Camp Verde hosted a gathering of more than 50 community members Tuesday, Oct. 25, in the Wingfield Plaza community room to discuss the goals of last month’s Verde Valley Forum for Public Affairs, “The Role of Post-Secondary Education in the Future of the Verde Valley Region.”
“To me, that was one of the most positive things I’ve ever been to,” Camp Verde Economic Development Director Steve Ayers said of the Sept. 10 forum, at Cliff Castle Casino. He praised the Camp Verde community for stepping up then and now, embracing its pivotal role in moving for increased access to post-secondary educational resources in the Verde Valley.
VVFPA President Dick Dahl likewise praised the efforts of area stakeholders, including residents, students, civic employees, elected officials and educators. According to Dahl, this year’s effort to include local high school students in future-leaders forums significantly impacted the way forum participants view the process of engaging in civil discourse toward similar ends.
“This is a whole new venture for us,” Dahl said, adding that the result is a forum report that is not just “going to gather dust on your shelf …. We have actual action plans to go along with it.”
Beaver Creek School District Superintendent Karin Ward, a key participant, said that she initially balked at becoming involved due to her schedule, but soon realized that she “had to be a voice for a lot of people,” removing the obstacles that keep traditionally underrepresented populations in rural areas from accessing post-secondary educational opportunities.
“Education is the only thing that can’t be taken away from you,” Ward said, adding that to gain education some of the most basic challenges must be met. For many in the Beaver Creek area, accessing the internet is difficult. Finding someone to help with filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid — an essential task for the vast majority of students entering college — is even more of a trial.
“How can we make education accessible to everyone in the Verde Valley?” Ward asked.
As one of the major figures able to impact such access directly, Yavapai College Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services Clint Ewell said he thought the forum was a “great example of civil civic engagement.” Furthermore, according to Ewell the outcomes of the forum aligned well with the college’s goals in the Verde Valley, making a fruitful partnership more possible.
In particular, Ewell said he was excited by the idea of expanding career technology education in the region. Growing the programs currently offered and introducing new programs is a priority, Ewell added, especially if the college is allowed to partner well with Valley Academy for Career and Technology Education to reduce costs and increase opportunities for high school students.
Ward emphasized the need to inform students early about college, encouraging them to keep post-secondary education on their radars.
