Says although promises were not specific, point was in meeting with former president years ago that Verde Valley would be given much greater consideration than it had in the past; however, promises went largely unfulfilled; hopes for brighter future with the new president

Former Sedona Vice Mayor Ernie Strauch, who has spent years working for Sedona in a number of positions (many of which were volunteer), reflected to the District Governing Board at its April 23 meeting on a gathering between a group of citizens (including Mr. Strauch) and the former Yavapai Community College president.  He said that during that meeting that while promises from the former president were not necessarily specific, he came away from the meeting believing that the Verde Valley would be receiving much greater consideration from her than it had in the past.

He said that “I’m here today sorry to indicate that I feel those promises have been largely unfulfilled.” 

Strauch thanked the College for the culinary effort at the Sedona Center. However, he begged the Governing Board and new president  “to give additional consideration [to the Verde Valley.]”  He also said that he had heard “wonderful things” about the new president and hoped “this time around we’ll get a little more consideration.” He made it clear he was talking about CTE in the Verde Valley.

You may view all of Mr. Strauch’s short speech to the Governing Board in the clip below.

Laments loss of Campus vibrancy; sees CTE as critical to future success in the Verde Valley

Jane Russell-Winiecki, Chair Yavapai-Apache Nation, warmly welcomed Yavapai Community College’s new president, Dr. Lisa Rhine, to the Verde Valley at the Governing Board’s April 23 meeting.  In her presentation, Chair Russell-Winiecki provided the Board with a short history of the Nation and recalled a time when she visited the Verde Campus and described it as “vibrant” with a great deal going on.

She said that on her recent visits to the Campus she often saw only one or two people.  She hoped that could change.

She also said that in the past the Yavapai-Apache Nation had sent “many many” students to Yavapai Community College.  This includes her son, who is now a professor at Dartmouth College.  She noted that the Nation supports its children with hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships.  However, because of reduced classes being offered at Yavapai, most of that money is being spent elsewhere.

With 38 percent of the Nation’s population under 21, Ms. Russell-Winiecki expressed the hope that a way could be found for those youngsters to attend Yavapai Community College.

You may view her entire presentation in the video clip below.

Lauds College for the Culinary Arts and Hospitality programs at the Sedona Center 

Mayor Sandy Moriarty

Sedona Mayor Sandy Moriarty delivered a letter written by her on behalf of the Sedona City Council at the April 23 Governing Board meeting. In the letter she urged the College to consider developing a dedicated Career and Technical Education Center in the Verde Valley.

The mayor wrote that the educational opportunities provided by the  Community College  plays a “significant role in creating and sustaining healthy and vibrant communities.”   She said that the Culinary Arts and hospitality programs at the Sedona Center are excellent examples of “supporting our local economy by providing career and technical education skills.” 

She also emphasized that there are other opportunities in the Verde Valley that would be “greatly enhanced” by a dedicated CTE facility. 

You may view her presentation and reading of the letter to the Governing Board in the video clip below.

Lauds Community College efforts in renovating Building “L” but urges greater focus on the “trades”

Cottonwood Mayor Tim Elinski

Cottonwood Mayor Tim Elinski spoke to the Governing Board at its April 23 meeting on the Verde Valley Campus and offered his full cooperation to the College in developing Career and Technical Education in the east region of the County. 

He commented that the City had a “lot of projects that are kicking off soon” including housing projects but the area does not have a sufficient workforce.  But “we’re doing all we can to be sure that we have workforce ready kids” for those projects.

He said there was a real shortage of trained trades men and women and that “we’re reaching a crisis.”  He said that he wanted to extend whatever he could do to the Board and the President to provide opportunities for students and to the extent possible partner with the  College.

Mayor Elinski lauded  the Community College for its efforts in renovating Building “L” for the nursing program but emphasized a need to focus more on “trade specific programs.”

You may view all of his three minute presentation to the Governing Board below.