Success Stories

As a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) student, Oscar Hernandez Ortiz’s progression to college was limited despite having been academically prepared.  Fortunately, the Maricopa Community Colleges stood by their values to provide a quality higher education to all students and provided in-state tuition prices to DACA recipients.  PVCC became “home for his initial college years due to the financial accessibility to DACA recipients and the broader commitment by the Maricopa colleges to educate those that make up its communities.” While studying Hispanic Heritage in the Southwest, he became more interested in pursuing civics and politics, focusing on immigration and education. It was then, Oscar found his path at PVCC.

Oscar became highly involved at PVCC including student government president, he joined the Sustainability Club as well as Phi Theta Kappa, and served on the Student Honors Advisory Council. He received various accolades including the Chancellor’s Civic Leadership Medallion from the Maricopa Community College District’s Center for Civic Participation, and the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Chicanos Por La Causa Scholarship from Chicanos Por La Causa.

As President of Stugo his Sophomore year, Oscar participated in the Student Public Policy Forum (SPPF). Through this program he began to understand the different power structures at various levels of government in Arizona. Additionally, the SPFF created spaces to discuss issues affecting local communities and provided a bridge to insight from local politicians and community leaders. This opportunity refined his professional skills but more importantly was one of the reasons he pursued a degree in Public Policy.

After his time as a Puma, Oscar moved on to ASU to pursue a degree in Public Policy and a minor in Justice Studies; while doing so, he co-founded the ASU Undocumented Students for Education Equity (USEE) to help DACA students obtain resources to navigate higher education. He went on to earn his master’s degree in education with a concentration in elementary education and teaching. He also taught for Teach for America for two years in Avondale, Arizona.

PVCC holds a special place in Oscar’s heart. “I believe that this campus contributed in shaping me into the person and professional I am today. Every milestone I hit, I always take time to reflect on how it all started at PVCC. I am happy for the professors I had, the mentors and friendships I made, but I am more joyful over choosing PVCC because I was able to experience college with people from my own neighborhood.”

PVCC was honored to have Oscar address the Spring 2023 graduating class at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Oscar currently works on the executive team of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. With aspirations of going to law school, he hopes to continue to use his education to serve as a public servant.

The role of the community college is so important for the individuals and the community it serves. I attended PVCC for two years from 1995-1996. When I was a senior in high school, my father drove me past the campus and suggested it would be a good place for me to attend. Initially I wasn't convinced but then I discovered that I could finish my high school classes by taking college classes and I quickly enrolled at PVCC. 

I still remember all of my professors. They were all fantastic. As I left my first class on my first day, I had been challenged to answer the question "what is the good."  As I left the lecture I thought, "this is exactly what I want to study."  

I was given opportunities at PVCC that shaped my academic career. These included honors projects, student government, writing and developing plays, creative writing awards, and support for my next steps in academic life. 

In 2012 I was awarded the PVCC alumni of the year award. For me this was a significant honor because it represented how I was shaped by my time at PVCC and the continued way this college contributes to the community. I continue to work with colleagues and students at PVCC and am encouraged to see the continued excellent work that is being done. 

For me PVCC introduced me to the basic questions of the academic life. I continue to study these and have been helping students do this same thing because of the tools I was given at PVCC. 

Associate Professor

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Honors Faculty

School of Humanities, Arts & Cultural Studies

New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences

Arizona State University

What was your major or focus of study at PVCC?

I took an English class with Nino Pascolati, my English professor at PVCC, and everything changed for me as that one class inspired me to become an English major. I love literature and writing, and he always made time for me during office hours whether it was about literary criticism or whatever we happened to be reading.

What were one or two of the most memorable aspects of your student experience at PVCC?

What I remember most about my student experience at PVCC is the care and amount of time professors spend with their students. Professor Michelle Marion always took the time to respond to my numerous emails about assignments or anything related to class. And I probably sent more emails than most of my classmates!

How would you describe PVCC to others? Would you recommend PVCC and why? 

The professors care about each student and do everything they can to help them succeed. As a student, I always preferred smaller class sizes, so any student who wants support or feedback from their professors can get it here.

