In this role, he serves as the college’s Chief Operating Officer with responsibilities including accounting, accreditation, budgeting, bookstore, facilities, grants, information technology services, institutional effectiveness and research, mail services, printing, purchasing, and strategic planning. During his tenure in higher education, Clint has also amassed experience successfully leading childcare, food services, human resources, and police.

In addition to leading his areas, Clint provides counsel to the President and his fellow Executive Leadership Team members, helping them to identify the strategies, and the related financial resources, that will differentiate the college and enhance student success.

Important accomplishments at YC include:

• Two flawless HLC Accreditation visits.
• The award-winning Instructional Cost Dashboard, a tool that has helped YC reallocate over 3% of its budget every year to fund emerging priorities.
• Leading the design of the nationally recognized YC Promise, a self-funding Promise scholarship that has moved YC's completion rate into the top decile.
• Creating one of the first IACLEA accredited community colleges in the nation, demonstrating adherence to best practices in community policing.
• Ongoing GFOA recognition for excellence in Financial Reporting and in Budgeting.
• Achieving some of the best-maintained college facilities in the country through investing in planned maintenance to lower the total costs of ownership.

Clint received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Management from Northwestern University, and a Doctor of Education from the University of New Mexico.

When not in the office, you may find Clint pursuing one of his many hobbies including music, film, theater, swimming or hiking.

In this role, she ensures that education and training efforts produce measurable workforce outcomes for the community. She oversees 86 degree and certificate programs that prepare residents for in-demand careers in healthcare, public safety, skilled trades, aviation, manufacturing, engineering, and emerging industries, strengthening Yavapai County’s workforce and economy.

Dr. Mercado was named Arizona Women in Higher Education Woman of the Year in 2024 and Yavapai College Employee of the Year in 2022 in recognition of her results-driven leadership.

Her work has focused on addressing healthcare workforce shortages that directly impact local families and essential services. She led the Nursing program through a successful eight-year accreditation, ensuring long-term quality and stability, and in 2023 launched Arizona’s first community college-based, fully online RN-to-BSN program.

This initiative allows working nurses to advance their education without leaving their jobs or communities. The RN-to-BSN program achieved full accreditation in fall 2025, expanding access to advanced nursing education and helping stabilize the regional healthcare workforce. Dr. Mercado also served for a number of years as a third-party accreditation evaluator for Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

In 2024, Dr. Mercado secured $1.12 million in federal workforce funding, expanding training capacity while easing pressure on local resources. These efforts supported the launch of a Licensed Practical Nurse Fast Track program, graduating nurses more quickly to meet urgent workforce needs. Through the Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network, she accelerated Medical Assisting training and strengthened student support across a five-county region.

Dr. Mercado works closely with hospitals, law enforcement and emergency services, transportation partners, and regional employers to align college programs with real workforce demand. Under her leadership, healthcare programs such as Nursing, Paramedicine, Radiologic Technology, and Medical Assisting have expanded to address critical staffing shortages. She also supported the Limited X-Ray Operator program, improving access to diagnostic care in rural communities.

Beyond healthcare, Dr. Mercado oversees Career and Technical Education programs that prepare residents for high-demand, living-wage careers, including commercial driver’s license training, lineman training, welding, automotive technology, HVAC, construction, manufacturing, engineering, electrical instrumentation, aviation, robotics, and drone operations.

She has advanced new certificates aligned with Arizona’s semiconductor and supply chain industries, supporting long-term economic growth.

Launching in 2026, Dr. Mercado led the development of the region’s first 92-credit Public Safety Administration degree to support career advancement for law enforcement, fire, corrections, and emergency responders.

She also oversees federally funded workforce and adult education programs and has contributed to regional workforce strategy through service on the Workforce Development Board, including a six-month appointed term in 2025. Her work emphasizes coordination, accountability, and measurable outcomes for both job seekers and employers.

