To reach official Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) designation, College must read full time equivalent student population of 25%.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has named Yavapai Community College as an Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution. The College has repeatedly indicated a desire to become an official Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), which is designated by the U.S. Department of Education. However, to be designed as such, it must reach a full-time equivalent Hispanic student population of 25%.

Over the last several years, the College has increased its efforts to  serve the Hispanic communities in Yavapai County. The efforts include increased outreach and participation in community events, increasing academic and personal support services, career coaching, developing more access to resources, and creating a better sense of belonging through activities for first-generation college students, among others.

Being named an emerging HSI is important.  It affords the College with opportunities to further its efforts by providing the college with additional Hispanic student leadership programs, webinars and learning opportunities, conferences, and other benefits and resources.

Once full HSI status is achieved, Yavapai College will join 572 other HSIs throughout the United States and will become eligible for federal funding opportunities.

Claims Community College programs supported 3,315 jobs (approximately one in every 33 jobs) in Yavapai County during that period

The Arizona Community College Coordinating Council engaged Lightcast, a private analytics firm, to conduct an economic impact study on state community colleges for the year 2021-22.  The results regarding employment and economic impact on Yavapai County were given to Yavapai Community College in a report dated  August 20, 2023. (Click here to read August document.) 

The report was later featured in a press release from  the Community College dated January 10, 2024. According to Lightcast’s report,  it found that Yavapai College added a total of $203.7 million in income to the County economy during that time. That figure includes the Community College’s multiple roles as major employer – with payroll and operational expenditures – and local investor ($1.3 million in construction investments), as well as the impact of Yavapai’s Community College students spending locally ($10.2 million) and Yavapai Community College’s-trained personnel in the workforce ($149.2 million). The combined value is equal to approximately 2.2% of Yavapai County’s gross regional product (GRP).

Lightcast estimated that Yavapai College and its programs supported 3,315 jobs (approximately one in every 33 jobs) in Yavapai County during that period. 

You may read the full press release from the Community College by clicking here.

Associate Vice President for Health Sciences at Yavapai Community College

Dr. Marylou Mercado

Dr. Marylou Mercado, Associate Vice President for Health Sciences at Yavapai Community College, was selected by the 2024 Arizona Women in Higher Education organization as its 2024 Woman of the year.   Dr. Marylou Mercado is a Hispanic first-generation community college graduate and recently completed a Doctor of Education in 2018.

In its announcement, AWHE said the following about Dr. Mercado:

Throughout Dr. Mercado’s journey as a non-traditional student, she has had women in the roles of professors and administrative assistants walk alongside and stand with her through every challenge, offering encouragement so that she could complete her educational goals for quality of life. After spending 28 years in the community college environment, Dr. Mercado believes that education is the empowerment and equalizer of overcoming societal inequalities. Helping students achieve their educational goals and fostering leadership qualities and abilities in women are paramount to her role and responsibilities in higher education. She is passionate about seeing women become all they desire to be by investing time with them, hearing their concerns, understanding their visions and goals, and providing resources so that they may achieve all they are meant to achieve in fulfilling their destiny. For Dr. Mercado, there is no greater joy.

Congratulations to Dr. Mercado!

Vice President Jenkins named chair of selection committee

Chair, Rodney Jenkins

Earlier this week, Dr. Lisa Rhine, President of Yavapai Community College, announced the commencement of the search for candidates to fill the role of Provost. In her communication with the faculty, Dr. Rhine revealed that the College has partnered with Cizek Associates, based in Phoenix, to assist in this process. Additionally, she designated Rodney Jenkins, Vice President of Community Relations & Student Development, as the chairperson of the selection committee.

Comprising of three faculty members, three staff representatives, and three administrators, the selection committee will spearhead this crucial process. Following their evaluation, the committee typically provides a list of three or four candidates to choose from.

Dr. Rhine indicated in her communication that the College will institute a mechanism for soliciting input on the candidates from the College once they are announced. It may be that input from the community will be sought at that point, a process the College has traditionally followed.

Provost has team of 13 and oversees Strategic Initiatives, Academics and Instruction, Instructional Support, Lifelong Learning, and the Performing Arts Center – Reports directly to the College president

Yavapai Community College has launched its search for its newly created position of Provost to replace former Vice President Dr. Diane Ryan.  Dr. Ryan resigned unexpectedly June 29 from the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs. 

According to the College, the Provost  will serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and direct its academic programs.  The Provost will also oversee Strategic Initiatives, Academics and Instruction, Instructional Support, Lifelong Learning, and the Performing Arts Center.  The Provost will be accountable for ensuring accreditations, curriculum development, assessment processes, transfer articulation, general education, community education, and dual credit programming.

A portion of the position, as listed by the Community College, appears below. Click here if you prefer to review the entire position description as listed.  

POSITION SUMMARY

Location: Prescott, AZ | Job Type: Full Time | Job Number: 2023-00452 | Department: President’s Office

Opening Date: 07/27/2023

The Provost serves as part of the Executive Leadership Team and directs the academic programs of the institution in matters pertaining to student success and support in conjunction with the Chief Workforce Innovation Officer (CWIO).

Reporting directly to the President, the Provost leads five direct reports and a team of thirteen.

The position oversees Strategic Initiatives, Academics and Instruction, Instructional Support, Lifelong Learning, and the Performing Arts Center and sustains excellence in all aspects of educational offerings. The Provost provides dynamic leadership and administrative oversight to the college academic departments and academic support services with the members of the Executive Leadership Team, planning, policy and budget development, and management for a comprehensive academic affairs program to meet the needs of a diverse, growing student body. Overall responsibilities include academic planning, bringing vision and strategic leadership to a broad range of key initiatives including enrollment management, online learning, utilization of open educational resources and development of an integrated learning core that connects academic and student service operations and initiatives to improve student access, retention, progression and completion.

The Provost will be accountable for ensuring accreditations, curriculum development, assessment processes, transfer articulation, general education, community education, and dual credit programming. In this capacity, they also provide oversight for Academic Divisions such as Arts and Humanities; Professional Programs and Visual and Performing Arts; Math, Science, and Computer Technology and Instructional Support. In addition, the Provost will represent the College on state and local educational organizations, Boards and committees as assigned.

Minimum Expectations & Requirements

• • • Earned Master’s degree from a regionally accredited post-secondary institution
    • Three (3) or more years’ experience at the Vice President level or equivalent in academic affairs in higher education
    • Five (5) or more years of progressive responsibility for instructional, administrative leadership experience in a higher education institution, including the supervision, evaluation, and mentoring of Staff and Faculty
    • Track record in effective strategic leadership, demonstrated by tangible and measurable outcomes • Budget management experience, including resource allocation, strategic planning and implementation
    • Experience in accreditation, curriculum development and delivery formats, assessment, and instructional program evaluation

Preferred Skills & Abilities

Earned Doctorate degree from a regionally accredited post-secondary institution

Proven ability to thrive in a progressive, forward-thinking, high-energy and highly collaborative work environment

Teaching experience, preferably at a community college

Experience working with/for Governing Boards

Proven excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, and a demonstrated commitment to student success

Visionary, servant leader with a history of collaborative relationships and inclusive leadership and management style

Experience in program development, strategic planning and ensuring accountability among individuals or teams

Committed student-centered leader who exemplifies sound judgment, creativity, openness, flexibility, integrity, introspection, resourcefulness, and humility

Data-informed decision-maker with a high degree of emotional intelligence

Demonstrates a strong awareness of current pedagogical trends, technological advancements, and potential future opportunities.

Proven history of successfully guiding, coaching, and advancing staff to higher levels of performance and achievement.

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