Verde Valley News – Activating student career inspiration and exploration into program enrollment is a critical part of connecting our workforce ecosystem. Yavapai College is excited to partner with Pipeline AZ to launch the college Bridge program with My Future AZ.
Pipeline AZ built My Future AZ in partnership with the Arizona Department of Education, Center for the Future of Arizona and Arizona Business and Education Coalition for students’ career exploration in K-12. The Bridge program aims to better facilitate the transition from high school to college for Yavapai County students.
Thanks to the Department of Labor’s Forging STEM Career Literacy and Pathways in Rural Arizona, students using My Future AZ can now denote in their Education and Career Action Plan goals that they plan to attend Yavapai College and choose a related pathway or program to be connected to the college for support. This will expand beyond STEM interests enabling equitable access towards all Arizona careers, especially those that are high-demand, high-wage, and high-skill occupations.
Yavapai College advisors are ready to assist students for a more seamless enrollment process. This dedicated approach will initiate a connection between Yavapai College advisors to Yavapai County high school students much earlier and more intentionally.
“Working with Pipeline AZ, Yavapai College is able to help our students identify their skills and interests and connect that information to in-demand careers. We are excited to bridge this interest earlier and support our students as they aspire to Yavapai Pipeline College,” said Tania Sheldahl, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Yavapai College. “This new program will put our students on track to completing their program from day one. The ultimate goal is employment within our community that fits our students’ passions.”
The Arizona Department of Education, Center for the Future of Arizona, Arizona Board of Regents, and Education Forward Arizona collaborated with My Future AZ for this initiative. According to a statistic revealing that only 48% of high school students enroll in college the semester after graduation, the state has set a goal to increase that percentage to 70%.
Pipeline AZ serves five of the community college districts statewide with branded and customized community college solutions for students to utilize while attending the respective college. Yavapai College’s solution, Yavapai Pipeline, was established in 2022.
“Creating a bridge to the future of work is that of a joint community,” said Katherine Adams, Pipeline AZ’s Senior Vice President. “Pipeline AZ recognizes that student success is not simply finding a program, but also understanding where that program fits within a career pathway, therefore collaboration with partners is key to achieving that success in the long run.”
Forging STEM Career Literacy and Pathways in Rural Arizona is supported by the U.S. Department of Labor. A total of $ 1,998,968 or 100 percent of the Workforce Pathways for Youth award is financed with federal funds. The program is an equal opportunity program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Pipeline AZ is a career development and exploration platform that creates pathways to in-demand careers by connecting the dots between industry and education. It uses skills mapping technology to help job seekers discover new paths or level up in their existing careers while also serving as a valuable recruiting tool for employers. Learn more at pipelineaz.com
Enrollment for the spring semester is now open, and classes are filling fast. For more information about Yavapai College, registering for classes, or discounts and scholarship resources, visit www.yc.edu or call 928-717-7777.
Yavapai College operates seven campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, two baccalaureate degrees (with two more pending accreditation approval), student and community services, and cultural events and activities. To learn more about YC, visit www.yc.edu.
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