Maricopa Matters | Fall 2016

MARICOPA Matters News for the Community From the Maricopa Community Colleges

Issue Highlights

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LEADERSHIP VIEWPOINTS THREE EARN $40K SCHOLARSHIPS

FULBRIGHT-HAYS GRANT MEDICAL ASSISTANT CONSORTIUM Alexandra Bird Rio Salado College Alumna

FOUNDATION NAMES CEO

Fall 2016

Rio Salado College Alumna Credits Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship With New Life Goals Of course, not working meant no income and funding her education became a challenge.

She joined Phi Theta Kappa as a means to get more involved and meet other students. On part whim, part desperate act, she applied for a 2008 Phi Theta Kappa scholarship.

Alexandra (Alex) Bird never thought she would attend college. In a difficult marriage in another state and having endured a second-trimester miscarriage, as well as a recent cancer diagnosis, just summoning the courage to move back to Phoenix and file for divorce was a battle of internal courage.

“I was tapped out financially. I heard about the scholarship and applied,” said Alex.

“I was in my car when the call came and I had to pull over because I burst into tears.

It changed everything for me.”

With the divorce final, Alex’s focus turned to self-discovery. She knew it was time to make positive changes with an eye on her future. Within her marriage she was not permitted to attend college; now, no barrier stood in her way.

Alex graduated from Rio Salado in 2009 with an Associate of Arts degree. She transferred to Alex and her son, Kios, enjoy computer time together.

Arizona State University, where she continued to apply for, and receive, scholarships for her Except one. Money. Alex could afford just involvement and outstanding academic record. She kept her track record a few Rio Salado College classes at a time, even working a full-time and going, graduating with highest honors from ASU. two part-time jobs. Struggling, but making it, her plans suddenly changed in December 2006 when her car was hit, T-boned, in a horrible accident that left Alex with a progressive neurological disorder and unable to work.

Rio Salado College courses online became a lifeline, something she could do at home and on her own time, at a pace she could handle.

“It was the one thing I could do,” said Alex. “I was in and out of doctors’ offices, taking medication, and struggling with my memory.” Instead of thinking of all the things she couldn’t do, courses online could be tailored to what she could manage.

Don’t assume Alex will stop anytime soon. Currently working on a master’s degree at ASU, she plans to pursue a doctorate as long as there are scholarships available to help. “This is what I can do,” she said about her drive to learn. “With a disability like mine, one that prevents me from going and sitting at a job, there aren’t a lot of options. Higher education gives me more options.”

While there is not yet a cure for Alex’s disability, she is compelled to use her time constructively and her talents to their fullest. “There’s a lot of awareness being raised for chronic illness. Maybe I’ll get [better] someday, but I’ll have wasted this time [if I’m not in school].”

EMCC Student Builds Prosthetic Hand Imagine having the project that springboards your academic (and possibly professional) career handed to you—literally. That’s exactly what happened to John Hughes, former student at Estrella Mountain Community College.

Hughes, now a mechanical engineering student at Arizona State University, was looking for a project for his Physics II final assignment.

He had an interest in biomechanics and prosthetics, having written in his senior yearbook that he wanted to build limbs. But he hadn’t been able to find inspiration for what to do.

EMCC had recently received a new 3–D printer and David Weaver, engineering faculty and Hughes’s physics instructor, shared its capabilities with other EMCC employees. In a strike of luck, an EMCC reading faculty member, Heather Muns, was in the audience.

EMCC continued on Page 5

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Leadership

A Road Map to Increased Student Success

Leadership Viewpoints It is with great honor, privilege, and enthusiasm that I begin my tenure as the Chancellor of the Maricopa Community Colleges. We enter the 2016-2017 academic year with a sense of momentum and high expectations, building on noteworthy accomplishments of the past to drive transformational change for the future.

With a $7.3 billion economic impact on the community, the stature, value, and influence of the Maricopa Community Colleges cannot be underestimated or ignored. Our rich history, combined with the immeasurable success of our students and the priceless commitment from our community, perfectly positions us to approach the future with confidence and without hesitation as we redesign our structure and operational framework into one that is outcome-focused, high-impact, and efficient.

Our students, our community, and our world demand more than what community colleges have traditionally offered. We must evolve so that we can continue to engage competitively in a local and global economy in ways that only a community college can—by producing a workforce that is sought after for its superior technical and professional skill set.

This fall, I will share my vision for a new Maricopa Community College District that is responsive to the needs of students and to those of our business community. We will be an innovative, entrepreneurial, civic-minded, and publicly accountable organization that exemplifies excellence in all that we do.

Our funding challenges will continue to demand discipline and will require that we make real and often difficult choices, but we will not let this stop us. The opportunity before us is unprecedented, and I thank you for entrusting me to lead one of the most respected community college systems in the country.

Since becoming the fourth Maricopa Community College Chancellor, Dr. Harper-Marinick has been an instrumental higher education industry and community leader working on behalf of students at the local, state, and national levels. In September 2016, Valle del Sol honored her with a Profiles of Success award.

That same month, she stood with Governor Doug Ducey and an alliance of 60 Arizona business, community, and education leaders to announce Achieve60AZ, an effort to increase adult educational attainment by the year 2030.

Dr. Harper-Marinick received a 2016 Valle del Sol Profiles of Success award.

Comments From District Colleagues She has impeccable standards, exacting expectations, and she expects everyone who works for her to have that same level of experience and expectations. She has vision and clarity of where she wants to take us.

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—Dr. Teresa Leyba-Ruiz, GCC Interim President

See more comments from the Chancellor’s colleagues, recorded May 4, 2016: maricopa.edu/videos/chancellor

Currently, only 42% of adults in Arizona have education beyond a high school diploma.

