Hundreds of Chandler-Gilbert Community College students will don cap and gown tonight, as they prepare to accept their diplomas at the college’s 21st Commencement Ceremony and stand as examples of the perseverance and dedication necessary to achieve a college education.

 

As most students prepare for one graduation, Zachary Johnson and Brandon Butterfield are preparing for two – one from high school and one from CGCC.   All three students have participated in the college’s Hoop of Learning program since their freshman year of high school.  The Hoop program is designed to provide the opportunity for Native American high school students to earn college credits.  Students are awarded a scholarship for tuition and fees; as well as receive tutoring, student services support, and learning assistance.

 

Johnson, 17, will graduate from Chandler High School as well as receive an Associate in Arts degree from CGCC.  He plans to transfer to ASU in the fall to study electrical engineering.

 

“This was a great experience that more students should take advantage of,” Johnson said. “It was definitely a time investment attending high school and college at the same time, but Carriann Dehiya, the program coordinator, supported me and was always available to help, so that made a big difference.”

 

Butterfield, 17, will graduate from Mesquite High School as well as receive an Associate in Arts degree from CGCC.  He plans on transferring to ASU in the fall to study aerospace engineering.

 

“The support of the staff and my peers in the program helped me to persist, even when it was challenging,” Butterfield said. “This was a great way to get started in college.”

 

Avonlea Hope, 19, was originally on track to attend a state university upon graduation from high school, but the downturn in the economy and a shortage of scholarship funds set her on a different path.

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Chandler-Gilbert Community College was recently been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement. This is the 6th year in a row CGCC has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

Of the 513 colleges and universities from across the U.S. named to the Honor Roll, CGCC was one of just 110 that received the recognition of Honor Roll with Distinction, and the only Arizona community college to receive this honor.

“For more than 20 years, our college has a long-standing tradition of service to our communities and we hare honored to receive this recognition once again," said Dr. Linda Lujan, CGCC President.  "Both in and out of the classroom, engaging in service enhances the student learning experience and benefits a wide variety of individuals and agencies.  We are proud of our wonderful faculty and staff who give countless hours to infuse service into our curricular and co-curricular activities and we are proud of our many dedicated students who take the time to provide service in their community.” 

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Members of CGCC's President's Community Advisory Council (PCAC) provide information and ideas to the college that reflect community perspectives.

Each month, we will feature a current member of the PCAC.  This month, we are pleased to introduce ASU Vice President of Public Affairs Angela Creedon.

1. How long have you served in your current position and what are your primary duties in this position?  I have served as Assistant Vice President of the Arizona State University (ASU) Office of Public Affairs for 21 months and it has been a wonderful opportunity.  My primary role in this position is community outreach for all four of our Valley campuses – we are one university in many places!  I’ve maintained a close relationship with our local elected leaders, Chambers, and the East Valley Partnership along with many other organizations across the Valley. I now have the opportunity to expand my role in government relations working with the City of Phoenix. 

 

2.  How long have you served on the CGCC President's Community Advisory Council and why do you feel it's important to serve on this Council?  I’ve served on the CGCC President’s Community Advisory Council for six years.  I personally feel that Arizona’s community colleges play an important role in our community as well as at ASU - they promote workforce development, community leadership and social embeddedness, and also expand our role in our community and broaden support.

 

3.  How have ASU and CGCC partnered over the years? 

The partnership between ASU and CGCC is really outstanding!  One great example of our relationship is the Maricopa-ASU Pathways Program (MAPP).  Through MAPP, students can easily find an AAS program at CGCC that will smoothly transfer over to ASU and prepare them for the appropriate BAS. CGCC and ASU want to make getting a higher education as accessible as possible and we have 125 majors with MAPP and CGCC MAPP sign-ups continue to grow significantly. Under the leadership of Dr. Maria Hesse and Dr. Linda Lujan, CGCC’s transfer enrollment to ASU has grown by 19 percent from 2007-2008 to 2010-2011 (from 493 students to 585 students annually).  It’s my belief that the ASU and CGCC partnership is not only blossoming, but it’s continuing to bloom! ASU also supports CGCC’s annual Chocolate, Champagne, and All that Jazz event, which raises money for student scholarships and the annual Heroes of Education event.  It’s an honor and privilege to serve on the President’s Community Advisory Council and I look forward to continuing to serve.

 

4.  What other community boards/councils do you serve on?

In addition to the CGCC PCAC, I currently serve on the Chandler Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Public Policy Committee, East Valley Partnership board, Government Relations and Executive Committees, East Valley Fresh Start Board, Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance.