Three CGCC Students Named to All-Arizona Academic Team

Three CGCC students have been named to the All Arizona Academic team, an honor that places them among the top community college students in the state of Arizona and the country.  Alexis Powers, Tristan Garcia and Jared Brimhall were three of nine high-achieving East Valley students to receive the same honor during an awards ceremony on March 3rd.  A total of seventy-five community college scholars from across the state participated in the ceremony, which celebrates their outstanding academic achievements and distinguished leadership.

“We are very proud of these students’ individual success as well as CGCC’s strong presence on the 2016 All-Arizona Academic Team,” explained Chris Schnick,  Dean of Arts & Sciences “Applicants who are chosen for this team endure a rigorous evaluation and elimination process and to have three from CGCC is a significant achievement indeed.”

Judging to select the recipients consisted of three rounds. In the first round, a group of local business, civic, education and government leaders reviewed applications and chose the recipients of the award. Only two 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.



•    2016 All-Arizona Academic Team – CGCC, Pecos Campus

• Name: Alexis Power
  
• College: Chandler-Gilbert Community College
• Campus: Pecos Campus
• GPA: 3.89
• Transferring To: ASU
• Major (4 year): Civil Engineering
• Career Goal: Plans on earning a bachelor’s in Civil Engineering and also a Master’s. “I would like to spend time working in countries who do not have a solid infrastructure. Also, pursue project management,” shared Alexis.
• College/Community Activities: Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society, Women Rising, Engineering Club, and serving as a middle school youth leader.
• College Honors:  Presidents’ Honors Scholarship, President’s Honor List, MCCCD Foundation, Ingebritson, Steven G. Mihaylo, and Champagne, Choc & all that Jaz Scholarships
• Personal Quote: “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

• Name: Tristan Garcia 
  
• College: Chandler-Gilbert Community College
• Campus: Pecos 
• GPA: 4.0 
• Transferring to: ASU
• Major (4 year): Sustainability
• Career Goal: Garcia plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in Sustainability and become an Environmental Restoration Planner while continuing to volunteer for organizations such as Chandler/Gilbert ARC and Habitat for Humanity.
• College/Community Activities: Phi Theta Kappa, CGCC Student Ambassador, CGCC Career Services Ambassador, Hands Enriching Lives Projects Club, Inter-cultural Exchange Club, Hispanic Student Organization, Women Rising, volunteer work at church
• College Honors: Presidential Scholarship, Presidents’ Honors List, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society 
• Personal Quote: “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” –Mother Teresa

•    2016 All-Arizona Academic Team – CGCC, Pecos Campus

• Name: Jared Brimhall
  
• College: Chandler Gilbert Community College
• Campus: Williams Campus
• GPA: 4.0
• Transferring To: ASU
• Major (4 year): Nursing
• Career Goal: Jared plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from ASU and go on to become a nurse anesthetist. He also wants to provide nursing and anesthesia care as a medical missionary.
• College/Community Activities: Student Nurses in Action and volunteer work at church.
• College Honors: Phi Theta Kappa honor society member of the Alpha Sigma Nu chapter.
• Personal Quote: “If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you will find an excuse.” –Unknown

Top state team members face even greater opportunities for recognition and rewards. Twenty students will be named to the All-USA Community College Academic Team from the total pool of state first teams. All-USA Team members are the nation’s top community college students. They will be featured in a spring global edition of USA TODAY and each receive a $2,500 stipend, medallion, obelisk and certificate. These recognitions are presented to students at a ceremony at the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) Annual Convention.

In addition, the Coca-Cola Foundation, along with the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, recognizes the New Century Scholars. Fifty students from all state teams will be named Gold Scholars, receiving $1,500; 50 students will be named Silver Scholars, receiving $1,250; and 50 students will be named Bronze Scholars, receiving $1,000. A state may have multiple Gold, Silver and Bronze Scholars. All scholars also receive special medallions. The top scoring student in each of the 50 states will be named a New Century Scholar and will receive a $2,000 stipend. New Century Scholars will also be recognized at the AACC Convention.

Chandler Chamber awards three scholarships to business students

Chandler Chamber of Commerce CEO Terri Kimble (left)
presented scholarships to three business students at the
Chandler Chamber Community Awards. 

The Chandler Chamber Community Foundation awarded scholarships to three business students from Chandler-Gilbert Community College on May 29 at the Chandler Chamber Community Awards dinner. Candace Dunn, Danny Ortiz and Aaron Tenorio each received $2,000 for the 2014-2015 academic year to be applied toward business classes.

Dunn is pursuing a business administration degree and plans to work in human resources. Ortiz is working toward his business management degree and wants to start his own business. Tenorio is an accounting major.

Four receive All-Arizona academic scholarships

From left: Federica Interrante, Krista Lawless, President
Linda Lujan, Linzey Leinart and Joe Schiavo.

