Representatives of rural community colleges from 34 states and three Canadian provinces were in Prescott in late September to participate in the Rural Community College Alliance (RCCA) 2014 conference.
Most had nothing but praise for the region.
The four-day conference was hosted by Yavapai College and staged at the Prescott Resort. YC president Penny Wills is one of the 11-member board of directors for the RCCA.
Enthusiastic about hosting the conference, which brought more than 160 community college leaders to the community and Yavapai County, Wills said, “Hosting this event is another example of Yavapai College practicing what it preaches about economic development. We’re thrilled that we can bring new guests to experience the college and this region. We encouraged them to stay over and see even more of central and northern Arizona.”
RCCA president Randy Smith, Ph. D., from Olustee, Oklahoma, told the Quad City Business News that he and the event planners were “…enthusiastic and grateful…” to be in the Prescott area for the conference.
“For many of the visitors, it’s the first time they’ve ever been to the Southwest. We’re made it possible for them to visit the Verde Valley area and Sedona, and urged them to go up to Flagstaff and on to the Grand Canyon,” Smith said. “The scenery, the hospitality, the overall ambience – terrific.”
Nancy Kilbride, president of Events Your Way, headquartered in Bedford, New Hampshire, and the planner for the RCCA conference, was equally praising of the area.
“ This was my first time in Arizona, but believe me, it won’t be my last. What a gorgeous place to live. And the positive attitudes around here, and the friendly people. What a great place for a national conference.”
A group of delegates from Garden City Community College, located in the High Plains area of western Kansas, expressed surprise at seeing mountains and forests and greenery in Arizona. “What a fantastic place to live,” they agreed.
The Canadian head of Nova Scotia Community College’s campus at Truro, Kevin P. Quinlan, Ed. D., told the crowd during a closing session that visiting central Arizona and seeing the rural communities was “…invigorating and informative. What’s more, it’s good for strengthening our international educational relationships.”
The RCCA is the primary advocacy organization for America’s 600 rural community and tribal colleges, Smith explained. “Of the nation’s 1,552 community colleges, the rural schools award over half the associate degrees earned in this country.”
“Almost one-third of all community college students attend a community college in a rural area. That’s why the RCCA is an advocacy organization that promotes community, state and federal support for rural institutions,” he said. “And here in Arizona, when you have quality community colleges like Yavapai and Coconino and others serving rural populations, the colleges are important regional intermediaries for sustainable economic and cultural development.”
Smith assured conference participants that the RCCA would continue its vigorous advocacy role at all levels of government and business. QCBN
By Ray Newton