COMMUNITY COLLEGE GOVERNING BOARD APPARENTLY ON THREE MONTH BREAK FOLLOWING MAY WORKSHOP

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, June 23rd, 2024

While fall meeting agenda not yet posted, first business meeting probably will not be held until September

The five-member Yavapai Community College Governing Board appears to be on a three month break.  Its last publicly scheduled meeting for 2024 was the workshop held on the Prescott Campus May 28, 2024.  Although the meeting schedule for the remainder of the year has yet to be posted, it appears that the first business meeting of the Board will not be held until sometime in September.

It is noteworthy that that the official minutes of the various May meetings held by the Governing Board  will lie dormant until the Board formally meets to discuss and approve them, most likely in September. Until then, residents must rely on the video records posted on the District website, which act as temporary minutes.

Categories : District Governing Board

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES “THE ELEVATED ACTOR” SUMMER ACTOR INTENSIVE, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, JUNE 24-28, AT THE JIM & LINDA LEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER LOCATED ON THE PRESCOTT CAMPUS

By R. Oliphant
Monday, June 17th, 2024

Enrollment is now open for 15 seminars and workshops designed to introduce new actors to professional acting, and sharpen the skill set of actors already practicing the craft—faculty will include professional actors from Los Angeles—tuition for workshops is $25  

Yavapai Community College has been diligently developing its Performing Arts program on the Prescott Campus over the past few years. To further that development, it will hold “The Elevated Actor” Summer Actor Intensive training program from Monday, June 24, to Friday, June 28, at the Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center.

As part of the event, the College is hosting a team of television, film, and stage artists who will work with students throughout the week. With more than 15 seminars and workshops, “The Elevated Actor” is designed to introduce new actors to professional acting and sharpen the skill sets of those already practicing the craft.

The faculty includes Yavapai Community College Theatre Professor Nanette Hofer. Other professional talents lending their skills to the workshop include Groundlings veteran, television actor, and stand-up comedian Matt Conde; Webby award-winning writer/producer and improv comic Russ Gooberman; writer-producer Timothy Boissey; and writer/director Jonas Brenneman.

Sessions will cover acting studies and an auditioning workshop to help actors make a lasting impression. Students will learn different techniques for stage, film, television, and commercial acting. Improvisation and writing workshops are designed to help performers maximize their creative potential in every onstage moment.

“Elevated Actor” participants will conclude their week with a final showcase performance on Friday night, June 28, at 8 p.m. on the Performing Arts Center stage.

The cost of “The Elevated Actor” workshop is $25. Participants must be 16 or older and may attend any or all of the week-long sessions. For registration or additional information, please visit performingarts@yc.edu.

Categories : SUMMER CLASSES

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE REPORTS THAT IN 2023-2024 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ACCOUNTED FOR OVER 30 PERCENT OF ITS ENROLLMENT

By R. Oliphant
Monday, June 17th, 2024

Variety of early college course offerings for high schoolers include dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment, and CTED classes

Yavapai Community College has reported that high school students taking classes in one of its early enrollment programs account for over 30 percent of its total enrollment. According to the College, in 2023-2024 the total number of high school students taking Dual Enrollment, Concurrent Enrollment, and CTED classes was 2,141 (fall) and 2,124 (spring). This represents over 30% of the College’s total enrollment.

There was a 4% increase from 2022-2023 in high school enrollment in 2023-2024. Students in Dual Enrollment, Concurrent Enrollment, and CTED classes took 25,137 credits through the College in  2022-2024. This represents a 12% increase from prior years.

Throughout the District,  44 dual enrollment instructors taught 18 different disciplines in 2023-2024 with students obtaining  11,8223 college  credit hours.

Categories : CURRICULUM, Enrollment data

PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM APPEARS TO BE DOING WELL

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, June 11th, 2024

Since 2019, when it was begun, over 400 students have graduated tuition-free from Yavapai Community College per this program

Yavapai Community College initiated the “Promise Scholarship Program” in 2019. This program reimburses students for any direct tuition costs not covered by federal, state, third-party, or college grants upon graduation. To qualify, students must complete their education within seven semesters.

In fall 2022, the program expanded to include students of any age who earn a two-year degree, such as an Associate in Applied Science, Business, and Arts Elementary Education. The expansion also made students in 12 new programs, including Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Fire Science, Automotive Technology, and Accounting, eligible for free tuition.

