Tag: CCC

Coconino Community College holds public forum on May 21 to discussed a proposed new building

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Also see:

Arizona Daily Sun (Nov. 10, 2025) — CCC beginning planning process for construction on Flagstaff campuses following bond election
FLAGSTAFF — Members of the local community gathered on May 21, 2026 for a Coconino Community College public forum to discussed a proposed new building at the Fourth Street Campus.

This session, led by Dr. Eric Heiser, president and CEO of the college, was designed to introduce the project and gather feedback from community members, students, faculty, and staff.

College officials said the input will help inform the design and ensure the space reflects CCC’s mission, values, and long-term goals.

While the main campus today is located on Lone Tree, the college actually got its start on Fourth Street near the Sunnyside Neighborhood of Flagstaff.

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CCC April Classes: Writing, Flagstaff’s Latino Heritage, AI, Comet Talks, Flower Pressing and Poems

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Upcoming Classes Writing and Renewal Wednesday, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 1:30 to 3 p.m. Through writing prompts, the group will reflect, renew, share stories, and enhance their creativity. Seasoned and beginning writers alike are welcome! Writing – Learn…

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Registration open for CCC ‘Exploring Flagstaff’s Latino Heritage and Community’ series to be held April 2 through 30

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FLAGSTAFF — Dive into the rich and diverse stories of the Latino communities — Mexican, Basque, Spanish, Chicano — that have shaped the vibrant tapestry of Flagstaff. This interactive course offers a dynamic introduction to the people, traditions, industries, and historic sites that have played a vital role in the city’s development.

From prominent families and community celebrations to hidden histories and cultural legacies, you’ll uncover the often-overlooked contributions that continue to define the beauty, strength, and spirit of Flagstaff. Whether you’re new to the area or a lifelong resident, this journey through local heritage will deepen your connection to the city and its multicultural roots.

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CCC Community Education — New classes open for registration!

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Winter Outdoor Survival Skills

Friday, Jan. 30 | 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. and

Saturday, Jan. 31 | 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Are you prepared to spend a freezing night out in the woods? Come learn the five survival priorities when faced with an emergency.

Survival – Learn more and register!

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CCC Community Education — Sign up for Jan. and Feb. classes!

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Comet Talk – Finding Santiago: Indians, Immigrants, and the Meaning of Birthright Citizenship

Monday, Jan. 26 | 6 to 7 p.m. | Free

Hear the story of the origins and development of the legal doctrine known as birthright citizenship from the perspective of three unique individuals.

Santiago – Learn more and register!

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CCC celebrates grand opening of New Kaibab Campus and Automotive Training Facility

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Also see: Arizona Daily Sun — Coconino Community College celebrates Kaibab Campus grand opening

FLAGSTAFF — Dozens of college, community and business supporters gathered on Aug. 16, 2025 at the new Coconino Community College Kaibab Campus for the grand opening for a facility that will provide hand-on instruction in automotive technology and serve as the home for the college’s growing trades training program, including a potential welding program.

The event included speeches by CCC President Dr. Eric Heiser and other college and community officials, the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, music, food and tours of the new facility, which previously served as the unused Flagstaff Chevrolet automotive repair center.

The event underscores CCC’s commitment to expanding career training pathways and preparing students for in-demand, high-wage jobs across northern Arizona, the college stated in a media release.

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CCC Community Education September classes: Stained Glass, Meeting Facilitation, Poetry, Sign Language

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Stained Glass Workshop

Saturday, Sept. 6 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

or

Sunday, Sept. 7 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Learn the fundamentals of stained glass art and create your own art piece to take home! This workshop fills up quickly – if full, add yourself to the wait list to receive advance notice of future workshops.

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CCC Community Education — April Classes: Conscious Aging, Mixed Media Workshop, Comet Talks: Hunting and Fishing, and more!

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Coming Up in April

• Conscious Aging
Pysanky — Ukrainian Egg Decorating Workshop
Stained Glass Workshop
Wisdom Cards Mixed Media Workshop
Comet Talk: Hunting for a Healthy Food Source
…and More

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CCC Community Education — March Classes: Sign Language, Sustainable Landscaping, Backcountry First Aid, Yoga

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Basic Conversation Sign Language

Tuesday, March 4, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Join us to learn basic sign language as well as communication tips when interacting with Deaf and hard of hearing people.

