Paradise Valley Community College’s newest marketing student ambassador is also our youngest to date. Alaina Lish enrolled at PVCC as a sophomore in high school through the college’s partnership with Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center (AAEC). Her goal is to complete her associate’s degree by the end of high school in 2024 and attend Arizona State University.
Although her classes are currently predetermined by AAEC’s principal, Lish plans to focus on sciences her junior year, including organic chemistry, veterinary sciences, and zoology. “I want to expand my knowledge about animals in hopes of one day opening up my own clinic,” she said.
As a student ambassador at PVCC, Lish will focus on promoting college events and activities around campus, as well as supporting other Puma students with various needs such as conducting a campus tour, answering questions and directing them to appropriate resources.
“As a student ambassador, I hope to expand my social media skills and learn new skills,” said the Arizona native. “I’ve already learned so much.”
When she isn’t fulfilling her academic obligations, Lish participates in community theater, recently playing the part of Elsa in a production of Frozen.
“That was a dream role to play, especially because she is such a role model for young girls,” she said.
Lish also enjoys thrift shopping and says it gives her “a unique sense of style and to be really creative” with her wardrobe.
About AAEC
As an AAEC student, Lish’s high school and college courses run concurrently, enabling her to earn college credit while still in high school.
“The program is definitely geared toward the academically motivated,” explained Dr. Audrey Delfina Moreno, director of PVCC’s Early College Program. “It’s a lot of work but worth the reward, and I have no doubt Alaina will reach her goals.”
Most of the resources available at AAEC are not normally available at a typical high school. The program is designed to help families save time and money by enabling students to attend PVCC for free while still in high school. Students can enter the program beginning their freshman year and AAEC pays the college tuition. Students have full access to PVCC resources including student life, library, student union, fine arts, computer labs and more.
“The goal is to give students the ability to complete the majority of their prerequisites before graduation and shave off one-to-two years of their college expenses, completing their bachelor’s in half the time,” Moreno explained. “It also is a great way for students to familiarize themselves with the rigor and expectations college-life can create, as well as campus resources and various types of support.
AAEC enrolls about 350 students annually and each semester, a little more than half of those students enroll in PVCC.