Safety and Security across Seven Campuses and Centers

Yavapai College Police Department (YCPD) Detective Sergeant Megyn Felton’s family moved from Georgia to Prescott in 2016. In November of the following year, she was working at the college.

“I’ve had the opportunity to grow up at Yavapai College,” Felton said. “I started working here when I was 17 years old and I've been able to foster a lot of amazing relationships, in the Yavapai College community. I enjoy learning about others’ paths, aspirations, academic goals, and future goals within Yavapai College.”

Felton started at Yavapai College as an intern for the YCPD and soon after became a safety officer. She went through the academy (Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy) and became a certified Peace Officer. Felton had the opportunity to test for the position of Detective, in 2022. She passed and got the position and has been certified for almost seven years. To maintain her position on the YCPD, Felton must undertake leadership trainings and an investigations training each semester.

In December 2025, Felton earned a Master’s degree from the Northern Arizona University in Organizational Leadership. In the role of the Detective Sergeant position, just a couple of Felton’s daily tasks are running YCPD’s investigations section, acting as the athletic liaison for the female sports teams, being the liaison for the different YC centers and their Dean’s, hosting trainings for YC and the community, including other agencies, and she serves as the Patrol Sergeant, assigning the Officers of the YCPD to monitor different areas, activities, events, etc. of the College’s seven locations.

“If we have on-campus events or there are additional needs, I manage the staffing, and assist in event planning, etc.” Felton said. “There's a lot that happens throughout the day, that the Yavapai College Police Department runs, manages, and assists with. We coordinate staffing for performances at the Jim and Linda Lee Performing Arts Center, for example. When necessary, I also coordinate with the Arizona Rangers.”

For anyone seeking a career in law enforcement or administration of justice, Felton said that regardless of what trajectory one would like to take or where one would like to end up, one must start at the entry level.

Felton did her internship with the YCPD under former YCPD Chief Jerald Monahan, and shared that she’s so grateful to have worked with him. She said that Monahan told her what kind of potential he saw in her, which pushed her to work harder. Jerald Monahan has been a mentor for Felton for years, and is still her go to for law enforcement related questions, “I owe my successes to Chief Monahan. He pushed me to become successful educationally and professionally.”

Yavapai College operates seven campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates, four baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities. To learn more about Yavapai College, visit www.yc.edu.