Prescott students stay in residence halls; Verde Students drive to school each day; program enrolled 25 when 48 has been the historic but never attained goal
The LEAD program at Yavapai Community College has just completed its fourth year in offering an eight-week campus experience for 25 students. It began June 4 and ended July 26. Once accepted, a student’s tuition is free and the student is offered two college credit courses on Monday and Wednesday for eight weeks. Books are included without charge.
The program also includes free tutoring, study skill instruction, mentoring and academic advising.
The program was created in 2015 by former College Vice President for Instruction and Student Development, Dr. Stuart Blacklaw. When asked about the program, he explained that “the LEAD seeks to create an environment that leads to a successful start in college. Some students have no trouble moving from high school graduation in the spring to college matriculation in the fall. Others find those intervening months filled with distractions. The LEAD program is designed to move college-minded students directly to campus after high school graduation, before life elements deter them from their college aspirations.”
The program is offered at both the Verde Valley and Prescott campuses. However, there is one big difference between the settings of the program: On-campus housing and meal plans are provided for students participating at the Prescott campus. No housing is provided for students participating on the Verde Campus. Participants are responsible for their transportation to and from the program – any transportation required during program activities is provided.
The Blog remains concerned that all 48 possible seats, the historic goal, were not filled in any of four years of the program. This is a concern because the program can apparently provide the kind of educational lift that may be of significant benefit for many in the underserved population of students. This is a group that outgoing president Penelope Wills and others claim they are particularly concerned about.
You may read about some of the positive LEAD student reactions to this year’s program in an article written by Bill Helm that appeared in the Camp Verde Bugle July 25 by clicking here.