“People are realizing we’re making movements,” Yavapai College Verde Valley Campus Executive Dean James Perey said Thursday, Aug. 18.
Perey admitted that press critical of the college occasionally gets to him. Focusing on perceived disparities between Prescott-area facilities and programs and those of the Verde Valley, however, makes it difficult for positive relationships to grow. According to Perey, though there has always been a “separation between east and west” in the college, he and others are working hard to account for the changing demographics — and thus, changing needs — of the Verde Valley.
“We’re one college with distinct populations,” Perey said, adding that taking the needs of six different municipalities, each with its own personality, into account can be a challenge. “When it comes to the Verde Valley, I’m looking to represent everyone …. I am absolutely open to delivering coursework to [outlying communities].”
At the same time, Perey explained that establishing program centers is one of his top priorities — beginning, first and foremost, with getting the Yavapai College Sedona Center remodeled and running. By fall 2017, Perey hopes to have the $3.2 million remodel done, its culinary and hospitality management program on solid footing. Some renderings are already complete, and the architects are moving forward with plans.
“In my mind, it’s 100 percent a go,” Perey said, adding that the name recognition of “Sedona” will go a long way toward attracting local aspiring chefs and hospitality managers. Additionally, the center’s offerings may extend well into non-credit, community education territory — and potentially attract tourists looking to learn something on their trips. “I think there’s a market there …. How do we capitalize on tourism from an educational standpoint?”
As the demographics continue to shift along with the economy, taking young families away from the Verde Valley and encouraging retirement-age populations to grow, the college may soon be offering more non-credit courses to the community, according to Perey.
“A very large portion of the population of Sedona already has bachelor’s degrees,” he said. “One of the big areas I see growth in the next few years is community education.”
Balancing the desires of the senior community with those youth who need university- and career-preparedness offerings, however, will continue to be a major priority and a significant challenge, Perey said.
“How do we continue to foster access?” he asked, adding that increasing and sustaining education opportunities is not the same thing as doing business the way it has always been done. Programs such as the film and media arts program will need to change.
The Zaki Gordon Institute for Independent Filmmaking once centered in the Sedona Center is now a general film program moving toward a full associate degree program at the Verde campus that will offer a “one-stop shop” for students looking to go into film and media arts careers.
Many former film students and instructors said Yavapai College cut funding for ZGI’s programs, advertising and classes, which resulted in fewer students attending, thus effectively killing the program. ZGI pulled up stakes and moved to Liberty College in Lynchburg, Va., under the name Zaki Gordon Cinematic Arts Center.
According to Perey, if a program isn’t providing what students need, it needs to make way for a better alternative.
“Community colleges are very good at creating programs. We’re not so good at sunsetting programs,” he said.
On the cusp of the fall semester, work at the Verde campus is in full swing, with new paving going in around and inside the pavilion. Additionally, those entering campus will be greeted by improved way-finding installations. Though it is a small campus, students still get lost and need a helping hand to get where they’re going.
Perey said that he is working hard to make more than cosmetic changes in the Verde Valley. According to him, the college has fallen short on connecting to the community, and he would like to see that situation improve, fostering an environment of transparent, open and honest communication between community stakeholders.
“Building trust in the community can do a lot, going forward.”
And as far as negative perceptions go, he said, “I can’t let it deter me, because we have to keep moving forward …. I’m really excited about where we’re going. But it takes time to move the Titanic. People have to be a little patient.”