What piece of advice would you give to PVCC students?

It’s said that only three percent of all people write down their goals. The other 97 percent who don’t write them down work for the three percent who do. So write down your goals – make them measurable, with a timeframe, and for all aspects of your life including: financial, professional, educational, relational, and personal goals. You’ll be amazed at what you will start to accomplish by doing this one simple thing.

Tell us about your journey after leaving PVCC…

Since leaving PVCC, I started working in politics and worked in some capacity at the Arizona legislature for the last 16 years. I was the legislative liaison for the Arizona Department of Corrections for three years along with another three years on House Majority staff where I helped with communications for around 35 legislators. I’ve served as a state representative and state senator where I represented Glendale and north Phoenix. I’ve concurrently taught history, literature, and Latin for the past nine years as well. I’m currently teaching conversational Latin, full-time at Heritage Traditional Academy in Laveen. Meanwhile, I’m also running for Mayor of Glendale – boyerforglendale.com so life never seems to slow down!

How would you advise students on how to choose their educational or career path?

Find an industry or profession that you enjoy most and figure out a way to make a career out of it. I’ve always enjoyed writing, so I ended up as a journalist and later editor-in-chief of the student newspaper at ASU West. I couldn’t have done this without my English and writing classes at PVCC. This has helped me in every aspect of my life whether as a legislative liaison, a staffer on a winning national presidential campaign, as a state legislator, and now as a Latin teacher and candidate for mayor.

In your career journey, what has been one of your greatest successes and one of your greatest challenges?

My greatest success so far was helping firefighters who get cancer while in the course of fighting fires. It took six years of fighting the Insurance industry at the Arizona legislature, but I was finally able to get a bill signed into law that gives firefighters the health and workers comp benefits they’ve certainly earned. Now, instead of fighting a massive bureaucracy, they can simply focus on getting healthy. My greatest challenge has been battling those whose interests don’t align with good public policy whether that’s certain industries and their well-paid representatives or legislators who care more about re-election than what helps people.

How did your experiences at PVCC either directly or indirectly impact the work that you do?

Having professors who cared about me as an individual helped me to push through towards my degree even when I was working three jobs, and it also helped spark my love for literature and writing, which has changed my life in no small manner.

Thanks to a healthy dose of parental pressure, Rachel came to PVCC and for that she is eternally grateful.  Marianne Roccaforte-Gardner, Rowdy Duncan, Debbie Brown, and all the staff at Honors played a significant role in helping Rachel find something better in herself and discover the power she has within her.

Her most positive memory is the last day of being a facilitator for COM101.  Upon the completion of class, all the facilitators sat and talked about their amazing experience.  They all felt so happy and proud of themselves. Rachel wishes she could bottle that positive energy and emotion for when she needs it most.

Rachel participated in Honors, Peer Mentoring, and Diversity Inc.  All of these extra-curricular opportunities were instrumental in shaping her to be a leader.  Without these opportunities, she would have been a “car to class to car” student.  These activities put her in uncomfortable situations yet they prepared her for them as well.  “I never would have grown as a person without the people I met through these programs.”

Rachel values her PVCC experience and utilizes the diversity education and peer mentoring knowledge she obtained every time she interacts with others. Rachel feels that PVCC is a great alternative to a 4-year institution.  The personal environment was conducive to more individuality.  The smaller class sizes and closer mentor/student relationships provided an ideal environment for her success.  Rachel shared, “There are always things to do at PVCC, whether it be clubs or full programs.  The true knowledge learned at college is through all the extra stuff you do.  I use the word "stuff" because no other word truly encapsulates the sheer number of events, clubs, extracurricular opportunities, and programs that you can participate in. All of these are learning opportunities.  This is where you learn the really important skills, like leadership, conflict resolution, and soft business skills.”

