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News for the Community from the Maricopa Community Colleges
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Spring 2016
A new Arizona State
University (ASU) program
is bringing former
Maricopa Community
Colleges (MCCCD)
students back to their
campuses to help
other university-bound
students transfer
successfully.
The students are called
Transfer Student Ambassadors, or TSAs, and their role is to take the lessons
they learned while moving from their Maricopa college to ASU and applying
them to current Maricopa students who may be struggling with the transfer
process or overwhelmed by ASU’s size.
The advantage is the student connection, according to Kathy Yeager, ASU’s
Senior Director of Community College Relations. “I think students are really
interested in speaking to someone who came from the school where they
are studying,” she explained.
ASU started the program in the Fall 2015 semester with 11 Ambassadors
and has expanded it to 16 for the Spring 2016 semester. “It exceeded my
expectations for a first semester,” Yeager said, adding that the Ambassadors
have appeared at more than 70 Maricopa and ASU events, including club
activities and even some classes.
The Ambassadors know what it’s like to walk onto the gigantic ASU
campus for the first time. Just ask J. C. Flores, an ASU senior who studied
at Phoenix College (PC) and Glendale Community College. “You go from a
small college to a university that has 80,000 students,” Flores said.
Issue Highlights
24
67
11
CHANCELLOR GLASPER’S PERSPECTIVE
REAL-WORLD SCIENCE
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS HOSTED
NEW GOVERNING BOARD OFFICERS
PAST AND FUTURE
MARICOPAMatters News for the Community From the
Maricopa Community Colleges
ASU continued on Page 7
ASU Ambassadors Share Experiences to Promote Successful Transfers
Chancellor Glasper Announces RetirementDr. Harper-Marinick Appointed Interim
Ambassadors C. J. Slater, Anna Bermudez, Carletta Miller, and J. C. Flores
Dr. Rufus Glasper, who served the Maricopa Community Colleges
as Chancellor for nearly 13 years, announced in January that he will
retire, effective February 29, 2016. Dr. Glasper is leaving to become
President and CEO of the League for Innovation in the Community
College. Maricopa’s Governing Board named Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick,
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, to serve as Interim Chancellor
until a new Chancellor is on board.
The Governing Board resolved to quickly begin a nationwide search for
a new Chancellor, with an expectation that the new Chancellor would be
on board well in advance of the start of the 2016–2017 academic year.
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said, “For three decades, Dr. Rufus
Glasper’s extraordinary leadership has set the bar and guided the
growth for the best community college system in the nation. I’m proud
of the work we embarked on together to increase Latino college
completion rates and for his courageous decision to grant in-state tuition
to Dream Act students.”
The Greater Phoenix Economic Council issued a statement saying the
Chancellor’s “dedication to preparing students for entering the workforce
has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of residents and
has contributed to building the skilled labor force that makes the greater
Phoenix region an attractive place for business attraction.”
The Maricopa Community Colleges Faculty Association praised
Dr. Glasper for “his continued and unwavering commitment to student
success.” During his 12 years as Chancellor of MCCCD, Dr. Glasper
has been instrumental in continuing the tradition of excellence for which
Maricopa is nationally known. His forward thinking has led to success
for faculty, staff, and students,” the faculty statement said.
Dan Huston, head of the Management,
Administrative, and Technical (MAT) employees,
recalled that he had many opportunities to
meet with Dr. Glasper and said, “I always
appreciated his counsel. He has been able
to draw on his experience, blended with
his perspective of current events within
the community, and overlay that
onto issues being discussed
within Maricopa.”
J. C. Flores, ASU Ambassador
Dr. Rufus Glasper
Leadership2 About Maricopa’sInterim Chancellor,Dr. Harper-MarinickDr. Maria Harper-
Marinick, Interim
Chancellor of the
Maricopa Community
Colleges, has served
as Executive Vice
Chancellor and
Provost since 2010.
She previously was
Vice Chancellor for
Academic and Student
Affairs and continued as the District’s chief
academic officer when appointed Executive
Vice Chancellor and Provost. She has
worked with the Chancellor to develop
and implement the District’s strategic plan
and lead initiatives to enhance access and
increase student success.
Dr. Harper-Marinick also has provided
oversight for all areas within academic and
student affairs; institutional effectiveness
and research; university relations and
transfer; grants development; international
education; high-school-to-college pathways
programs; and workforce and small
business development.
Dr. Harper-Marinick has received numerous
awards. Most recently, in 2015, she was
selected as the Woman of the Year by the
Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; was
featured in Diverse Issues in Higher Education
as one of 25 women who have made a
difference in the world; and was selected to
join the 2015 class of the Aspen Institute’s
Ascend Fellows.
She was awarded the 2013 Arizona
Diamondbacks Hispanic Community
Leadership Award, the NCSPOD 2013
Chancellor Leadership Award, and the
2012 Victoria Foundation’s Alfredo G. de
los Santos, Jr., Service in Higher Education
Award. In 2014, Dr. Harper-Marinick was
selected as one of the 50 Most Influential
Women in Arizona Business by the AZ
Business Magazine, highlighted by the
Phoenix Business Journal in their Executive
Profiles, and featured in International
Educator as “Women Making Their Marks.”
In 2013 she was selected as one of the 25
Most Influential Hispanic Business Leaders
in Arizona by the AZ Business magazine and
one of the Valley’s Most Admired Leaders by
the Phoenix Business Journal. She has been
the subject of articles in several magazines.
A native of the Dominican Republic,
Dr. Harper-Marinick came to Arizona State
University as a Fulbright Scholar in 1982.
She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Technology
and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Media
from Arizona State University, as well as
a licentiate in School Administration and
Pedagogy from Universidad Nacional Pedro
Henríquez Ureña in the Dominican Republic.
Looking Back on 29 Years, 10 Months, and 15 Days The Chancellor’s Perspectiveby Dr. Rufus Glasper, Chancellor
By the time you read this edition of Maricopa Matters,
I will have retired from the Maricopa Community
Colleges; so, I thought I would take this opportunity to
look back on my time at Maricopa, and look forward at
what I see as the possibilities for our organization in the
year ahead.
The amount of change that has happened within
Maricopa in my time here has been nothing short of
remarkable. When I began in the District in April of 1986,
we had seven colleges and three learning centers that
now are fulfilling the dream of being comprehensive
colleges. When I started we had about 125,000
students, and at our peak during the last recession,
we were serving 275,000.
It’s impossible to ignore the tremendous changes in the
way our organization is financed. In 1980, before I arrived, 29% of our funding came from the State.
By the time I arrived, that amount had dropped a little, to 26%. Over the years, it continued to decline
until last year’s legislative and executive branches dropped it to zero. Our birthday present was,
“Happy Birthday, Maricopa. You’re celebrating 50 years. Now, you have no more State funding.”
And, of course, that money had to be replaced by other
sources, and expenses had to be reduced; so, the percentage
of our costs borne by the taxpayers has increased, as has the
percentage paid by our students in the form of tuition.
