Yavapai College was established in 1965 by means of a countywide election. In the four years that followed, a board was appointed, a bond was passed, college personnel were hired, and curricula were established. The first classes were held in fall 1969. In February 1970, the college district dedicated its first buildings in Prescott on a site that was once part of Fort Whipple, the military base constructed in 1864 to provide security and protection for the territorial capital.
Campus
Yavapai College offers on-campus housing at the Prescott Campus in the two residence halls: Marapai and Kachina. There is a food court available, as well as Common Grounds café. Yavapai College operates year-round 24-hour police services. On October 3, 2012, the Yavapai College District Governing Board approved a motion to support reinvestment in on-campus housing, allotting $5.2 million for the proposed renovation project.
Academics
In 2010-11, the college offered 99 certificate, degree and transfer options to students in 73 different programs of study. In addition to traditional curricula, the college offers many learning options to fit the lifestyles and circumstances of its students. Alternative learning options include credit for prior learning, internships/service learning, non-credit courses, college for children, high school partnerships, internet courses, open entry/open exit courses, telecourses, senior programs and high school equivalency program. The college offers seven Associate degree programs: Associate of Arts/Associate of Science, Associate of Business Degrees, Associate of Arts in Elementary Education, Associate of Fine Arts Degree, Associate of General Studies Degree Program, Associate Degree in Nursing and Associate of Applied Science Degree The college is the location of the Yavapai College Gunsmithing School, which for several years was renowned as one of the top three gunsmithing schools in the U.S. wuth Trinidad State Jr College and Colorado School of Trades.
Student life
Yavapai College currently sponsors four intercollegiate teams - two men and two women - and competes in Division 1 of the National Junior College Athletics Association. The college belongs to the Arizona Community CollegeAthletics Conference, a league of fifteen community colleges in Arizona. Men's and women's basketball programs were sponsored until 2011, when they were eliminated due to Arizona state budget cuts. The college athletic teams have distinguished themselves athletically with national championships in soccer, baseball, softball and cross country. In spring 2014, in joint efforts between students and the athletic department, Yavapai College began streaming and broadcasting sporting events online via its Ustream.tv account.
