Good afternoon,
I’m Lisa Rhine, President of Yavapai College.
It’s Wednesday, September 2.
As the COVID-19 virus continues to pose an
ongoing threat to our community, the leadership
team and I want to
recognize that the pandemic and its consequences
of isolation and changes in routines has produced,
for many, a persistent worry which is very
stressful.
We are
concerned about the effects of these prolonged
stressors on all of us.
We recognize that many have been stretched
to the limit and have a need to “re-charge,
rejuvenate, and engage in supportive interactions.
We are all distracted and needing to cope
with a different daily life now.
Importantly, we want to acknowledge this situation
and recognize that we cannot control it.
But there are things within our campus communities
that we can control.
To that end, I’ve asked the leadership team
to talk with supervisors and supervisors with
their teams to listen
empathetically and endeavor to learn how the
college can help in this situation.
Whether it be the stressors of the everyday
concerns, or the persistent threat of coronavirus,
it’s important to
nourish your well-being as a buffer and coping
with stress has never been more important
for your health.
This is a
hard time for everyone.
We are all in this together and I hope we
will all emerge with a renewed appreciation
for
our interconnectedness.
Please have discussions with your teams and
share your ideas for increasing
connectedness and providing a relief valve
for stress.
I will be asking the leadership team to collect
those ideas
so that we ensure our employees finds the
college a supportive place that nourishes
your well-being and,
ultimately, helps us to maintain our effectiveness
in serving our students and community long-term.
I also have a few updates for you today.
I want to start with the COVID-19 testing
that I have mentioned in my last few videos.
Yavapai College will indeed offer testing
for students, employees, and family
members of students and employees.
Testing wIll be available at both the Verde
Valley and Prescott campuses
and they will be drive-thru services.
The testing at the Prescott Campus will be
on September 15th, 22nd, and
29th from 9:00 to noon in Parking Lot A, which
is located in front of the Performing Arts
Center.
Testing at the Verde Valley Campus will be
available on September 15th and September
29th from 9:00 to noon in
Parking Lot #8, which is on the backside of
campus near Building L.
Spectrum Health does take most insurances
and is willing to work with students who do
not have insurance.
Spectrum has an optional online pre-registration
form that allows participants to save a lot
of time when they drive
up to the testing location.
It cuts down the time by 10-15 mins.
The form, along with all testing related information
can be found on our website at yc.edu/covidtest.
It will also be available in the COVID-19
tab of both the student and employee portal.
As I mentioned Monday, registration is open
for second 8-week classes is open and we now
have nearly 100 classes
available.
If you want to take a quick look at what is
available, please visit yc.edu/eightweek.
Classes begin on October 12.
The inaugural Yavapai College Student Government
Association will kick off with an Executive
Leadership Campaign and Election this fall.
Look for the
announcement this month with the introduction
of the Executive Leadership in November.
Students looking to get engaged with others,
please join our student engagement team in
the virtual world!
There
are a number of virtual events happening this
fall, including Debatewatch on September 29th,
Club RUSH on September 23rd , Movie Night
on October 15th , Ruffs
Quarantine Quest: Cooking with Chef Barr on
September 24th, and National Voter Registration
Day – September 22nd.
Specifics times and zoom links are posted
on our website and the YC Roughrider News
Facebook page.
If you do not already follow YC on social
media, you are
truly missing out.
These channels are a great way to stay up-to-date
on what is happening at the college.
We have a
number of pages for students, employees, the
community and alumni.
All with great information and stories.
Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube
and LinkedIn.
Finally, I am warmed to hear of a great success
story in the works from our Small Business
Development Team.
For more than a year, the SBDC has been working
with a 10-year Army veteran to assist him
to develop his
business plan to launch a craft brewery in
Prescott Valley.
He has been working abroad as a security contractor
for nearly two years to fund his business
launch plans.
I am
delighted to hear that his project is on track
and he hopes to open in spring of 2021.
Awesome news, and thank you to our SBDC staff
for continuing to support our community
Monday is Labor Day, so I will not be providing
another video until next Wednesday.
Have a great holiday weekend.
Please stay safe and stay well.
