Archive for ADMINISTRATION – Page 5

KUDOS TO VP DIANE RYAN FOR HER TREMENDOUS SUCCESS WITH DEVELOPING THE USE OF OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES COURSE MATERIALS, WHICH ARE NOW SAVING STUDENTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN BOOK COSTS

Put in charge of OER development in 2019, Ryan’s accomplishment stands out as new four-year Bachelor of Science program announced it will use all free open source textbooks in all four years

In November 2019, Yavapai Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine tasked Dr. Diane Ryan with leading the initiative to lower the cost of student textbooks. At an Osher Brown Bag Buzz program on the Verde Campus, Dr. Ryan announced the plan to utilize open educational resources (OER) for course materials in an effort to reduce costs. The program, if successful, could save students up to $1,600 annually on textbook expenses.

Dr. Diane Ryan

The initiative was a part of President Dr. Lisa Rhine’s effort to make post-secondary education available to everyone in the County at the lowest possible cost. It was estimated in 2019 that the OER program would take from three to four years before it was fully implemented.

After taking charge, Dr. Ryan quickly moved forward with developing the OER plan. At the February 2020 meeting of the Community College Governing Board, she informed the Board that faculty had already begun training in the use of OER and expected some classes to use these materials in fall 2020.

Dr. Ryan’s cost reduction plan made a noticeable impact on the cost of student textbooks in just one year. On September 14, 2021, College President Dr. Lisa Rhine reported to the District Governing Board that the project has already saved students over $300,000.

As Dr. Ryan progressed with training faculty and implementing the cost reduction plan, the project received additional funding. In August 2022, the College announced that it was awarded a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education Fund. The funds were to be used in partnership with seven other community colleges to further develop OER materials.

Dr. Ryan’s success with developing OER was demonstrated on January 11, 2023, when she announced that the Community College had created and approved a four-year online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program. The B.S. program was also developed under Dr. Ryan’s guidance.

The Bachelor of Science program offers many benefits, one of which is the cost of textbooks for the entire four-year program. Dr. Ryan announced that all books for all four years will be free. This is made possible by the use of Open Resources materials that have been integrated into the curriculum, thanks to her efforts.

Kudos to Dr. Ryan for her outstanding work on OER! 

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE DEL E. WEBB FAMILY ENRICHMENT CENTER EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZED FOR RESCUING TODDLER EXPERIENCING LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY

Karely Rodriguez and Melissa Markgraf honored for “uncommon heroism” at a December 12 ceremony

Karely Rodriguez and Melissa Markgraf were honored for “uncommon heroism” at a December 12 ceremony on the Prescott Campus.  The two in tandem  provided life-saving assistance to a toddler who was experiencing a life-threatening emergency at the Community College’s Del E. Webb Family Enrichment Center.

Community College Police officials and President Dr. Lisa Rhine, honored the two for their “uncommon heroism.” They were presented with the Community College Campus Safety Lifesaving Medal during the  ceremony.

You may read the full press release about this award and  the heroism of the two employees by clicking here.

Source:  Yavapai Community College press release dated December 19, 2022.

SECRETS: YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE GOVERNING BOARD ADOPTS PRESIDENT’S THREE ANNUAL GOALS FOR THE COLLEGE BUT CAN’T TELL THE PUBLIC WHAT THEY ARE

Goals were set during secret executive meeting with President November 15 but College upon request refuses to disclose them

The question of goals the President of Yavapai Community College should achieve came up during a secret executive meeting on November 15, 2022, with the College District Governing Board.  Apparently, three goals were agreed upon. 

Once the executive meeting ended, the Governing Board returned to a public meeting and adopted by motion the three goals.  However, the Board did not publicly explain what the three goals were.  The public was left completely in the dark.

In an odd twist of the application of Arizona’s Open Meeting law, because the goals were brought up during secret negotiations over her revised multi-thousands of dollars severance package she will receive if fired because of poor performance, the Board took the view the Board could not  reveal the goals. 

The College, when asked to reveal them, stated because they were a part of the secret meeting it need not reveal them.

The Community College’s actual statement from its information office in response to the request from the Blog for information was:

“I don’t have access to that information as it was part of the executive session with the District Governing Board.”