While Rachelle Dart continues to hone her craft as a professional theater artist, she often reflects upon her experiences as a PVCC Theater student. In addition to attending PVCC being a “family affair” (her siblings and parents have attended PVCC), there was another draw for Rachelle and that was the opportunity to study Stage Combat with Andrea Robertson, head of the PVCC Theater Department. Rachelle started pursuing this interest while she was still completing high school. Continuing on at PVCC to complete her Associate of Fine Arts degree was a natural progression and an opportunity to continue working with Andrea. Rachelle fell in love with this theater art form, became a stage combat TA here at PVCC and an Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors.

Additionally, working in the PVCC theater shop with Eric Reid and Keith Hall afforded her the opportunity to learn about many of the other areas of the industry as well as a myriad of life skills in a safe and supportive environment. Being coached by Karla Frederick for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Irene Ryans, was an incredible experience where she learned performance techniques she utilizes today.

Rachelle recommends PVCC to others she meets. It provides a wonderful learning environment with dedicated faculty and small classroom sizes. Rachelle characterizes the PVCC Disability Resource Center as amazing and found it very easy to receive the accommodations she needed to be successful. PVCC is supportive for returning students and offers a lot of flexibility for various lifestyles.

Upon graduating from PVCC, Rachelle went to ASU where all of her credits seamlessly transferred. She completed her Bachelor’s of Arts Theater with a Concentration in Acting while working as a theatre artist in the valley and with Southwest Shakespeare Company. Rachelle went on to intern with storyteller Liz Weir at her Ballyeamon Barn in Ireland. Additionally, her time in Ireland afforded her the opportunity to travel and teach stage combat in Lancaster, England. Rachelle is currently completing the teacher training program with Fitzmaurice Voicework® in Los Angeles and looks forward to continuing her work as a theatre artist in Phoenix in the Fall.

Rachelle shares, “The commitment of the PVCC’s faculty and staff to build community is amazing. Everyone is very supportive.” This “dedication to building community” is something Rachelle takes with her as she moves forward in life.

What inspired you to attend PVCC?

PVCC was by my grandma's house where I lived. I’d also like to add that the Disability Resource Center at PVCC impacted my choice, due to having learning disabilities. Having that help helped me get my CCL.

What was your major or focus of study at PVCC? And what year did you graduate?

Early Childhood Education, I graduated in 2006.

What were one or two of the most memorable aspects of your student experience at PVCC?

My two most memorable aspects were winning the Golden Puma Award and graduating with Distinction.

How would you describe PVCC to others? Would you recommend PVCC and why? 

PVCC is a wonderful community college, all the staff are amazing and helpful. I went and talked about PVCC to special education students, telling them my successes on campus and how it’s a great campus for individuals with disabilities.

What piece of advice would you give to PVCC students?

Use the services on campus, all staff are ready to help. Join clubs. There's a club for everything and an easy way to make friends. Get involved. I was involved in Student Leadership Council Senator, Club Ed, Adults who are re-entering education, Student Wellness at PVCC, Emerging Leaders class level 1 and 2. I also did the Relay for Life committee.

Tell us about your journey after leaving PVCC…

I worked at a preschool for two years. After that I had to leave, as I was diagnosed with a chronic condition called Interstitial Cystitis and also chronic pain. I moved from Arizona to Missouri in 2011. I am a full time caregiver to my boyfriend’s mom and an advocate for Domestic Violence, Cancer Awareness, Scoliosis and Interstitial Cystitis Awareness. I am also an advocate for Child Abuse Prevention, Eating Disorders Prevention and for Disabilities. I make wreaths and beaded crafts.

How would you advise students on how to choose their educational or career path?

Seek advice from a counselor and an advisor. I knew I wanted to teach; I met with an advisor and they set me up with the classes I needed.

In your career journey, what has been one of your greatest successes and one of your greatest challenges?

My greatest successes were teaching and ending up in Who’s Who’s for Teachers. My greatest challenge was my back pain.

How did your experiences at PVCC either directly or indirectly impact the work that you do?

It gave me the encouragement to tell my story of getting my CCL in Early Childhood Education and to advocate.

