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You are here: Home / Archives for Lisa Rhine

Lisa Rhine

Yavapai College Commencement Ceremonies Celebrate Achievements of More than One Thousand Students

May 25, 2023 By quadcities Leave a Comment

Commencement is about dreams realized for our graduates.

As a college president, there isn’t any other day that is more special, more exhilarating or more fulfilling than Commencement Day. For those of us in higher education, this is the biggest event of the year! It’s where we see the fruits of our labor and our mission fulfilled. And for our students and those who love them, it’s a day where hard work, perseverance and sacrifice have paid off.

Commencement is about dreams realized for our graduates. Never let it be said that dreaming is a waste of one’s time. Dreams are our realities in waiting. In dreams, we plant the seeds of our future. Dreams motivate and inspire. Dreams cause us to persevere under difficult circumstances and dreams create a focus in our lives.

More than 1,000 dreams were realized this year at Yavapai College’s spring commencement ceremonies. Two ceremonies were held at the Sedona Performing Arts Centers on May 6 for Verde Valley graduates, and another ceremony was held at Prescott Valley’s Findlay Toyota Center on May 7 for Prescott-area graduates.

Overall, an astounding 1,068 students, the majority of whom reside in Yavapai County, received a combined 1,351 degrees and certificates from YC this past year. This is a massive cohort of students and further shows that Yavapai College is completing its mission of providing accessible and affordable education to its residents.

The beautiful thing about Yavapai College is the diversity in age and the types of students who attend. Our youngest graduate this year was born in 2007. He is 15 years old, resides in Paulden and graduated with his Automotive Technician Certificate.

Our oldest graduate resides in Cottonwood, was born in 1938, and is 84 years old. She completed her associate of arts degree and Arizona General Education Certificate-A.

YC had 120 graduates under the age of 18 this year and 36 graduates over the age of 55.

All of YC’s students have found the strength to persevere under trying circumstances. They now know that no matter what challenges may come their way, they have the strength to prevail.

I’d like to salute Yavapai College’s graduates one more time. YC has been blessed by your presence and engagement with us, and we are humbled and proud to be part of your personal story. QCBN

By Lisa Rhine

Lisa B. Rhine, Ph.D., is the president of Yavapai College.

In February 2019, Dr. Lisa B. Rhine became the tenth president of Yavapai College, bringing to the institution over 30 years of leadership experience across a number of leading colleges and universities in Ohio, Kentucky and Virginia. Dr. Rhine assumed this role with a commitment to advance the mission of the college while ensuring access and support to those for whom opportunities may have been historically limited or denied.

Yavapai College offers over 100 degrees and certificates, student and community services, and cultural events and activities at six locations throughout Yavapai County, including campuses in Prescott and Clarkdale, and centers in Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Sedona and the Prescott Airport.

Filed Under: Columnists Tagged With: Lisa Rhine, Yavapai College

Healthcare Frontlines Soon to Gain More Than Forty New Nurses

January 1, 2023 By quadcities Leave a Comment

Rhine concluded her remarks by sharing a quote from an anonymous source: “Not all angels wear wings. Some wear scrubs.”

A passing score on a national exam is now the only thing separating 45 new Yavapai College Nursing Program graduates and their dreams of joining the healthcare frontlines.

The 45 men and women representing both the YC Prescott and Verde Valley campuses celebrated their successful nursing student journeys with a traditional pinning ceremony Dec. 9 in the YC Performing Arts Center. The pinning of each graduate by one or a bevy of loved ones was a highlight of the ceremony that also featured emotional speeches and a recitation of the Florence Nightingale pledge.

YC Nursing Professor Maria Thomas fought back tears several times as she congratulated the fall 2022 graduates, all sporting blue scrubs and seated closely together on the YCPAC stage. Turning the podium so she could speak directly to her former students, Thomas said, “The reality of work is often a shock to the system and the first year of a nursing career is said to be the toughest. I’m counting on you to handle it because I might be the patient in that bed,” she said, garnering audience laughter. Turning serious, Thomas encouraged graduates to continue to give their best to any job or challenge they encounter.

“I have faith you will turn into the most amazing professionals and I’m proud to have played a part,” Thomas said.

In her congratulatory remarks to fall nursing graduates, YC President Dr. Lisa Rhine applauded their fortitude, diligence and sacrifices and the support and sacrifices of their families. While acknowledging the challenges they likely will face in these uncertain times, Rhine urged the future RNs to “practice the art and science of nursing with your amazing minds and loving hearts and always continue to build on what you have learned at Yavapai College.”

Rhine concluded her remarks by sharing a quote from an anonymous source: “Not all angels wear wings. Some wear scrubs.” QCBN

For information about YC’s acclaimed nursing program, visit yc.edu/nursing.