Sign – Learn more and register!

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CCC Community Education — November classes: Conscious Aging; Your Financial Plan; High Altitude Baking; Comet Talk

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Conscious Aging

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 13, 20, Dec. 4, 11

1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

We’ll focus on the philosophy, skills, and practice needed to become a wise elder, with lecture, readings, guided meditations, group activities and discussions.

Conscious – Learn more and register!

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CCC Community Education — Check out our October schedule!

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Cultivating Happiness: Practices for a Positive Mindset

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 9, 23, 30

5:15 to 7:45 p.m.

Explore and expand your authentic path to a richer, happier life. Dive into happiness science and learn practical methods to boost your well-being.

Happiness – Learn more and register!

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Different Starts, Common Goal: How Two Flagstaff Graduates are Transforming Their Passions into Nursing Careers

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College’s nursing program recently celebrated the achievements of two of its graduates, Jennifer Swomley and Joseph McIntire. Each brings a unique background and a personal story of dedication to the nursing field, reflecting both the diversity and the challenges of modern healthcare education.

Jennifer Swomley, 27, moved from Colorado to Flagstaff in 2021, drawn not only by personal relationships but also by the strong reputation of Coconino’s nursing program. Initially interested in becoming a firefighter, influenced by her friends in the emergency services, Swomley’s career path took a pivotal turn after her experiences on an ambulance crew. These experiences exposed her to the realities and complexities of medical care, sparking a new passion for nursing. “I was drawn to the depth of patient interaction and the broader scope of care I could provide as a nurse,” Swomley explained.

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CCC Community Education — April & May

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Conscious Aging

Monday, April 8, 15, 22, 29

1:30 to 3 p.m.

The class will focus on the philosophy and skills needed to become a wise elder through life review and harvesting, finding meaning and purpose, and leaving a legacy.

Aging – Learn more and register!

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CCC Recipients earn full-tuition scholarships for bachelor’s degree programs

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FLAGSTAFF — Two Coconino Community College students, Grace McCullough and Carly Miller, have been nominated for the All-Arizona Academic Team as part of the All-USA Scholarship competition sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa.

Each year, the Arizona Board of Regents provides tuition scholarships to exceptional Arizona resident community college transfer students, based on outstanding academic performance and community service.

Students are nominated by their community college and submit their applications directly to the Phi Theta Kappa International Honorary organization. Scholarships cover resident tuition at any Arizona state university.

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CCC Community Education — Keep On Learning!

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Your Financial Education

Tuesday, March 5, 19, 26, April 2, 9

5:30 to 7 p.m.

This five-week financial workshop will cover income taxes, estate planning, retirement, investing, and insurance.

Finance – Learn more and register!

MORE!!!

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‘That Others May Live: CCC Student CJ Crowley Takes a Selfless Stand’

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FLAGSTAFF — CJ Crowley stands in the CCC Commons posing for his picture – his demeanor is calm, cool and collected. Crowley, a 29-year-old native of Loma Linda, California, is known on CCC’s campus as a man of many lived experiences.  In his words, “Everyone has a story maybe mine will resonate with readers. I hope it does. I want others to know that you don’t have to let past mistakes define you.”

Crowley’s journey began with a childhood marked by constant change, as his father, a minister in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, led the family on a journey to various places. Eventually, CJ found himself in Arkansas, where he attended a Christian boarding school. It was there that he was invited to join the gymnastics team.

“I was a ground tumbler, and my favorite move was the full layout,” Crowley recalls, reflecting on his early days in gymnastics. He excelled in the sport, staying active and even playing basketball while gaining skills in gymnastics. His talents on the mat did not go unnoticed, and he was offered a gymnastics scholarship at Southwestern University in Texas. Crowley earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology, but he soon realized that the traditional 9-to-5 employment in his chosen career field was not fulfilling.

With a family background steeped in military service, including his father’s service during the Cold War and his brother’s tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, it was only natural that the military presented itself as a potential path.

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Fall Community Education: Metalsmithing | Brave the Wild River | Star Party | Utah War of 1857 | Brain Health | Bakhmut | Scientific View of World

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Metalsmithing for Jewelry

Saturday, Oct. 14, 21, 28
12 to 2:45 p.m.

Learn how to work with metal including torching, polishing, stamping, and soldering. Only 2 openings left!

