MCCCD Foundation Newsletter | Summer / Fall 2015

M A R I C O PA COMMUNITY COLLEGES FOUNDATION

Changing Lives. Building Futures.

In This Issue Heroes of Education

page 1

CEO Message

page 2

The Campaign

page 3

Scholarship Update

page 3

Employee Recognition

page 4

Maricopa Gives

page 5

Student Spotlight

page 5

New Employees Student Success

page 6-7 page 7

The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation 2419 W. 14th Street Tempe, Arizona 85281 mcccdf.org 480.731.8407

Request an on-line edition of the newsletter from leticia.grahamcorona@domail.maricopa.edu

M A R I C O PA COMMUNITY COLLEGES FOUNDATION

Your Donor Newsletter Summer & Fall 2015

10th annual Heroes of Education event Honors Linda Mazon and College Heroes The Maricopa Community the event were 10 College Colleges Foundation (MCCF), Heroes, one from each of the the fundraising arm of Maricopa Community Colleges, the Maricopa Community representing individuals, Colleges, awards the Heroes organizations or companies of Education award each who have distinguished year to a champion of higher themselves by providing education in Arizona.This year exceptional support and/or marked the 10th anniversary service to one of the Colleges. of this event which was held Those honored at the event Linda Mazon Gutierrez, 2015 Hero of Education at the Sheraton in Downtown include: The Honorable Adolfo Phoenix on April 16, 2015. More than 440 Gamez (Estrella Mountain Community College), community and business leaders were in attendance Elizabeth Acord Maribito (Gateway Community this year and over $120,000 in scholarship funds College), Dr. Ruth Tan Lim (Mesa Community were raised.

College), Glendale Rotary (Glendale Community College), Warren Buxton (Paradise Valley Community Linda Mazon Gutierrez, President CEO of the College), Chief Kara Kalkbrenner (Phoenix College), Hispanic Women’s Corporation (HWC), was The Honorable Harry Mitchell (Rio Salado College), recognized for her personal and professional Marshall Trimble (Scottsdale Community College) commitment to support Maricopa Community and Dr. Yvonne D. Montiel (South Mountain College students and educational opportunities.

Community College).

Ms. Gutierrez and the HWC have successfully partnered with the Maricopa Community Colleges Since its inception in 2006, the Heroes of Foundation since 2006 to provide scholarships for Education event has raised over $1 million graduates of the Maricopa Community Colleges in scholarship funds to support Maricopa Achieving a College Education (ACE) program. Ms. Community College students.

Gutierrez has served as the congressional and state legislative liaison on health care issues for the State of Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System “We are grateful for our community’s commitment for 25 years and prior to her retirement in 2007 to build the scholarship support that we provide to from state government served as the liaison to the students in the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges,” National Governor’s Association in Washington D.C. said Dr. Steve Helfgot, CEO of MCCF. “This dinner Ms. Gutierrez is married to former State Senator is just one of the many fundraising efforts of our Jaime Gutierrez and together they have four children.

Foundation, District and Colleges. It’s an investment not only in our students, but in the future wellbeing Also recognized at a special ceremony prior to and vitality of our community. “

“Breaking up is hard to do!”

2014-2015 MCCF Board Members Executive Officers

Do you remember that song? It was a big hit for Neal Sedaka in 1975, remember? If you do that’s pretty good . . . and you’re probably of “a certain age.” But if you remember that the first time he had a hit with that song was in 1962 you are REALLY of “a certain age”… probably somewhere around my age!

So, by now you are probably wondering what the point is and what, in fact, this has to do with anything. I’ll tell you.

As I write this I am three weeks from retirement, the conclusion of a 44 year career in community colleges including 13 years with the Maricopa Community Colleges and seven of those years as President & CEO of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. I am clearly of “a certain age,” and while my retirement has been long planned (with lots of exciting things on the horizon), nonetheless, “breaking up is hard to do.”

It’s not hard leaving the day-to-day grind of the work behind; I’ve been working for a long time. What’s hard is separating—at least to some extent—from the people who have so enriched that work and made it so worthwhile, day-in-and-day-out, year-in-and-year-out, and it is to those people that I want to say thanks: Thanks, first, to all of you in our community, who support us, who make gifts to the Foundation and allow us to do the work that we do and create opportunity for students. It’s obvious but true—we couldn’t do it without you.

And thanks to all those students, some who I’ve come to know and others who I have never met, who are hungry for educational opportunity, grateful beyond belief, for the support that they get from us and who often bring us to tears and always make us proud with what they accomplish in school and beyond.

