Maricopa County Community College District’s talented pitch team, led by Paradise Valley Community College’s Dr. Caron Sada, clinched second place last month at the 2024 Ratcliff Pitch for Skilled Trades competition, hosted by the Ratcliffe Foundation and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) in Minneapolis, MN. Competing against top-tier community college teams from across the country, the team’s innovative proposal, “Community of Hats,” impressed the judges with its interdisciplinary approach to building essential skills for the trades, earning a prize of $25,000.
The "Community of Hats" pitch proposed an innovative model that bridges art, theatre, and other disciplines as an example of entrepreneurial mindset and ecosystem building in order to equip students with versatile, real-world skills. This program connects disciplines in a way that fosters creativity and practical knowledge, preparing students as lifelong learners in skilled trades such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence (AI), assisted videography, and photogrammetry. This approach aligns with PVCC’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded, adaptable individuals who can thrive in today’s dynamic workforce.
The competition showcased PVCC’s collaborative spirit and dedication to interdisciplinary learning, featuring notable faculty and leaders from across the district, including Dr. Kishore Dash – PVCC business faculty, Dr. Steven Crawford – district director, Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction (MCLI), Dr. Bruce McHenry – faculty, South Mountain Community College (SMCC), Dr. Bruce Balfour – executive director, Phoenix Forge, and Dr. Elizabeth Cantu – faculty, Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC).
“All of us who pitched wanted to support the exemplary work of a multi-disciplinary set of PVCC teams including Frank Krevens (Ceramics), Ryan Wentzel (Theater), David Bradley (Ceramics), Lisa Tolentino (Game Design), Paula Crossman (Library), and Jim Sizemore (Engineering),” said Dr. Sada, indicating how many people are collaborating on this entrepreneurial ecosystem and doing meaningful work together.
“This cross-college collaboration underscores the shared commitment among Maricopa Community Colleges to supporting student success through teamwork, dedication, and a shared passion for innovation,” said Dr. Dash, who also leads PVCC’s bi-annual Innovation Challenge Competition. “The team’s dedication and ingenuity helped secure this national recognition, which is a testament to our colleges’ innovative spirit, as well as the community's ongoing support and encouragement of our programs. We are grateful to NACCE mentors and staff, whose guidance was pivotal to the team’s success. We look forward to seeing the continued positive impact of this collaborative effort on our campus and beyond.”
The Ratcliff Pitch for Skilled Trades is a highly regarded competition that showcases the entrepreneurial spirit and creative problem-solving skills of community college students and educators. Through projects like "Community of Hats," NACCE and the Ratcliffe Foundation spotlight innovative approaches to education that prepare students for success in the trades, a sector experiencing both growth and transformation.
PVCC’s Commitment to Entrepreneurship Education
At PVCC, entrepreneurial education has always been at the forefront, thanks to the unwavering support of our Entrepreneurship Education Center (EEC). A cornerstone for student and community-driven entrepreneurial growth, the EEC offers support, resources, and opportunities for self-starters throughout the north valley. This includes access to educational support, mentorship, faculty advising, business intelligence research, brainstorming sessions, and networking.
A recent survey by Northeastern University and American Public Media’s Marketplace found that nearly three-quarters of today’s students see entrepreneurship education as vital to their future. PVCC is proud to lead this charge, offering essential tools and connections for students and members of our community, including women- and minority-owned small businesses.
The EEC is designed to build entrepreneurial skills through a comprehensive approach that combines entrepreneurship, business, and technology courses. It offers a balanced learning experience with practical tools such as business development seminars, multidisciplinary research, and market analysis. Students at EEC benefit from networking opportunities with local leaders, expert faculty guidance, and access to advanced technology and data resources. Additionally, EEC provides tailored support for creating business plans and exit strategies, along with feedback on the viability of ideas and preparation for investor presentations.
To learn more about PVCC and the EEC program, visit our website or contact Dr. Dash at kishore.dash@paradisevalley.edu.