Metalsmithing – Learn more and register!

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CCC to receive up to $4 million to attract male high school students to higher education

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College has received the largest donation in the college’s history to attract male high school students to higher education.

A private donor has offered the college $1 million per year for four years to achieve the goal.

“This transformational gift will allow us to blaze a new path forward and open the doors of higher education for students who may not have been considering going to college,” said Dr. Eric Heiser, President of CCC. “With the resources that this gift will provide, we will be able to focus specifically on those male students who have not re-engaged with community college since the onset of the pandemic.”

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A Journey of Resilience: Yolanda Yazzie’s Path to Success at Coconino Community College

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FLAGSTAFF — Yolanda Yazzie, a student at Coconino Community College (CCC), is not just pursuing an education; she’s forging a path from adversity to ambition, driven by a deep sense of purpose and a desire to give back to her community. Yazzie has dealt with abusive parents. With the foster care system. With poverty and hunger. Now, as a parent herself, she is committed to helping others, and she has dedicated herself to improving her life with a career in the Hospitality industry by embarking on a journey of education beginning at Coconino Community College.

Like many young Navajo children, she grew up facing the harsh realities of poverty and the burden of an unstable home environment marred by abusive parents. It was her aunt who stepped in as a guiding light, raising her alongside her own children.

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CCC Community Education — October Community Education: Antarctica | Crochet | Brave the Wild River | Pad Thai | Star Party | Utah War of 1857

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September programs…starting soon!

Comet Talk: Adventures of a 1901 Toledo Steam Car
Monday, Sept. 18
6 to 7 p.m.
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Reading and Composing Poetry
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 26, Oct. 3, 10
5 to 6:30 p.m.
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A Jungian Journey to the Creative Self
Wednesday, Sept. 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25
5 to 7:30 p.m.
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String Art Workshop at CCC’s Page Center
Wednesday, Sept. 27
6 to 8:30 p.m.

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Presidential investiture ceremony at CCC Friday, Sept. 29

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FLAGSTAFF — The formal investiture ceremony for Coconino Community College President Eric Heiser, Ph.D., will take place at 2 p.m., Friday Sept. 29.

“I’m excited to serve as the sixth president of Coconino Community College and to be a part of CCC’s newest chapter,” Dr. Heiser said. “As Coconino County’s community college, we know the vital role we play in providing an educated and skilled workforce to our community partners, and we take our role seriously.”

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Lowe’s Foundation grants CCC $750,000 for construction programs

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College received a $750,000 grant from the Lowe’s Foundation to help grow the college’s Construction Technology Management programs.

CCC was one of 10 colleges nationwide chosen as recipients of the Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grants program. The program is a five-year, $50 million commitment by Lowe’s to help prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers. This year’s recipients were awarded nearly $8 million in grants to help bolster skilled trades training infrastructure.

“We’re incredibly honored to have been selected as one the first-ever Gable Grants Recipients from the Lowe’s Foundation,” said CCC President Dr. Eric Heiser. “This gift will allow us to build our already growing Construction Management program and allow us to add even more students to the high-demand, high-wage field within Flagstaff and Coconino County.”

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Native American Success Center student finds opportunity at CCC

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FLAGSTAFF — Business, accounting and economics are his passions.

Degree in hand and his future in his sights, Coconino Community College alum, current student, accounting intern, and student affairs representative Cole Catron is set to move forward in his higher education journey.

“I always wanted to do something with my life,” Cole said. “And I want to make significant contributions to society. Opportunity has always been my biggest motivator for wanting to pursue college.”

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CCC July-August Community Education: Watercolor | Caricature Drawing | Awakening Your Creativity | DIY | Comet Walks!

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Awakening Your Creative Spirit

Wednesday, July 12, 19, 26
3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Learn to jumpstart your creative process, whether you are just starting out with artistic expression, experiencing art block, or want to rejuvenate your journey of self-development.

Awakening Your Creative Spirit – Learn more and register!

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CCC’s Comet Promise helps students Start Small and Go Big

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FLAGSTAFF — The scenario is all too common: Some students struggling to make ends meet and who qualify for federal financial aid still don’t quite have the funds to completely cover the cost of their tuition. To those students, such a barrier is hard, if not impossible, to overcome.