A special thank you to all of those who have served on the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Board during my tenure. Your support has been a treasure. Your willingness to push us has helped us to become a better organization. Your enthusiasm, your commitment, your gifts of time, talent and treasure have inspired us all.

Finally, a profound and heartfelt thanks to my colleagues on the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation staff. Each has unique talents and skills, but individually and collectively what they share is a passion for our mission, a deep devotion to helping students and a true desire to make a difference. It’s hard to ask for more and it has been both an honor and a pleasure to work with each and every one of them.

Richard L. Boals President & CEO BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona *Dr. Chris A. Bustamante President Rio Salado College *Dr. Donald R. Campbell (Honorary Life Member) Retired Governing Board Member, Maricopa Community Colleges Steve Curley Executive Vice President Western Alliance Bank *Dr. Paul Dale President Paradise Valley Community College

Enough said; thank you all!

*Dr. Paul A. Elsner (Honorary Life Member) Chancellor Emeritus Paul Elsner Associates Los Vientos, Inc.

Steven R. Helfgot, EdD President and CEO

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*Dr. Rufus Glasper Chancellor Maricopa Community Colleges

Chair Russell Johnson President & CEO Merchants Information *Alfredo Gutierrez Solutions, Inc. Governing Board Member, Maricopa Vice Chair Community Colleges Ashley Kasarjian Counsel Antonio Hampton Snell & Wilmer LLP Operations Director, Southwest Region Secretary Xerox Corporation Rodolfo Parga, Jr. Managing Shareholder Stephanie Hertzberg Ryley Carlock & Director, Business Applewhite Development Smith Group JJR Treasurer David P. Kohne Edmundo Hidalgo Director President & CEO KPMG LLP Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. Immediate Past Chair *Irene H. Kovala Heidi R. Schaefer President Director, Corporate Glendale Community Taxes College Salt River Project Richard Loope President & Chief Founder & President Executive Officer HL Design Build, LLC Dr. Steven R. Helfgot Maricopa Community Kirk McClure Colleges Foundation Director, Business Development Board of Directors McCarthy Building Companies Inc. Lydia A. Aranda Co-Founder Chery Milovich BASC American Mainstream Marketing Group Services LLC Lynne Beyer Owner Lynne Beyer Design Inc.

*LeRoy M. Gaintner (Honorary Life Member) CPA/Managing Partner Gaintner, Bandler, Reed & Peters PLC *Dr. Eugene Giovannini President Maricopa Corporate College

You’re also ensuring that there are an increased number of educated, productive and employed citizens within our community and developing a highly skilled workforce, resulting in a robust economy for the Valley.

*Dennis E. Mitchem (Honorary Life Member) Dr. Ioanna Morfessis President IO.INC. Julie R. Rees Principal Triadvocates Linda B. Rosenthal Retired Governing Board Member, Maricopa Community Colleges Joellen Tenison Vice President, Administration & CFO Health Services Advisory Group Misha Patel Terrazas Area President, Metro East Wells Fargo Bank Arizona Wendy Villa Government Affairs Arizona Public Service Company Deb Vosler Senoir Business Analyst Discount Tire Staff Mary O’Connor Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer *Ex Officio

Please visit www.mcccdf.org to join us in helping more than 250,000 students in the quest for student success.

By ensuring the future of our students, we secure ours.

Please help us reach of our goal of $50 million by supporting for The Campaign for Student Success for the Maricopa Community Colleges.

When you support The Campaign for Student Success you will directly fund scholarships, provide faculty and staff innovation and help to develop partnerships that expand opportunities for our students and community.

The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation distributes over $2 million in scholarship funds annually to an average of 2000 students. Your contributions help us to give students the resources they need including access to and quality of a college education.

Are you an alum of a Maricopa Community College? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

The Maricopa Community College system is one of the largest in the nation, which probably means you’ve walked through our doors!

If you’re one of our alums, please visit www.mcccdf.org/alum to fill out a brief questionnaire so that we can see what you’re up to, stay in touch and share in your success!

Scholarship Update The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation is pleased to announce that scholarship awards for the 2015-2016 academic year are underway. The Foundation scholarship database accepted student scholarship applications from February 10 through March 22. Community volunteers, faculty and staff reviewed and scored all applications during the month of April. Students will be notified via email regarding their scholarship status.

Go Green.

