Yes, lots of children are doing “fantastic” in the Verde Valley. However, “there is a significant and growing population of our students who are not doing
Data shows that 98% of revenue to support the general operations of the College come from property taxes and tuition
The Blog is often asked about the source of funding for Yavapai Community College. The table that follows shows where the revenue for 2017-2018 is coming from in dollars. About 98 percent of the revenue comes from County property taxes and student tuition.
The following pie chart was presented to the public by the Community College at the recent budget hearing to explain in percentages where the revenue to operate the College came from. The chart omits secondary property taxes, which are used to pay off the 2000 $69.5 million General Obligation Bond approved by voters in that year.
Dr. Bliss lists several faculty projects for the coming year with emphasis on shared governance
Faculty representative Dr. Selina Bliss reported on a number of concerns/projects that faculty will focus on over the next year. She made her report at the District Governing Board meeting May 9. They included:
- In-depth examination of meaning of faculty governance.
- Faculty workload analysis.
- Focusing on quality of on-line courses.
- Faculty professional development.
- Changes in faculty governance organizational system.
- Adjusting time-line in peer review process.
Dr. Bliss’s three-minute presentation can be viewed below.
College to establish learning center at Camp Verde Community Library — an idea of the now defunct Verde Valley Board Advisory Committee
The District Governing Board unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement between Yavapai Community College and the town of Camp Verde at its May 9, 2017 meeting. Under the agreement the College will provide computer equipment and other materials that are intended to expand access to the Community College. The equipment will be located at the Camp Verde Community library.
The Community College has agreed to provide technical and administrative support to keep the computer software up-to-date and perform any necessary preventive maintenance. The College has also agreed to provide support and services to current Community College students and future students either in person at the Camp Verde library location or via remote technology.
The idea of creating learning centers similar to the one at Camp Verde throughout the County was the brainchild of the now defunct Verde Valley Board Advisory Committee. During its deliberations and up to the time it was shut down by the West County Governing Board majority, the Advisory Committee had strongly suggested that such centers be created.
Board out-of-step with most College’s and Universities
The District Governing Board extended Community College president Penelope Wills contract by one-year at the May 9, 2017 Board meeting and gave her a $5,000 wage increase. However, the Board set no goals for her to achieve during the coming year.
This is in sharp contrast to contracts given to most college and university presidents. For example, at Northern Arizona University the Arizona Board of Regents set out eight multi-year performance incentives (goals) for President Rita Cheng to accomplish by 2017 in her 2014 contract. They included retaining at least 75 percent of NAU’s freshmen class in 2016-17, spending at least $39.2 million on research, awarding at least 4,625 bachelor’s degrees and having at least 3,200 community college transfer students enroll at NAU. Dr. Chenge was eligible for a $10,000 bonus if more than 43.2 percent of graduating seniors rate their entire educational experience at NAU as “excellent” on their senior surveys. The statewide ABOR and university audit structure will measure Cheng’s progress on all those goals on June 30, 2017.
Penelope Wills is pretty much free to do as she pleases. The absence of goal setting is the result of the archaic use of what is called the Carver Governance process promoted by the majority West County voting bloc. Because it sets no specific goals for the College president, it easily makes that person minimally accountable to the citizens who pay the estimated $278,000 annual salary.
Recognized by Yavapai College Foundation for his outstanding work raising funds and making citizens aware of Verde Valley programs
Cottonwood resident Bobby Woods received the Yavapai Community College Outstanding Volunteer Award at the Foundation’s annual luncheon May 10, 2017. Mr. Woods began as a volunteer in 2009 when he was recruited by Ms. Ruth Wicks to join the Yavapai Community College Foundation’s Greater Verde Valley Chapter. When President Penelope Wills essentially closed down the Verde Valley Chapter, Woods joined the Friends of the “Southwest Wine Center,” which is a fundraising auxiliary for the Yavapai Community College Foundation. Since 2009 he has volunteered hundreds of hours first with the now defunct Chapter and then the successor Southwest Wine Center auxiliary. Congratulations to Bobby Woods for his commitment to higher education in the Verde Valley and the well-deserved recognition.
A story about the award in the Verde Independent written by Bill Helm can be accessed by clicking here.
Interim Dean receives permanent appointment (A Verde Valley Advocate)
The College has announced that Dr. Barbara Waak has accepted the position of Associate Dean for the Verde Valley Campus. Dr. Waak will begin her duties immediately.
Dr. Waak was a finalist in the College’s national search in 2015 for this position behind Dr. Kelly Trainer. She was appointed interim Verde Valley Campus Dean in August, 2016 after Dr. Trainor tendered his resignation. She has served in that capacity since her appointment.
Dr. Waak is entering her 23rd academic year on the Verde Valley Campus. She has served in many capacities over her tenure at the College, including Faculty Senate President and Dual Enrollment Liaison for the English Department. She is also an alumni of Yavapai College, attaining an A.A. in education with honors. Dr. Waak earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and English/Linguistics from Northern Arizona University. She went on to receive a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2005.
When interviewed by Zachary Jernigan for the May 3, 2017 edition of the Cottonwood Journal Extra, Dr. Waak said that she was “very dedicated to this (Verde) campus.” Waak also told the reporter that many in the Verde Valley feel that they have been forgotten by the College’s administration in Prescott and need a local advocate.
College partnering with the Missoua Childrens Theatre for summer program (must register by May 19)
The College has announced in a press release that young actors and singers and assistant directors in grades one through 12 are invited to experience a full-scale musical production this summer when Yavapai College and Missoula Children’s Theatre stage the classic fairy tale, “Cinderella.”
The production will take shape between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. June 19-23 at the Yavapai College Prescott campus. Performances are at 3 and 6 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at the YC Performing Arts Center.
Additional post-rehearsal theater workshops in acting, improvisation and makeup are available during production week.
Registration information and materials, including participation fees, are available by emailing lorrie.vodika@yc.edu. Call 928-776-2045. The registration deadline is May 19.
Sedona renovation, College for Kids, CTEC and new concurrent courses moving forward
Verde Valley Executive Dean James Perey reported on the progress of various projects in the Verde Valley at the May 9, 2017 board meeting. According to Dr. Perey, the following is a list of new programs and projects underway.
- The $5.4 million renovation at the Sedona Center will be completed by the end of July, 2017.
- A new “sprung floor” to be paid by Yavapai Community College will be installed at the Performing Arts Center at the Red Rock high school. The seven-day project is expected to be completed by the fall semester. The College and the high school will begin a cooperative performing arts program this fall.
- The “College for Kids” summer program attracted 485 students in 2016. This year Dean Perey expects an even larger attendance. He attributes the success of the program to cooperation between Yavapai Community College and the local school districts in the Verde Valley.
- The final acre of the vineyard on the Verde Campus was planted the end of April. This brings the total acreage to about 13.5.
- The culinary program at the Sedona Center will begin this fall with morning classes open to all high school and Community College students.
- A new medical assistance program for high school and Community College students will begin on the Verde Campus this fall.
- Dr. Perey anticipates an intergovernmental agreement between the career and technical education district in the Verde Valley and Yavapai Community College to be executed at the June, 2017 Governing Board meeting.
Dr. Perey’s six minute report to the Governing Board follows.
Strong leadership from local Superintendents inspiring–485 enroll in 2016–more expected this year
The Yavapai Community College “College for Kids” program in the Verde Valley, which was closed down in 2012 and 2013, has returned with a roar. This is thanks to the leadership provided by the local superintendents in the Verde Valley that began last year and cooperation from Yavapai College.
The “College for Kids” program is intended to provide encouragement, interest and enthusiasm for attending a college or obtaining technical education training in the future. It covers all grades.
The Verde Valley program has had some rough spots. Enrollment was climbing when the College closed the program down in 2012. The College said it couldn’t find any space for the summer program during Verde Campus construction. Then, in 2013, the College failed to find a director for the program so it remained closed. Finally, in 2014 Linda Buchanan, who headed the program in its earliest days, was given back responsibility for the program by Yavapai College. While it returned in 2014 its offerings were meager when compared to those given in Prescott. In 2015 only 14 programs were offered.
Then, in 2016 Steve King and other superintendents in the Verde Valley stepped in to give the College a helping hand. There began a joint, serious effort to build the program with bus transportation provided by the District schools and extensive scholarships offered by the District schools and the College. Dean James Perey told the Governing Board on May 9, 2017 that in 2016 485 children and young adults attended the “College for Kids” on the Verde Campus.
This year the program has expanded and it is expected that many more children and young adults in high school will enroll. For the first time in its history, the Verde Valley will be offering more courses in its College for Kids program than Prescott. A comparative chart and a one-minute video about the program follows.
Wow! What a turn-around!