The Maricopa Community Colleges District is one of 60 members of Achieve60AZ, an alliance of business, education, and community leaders with an aggressive goal to increase postsecondary education completion to 60% by 2030. Meeting this goal will build a future workforce that attracts more businesses to Arizona, increases the tax base, and decreases poverty. For more information, visit: achieve60AZ.com

It has been my pleasure since March 1, of this year to serve as the Interim Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost and, at the same time, maintain my role as President of Paradise Valley Community College. From this vantage point, I have the unique opportunity to view and engage in programs and initiatives to further student success from both the system and college levels. It has been extremely rewarding to work with faculty, staff, and leadership from across the system—all with the same passionate desire to increase student access, learning, success, and ultimately completion of their desired goals.

The Office of the Provost is focusing on the following efforts during the 2016– 2017 academic year: • Enhance substantially the “front door” experience for students by implementing more user-friendly SIS admission tools, supporting collegelevel outreach with system-level call center follow-up, and continual financial aid process improvement

Maria Harper-Marinick, Ph.D., Chancellor

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A message from Interim Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Paul Dale

• Implement a systemwide Strategic Enrollment Management Plan that aligns with Colleges efforts, including the rollout of multiple, standardized course schedule start times that will dramatically increase student access to courses • Reenergize Developmental Education efforts through the reconstitution of the Developmental Education Task Force that will address the Maricopa Priorities recommendations; align, monitor, and measure system level initiatives; and engage with the District Governing Board as the Developmental Education Outcomes are revised • Pursue relentlessly improved student learning, success, and completion through enhanced systemwide collaboration between academic and student affairs leadership I look forward to sharing the successful results of these efforts with you next year.

PVCC Faculty Travel the Globe From the South Pacific to the Caribbean, Paradise Valley Community College faculty covered the globe during the summer break.

At the invitation of the U.S. Embassy Suva (Fiji), lead singer Dr. Dina Preston-Ortiz and her fourmember band performed in front of capacity crowds in Fiji and Kiribati, exposing the Fijian public to authentic American music genres like country, rock, and blues. As “Ambassadors of Goodwill,” the Dina Preston Band has represented the United States and Arizona in over 40 countries on more than 20 U.S. Embassy and Armed Forces Entertainment world tours.

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During this tour, Dr. Preston-Ortiz, Chair of PVCC’s Business & Information Technology Division, taught master classes on global entrepreneurship and small business music management at the Fiji National University and University of the South Pacific as part of the U.S. Department of State Economic Statecraft Initiative that highlights American values, such as open markets and innovation.

This unique opportunity provided interaction with Fijian students and business groups. Dr. PrestonOrtiz will incorporate this global perspective into her PVCC business and entrepreneurship classes.

“These interactive workshops supported insight, different approaches, and richer examples to share with local students,” she said.

On a history-making tour, the Dina Preston Band became the first U.S. band to perform on the island of Tarawa, Kiribati, where it was invited to a special audience with Kiribati President Neti Mamau. On the Fourth of July, it played at the U.S. Embassy in Suva for Ambassador Judith Cefkin’s Independence Day celebration. The award-winning band has received numerous distinguished service honors for its work abroad, including the United Nations Protection Force Distinguished Service in support of the Department of Peace Keeping Operations.

“It was my honor to serve our U.S. Embassy in Fiji, and I had a blast doing two things I love the most: playing music and teaching,” said Dr. Preston-Ortiz.

Meanwhile, more than 7,000 miles away, ceramics professor David Bradley, art history professor Tomi Johnston, and nine others were getting an up-close and personal view of the arts in Cuba during an eight–day, five–city tour.

“We wanted to get a sense of the role that the arts play in Cuba,” said Bradley. “We discovered that art is a very important part of Cuban culture. Everywhere we went, there were free classes for the community.”

Highlights included a visit to the home and studio of internationally known sister artists Jacqueline and Yamilis Brito, who both teach at the Institute of Fine Arts in Havana.

They toured Proyecto Muraleando, an artist collective.

At a Havana ceramics museum that featured artists from the 1950s and on, the group viewed pieces representing repression, confinement, and loss of voice and identity and were surprised at the level of anti-government sentiments exhibited in much of the artwork. Bradley was inspired to think about how Cuban artists are working within the constraints of their system, yet still expressing feelings despite those constraints. The Cuban artists all seemed to share an optimistic attitude. They expressed dissatisfaction with the current situation, but looked forward to normalization of relations with the U.S. and an end to the Muraleando, a community arts center in Havana, embargo. Bradley, whose travels and personal relationships was one stop on the Cuban art tour. with artists in China led to the historic Chinese Master Ceramic Artists visit to PVCC in 2015, hopes that a similar visit by Cuban artists will be possible.

In the meantime, through a MCCCD International Education grant, Bradley is bringing a Chinese Master Ceramic Artist to PVCC for a two-week residency in February 2017.

Focus on Faculty

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CGCC Math Instructors Teach College Readiness at Military Bases Abroad Two Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) mathematics faculty, Scott Adamson, Ph.D., and Linda Meng, have reenlisted with the Department of Defense Education Agency (DoDEA) to teach college and career readiness standards to U.S. educators at military bases overseas.

g Scott Adamson and Linda Men

For the second year in a row, Adamson and Meng joined the Charles A. Dana Center International Facilitation Fellow Program. They were trained in Austin, TX, and then deployed to the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station in Iwakuni, Japan, and U.S. Army Garrison in Ansbach, Germany, respectfully.

This DoDEA program helps to ensure that educational standards on overseas military bases align with latest stateside standards.

“I believe it is very important that the children of soldiers receive an education on par with children in the states,” said Meng. “I also believe that mathematics education needs to evolve to better meet the needs of students, no matter where they live, and these new standards are addressing this change.”

“In a small way, this program allows me the opportunity to support our military families serving our nation around the world,” explained Adamson.

In their second year with the program, Adamson and Meng say they felt more confident and better prepared than last year. With experience, however, came additional responsibility. Meng was assigned four schools in Germany, which meant training more teachers across a broader range of grade levels.

