One of only 41 collegiate programs in the national initiative

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected Yavapai Community College’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program for their Collegiate Training Initiative. This is a  distinguished partnership of drone training programs nationwide.

In making the announcement, the Community College wrote that “The FAA’s UAS-CTI program recognizes institutions that prepare students for careers in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones.” The official FAA statement said. “In order to qualify for the initiative, schools must offer a bachelor’s or associates degree in UAS or a degree with a minor, concentration, or certificate in UAS. Schools must provide curriculum covering various aspects of UAS training, including hands-on flight practice, maintenance, uses, applications, privacy concerns, safety, and federal policies concerning UAS.”

The announcement makes Yavapai College’s drone program one of 41 collegiate programs in the national initiative. “This opportunity is going to provide more exposure to our students and our program,” YC Aerospace Science Professor Matt Mintzmyer said, “which will ultimately lead to more jobs and options for graduates of our program.”

CTI members will work with the FAA, as well as industry and government leaders, to develop training that coincides with emerging labor force needs. The collaboration will ensure that Yavapai College’s UAS students graduate with a state-of-the-art skill set that helps them pursue successful careers in drone production and operation and other related fields.

Established in 2016, Yavapai College’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program instructs students in the design, production, piloting and repair of drones. From its home on YC’s Career and Technical Education Campus near the Prescott airport, UAS students fly specialized industrial missions to learn the ever-expanding uses of drone technology. Yavapai College drones have flown a wide variety of community missions; photographing homes for real estate companies, inspecting solar panels for defects or agricultural fields for drought or drainage issues, or assisting first responders with the logistics of search and rescue.

Source:  https://www.yc.edu/v6/news//2020/09/DroneFAACert.html Yavapai Community College public relations announcement.

Arizona Eastern Star Foundation and the Yavapai College Foundation join in $2,500 grant to support increased training for service dogs and handlers

Yavapai Community College offers certification programs in Therapy and Service Dog Team Skills, and Service Dog training at its Chino Valley Center.   These programs are described as providing foundational and advanced training. The College says they offer  homegrown participants the opportunity “to train with their canine companions.” One may take up to  24 credits in the program.

The Community College recently announced that the Arizona Eastern Star Foundation and the Yavapai College Foundation together awarded the canine program a $2,500 grant to support increased training for service dogs and handlers. 

“There’s definitely a need for a program like this,” said Anita Wulf, Past Matron and Service Dog Chairman of Arizona Eastern Star’s Golden Rule Chapter 1. “There are so many people who need a service dog who can’t afford one.”

Demand for service dogs – and the access and independence they offer – has been booming. But thousands of disabled Americans across the country lack the funding to acquire one. Yavapai Community College is believed to be one of the few, possibly the only community college, that offers a program directed at meeting these needs.

The Arizona Eastern Star Foundation’s grant will go directly to the Sage Canine Scholarship Fund, named after a local rescue dog. Sage was adopted by Yavapai Community College’s Canine Program Director Andrea Lloyd and became a model training partner for human and canine students alike.

The courses offered  during various semesters by the Community College appear below.

Are working jointly  to obtain grants to support the effort; City Manager also says they are working on providing possible transportation to CTE site if chosen closer to Camp Verde

Cottonwood City Manager, Ron Corbin, briefly discussed a small gymnasium project involving the City and Yavapai Community College at the May 21 city budget meeting. 

Corbin said that the City is working with Yavapai College to obtain a grant to support development of a small gymnasium project in the City’s recreation center.   He also said that the City had talked with Verde Dean Tina Redd about providing transportation for students should the College decide to construct a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center nearer Camp Verde. According to Corbin, the City seems prepared to offer bus transportation to the CTE site if one is chosen.

The information supplied the City Council by Mr. Corbin did not contain any specifics.  You may view Mr. Corbin’s brief comments about working with Yavapai Community College on these two projects  in the video clip below.

Yavapai Community College has donated 100 pounds of  student-cultivated tomatoes and cucumbers to the Navajo Nation.  The Nation has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The idea of donating the food to the Nation came from Yavapai Community College Horticulture Professor Justin Brereton. It was the result of him hearing about the plight of the nation. Well done Professor Brereton and all the students who helped grow the tomatoes and cucumbers this past semester.