People often ask me whether we will ever get our state funding
back. I think it will be a challenge. As Arizona comes out of the
recession, it is still struggling to normalize its budget process,
and I really don’t know if the State has determined if it can
allocate money to the community colleges in a predictable
way. We might receive some STEM funding related to
technical education this year, but as for regular funding, I
don’t believe Maricopa can look forward to that for at least
five years or possibly ever.
In spite of these challenges, there is much we can be proud of, not the least of which is the
tremendous contribution we make to Maricopa County every year. We conducted a recent study
of our economic contribution, and it stands at $7.3 billion dollars a year. I think every Maricopa
employee should stop for a moment and reflect on just how important their work is in making that
amount a reality. It is truly an amazing accomplishment, and you do it each and every year.
Looking to the future, I believe a key to Maricopa’s continuing success will
be finding new revenue sources. Partnerships with corporations and other
organizations, such as those being cultivated by the Maricopa Corporate
College, will be key. Another important factor will be getting the State
legislature and governor to allow us to financially benefit from entrepreneurial
partnerships, so we can replace the revenue that was taken away from us.
Going forward, two initiatives that we have begun in recent years – ONE
Maricopa and Maricopa Priorities – will pay great dividends to Maricopa. ONE
Maricopa continues to be a way to look at our 10 colleges as part of one organization, which I’m
convinced is the only way we will succeed in the challenging years to come.
Maricopa Priorities will also help us meet those challenges because it will allow us to operate with
greater efficiency and effectiveness while continuing to focus on student success.
Finally, I’d like to say a few words about the employees at Maricopa whose dedication and vision
have made it possible for this great organization to succeed. We became one of the nation’s largest
educational institutions through their hard work and commitment to student success. I know that
their continued devotion to Maricopa’s mission will ensure our success in the years to come.
Focus on Faculty3MCC Professor’s Sabbatical Adds to Student Experience
Scott Adamson and Linda Meng (2nd and 3rd from left) in class
Taking a sabbatical is sometimes just what the
doctor (or professor) ordered. Mesa Community
College’s Dr. Tim Minger, a member of the
chemistry faculty, recently took a sabbatical
to continue research that will benefit students
when he returns to the classroom. He’s already
seeing and feeling the benefits.
Dr. Minger, along with fellow chemistry
professors Valentina Nedelkova and John
Zikopoulos, was awarded a National Science
Foundation grant in 2012 to study the chemical
compounds of native Sonoran Desert plants.
While the grant was a productive one, Minger
used his recent sabbatical to develop additional
lab experiments and to follow up with labs
created as part of the grant.
The sabbatical
work allowed
Dr. Minger
to develop
additional
lessons and
lectures about
natural products
and present his
findings at the American Chemical Society
last year.
“One of the things I worked on was an
experiment that allows students to investigate
the antioxidant properties of chia seed, which
is really popular right now and draws student
attention,” Dr. Minger said. “Our students
are doing our new jojoba biodiesel and chia
antioxidant experiments every semester now.”
In addition, Dr. Minger and his colleagues are
looking at ways to add more Sonoran native
plants to future experiments, adding to the list
of plants already in use. “It takes a long time
to develop an experiment that’s suitable and
practical for undergraduates because of all the
different compounds it contains,” he explained.
While on sabbatical, Dr. Minger reported
learning a lot about teaching and the classroom
environment. He credited the time away and his
research with helping him to better relate to the
students’ perspectives of learning. “When you’re
trying to figure things out that you’ve never
seen or done before and experiencing that
frustration, you really remember what it’s like to
learn something for the first time,” he laughed.
Now back from sabbatical and back in the
classroom, Dr. Minger feels refreshed
and ready to tackle a new
semester. His love for the
desert and its foliage was
the inspiration for the project,
and now he’s ready to share
that love with his students.
Otis White
New Insurance Studies Program Helps Meet Industry Demands
Three Maricopa Community Colleges have collaborated with the Maricopa County Community College
District and 35 insurance professionals from 20 different insurance companies to develop a new
Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Insurance Studies.
The CCL, which is the first of its kind in Arizona and for community colleges, was
created in direct response to industry need—to help local employees prepare for a
career in the fast-growing insurance industry, while helping the industry fill current
positions and projected employment shortfalls with qualified candidates. The three
colleges are Glendale Community College (GCC), Mesa Community College (MCC),
and Rio Salado College.
“There were no programs like this in Maricopa County to prepare graduates for jobs
in the insurance industry, which has a significant presence in Arizona,” said Otis White, Rio Salado’s
faculty chair for business programs, who played a key role in the development of the program. “So we
consulted with local industry professionals to design a certificate that addresses those needs.”
As a result, an 18-credit certificate was created that focuses on general knowledge of the insurance
industry and touches on property and liability insurance, personal insurance, and commercial insurance.
Students have the option of taking online classes at Rio Salado, which offers flexible Monday start
dates, and in-person classes at GCC and MCC. Students who complete the certificate can transfer into
a variety of business programs offered at the three public Arizona universities.
This new certificate is designed to help create a work-ready, knowledgeable workforce to meet the
demands of an industry that currently has unfilled jobs for qualified residents.
Program requirements and additional details are available at: www2.gccaz.edu/insurance-studies www.riosalado.edu/insurance
Information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attend is at: gccaz.edu/gainful-employment mesacc.edu/programs/gainful-employment
www.riosalado.edu/insurance_ccl
Dr. Tim Minger and student Dawn O’Brien“This experience allowed me to help other military families through education.
Some military families stationed abroad may feel cut off from the U.S., and this program helps military parents ensure their children stay connected. . .
” —Linda Meng
CGCC Instructors Bring Knowledge, Skills to Military Bases AbroadTwo Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) mathematics faculty members have gotten an
up-close look at how the families of members of the U.S. armed forces live overseas.
Scott Adamson, Ph.D., and Linda Meng, traveled
to U.S. military bases abroad, to train fellow
educators on the latest college and career
readiness standards in mathematics. Their journey
was part of a program funded by the United
States Department of Defense Education Agency
(DoDEA), an agency responsible for educating
children of military service members who are
stationed overseas.
Adamson served teachers at the United States
Naval Base in Yokosuka, Japan, while Meng was
assigned to the United States Army Base in Daegu, South Korea. “There is constant awareness of our
U.S. troops serving on military bases abroad, but far less recognition of the thousands of American
children who live on these same bases,” said Adamson. “They attend American schools where they are
taught by American teachers.”
It is the DoDEA’s responsibility to educate these children at the same level as their peers receive
within the United States. And, as the DoDEA transitions to the Common Core State Standards in
Mathematics it, in partnership with the Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas, has sought
out top U.S. teachers like Adamson and Meng to get educators serving abroad fully up to speed.
As a former military wife with a son currently serving as a fourth-generation military man, this
experience was a very personal one for Meng.
And it was by pure coincidence that her assignment to the Daegu American School was on the same
base as where her son is serving. “I got to see him and where he works! How awesome is that,”
she beamed.
Student Success4 SMCC Student Learns How Much the College ContributesSometimes the best things in life happen
by surprise. Joana Sotelo counts her
college career as an example of that.
Joana was a good student in high school
– an honor student in the top 10% of her
class. She was highly motivated to go
to college and remembers that during
her senior year she told herself, “I’m
going to start at the top. I’ll never go to a
community college.”
Around that time, Joana’s boyfriend, a
first-year South Mountain Community
College (SMCC) student at the time, was
talking up the atmosphere and possibilities
there. And as it happened, Joana sent
out scholarship applications to several
universities and came up empty. So,
armed with a Presidential Scholarship,
Joana began at SMCC and now is glad
she did. “I love the atmosphere,” she said.
“I’ve met so many people there. Young
people like myself and I’ve met older
people in their 50s and 60s.”
In the process, Joana said, “I’ve come to
appreciate things more. I’m very grateful.”
One of the things she appreciates is the
role that SMCC plays in lifting up the entire
South Phoenix neighborhood. “Now that
I’m more open to how life really is and
how to value things, I realize that we’re the
only college on the South Side that offers
diplomas and certificates.”
She said the neighborhood responds with
loyalty and affection for their local college.
“Everyone loves SMCC,” she explained.
Joana counts herself fortunate that both
her father, who took college classes
in his native Mexico, and her mother
encouraged her to go to college. One
brother among her five siblings also is
attending college.
She is now on track to graduate from
SMCC and plans to transfer to Arizona
State University, with an ultimate goal of
becoming an immigration lawyer.
Allison Boley (right) uses real-life examples to teach GCC students Nicole Lummas, David Cruz and Joshua Burke
by Janet TraylorWhat do scavenger hunts, baseball games, raisins, and toothpaste have to do with learning?
Students of Allison Boley, MS, might have an inkling.
In her first year as an adjunct faculty member in the Glendale Community College (GCC) physics
department, Boley mines everyday life to help bring academic concepts “to life.” Her fall semester
Physics 101 students explored stations along the wall of their classroom. At one station, they found
a pile of travel-sized hand sanitizer; at another, boxes of raisins; yet another had tubes of toothpaste.
Each of the seven stations came with a question like, “When you brush your teeth, is the friction
between your teeth and the toothbrush an example of static or kinetic friction?”
Students carefully filled
gallon-sized plastic
bags with one item from
each station, answering
questions along the way
or taking photos of the
questions to answer with
textbooks at their seats.
“They were so quiet I
wasn’t sure how the
activity had gone over,”
said Boley. “ … until
they started turning in
their bags.”
A student previously vocal about her distaste for physics was the first to praise the activity; others
chimed in enthusiastically. And GCC students weren’t the only ones who appreciated the hands-on
exercise, as the contents of the collected bags were passed along to Arizonans in need.
For these GCC physics students, learning continues outside the classroom; throughout the week,
they take part in scavenger hunts, searching for real-life examples of what they’re learning. In one
scavenger hunt, students were asked to capture a picture of a transverse wave. If they return with a
picture of a television set, they’re hot on the trail, as a TV emits electromagnetic waves in the form of
visible light.
“Science and math concepts come alive when we interact with the beauty of the world around us,”
said Boley. It’s not the first time Boley has harnessed everyday life as a pathway to learning. As a
graduate student at ASU, she created an application for elementary school children, Fun Math at
the Ball Park, which helps kids learn math as they watch a baseball game.
Had Boley not received a full ride to Arizona State University as a National Merit Scholar, she would
have attended GCC, as her two sisters did. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees
there and is now pursuing her doctorate while working as a teaching assistant. “I like teaching a lot;
my career goal is to be either a full-time community college teacher or to create educational products
and seminars,” she said.
Why her passion for teaching at the community college level? “The emphasis is on teaching, which
I love,” she reflected. “I don’t want to focus on research to the point where teaching gets sidelined.”
She is open with students about her own academic path. Though she loved math and was always
very good at it, she pursued physics because it was a challenge. “I didn’t want to be bored,” she
said. So she took up physics and struggled with it a lot.
Relating learning to the world we know is essential, says Boley. “We all fear the unknown, so if we
can relate concepts to what we already know, we become less fearful.”
“We begin to recognize we’re already familiar with certain concepts, we just didn’t know what they
were called.”
GCC Students Get Real-World Science, Math Lessons
Joana Sotelo
“But struggling isn’t bad; in the end, struggling and overcoming obstacles give you a great sense of accomplishment. What value is it to your character if you just sail through?”
—Allison Boley
Innovations 5Old Building Becomes a Makerspaceby Chris LambrakisGateWay Community College (GWCC) often is seen as
an innovator within the Maricopa Community Colleges
system. So when the idea of repurposing idle space
owned by the District hit Christine Mackay, Director
of Community and Economic Development for the
City of Phoenix, GateWay stepped up.
“While our city is home to several co-working spaces
for those who can get by with just a computer and a desk, those who want to craft a physical product
need a very different kind of shared office,” says Mackay. “They need the kind with tools and machines
and expert staff who can help build or create an item.”
GateWay is partnering with the City of Phoenix to provide students, entrepreneurs, and
hobbyists that space. It’s referred to as Makerspace and will be located in the Stauffer
Building, a former storage warehouse for the Maricopa District on Van Buren Street,
opening in Fall 2017.
“We have been talking about creating a cross disciplinary learning lab for students
and faculty for a while,” says Kristin Gubser, Director of External Affairs for
GateWay. “The space would encourage different disciplines in science
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) with art — moving from STEM
to STEaM — to come together in one space to create and make art or functional
objects. It will further marry the theory and practical together for our students.”
In an area of Phoenix that is undergoing a renaissance, the 22,550-square-foot Makerspace will offer a
collection of equipment to help spur creations in whatever medium is needed, including welding, rapid
prototyping, ceramics, sculpture, glassblowing, 3-D printing, woodworking, and more. “It will become a
hub for the community of inventors, hobbyists, entrepreneurs, and others in the area,” says Gubser.
“The modern makerspace movement brings together various disciplines, creative directions, and talent
under one roof, pushing each other intellectually and aesthetically with startling results,” says Susan
Mills, chair of the Humanities Division and art faculty at GateWay.
“Details are still being worked out from occupants to memberships; once we know who will be using
the space, the design process may begin,” says Gubser.
Rio Salado Receives $2.6 Million Grant from U.S. Department of Education Rio Salado College is one of 17 schools nationwide to be awarded a First in the World (FITW) grant
from the U.S. Department of Education. The $2.6 million grant will be dispersed over the next four
years and will be used to support innovation and improve student outcomes.
“I am excited about the opportunities this funding
brings to the college and the support it will provide to
our students,” said Chris Bustamante, president of
Rio Salado College. “This recognition validates our
innovative practices and reflects our commitment to help
underserved students achieve their educational goals.”
Michael Medlock, interim dean of instructional technology
at Rio Salado, said the grant award will be used to design
and implement an innovative model to improve teaching and learning for students at need.
“The grant will allow Rio Salado College to pursue new research-supported initiatives
that will help students by using three strategies: creating a clear course pathway,
personalizing the learning, and providing a success coach to meet student needs
along the way,” Medlock said.
Shannon McCarty, dean of instruction and academic affairs at Rio Salado, said the
target population will be new students pursuing an associate degree or transferring
to a four-year institution.
“Rio Salado is known for being an innovator in higher education,” McCarty said. “We look forward
to continuing that tradition and redesigning the college experience for our students.”
The new model joins other notable student success initiatives at Rio Salado College: RioCompass, a
completion portal that allows students to monitor progress toward degree completion, and RioPACE,
a predictive analytics system that tracks student login frequency, site engagement, and course
progress to increase student awareness and accountability.
Rio Salado President Chris Bustamante with graduates
Michael Medlock
I Am Human Campaign Takes Aim at Disparaging Comments
by Karen HarbinEarlier this year, two derogatory comments
were anonymously written on a public
art project developed as part of Estrella
Mountain Community College’s (EMCC)
Student Success Fair. A student activist and
campus leaders harnessed the experience
and transformed it into an idea to create a
campaign for learning and positive change.
An I Will Graduate posting wall at the
fair was designed to allow students to
express academic and personal goals after
graduation by completing the phrase
When I graduate, I will _________________.
Unfortunately, a platform for inspiration was
turned into an opportunity for malice when
offensive and degrading statements were
written on this wall.
One goal that was defaced was written by
EMCC student Ri’Ann Holmes. In response,
Holmes with the EMCC Feminist Majority
Leadership Alliance student club, engaged
with other clubs, college leadership,
employees, and the EMCC Diversity Team
to develop the I Am Human project to speak
out against derogatory language.
“I Am Human embodies the philosophy of
Estrella Mountain, where diversity is one of
its core values,” said Holmes. “By promoting
awareness and acceptance, students know
that this campus is a safe place to express
their culture, thoughts, and aspirations.”
EMCC sociology faculty Dr. Olga Tsoudis
and Michael Bartley, EMCC Coordinator
of Marketing, Alumni Relations and
Communications, collaborated with the
group to elevate the I Am Human project
to a learning initiative that promotes social
justice and EMCC’s core values of diversity,
integrity, collaboration, sustainability,
and innovation.
“Derogatory language is quite common in
society. It is a way for individuals to attempt
to control other individuals by putting
them down,” said Tsoudis. “This project
demonstrates that EMCC is committed to
putting an end to this language.”
The I Am Human campaign features EMCC
students, alumni, and employees sharing
personal experiences and messages of
awareness about derogatory language
through a powerful video, a poster series,
website, and workshops. Directly confronting
the degrading statements that provoked the
project, the campaign’s headline reads, “I
am not a bitch. I am not a fag. I am human.”
Learn more by viewing the video at:
www.estrellamountain.edu/iamhuman
GWCC has a new use for the old Stauffer Building
Community6Rio Salado Honored by White House for Commitment to Hispanic Students
Rio Salado College
has received two
recognitions from the
White House for its
dedication to serving
Hispanic students.
Last fall, the college
was named as one
of the “Commitments
to Action” by the
White House Initiative on
Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
The 100+ organizations participating in
the commitment have pledged to increase
educational opportunities, improve
educational outcomes, and deliver a
complete and competitive education for all
students, including Hispanics.
“We are honored to be recognized by
the White House for our efforts to reach
out to underserved populations,” said Dr.
Chris Bustamante, president of Rio Salado
College. As part of its action plan, Rio
Salado is increasing efforts to reach local
schools with large Hispanic populations,
assessing their education needs and
increasing awareness of college programs.
The Initiative also named Rio Salado
College’s Adults Achieving a College
Education (Adult ACE) program as a Bright
Spot in Hispanic Education as part of its
25th Anniversary of Educational Excellence
for Hispanics.
Bright Spot organizations are recognized
for using data-driven approaches,
promising practices, and effective
partnerships resulting in increased
educational completion opportunities
for the Hispanic community.
“This nation has set a goal for citizens
to achieve at least some postsecondary
education to be competitive in the job
market,” said Dr. Jo Jorgenson, dean of
instruction and community development
at Rio Salado. “Yet, more than 40 million
Americans lack either a high school or
equivalency diploma.”
Adult ACE students are simultaneously
enrolled in Rio Salado’s college classes
and in classes to help them prepare for
the GED® test. Students are also provided
with personalized academic advising and
support services to ease the transition.
Federally Funded Program Brings Students From Other Countries to SCCby Jonathan J. Higuera
Each July for the last six years, Scottsdale Community College (SCC) has hosted international
students participating in a U.S. Department of State program that provides educational
opportunities to students from countries that are deemed underserved.
The 10-month Community College Initiative Program (CCIP) helps those students to expand their
education and skills and take those skills back home. SCC officials say the college community
receives as many benefits from the students as the students gain from their experience in the U.S.
Halfway through the 2015–2016 program, the 15 students at SCC had contributed 1,200 hours of
volunteer service with community organizations. They also have joined campus clubs, have shared
perspectives with classmates, and are serving internships. What’s more, they accomplished this
while collectively maintaining a 3.5 grade point average.
“These students have an incredible impact on our programs here at the college by enhancing
and bringing diverse perspectives to classroom discussions,” said Megan Young, SCC’s program
coordinator. “And they go on to become major difference makers when they return to their
countries after the program.” This year’s students arrived in July and represent seven countries:
Ivory Coast, Turkey, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Kenya, and Indonesia.
CCIP was started by the U.S. Department of State in 2007. It gives the students, who are
competitively selected, an opportunity to build technical skills, enhance their leadership
capabilities, strengthen their English-language proficiency, and return to their homes with skills to
create growth and development opportunities.
This year’s participants are taking classes in
business, international business, journalism, film,
graphic design, accounting, and human resources.
The students will return home in May. While
here, they complete a minimum of 80 hours of
internships or professional development experience
and are required to complete a minimum of 100
hours of community service per student. They also
bring in tuition dollars. By program’s end, SCC will
have received $147,000 from the federal grant.
“By having these international students on campus and in our classrooms, they help SCC embrace
diversity and broaden the horizons of all our students,” Young noted.
SCC is one of 17 campuses across 11 states to host exchange students participating in the 2015-
2016 program. SCC’s Center for Civic & Global Engagement joined the program in 2010.
Adult ACE student, Brianna Koch
PVCC Student Inspired by Alice CooperJames Austin Murray has made a smooth transition from performing at Alice Cooper’s Solid
Rock Teen Center (The Rock) to performing at Paradise Valley Community College, and now he’s
becoming a local fan favorite.
Murray, known as “JAM,” name word formed by his initials, got his start at The
Rock, an after-school sanctuary for teens to explore the arts as an alternative
to drugs, guns, and gangs. In December, his band, Analog Outlaws, won
Alice’s 2015 Annual Proof Is In The Pudding musical talent search. JAM
also placed second in the contest’s solo artist category and was selected
to perform with the PVCC Faculty Rock Band in a recent concert. Proof Is
In The Pudding is billed as the West Coast’s premiere free competition for
bands and soloists of all genres age 25 and under.
JAM has been playing music for most of his life. At age 10, he learned to
play the guitar and joined a rock band in high school. “Then I started to go
to Alice Cooper’s Teen Center,” he said. Alice Cooper is an inspiring icon to
him, a star whose life has encouraged JAM to always believe in himself.
The promising musician started taking lessons at the center in 2014. The Rock taught JAM to
hone his songwriting skills and he took guitar, piano, and vocal lessons. “That really expanded my
musical capabilities exponentially,” he said.
JAM met PVCC Fine & Performing Arts Division Chair, Dr. Christopher Scinto at a fundraising
concert. “I spoke with him at great length both during and after the show,” Dr. Scinto said. “He told
me that he was going to attend PVCC in the fall.” Dr. Scinto invited JAM to tour PVCC and audition
for a Music Department Talent Waiver that would give him a two-semester scholarship.
James Austin Murray
CCIP students gather on the SCC campus
Community 7
Carletta Miller, an ASU student who transferred from Chandler-Gilbert
Community College, recalled, “It was my first academic advising
appointment for my spring semester and I walked into chaos in front of the
W. P. Carey Building,” which generally gets very busy around lunchtime.
“I got lost and I was in tears,” she continued, adding that an ASU faculty
member noticed her, asked where she needed to go, and got her pointed in
the right direction. But for those few moments, ASU was a scary, frustrating
place. Those are feelings she’d like to help others avoid.
C. J. Slater, an ASU senior who studied at Rio Salado College, Phoenix College and South Mountain
Community College, wasn’t intimidated by ASU when he arrived. But after trying to do too much in his
first semester, “I realized I could not do the same things I did at a community college – take a crazy
amount of credits and not balance my life.”
“Connecting with community college students can be really rewarding,” J. C. said. “I connected with a
group of students. It was a Spanish club. I wasn’t just talking about ASU. I was sharing my experiences
as a Latino.”
Anna Bermudez, a junior, agreed that shared experiences really matter. She recalls telling a young
woman, “I was in your shoes. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to do something
more for my daughter. She said, ‘That’s what I wanted to hear,’ and we both started crying.”
The whole experience to being a parent and a college student has gotten Bermudez thinking about
the many people who have the same problem, so she plans to start a club called Fathers and Mothers
Earning Degrees. “It’s just knowing that someone else is in the same shoes as you,” she said. “For
instance, finding the time to be a student while you’re a parent.”
The Ambassadors make themselves available to all students whether they are in the much-heralded
MAPP (Maricopa-to-ASU Pathway Program) or who are thinking of transferring in a more conventional
way. But now, when a student commits to a MAPP – a specific pathway to ensure admission to the
ASU program that he or she wants – an Ambassador will call to help.
The Governing Board of
the Maricopa Community
Colleges has elected Alfredo
Gutierrez to serve as its
president for 2016.
Mr. Gutierrez represents
Maricopa County District 4,
which is roughly the southwest
quarter of the county. A native of Miami, AZ,
he served as a community organizer and
advocate for the poor in the Phoenix area
for a number of years before being elected
to the Arizona Senate in 1972. He was
elected Majority Leader two years later and
served as either Minority or Majority Leader
of the Senate for 14 years.
He later was a partner in an issues
management and public relations firm for
a number of years. Since 2002, he has
primarily worked as a private consultant,
speaker, and teacher. He was appointed and
subsequently elected to the Board in 2014.
During the organizational
meeting, the Board also
reelected Johanna Haver
as its Secretary.
The Board’s action
came during its January
election meeting. Ms.
Haver represents District 3,
which runs from Central Phoenix north to
Maricopa County’s northern boundary.
Ms. Haver, a former teacher, was elected to
the Board in 2014.
Gutierrez, Haver Elected Maricopa Governing Board Leaders for 2016
Alfredo Gutierrez
Johanna Haver
PVCC Opens Aquila Hall at Black Mountain Campus
Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC)
recently celebrated the opening of Aquila Hall, the
newest enhancement to its Black Mountain site.
The January 29 ribbon cutting ceremony
featured Dr. Paul Dale, PVCC president; MCCCD
Chancellor Rufus Glasper; architectural and
construction partners Dick & Fritsche Design
Group and Austin Commercial; and college
personnel. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed
tours and class demonstrations in Aquila Hall
classrooms and facilities.
Dr. Glasper noted that over the last 12 or 13 years, MCCCD has been able to add about 1.5 million
additional square feet to campuses. “We are able to offer our students the best advantages to meet
the workforce needs and to be on top of their game,” he said, adding that this campus benefits from
its partnership with the Foothills Community Foundation (FCF) and Desert Foothills YMCA.
Aquila Hall is the second instructional building on the PVCC at Black Mountain campus. The new
building is a stunning, light-filled space nestled in the heart of the desert property. It includes three
multipurpose classrooms, two science labs and a science classroom, computer lab, tutoring center,
high-powered astronomy telescope and viewing deck, student study and collaboration areas, faculty
offices, and classrooms. An outdoor amphitheater has also been added.
The addition of laboratory science courses completes the Black Mountain campus transition to a
comprehensive site where students can now earn their AA or AS degree in one location.
The building is named Aquila Hall in reference to the clear night skies at Black Mountain and
the regular star parties hosted by the campus. A constellation in the northern sky, Aquila is Latin
for “eagle,” and it represents the bird that carried Zeus/Jupiter’s thunderbolts in Greco-Roman
mythology. The brightest star in Aquila is Altair, a white star that is about 17 light-years from Earth.
PVCC at Black Mountain, serving the north central Aquila and Northeast Valley communities, is
situated on 10 developed acres of an 82-acre parcel of land at the foot of the iconic Black Mountain.
The initial 10,000-square-foot facility, Orion Hall, opened in the fall of 2009, in a public/private/
non-profit partnership with the FCF and Desert Foothills YMCA. The Aquila Hall project was funded
by the district’s 2004 General Obligation Bonds.
ASU continued from front page
New Training Partnership in Surprise for GateWay
GateWay Community College (GWCC) and the
City of Surprise are partnering on a new facility
that will offer training to City employees.
The Surprise-GateWay Training Center will
provide training in water/wastewater operations
and treatment, occupational safety and health,
and other areas. The City is constructing a
13,100-square-foot training facility that will
have collaborative learning spaces, mission
critical lab, and assembly facilities.
“Partnerships like these are more meaningful
than ever for the students who will better
themselves through a quality education and
for the local economy that reaps the benefits
of an educated workforce,” said Dr. Steven
Gonzales, President of GWCC, at the February
11 groundbreaking for the new training center.
The center is expected to be operational by
Fall 2016.