At its 19th Annual All-Arizona Academic Awards Luncheon yesterday, the Phi Theta Kappa organization honored 73 academic all-stars from Arizona Community Colleges including four from Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

To be eligible for the award, students must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, be in good academic standing, be working toward an associate's degree, demonstrate leadership, and interact with their community as a college ambassador. Students selected as Academic All-Stars in their state are also eligible to be chosen as a national scholar, which includes a feature in the USA Today each spring and eligibility for additional scholarships.

FIRST TEAM
Lisette Borja - Estrella Mountain Community College
Shawnie Cahuya - Rio Salado College
Cristian Castro - South Mountain Community College
Michelle Kemeny - Mesa Community College
Sona Malakyan - Gateway Community College
Heather Smyth - Mesa Community College
Kibreab Solomon - Phoenix College
Rebecca Velez - Glendale Community College

SECOND TEAM
Roberta Albinda - Rio Salado College
Sarah Hernandez - Phoenix College
Federica Interrante - Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Linzey Leinart - Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Megan Oleno - Paradise Valley Community College
Jeremy Russeau - South Mountain Community College
Joe Schiavo - Chandler-Gilbert Community College

THIRD TEAM
Nathan Barba - Estrella Mountain Community College
Bryeanna Kelley - Glendale Community College
Krista Lawless - Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Cristian Martinez - Glendale Community College
Ryan McConnaughy - Mesa Community College
Mykaela McFall - Glendale Community College
Zachary Mihalevich - Paradise Valley Community College
Krystal Moody - Scottsdale Community College
Lindsay Tabit - Gateway Community College
Cortni Yorba-Moore - Mesa Community College
Loren Zillman - Scottsdale Community College

About Phi Theta Kappa
The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to recognize and encourage
scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose,
Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity for the development of
leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of
ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for
stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence. For more
information, visit www.ptk.org.

Scholarship event raises more than $34,000

Guests to Champagne, Chocolate and all that Jazz
bid on more than 50 baskets, raising $11,000.

Sponsors and guests helped Chandler-Gilbert Community College raise more than $34,000 for student scholarships at the fourth annual Champagne, Chocolate and all that Jazz event on Friday, Feb. 7. More than 250 guests enjoyed champagne and both savory and sweet tastings from local restaurants including Brio Tuscan Grille, Florodino Pizza and Pasta, Kona Grill, Paradise Bakery & Café, Robert’s Catering, Salerno’s Catering, Schnepf Farms and The Groves Bar & Grill.

CGCC President Linda Lujan recognizes the four
scholarship recipients at the event.

College employees and community donations provided more than 50 baskets for the silent auction, which raised $11,000. From sports suites to handmade guitars, there was something for everyone to bid on.

The evening’s program, which was emceed by Wally Delecki and Erich Weber ’13, recognized four scholarship recipients who were introduced on stage and shared their personal stories while mingling with guests.  Faculty musicians Ted Goddard, Josh Gottry, Ken Hales and Randy Wright provided the evening’s entertainment.

Local restaurants provided savory and sweet samplings
from their menus.

Sponsors of the event also contributed greatly to its success. Walmart was the lead (Jazz) sponsor with Dignity Health, Orbital and Wells Fargo at the next (Champagne) level. Grainger, International Minute Press of Gilbert and New Adventures in Learning fell into the Chocolate category. Instrumental sponsors included Air Products, Caliente Construction, Chandler Education Foundation, Circle G Companies, di Sciacca, The DC, Doug Bullock, East Valley Partnership, Follett, Higley Unified School District, Linda Lujan, Maria Wise, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Professional Staff Association of Maricopa County Community College District, Queen Creek Olive Mill, Southwest Airlines, Sundt, Thorobred Chevrolet of Chandler, TrustBank and W. P. Carey School of Business at ASU.

Faculty musicians provided the evening's entertainment.

View a slideshow of the event. 

Student heading to Harvard following graduation

ABC15 news and the East Valley Tribune covered the story of Chandler-Gilbert Community College sophomore Maria Romero-Morfin who was accepted into Harvard for the second time in two years. She'll be headed to the ivy league university to study kinesiology following her graduation in May. Read more.

Scholarship paves path for 44-year-old student

Tammy Day holds her scholarship award
plaque presented by Kelle Bingham
from the Chandler Service Club. 

On May 14, Tammy Day experienced something she never imagined would happen to her — she received a $3,500 scholarship from the Chandler Service Club for her academic and personal achievements.

Day, a 44-year-old Chandler-Gilbert Community College student, was diagnosed in elementary school with a learning disability and placed in remedial classes. This, combined with being overweight, made her a target and she was teased and bullied throughout school. At age 15, she ran away from home. Life was overwhelming and she turned to drugs, losing any motivation to apply herself in classes.

“By then, getting a ‘D’ in a class was an accomplishment,” said Day. She quit high school in the ninth grade. At age 18, she decided to go back to school to earn her GED, taking night classes and passing with the lowest score possible.

