Four students from CGCC named to All-Arizona Academic Teams

Recognized for academic achievements and distinguished leadership

CHANDLER, Ariz. –  March 20, 2017 --Four Chandler-Gilbert Community College students were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements and distinguished leadership at the 2017 All-Arizona Academic Recognition Ceremony on March 9 at the Hilton Phoenix/Mesa Hotel. Students Yessica Avitia, Danielle Jones, Adrian Ruiz and Rachel Torne joined 22 other Maricopa Community College District students to be honored for their success.

“Congratulation to Yessica, Danielle and Adrian and Rachel’s on being named to the All-Arizona Academic Team,” said William Guerriero, interim president at CGCC. “We commend you on your hard work and determination needed to receive this distinguished honor. We are honored to have you as part of the CGCC community and know you will go on to achieve great success in your academic and professional careers.”

To be considered for an All-Arizona Academic Teams, students must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, be in good academic standing, be working on an associate degree, demonstrate leadership and be involved on campus and/or volunteer in their communities.

In addition, Phi Theta Kappa, American Association of Community Colleges, Arizona Community Colleges, Arizona Board of Regents and USA TODAY help these exceptional students reach their educational goals by awarding scholarships and issuing tuition waivers to Arizona’s three universities: Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University.

Judging to select the recipients consisted of three rounds. In the first round, a group of local businesses, civic, education and government leaders reviewed applications and chose the recipients of the award. Only two students are selected from each college campus. The selected recipients’ applications were then forwarded to Washington, D.C., for second and third rounds of judging and scoring by representatives from various federal agencies and national education associations. Those scores were used to rank the students for first, second or third state teams. First Team members receive a $1,000 scholarship, Second Team members a $750 scholarship and Third Team members a $500 scholarship to one of Arizona’s state universities.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Williams Campus

Danielle Jones - Third Team

Transferring to: Arizona State University -- Major: Power Plant Engineering
Jones plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in power plant engineering at Arizona State University. Her 12-year commitment career goal is to earn the Designated Engineering Representative (DER) certification through the Federal Aviation Administration.

 

Adrian Ruiz - Second Team
Transferring to: Arizona State University -- Major: Nursing
Ruiz plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Arizona State University and become a registered nurse at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and later continue his service to the military and veteran community as a registered nurse at the Phoenix VA Healthcare System.

Chandler Gilbert Community College, Pecos Campus

Yessica Avitia Santos - Second Team
Transferring to: Arizona State University -- Major: Business
Avitia plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in business at Arizona State University and become a CEO of an international company while continuing to volunteer for organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs and StreetLight USA.

Rachel Torne - Second Team
Transferring to: Arizona State University -- Major: Early Childhood Education/Special Education

Torne plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and special education
at Arizona State University and become an early childhood teacher for kindergarten-third graders or for an early childhood autism program. Torne plans to simultaneously earn her master’s degree, endorsements for her teaching certificate and be highly involved in the education community.

Rocko the Dog to Receive 'Bucket List' Wish, Earns College Degree

Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s (CGCC) alumni community is now more diverse than ever with the addition of its first canine graduate, Rocko the dog!  Rocko, our lovable four-legged friend, was presented with an honorary "AGEC" (A Generally Educated Canine) degree from CGCC on January 23 during Dr. Regi Munro’s Anatomy & Physiology class.

Earning a college degree was the next item on Rocko’s "bucket list." The 8-year-old Lab mix who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer had been in and out of shelters for years.  Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) says Rocko had been surrendered to their Mesa campus because his owner was moving and could no longer care for him. Last March, he was adopted but returned to the shelter a month later. In May, another person adopted Rocko, but once again he was surrendered — this time because he was sick.

MCACC volunteers have grown attached to the lovable Rocko who has become far more than a companion, but an inspiration.   Especially for Mike Mosteller, Rocko’s new foster parent, a retired U.S. Marine who suffers from PTSD and has found both a friend and a source of therapy in Rocko as a service dog.  “When people hear that I have taken in Rocko, they call me a hero,” shared Mike, “but it’s Rocko and dogs like him who are the real heroes.”  It is this bond with Rocko that led Mike and the MCACC family to make Rocko’s final days his best by creating a bucket list of experiences they felt he would love.

The first item on Rocko’s list was to be a real fire dog and ride on a fire engine.  Sure enough, on January 13 Rocko joined the Mesa firefighters sounding the siren and cruising through the city on a fire engine drawing the attention of the community.  Rocko’s endearing story was picked up widely by local news outlets and when people learned of his pursuit they wanted to help.

Dr. Munro reached out to the MCACC suggesting that Rocko next check off his dream to graduate from college.  As the chair of the Biological Sciences Division at CGCC, Dr. Munro saw real meaning to having Rocko join her BIO 202 Human Anatomy & Physiology class.

"It is important for me that my students know that all members of their family matter and count.  I impart on my students the importance of balance with school family, friendships, and our pets," said Dr. Munro.  "Also, I was touched by how Rocko and Mike found each other, help to heal one another and bring joy to each others’ lives.  I have many student veterans and several students who have service dogs attend school with them and help to provide emotional support and care.  I found it only fitting that for all our dogs do for us, Rocko should be able to earn an honorary degree of his own."
Dr. Munro, with the blessing of Dr. William Guerriero, interim president of CGCC, e-mailed her bucket list idea for Rocko to MCACC, sharing her reasoning and the connection she felt to his and Mike’s story.  MCACC and Rocko enthusiastically accepted the invitation and at approximately 10:30 am on January 23, 2017 Rocko took one small step for dogs, one giant leap for dog-kind.  Rocko’s tail wagged as Dr. Guerriero and Dr. Munro presented him with an "AGEC" degree in front of a classroom full of students, staff and local news outlets.

What’s next on Rocko's bucket list?  After fighting fires in Mesa and donning his cap and gown in Chandler, Rocko, a die-hard Cubs fan, hopes to run the bases at Sloan Park and lounge in the outfield.  Beyond that, Rocko, Mike and MCACC are hard at work planning the next adventure.

Want to help Rocko cross off his list?  Help him to stay healthy!  Rocko's initial tests for his diagnosis, his chemotherapy medications and doctor’s visits are being covered by Creative Contributions, a local non-profit organization helping shelter animals gain access to full service medical care. Visit www.creativecontributions.org to help Rocko and many other animals in need.

View the KPHO CBS Channel 5 clip