The secrecy over goals set for a college  president is both odd and to a certain extent somewhat humorous.  The secrecy is apparently intended to prevent the public from holding her accountable for  achieving the goals. Obviously, as long as the public doesn’t know what the goals are, she cannot be held accountable.

Whether this is some kind of new age shenanigan, cleverness by the President’s lawyer in outsmarting the Board, or just a sign of extraordinary political weakness on the part of both President Rhine and the Board I leave to the reader to judge.  You may view the motion made at the Board meeting and the very brief discussion on this issue by clicking here

PRESIDENT’S CONTRACT AND DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY ON AGENDA FOR YAVAPAI GOVERNING BOARD DECISION AT “WORKSHOP” TO BE HELD MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2022, AT 9 A.M. AT THE ROCK HOUSE ON THE PRESCOTT CAMPUS

Unclear why President’s contract is up for discussion after receiving a 10 percent increase in May 2022. Also unclear is a Resolution to be considered directing the President to create “Necessary Infrastructure”; it appears the Resolution  involves delegating more Board authority to the President 

There are two items of important business to be conducted at the Governing Board meeting on Monday, May 14. One of them is the President’s contract.

Exactly what aspect of the contract is to be considered is not clear from the agenda posting. Recall that the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board voted to increase the base pay of Dr. Lisa Rhine by ten percent at the Board Workshop held May 24, 2022. It also added an extra year to her five-year contract.  The pay-raise of 10% and contract extension vote was identical to the raise and extension awarded in 2021.

This was a generous base-pay increase when compared to how faculty and staff increases were treated just a week earlier.  Recall that at the May 17 General Board meeting the Board approved a  4% across-the-board salary increase, .45% one-time bonus, and 1.3% for market adjustments, etc. for all staff and faculty.

At the time of its May decision, the Governing Board did not provide any indication of Dr. Rhine’s current base salary.  Most observers believe it is nearing $300,000 annually.  Dr. Rhine is the highest paid Yavapai County officer.

Now, just six months later, the question of the President’s employment agreement will be discussed in secret during Monday’s “workshop.”  In a vaguely worded statement, the agenda for the meeting says that there will be “Discussion or Consultation for Legal Advice with the Board’s Attorney Regarding the President’s Employment Contract and to consider its position and instruct its attorney regarding the President’s Employment Contract.”  It goes on to say that there will be “Possible Action RE: President’s Evaluation and Consideration of President’s Contract as a result of Executive Session.”

It is anticipated that nothing significant regarding the contract talks will be divulged to the public.

The Board will also be asked to delegate Board authority by approving a resolution regarding “infrastructure.”  It is not clear why such a resolution is needed.  (See draft copy of resolution below:

DRAFT OF RESOLUTION FOLLOWS

YAVAPAI COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE PRESIDENT TO CREATE THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF STUDENTS AND EMPLOYERS RESOLUTION 2022-10

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, the District Governing Board is the legally constituted and final authority for the operation of Yavapai County Community College District, including any policies that govern the College;

WHEREAS, the Governing Board’s responsibility includes 1) governing the College as a whole, and 2) delegating authority to the President to perform and oversee the daily operations and administrative functions of the College;

WHEREAS, the Governing Board understands that new educational content providers and distribution in the higher education marketplace are driving up institutional competition and consumer choice;

WHEREAS, the Governing Board understands that enrollments in traditional community colleges are declining nationally and in Arizona and are increasing in four-year institutions; 

WHEREAS, the Governing Board understands that Arizona public universities are now piloting 2-year Associate Degrees, offering short-term credentials and noncredit workforce offerings, and placing regional economic development centers in our counties to grow their enrollments;

WHEREAS, the Governing Board understands that in order to meet the changing needs of learners in the knowledge economy, community colleges must be prepared to adopt and implement new, innovative strategies for delivering educational opportunities;

WHEREAS, the Governing Board believes that the College plays an instrumental role in meeting the needs of students and employers and that an expanded and effective infrastructure is vital to the continued operations of the College, so that Board goals are realized;

ENACTMENTS:

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Yavapai County Community College District Governing Board delegates to the President the authority and responsibility for creating an infrastructure that meets the changing needs of today’s learners and provides workforce driven educational opportunities, which shall be based on the following principles:

  1. The knowledge economy requires a new model of higher education that is rooted in outcomes and learning rather than an industrial era model of higher education, focused on time, process and teaching.
  2. Increasing short-term workforce certifications and just-in-time education defined by industry need is critical to meet the educational needs of students and the community in support of our economy.
  3. With near universal access to digital devices and the internet, new modes of delivering content and new technology tools need to be leveraged to meet the changing needs of learners
  4. The infrastructure created pursuant to this Resolution will align resources, policies and strategies for the implementation of a talent pipeline for employers, establish a model for sector-based partnerships, clearly define pathways that address the needs of employers and potential employees, and partner with online platform providers and independent work facilitators or enterprise businesses to provide industry-specific or business-specific training that businesses cannot provide.
  5. The infrastructure shall be evaluated by the President each year to determine whether it has met the goals adopted by the Governing Board in this Resolution and whether it should be modified to better effectuate those goals. The President shall inform the Governing Board of the results of the evaluation at least once yearly, starting with a report in or before October 2023.

NOW, BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the Governing Board delegates to the President such additional authority as is necessary to ensure that College operations meet the changing needs of our students and employers.

The Governing Board shall retain all powers and duties as prescribed by law that are not formally delegated in this Resolution or Board Policies.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Yavapai County Community College District Governing Board this 14 day of November, 2022.

Ms. Deb McCasland, Board Chair Approved as to form:

Mr. Ray Sigafoos, Board Secretary

====================================================================

AGENDA

  1. General Functions: Procedural
    1. Call to Order {Time: 1}
    2. Adoption of Agenda – DECISION {Time: 1}
  2. Board Business
    1. Executive Session – Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(1), Review of President’s Employment Agreement – Attorney Lynne Adams – PROCEDURAL {Time: 60}
    2. Executive Session — Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3) & (4), Discussion or Consultation for Legal Advice with the Board’s Attorney Regarding the President’s Employment Contract and to consider its position and instruct its attorney regarding the President’s Employment Contract – Attorney Lynne Adams – PROCEDURAL
    3. Reconvene in Public Session – Attorney Lynne Adams
    4. Possible Action RE: President’s Evaluation and Consideration of President’s Contract as a result of Executive Session – Attorney Lynne Adams – DECISION {Time: 5}
  3. Study Session
    1. The Association of Community College Trustees Review – INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION – Board Chair Deb McCasland {Time: 30}
    2. Changing Higher Education Landscape – INFORMATION, DISCUSSION, AND DECISION – Dr. Lisa Rhine {Time: 120}
      1. Scott Van Pelt Video
      2. A New Infrastructure Presentation
      3. Yavapai College District Governing Board Resolution Directing the President to Create the Necessary Infrastructure to Meet the Changing Needs of Students and Employees – Resolution 2022-10 (Attached)
    3. District Governing Board Policies Review – INFORMATION, DISCUSSION, AND DECISION – Dr. David Borofsky, Director of the Arizona Association of Community College Trustees {Time: 90} 
  4. Adjournment of Board Workshop: Procedural – DECISION {Time: 1}
  1.  

 

APPEARS THE TEN MILLION DOLLAR VERDE VALLEY BREWERY PROJECT HAS BEEN PUT ON “HOLD” FOR REASONS YET TO BE DIVULGED BY THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

“Postponement” announcement buried in Yavapai Community College Facilities Management Newsletter of October 2022 | Length of postponement unclear | Governing Board and public await an explanation

The rumor has been circulating in the Verde Valley that the Yavapai Community College Administration has “postponed” development of the Ten Million dollar Verde Valley beer brewing brewery project.  Although there has been no formal announcement made to the public or the District Governing Board about the project, the Blog discovered an announcement of the postponement buried in the October 2022 Facilities Management Newsletter.

Why the public, or at least the District Governing Board, was not informed of the reasons for the postponement or the expected length of the delay at the October meeting is puzzling.  But this project is one that the College administration has tried very hard to keep details secret as much as possible from public scrutiny.

The general definition of “postponed” is that something will take place at a time later than that first scheduled.  The College administration might inform the public and the Board at its meeting in November about what has changed its plans for the project. So far the College  has invested thousands of dollars in preliminary planning and architectural drawings, which will go to waste if the project is eventually abandoned. 