For more information on the Charles A. Dana Center International Facilitation Fellow Program, visit: www.utdanacenter.org

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Student Success

Three Maricopa Students Earn Jack Kent Cooke Scholarships Each receive up to $40K to complete bachelor’s degrees Two students from Mesa Community College (MCC) and one from Glendale Community College (GCC) earned the 2016 Jack Kent Cooke (JKC) Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

The students, Derek Fermaint and Jacob Sorenson from MCC and Jason Price from GCC, will each receive up to $40,000 a year to complete a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university.

All three scholars transferred to ASU this fall.

Fermaint will pursue degrees in computer engineering and physics at Barrett Honors College. Sorenson, a future neurosurgeon, will study applied biological sciences at the ASU Polytech Campus. Price is working toward a career in cybersecurity, software engineering, or research and will major in computer science at ASU West.

Seventy-five community college students were selected for scholarships from a Derek Fermaint transferred to ASU to study engineering. competitive nationwide pool this year. All of the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars have financial need and strong records of academic achievement as shown by grades, leadership skills, awards, extraordinary service to others, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

“I feel extremely humbled to be one of 75 students in the nation to be named a Cooke Scholar,” said Sorenson. “It is an incredible feeling to see my goals being reached as I continue on my path to medical school.”

Fermaint, a 2016 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Community College Aerospace Scholar (NCAS) and MCC math tutor said, “MCC believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself at times, and now that I have the JKC Foundation supporting me, I’m not going to let anyone down.”

Price added, “I’m very excited about the scholarship, not just for the financial portion, but also for the recognition as part of the scholar community. As I learned during my time at GCC, that can be just as valuable.”

The Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is the largest private scholarship in the nation for students transferring from two-year community colleges to four-year institutions that award bachelor’s degrees.

“The Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholars have a long record of success at the most selective colleges and graduate schools,” Jacob Sorenson started the Autism LEGO® Club said Cooke Foundation Executive Director Harold of the East Valley.

O. Levy. These extraordinary young people have proven repeatedly and conclusively that top community college students have the ability to thrive in top four-year colleges.”

Cooke scholarships fund the costs of attending college not covered by other financial aid plus academic advising, stipends for internships, study abroad, and opportunities to network with other Cooke Scholars and alumni. In addition, after earning a bachelor’s degree, each Cooke Scholar will be eligible for a scholarship for graduate school worth up to $40,000 annually for up to four years.

According to the American Association of Community Colleges, 45% of the undergraduate students in the United States were attending community colleges in 2014.

Jason Price plans a career in cybersecurity.

Conversation Circles Program Offers Unique Environment for English Language Learners Students new to the U.S. are intimately familiar with the frustration of trying to learn a new conversational language while earning college credits. While many visas require English classes, most of these classes don’t quite prepare students for the day-to-day language native speakers use.

Melodee Touma, Coordinator of Conversation Circles Program, started Conversation Circles at Phoenix College in 2006, modeled after a program she originated at Paradise Valley Community College for English as a second language (ESL) and English language learners (ELL) students.

“I’d been working as an English and writing tutor in the Learning Support Center and had an idea for something I was certain would greatly benefit Phoenix College students English language from 13 countries joined Conversation Circles. learners,” she said.

“The groups were a huge success! Students were happy to have a place to go where they could practice English conversation in a very relaxed and informal setting.”

Most of the students have had some English language education, but Conversation Circles provides a unique opportunity for learning, not only from Touma, but also each other.

“Someone said ‘as well’ to me, I don’t understand what that means,” said Veronica Lopes from Venezuela, as she explained to the class her experience from the previous weekend. Touma stepped in to explain that “as well, too, and also” are all interchangeable expressions.

Thirteen different countries are represented during this semester of Conversation Circles, including Japan, Guinea, France, Mexico, Venezuela, China, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Vietnam, Serbia, Germany, and Somalia.

Teaching, students of such varying language backgrounds and experience levels English to may seem difficult, but Touma has seen great results. While the students receive no homework other than to listen to as much English as possible, active participation is encouraged to help students gain confidence with their skills and build the confidence to speak in English to the group.

Conversation Circles is a noncredit class that meets three days per week for a total of six hours. At just $7 per semester, it is a comfortable and affordable learning opportunity for students. If interested, contact Nancy Colla at (602) 285–7808.

Innovations

EMCC continued from front page

When Muns was pregnant with her now eight–year–old son, Noah, he suffered a blood clot causing his right had to stop growing. He was born without a hand, but it has slowed him down little. Because he needed to grow into his body, Muns and her husband knew it didn’t make sense to get a prosthetic hand through traditional means—leading orthopedic doctors and engineers came with a high price tag.

KJZZ Opens Mexico City Bureau–An International First for Local Public Radio

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KJZZ, the Maricopa Community Colleges’ National Public Radio station, recently launched a full-time Mexico City News Bureau to cover business issues between Arizona and Mexico. “The business communities in Arizona and Mexico are bringing the two countries together like never before, and we need to be there to cover these stories for our listeners,” said KJZZ General Manager and Division of Public Service V.P. Dr. Jim Paluzzi.

John Hughes perfects Noah’s 3–D printed prosthetic hand.

“Other than aesthetics, a prosthetic wouldn’t do much for Noah,” said Muns. “And he’s really learned to fully function without [the hand]. We thought we’d wait until he was older to get a prosthetic.”

But after David Weaver’s presentation, Muns approached him about her son. Weaver immediately knew she had to meet Hughes and that he had found Hughes’s final project—a prosthetic hand for Noah.

As luck would have it, Weaver knew Hughes was in the building for a class. He introduced the two and a project idea was born.

Hughes finished his coursework at EMCC in the spring, but even after classes ended for the summer he was still hard at work perfecting Noah’s prosthetic. The parts take 12 to 15 hours to print plus countless hours of sanding, drilling holes, and fitting it to Noah’s growing body.

