Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Arizona Mathematics Partnership: Increasing Student Achievement in K-14 Mathematics

The Arizona Mathematics Partnership (AMP) fosters a culture in which K-14 teachers/faculty and administrators are encouraged, supported, and expected to grow professionally through a commitment to improving student success in mathematics. This collaborative professional development program emphasizes instruction and curriculum development as emerging from a process in which teachers are focused on student thinking. Our guiding philosophy is that student achievement can only be increased by first enhancing teachers’ knowledge and skills in both content and pedagogy. When teachers have a profound understanding of the mathematical ideas they teach, they are better able to select and adapt effective tasks, ask probing questions that prompt students to think deeply, and assess students’ learning in meaningful ways. AMP has been collaborating with CGCC partner schools for two years to promote excellence in mathematics education.

Innovators

• Scott Adamson, Residential Faculty, Mathematics
• Trey Cox, Residential Faculty, Mathematics
• Bill Guerriero, Vice President, Academic Affairs
• Greg Peterson, President
• April Strom, Residential Faculty, Mathematics
• Jim Vicich, Faculty Emeritus, Mathematics
• Pamela Woodbury, Division Chair, Mathematics

District Office

A Districtwide Approach to Student Applications for Scholarships

The colleges, district, and foundation in the Maricopa County Community College District managed and operated separate scholarship applications and systems. This approach created a variety of byzantine barriers for our students seeking to enroll and obtain tuition support. Additionally, the timing and notification of awards were variable, and many students were not being notified in a timely manner. The district and foundation collaboratively developed a multi-year initiative to increase scholarship accessibility, streamline scholarship applications, and ensure timely notification of scholarship awards. The team identified and acquired the NextGen platform through a rigorous procurement process leading to its implementation across the system. The NextGen Scholarship Manager Platform combined both college and foundation scholarships into one easy-to-use system which streamlined the process, enabled students to easily apply for hundreds of scholarships within one portal, and dramatically increased scholarship applications.

Innovators

• Joseph Cooper, Software Developer Specialist
• Annette Linders, District Director, Financial Aid Operations and Compliance
• Karley Mellberg, Scholarship Fund Administrator, Foundation
• Aimee Pearce, Assistant Director, Financial Aid
• Bea Rendon, Director, Student Services
• Julie Smith, SIS Production Manager
• Brian F. Spicker, President and CEO, Foundation
• Vickie Ungor, Student Services Analyst Senior

Estrella Mountain Community College

Undergraduate Research Experience Program: A STEM Center of Excellence and Development Office Partnership

The Undergraduate Research Experience Program provided students with the research skills needed to be successful in STEM fields. According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report (2021), occupations in the STEM fields are expected to grow by 8.0 percent by 2029, compared with 3.7 percent for all occupations. It is, therefore, imperative for colleges to help address the growing need by providing programs that have been proven to increase persistence and completion. The program was offered through a partnership between Estrella Mountain Community College’s STEM Center of Excellence and Development Office during the fall 2022 and spring 2023 semesters. Faculty Research Mentors created and led students through STEM research projects to gain valuable research skills such as problem-solving and communication skills as well as a better understanding of their career path, while also acquiring specific STEM lab-related skills. STEM faculty and lab staff provided students with the support they needed to be successful, and many students claimed that it was a life changing or major confirming experience.

Innovators

• Kimberley Harrell, Vice President, Academic Affairs
• Debra Maihofer, Program Analyst, Corporate and Foundation Relations
• Filippo Posta, Faculty, Math, and Director, STEM
• Liahla Roberts, Coordinator, STEM Center of Excellence
• Jonathan Robles, Director, Alumni, Corporate, and Foundation Relations

GateWay Community College

SIS Attendance Tracking System for Clock Hour-Based Programs

The SIS Attendance Tracking System (SATS) is a fully integrated solution for attendance tracking which updates student attendance records in real-time, eliminates data duplicity, removes shadow systems, provides a scalable architecture, leverages SIS security, and can be adapted for any other institution in MCCCD. In addition, as a direct consequence of its implementation, SATS allows the Student Services and Clock Hour Program areas to streamline their operations while empowering students to record and keep track of their time punches without having to depend on faculty members or college staff.