Moreover, will the postponement mean no request for a tax increase in May? 

Below is a copy of the announcement found in the College Facilities and Management Newsletter of October 2022.

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHOOSES DR. IRINA DEL GENIO AS VERDE CAMPUS AND SEDONA CENTER DEAN

First-generation immigrant who came to the United States in 2000 as an adult learner leaves position as associate dean of the Liberal, Visual, and Performing Arts Division at Elgin, Illinois Community College to join Yavapai | Replacing Dr. Tina Redd who resigned in frustration with Prescott based College executives

Yavapai Community College announced on November 8, 2022,  that Dr. Irina Del Genio would become the next  Verde Valley Dean at Yavapai Community College.  She is leaving Elgin, Illinois Community College, where she has the position of Associate Dean of the Liberal, Visual, and Performing Arts Division.

Del Genio replaces Tina Redd who resigned as Verde Valley Dean earlier this year out of frustration with the Prescott based executives who control the Verde Campus and Sedona Center.  The announcement was made by Prescott based Vice President Dr. Diane Ryan, Vice President of Academic Affairs. Most likely, Del Genio will report to and be supervised by Ryan.

Community College Prescott based president Dr. Diane Rhine did not make a public statement regarding the decision to hire Del Genio. Del Genio  will start her position at the Verde Valley Campus on January 9, 2023. The College said she will provide “leadership and administrative oversight of the Verde Valley campus, Sedona Center, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs, and three academic departments college-wide.

Adding the academic college-wide departments to her work requirements ensures she will be away from the Verde Campus and Sedona  Center once or twice each week, thus significantly diluting her work on the east side of Yavapai County.

Del Genio earned her Ph.D. in Political Philosophy and her master’s degrees in History and Political Science.  She has lived  lived, studied, and worked in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and most recently in the U.S. as a college instructor, grant manager, and college administrator. She is a frequent guest speaker on Russian American relations, asymmetrical warfare, the political impact of radical ideologies, and the global consequences of social unrest in contemporary societies.

She is described as an avid traveler and a healthy lifestyle advocate. She is a certified NIA (non-impact mind-body fitness) instructor. Del Genio enjoys sailing, skiing, dancing, and hiking in her free time with her partner George, her friends, and her family.

Sources:  Yavapai Community College press release dated November 8, 2022; Independent Blog research.

ERRANT EMAIL ALLEGING NEWSPAPER MADE “BOGUS CLAIMS” GETS YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE VP JENKINS INTO HOT WATER

Then refuses to clarify what he meant by alleging  the newspaper made “bonus claims” or apologize

We are all warned about careless handling of email.  We know that caution must be exercised about what and how we say things  in emails because it is so easy to accidentally send one to a person we didn’t intend to receive it.  What happens when you make that mistake is illustrated by the mess Yavapai Community College Vice President Rodney Jenkins finds himself in. 

Jenkins apparently sent out an email intended for Vice President of Academic Affairs Diane Ryan about questions being put to the Community College president by the Red Rock News and Cottonwood Journal Extra.   However, somehow the email ended up in the computer email boxes  of the  Red Rock News.  

In the errant email Vice President Jenkins alleged in part the following:  “Diane, below Larsen (sic) Newspapers are making  bogus claims.”  Larsons’ operate both the Red Rock News and the Cottonwood Journal Extra. What Jenkins was apparently referring to as “bogus claims” involved the 11 questions the newspaper had sent to President Dr. Lisa Rhine for comment.

The problem he created is that If you are going to make allegations a newspaper is making “bogus claims,” you need something to back you up.  Unfortunately for VP  Jenkins, it appears he could not support his use of the bogus claims phrase.

The newspaper asked him directly for clarification of his “bonus claims” allegation. According to the October 26, 2022,  Cottonwood Journal Extra newspaper, Jenkins “declined to clarify” what he called “bogus claims.”  The newspaper also noted that he also did not provide a response to any of the 11 questions posed to Dr. Rhine. 

Someone should advise VP Jenkins to send the newspaper an apology.  That shouldn’t be too hard and it’s what a person in an errant email  hot seat  normally does.  We are waiting.

