Seventeen-year-old Dalena Nguyen won’t graduate from Desert Ridge High School until May, but she and her dad Tony are already locking in her college plans for fall.

Nguyen will be taking advantage of “Connect2NAU,” a new partnership between Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Northern Arizona University, which provides students with joint admission to any of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges and NAU.

“I want to complete my Associate’s Degree in the area of computer sciences at CGCC and eventually transfer to NAU up in Flagstaff,” Nguyen said.  “This program is a great way for me to get started.”

Deanna Hughes, Program Coordinator for the NAU CGCC Campus, says that “Connect2NAU” will provide college-bound students greater access and affordability in completing their bachelor’s degree. 

Pictured: Desert Ridge High School senior Dalena Nguyen (center) her dad Tony Nguyen (right) meet with Deanna Hughes (left), Program Coordinator for the NAU CGCC Campus about Connect2NAU.

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Chandler-Gilbert Community College is celebrating the opening of Bridget Hall on the college’s Williams Campus with a grand opening ceremony on Wednesday, February 23.  The ribbon-cutting will take place at 9 a.m., followed by refreshments and a building tour.

Built by Sundt Construction, Inc. from a design by will bruder +PARTNERS of Phoenix, the $7.05M project broke ground in February 2010.

Williams Campus Provost John Schroeder said that the construction of Bridget Hall was vital in order to keep pace with the campus’ continued growth.

“Bridget Hall is a beautiful building which will provide important services to our students, such as a library, computer commons, food service, bookstore, student life spaces, and a multi-function meeting space,” Schroeder said.  “This facility will include tutoring and instructional spaces and inviting spots for students to gather and study or just get together with friends.”

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