“It’s a testament to Hughes’s dedication that he continued to work on the prosthetic months after his course was over,” said Weaver. Going on five months after Hughes finished his schooling at EMCC, he is still working to make sure Noah has a “hand” that is functional.

Hughes has been through four iterations of the prosthetic for Noah, always striving to find the most functional design and fit.

Each new prototype requires new measurements and brings up new insights that both help the prosthetic be a little more comfortable for Noah and teach Hughes more about design.

“David has been a huge part of this project,” said Hughes. “He’s very passionate about outside activities and the students he teaches.”

The latest version of the prosthetic is larger than before, and Noah has yet to try it on.

John, Noah, and his mother model the new device.

It includes an elbow attachment, allowing more flexibility since Noah has limited mobility and strength in his wrist. Hughes anticipates that the prosthetic will be done in one or two more iterations.

“I’m just so thankful for the opportunity and to put my knowledge into full effect,” said Hughes.

Rodrigo Cervantes, an experienced business reporter, is the Bureau Chief, and Jorge Valencia, a seasoned public radio journalist, has just been named Senior Field Correspondent. Both Rodrigo Cervantes are based at the studios of Concepto Radial on the Tecnológico de Monterrey’s Mexico City campus. By launching this service, KJZZ becomes the first local public radio station in the U.S. to open an international news bureau.

Business between Arizona and Mexico is a big deal, with total imports and exports exceeding $16 billion, making Mexico the State’s top trading partner. Because of this, decisions that are made in Mexico City have significant effects on the Phoenix economy and businesses based in the State. KJZZ has opened the Mexico City newsdesk to keep listeners informed about the complexities of international trade, new business investments on both sides of the border, and the economic policies decided in the Mexican capital.

Cervantes sees the international bureau as a “natural fit” because Arizona and Mexico already have so many cultural, economic, and social connections. “The goal is to make those connections work and build a bridge between Mexico and the KJZZ audience,” he said. “[By] opening this door to the Mexican capital,” said Cervantes, “we’ll be opening up the rest of Latin America to Phoenix.”

Cervantes comes to KJZZ from Monterrey in northern Mexico, where he was the Business Editor at Grupo Reforma’s El Norte daily newspaper. Before that, he spent seven years as the newsroom editor of Jorge Valencia MundoHispánico. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Spanishlanguage media company. Valencia comes to KJZZ from WUNC in Chapel Hill, NC, where he worked as a senior reporter and national producer.

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Community

GateWay, Maricopa Skill Center Align for the Future For nearly 30 years, the Maricopa Skill Center (MSC) has operated as a division of Gateway Community College, yet few realized there was any connection between the two institutions. Due to shrinking appropriations from the State since 2007, more aggressive, intentional actions have taken place to bring the two institutions more in alignment.

On July 1, 2016, MSC adopted the GateWay Community College name.

Improved student services, enhanced offerings at more locations, and more options for students will strengthen the overall brand.

International and Intercultural Education Office Awarded Fulbright-Hays Grant The International and Intercultural Education program of the Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction (MCLI) office has been awarded a Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will fund a Summer 2017 curriculum internationalization program for Maricopa Community Colleges faculty and Arizona secondary school teachers to travel to the Balkans (Southeast Europe) for four weeks to study Europe’s Muslim countries.

“We had worked in silos and as separate institutions for many years, but have made a concerted effort to move away from that model,” said Steven Gonzales, GateWay President. “We are now taking it a step further, moving from two separate institutions to operating and functioning as one, under one brand, with three locations.”

MARICOPA SKILL CENTER

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With several initiatives under the One Maricopa effort led by the Governing Board and Chancellor, as well as the lack of funding, it’s an ideal time to bring the two brands together under one.

In a time of widespread misunderstanding of Muslim populations, U.S. educators struggle to teach about this group of people who make up nearly one-quarter of the world’s population. This program will address the need for greater understanding, as participating faculty will be required to develop curricular units that highlight their learning that will be shared across the district, state, and nation for greater impact.

“Maricopa Skill Center will benefit from a clearer alignment with GateWay,” said Al Larson, Vice President of Workforce Innovation and Strategic Partnerships. “It will also allow us to help students find the right fit, whether it’s a short-term, hands-on training program or a program that will help them transfer to a university or an occupational program.”

All of the current MSC and GateWay programs will continue, with the MSC programs available under a new educational category known as Trade and Technical Training, part of the umbrella functional area called Workforce Innovation and Strategic Partnerships led by Larson.

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The long-term vision for GateWay in three locations means that students can go to any location and register for university transfer, occupational education, or trade and technical training programs.

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—Steven Gonzales, GWCC President

To learn more about programs and the College, visit the recently redesigned and consolidated website: gatewaycc.edu

Kathryn Howard

Entitled Balkan Borderlands: Multi-Culturalism, Identities, and Histories in Europe’s Muslim Countries, this GPA project was developed in tandem with the University of Arizona’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies and scholarexpert Dr. Lisa Adeli (Ph.D. in Balkan History). Adeli has lived, studied, and traveled extensively in the region and speaks the Bosnian language.

She will colead the program with Program Manager Kathryn Howard from the District’s International and Intercultural Education program.

Headquartered in Bosnia-Herzegovina, with a week-long trip to Albania, participants will study and witness firsthand the intersection of three cultural zones–Catholic Western Europe, Orthodox Eastern Europe, and the Muslim Middle East–in two predominantly Muslim countries. The program will include lectures and visits to key historic and cultural sites, connections with academic counterparts abroad, and 40 hours of Bosnian language instruction.

Cooper Hall Opens at CGCC Williams Campus Cooper Hall, Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s (CGCC) newest building, officially opened its doors to students, faculty, and staff in August 2016 at the Williams Campus. The 11,820–square-foot, multifaceted building welcomes students with a variety of programs including math, electrical utility technology, history, engineering, and business.

“We at Chandler-Gilbert Community College are excited about the opening of Cooper Hall and the opportunities this new learning environment will Cooper Hall was built to provide to our students,” said William Guerriero, LEED Silver certification standards.

