Replaces highly recruited Dr. Kimberly Moore who left job in July after only seven months

Dr. Marylou Mercado

Dr. Kimberly Moore

Yavapai Community College has named Dr. Marylou Mercado as its Vice President of Workforce Development and Health Sciences. Dr. Mercado replaces Dr. Kim Moore, who was highly recruited by the Community College but left her position after only seven months.

Moore was hired to head the newly created Division of Workforce and Innovation and act as its Chief Workforce Innovation Officer back in July 2023.  Moore’s resignation was announced  on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 by Yavapai Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine. She said:  “I am writing to inform you that Dr. Kimberly Moore is no longer employed at Yavapai College.” The only explanation offered by Dr. Rhine for the sudden departure was, “I understand that the past few months of operations in these areas have been challenging.” She did not further address the issue.

Dr. Mercado served as the interim replacement for Moore during the last two months. Before stepping into the interim position, she was the Associate Vice President of Health Sciences and Wellness.

Dr. Mercado will oversee the Division of Workforce Development and Health Sciences, which includes the areas of Career and Technical Education, Health Science and Wellness, the Regional Economic Development Center (REDC), the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and Adult Basic Education.

In the announcement that Dr. Mercado was taking over from Moore, President Dr. Lisa Rhine said: “I am excited to add Marylou to our Leadership Team. She is a perfect fit for YC and our communities. She is an outstanding leader and person, and her unwavering support for student success and awareness of community needs will play a large role at YC moving forward.”

Dr. Mercado  has been at YC since 2018, where she has held positions of Director of Nursing, Dean of Health Sciences, Math, Engineering, and Adult Basic Education, and Associate Vice President of Health Science.