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.
The Belonging Goal affirms the importance of meeting students’ basic needs as a foundation for academic success and community connection. By ensuring students have the support necessary to thrive, the College fosters an inclusive environment where individuals feel welcomed, valued, and supported.
This commitment also extends to employees, cultivating a culture in which faculty and staff feel engaged, appreciated, and empowered in their work.
The Adult Learners Goal focuses on expanding access and opportunity for non-traditional students, particularly those with some college experience but no degree. This goal acknowledges the unique circumstances of adult learners and prioritizes flexible, supportive pathways that enable them to successfully balance education with work and family responsibilities.
The Living Wage Goal centers on preparing students for meaningful employment that provides economic mobility and long-term stability. In response to a changing workforce shaped by technological advancement and automation, the College is committed to equipping learners with relevant knowledge, skills, and credentials that position them for high-demand, well-compensated careers.
The Delivery Goal focuses on improving how the College provides high-quality educational programs and services to maximize student success. This goal emphasizes effectiveness, innovation, and continuous improvement in academic offerings and student support systems to ensure learners can achieve their educational and life goals.
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.