Coconino Community College makes those students a promise: The college will cover the difference.

The Comet Promise program helps eligible students pay for their education by covering the cost of tuition when federal grants fall short. The program aims at helping remove economic barriers to offer a pathway for CCC students to complete their certificate or degree.

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CCC Community Education — July Community Education: Digital Photography | Soul Circles | Stained Glass Workshop | Caricature Drawing | Comet Walks!

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Digital Photography Basics

Tuesday, July 11, 18, 25, and Aug. 1
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Learn foundational skills and find the joy in photography! This course will be an introduction to digital photography. Participants need to bring their own DSLR camera.

Photography – Learn more and register!

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CCC tax reset update: Promises made, promises kept

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Promises made, promises kept by your community college.

One year after the passage of a primary property tax reset for Coconino Community College, CCC has made significant progress in following through on commitments made to the voters of Coconino County. Of the several programs and initiatives promised by the increase in the primary property tax rate to Coconino Community College, many of them have already been implemented or are in process.

“To date, we’ve fulfilled nearly 75 percent of the items we noted on the ballot initiative,” said CCC President Eric Heiser, Ph.D. “And guess what? We’re not done yet. We have many new and exciting career and technical education programs and courses in the pipelines.”

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CCC graduate will transfer to ASU’s Forensics program in the Fall

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FLAGSTAFF — The CCC Commons stands empty. The echoes of cheering and clapping fill the once lively room. It was Friday, May 12, 2023, when CCC graduates walked across the stage, decorated in their finest graduation regalia, proud of their accomplishments and ready to take on the future ahead.

One of the students who graduated this spring is Shelly Foster. After an educational journey spanning about 10 years, she is finally ready to make her next big leap into university territory. However, getting there was not straight or without its challenges. Life has a way of throwing up obstacles, and being a young mom, she was no stranger to having to work hard and make sacrifices to provide for her family.

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Conference at CCC focuses on sharing ideas among math faculty statewide

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Coconino Community College student Horizon Gillson is working his way toward a degree in astrophysics.

So, he jumped at the chance to attend the Arizona Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges conference in Flagstaff on April 7 because the featured speaker was Dr. Gerard van Belle, an astronomer at Lowell Observatory.

“I went to get a grasp on the vast opportunities in astronomy and astrophysics,” Gillson said. “I’m trying to burrow down deeper into what I want to do. That’s why I’m here. It’s a reminder of what’s to come, what’s expected and what I can do. It’s been eye-opening.”

Gillson, currently in a Calculus I class, was notified by his professor of the conference, and he joined dozens of math instructors from community colleges across the state to listen to Dr. van Belle and attend breakout sessions throughout the day.

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CCC Community Education — Community Education: Mountain Bike Repair | DIY-Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry | Comet Walks | Hot Weather Survival | Cake Pops…& More!

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DIY – Mountain Bike Repair

Friday, June 2 and
Saturday, June 3
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Learn essential mountain bike repair skills and what tools you should carry for trail-side repairs.

Mountain Bike – Learn more and register!

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Coconino Community College Student Spotlight: Tami-Shae Brooks

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Tami-Shae Brooks is a student at Coconino Community College who moved from Jamaica to the United States as a teenager. She faces challenges such as immigration issues, financial difficulties, and demanding courses, but she also finds support and community at her school. She works hard to balance her academic and personal life, and enjoys hobbies such as mindfulness exercises, yoga, and hiking. She hopes to achieve her career goal of becoming a software engineer.

Tami-Shae Brooks was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, a place that has and will always be a home to her. But when she turned 15, her family made the difficult decision to move to the United States. It was a big change for her, and she felt culture shock in her new life in California.

“The transition was very exciting because many people outside of America think of it as the land of opportunity” she said, “however, it was still stressful to adjust.”

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CCC Presentation focuses on Preservation of North American Indian Sign Language

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 “I didn’t see anyone doing it, so I felt like it needed to happen,” said Colin Denny, who provided a sign language performance at this year’s Superbowl. “We need someone to take the reins to make changes in a positive way and give back to the community.”

Denny is referring to the preservation of North American Indian Sign Language, which was the topic of a presentation at Coconino Community College in Flagstaff on March 24. More than 40 people attended the presentation.