Send an email message today to

Leticia.graham-corona@domail. maricopa.edu

In addition to the hundreds of scholarships already available through the Foundation, there is a new opportunity courtesy of the Arizona Federal Credit Union. Ten students who are credit union members have been awarded $1,000 each through the Arizona Federal Credit Union Scholarship Endowment. Thank you to the Arizona Federal Credit Union for providing additional opportunities for credit union members attending Maricopa colleges.

Students should check the status of Foundation scholarship applications by visiting our website at www.mcccdf.org and clicking on Check your application status.

For scholarship related questions or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer scholarship reviewer, please contact Cindy Zimmer at 480-731-8407 or Erica Outcalt at 480-731-8407.

We’ll add or update your record, and you’ll start receiving newsletters and the annual report electronically. We will continue to find ways to move more correspondence to paper-free platforms now and in the future.

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Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Honors Five at Annual Employee Recognition Luncheon The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation each year recognizes MCCC employees who have made outstanding contributions to the MCCC District’s mission.

Dr. Christopher Scinto, Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC), Division Chair of Fine and Performing Arts who has served PVCC since 2011. Under Dr. Scinto’s leadership students have flourished and demonstrated success in the arts; significant community partnerships and notable scholarships.

In just the last five years, PVCC Center for Performing Arts has provided over 625 performances, drawing over 69,000 community attendees. Through various benefit events, more than $40,500 has been raised for Fine and Performing Arts scholarships.

Landres “Buddy” Cheeks, South Mountain Community College (SMCC), Director of Student Life and Leadership, is known for his dedicated long-time position as a Maricopa leader, student advocate and role model. Recognized for his commitment to equality, inclusiveness and cultural enrichment, Mr. Cheek’s contributions to SMCC positively impacts students who learn by doing and giving back to the community.

Dr. Heather Weber, Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), Dean for Occupational Education, was honored for her support of students, faculty,

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The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation launched the inaugural Maricopa Gives from March 26 through April 23 to a resounding success!

Maricopa Gives was an organized effort across the colleges and District whereby employees had an opportunity to financially contribute to support Maricopa students and programs. Each week of the Maricopa Gives campaign, an email from a Maricopa leader was sent to encourage participation. The theme of the Maricopa Gives marked emails centered on, “Why do the first time that I give/support the Maricopa colleges embarked on Community Colleges” and focused on the personal and a unified, employee professional satisfaction that each giving campaign, leader obtains from giving. Each exemplifying the spirit of participating college also sent One Maricopa. customized appeals throughout

This year, five awards were made to individual employees at a luncheon held April 28, 2015 at the Foundation’s offices.

Dr. Steven Helfgot, CEO/President of MCCF presided over the luncheon and remarks were made by Dr. Rufus Glasper, Chancellor, MCCC and Heidi Schaefer, Chairman, MCCF Board.

The 2015 Recipients of the Employee Recognition Awards are:

Maricopa Gives

Dr. Steven Helfgot, Heidi Schaefer, Miguel Fernandez, Dr. Heather Weber, Frank Wilson accepting on behalf of Dr. Bryan Tippett and Dr. Christopher Scinto and Chancellor Rufus Glasper.

staff, District policies and community events. Dr. Weber’s contributions to the MCCC District and student body are unparalleled, focusing on reaching out into the community to build partnerships that support funding, internships and future job opportunities for EMCC students.

Miguel Fernandez, Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC), English Faculty, spent his sabbatical semester researching and developing an online training program to assist faculty members in understanding and dealing with student veterans. This tool met a significant need for the MCCC District to provide accurate, comprehensive and easily accessible training for meeting the needs of this diverse population. The program, “Toolkit for Training Faculty to Best Serve Student Veterans,” is available free of charge and is being introduced to colleges across the country.

Dr. Bryan Tippet (awarded posthumously), EMCC, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, was a champion of student success, devoting his professional life to making sure that all students have access to a quality education. Dr. Tippet built lasting

Nathan Freeman Nathan Freeman is a civil engineering major at Glendale Community College. He’s an honors student, has posted the highest math score for his college in the National Student Math League competition, designs weather balloon experiments under a NASA educational grant and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Who would have thought?

Dr. Steven Helfgot, Chancellor Rufus Glasper, Heidi Schaefer, Buddy Cheeks, and Dr. Cheryl Crutcher

partnerships with numerous institutions and led EMCC to become a learningcentered organization deeply valuing teaching, learning and caring.