Former PVCC Pitcher is now pitching opportunities for the AZ Diamondbacks

Ruben Rincon credits coach Victor Solis, for helping him to stay the course as he completed his associates degree at PVCC and then went on to pitch as a scholarship athlete at Grand Canyon University. As a current Arizona Diamondbacks employee, Ruben utilizes the skills he obtained in Cariann Powers's public speaking class at PVCC on a daily basis. These speaking skills, coupled with his understanding of the human brain via his favorite course, Psychology 101, are invaluable to Ruben in his current position.

Ruben’s teammates and the memories made whilst playing baseball at PVCC are among the treasured highlights of his time as a Puma student athlete. These lifelong friendships coupled with the strong educational foundation received at PVCC impact his life on a daily basis as he works for the Diamondbacks as a Sales Consultant. Athletics at PVCC and the relationships he developed with Christina Hundley and Coach Solis provided a means for Ruben to meet people, develop his leadership skills and excel academically.

Ruben’s commitment to PVCC has taken a new dimension as he works with Ellen Hedlund to create an event to showcase 30 years of PVCC’s greatness. Ruben looks forward to meeting fellow alumni and is committed to giving back and pursuing opportunities to serve as a role model for others. Whether pitching on the mound as a PVCC Puma or pitching an opportunity to a prospective client, Ruben will go far thanks to the foundation he received at PVCC.

The opportunity to put in practice the level of support and attention that he received as a PVCC student from his instructors has been extremely rewarding for Sandor Rogoff as an adjunct faculty member at our Black Mountain campus. Sandor is so thankful he followed the advice of his colleagues to give Paradise Valley Community College a try. Upon getting out of the military, he enrolled in PVCC. Sandor worked a variety of part time, odd jobs to get himself through.

 Upon completing his first semester at PVCC, he approached the Veteran's Assistance Office. This visit resulted in providing Sandor with a pathway to student employment through the Work Study Program and later an internship when he went on to complete his Bachelor’s degree at ASU. This internship provided Sandor with the opportunity to work in the field he wanted to go into and confirmed his desire to enter a helping profession. Additionally, Sandor found the support and interaction of other Veterans provided a pivot point in his life.

Sandor attributes his participation in Professor Gangadean’s philosophy class as instrumental in shaping his ability to think critically and ask questions. Sandor’s extracurricular engagement included participating in the Social Work Club. In Sandor’s words, "PVCC is the epitome of a community college education" and provided the runway for his successful career in law enforcement and now he is giving back to PVCC as an instructor.

Sandor retired from the Phoenix Police Department December of 2019. He went on to a position with the Arizona Department of Transportation, as a detective doing internal investigations. Sandor is a Trustee with the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 2, in Phoenix. The FOP has many charity events, sponsors law enforcement legislation, both locally and nationally, and serves as a conduit for information about what is happening in criminal justice. Recently, Sandor and another FOP lodge member have started a podcast that can be found on the FOP Lodge 2 website. Sandor recently earned his ACUE certification. Sandor states, “I find teaching at PVCC to be one of the most rewarding things I do.”

What inspired you to attend PVCC?

I was drawn to Paradise Valley Community College by its reputation for fostering a nurturing, community-oriented educational environment, which I believed would provide a strong foundation in psychology. The opportunity to engage in meaningful student activities and the supportive learning atmosphere were significant factors in my decision. To me, PVCC represented a crucial step towards my aspiration to become a clinical psychologist, offering an environment that promotes academic excellence, personal growth, and leadership development. This aligned with my goals of becoming a community leader and mental health advocate.

What was your major or focus of study at PVCC? And what year did you graduate?

I pursued dual degrees at PVCC: an Associate in Arts and an Associate in General Studies, and I graduated with High Distinction in both in 2000. These programs provided a comprehensive foundation in human behavior, psychology, and social dynamics, equipping me for future challenges in psychology and sociology.

What were one or two of the most memorable aspects of your student experience at PVCC?