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CCC’s Cassidy receives All-USA Academic Scholarship

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David Cassidy, a student at Coconino Community College, is one of 20 college students named to the prestigious All-USA Academic Team and will receive a $5,000 scholarship. More than 2,400 students were nominated nationwide for the award.

“It is an honor, a profound honor, and it was very unexpected,” said Cassidy, who also is one of CCC’s two All-Arizona Academic Team scholarship awardees who were honored during a ceremony in Phoenix last month. “It means that I have the opportunity to receive an education and to pursue a career that will enable me to contribute as meaningfully as possible.”

All-USA Academic Team members were selected for their outstanding intellectual achievement, leadership, community and campus engagement, according to information from the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, which recognizes the academic achievement of students at two-year colleges like CCC.

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CCC student embraces sustainability, explores cultures

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FLAGSTAFF — The pandemic dashed her family’s plans for a post-graduation trip to Europe, but she remains undeterred in her desire to travel the world.

Now CCC study abroad trip will give Kat Williams the chance. The trip, organized by faculty member Katie Schwartz, will focus on culture, meaning no language prerequisite is required. Students will have the chance to visit several iconic destinations, including the capital of Mexico, La Ciudad de Mexico or Mexico City, the Teotihuacan Pyramids, the capital of the Aztec Empire Xochimilco, and the Frida Kahlo Museum.

Williams said, “I heard about the study abroad trip to Mexico from my Spanish teacher, Katie Schwartz, and others in the class seemed eager too.”

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Running for two: Balancing motherhood with marathon training to cross the finish line

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Mom, mental-health advocate, and self-described vintage curator, Callee Torrey is no stranger to the art of juggling. This mama can now add marathon runner to her title. Even more impressive, running the 26.2 miles for the first time all the while having to balance breastfeeding her baby. She literally stopped at mile 13.1 to breastfeed her baby and still managed a respectable time of (6:02) hours. She is unstoppable. This month’s HERstory is a celebration of motherhood and a testament to the strength and resilience of women.

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CCC Community Education — April Courses: Stress Management | True Colors | Aikido | Charcuterie | Shakespeare & Kabuki

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Stress Management

Monday, April 3 and 17
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Join a discussion about the neuroscience of trauma- and stressor- related disorders, and adaptive interventions. Zoom option available.

Stress Management – Learn more and register!

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CCC students received All-Arizona Academic Scholarship

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Two Coconino Community College students – Maize Pratt and David Cassidy – have been recognized for the prestigious 2023 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-Arizona Academic Team Scholarship.

The scholarship provides free tuition for 60 credit hours at the recipient’s choice of one of the three state universities: Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University.

A transplant from the west coast, Pratt came to Sedona, Arizona for a mindfulness-based program.  

“Having gone to four previous community colleges, I was looking at CCC to save some money before going to NAU,” Pratt said.

Pratt said he plans to use his new scholarship money toward a Business Management degree from NAU and is currently exploring different career paths through internships.

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Fulbright teaching assistant Pamela Espíndola shares culture, language with CCC students

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She may be half a world away from her home in Argentina, but Pamela Espíndola is at Coconino Community College doing what she loves:

She’s teaching students Spanish.

“My job here is to work as a cultural ambassador and to help with the courses to have students learn a foreign language,” she said.

Espíndola is a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant for Spanish courses taught at CCC, and she is the fourth one that the college has been graced to receive said Katie Schwartz, Spanish faculty at the college who supervises the FLTAs.

“This is a big deal for CCC because we can’t pay to help with living expenses,” Schwartz said, adding that the organization, International Institute of Education, helped create a grant with the U.S. Department of Education to make a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant for CCC a reality. In fact, the first FLTA at CCC shared having such a positive experience at the college that all the subsequent FLTAs have been possible. CCC’s FLTAs have come from Argentina, Columbia and Mexico so far.

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March 2 Meet & Greet with CCC’s new president has been rescheduled

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Due to considerable snowfall amounts in the Flagstaff region, the Meet and Greet event for Coconino Community College President Dr. Eric Heiser originally scheduled for tonight, Thursday, March 2, will be rescheduled for a later date in April.

Dr. Eric Heiser has scheduled Meet and Greet events throughout Coconino County in communities that CCC serves in order to listen to what matters most to the residents of those communities when it comes to what they need from their community college.

Future events scheduled for March 8 in Flagstaff, April 4 in Williams and April 13 in Page.

