The Yavapai College men’s soccer team has announced its newcomers to the team for the 2023 season. The Roughriders are adding 16 new faces to the roster in addition to nine returning athletes, bringing the roster total to 25.The nine returning players are:
Accelerator Projects: A Trifecta of Government, Private Industry, and Education Since 2021
Community colleges in Arizona are witnessing a rise in programs focused on “workforce accelerators.” This initiative gained momentum with former Governor Doug Ducey, who, on March 31, 2021, joined local elected leaders in Pinal County to inaugurate a cutting-edge advanced manufacturing training center in Coolidge, Arizona. Named Drive48, the facility was described as representing a groundbreaking collaboration among government, industry, and academia, aimed at strengthening Arizona’s workforce training for high-tech jobs.
The Drive48 project was also described as complementing the Arizona Advanced Technology Network curriculum, a pioneering partnership developed by Arizona’s employers, public sector, and academic institutions. This collaboration was designed to address the demand for high-tech manufacturing skills both now and in the future. Central Arizona College, one of three community colleges involved, worked closely with numerous manufacturers to develop a unified, industry-recognized curriculum specifically tailored to enhance skills training for manufacturing jobs.
On June 29, 2023, Governor Katie Hobbs of Arizona announced two new workforce partnerships, which will provide advanced skills training in rural areas. These programs, collectively known as Future48, will be launched in Kingman and Yuma, Arizona. They mark the inauguration of the first two of up to six Future48 Workforce Accelerators, overseen by the Arizona Commerce Authority in collaboration with higher education and industry partners.
The Kingman accelerator, established in partnership with Mohave Community College, will support the region’s growing manufacturing, transportation, and mining industries. It will be housed in a state-of-the-art facility spanning over 30,000 square feet at the Kingman Airport and Industrial Park. Notable industry partners include NUCOR Steel, Kingman and Mohave Manufacturing Association (KAMMA), Progressive Pipe, Arizona Sommers Cooling and Heating, and more.
The Yuma Future48 Workforce Accelerator, launched in partnership with Arizona Western College, will provide workforce training in electrical technology, advanced manufacturing, broadband fiber optics, and solar installation, catering to the aerospace and defense industries in the region. The collaboration involves a 5,600-square-foot expansion of the Wellton Manufacturing Training Center located on the Arizona Western College campus.
Furthermore, on July 10, Governor Katie Hobbs announced an investment of $1.7 million in state funding for Pima Community College’s workforce development in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs. Pima Community College takes pride in its Automotive Technology and Innovation Center, a two-story, 50,000-square-foot facility opened in 2021. It houses automotive technology programs covering diesel, electric, and autonomous vehicles, providing training for leading brands such as Ford, Fiat-Chrysler, and Subaru. Additionally, Pima Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing facility, valued at $35 million and spanning 100,000 square feet, offers programs in mining technology, manufacturing, metalworking, robotics, machine technology, and more.
New Chief Resource Officer, new head of Workforce Division, and new Provost yet to be selected will join leadership team
Yavapai Community College is set to welcome three new executives to its leadership team as the fall 2023 semester commences. The additions include Dr. Janet Nix, who assumed the role of Chief Resource Officer in November 2022, and Dr. Kimberly Moore, who will spearhead the Division of Workforce and Innovation. Additionally, a third individual will join the team as Provost, succeeding Dr. Diane Jones.
Recall that Emily Weinacker, the former Chief Resources Officer, retired in September 2022. As per her updated LinkedIn page, she has transitioned into a new role outside the College as a “Spiritual Director in Training.” Taking her place is Dr. Janet Nix, whose appointment was officially announced on November 8, 2022. The College has added her to its leadership team.
Yavapai Community College announced in a June 13 press release that it is creating a new Division of Workforce and Innovation. Dr. Moore officially joined Yavapai on July 10, 2023 to lead that Division. Dr. Moore is currently the Vice President for Workforce Innovation at Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Florida. Dr. Moore has also been added to the leadership team.
In a surprising turn of events, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Diane Ryan, resigned from Yavapai Community College for unknown reasons. Her resignation was confirmed in a press release issued by the College in July 2023. Despite her relatively short tenure, having joined the institution on September 3, 2019, Dr. Ryan leaves behind an exemplary record of remarkable achievements. Following her resignation, the College announced that it would seek a Provost to replace her. It is assumed the new provost will take the seat of Dr. Ryan on the leadership team.
Leadership Team in fall 2022
Anticipated new leadership Team in fall 2023
Offered by OLLI with workshop to begin at 7 a.m. each day
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is offering a three-day “Plein Air Painting Workshop” at Yavapai Community College’s Sedona Center beginning August 1 at 7 a.m. The workshop will the directed by Dawn Sutherland. It will be run August 1-3.