Known for her collaborative leadership style and strong commitment to the community, Dr. Mercado works effectively with business leaders, hospitals, clinical partners, workforce boards, city officials, and law enforcement officials to build meaningful partnerships and create educational pathways that meet regional workforce needs.

Dr. Mercado lives in Prescott with her husband and their golden retriever, Honey. They are avid ATV riders and pickleball enthusiasts.

Prior to YC, Dr. Nix was Chief of Organizational Development at IEHP, where she was responsible for the organizational development and operations of Human Resources.

She brings 30 years of experience to YC: 15 years in education, and 20 years in healthcare. She is very experienced in organizational development, employee engagement, training at all levels in hospital and health systems environments, and many other areas of Human Resources functions.

Previously, Dr. Nix worked as the Chief Learning Officer for the Hospital Sisters Health System in Illinois, as Assistant Vice President of Learning and Curriculum at St. Mary’s Medical Center, and as Dean of Instruction at Victor Valley Community College District.

Dr. Nix earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare and Master of Public Administration from California State University, Sacramento and her Doctor of Educational Leadership from the University of LaVerne.

Jack previously served as Yavapai College Director of Human Resources, Risk Management, Title VI, and Emergency Management. In that role, he established the College’s first comprehensive Risk Management program, advanced major process improvements, and oversaw key functions including employee relations, investigations, compensation analysis, benefits administration, and safety/OSHA compliance.

Jack is an accomplished executive leader with extensive experience guiding complex public-sector organizations through operational, financial, and cultural transformation. Across more than two decades of service in federal, state, county, and higher-education leadership roles, he has built a reputation for modernizing systems, elevating organizational performance, and strengthening accountability through data-driven decision-making and servant-leadership principles.

Prior to his work in higher education, Jack served as Administrator for the Arizona Department of Administration, Division of School Facilities and the School Facilities Oversight Board.

From 2019 to 2021, Jack held a presidential appointment as State Director for USDA Rural Development in Arizona. In that role, he served as the agency’s principal representative in statewide and national forums, strengthening partnerships between rural leaders, local governments, and federal stakeholders.

Jack was elected and served as County Supervisor for Yavapai County, where he exercised executive oversight of 19 departments, including Human Resources, Public Works, Emergency Management, and the County Health Clinic. He directed budgeting, tax policy, legislative engagement, and interagency collaboration while serving on multiple regional and national boards and committees.

Jack holds a Master of Public Administration from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Arts from Grand Canyon University. His background also includes military service as a U.S. Army Military Police Officer, as well as leadership roles in civic, planning, and community organizations.

Known for his integrity, strategic mindset, and ability to build strong relationships across diverse stakeholders, Jack brings a consistent focus on operational excellence, innovation, and mission-driven results to every organization he serves.

At Yavapai College, Mr. Smith oversees Communications & Marketing, Yavapai College Foundation, Legislative Affairs, Hispanic Outreach, and the Emergency Operations Center.

As Interim Vice President of Student Affairs, Diana looks forward to working alongside faculty, staff, and students to continue advancing Yavapai College’s mission and fostering an exceptional student experience.

Diana brings more than 17 years of higher education leadership experience, including 15 years of dedicated service to Yavapai College. During her tenure, she has served in progressively responsible leadership roles, including Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management, Associate Dean of Student Development, and Director of Financial Aid.

Throughout her career, Diana has demonstrated a strong commitment to student success, institutional innovation, and collaborative leadership. She has led numerous college-wide initiatives focused on improving the student experience, including strategic enrollment management, development of Yavapai College’s Prison Education Program, and other initiatives designed to strengthen student access, persistence, and completion.

She is recognized for building collaborative partnerships across the College and using data-informed strategies to improve institutional effectiveness.

Diana’s commitment to servant leadership was shaped early in her career through her service as a medic in the United States Army. That experience instilled a lifelong dedication to helping others, leading with integrity, and serving students and colleagues with compassion and purpose.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Arizona State University and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Northcentral University.