PVCC’s new Aquila Hall
Anna Bermudez
Jobs8 GCC Opens Dr. Phillip D. Randolph Automotive Technology Center Opening Spring 2016 Semester Glendale Community College (GCC) opened the doors of the
Dr. Phillip D. Randolph Automotive Technology Center (ATC) on
Friday, January 15. The building was named in honor of the
college’s fifth president, Dr. Phillip D. Randolph, who was on hand
for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
The 40,000-square-foot building, designed by Holly Street Studio
and built by Adolfson and Peterson Construction, features dedicated
instructional space; vehicle and tool storage bays; a library;
open learning spaces; and work bays specific to HVAC, brakes,
suspension, steering, and engine performance techniques.
With three certificate programs and four associate degrees, including
factory-sponsored programs with Ford, Chrysler, and General
Motors, the new Automotive Technology Center will be equipped
to expand the college’s student capacity.
Dr. Randolph was a prominent and influential leader in the West
Valley throughout his 35-year career at the Maricopa County
Community College District.
A Glendale native, Randolph was named GCC Interim President
in 2002, and in 2003, he became the fifth President of Glendale
Community College. In that position, he was instrumental in creating
extensive community partnerships; developing signature programs
like Automotive Technology; and revitalizing the campus, an initiative
that continues today.
“We are thrilled to dedicate this brand new building to Dr. Phil
Randolph, who has been a driving force behind so many innovations
at Glendale,” said GCC President Dr. Irene Kovala. “He recognized
early the impact an Automotive Technology program could have on
West Valley students and was instrumental not only as an instructor
in that program but as the leader of this campus.”
The college’s original 11,000-square-foot Automotive Technology
building, constructed in 1969, was outfitted in 1972 to serve a new
degree program at Glendale Community College. Dr. Randolph
was hired to oversee the program, which had 60 students during
its inaugural year. “Then for quite a number of years when Phil was
running the automotive program at GCC, he would come over here
every summer and work as a technician,” recalled Buzz Sands,
owner of Sands Chevrolet of Glendale. “That helped keep him
up-to-date on new technology, and we were very happy to have
him because, during the summer, our service demands increased.”
Sands Chevrolet gave the college $100,000 to name the Sands
Chevrolet Conference Room in the ATC.
Chancellor Rufus Glasper, GCC President Irene Kovala and Dr. Phillip D. Randolph (2nd, 3rd, and 4th from left) at ribbon cutting
New MCC Degree Program Prepares Students for Careers in Sustainable Agriculture
by Dawn Zimmer This semester,
Mesa Community
College (MCC) is
offering, for the first
time, an Associate
of Applied
Science degree
in Sustainable
Agriculture. The
program is the
first of its kind
in Arizona.
The Sustainable Agriculture degree will provide students with both the
technical and small business skills needed to manage or develop a
small farm or agricultural business. It focuses on small-scale and urban
agriculture, with an emphasis on natural practices and sustainability.
Courses include Field Crop Production, Livestock Production,
Aquaponics, Integrated Pest Management, and Agricultural Marketing.
This degree is different from the certificate and degree programs in
Sustainable Food Systems in that students gain hands-on experience in
sustainable agricultural practices in the classroom and a working urban
farm at the Center for Urban Agriculture. Produce is sold at the MCC
Farmer’s Market, and the excess is given to local food banks.
“In response to an explosion in consumer demand for locally grown food,
many existing local farms are expanding and new ones are cropping
up around the Valley,” said Peter Conden, Director of MCC’s Urban
Horticulture and Sustainable Agriculture programs. “Our goal is to
prepare a highly skilled, trained workforce and new entrepreneurs for this
growing field.”
Conden is passionate about his work at the college and reports concerns
about the origins of his own food, sustainability, managing resources, and
pollution of the soil and groundwater. “Our program is based on organic
and natural production methods,” he adds.
Seed money for the program
came from a 2014 Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) education
grant of $108,000, which included
a 25% match from MCC. “With
assistance from the EPA grant, we
were able to write new courses,
rewrite old courses, purchase
equipment, and put
this new program together,”
noted Conden.
At the MCC Center for
Urban Agriculture, students
are able to take classes and
receive hands-on, real-life
experience working on the
college’s urban farm and in
the greenhouse.
Sustainable agriculture students work on garden
News in the District 9
CGCC Alum Pazos Pitches for Yankees
Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC)
baseball program has honored alumnus and
current New York Yankees pitcher James
Pazos during a pregame recognition ceremony
on the college’s baseball field. A sign with
Pazos’s name was hung on the outfield fence
to recognize his major league debut and
professional accomplishments.
Pazos, a 2009 graduate of Highland High School
in Gilbert, pitched one season for CGCC in
2010 before transferring to the University of San
Diego, where he pitched for an additional two
seasons. He was drafted in the 13th round of the
Major League Baseball (MLB) Amateur Prospect
League draft in 2012 by the New York Yankees.
While at CGCC, Pazos posted a 9-4 record with a 1.94 ERA, helping the team earn runner-up
honors in the Region I playoffs. A highlight of his year was the no-hitter he threw against Salt Lake
Community College, walking three and striking out nine players during a 2-0 win. Pazos made his
MLB debut in 2015 with the New York Yankees against the Tampa Bay Rays.
“James had an immediate impact on our program as a freshman,” recalled Russell Luce, CGCC’s
Head Baseball Coach. “From day one he had a foundational belief in himself and an unending
willingness to work. He was an amazing teammate and leader in his time at CGCC, and we are proud
of his accomplishments. We are excited about his MLB future.”
Pazos was described by ESPN.com as one of the Yankee’s top young prospects. The article quoted
Yankees Manager Joe Girardi as saying that Pazos is “definitely in the mix” for a major league
position with the team in 2016. “A power arm,” Girardi said. “You know, he finally threw his good
slider, right at the end. A young man that didn’t seem to scare. So I definitely think he’s in the mix.”
SCC Student Combines Love of Math With Biology
by Jonathan J. Higuera Marina Hernandez believes there is a
mathematical equation for just about
everything in life. In the future she’s hoping
she can find one that accurately predicts
the sustainable outcome of products such
as cell phones or plastic water bottles.
“As a society we’re
pretty gung ho about
making things better,
but sometimes we
overlook the impact,”
she said. “I have this
crazy long-term goal
to find an equation
that proportions
everything in the economy with its
environmental impact.” If she succeeds,
she’ll be combining her love of the
environment and biology with her passion
for math.
The math major expects to graduate from
Scottsdale Community College (SCC)
in May and then will decide on her next
move. In the meantime, she is leaving a
very positive footprint at her college. On
any given day you can find her leading a
tour of fourth graders as part of the Center
for Native and Urban Wildlife (CNUW)
biodiversity education program, cleaning
the pond in Two Waters Circle, or working a
table with members of the student Sonoran
Desert Club, which she helped create.
She’s also been known to form study
groups and help the Robotics Club find
more effective ways to work with young
students at a nearby elementary school.
She’s earned a reputation as a hard
worker with an outgoing personality who
truly cares about others and does what
she can to help inspire them. In addition
to maintaining a 3.8 grade point average
while taking some difficult math classes,
she’s figuring out where her path will lead.
Pursuing a math degree at Arizona State
University is one possibility that might lead
to a career teaching math to young people.
“I love the language of math because it’s
so universal,” she said. “I’m shocked when
I meet so many people who don’t want to
do it. I like encouraging people and letting
them know they have the power and the
potential to do what they want.”
Math instructor Aaron Jesse, who has
taught several of Hernandez’s math
courses, says he’s been amazed and
impressed with her ability to empathize
with others and encourage them.
James Pazos, a Yankee with a future
EMCC Opens New Performing Arts CenterEstrella Mountain Community
College (EMCC) opened its
new Performing Arts Center
(PAC) with a celebration and
numerous performances.
The center opened with a
weekend of activities that
highlighted the new Center’s
amenities. The two days
of festivities offered the
community, potential donors,
and dignitaries the chance to
explore and celebrate this new
state-of-the-art facility for the
West Valley.
The grand opening weekend events included an interactive tour of the facility that highlights the
architecture and usability of its classrooms and the 297-seat main stage and 90-seat black box
theater. The interactive nature of the weekend’s event emphasized some of the educational and
entertainment options available through the center, including screen printing, ballroom dancing,
drumming, photo editing, acting activities, and makeup tutorials.
During the official grand opening and ribbon cutting EMCC President Dr. Ernie Lara paid tribute
to Dr. Bryan K. Tippett, the EMC’s former Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, who
passed away suddenly in February 2015. Dr. Tippett was one of the earliest and most enthusiastic
proponents for the new center. Maricopa County Community College District Dr. Maria Harper-
Marinick, Interim Vice Chancellor also spoke during the ceremony.
The community celebration took the form of a festival that brought original student works to the
stage and hosted performances from local high schools, community performers, and professional
performers on the main stage and an outdoor stage. Artistic works included dance, music,
storytelling, art, and theater.
The PAC is the last of EMCC’s projects funded by the Maricopa Community Colleges’ 2004
bond referendum.
Marina Hernandez
Dancers perform at opening weekend celebration
Pruitt Is Honored as 2016 Maricopa Hero of EducationJ. Doug Pruitt, board chairman of the Sundt Companies, Inc., has been named the 2016
Hero of Education by the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation.
Mr. Pruitt joined the Sundt family of companies in 1966 and, in 1992, assumed the position of
President and Chief Operating Officer. In 1998, he became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
He also served as Executive Vice President and Manager of the Sundt Building Division, Vice
President/Manager of Construction Management Services, and Chief Estimator.
Each Spring, the Hero of Education is honored at a
dinner. The award recognizes those who have a proven
personal and professional commitment to supporting
students and educational opportunities. Sponsored by
the Maricopa Community Colleges and the Maricopa
Community Colleges Foundation since 2006, these
events have raised over $1 million in scholarships for
Maricopa Community Colleges students.
Mr. Pruitt has been an outstanding advocate for
workforce development and vocational education.
His leadership of local, regional, and national
organizations that advocate for training and workforce
development has led to the advancement of many
programs at Maricopa Community Colleges.
Mr. Pruitt received an Associate’s Degree from
Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City and, after
graduating, worked as a draftsman and on a surveying
crew in Oklahoma City. Soon after, he transferred to a
construction project in Arizona and shortly thereafter
began working for Sundt.
He is the author of several articles on concrete
slipformed mechanical cores for high-rise buildings.
He has chaired numerous committees for the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC),
producing brochures and videos on Total Quality Management and Partnering and Workforce
Development. He is an advocate for the development of better technology in estimating,
scheduling, and construction methods.
Mr. Pruitt is a founding member of the Construction Industry Ethics and Compliance Initiative, was
awarded the Valley’s Most Admired CEO’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into the
Ernst & Young Hall of Fame.
Foundation10 Foundation Spotlight: Kristy Hunt
Kristy Hunt is a wife
and mother who
dreamed of a career
in medicine. While
working and caring for
her three children, she
received certificates
in Nursing Assisting,
Medical Assisting
and an Associates
Degree in Medical Diagnostic Sonography. The
Maricopa Community Colleges and financial
help through the Maricopa Community Colleges
Foundation made that possible.
As a recipient of the Maricopa grant, Student
Success scholarship, and E Follett Scholarship,
Kristy received the financial support needed
to attend Gateway, Rio Salado, Phoenix, and
Paradise Valley Colleges to realize her dreams.
Kristy said she chose the Maricopa
Community Colleges “for the reduced costs,
and more specifically GateWay, as it has
the only accredited Sonography program in
Arizona. I always wanted to help people. As a
sonographer, I am part of a team of medical
professionals who work together to help bring
people to better health.”
Kristy is motivated by caring for people and
having a challenge. Her next challenge? She
would like to specialize in Maternal Fetal
Medicine and perform ultrasounds for mothers
with high-risk pregnancies. She plans to
continue her education by studying fetal echo
and becoming certified in Nuchal Translucency
exams, a procedure that helps screen for
Down syndrome.
“My advice to students would be to set goals to
stay motivated,” Kristy said. “I’d also tell them
to utilize their campus resources and to never
be afraid to ask for help.”
J. Doug Pruitt
Kristy Hunt
Thanks to the generosity of the business
community, private foundations, friends of
the Community Colleges, employees and
alumni, the Maricopa Community Colleges
Foundation (MCCF) has received more
than $35.5 million in campaign gifts through December 31, 2015.
“We are ecstatic and extremely grateful for the support shown to the
Community Colleges and the 240,000 students we serve annually,”
said MCCF Interim CEO and President, Mary O’Connor. “This level of
giving is unprecedented for the Maricopa Community Colleges and
puts us even closer to reaching our goal of raising up to $50 million
before the campaign ends.”
Philanthropic gifts to the Maricopa Community Colleges support the
mission of providing access to higher education for diverse students
and communities.
“The withdrawal in State investment in community college education
to Maricopa forces difficult conversations about our ability to serve
the growing education needs of our community and to contribute to
the economic development goals of our State,” said Chancellor Rufus
Glasper. “However, donors continue to demonstrate their support
for the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges, two Skill Centers, several
satellite campuses, and Corporate College. These contributions will
help transform our community, the State of Arizona and beyond.”
The Campaign for Student Success focuses on community
partnerships, student support, and faculty and staff innovation.
Major gifts received this year include:
• $575,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support
the planning of a completion and student success initiative
• $1 million for STEM initiatives at Scottsdale Community College
and Yavapai College by the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation
• $1 million pledge for the naming rights of the main performance
hall in the Performing Arts Center at Mesa Community College
To help support the Campaign for Student Success or for more
information about the Maricopa Community Colleges, visit mcccdf.org
S T U D E N T S U C C E S ST H E C A M P A I G N F O R
F O R T H E M A R I C O PA C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E S
Endcating our Community,Ensuring our Future
Campaign for Student Success Reaches New Fundraising Record
Ken Roberts
$450,000 Gift – A True Love Story
by Jared Langkilde A donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, recently pledged $450,000 for
student scholarships at Mesa Community College (MCC). So what motivates
someone to make that level of commitment, you ask? In a word, love.