Ms. Sutherland will demonstrate two basic approaches to beginning a painting, using a viewfinder, sketchpad, and thumbnail sketches, designing a good composition, and carrying it through to a nearly finished painting in each session. Topics taught throughout the workshop are values, shapes, and edges. How to capture a sense of distance and depth in a painting, plus working effectively with shadows will be stressed. Students should have good familiarity with their equipment and some previous painting and workshop experience.
Your legacy of achievement will serve as a testament to your exceptional leadership
In a surprising turn of events, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Diane Ryan, has tendered her resignation from Yavapai Community College, as confirmed by a recent press release issued by the College. Despite her relatively short tenure, having joined the institution on September 3, 2019, Dr. Ryan leaves behind an exemplary record of remarkable achievements.
Dr. Diane Ryan
Dr. Ryan’s departure comes as a shock to many, given her highly effective leadership during her time at Yavapai College. She spearheaded the development of several major initiatives, notably the Open Educational Resource (OER) program and the online Bachelor of Science program.
One of Dr. Ryan’s outstanding accomplishments was the introduction and implementation of the Open Educational Resource program, which has garnered unanimous praise from students, faculty, the administration, and the District Governing Board. This initiative aims to provide teaching and learning materials that are either in the public domain or released under a license that allows for their free use, modification, and sharing.
In November 2019, which was only two months after she was hired, Dr. Ryan was entrusted by Yavapai Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine with the responsibility of leading an initiative to reduce the cost of student textbooks. Dr. Ryan wasted no time and promptly unveiled her plans for the project at an Osher (OLLI) Brown Bag Buzz program on the Verde Campus. Her ambitious goal was to save each student up to $1,600 annually on textbook expenses.
Demonstrating her commitment, Dr. Ryan swiftly progressed with the development of the OER plan. By the February 2020 meeting of the Community College Governing Board, she reported that faculty members had already started training in the use of OER, with the expectation of implementing these materials in fall 2020.
The impact of Dr. Ryan’s diligent work was almost immediate. On September 14, 2021, College President Dr. Lisa Rhine informed the District Governing Board that the OER project had already saved students over $300,000. Since then, the savings on textbooks has only climbed.
Thanks to Dr. Ryan’s efforts in training faculty and implementing the cost reduction plan, the project received additional funding. In August 2022, Yavapai College announced the receipt of a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education Fund. These funds were intended for collaboration with seven other community colleges to further develop OER materials.
There is no doubt that Dr. Ryan’s unwavering commitment has resulted in huge savings for students, amounting to thousands of dollars in textbook costs.
In addition to the OER program, Dr. Ryan was also tasked with directing and developing the College’s online Bachelor of Science program. Once again, her dedication bore fruit. On January 11, 2023, Dr. Ryan announced the creation and approval of a four-year online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program, with all textbooks utilizing OER materials.
The Bachelor of Science program offers numerous benefits, with one noteworthy advantage being the absence of textbook costs throughout the four-year curriculum. Dr. Ryan assured the College that all required books for the entire program would be provided free of charge, thanks to the integration of Open Resources materials into the curriculum.
Dr. Ryan’s resignation is undoubtedly a significant loss for Yavapai Community College. As a highly respected leader, she has made invaluable contributions to the institution, earning the admiration and appreciation of students, faculty, staff, and the community at large. Her absence will be deeply felt, and her legacy of achievement will serve as a testament to her exceptional leadership.
Finally issued press release on June 29 knowing Blog had asked for accurate information in re her leaving on June 27 and 28 – but does not even have courtesy to send Blog the release
It is puzzling, isn’t it. Why did Yavapai Community College withhold information from the Blog when it contacted it on June 27 and 28 asking for information confirming the status of Dr. Diane Ryan? Was there some reason for the delay? For trying to hide the resignation? Umm?
Then, on June 29 the College finally issued a press release. However, it did not have the courtesy to send a copy to the Blog despite knowing the Blog had specifically asked for information. What reason or reasons are behind this kind of behavior? No one knows.
Here are the two emails sent by the Blog to the College asking for information that were not answered:
According to June 29 press release, Dr. Ryan’s resignation “was a surprise and unexpected decision”
Yavapai Community College in a June 29 press release (not furnished the Blog by the College) says that it will seek a Provost to replace Dr. Diane Ryan who resigned. President Dr. Lisa Rhine said Dr. Ryan’s resignation “was a surprise and unexpected decision.”
The press release issued by the College to local press but not to the Blog despite requests for information by the Blog, in part, reads as follows:
Prescott, Arizona (June 29, 2023) – Yavapai College seeks Provost to lead the Division of Academic Affairs. The transition is due to the decision by Dr. Diane Ryan to resign.
Dr. Janet Nix, Yavapai College Chief Human Resources Officer, will identify a firm that will conduct the national search, and a timeline of the process will be announced soon. In the interim, each member of the College’s executive leadership team will assume some of the duties and responsibilities of the Academic Affairs Division as the process is being defined and implemented.
