Yavapai College Strategic Plan
The Yavapai College Strategic Plan is being developed through the collective efforts of multiple groups across the College. Grounded in research, discussion, and insight from our campus and community, the plan defines a clear and focused direction for Yavapai College’s future.
Yavapai College transforms lives and strengthens the local economy through education.
Yavapai College ensures our community is a premier place to learn, work, and live.
- Excellence
We foster positive relationships and accountability, anticipate and address stakeholders’ needs, and create a supportive learning environment. - Innovation
We encourage creativity, critical thinking, and the pursuit of new ideas and solutions. - Continuous Learning
We promote continuous learning and intellectual curiosity through formal education and beyond. - Belonging
We treat others with dignity and consideration, fostering a supportive and collegial environment.
Four Strategic Goals for Student Success and Community Impact
Yavapai College’s strategic goals focus on creating an inclusive learning community, expanding access to living-wage careers, supporting adult learners, and improving how education is delivered. Together with a strong foundational capability, these goals guide the College’s decisions and investments so that students, employees, and communities across Yavapai County can learn, work, and thrive.
FY26-28 Strategic Plan - pdf
The Belonging Goal underscores the critical importance of meeting students’ basic need as a foundation for fostering community and inclusivity within the college learning environment.
By ensuring that these fundamental needs are met, the initiative creates a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where students can truly feel a strong sense of belonging. This focus extends to developing and supporting a culture where all employees, including faculty and staff, feel appreciated, engaged, inspired, and supported by their colleagues and the institution.
The initiative also offers equitable professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to effectively enhance their abilities to meet student needs. Ultimately, the Belonging Goal is dedicated to building a supportive and inclusive environment that prioritizes the well-being and success of every community member.
The Living Wage Goal aims to address the challenges of the changing economic landscape, emphasizing creating pathways to secure living-wage jobs.
This initiative emphasizes aligning curriculum and programs to impart skills needed in a new economy characterized by growing artificial intelligence and automation.
To achieve this goal, the initiative proposes creating credit and non-credit options that provide comprehensive training support to job seekers. Finally, the initiative emphasizes developing Baccalaureate Degrees to provide students with the knowledge and skills to thrive in high-paying professions.
Overall, the Living Wage Goal seeks to give students and the workforce the education and training necessary to secure living-wage jobs in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
The Adult Learners Goal aims to expand enrollment opportunities for non-traditional age learners, particularly those who have some college education but no degree.
This goal recognizes the importance of providing educational opportunities for those who may have previously encountered barriers to higher education. Additionally, the goal seeks to increase Hispanic learner enrollment and educational attainment levels, recognizing the value of empowering all residents to improve their quality of life and help grow our economy.
Yavapai College's new strategic initiative to move to 8-week courses and programs should help in attracting adult learners who desire and appreciate the accelerated pace and flexibility.
Overall, the Adult Learners Goal seeks to expand access to higher education and lifelong learning opportunities for a diverse group of learners, with a particular focus on those who may have previously faced barriers to educational attainment.
The Delivery Goal aims to enhance the delivery of educational programs and increase student success by adopting best-in-class pedagogy and processes.
Related Initiatives include increasing online enrollment by offering courses that utilize effective online teaching methods, providing students with a flexible and convenient learning experience. Additionally, this goal seeks to improve students’ ability to complete programs more quickly by offering multiple start dates and fast-track pathways.
Another Initiative proposes expanding the use of Open Educational Resources (OER), which can reduce the cost of textbooks and other learning materials for students. Finally, this goal aims to improve credit for prior learning systems, recognizing the value of life experiences and non-traditional learning opportunities.
Overall, the Delivery Goal seeks to provide students with high-quality educational programs delivered in a manner that supports their success and promotes equitable access to higher education.
The Foundational Capability focuses on sustaining Yavapai College’s financial stability and operational strength to support its mission and strategic priorities.
It emphasizes the need for YC to grow core capabilities such as fiscal stewardship, talent management, data integrity, physical security, and a results-oriented culture of continuous improvement.
These core capabilities will create the operational excellence needed to remain relevant and successful in today’s fast-paced and highly competitive market.
September 2025
SPC Kick-Off Retreat
The Strategic Planning Committee launched its work with a kickoff retreat focused on understanding the college’s current context and performance. Members reviewed college plan summaries, discussed the committee’s new role, and began aligning on priorities.
Internal Resources
October 2025
Environmental Scan Presentation
The committee received an in-depth presentation on Yavapai College’s Environmental Scan, which included key demographic, economic, and educational data shaping our region. This data provided important context for identifying opportunities and challenges for the College.
Internal Resources
WIN Coalition Discussion
The SPC learned that the WIN Coalition (What is next) brings together cross-functional teams from across Yavapai College to explore future trends, community needs, and emerging opportunities that may shape the College’s direction.
Internal Resources
SWOT Analysis Retreat
The committee held a retreat to review institutional data and conduct a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) Analysis. Based on this work, the committee evaluated existing initiatives and recommended FY27 strategic initiatives to the Executive Leader Team (ELT) for review and approval.
Internal Resources
November 2025
Strategic Initiatives Update
Yavapai College is now developing new OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to guide the next phase of the Strategic Plan. OKRs help turn each major initiatives into clear goals with measurable outcomes. Senior Leadership Team champions have been assigned to lead this work as the initiatives move into planning and implementation.