Innovators

• Cassie Capizzi, Student Services Analyst, GWC
• Joseph Cooper, Software Developer Specialist, DO
• Robin Diehl, Instructor Senior, Beauty and Wellness, GWC
• Kelly Escoto, Instructor Senior, ECG Technician, GWC
• Chad Fingerson, Software Developer Senior, DO
• Kristie Fok, Director, Admissions and Records, and Registrar, GWC
• Steve Gerlock, Business Systems Analyst, GWC
• Jay Hernandez, Instructor Senior, Meat Cutting, GWC
• Mike Kapadya, Program Analyst, GWC
• Cheryl Laieski, Director, Information Technology, DO
• Hector Lara Rochin, Software Developer Specialist, DO
• Toni Peoples, Instructor Senior, Beauty and Wellness, GWC
• Joanne Perez-Arreola, Coordinator, Student Help Desk, and Instructor Senior, GWC
• LeAnn Reyes, Business Systems Analyst Senior, DO
• Paulette Schnyder, Business Systems Analyst Senior, DO
• Leo Serrano Mena, Network and Systems Specialist, GWC
• Neeraj Sharma, Manager, Information Technology, DO
• Julie Smith, Manager, Information Technology, DO
• Leah Smith-Thompson, Supervisor, Student Services, GWC
• Mona Starks, Consultant, Training Development, GWC
• Michael Tapscott, Instructional Services Coordinator Senior, Massage Therapy, GWC
• Bruce Thompson, Instructor, Computer Foundations, GWC

Glendale Community College

The Reimagine Teaching and Learning Project

The Reimagine Teaching and Learning Project (Reimagine) at Glendale Community College started in 2019 and is comprised of three primary ways to participate: (1) A semester-based, 16-week cohort experience for faculty participants to re-envision their courses; (2) an individualized faculty project to re-envision courses; and (3) grant opportunities for individual faculty, staff, or departments to implement a program or idea that aligns with the primary objectives of the project. Eighty-seven faculty have participated in the project in the last four years by completing a cohort or individual project. As a result, these faculty have redesigned their courses around high-impact teaching practices. Additionally, Reimagine has awarded almost $120,000 in grant funding to 21 different projects, including those focused on innovative technology, professional development, and resources to help improve our students' learning experience and success.

Innovators

• Jennifer Alton, Program Analyst
• Cheryl Colan, Instructional Developer
• Beth Eyres, Faculty Co-Director and Residential Faculty
• Meghan Kennedy, Co-Director, Center for Teaching, Learning and Engagement
• Jennifer Lane, Chair and Residential Faculty, English
• Polly Laubach, Coordinator, Training and Development
• Scott Schulz, Vice President, Academic Affairs

Mesa Community College

iBelong Student Success Initiative

The iBelong Student Success Initiative efficiently delivers high-impact experiences both inside and outside of the classroom for all students at Mesa Community College by (1) intentionally and fearlessly dismantling structural barriers to empower all students to thrive, and (2) providing access to the tools and resources students need to be successful in this new reality of innovation. The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that not all students have access to the tools and technology they need to succeed. In response, the iBelong Student Success Initiative has focused on student success by providing a common technological learning platform—iPad bundle—to facilitate students’ education across all learning environments. The initiative is intended to provide modern mobile learning environments that support the way students live and learn and promote community stewardship and career readiness while inspiring a sense of belonging for all students.

Innovators

• Beth Alsen, Faculty, Education Studies
• Alvin Bridges, Associate Vice President, College Technology Services
• Patrick Fischer, Student Support, Thunderbird Tech Studio
• Patricia Herrera, Instructional Technologist
• Timothy Williams, Supervisor, Customer Support

Paradise Valley Community College

The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Employee Engagement

The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Employee Engagement (CTLEE) has been redesigned and reorganized as an overarching department to support the learning needs of all employees, and focuses on a what is possible approach to learning support.

