming students will pay no tuition or fees at Connecticut community colleges starting next fall under a plan approved by the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Board of Regents.  The Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT), is in response to legislation passed last spring. It  guarantees that eligible in-state, full-time, first-time students at the 12 campuses will not pay out-of-pocket for tuition or mandatory fees.

PACT has  four goals: (1) Mitigate excess debt for students and families, d(2) Iincrease student enrollment within the community college sector, (3) Support student retention efforts,  and (4) support on-time credential completion.

Although neither as broad nor supported by Arizona legislation funding the effort, Yavapai Community College,  under the direction of Dr. Lisa Rhine,  has launched an experimental program somewhat similar to the Connecticut effort. Click here for details. https://www.yc.edu/v6/promise/about.html

In the fall 2019  more than  300 new students enrolled in  the program. It does not apply to students seeking certificates.  And there are specific requirements.  For example, the Yavapai  program is restricted to County residents and they must complete their degree within seven semesters after graduation from high school. 

The program provides eligible students a last dollar scholarship, meaning it will cover tuition not otherwise covered by Federal, State, Yavapai College, or other 3rd party (for example,  high school, Yavapai College Foundation, Tribe, employer) grants, discounts, or scholarships. However, the program will reimburse no more than 61 credits of the tuition paid by a student.

When an eligible student completes his or her coursework after seven semesters of high school or GED graduation, any tuition that was paid out-of-pocket for tuition will be reimbursed. The program is strictly limited to tuition. It does not reimburse other related expenses including, but not limited to, books, course and program fees, or other cost of living expenses such as transportation, food, and housing.

The courses taken by the student must have been paid for by the student or the student’s family, not any other source. Courses must have been taken from Yavapai College (reimbursement does not apply for transfer credits) after high school graduation or GED completion.  There is no reimbursements for repeated courses or for Developmental Education credits. Aerospace Science majors and courses are not eligible (including Fixed Wing, Rotor, Unmanned, and Air Traffic).

Students are responsible to pay all their expenses up front (tuition and fees, books, cost of living). As already noted, it does not apply to certificate seeking students.

It is not clear what the final cost to the Community College will be for this program. It may be minimal because most students are eligible for Pell grants, which already pay for tuition.  However, the College won’t know the full impact on  its budget until two years from now when the first crop of “Promise” students graduate.

Categories : Tuition
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