Dean Redd publicly reveals the incredible pressure she was placed under by Prescott bosses who apparently feared some vague kind of collusion against them if she worked with certain citizens and civic leaders
Editor: Robert E. Oliphant
OPINION. It is little wonder that former Sedona Center/Verde Campus Dean Dr. Tina Redd quit her job after only one year. In information just provided to the public, she describes, among other things, the enormous pressure she experienced because her Prescott-based bosses did not want her to consort or communicate with certain groups or civic leaders in the Verde Valley. She was to stay away from these people even if they voiced legitimate concerns, wanted to work with her, respected, and were fond of her.
Dr. Redd outlined her situation in a letter sent to the Yavapai Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine. She wrote that: “My team and I have successfully increased educational opportunities in the Verde Valley, created a better work environment for Verde faculty and staff, and made good progress in creating stronger relationships between Yavapai College and Verde Valley stakeholders.” However, “Despite this, I have experienced stressful, disheartening, and challenging work dynamics that have limited my potential and created unacceptable levels of work-related stress.”
In the same letter, Dr. Redd explained how hostility coming from Prescott execs toward some in the Valley was directly affecting her work: “I feel there is general hostility toward the politically-active constituents in the Verde Valley that impedes my ability to represent and support the community.”
The “politically-active constituents” she refers to are apparently those residents and civic leaders who publicly speak out about concerns of a lack of classes, attention, and a 50-year failure of development in Sedona and the Verde Valley.
And her worst sin. She was “respected” and “liked” by the politically active constituents, concerned citizens, civic leaders, and others throughout the east side of the County.
Dr. Redd explained in her letter the consequences she perceived coming from her Prescott-based bosses because she received this kind of respect from all quarters in Sedona and the Verde Valley: “I often feel that being respected and liked in the Verde Valley is seen as collusion with citizens and civic leaders who are vocal about their concerns regarding college programming and taxpayer contributions.”
Think of it. A public servant working tirelessly for a publicly supported taxpayer institution whose bosses apparently feared she might somehow collude with politically active local residents and civic leaders and challenge their iron fisted authoritarian control. What a childish view coming from Prescott. What a dreadful situation for her. Her bosses were not only hostile toward certain Valley residents they considered “politically active” but also considered Dr. Redd as possibly “colluding” in some fantasy against them because she was popular among these and other Valley residents.
Collusion. Hostility. Disrespect. These are the ingredients of a recipe cooked up by insecure Prescott bosses most likely designed to maintain total control over Dr. Redd and ensure total control over community college development in the Verde Valley. It is a recipe that would drive any principled person from the Dean’s job.
The disclosures have made two things crystal clear: First, Valley residents can be assured that Dr. Redd’s permanent replacement will be a lacky to her Prescott bosses, their whims, and ways. That person will be on a constant hot seat to ensure as much as possible that certain residents and civic leaders voices are not heard and that they play no role in their own local community college.
Second, Valley residents can likewise be assured that as long as Prescott maintains its ruthless control of community college development on the east side of the County via messages sent by them and mouthed by a newly hired, closely monitored Dean, there will be little serious attention paid to the real present and long-term educational needs on that side of Mingus Mountain.
Robert Oliphant.
The face-to-face summer session enrollment at the Verde Valley Campus and Sedona Center for credit courses shows a disappointing number being offered and a similar disappointing response to enrolling in several of them. That is what the Blog derived when examining the Community College registration data on the first day of classes, June 6. 
YC SOCCER “MINI” SKILLS CAMP Ages 5-8, (Grades K-3rd) Week 1. Monday, June 6th – Thursday, June 9th. KEN LINDLEY PARK, 702 E Gurley St. Prescott, AZ 86301 ($85 for 4 days **cost includes: T-shirt, instruction, fun and competitive games with opportunities to win prizes. Daily Rate Available = $25/day up to 3 days + optional T-shirt purchase $10; Cost includes instruction, fun and competitive games with opportunities to win prizes.
Yavapai College E-Sports Camp 4th – 12th Grade Session 1. Monday, June 13th – Thursday, June 16th. ESPORTS GAMING ARENA (19-215), 1100 East Sheldon Street, Building 19, Room 215, Prescott, AZ 86301. Yavapai College E-Sports Camp is designed to facilitate a healthy environment for casual players to play video games and socialize while providing lunch and outdoor activities within the safety of the Yavapai College Campus. Camp will begin at 10 AM, with an early drop off option, and end at 4 PM, with a late pick-up option. Camp will include free play time and individual instruction on what it means to respect the game and the players. Players will be encouraged to practice the GLHF (Good Luck Have Fun) or GGWP (Good Game Well Played) mentality. Players will be instructed by Yavapai College E-Sports Head Coach and supported by Varsity Players. Games preloaded include – Valorant, Minecraft, Roblox, League of Legends, Overwatch, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Mario Kart and more!.
Yavapai Community College’s Performing Arts Center is in its second year of providing the “Concerts on the Green” series of cultural programs in Prescott Valley. Last year, which was the first year of PAC’s “Concerts in the Green” series, was very successful. It is hoped that this year’s programs will find similar acceptance and praise.
Yavapai Community College announced at the May 17 Governing Board meeting that it was ending an award of canine certificates in three areas: Canine Care and Handling, Service Dog Therapy, and Service Dog Team Skills. Low enrollment was given as the excuse for dropping the certificates.
Yavapai Community College President, Dr. Lisa Rhine, reported at the May 17 Governing Board meeting that the College graduated 1,133 students in spring commencement ceremonies held in Sedona and Prescott. Those students were awarded a total of 1,487 degrees and certificates.
record. After winning the NJCAA Division 1 Softball Championship, they moved to the NJCAA tournament in Yuma, Arizona. On May 25 the team fell 4-3 in its first contest against No. 7 seed McLennan Community College and dropped to the loser’s bracket in the tournament, setting up an elimination game against the No. 9 seed College of Southern Idaho. The Roughriders rebounded against Southern Idaho with a 3-0 victory, eliminating the Golden Eagles. The split moves Yavapai’s overall record this season to 56-5.
Dr. Rhine also reported that summer enrollment was up from 2021. According to her, so far the College is 7.8 percent up in student credit hours and 11.4% in student headcount when compared to summer 2021. In addition, early fall enrollment figures are trending in double digit numbers over fall 2021.