CGCC Interim President. “Cooper Hall is another example of the College’s commitment to providing students with the latest technology to optimize learning and teaching.”

Cooper Hall’s emphasis on engineering, science, and technology is intentional and appropriate given its namesake’s legacy. Cooper Hall is named after United States Air Force Colonel Leroy Gordon “Gordo” Cooper, Jr. (1927–2004), better known as Gordon Cooper. He received flight training at Perrin Air Force Base, TX, and Williams Air Force Base, AZ. After earning a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1956, Col. Cooper went on to become an aerospace engineer, test pilot, United States Air Force pilot, and one of the Mercury Seven, the original NASA astronauts who manned the first flights into space.

“CGCC is thrilled that Cooper Hall will help to preserve Gordon Cooper’s contributions to our nation’s preeminence in space exploration through the fields of engineering and science,” said Guerriero. “His legacy will continue to live on through our students and this building.”

Designed by Phoenix-based firm Gabor Lorant Architects and DNG Construction, LLC, Cooper Hall features four general Chandler-Gilbert’s newest classroom space classrooms, two engineering and applied technology labs, faculty offices, a conference room, and support spaces.

The building was funded by the 2004 Maricopa County Community College District bond, built to LEED Silver certification standards, and includes 100% LED lighting, carbon neutral carpet, and ground concrete floors.

An official grand opening event for Cooper Hall will be held: 2 p.m., October 21, 2016 CGCC Williams Campus, 7360 E. Tahoe Ave., Mesa, AZ 85212

Critter Corner Did you know... that the “locals” around Mesa Community College at Red Mountain are also terrific teachers? Chuckwallas, desert iguanas, endangered desert pupfish, and Sonoran Desert toads are just a few of the critters that students can observe in the ciénega and terrarium ecosystems on campus.

Students help release Gila topminnows at the Red Mountain cienega.

This past summer, the Arizona Game & Fish Department released a population of Gila topminnows (raised at the Phoenix Zoo) into the ciénega. When the population gets large enough, they can be used to restock areas in the wild or start new refuge populations.

Community

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Maricopa Student Performs for President Obama

Martha Ludlow Martinez, a student at Scottsdale Community College (SCC) and Mesa Community College (MCC) and the reigning Miss Indian SCC, performed a traditional Native American song for President Barack Obama during the closing ceremonies of the 8th Annual White House Tribal Nations Conference (WHTNC) in Washington, D.C., in September 2016.

Martinez and fellow Salt River PimaMaricopa Indian Community member, Kelly Washington, sang a song from their Piipaash (Maricopa) heritage playbook of Native Indian songs.

Martha Ludlow Martinez, SCC student performs at the 8th Annual White House Tribal Nations Conference.

The reigning Miss Indian SCC was working away at her full-time job as Coordinator for Cultural Resources for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community tribes when her supervisor told her about the opportunity. A mere three days later, she was headed for the nation’s capital. Only during rehearsal did she learn that she was to be on stage with President Obama.

“To me, it was like a euphoric dream,” said Martinez. “[President Obama] has made a tremendous impact on native countries and has passed things that have really helped native tribes,” she said. “I can’t recall another president who took the time to recognize the people who were here first.”

During the closing ceremony, the President received a custom-designed Pendleton® blanket and a cedar hat.

Of the performance, he said, “That was very moving and was a reminder of the great friendships that we’ve developed over the past eight years.” For her part, Martinez wore the sash and crown she earned when she became Miss Indian SCC November 2015.

“I just thought it was really cool that someone from a community college was able to do something like this,” she said.

“It was an opportunity to give recognition to SCC and Arizona and to a minority that isn’t very visible.”

The experience reaffirmed her commitment to continue studying and finding ways to bring honor recognition to her tribe and the issues all Native Americans face.

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Jobs

MCOR, EMCC, and HonorHealth Create Medical Assistant Program In any busy medical office or hospital, medical assistants are integral to the patient care process.

From scheduling appointments to taking vital signs, the medical assistant expedites the patient experience and supports the back-end operations.

Thirteen students will soon be certified medical assistants with HonorHealth, thanks to an innovative partnership between Maricopa Corporate College (MCOR), Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), and HonorHealth that launched earlier this year.

When HonorHealth identified a critical need for quality medical assistants in order to grow operations throughout the Valley, they asked Maricopa Community Colleges to help. MCOR and the SouthWest Skill Center at EMCC listened to their specific needs and collaborated with HonorHealth to create the Consortium Medical Assisting Program (C-MAP), a customized, six-month program that launched in April 2016. Specific additions to course content included population health management, leadership, time management, patient-centered care, and customer service education.

Julie Stiak, District Director of Health Care Education at Maricopa Community Colleges, said it was the unique strengths of each partner that facilitated the successful launch of the program.

“Maricopa Corporate College was able to leverage its resources immediately to support the whole managing of the project. Estrella Mountain had the medical assisting program,” Stiak said. “Neither could have done it without the other. This was truly a partnership in action.”

First co-hort of C–MAP stud

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Nathan Anspach, Senior Vice President of HonorHealth and Chief Executive Officer of HonorHealth Medical Group, believes this program will play a significant role as HonorHealth continues to expand throughout the Valley.

“HonorHealth’s Medical Group continues to grow rapidly with a new primary care office benefitting our community opening every six weeks–the Consortium Medical Assisting Program, offered through the Maricopa Corporate College, will allow us to continue this rapid growth,” Anspach said. Stiak and others who were involved in the project had high praise for HonorHealth and its commitment to being part of the solution.

“Everything that we’ve discussed, [HonorHealth] has been willing to make happen,” Chris Black, Program Manager at the SouthWest Skill Center at EMCC, said.

HonorHealth dedicated two medical office suites to the program so that students get hands-on experience as they develop their new skills. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be considered for employment with the HonorHealth Medical Group. Current HonorHealth employees are eligible to participate in the program at no cost; external students are eligible for an $1,800 scholarship to offset the program cost.