My time at PVCC was transformative, significantly influencing my personal and professional growth. I undertook various roles that challenged and nurtured my development:

• As a Student Peer Support Group Facilitator, I learned the value of empathy and active listening, understanding the importance of supportive spaces where peers can share their challenges.
• Transitioning to the role of Student Government Chair, I developed skills in mediation and organizational leadership, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and effective advocacy.
• As Editor-In-Chief of the PVCC Puma Press, I balanced strategic planning with creative output, enhancing my understanding of community engagement and the power of communication.

These extracurricular collegiate experiences laid a solid foundation for my future endeavors in leadership, communication, and empathy.

How would you describe PVCC to others? Would you recommend PVCC and why? 

PVCC is more than an educational institution; it is a vibrant community that empowers students to explore and reach their full potential. I highly recommend PVCC for its supportive environment, diverse engagement opportunities, and commitment to academic excellence. The college offers a unique blend of academic rigor and community engagement, ideal for students aiming to develop both personally and professionally.

What piece of advice would you give to PVCC students?

I encourage PVCC students to seize the myriad opportunities available on campus, from leadership roles in student government to contributions to the student newspaper. These experiences are invaluable, enriching your academic journey and preparing you for the professional world by developing essential skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. Embrace challenges and view your time at PVCC as an opportunity to lay a strong foundation for your future.

Tell us about your journey after leaving PVCC…

After graduating from PVCC, I continued my education at Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University, earning degrees in Psychology and Sociology (Summa Cum Laude). I then completed a Ph.D. in Psychology at Walden University, (Summa Cum Laude). My dissertation (2020) explored which Reiss basic desires of motivation predict undergraduate academic achievement among PVCC students. Currently, I specialize in clinical psychology, focusing on psychotherapy, assessments, and personal development. My professional roles during my undergraduate studies varied, from Montessori Directress to Crisis Intervention Specialist, each enhancing my expertise in psychology.

How would you advise students on how to choose their educational or career path?

I recommend identifying your passions and exploring opportunities that align with them. Embrace diverse roles and experiences to gain valuable perspectives and skills. Understanding your motivational drivers, as detailed in my dissertation, is crucial.

In your career journey, what has been one of your greatest successes and one of your greatest challenges?

Completing my Ph.D. dissertation at PVCC, was a significant achievement, offering valuable insights into the field of psychology while presenting challenges in conducting nuanced research. This balance was a substantial challenge, yet it provided one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

How did your experiences at PVCC either directly or indirectly impact the work that you do?

My experiences at PVCC, including my academic achievements and leadership roles, have profoundly influenced my clinical psychology practice. Skills developed during this time, such as empathy, active listening, and effective communication, have become cornerstones of my approach, driving my commitment to mental health advocacy and community wellness.

References:

Beasley, Sandra LuAnn, "The Relationship Between Multifaceted Motivational Factors and Academic Achievement" (2020). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 8849.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/8849 

https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1024&context=researchconference

What inspired you to attend PVCC?

I learned about PVCC through GCC as one of the sister colleges. I decided to attend PVCC as part of finishing my prerequisites for pharmacy school, in addition to finishing my associates in arts and science. I also had the privilege to take honors classes at PVCC.

What was your major or focus of study at PVCC? And what year did you graduate?

I decided to attend PVCC as part of finishing my prerequisites for pharmacy school, in addition to finishing my associates in arts and science. I also had the privilege to take honors classes at PVCC. I graduated in 2014.

What were one or two of the most memorable aspects of your student experience at PVCC?

I truly appreciated the professors at PVCC. One of them being my biology teacher Tatiana Thomas, and the honors program directors at the time, Dr. Doug Berry and Dr. John Douglass. Graduating with honors at PVCC was a great memory for me!

How would you describe PVCC to others? Would you recommend PVCC and why? 

I would definitely recommend PVCC to other people trying to get a college degree, or for people exploring options for their careers. PVCC is a great way to get the prerequisites done, or the associates degrees done, in an affordable way. It is also a great way to transition into a university. PVCC is a great environment in my opinion, and the staff and professors are very professional and helpful. Definitely recommend!

What piece of advice would you give to PVCC students?

I would say to future PVCC students that I realized personally that it’s important to have some role models, maybe a mentor, as you are going through your schooling. Your support system is very vital when completing your goals.