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Coconino Community College — The Comet — ‘Adult Education learners at CCC take free English course’ and more news

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FLAGSTAFF — Ana Roman met and became best friends with Montserrat “Montse” Rodriguez when they worked together at a Flagstaff restaurant. Rodriguez needed help studying for her United States citizenship exam that she was preparing for, and Roman was happy to help.

After Rodriguez passed her citizenship test with flying colors, the two young women continued taking English Language Acquisition for Adults courses in the Adult Education program at Coconino Community College. Successful in their studies, they were awarded a grant that allowed them to take a course at the college free of charge.

They chose ENG 101A, and they both passed their first official college course, and now the two are considering continuing down the college path.

“I was so scared,” Rodriguez said. “We were with students so young, so bright, who spoke English their whole lives. This class has taken me out of my comfort zone. This is a first step.”

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Leupp mom seeks career with CCC help

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Coconino Community College student Charmayne Yazzie still remembers walking into the Page Center to take her first class in more than a decade after high school.

“At first, I was a little embarrassed,” Yazzie said. “I was worried I wouldn’t do well.”

From Leupp on the Navajo Nation, Yazzie worked two jobs to help support her partner and their three children. She needed for something to change.

So, she enrolled in CCC’s Summer Bridge courses, which were created with the help of a $2.5 million Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution grant from the U.S. Department of Education. As part of the Strengthening Indigenous Student Success program at CCC, funded by the grant, Native American students are eased into the college experience by taking a foundational English 101A course along with a College Success course.

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CCC student Lena Cody achieves success against all odds

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Small in stature, but big in strength, grit, determination and resilience, Lena Cody stands tall and proud in her graduation cap and gown.

Motivated by the prospect of a pay increase at her job as a case manager for a social service agency at the age of 51, Lena enrolled as a part time student at Coconino Community College in the fall of 2017. At the same time, she gained guardianship of her 3-year-old grandson, Princeton. Lena said she knew she had a lot on her plate – going to school, working full-time and raising a young child as a single woman – but she was determined to make it work.

In her 2018 essay for her English 101 class, “You Can Smile in the End,” she wrote about growing up poor in an overcrowded mobile home, enduring domestic violence, rape, and raising three boys on her own as a single parent. Hardened by life, she learned to not depend on anyone.

 “I felt like I was thrown to the wolves, and I needed to survive the hardships,” she said.

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A home for Native American students at CCC

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A home away from home.”

That was the phrase mentioned by multiple students when asked about what the Native American Success Center (NASC) means to them. With the smell of good food in the air, the sound of laughter, and being surrounded by friends and family, it was hard not to feel at home.

On the evening of Nov. 15, 2022, Coconino Community College hosted the Grand Opening of the Native American Student Success Center at the Lone Tree Campus. The event was attended by over 100 people including; students and their families, tribal leadership and education representatives, and College faculty, staff, and leadership.  The NASC serves as an academic and cultural resources center for Native American and Alaskan Native students attending Coconino Community College. The NASC is a part of the Strengthening Indigenous Student Success Program (SISS), a new program at CCC that enhances the services and opportunities provided to Native American students.

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CCC student receives job offer at Findlay Honda

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The blue and white building stood tall and impressive. The signature emblem “H” hung over the glass doors. The front entrance was lined with new Honda models; shiny and ready to hit the road. General Manager Jacob Lundie and his newest hire Daniel Rojas a towering young man with the biggest smile stand in the grand foyer of the auto dealership on Flagstaff’s east side.

Lundie and Rojas met on September 7, 2022, at the Coconino Community College Student’s First Celebration. The event, put on by the CCC Foundation, serves as an opportunity for scholarship donors to meet and celebrate scholarship recipients.  Rojas, a student speaker at the event, accepted the Distinguished Service Scholarship, given each year in honor of the Distinguished Service Award recipient, which was awarded to Robby Findlay of the Findlay Automotive Group.

Lundie said, “Daniel gave his speech and I just remember thinking how great it was to see him get out of his comfort zone and deliver a speech to all of his peers and faculty at his new school.” Lundie was so impressed he offered Rojas a job with Findlay.

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CCC becomes Bee Campus USA affiliate

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Coconino Community College has joined the ranks of becoming an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program. The program helps gather the strengths of educational campuses like CCC for the benefit of pollinators, and the college joins other cities and campuses across the country to improve their landscapes for pollinators.