This attention to student preparation and success in the workforce has not gone unnoticed.

“

Just the simple fact that they decided to go out of their way to put together this clinic for us, to give us a better immersion into what the field of medical assisting is … I think that’s just amazing.

They can prepare you for the workforce way before you even get out there.

”

Centers for Excellence in Planning Stages to Innovate Job Skills Training An interview with Randy Kimmens, Associate Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development The Maricopa Community Colleges embarked on a new educational initiative this year to better connect occupational skills training programs with the changing workforce needs of six growing industry sectors in Maricopa Randy Kimmens County. The concept of Centers for Excellence will create academic “one-stops” that match students with occupational programs, leverage the unique resources of the colleges, and serve as a workforce resource for local and regional employers.

The Advanced Manufacturing business sector is the pilot Centers for Excellence effort.

Maricopa Matters: Today’s students are coming to community college in order to find jobs. How does the idea of Centers for Excellence help in that regard?

Randy Kimmens: We want to tackle that issue in two ways. First, Centers for Excellence will help students earn industry-recognized credentials so that they present their knowledge, skills, and abilities to prospective employers in a language both understand. Second, the Centers will show industry sectors that the Maricopa Community Colleges speak the language of competency.

When employers recognize the competencies our students have, they will be more inclined to match students to jobs, essentially choosing “preferred” candidates for desirable advanced manufacturing positions.

MM: Centers for Excellence will make administrative and structural changes for the District, but what will students see?

How will they perceive the value?

—C–MAP student, Luis Bautista

C-MAP is a unique program in that it benefits the individual Luis Bautista student while meeting specific employer needs. Sue Roe, who worked as a consultant on behalf of HonorHealth throughout the project, considers this kind of partnership to be essential to the healthcare industry.

“I believe this type of program is the future of workforce development,” Roe said. “It is really important that when folks graduate from a program, particularly in healthcare, they are well prepared to successfully begin their jobs.”

The Program’s second cohort began August 22, 2016: maricopacorporatecollege.com/honorma or sheri.sherman@maricopacorporate.com

RK: Students will eventually have— through the Colleges and the Centers for Excellence structure—a more coordinated point of connection from the time they enter our programs to the time they enter the workforce. Industry will have a single point of connection to our programs and students. That’s a real value to both students and employers.

New Scottsdale Community College Library Builds Technology Into Learning Spaces Includes study rooms, collaborative environments, and opportunities for community

News in the District

ACTEAZ Names Educator of the Year

9

Jennifer Kaufman-Fourness, Associate Director of Workforce Development, was recently named the Career and Technical Education Post-Secondary Educator of the Year by the Association for Career Technical Education of Arizona (ACTEAZ).

Nominated by her peers for her work on two consortia in the Valley and in the District, Kaufman-Fourness was selected for the award among other nominees in postsecondary institutions across the State.

Scottsdale Community College (SCC) opened its newly renovated library this semester to rave reviews from students and employees. In the course of a three-year makeover, the new, 33,200–square-foot space has become a welcoming, collaborative learning environment for studying, researching, and relaxing that includes: • Two collaborative learning environment classrooms with interactive whiteboards, 28 PCs, interactive touch TV displays, and lecture-capture technology

“Being nominated by peers is an honor. The nomination recognizes my role as a leader in this work, but it’s difficult to accept because it should also be going to so many other people who are working Jennifer Kaufman-Fou with me,” rness says KaufmanFourness. “I am truly part of a team effort across the State.”

• Ten study rooms, most with high-tech writing boards, monitors, and other enhancements • Writable tables with USB port hubs to encourage collaborative learning • A quiet study room for students who need that environment • A common area with 30 computers, a variety of seating options, copiers, printers, and other services “This library is modern technology at its finest, with all the high-tech bells and whistles, but also the high-touch support from our wonderful librarians and library staff who are here to serve students and the community,” said SCC President Jan Gehler. “The renovation took longer than we had hoped, but it is most definitely worth the wait and is exactly what our students and our community deserve.”

The library’s robust collection of print and electronic materials will feature the school’s specialties: Native Americans of the Southwest, Culinary Arts, Interior Design, and Theatre and Film. Students also will have access to a collection of best-selling books and feature films, said Library Division Chair Danielle Carlock. Students, faculty, and community members can also order and reserve books from other Maricopa Community Colleges through interlibrary loan. Built-in display shelves will feature student art and other pieces donated to the school.

Community members who are not students can check out books on a community borrower’s card and use designated computers.

SCC library staff members coordinated the furnishings, technology, building setup, physical move, and shelving of books. “The library staff is excited to be in our new home; but, more importantly, the students are already making the library a vital part of their learning experience,” said Carlock.

Okland Construction served as the project’s construction firm, DLR Group was the architectural firm, and Richard + Bauer created the interior design.

The public is invited to the grand opening of the library: Grand Opening Ceremony, Friday, October 28, 2016

That team effort includes collaborating with partners to implement electronic reporting and electronic campaigns to inform parents, counselors, and students in the state about career and technical education opportunities—beginning in high school. As part of her role in the District, Kaufman-Fourness works with Arizona Programs of Study to promote dual enrollment opportunities, mapping out coursework starting in high school and continuing through community college in an effort to encourage more high school students to complete their college education.

“The award for Jennifer is well deserved, and it speaks to her excellence and commitment to career and technical education and workforce development on behalf of the District and postsecondary education at the state and national levels,” says Randy Kimmens, Associate Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and a member of the ACTEAZ Board of Directors. “Beyond this professional distinction, people should know that Jennifer remains a favorite to many colleges with incredible strength of character and is always a pleasure to work with.”

Kaufman-Fourness received her award on July 20, 2016, during the ACTEAZ summer conference.