Five awards were made in the form of $1,000 scholarship given in each awardee’s name to a student at any college or center. Awardees may help select criteria for awarding the scholarship based on MCCF guidelines.

All MCCC employees were eligible for nomination, regardless of employment status or policy group membership.

Nominations were submitted by MCCC employees, and were reviewed by a panel of MCCF Board members and/or community leaders.

Nathan smoked his first cigarette and his first beer at just 9 years old. By 24, he was a full-time meth user and at 14, dropped out of high school, eventually winding up in a detox unit at Durango Juvenile Corrections Facility – facing up to a year at the Adobe Mountain Juvenile Corrections Facility. He had completed or had been kicked out of many out-patient drug rehabilitation facilities and had been declared legally incorrigible through a joint action taken by his parents and the State of Arizona.

With help from friends and family, Nathan climbed out of his dark hole. He earned his GED and began working full-time and by age 26, he was a construction project manager, managing a multidollar portfolio of projects as a consultant. He owned a home, his own car, paid his taxes as raised a family.

Then the recession hit.

Phoenix’s economy came to a halt and the economy that Nathan relied on so heavily, dried-up. Nathan’s lack of a normal education made him vulnerable and he was laid-off. He went from being recognized from 2 municipalities for his work in improving air quality, to watching his marriage deteriorate as well as his savings account. He lost everything and was alone, with two children.

the giving period. The Foundation provided support to the colleges with unified graphics, branding, giving options and semi-custom giving pages.

The results of the Maricopa Gives Campaign as of May 18: • Seven colleges plus the District and Foundation offices participated • A total of 567 employees responded to the Maricopa Gives appeal and raised a total of $143,248; with new gifts still arriving daily.

• Additionally, Mesa and South Mountain community colleges held employee giving campaigns earlier in the year bringing the total Maricopa employee participation for 2014-2015 to 862 and raising a total of $312,806. This represents an increase of 34% in dollars

Eventually, he found himself sitting across from a college advisor.

With kids in tow, Nathan knew that the way to find lasting peace was to get a degree. Wondering how he could make a prolific change, Nathan’s advisor said, “Well, it all depends on how you’re willing to live. How bad you want this. Would you sell your car, live with others, be less impactful in your children’s lives short-term to be more impactful long-term? If you commit, there is money and help from a community waiting for you.”

Nathan committed, took a chance and his community responded.

He lives with his parents. Nathan sold his car and bought a used one that he owns outright. He has paid off nearly all his debt and even built his family’s bedroom furniture on his own, to save money.

Nathan hopes to use his skills as an engineer with the Engineers Without Borders program to engage philanthropically after he graduates. Nathan says, “It’s the spirit of philanthropy that drives our community to improve by investing in each other and having the faith that together we can be better.”

Nathan has been awarded the following scholarships form the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation and GCC in particular: The Manny and Sue Griego Memorial Scholarship, PSA Scholarship, Dougherty Foundation Scholarship, and Evening Student Foundation Scholarship.

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Welcoming our Newest Employees!

We are proud to introduce our latest additions to the Foundation Family. We’re so excited that they are part of our team. Here’s why:

Rosalie Johnson:

Rosalie does Accounts Payable for the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. She was born and raised in Phoenix. She graduated from North High, and completed a Management degree at Phoenix College.

From there she decided to complete a B.S. degree in Public Management from Northern Arizona University. While going to school, Rosalie worked full time at a software company that designed accounting and tracking systems for the dental laboratories. Over the 15 years she was there she was responsible for both accounts receivable and payable along with customer service to 3000 dental laboratories. When Rosalie is not at work she is spending time with her husband, son, and 2 rambunctious cats. Some of the things she likes to do in her spare time are crafts, gardening, and reading. She is also very active in volunteering at her son’s school by helping put together social and fundraising events on campus. Rosalie is excited to be part of the Maricopa Community Colleges Team and to see how scholarships can impact a student’s future.

Save the Date April 21, 2016 2015 Heroes of Education Recognition Dinner 5:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel | Valley of the Sun Ballroom 340 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004 For sponsorship opportunities and information, please contact Letty at: Leticia.graham-corona@domail.maricopa.edu, or call 480-731-8399.

Christopher LeBlanc: Christopher

is the Raiser’s Edge Database Analyst at the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. He was born in Cedar Rapids, IA and spent his youth traveling with his Navy family. He has lived in Honolulu, HI, Washington, DC and has traveled to almost everywhere in between. Christopher moved to Phoenix in January of 2000 after spending 11 years in San Diego where he worked as a Fashion Consultant, Travel Agent and he tracked down bone marrow transplant matches for the San Diego Blood Bank’s Bone Marrow Donor Center.