“This was a surprise and unexpected decision. I respect Dr. Ryan’s decision to move on. I wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors. I also see this as a timely opportunity for the College to continue moving forward in a positive direction as we search for a new leader for academic affairs,” said Dr. Lisa Rhine, President of Yavapai College.
Over the past five years, the Division of Academic Affairs has made significant changes, including expanding the use of Open Educational Resources, which provides free textbooks and resources to students, and launching the college’s first baccalaureate degree in Business.
Why continue blatantly disregarding simple questions from residents and the media so it can maintain a total veil of secrecy over operations?
Editor, Robert Oliphant
Opinion: Yavapai Community College faces significant challenges due to its persistent lack of transparency and willingness to share meaningful information about its operations with the Sedona/Verde Valley residents and the wider Yavapai County community. This behavior, coupled with the District Governing Board’s complicity, is causing a myriad of problems for the institution.
Numerous instances highlight the College’s reluctance to provide essential information. For instance, the
former Third District representative, Paul Chevalier, had to resort to Arizona’s public records law to obtain information about a project in his own district. Moreover, the College has outright dismissed inquiries from media outlets and residents, opting to selectively respond to questions when it suits their interests.
The most recent example is the College’s refusal to address a straightforward request from residents regarding the employment status of Vice President Dr. Diane Ryan. Instead of promptly clarifying the situation when residents noticed her absence on the College’s website, the institution chose to ignore the query altogether, leading to confusion and frustration among the community.
This lack of transparency fosters a sense of widespread distrust among residents. Yavapai Community College plays a vital role in providing educational resources and opportunities to Yavapai County, and its failure to be transparent undermines the public’s trust and faith in the institution. By concealing information, the College inadvertently creates a breeding ground for misinformation, as residents seek answers from unreliable sources, leading to a distorted understanding of its activities and decisions.
As a taxpayer-supported institution, Yavapai Community College has a duty to prioritize the interests of its residents. A transparent approach, characterized by open communication and cooperation, is essential in demonstrating the College’s commitment to the community it serves. Residents have a right to be informed about the College’s inner workings, especially when it directly impacts their lives and educational opportunities.
To rebuild trust and foster a positive relationship with Sedona/Verde Valley and County residents, Yavapai Community College must embrace transparency. Addressing residents’ concerns promptly and providing accurate and detailed information will begin to restore faith in the institution’s operations. Transparent communication is not only vital for good governance but also a crucial step towards strengthening the bond between the college and its residents throughout Yavapai County.
The College must recognize that its current lack of openness generates a host of problems that can be detrimental to its own success. By adopting a more transparent and cooperative stance, the College can rectify the situation, dispel misinformation, and put an end to damaging rumors. Genuine engagement and open communication about its operations will enable the college to fulfill its purpose as a valuable educational institution, benefiting both the Sedona/Verde Valley community and the entire County.
Officials refuse to make any comment until June 29 as VP Ryan’s position is suddenly posted as “vacant”; Third District Governing Board Representative also had no comment
It appears that Yavapai Community College has lost one of its most esteemed members of the College’s leadership team, Dr. Diane Ryan. As the Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Ryan played a pivotal role in spearheading various initiatives that significantly impacted the institution. Although making no official announcement prior to June 29 when a press release was issued, the College posted the following notice on its executive leadership website page (click here to see page.)
The residents of Yavapai County are left to wonder whether Dr. Ryan took a new job at another school, was demoted to another position, fired, or simply retired. Speculation and rumor abound as College keeps lid of secrecy over the posting of her position as “vacant” with no explanation to the public.
Ryan, who was the Vice President of Academic Affairs, led the College’s enormously successful endeavor to introduce and develop the educational resources (OER) textbook program. This innovative program has already saved students thousands of dollars in textbook costs. The positive impact of this initiative will continue to benefit students for years to come
Under Dr. Ryan’s adept guidance, the College also achieved a major milestone with the development and approval of a four-year online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program. This program opens up new opportunities for students seeking to pursue higher education and aligns with the institution’s commitment to meeting evolving educational needs.
In light of Dr. Ryan’s apparent sudden departure as Vice President, the Blog reached out to Yavapai Community College for comment. Unfortunately, the College Public Relations unit declined to provide any information regarding her departure, leaving the circumstances surrounding her exit unclear. The Blog also sought input from Toby Payne, the newly appointed Sedona/Verde Valley Representative on the Yavapai Community College Governing Board, however, he too declined any comment.
Dr. Diane Ryan’s contributions to Yavapai Community College from 2019 when she was hired to 2023 are significant. Her visionary leadership and dedication have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the educational landscape of Yavapai Community College. As the college moves forward, one hopes it will strive to build upon the strong foundation laid by Dr. Ryan and her tireless contributions.