Unclear if idea will be expanded to the Sedona/Verde Valley side of Mingus Mountain
The Yavapai College Student Government Association (SGA) opened a free professional clothing shop in April for students on the Prescott Campus. According to the College’s press release, President Dr. Lisa Rhine was the catalyst for the business-clothing shop, “planting the seed” in mentoring meetings with SGA leaders who noted the difficulty some students face affording professional attire for job interviews and other occasions.
“Dr. Rhine’s idea was not just about clothes, it was about confidence, about breaking barriers and about empowering students to present their best selves in a professional setting,” said Jamie Oltersdorf, former SGA President, during the grand-opening event. “The Student Government Association took this idea to heart. We saw the potential, the need, the difference it could make. What started as a small collection of business attire has grown into Ruff’s Closet – a testament to what we can achieve when we come together for a common cause.”
Much of the initial clothing in was donated by Community College faculty and staff, “a team of student volunteers ushered the project, securing college leadership support and donations of shelving, racks, decorations, signage and other items needed to make the apparel shop appealing and inviting. A number of area businesses, including JC Penney, generously donated supplies to the closet.”
The shop is open from noon to 7 p.m. weekdays for student shoppers and to take donations of new, gently used and clean business clothing and shoes from everyone. It is located in Room 125A in Building 3 on the Prescott Campus.
There was no indication one way or the other in the press release about possible expansion of the project to the Verde Campus or the Sedona Center.
On Wednesday afternoon, July 10, Yavapai Community College will hold an open house at its Prescott Valley Center for learning about healthcare careers. The Center is located at 3800 North Glassford Hill Road, Prescott Valley. The Open House will run for two hours from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
On June 15, 2024, Manzanita Outreach and Yavapai Community College partnered in a Healthy cooking class created by Faculty Director of Culinary Arts, Chef Carl Miller, and Chef Eric Seif. The purpose of the one-day class was to learn to cook four dishes, all of which utilized fresh items provided in the Manzanita Outreach food assistance boxes it delivers throughout the County.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