The College reports that over 400 graduates have taken advantage of the program so far.

It is noteworthy that the Program requires students to meet several specific criteria to remain eligible and retain their scholarship:

  1. Academic Performance: Students must maintain a minimum term and cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  2. Financial Aid Eligibility: Students must remain eligible for financial aid.
  3. Orientation and Advising: Attendance at a YCC’s Promise Orientation before the first fall semester is required, along with mandatory meetings each semester with an academic advisor.
  4. Course Completion: Students must complete STU101 or STU150 by the end of their first fall semester and take one English and one Math course each semester until their degree requirements are met. There are exceptions for certain AAS degrees with advisor approval.
  5. Credit and Degree Requirements: Students must earn 30 credits by the end of the first year and complete their degree within seven semesters (11 semesters for Nursing or Radiologic Technology programs).
  6. Other Requirements: Completion of FAFSA, paying any outstanding balances to Yavapai College, and compliance with federal drug-free rules and Selective Service registration (if applicable).

The Program does not cover expenses such as books, living costs, or other fees. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and qualify for in-state tuition status. Additionally, they must have graduated from a Yavapai County high school or completed their GED through Yavapai College’s Adult Basic Education program after January 1, 2019

Categories : Tuition

EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY MODEL EXPANDS AT YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE WITH PRESCOTT, PRESCOTT VALLEY, AND MINGUS UNION HIGH SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, June 11th, 2024

Available to junior and senior high school students, 101 attended classes on the Community College’s campuses in 2023

Yavapai Community College has been experimenting with developing an Early College Academy (ECA). The ECA model involves high school students attending classes at one of Yavapai Community College’s campuses. The program allows high school students to register concurrently for college classes that count toward their high school graduation requirements. A high school staff member is housed on the appropriate Yavapai Community College campus to support and monitor student progress daily.

A student’s high school district pays for tuition and books. Students in the Academy take from three to five courses on a campus each semester and earn on average 24 college credits each year. Initially, the Academy was open only to senior high school students. However, in 2023, the Community College expanded the program to include junior high school students.

The Academy began with students from Prescott High School. It has now been expanded to include students from Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood and Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley. In 2023 there were 101 total students participating from all three schools, who took an average of 11 credits per semester. This made them almost full-time college students.

Students in the fall semester of 2023 had a 3.53 grade point average. One ECA student graduated in spring 2024 with an associate degree, while three students completed the AGEC certificates. The Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) is composed of 35 to 37 credit hours of lower-division general education coursework in which a student may prepare for transfer to another college or university.

 

Categories : EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE RANKS #1 AMONG ARIZONA COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN FIVE CATEGORIES

By R. Oliphant
Friday, June 7th, 2024

Ranks at the top in graduation rates, GED completion rates, percentage of occupational learners getting degree or certificate within one year and more

Yavapai Community College ranks #1 among Arizona Community Colleges in five categories, according to a fact sheet presented to the public and the District Governing Board in May.  Here is how the College described its number one status by category:

  • Ranks #1 in graduation rates.
  • Ranks #1 in learners who have a successful outcome in six years.
  • Ranks #1 in percentage of occupational learners earning a certificate or degree within one year of completion.
  • Ranks #1 in Arizona General Education completion rate.
  • Ranks #1 in percent of learners completing 42 credits by their second year.
Categories : Rankings

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS HAVE NOW CONSTRUCTED FIVE TINY HOMES TO BE LOCATED AT THE CHINO VALLEY CENTER

By R. Oliphant
Friday, June 7th, 2024

Homes constructed at CTEC in Prescott and the Verde Valley Campus are intended to house  “linework” students and will be available next spring

Yavapai Community College students have constructed five tiny homes to be located at the Chino Valley Center. The College says the homes will not be ready for occupancy until next spring. They are expected to house “linework” students.
Last year, students built two tiny homes at the Verde Valley Campus, but these homes have not yet been moved to the Chino Valley Center. This year, Verde Valley Campus students constructed one tiny home, while students at the Career and Technical Education Center at the Prescott Airport constructed their first two tiny homes.
The homes are 320 square feet and include a bathroom, Murphy bed, kitchen, and living room. They will have city water and sewer connections.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories : Construction, TINY HOME PROJECT

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROVIDES GOVERNING BOARD WITH FACTUAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, June 4th, 2024

Highlights $2.5 million savings in textbooks  using Open Source program; adding $203.7 million to Yavapai County’s economy and much more

Yavapai Community College presented several major accomplishments to the College’s District Governing Board at the May 21, 2024, Board meeting. Among the many highlights, the student textbook savings of an estimated $2.5 million due to the use of Open Source materials was particularly noteworthy.

