President Penelope Wills’ Enrollment Philosophy Criticized
Paul Chavalier
The Chair of the Verde Valley Board Advisory Board criticized the enrollment philosophy being followed by Yavapai Community College President Penelope Wills. In an article in the Cottonwood Journal Extra of July 6, 2016 Mr. Paul Chavalier told reporter Zachery Jernigan that Wills’ philosophy of matching the percentage of spending to percentage of enrollment had ensured poor funding for the Verde Valley.
According to the article, when enrollment in the Verde Valley declined from 30 percent of total enrollment to 15 percent, the decrease ensured poor funding for the Verde Valley. Consequently, the number of classes declined and facilities such as the Sedona Center have gone unused.
Chavalier also suggested that relationships between the College and Northern Arizona Healthcare Verde Valley Medical Center have been damaged by efforts to cut careers programs that contribute to a qualified workforce.
The full article has not as yet been posted online.