Innovators

• Sam Fraulino, Software Developer Senior
• Lynn McClelland, Co-Director, CTLEE, and Faculty, English
• Sofia Pijanowski, Office Coordinator
• Michaelle Shadburne, Co-Director, CTLEE

Phoenix College

Bumstead Resource Room – Powered by Whataburger

Phoenix College is proud to partner with Whataburger and St. Mary's Food Bank to help alleviate food and basic need insecurities. Through its signature Feeding Student Success program, Whataburger provides financial and product support for the newly branded Bumstead's Resource Room – Powered by Whataburger, housed in the Student Union. St. Mary's Food Bank hosts food distributions at the Phoenix College campus to support students and the community.

Innovators

• Abdalkarim (Alex) Abualkheir, Student
• Michael Armsby, Operations Manager, Maintenance
• Eric Berg, Faculty, English
• Joshua Blankette, Project Manager, Marketing
• Miguel Enriquez, Custodian
• Christy Flora, Manager, Marketing and Public Relations
• Chuck Fortino, Supervisor, Media/AV
• Seth Goodman, Manager, Grants
• Joseph Gonzales, Media Design Analyst
• Stephanie Green, Faculty, Nutrition
• Ambar Guillen, Program Specialist
• Luis Gutierrez Lucero, Operations Technician, Maintenance
• Peniella Irakoze, Student
• Brandon Larkin, Deputy CIO
• Diana Martinez, Student Service Specialist Senior
• Sandra Matsusaka, Operations Manager, Maintenance
• Doug McCarthy, Director, Operations
• Christine Moore, Librarian
• Aris Mosier, Manager, Student Services
• Judy Sanchez, Chief Development Officer, Foundation 
• Brian Spicker, President and CEO, Foundation
• Deb Spotts, Director, Development
• Vashi Worley Moore, Senior Student Services Specialist

Scottsdale Community College

NAU Bachelor of Science in Biology Program

SCC’s NAU Bachelor of Science in Biology Program is an evening 2+2 program created to meet the diverse needs of our student population, including working students and students caring for families. The program prepares students for a career as a biologist or for advanced study (e.g., medicine, conservation, veterinary science, environmental law). All SCC residential biology faculty teach in the program, taking advantage of the depth and expertise of the department. The program has strong research partnerships with NAU, ASU, McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, SRPMIC Environmental and Natural Resource Department, Maricopa County Flood Control, and U.S. Forest Service and AZ Game and Fish, all of which provide fourth-year students with hands-on experiences. Two NAU Biology at SCC students have received the prestigious NAU Hooper Undergraduate Research Award. The first program cohort was launched in fall 2020 and celebrated their graduation in spring 2022. SCC proudly welcomes its fourth cohort in Fall 2023. NAU Biology at SCC is dedicated to academic excellence for its students and can serve as a model for the development of similar programs.

Innovators

• Patty Ashby, Director, Natural Sciences, and Professor, Biology
• John Weser, Chair, Life Sciences, and Professor, Biology

South Mountain Community College

Two Spirit Powwows at SMCC

Native PFLAG, Phoenix Indian Center, and South Mountain Community College collaborate to provide the only Two Spirit Powwow in Arizona. A powwow is a cultural celebration with traditional singing, dancing, storytelling, drumming, and more. The Two Spirit Powwow provides an opportunity for those who do not identify as gender binary from tribes across Arizona and the nation to dance, honor, and celebrate together. Our campus, located on tribal land, serves as an ideal space for this annual event and for our Native American community partners. The Two Spirit Powwow began in 2019 in an effort to embrace, celebrate, and appreciate the Native American and LGBTQIA+ communities, and provides a unique opportunity for faculty, staff, student, and community learning to occur.

Innovators

• Gerard Begay, Student Services Analyst
• Donicio Jensen Bobadilla, Program Analyst
• Kyle Mitchell, Program Analyst Senior