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.