Tell us about your journey after leaving PVCC…

After finishing up my AA & AS with the pharmacy prerequisites at PVCC, I went on to pharmacy school in Chicago. Then I decided to change my major to psychology and came back to Arizona. I finished my Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Healthcare Administration at Grand Canyon University. Since then, I have worked with a couple of great organizations in the behavior health field including Terros Health. I recently started with Banner Health. I am excited for what the future holds! A passion of mine is motivational speaking so I plan to do more of that in the future.

How would you advise students on how to choose their educational or career path?

Finding a career path is sometimes hard. But I do suggest trying new things, volunteering or shadowing the career you’re thinking of, taking different types of classes, and getting involved at the college or school you may be attending. Have a plan B for your career choice. Even if you decide on a career path, it’s ok to change it. Focus on what is best for yourself because it will be your career. Remember to be patient with yourself, give yourself time, and most importantly trust the process!

In your career journey, what has been one of your greatest successes and one of your greatest challenges?

I had to take a moment to think about this one; one of my greatest successes was getting into pharmacy school. I accomplished a remarkable goal when people doubted me. I have a lot of small successes as well. One of my greatest challenges was failing calculus. I retook it and passed with an A, but at the time, I felt like I was going to fail everything. I picked myself back up and kept going.

How did your experiences at PVCC either directly or indirectly impact the work that you do?

I feel that PVCC has made an impact on me directly because I had the opportunity to graduate with my honors at PVCC, and fast forward to now, I am involved as an alumni at PVCC. I was recently elected as VP of the Alumni Executive Committee. I’m excited for the upcoming year!

What inspired you to attend PVCC?

The first class I took at PVCC was a Summer EMT course after my sophomore year in college. I wanted to get into medical school and getting that certification was going to be my open door into the medical field. I next came to PVCC after I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Psychology. I had transferred schools during my degree but unfortunately my credits didn’t transfer with me. My plan going into college was to major in Psychology and take the required science classes to get into medical school as my electives, and then go into medical school right after, but this was not how it worked out. After graduating I had to individually take each science class and PVCC was where I did that.

What was your major or focus of study at PVCC?

My focus was pre-med science classes so I took General Chemistry, Physics and Organic Chemistry on top of the EMT course and the recertification EMT course after that.

What were one or two of the most memorable aspects of your student experience at PVCC?

What I loved about taking my classes at PVCC was just how passionate everyone was. Each course I took there were classmates who were just excited to learn about science. We were there not because we had to be but because we wanted to be. I still follow several classmates on social media who I met in my classes at PVCC who are spread all over the world now.

How would you describe PVCC to others? Would you recommend PVCC and why?

PVCC is where you go when you want to be excited about the process and the potential of what you could be. The instructors love what they do and are there to help you find what you will choose to be passionate about. I loved all my classes at PVCC, all my professors and would highly recommend the science courses at PVCC.

What piece of advice would you give to PVCC students?

My advice is to not feel like you have to rush to the finish line of your career. Take your time  learning about who you are and what makes you excited. Explore as many avenues as you can so that you can find that one thing you can do that doesn’t feel like work. One thing I've realized now that I'm finally in medical school, is that every new path life takes you on adds to who you will become. If I could have picked my path I would have missed out on so many experiences that grew me into the type of doctor I’m going to be. So my advice is to take the challenges and ride the wave to the future you.

Tell us about your journey after leaving PVCC…

After leaving PVCC I worked as a physical therapy technician while studying for the MCAT and applying to medical school. To be forthcoming I had to take the MCAT 3 times and applied to medical school twice but I am currently attending Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC and couldn’t be happier about where I ended up and the connections I am making.

How would you advise students on how to choose their educational or career path?

My advice is to try a bunch of new things and see what gets you the most excited and then do some research to see what work you can do in that field or even what new roles you can create. You only live once and I feel that doing something everyday that makes you happy is a pretty great way to spend your time.

In your career journey, what has been one of your greatest successes and one of your greatest challenges?