Another significant highlight was the first-time pass rate of the College’s nursing students. According to the College, Yavapai nursing students consistently achieve first-time licensing pass rates that exceed both the national and state averages. Specifically, 91 percent of Yavapai’s nursing students regularly pass their first-time licensing tests, compared to 85 percent nationally and 89 percent in Arizona.

Additionally, the College awarded 581 degrees and 1,233 certificates in the 2022-23 academic year. As of the fall semester in 2023, the College maintains a student/faculty ratio of nineteen to one, and the average age of a student is 30.

Categories : Enrollment data, Politics

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT FOUR REPRESENTATIVE GIVES “NO” VOTE ON TAX RATE INCREASE WHILE REPEATEDLY LAUDING COLLEGE AND PRESIDENT RHINE

By R. Oliphant
Friday, May 31st, 2024

Some wondered  whether the fact he is running for Yavapai County Supervisor may have influenced his  vote but his stance is consistent with opposition to last year’s 5 percent Community College property tax rate increase that was approved by a majority of the Board

Chris Kuknyo

If there’s one definite “no” vote on a tax rate increase for Yavapai Community College, it’s District Four representative Chris Kuknyo. He voted “no” in a 4-1 decision last year when the property tax rate increased by five percent. This year, he again voted “no” in opposition to a 3.4% property tax rate increase.  The rate increase  was approved 3-2 by the Governing Board.

For some observers, Mr. Kuknyo’s position was somewhat puzzling. For example, he strongly supported the College’s purchase of the 42-acre church camp located near his district. The College used $5 million of taxpayer dollars it had in reserve to purchase the property, plus an additional $6 million of new taxpayer funds in the 2024-2025 budget to renovate and equip the facility. In addition to this project, Mr. Kuknyo supported the construction of the $20 to $40 million health science facility in his district, with the only caveat being that a third-floor convention center should not be included (which it appears it is not). Moreover, as you will see from his speech prior to casting his “no” vote at the Truth in Taxation hearing, he lauded the work of President Rhine and various programs offered by the College.

His extremely brief statement, after four minutes or more of praising the College, came quickly at the end of his speech when he said, “I do think we could maybe make do where we’re at, and that’s why I’m voting no on the tax rate increase.” He never provided an analysis to support this conclusion.

Some observers, puzzled by his speech, attributed his “no” vote to the upcoming election for District Four County Supervisor. Mr. Kuknyo is among the Republican candidates vying for that position. Other observers noted that this vote is consistent with his “no” vote cast last year when he opposed increasing the Community College property tax rate by five percent.

It is also noteworthy that he voted “no” on the College budget for 2024-2025.

You may view and hear all of Mr. Kuknyo’s speech made just prior to casting a “no” vote on the property tax rate increase by clicking on the video below.

Categories : Budget, Taxes

SIGAFOOS, RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION, JUSTIFIES “YES” VOTE ON TAX INCREASE SAYING COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS SERVING WIDE VARIETY OF ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY NEEDS

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, May 30th, 2024

Suggests inflation and student success are key factors justifying imposing a total  8.4% property tax rate increase in two years

Ray Sigafoos  is the longest serving member of the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board with 18 years of service. He is running once again for the position in November.

During the public portion of the Truth in Taxation Hearing May 21, 2024, Sigafoos’ opponent in the November election, William Kiel,  spoke forcefully against the 3.4% property tax rate increase. Sigafoos’ just as forcibly spoke in favor of the tax increase and voted to approve  it.

When explaining his vote, Sigafoos’ listed the wide variety of needs the Community College was serving in Yavapai County. He also alluded to inflation and student success as a significant reasons for approving a total of 8.4 percent tax rate increase during a two-year period. He also voted to approve the 2024-2025 budget.

Please click below to hear Mr. Sigafoos making his statement just prior to the vote explaining his position on increasing the tax rate. (Mr. Kiel’s statement to the Board via video was posted in last week’s Blog.)

Categories : Budget, Taxes
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