Emeritus Faculty: Cliff Sherrill

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If you have additions or corrections to this page, please contact the College Archives at 928-776-2262 or archives@yc.edu.  We are especially looking for :

• Nomination materials of faculty for Emeritus status
• Classes taught by individual Emeritus faculty 
• Evidence of their superior teaching at YC
• Their involvement in committee work and special projects
• Photographs of them during their time at YC
• List of written works published, public artwork, music written and performed

The following is the emeritus faculty nomination letter for Professor Clifton (Cliff) Sherrill:

Dear Emeritus Faculty Nomination Committee Members:

It is our pleasure to nominate Professor Cliff Sherrill for Emeritus Faculty status this year. Professor Sherrill meets or exceeds all primary criteria as well as several secondary criteria relative to contributions at the state and/or national levels and presentations at conferences, leadership positions, memberships, etc.

Evidence of superior teaching, contributions to the Yavapai College community, and contributions to the communities of Yavapai County are listed below:

Senate Committees:

• Professional Growth Committee. Chaired committee 1987 – 1990
• Standards Committee
• Curriculum Committee (2003 – 2013)
• Peer Reviewer
• Member State Wide Computer Science Articulation Task Force

Other College Activities:

• Division Chairman, Business and Computer Science, 1990 – 1993
• Author of “Introduction to Computer Science”. CSA 161. Rewrote text in 2010 to reflect software changes. Revised book through eleven (11) editions
• Assisted in editing the Textbook, “C++” by Prentice Hall
• Created, developed, and implemented BSA/CSA 118, “Practical Creative Thinking”
• Helped develop and taught most CSA courses that have been offered at the college over the last 30 years
• Assisted in developing the 2 plus 2 transfer program for our CS majors attending NAU
• Redeveloped our CSA110 course while incorporating the latest technological online learning tools (MyITLab and later SimNet) enabling a seamless transfer of credits earned by our students to ASU, U of A, or NAU 
• Deeply involved in developing and revising all degree and certificate programs relating to Computer Science and Business
• Coordinated division participation and attendance at COMDEX, one of the largest computer trade shows in any industry sector: information gained there are seen in our computer classrooms to this date
• Represented the Business and Computer Science Division at Yavapai College Career Fairs
• Participated in or led numerous screening/hiring committees
• Worked in all CSA computer labs on Prescott campus supporting students’ needs
• Participated in BUCS scholarship committees
• Represented BUCS on the YC district-wide ITS committee
• Member of National Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) – special interest group (SIG) Computer Science Education
• Attended numerous ACM national meetings
• Received advanced training in “Alice” (a programming language) at Carnegie – Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Conducted ITV class encompassing both Prescott and Verde campuses​

Community Activities

• Taught Office classes for NAU/Prescott at Dexter Elementary
• Consulted with Prescott Unified School district on numerous IT projects
• Taught several computer related workshops for Prescott High School In-service days
• Assisted in administering the SAT exam for area high school students at Prescott High School
• Many years coaching local girls’ softball teams

Although this list of service is comprehensive, Cliff’s commitment to students and student learning is the reason we are nominating him for emeritus status. It was rare to walk by his office and not see a student getting personalized attention from him. Lindsay and Cliff shared many of the same students: they regularly stopped by his office for additional help. He was able to patiently and clearly explain complex critical thinking and computer concepts in a variety of ways until the student truly understood.

Cliff always displayed integrity and courage as a teacher and mentor. He challenged faculty and administrators alike to think about our mission and how we achieve that mission. Cliff was not afraid to speak out when he believed student or faculty interests were at stake.

Most importantly, Cliff showed us all how to put students first. We would see him spend his valuable time with a student in order to make sure they understood and then could successfully complete their class.

This is what it means to be a great college instructor. Not research and publication. Not cutting-edge laser technology presentations in the classroom or online. One unwearyingly listening and guiding another on the path to learning.

We believe that Professor Sherrill’s many years of dedicated service deserves the recognition of emeritus faculty status, and we hope you will agree that his many years of service to the College, fellow faculty members, students, and community far exceeds the expected standard for this honor.

Sincerely,

Professors Henning, Bushman, Lovell, Snavely, and Bentz