My greatest successes arose in the time I spent as a physical therapy technician. I got the chance to form relationships with patients and work with great mentors, all of whom I still talk to today. There is nothing better to me than teaching someone how to care for their bodies and I hope to continue that in my medical career. My greatest challenge came with my medical history of struggling through recovering from 7 concussions all after graduating college in 2016. I have never experienced a greater struggle but I feel the experience has helped me connect better with patients.

How did your experiences at PVCC either directly or indirectly impact the work that you do?

Attending PVCC was what I needed in order to see that what I viewed as a tangent from my path was actually just me staying the course to being a doctor. The professors, especially Dr. Durandet, showed me what passion for your work is and how you can see the connection to what you love in almost anything.

What started out as an educational journey in Florida in pursuit of a Psychology degree ended up with Sarah Masten returning to Phoenix and embarking on her journey in the Nursing profession at PVCC.  Sarah began completing the necessary prerequisites and securing her EMT certification.  She then worked as an EMT while continuing to take additional classes.

She found the instructors at PVCC to be extremely good and very committed to her success as a student.  Their openness to questions and willingness to chat about professional and personal matters was very conducive to her ability to thrive.  Sarah stated her anatomy instructor was great.  "He was passionate about the subject matter and really cared about students’ success."  The hands-on opportunity to do a lot of dissection and the collaborative team environment was a highlight of her educational experience at PVCC. 

Sarah shared, “Once you get into healthcare there are so many options.  The community college setting is ideal to help a person figure out their path.  The environment is very flexible and affordable with instructors who have real life experiences to share with their students.”  Attending PVCC was a good way to maximize her resources and the education she received here provided her with a good foundation on which to build and advance in her profession. 

After completing her CNA and other prerequisite courses at PVCC, Sarah went on to get a BSN at Arizona State University. As a nurse, she worked in Neuroscience for more than a decade before deciding to return to Arizona State to complete her Doctor of Nursing Practice. Sarah finished her DNP in 2017 and has been working in Colorado as a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Recently, she had the opportunity to teach future CNAs at local community colleges and assist with lab simulation and skills assessment. She also supervises and instructs nurse assistant students in the clinical setting.  Sarah shares, “It has been such a fun and rewarding career, and it all started at PVCC.”

Thank you to Sarah for paying it forward.

As an accounting major, giving consideration to the financial benefit of completing the first two years at PVCC was a “no brainer” for PVCC alumnus Sean Sehorn.  As a student athlete, Sean not only benefited from the small, intimate class sizes available to PVCC students, he also had the opportunity to practice time management and accountability from the onset.  It was essential that Sean complete assignments before going on the road for off-campus tennis tournaments even though this often meant completing them prior to their due date.  Sean found the Honors Program, coupled with his role as a student athlete, provided a wonderful network of like-minded students to interact with both in and out of the classroom.  Sean was recognized as a NJCAA Academic Achievement Honoree.

In the classroom, there were a couple of classes that provided a strong foundation for Sean’s future educational as well as professional endeavors.  Casey Durandet’s honors physics class was an opportunity to develop skills that he calls upon presently.  The complexity and long term nature of the class project gave him the confidence to present on any topic.  He is able to draw on that sense of accomplishment when faced with public speaking opportunities as well as challenges in his profession.  Jeanne Franco’s accounting class solidified for Sean that an academic major shift from architecture to accounting was the right move for him.  The commonality of finance really resonates with Sean as he views it as a common thread that we all encounter on a daily basis and having the opportunity to delve into this program of study has been extremely gratifying and led to his current role as Audit Senior at Deloitte.

In summary, Sean provided two key reasons PVCC is an ideal choice for students trying to select an educational environment:  1) Small, intimate class size.  PVCC offers a classroom environment conducive to considerable faculty student interaction and the opportunity to connect to other students and the professor with individualized support.  2) Return on investment.  It is important to consider the price versus the value one is getting.  Long term consequences of significant financial debt make attending PVCC a wise and prudent choice.