“I really thought getting a GED was the top of education for me,” said Day. “College never even crossed my mind.”

Knowing she wanted to make a difference, she became an avid volunteer and found her passion in helping the elderly. She spent the next 13 years working with them and the disabled.

“One day I asked a co-worker who happened to be a social worker how I could do her job. She said I would need a college degree,” said Day. “I was hitting my late thirties and had completely lost all hope of returning to school, so I continued to volunteer.

At 40, Day made a life-changing decision and enrolled in community college when a friend suggested she return to school to pursue her dream of becoming a social worker. Her first semester was challenging and awkward, feeling uncomfortable among a much-younger student body. She had decided to withdraw when one of her professors, Patrick Williams, convinced her to attend an on-campus lecture by author, speaker and refugee Mawi Asgedom.

“I try to inspire each student to reach their fullest potential,” said Williams, English faculty. “Tammy was working hard to keep up and was making excellent use of the resources on campus. Having a good sense of her personality from class, I thought she might really benefit from the speaker.”

“I think there is something each individual wants or needs to hear, and when we do, it empowers us to move forward,” said Day. “This is what happened to me. Mawi Asgedom completely changed my life.”

Day stuck with her classes that semester and earned a 4.0, a grade point average she has maintained since.

“Tammy has a compelling story and we were impressed by her persistence and hard work,” said Kelle Bingham of the Chandler Service Club, which restructured and combined their scholarship programs this year and awarded Tammy with enough funding to pay tuition, books and related expenses for an entire year through the  Helen Pernell and Jewel Lewis Memorial Community Scholarship. “Although we have always awarded a scholarship to re-entry students, we changed the program this year to focus on providing enough funding for an entire year so students don’t have to worry about finding multiple sources of support.”

For Day, who works part-time as a private duty caregiver, it is another life-changing experience.         “Having the scholarship and knowing that I’m halfway to my associates degree makes me feel like I can do this,” Day said, who plans to go on to earn a master’s degree and write a book. “If I can do it, with my history, others can too. As Mawi Asgedom said, ‘Never, never, never give up.’”

To learn more about helping students succeed through scholarships, contact Cindy Barnes Pharr, dean of community affairs, at 480-732-7093.

Scholarship event raises $31,000 for CGCC students

Champagne, Chocolate and all that Jazz attendees
(from left) Kari Cluff, senior project manager,
Salt River Project; Carol Kluff, CGCC alumnus;
Terri Kimble, president and CEO,
Chandler Chamber of Commerce; Laura McClanahan
and Mike McClanahan, market manager, Walmart.

More students will be receiving scholarships to attend Chandler-Gilbert Community College thanks to East Valley community members and businesses. The college held its third annual Chocolate, Champagne and all that Jazz fundraising event in early February, raising more than $31,000 — a  19 percent increase over the previous year.

“It’s exciting to know that we’ll be able extend scholarships to more students who may not have had the opportunity to attend college otherwise,” said Linda Lujan, president of Chandler-Gilbert Community College. “We’re grateful for the ongoing partnership and devotion of businesses, organizations and individuals who work with us in so many ways to help students find pathways to success,”

The event drew more than 200 guests including Arizona State Legislator JD Mesnard, Queen Creek Mayor Gayle Barney, Gilbert Mayor John Lewis, City of Chandler Council members Trinity Donovan and Nora Ellen as well as police chiefs Sherry Kiyler (Chandler) and Frank Milstead (Mesa).

“Education is a strong component in the economic development and overall success of our business environment.  Scholarships are essential to provide opportunities for students, the future business leaders of our community.” said Terri Kimble, president and CEO of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce.

The event featured more than 70 gift baskets ranging from fly fishing, golf, and helicopter rides to sports tickets, interior design services and weekend getaways. The baskets are donated by local businesses and college employees.

“Our faculty and staff really go out of their way to put together baskets for this event,” said Lujan. “When we combine their contributions with those from the community, we have a dazzling display of creative generosity.  Guests get excited about winning a basket, but the true winners are our students.”

Between bids, guests sampled the dishes and desserts of local restaurants including Brio Tuscan Grille, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chompie’s, Crackers & Company Café, The Groves Bar & Grill, Honey Bear’s BBQ, Kona Grill, Lisa’s Rum Cake, Salerno’s Catering and TopIt Cupcakes.

Four scholarship recipients mingled with guests and shared their personal stories and posters featuring thank you notes from additional scholarship recipients are placed throughout the event.

“It’s really impactful to be here and talk to the people who make the scholarships possible,” said Stephen Acosta, aviation maintenance technology student and scholarship recipient. “I hope that I can convey how grateful I am and how the scholarship is more than tuition assistance, but also a vote of confidence.

View a two-minute slideshow featuring some of the evening's attendees.