LITTLE INTEREST SHOWN AMONG RESIDENTS IN SELECTION OF NEXT VERDE CAMPUS DEAN

Handful show up for live interview; no live questions or interaction allowed; not streamed on YouTube; poorly advertised; big change from when former Dean Tina Redd was interviewed

OPINION. Only a handful of residents showed up for the live interviews Tuesday, October 25 on the Verde Campus of the two potential Dean candidates one of whom will replace Dean Tina Redd.  Recall Dean Redd resigned her position because of frustration with her Prescott bosses and poor working conditions.

The Tuesday meeting was poorly advertised by the Yavapai Community College to east side residents. Moreover, residents are aware that whoever is chosen will have little or no actual decision making authority in the development and operation of the College on the east side of the County.  All decision-making is tightly controlled by the Prescott based executives who operate from their  headquarters on the Prescott Campus.

The College totally controlled the one-hour Tuesday interview of each candidate with residents not allowed to ask live questions.  Questions had to be submitted earlier in writing to the College over the internet, with the College filtering the submissions and deciding  what questions would be asked.

The College also did not live stream the event on YouTube.  In a County the size of the nation of Israel you would think the citizen tax supported institution would at least live-stream the event so residents didn’t have to take a day off work and/or travel miles and miles to attend the interview. In addition, the College shows a surprising disregard for those who are disabled, the elderly, and working folks when it refuses to live stream events like this.

The College  did provide internal access via zoom to College employees.  About six of the several hundred employees of the College looked in on the interviews if the zoom screen at the meeting was correct.

The process was in stark contrast to the interview of former Dean Tina Redd when dozens of residents showed up for her interview.  Moreover, residents were allowed to ask live questions of Redd and also allowed  to interact with her.  That process was dumped by the College this time,  apparently out of concern it could  not totally control the questions or interaction between  attendees and the candidates.

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT DR. RHINE REFUSES TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS FROM COTTONWOOD JOURNAL EXTRA NEWSPAPER ABOUT VERDE CAMPUS LOSING ACCREDITATION DESIGNATION, FUTURE OF VERDE CAMPUS, $10 BREWERY, OR RESTORATION OF BRANCH CAMPUS DESIGNATION

Front page October 26 article claims Rhine “did not return any calls or numerous emails asking for comments.” VP Jenkins confirms refusal of President to answer newspaper’s questions

Mr. Christoper Graham

Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine

A front page article in the Cottonwood Journal Extra newspaper  of October 26, 2022, stated that Yavapai Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine refused to answer any questions put to her by the paper about the Verde Campus losing its accreditation designation, the future of the campus, or the $10 million proposed teaching Brewery.

The article, authored by Mr. Christoper Fox Graham, listed eleven questions put to Dr. Rhine who has refused to answer any of them.  Moreover, Dr. Rhine “did not return any calls or numerous emails” from the newspaper “asking for comment.”

Vice President Rodney Jenkins wrote to a member of the newspaper staff saying  that as a  “follow-up to my voicemail last week, I am informing you that Yavapai Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine will not be responding to any of your staff’s requests.”  Aside from Jenkins’ confirming Dr. Rhine’s refusal to talk to the press, the newspaper reported it could find no record of a voicemail from him.  

A few of the 11 questions asked of Dean Rhine that received no response included the following:  “How and why did the college lose that [accreditation] status?”  “How does this [losing accreditation status] affect the educational status of students who take classes at the Verde Valley locations?”  “How will Yavapai College work to restore the branch’s status?” “Why is Yavapai College planning to build a brewery in the Verde Valley?”

You can read the entire article in the October 26 Cottonwood Journal Extra.  It most likely will be posted at the Journal’s website in about a week.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO INTERVIEW DR. CAROL P. RICHARDSON AT 9:30 A.M. OCTOBER 25 FOR VERDE VALLEY DEAN IN BUILDING “M” ON THE VERDE CAMPUS

Dr. Richardson has degrees  from Valparaiso University (BME), Northwestern University (MMus) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (EdD).  According to her  Linked in post, from 2013 to 2021, she led the academic operations within the College of Letters and Sciences at National University, a private, non-profit Hispanic serving institution.

Dr. Richardson will be interviewed for the position of Verde Valley Dean on October 25, 2022 at 9:30 on Tuesday, October 25.  The interview will be held in building “M”  on the Verde Campus.  Her resume, as posted by the Community College, appears below.