Attracted by a newspaper article announcing a new certification program at Paradise Valley Community College, Sharan Godwin decided the time had come to pursue her vision of becoming an entrepreneur.  Sharan started her business, Crime Clean Decontamination in 1994 and has been stewarding her small business successfully ever since.  Her Biohazardous (Infectious) Waste Specialization enables her to address these types of remediation jobs in addition to remediating car crash and crime scenes.

PVCC provided Sharan “the door to open and then pursue success.” The relationships she developed with her instructors (namely Bob Treloar and Suzanne Barnes) continue to provide her with support and encouragement.  Their high-level commitment to students was both an inspiration and a guiding light as Sharan navigated her role as small business leader.  They were her mentors.  Her college experience gave her the desire to be successful and professional.  As Sharan reflects on her PVCC experience, she appreciates the caliber of her teachers, the amount of knowledge they shared and their attention to the details, and the engaging nature of the classroom environment as key components of her experience.

Sharan’s commitment to timeliness, dependability, continuing education in hazardous waste and dedication to detail has enabled her to steadily grow her business.  Compassion is perhaps one of the most important requirements for the service Sharan provides.  Public health and safety is at stake and Sharan views what she does as “not a job but a lifestyle of service and compassion.”   In closing, Sharan shared, “PVCC's curriculum and dynamic, interactive class studies gave me the confidence to go after my dream.”

What inspired you to attend PVCC?

After completing my elementary and secondary education as a homeschooler, I chose to attend PVCC due to its low cost and close proximity.

What was your major or focus of study at PVCC? And what year did you graduate?

I started in Fall 2008, with the pursuit of completing my general education requirements and completed an Associate of Arts in 2012.

What were one or two of the most memorable aspects of your student experience at PVCC?

One of the memorable moments was Fall 2010, taking my first communication course taught by Tom Simpson. It was the first initial class that sparked affirmation on the program of study that later chose for my undergraduate when I transferred to Arizona State University.

How would you describe PVCC to others? Would you recommend PVCC and why? 

My perspective of my experience at PVCC might be unique to others in that it was my first real experience inside a classroom. Initially slightly intimidated by the diversity of adult-learners mixed with freshmen and other demographics, I was also excited and encouraged by the variety of life experiences and different perspectives that were brought into the classrooms.

What piece of advice would you give to PVCC students?

I’m sure my advice could alter depending on each person, but an overall piece of advice that would apply to all is to be intentional with your approach. I took many classes that did not transfer into the 4 year university. I would strongly encourage connecting with your counselors to confirm the classes not only apply for your associate programs but are also aligned with the transfer guides into the bachelors level program you aspire to transfer into.

Tell us about your journey after leaving PVCC…

After leaving PVCC, I transferred to Arizona State University to complete my bachelor’s in Communication. After graduation, I started out my career working for a small company called Porter Barn Wood, where I held various tasks, which included handling their social media pages, e-commerce / website sales, in addition to handling sales at the yard. In 2015, I started working at Grand Canyon University, where I have worked since as a University Counselor for their online programs. I also acquired my MBA in 2020 from GCU.

How would you advise students on how to choose their educational or career path?

Biggest piece of advice on how to choose your career path would be to not be afraid to ask questions or ask to shadow people. Figure out what you enjoy doing. If you like working with your hands, if you’re mathematically inclined, a people-person, or if you are able to handle blood, etc. From there with more conversations you’ll eventually figure out the big picture. Then from there you can keep your eyes on that motivation to persevere through the challenges and obstacles that will be part of the journey.

In your career journey, what has been one of your greatest successes and one of your greatest challenges?

The biggest success I’ve had with every single job is my ability and willingness to adapt to the demands that are thrown each day. The challenges that come along are the negative thoughts of complacency, but when you’re able to overcome that obstacle and you welcome becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable, big things are bound to happen.

How did your experiences at PVCC either directly or indirectly impact the work that you do?

My experience at PVCC, helped by preparing me on working with people from so many different areas of life. No matter what the job is, both internal and external customers will vary in knowledge, experience, and how they communicate. Adapting to these aspects will definitely help set you apart from others.