Will cover academics, athletics, campus life and more

Yavapai Community College launched a weekly podcast in October, aiming to cover a wide range of topics, including academics, athletics, campus life, and more. You can listen to a podcast by clicking here.

Each episode features conversations with campus leaders, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members. So far, the College has released three episodes. The first is an interview with President Dr. Lisa Rhine, who discusses Yavapai College’s role in workforce development and community enrichment. The second episode features Dr. Marylou Mercado, who addresses how the College is meeting the community’s workforce needs. In the third, Dr. Doug Berry explores student empowerment and the latest innovations at Yavapai College.

There were 10 non-arrest referrals for alcohol violations (nine in Prescott dorms) and three referrals for drug violations (two in Prescott dorms). There was one case of intimidation reported at the Prescott campus in 2023 and a similar report in 2021 at the Verde Valley Campus

The Yavapai Community College Police Department released its annual safety and security report in October, revealing minimal criminal activity leading to arrests across both campuses and four centers during the reporting period.

The report highlights 10 non-arrest situations in 2023 involving alcohol violations, nine of which pertained to residence hall students. Additionally, three non-arrest situations related to drug violations were recorded, with two incidents involving residence hall students. One case of intimidation was also reported on the Prescott Campus in 2023 and one similar report in 2021 at the Verde Valley Campus.

For more details, please refer to the full report reproduced below that was prepared by the Campus Police Department, which outlines arrests and non-arrest referrals over the past three years.

West County residents (Prescott, Prescott Valley) receive special opportunities for cultural enrichment; Sedona and Verde Valley residents left pretty much on their own

Even before the fall 2024 semester began, Yavapai Community College initiated its cultural learning mission with an impressive lineup at the Performing Arts Center on the Prescott Campus. These events, allegedly aligned with the College’s mission, are expected to attract over a thousand attendees at a time to the Performing Arts Center.

While these outstanding programs primarily benefit the residents of Prescott and Prescott Valley, the College faces challenges in offering similar opportunities in the Sedona/Verde Valley area and other more semi-rural or rural areas in the County. It has yet to overcome those challenges. This has been the case for the past few decades.

Shown below are the major programs announced for August at the Performing Arts Center.

The College Mission “Yavapai College enriches our community by providing accessible, quality workforce, transfer, lifelong, and cultural learning opportunities.”

30-day, $25,000 matching grant donation to help with scholarships and operations

The Yavapai Community College Foundation has announced a 30-day, $25,000 matching grant donation challenge to help with scholarships and operations of the Del E. Webb Family Enrichment Center (FEC). The challenge is a result of a generous donation from Yavapai Community College District Governing Board member, Ray Sigafoos.

The donation described by the Community College in its press release, as slightly edited, follows below:

With this donation, every dollar contributed to the FEC through August 13 will be matched up to $25,000, effectively doubling the impact of any community member’s donation.

The FEC is a child development center located on the Prescott campus of Yavapai College. It provides a safe, nurturing, child-centered program that focuses on promoting children’s learning. As a laboratory school, the FEC provides a setting for Yavapai College early childhood education students to develop the skills and competencies necessary for careers with young children. Learn more about the FEC online at www.yc.edu/fec.

“We are deeply grateful for the generous matching donation from Ray Sigafoos,” said Victoria Sweet, Director of the Del E. Webb Family Enrichment Center. “His support not only bolsters our operating budget, but also provides scholarships for children in need of care. This contribution will have a profound impact on our staff and the children we serve, fostering excellence throughout our center.”

Ray Sigafoos is the present District 1 representative on the District Governing Board. He has been  a member since 2005. He is a graduate of NAU and has been a licensed Certified Public Accountant since 1971. He has served on the boards of a number of institutions over the years, including the Prescott Fine Arts Association, the Phippen Art Museum, the Primavera School, the Yavapai Community Hospital Association, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

“I was Board Chair in 2007 when the FEC was dedicated,” said Sigafoos. “During my dedication speech I donated $2,000 and challenged the board to make a similar donation. As to the recent challenge, I have the ability and desire to see that FEC continues in its mission. I hope that the challenge is successful.”

“How exciting it is to have a donor want to make such a personal impact for the Del E. Webb Family Enrichment Center,” said Community College Executive Director Mary Talosi. “Hopefully, this will encourage the community to join Mr. Sigafoos in his endeavor to support the Center, the early childhood development program, the faculty, staff and most importantly, the children of the FEC.”

Those wishing to donate to the FEC may do so online at www.yc.edu/FEC25K.

Tuesday’s meeting will be held in the Community Room 19-147 on the Prescott Campus beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Yavapai Community College has made a last minute change in the location for Tuesday’s taxation hearings.  Originally scheduled in published newspaper notices for the Rock House on the Prescott Campus, it has been changed as of Saturday, May 18 to the Community Room 19-147 on the Prescott Campus. 

The start time for the meeting remains 1:00 p.m.

New officers will join law enforcement agencies across the state

Yavapai Community College, in a press release dated December 12, 2023, announced that 27 law enforcement recruits trained at the College’s Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy in Prescott participated in the traditional swearing-in and badge-pinning ceremony at the Prescott campus earlier this month.

At the ceremony, Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine thanked the recruits for stepping into a difficult role during uncertain times. She said, “To say that it’s a very difficult time to be a police officer is truly an understatement. Thank you for your selfless decision to protect and serve and to take on the risks and demanding responsibility for all of us to live in a safe and secure community.”

Prescott Valley Police Chief Bob Ticer delivered the keynote address, congratulating them for the life of integrity it took to volunteer to join what he described as the “most noble profession on the face of the earth.”

The following are the NARTA Class 55 graduates and the police agencies they are joining:

Arturo Castillo, Jr., and Jason Tyler Ehlert, Chino Valley Police Department

Benjamin Samuel Bruner, Christian Brady Carter, Aaron Joseph Cote and Jennifer Jane Glover, Prescott Valley Police Department

Brandon Kalani Kawainui Callio, Page Police Department

Casey Sky Dragos, Camp Verde Marshal’s Office

Christopher Flowers, Nicholas William Hamilton, Douglas Allen Harwood, Nicholas David McKay, Brian Lee Sutton and Luis Alejandro Terrazas, Prescott Police Department

Michael Andrew Bentley, Oro Valley Police Department

Oscar Molina Teran, Payson Police Department

Richard James Avery, Bradley James Bartell, Jaden Elliot-Kai Berney and Tyler Jon Slim, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office

Travis Steven O’Donnal, Ryan Hunter Palmer and Corey James Tousley, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office

Ty Matthew Furr and Steele Domingo Salinas, Flagstaff Police Department

Victor Esteven Rodriguez, Maricopa Police Department

Zachary Joseph MacGregor, Jerome Police Department

Source: Yavapai Community College press release by JJ McCormack dated Dec. 12, 2023.