“CCC’s students, faculty and staff are champions for sustainable environmental practices,” said Dr. Christal Albrecht, Interim President. “Becoming a Bee Campus USA affiliate is a natural fit for our college located in beautiful northern Arizona.”

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CCC Auto Tech program back in the game beginning Oct. 24

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After a short delay, the Coconino Community College Automotive Technology program is back and ready for students beginning Monday, Oct. 24.

“CCC’s Automotive Technology has grown in the year since it started,” said Provost Dr. Nate Southerland. “When our instructor backed out right before the start of the semester and we had to suspend the program, we were heartbroken. We are thrilled to be able to get back up to speed and look forward to serving the students whose plans were disrupted at the beginning of the semester.”

The cost of living in Flagstaff made the process of hiring a full-time faculty member for the program a challenge, and the program was forced into a holding pattern until a full-time faculty member could be found.

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CCC a triple play for construction student

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Lucas Giannetti wanted to continue to learn and to grow in the construction trades. He also wanted to land an internship with a local contractor. He also wanted to start his own business doing finishing work on homes.

He found all three at Coconino Community College.

Giannetti learned many construction skills from his father.

“Throughout my childhood, we worked together on home improvement projects on our home,” Giannetti said, adding that although he had basic skills, he didn’t see construction as a viable option due to pressures from school counselors and his parents to pursue a four-year degree. He found a program in Environmental Science in North Carolina – primarily because he loves the outdoors – but while in the program and looking at jobs in the field, Giannetti realized he wouldn’t be able to afford to pay back the debt of a four-year degree.

So, he left university and began traveling the country and getting jobs in the trades.

“I felt like my learning was slowing down,” Giannetti said. “I wanted to expand my opportunities for learning.”

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CCC’s Burns takes first in Mesa

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Hayley Burns, runner for the Coconino Community College Cross Country Comets, nabbed first place during the Women 5K Run at the Mesa College XC Jamboree on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Respectable showings among the women’s and men’s teams positioned CCC with a third-place berth for the women’s team and a fifth-place finish for the men’s team, who bested Phoenix College, ranked 20th in the nation. Currently, CCC’s women’s team is ranked seventh in the nation among community colleges.

“The men’s and women’s teams have shown great growth over the season, and we plan on continuing that trend heading into the championship portion of our season,” said CCC Comets Head Coach Craig Hunt. “We have had some tremendous performances already this season, but I believe our best is still ahead of us.”

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CCC students figure out futures with Pipeline AZ

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 You just graduated from high school in Coconino County, and you’ve been thinking about college or career training. You know you like working with computers, but you’re unsure of the next move.

CCC’s participation in a new career-orienting service, called Pipeline AZ, can help.

Juanita Tarango, Director of Student Success at CCC, said Pipeline AZ is a statewide effort to help students figure out their professional futures.

“If a student doesn’t know where to start, Pipeline AZ will provide that assistance and give them ideas on what fields they may want to go into,” Tarango said. “It’s truly a pipeline to getting the job they want. It’s a virtual one-stop shop for students.”

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Law enforcement partners with CCC for training academy

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They will undergo drills and inspections. They will take classes and be put under extreme stress.

The purpose: To achieve a level of professionalism in policing that meets the needs of the communities of northern Arizona. Beginning Oct. 3, 13 recruits will undergo 21 weeks of training at the newly established High Country Training Academy at Coconino Community College.

“CCC’s goal is to partner with the local community to train people who live in Coconino County for jobs in Coconino County,” said Dr. Nate Southerland, Provost for CCC. “We are so grateful to our local law enforcement agencies for being the driving force behind this new program and providing the personnel needed to make it successful.”

Southerland also said that with CCC and local agencies working together, they can generate new interest in law enforcement careers and keep the community’s talent in the community.

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Finalists selected for next CCC President

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The Coconino Community College District Governing Board is pleased to announce that they have selected three finalists for the presidency of the College. Public forums with each of the finalists are scheduled for the week of Oct., 3, 2022.

“We would like to thank all of the communities served by the College for your continued interest and support in the process to identify our next President,” said Dr. Nathaniel White, Board Chair. “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the Board Presidential Search Committee for their exceptional work and effort.”

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