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

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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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Welcome to Maricopa Matters! News For the Community From the Maricopa Community Colleges

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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.”