Here is the short story. . . The donor, an 83-year-old retired doctor who lived and practiced out of
Arizona his whole career, was reflecting on life. He had always wanted his wife to be remembered
for the love and support she had shown him throughout their marriage.
When they were a lot younger and had first been married, she had enrolled at MCC. However,
before she ever attended her first class, she dropped out to support her husband, who had been
accepted to medical school in another state. He had a phenomenal career and always felt moved
by his wife’s sacrifice for him.
Although he had been courted by Harvard, Stanford, and other prestigious universities to make
a major gift, he chose to make that commitment to MCC because of his wife’s dreams and the
amount of good that the gift would accomplish for the college’s students.
Christos Chronis, MCC’s major gift officer with the Office of Development, was instrumental in
stewarding and cultivating the doctor through the gifting process.
Former Athlete Creates Legacy With PC Gift Stephen Timarac was a force on the football field. When he left West High
School, he started his pursuit of higher education at Phoenix College (PC) on
a football scholarship, where in 1964, he was named cocaptain of the football
team. Timarac was the anchor of the Phoenix College Bears football team
and helped lead the team to a national championship.
After Phoenix College, he attended Arizona State University, also on a
football scholarship. He was selected to the Western Athletic Conference
All Star Team in 1966. He then went on to join to the United States Air Force
and served in the Arizona National Guard.
His service to his country ended in 1973, but his service to his community continued. His work
included administrator for a law firm, corporate trust office for Valley National Bank, as well as
working for the Arizona Bar Association, Arizona Motor Vehicle Department, and Special
Olympics. He also was deeply involved with The Humane Society AZ, as both a board member
and active supporter.
Timarac remained forever grateful for the opportunities that football offered him, as he demonstrated
through the creation of the Steve Timarac Memorial Football Scholarship, designed to make sure
those opportunities were still available to tomorrow’s football players. Timarac died on July 3, 2014.
His donation of $250,000 will allow PC to offer scholarships to students who fit the criteria, including
an involvement with the Phoenix College football team, a minimum GPA requirement, and the
demonstration of financial need. Scholarship recipients will receive a $2,500 scholarship. Timarac, in
the creation of this scholarship, described the important foundation that his time at Phoenix College
built for him. His donation helps to lay that foundation for future Phoenix College Bears.
“A commitment of this type is instrumental in the success of football
student athletes at Phoenix College,” said Samantha Ezell, PC’s
director of athletics. “Scholarship funding is a valuable contribution
that translates to effective recruiting of quality student athletes.
When a student is supported financially, it often translates to
continued retention.”
“Scholarships offer a lifeline of support in helping our students
achieve their higher education,” said Chris Haines, Interim
President of Phoenix College. “During times of increased costs,
assistance from donors like Steve provides an invaluable service
to our students.”
Students attending Phoenix College, the flagship of the Maricopa
Community Colleges, have the advantage of access to scholarships held at both the college and
district levels. According to Mary O’Connor, Interim President and CEO of the Maricopa Community
Colleges Foundation, 2,335 scholarships and program grants totaling $2.74 million were awarded
across the District during the 2014–2015 academic year.
Past and Future 11Ken Roberts Remembers the Way Colleges Were StartedDr. Ken Roberts joined Maricopa in 1972 as an instructional designer. He worked at Rio Salado College, served as Associate Dean of Instruction at South Mountain Community College and was part of the founding team at Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC). He completed his career as Vice President of Academic Affairs at South Mountain Community College. During a 2012 conversation, he recalled the origins of PVCC.
“Starting a new college was really a time
of a lot of excitement. Doing Paradise
Valley was really fun. We started from just
a blank slate of 90 acres of dirt. It was a
fast-track program; and in 18 months there
was a college.
“There were procedures, but not a lot of
Maricopa rules. The first year, we were
doing the ed specs and planning all of
the buildings, but we were also charged
with generating enrollment, so we offered
classes during the day at a little Jewish
temple off Tatum and used Paradise Valley
High School at night for classes. So we’d
have classes from about eight till noon,
then work on ed specs all afternoon, and
then have classes at the high school at
night from six till ten. And people came
to work at seven in the morning and left
at ten at night. That is the way we did it
for a year.
“My green ’72 Chevelle was the bookstore.
We just filled my car up with books, drove
it to the temple, people would come and
give me money, and I’d give them a book
and I’d write down on a piece of paper
what I got and then at the end of the day
I’d turn in the money.
“I mean, you can’t
do that anymore,
you just can’t fill
your Chevelle up
with books and
go sell them to
students and write things down on a
notebook, but it was a different time then. . .”
Stephen Timarac
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by Jonathan J. Higuera For Tiana P
assante, the
luxury of time m
eans exploring
career options.
Passante has b
een attending
college classes at Scottsd
ale
Com
munity C
ollege since age
12, taking subjects that sound
ed
appealing. “I’m just keep
ing all
my options open,” said P
assante, who is currently on
track to receive her Associate of A
pplied
Sciences in
Interior Design in M
ay. “I may w
ant to go to med
ical
school. I’m not sure w
hat my best op
tion is right now.
I just like doing everything, learning everything.”
She currently takes six classes, includ
ing a science lab,
and works a few
hours a week as an intern at a local
architectural firm. W
hile she’s looking forward
to wrap
ping
up her Interior Design program
, she’s not sold on Interior
Design as a career. C
urrently she’s leaning toward
something in a field related to m
edicine.
The 15-year-old is doing quality work. “S
he’s on the mark
with her assignm
ents,” said Dr. A
nnaliese Harp
er, who
teaches a comm
unications course in which P
assante is a
student. “She’s clearly one of the brighter stud
ents
Young SCC Student Has Time to Sam
ple Variety of Subjects
Student Success
maricopa.edu
Tiana Passante
I’ve had. You d
on’t see that every day, and you definitely
don’t see it at age 15.”
Hom
e schooled b
y her mother until she started attending
SC
C in 2013, P
assante says her fellow students have
treated her w
ell, even if they are shocked to learn her age.
“They are surprised
when they find
out how old I am
, but
they’ve been really nice and
considerate.”
She started
taking one comp
uter class at SC
C, w
ith the
goal of getting up to sp
eed on com
puters before going
to a pub
lic school. Instead, she rem
ained at SC
C, taking
mostly college level courses.
“The comp
uter class was easy, so I d
ecided to take an
Interior Design course,” she said
. “Then I took three
classes and w
ent full time.”
Tiana, who also is a com
petitive ice skater, currently takes
19 credit hours at S
CC
. Hom
ework and
skating are taking
up m
ost of her free time, she says, b
ut she still finds time
to watch hockey gam
es with her p
arents.
“I have close friends and
nieces and nep
hews that
I like to hang out with,” she says. “B
ut I’m also good
being b
y myself—
sitting, reading and
doing hom
ework.
I enjoy learning.”