Since moving to Phoenix, Christopher has spent 15 years as Fund Development Administrator for Arizona nonprofit agencies Aid to Adoption of Special Kids, Arizona’s Children Association, New Pathways for Youth and the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation. He has consulted on the use of the Raiser’s Edge and other fundraising practices with Girl Scouts, UMOM, SAARC, Make-A-Wish-AZ, Sojourner Center and Save the Family Foundation of Arizona.

Christopher enjoys traveling, couponing, and cooking the produce from his garden. Figs, pomegranates, tomatoes, basil and the ubiquitous citrus are regular players in his kitchen. He also has an extensive collection of refrigerator magnets from across the globe.

As Database Analyst for Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, Christopher is looking forward to supporting Raiser’s Edge users throughout the One Maricopa team.

Laurel Mauldin:

Laurel grew up in the warm, sunny area of South Florida; she attended the University of Florida for her B.S. in Advertising and began a Masters degree at the University of Central Florida. In the midst of completing her Masters degree in Nonprofit Management she moved to Phoenix to work for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. After finishing her Masters she decided to pursue missionary work with Christian

Chandler-Gilbert | Estrella Mountain | GateWay | Glendale | Mesa | Paradise Valley | Phoenix | Rio Salado M A R I C O PA COMMUNITY COLLEGES FOUNDATION

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Scottsdale | South Mountain | Maricopa Corporate College | Maricopa Skill Center | SouthWest Skill Center

Record Services for the Blind, a Seventh-day Adventist nonprofit organization that provides reading materials, scholarships and a summer/winter camps for the blind. After working as a full-time missionary and gift officer she prayed for a job as a Prospect Researcher and was blessed to begin at Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation in April as the Prospect Research & Online Resources Coordinator. She enjoys researching, reading and studying the Bible. Her second favorite book after the Bible is the Desire of Ages by Ellen G. White.

Judy Sánchez is the

Director of College Relations at the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (MCCF).

She has been with the Maricopa Community College District (MCCD) for 15 years.

Prior to moving to MCCF, she was the Director of Development at Glendale Community College (GCC). During the time at GCC she was responsible for fundraising/development, donor and alumni relations. As a result of her on-going effort to cultivate new donors, build long-term relationships and increase giving, GCC’s scholarship program grew revenue by 600 percent and increased the donor base by 800 percent. This resulted in raising $3.2 million in private funding for students.

Prior to working in education, she coordinated events for national clients and non-profit organizations as principal and owner of Sánchez Special Events. Event highlights included coordinating the Super Bowl XXX Block Party in Glendale, AZ and Hispanic National Bar Association annual conventions across the country.

Judy was also Marketing Director for S.R. Weiner and Associates in Chestnut Hill, MA. She executed the grand opening and marketing for Pheasant Lane Mall, a super-regional mall located in Nashua, NH where she managed a $2 million annual marketing budget.

Educational background includes Associate in Arts degree from Glendale Community College, Bachelor of Science in Global Business from Arizona State University with a specialization in Marketing; graduating Magna Cum Laude. Recently, she earned a Master of Administration in Leadership and Communication from Northern Arizona University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Judy enjoys musical theater, a good book, a great meal and adores her rescue dogs George and Molly. She is married to Jim who is studying to be a chef. Her son Brandon, a Brophy College Prep and ASU Walter Cronkite School alum was recently married, lives in LA and works for the NFL Network.

Judy is looking forward to continuing to build strong relationships between the colleges and the Foundation, building more collaborative projects and bringing innovative ideas to the development efforts of Maricopa.

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M A R I C O PA COMMUNITY COLLEGES FOUNDATION

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID PHOENIX, AZ PERMIT NO. 449

2419 W. 14th Street Tempe, Arizona 85281 www.maricopa.edu/foundation

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Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Mesa Community College

Scottsdale Community College

Estrella Mountain Community College

Paradise Valley Community College

South Mountain Community College

GateWay Community College

Phoenix College

The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization designated by the Maricopa County Community College District to receive and manage gifts on behalf of its 10 colleges. It acts as a trustee for donations to assure that gifts are distributed in the manner specified by the donor. Federal I.D. #86-0327449. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Glendale Community College

Rio Salado College