Courtesy Photo: Yavapai College Nursing Program graduates gathered for photos before traditional ceremonies.

Filed Under: Business, Education Tagged With: Lisa Rhine, Yavapai College, Yavapai College Nursing Program, YC president Lisa Rhine

Meeting Student, Workforce Needs

November 28, 2020 By quadcities 1 Comment

Closing in on her second anniversary as Yavapai College (YC) president in February, Lisa Rhine shared the major philosophical shift the college is taking.

“We have a new view of how post-secondary education should be structured to meet personal and societal needs,” she said. “We’re putting that vision into place at Yavapai College. Classes and curricula now fit students’ needs instead of making students fit academic policies based on centuries-old tradition.”

YC’s mission is providing students with an education they want and need to enter the job market and find a meaningful career.

“When I first came on campus two years ago, I did a listening tour for the first six to nine months. I tried to meet every person on campus – employees and student groups. I spent time listening and trying to figure out what themes emerged. What I discovered is that we are an institution that serves students, but we weren’t as strong as we should be in relationships that support one another. I knew if we didn’t get those relationships right, we weren’t going to reach the goals we needed to reach to be successful.”

Rhine says she and her administrative team adopted the concept of the “YC Way: relationship excellence, learning excellence and service excellence.”

One change she put into place is a comprehensive management framework to grow enrollment. That involved dividing the student affairs division into student affairs and enrollment management – an infrastructure similar to what exists at many universities. It focuses on identifying prospective students, walking them through the application process, and then supporting them throughout their enrollment.

It paid off. Despite the impact of COVID-19, summer student headcount was up 30%. YC was the only community college in Arizona that experienced an increase in enrollment.

A second major change was the introduction of new academic offerings, including trades programs, transfer degrees and lifelong learning courses. Those include new partnerships with Northern Arizona University (NAU) in education programs and a collaboration with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in cyber-tech programs.

One unique new program involves the 3D printing and construction of homes. The college purchased two different commercial printers. A small machine, used for training, will print smaller houses of about 900 square feet. The big printer is capable of printing homes up to 2,000 square feet. “What’s remarkable is that the printer can do a complete home in about a month, as opposed to traditional construction, which can take several months,” said Rhine. “In this area, that size home can cost from $400,000 to $600,000 and more. We can do it for between $90,000 and $120,000. We’re the first community college in the nation to have that program. I can’t wait until we get a demo house set up.”

Other curricular changes involve bringing a skilled trades center to the Verde Valley campus, which will provide certificate programs for electricians, plumbers, heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians, and others.

These changes are the result of the meetings Rhine and her team conducted in the community to understand the greatest needs for residents and employers.

Meanwhile, Rhine says the college worked hard to work keep costs down. As a result, YC has the lowest tuition in Arizona for community colleges and the lowest taxpayer cost per student. “We didn’t want to increase taxes. We didn’t want to increase our budget.”

“We are so fortunate to have Lisa as president,” said YC Governing Board Chair Deb McCasland. “Her commitment to student success is evident.”

Yavapai College has two main campuses – one in Prescott and one in the Verde Valley – and four centers: Career and Technical Center, Chino Valley Center, Prescott Valley Center and Sedona Center.

Rhine, a Brooklyn, New York native, spent most of her younger life in Ohio. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 1988 from Wright State University and her master’s in 1991 from the University of Dayton. She met her husband of 24 years, James “Jim” Rhine when they were working at Sinclair Community College. They married in 1996. With degrees in mathematics, he is currently teaching at Prescott High School.

Rhine earned her doctorate in education administration in 2004 at Capella University in Minneapolis.

The Rhines have two adult sons. Alex, 23, is completing an associate degree at YC and planning to transfer to NAU. Ben, 21, is a junior at Virginia Tech where he’s majoring in building construction.

I am grateful for

I couldn’t have been more blessed. This college has so many intelligent and talented faculty, staff and students.

Something new learned since moving to Arizona

I was nominated to dance in the Dancing with the Stars fundraiser last year. Jim and I signed up for dance lessons. We now do Latin dances – the bachata and salsa – and love it.

What I do in my spare time

I make time for family. For 24 years, I have made it a practice to prepare dinner at home six nights a week. Family is important.

My favorite Christmas tradition

I prepare a large dinner on Christmas Eve and then we attend midnight mass. We share gratitude for the year gone by and our hope for the year to come.

Making the move to Prescott after living in major urban centers

I want Prescott to be my forever home. I hope it’s my last stop on the higher ed train. I’m trying to develop relationships I know are going to be long-term because I don’t plan to go anywhere. I’ve been given an exceptional opportunity. You know, we are genuinely grateful to be here. We’re in awe of the beauty and friendliness of the community. There’s no place I’d rather be. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Filed Under: Community Profile Tagged With: community profile, Lisa Rhine, spotlight, YC

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