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Foundation

New CEO Envisions a Bright Future Christina Schultz, Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation’s new CEO, felt an immediate affinity with her role when she joined the Foundation in April 2016. “It was exciting to discover that the Maricopa Community College District and Foundation promote values similar to my own. As a first-generation American, my parents strongly believed that education is the pathway to a higher quality of life. They encouraged me to study hard and excel in school.”

With a smile, she added, “As I have worked in higher education for almost 30 years, one could say that I love school so much that I never really left.”

When asked about the recent changes in philanthropy, she remarked, “The most obvious changes are the development of new communication tools. These include social media, email marketing, and the use of poignant images and video to tell a story. Fundraisers can now communicate with broader audiences in less time, and raise funds in ways that didn’t exist a few years ago.”

Christina Schultz

Schultz believes that more engagement with the community starts with better communication, complemented by the ability to listen and embrace new ideas and a willingness to work together to advance the goals of the organization.

The arts and cultural sectors hold a special place in her heart. She’s not only an arts aficionado, she’s an advocate, as well. She considers the arts and culture an important way to open the door to the community. “We have eight performing arts centers across the District thatoffer a wide array of programming. By inviting community members of all ages to attend performances and gallery exhibits, we begin to acquaint them with our campuses and what we have to offer. After all, community members have the potential of becoming future students, as well as future donors.”

Ms. Schultz anticipates forging community partnerships and collaborations with other arts organizations. “For example, we could showcase the talents of students and faculty at community galleries and performance spaces. We could also share visiting guest artists with other venues across the Valley or even present local festival films as a way to enhance teaching, learning, and promoting intellectual discussion.”

In getting to know the community, she observed, “With a population of close to four million, it is refreshing that the Valley has a small-town feel. I often see the same people taking leadership roles to support the area’s growth and prosperity.”

When asked what was on her wish list for the future, she responded, “unlimited resources to provide education for all those who seek to transform their lives through education.”

Her steadfast belief in higher education, the Foundation’s notable history, and the District’s reputation for quality and innovation lead her to one conclusion: The future looks so bright!

Heroes of Education Honoree Advocates a Call to Action The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (MCCF) sponsored the annual Heroes of Education event on April 21, 2016, at the Sheraton Grand in Downtown Phoenix. J. Doug Pruitt, Chairman and retired CEO of J. Doug Pruitt Sundt Construction, was recognized as a champion of higher education in Arizona for his longstanding advocacy for the community; industry; and more specifically, education, where he has focused upon workforce development and vocational education.

Mr. Pruitt’s leadership has led to the advancement of many programs at the Maricopa Community Colleges that serve local industry. Mr. Pruitt urged that education be a priority within the State of Arizona and encouraged a public and private dialogue to create an educational system that transforms lives and offers opportunities to all students.

Christina Schultz, President and CEO of MCCF commented, “The support we receive is an investment in the students who will become the leaders of the tomorrow. These gifts ensure that everyone has the opportunity to improve their lives through education.”

More than 550 community leaders attended the April event and raised more than $115,000 in scholarship funds. Since its inception in 2006, the Heroes of Education event has raised $1.5 million in scholarship funds to support Maricopa Community Colleges students.

Campaign for Student Success Capitalizes on Power of Ten The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Campaign for Student Success has accelerated toward its goal by raising a total of $42,449,180 to date. Foundation President and CEO Christina Schultz branded this fundraising effort with a new focus: The Power of Ten. Schultz said, “This additional emphasis capitalizes on each of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges’ deep connections to the community as they engage with students in unique and dynamic ways. When combined as a unified force of higher education in Maricopa County, it’s the collective impact, The Power of Ten, on the lives of 230,000 students annually that is truly impressive.”

As public funding for higher education wanes, it’s more important than ever to T H E C A M PA I G N F O R invest in tomorrow’s leaders. There have STUDENT SUCCESS been a variety of projects developed, Endcating our Community, associated with each theme, that are Ensuring our Future critical to ensuring a robust economy and community where people want to live and work. To ensure a low-cost, high-quality education, each of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges has identified projects to expand the access to—and quality of— a college education and to increase the opportunity for students to graduate.

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

Recent support for the campaign includes the following contributions: The goal is to raise $50 million to support student success in the following three thematic areas: • $25 million to fund student scholarships • $15 million to support faculty and staff innovation, creativity, and excellence to develop new programs, initiatives, and methodologies to enhance student success • $10 million to support community partnerships

• Scottsdale Community College received a gift of $578,000 from the Elizabeth Reilly Alexander Estate • The City of Surprise awarded $250,000 in support of the District’s West Valley Veterans Center • Gateway Community College partnered with the City of Phoenix to launch the innovative Makerspace project, receiving $250,000 • The Flinn Foundation donated $150,000 to support biology programs

Foundation Spotlight: Aron

Mixson

Past and Future

11

Student Scholarship Recipient Designs a Promising Future

STEAM Makerspace Planned for Downtown Phoenix

Mesa Community College graduate and scholarship recipient, Aron Mixson, has faced adversity throughout his life, but those challenges have inspired him to create a better future for himself with great style.

The west end of Van Buren Street in Downtown Phoenix may have lost its luster, but an innovative change is has been envisioned for its future. GateWay Community College, in partnership with City of Phoenix, foresees a repurposed future for this blighted area; one where the emerging emphasis on STEAM initiatives plays a vital role in this area’s second act.

Entrepreneurs will be the key contributors to this area’s economic redevelopment, propelled by technological innovation and new job growth. A national focus on the importance of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering Arts, and Mathematics) recognizes that success in technical fields depends on individuals also being creative and using critical thinking skills.

During his early childhood, Mixson’s mother struggled with drug abuse. By the time Mixson was eight years old, he and his sisters were in the care of Child Protective Services. It was a challenging time. He was adopted twice and lived in a group home for a period of time. Upon reaching adulthood, he lived in a men’s shelter and had little opportunity to advance his education or career.

