College honored by Association of Community College Trustees

Prescott, Arizona (October 8, 2025) – The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), a national non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of high quality and affordable education, has named Yavapai College the Pacific Region recipient of its 2025 Impact & Success Award.

“Yavapai College has a critical role in the community by providing workforce training in dozens of wide-ranging career paths and it is an honor to be recognized by the Association of Community College Trustees for the dedication the college has to ensuring students are well prepared to join the workforce or continue their education,” said Dr. Lisa Rhine, President of Yavapai College. “I commend our faculty, staff, district governing board and partners for their commitment our students. We all share in this award together.”

ACCT’s Regional Awards recognize the tremendous contributions made by community colleges and their leaders to meet the needs of their communities. The Impact & Success Award is a new award, created to honor college presidents and governing boards that achieve exemplary results developing relevant programs and delivering educational programs and services. As the Pacific Region recipient of the ACCT’s Impact & Success Award, Yavapai College shares the honor with four other community colleges across the country.

“Every trustee, college president or chancellor, faculty member, and professional board staff member who receive awards are vital to their colleges own successes,” said Rich Fukutaki, ACCT Chair and Bellevue Community College Trustee. “It is ACCT’s privilege to recognize their dedication and accomplishments.”

The Impact & Success Award requires ‘demonstrable evidence of leadership’ in creating and enhancing educational opportunities for first-generation and low-income students over the last three years. Award criteria emphasize:

• Increased access for low-income and first-generation students
• Increased completion rates for both populations; and
• Increases in basic needs programs and services for first-generation and low-income students as well as increased opportunities for adult and non-credit students.

Yavapai College operates seven campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over one hundred degrees and certificates, four baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities. To learn more about YC, visit www.yc.edu.