Although the adoptions and various living Aron Mixson arrangements were adequate, the instability affected Mixson’s ability to pursue a lucrative career. “There’s no getting used to being moved around from house to house,” Mixson said. “But the group home showed me a lot of things I wouldn’t have known about. It was there I found my love for football and music. The group home was very supportive.”

His experiences created resiliency in him. “Now, I can deal with adversity because of all those situations. I am used to dealing with all sorts of different people from different backgrounds.”

After attempting college in 2006 and not finishing, he returned to MCC in 2012 when he realized that he couldn’t go any further without an education.

“

I decided I would do everything possible so I could become the first one in my family to graduate from college.

”

While working on his Associate of Arts degree, Mixson was awarded MCC’s Black Student Union Club President of the Year and received a certificate of excellence as a student senator. Mixson said the people at MCC changed his life. “Without MCC, I would still be living on people’s couches with no direction,” Mixson said.

At the Foundation’s 11th Annual Heroes for Education event, Mixson acknowledged the generosity of an anonymous donor whose support assisted him in meeting his educational goals. In his speech, he also shared that he realized he needed to be his own hero and plans to continue his education at ASU. In looking back on his own journey, Mixson remarked,

“

Take full advantage of the opportunity to go to college, and once there, make it your job to get to know all the resources offered.

”

To act upon that belief, he applied and won the ASU Edson Entrepreneur Initiative, which provides office space at Skysong in Scottsdale for one year, as well as a $20,000 grant for the start-up of his own business called The Distinguished Gentlemen’s Club, or TDG Club for short. He offers wardrobe styling to big and tall men through a monthly subscription service that delivers handpicked clothing and accessories.

Mixson said, “Our motto is ‘Let Us Distinguish You.’ Everyone deserves to look their best, no matter your size or height. As a big and tall man, I found it hard or impossible to leave major retail stores with something that fit both in style and size. After establishing relationships with small retail stores, I decided to help every man that fashion does not make priority. TDG Club is aiming to change the look of what handsome used to be to what it should be: all men, all shapes, and all sizes.”

Makerspace, a new learning environment proposed for the southeast corner of 6th Avenue and Van Buren Street in Downtown Phoenix, aims to cultivate and nurture STEAM entrepreneurs. Students will learn practical applications for coursework; community members will have access to the tools and equipment they need for idea fabrication and product development. In developing the idea, GateWay partnered with the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, Arizona State University, and the City of Phoenix, who collectively committed $4 million for this ground-breaking initiative.

As one of only four STEAM-based initiatives in the Western U.S., Makerspace will be a place to drive academic program growth as a lab to train faculty to think in new ways by giving them the tools to realize their ideas in a creative and inventive manner and to foster communitybased education by connecting the creative class to the business and manufacturing communities.

The Makerspace program is expected to attract artistic entrepreneurs in a wide range of fields, including welding, ceramics, glassblowing, woodworking, textiles and 3–D digital design.

Long-range plans for the space include retail services, artistic galleries, and event space to host civic engagement activities.

The Makerspace 3–D printer is partially funded by the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation’s Campaign for Student Success. All MCCCD students will have access to the facility and its services.

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Student Success

Eight Students Earn Competitive Nina Mason Pulliam Trust Scholarships A group of eight, non-traditional students are attending Maricopa Community Colleges this semester as 2016 Nina Mason Pulliam Trust scholars. The competitive scholarship not only covers tuition, fees, and books, but also provides a cohort model to mentor and support students through their academic year.

Nijah Morgan is earning a civil engineering degree from GateWay Community College to create sustainable infrastructures for communities. Active on campus, Nijah is president of the Male Empowerment Network and a member of the Student Activities Management Council.

Erin MuĂąoz is a full-time student at Paradise Valley Community College studying communication and nonprofit management while working two jobs and volunteering as a leader in her church. She aspires to a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Nina Mason Pulliam Trust scholarship supports adults with dependents, young adults raised in the child welfare system, and college-age youths and adults with physical disabilities.

Meet the 2016 Cohort: Monique Artis is attending GateWay Community College and majoring in journalism and mass communication with a goal to work in public relations. She is currently a content specialist at GWCC, helping students connect to campus resources, and a member of the Student Activities Management Council and Women Rising.

Awout Bagat is a nursing assistant working on a degree in nursing from Scottsdale Community College with plans to earn a bachelor’s in nursing.

She has six children, grew up in Sudan, and came to the U.S. in 2004 as a refugee.

The 2016 Nina Mason Pulliam Trust scholars will attend five different Maricopa Community Colleges.

Deja Broughton is a Paradise Valley Community College journalism and mass communication student. She is active in the Puma Press, the student newspaper, and in Women Rising.

Deeysi Paz attends GateWay Community College and plans to major in business to become a certified public accountant. Deeysi is currently employeed as a student worker on campus.

Marcus Downing, a Mesa Community College student, is following his career goal to be a cybersecurity specialist. He is a member of the Cybersecurity Club, a youth tutor, and a volunteer for Big Brothers.

Marizol Singleton is an employee of and student at Rio Salado College studying computer technology. At 37, her career goal is to work in the Maricopa Community College District’s Information Technology Department. She volunteers for Father Matters in their Mother-to-Mother program.

Scenes From Around the Maricopa Community Colleges

Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick, Chancellor Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board Mr. Doyle Burke | Mr. Alfredo Gutierrez | Ms. Johanna Haver Mr. John Heep | Ms. Tracy Livingston | Ms. Jean McGrath Mr. Dana Saar

Maricopa Matters is published twice a year by the Marketing and Communications Department of the Maricopa Community Colleges.

If you would like to receive an electronic edition, contact: maricopamatters@gmail.com View Maricopa Matters online at: www.maricopa.edu/matters

Chandler-Gilbert | Estrella Mountain | GateWay | Glendale | Maricopa Corporate College Mesa | Paradise Valley | Phoenix | Rio Salado | Scottsdale | South Mountain The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

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